Two Ballet Photos

These photos were taken before my dd's first ballet recital... it was only a summer camp but she had a wonderful time! :)
Kit: Lavendar Fields by Melany Violette,
Scraplifted: Sophia August 2005 by Eve Recinella
Fonts: AdineKirnberg and Bradley's Hand


A second week at camp where they did Fairytopia related dance and crafts. (Sorry about the distortion, but it is to protect the identities of those I didn't ask if I could use their photos! LOL!)

Kit: Tropical Dreams Minikit by Melany Violette,
Scraplifted: mikacirclemess (July 2005) by Melany VIolette
Fonts: AdineKirnberg and Century Schoolbook

Walking in 2002 and Big Shoes

Digging through some old photos and found these little gems! :)

These photos were taken with my first digital camera in 2002. My dd absolutely loved the Bjorn and so whenever we brought it out and got her in it... she wriggled and giggled and totally enjoyed the walks. I've been dying to try the circles and words on a circle technique so I tested it out here, its not perfect but works good.

Kit is Susan Godfrey's Camping Fun (at Elemental Scraps)
Fonts are Forte and Bradley's hand.


This little gem was done for the 30 day scrap challenge at Element Scraps and it was for Kevin Bacon's birthday, using the word art from Digimedic and the kit is Susan Godfrey's Be My Baby kit (at Elemental Scraps), stitching was by Wendy Whitney in her Patriotic Day kit from Gotta Pixel.

New Pants Photo Posting Problem

So I went back a few entries and tried to post the photos I wanted on the last couple of post and they won't upload. Either I can't go back and add photos to an already long post or the photos I have are too big. *sigh* Oh well.

On the hook
In the meantime you know the needle, hook or machine haven't been idle. On the hook I've been making a pair of pants.... Maisie pants as a tester for the pants. I think I've got version one in 5 pieces. They're really cool and I have just the waist band to go - but wouldn't you know it I ran out of yarn. So I'm gonna dig through my stash and since it is only the waistband, I'll do it in different yarn and hope it holds up with the rest of the yarn I used...

I also have a few grannies on the hook for the crafting group that I'm working with - we're making 8 inch grannies to send to a woman who likes to piece them together - boy will she be busy.

And last but not least the swing cover... You know real outdoor swings that get toasty hot in the summer, well the big kiddo is tired of burning her cheeks and thighs on the swing seats so I'm making a cover for her that we can take to the park on park days! :) Should be interesting.

On the needle
Evidently I finished up the knitted pants I was working on but I have a few new balls of yarn headed this way in a few weeks, so I'm working through the stash - I think I need to get on to the Katja in the sidebar but need to weedle down the 'To Do' list before I promise to start a new project.

On the Machine
Just in time for the 4th of July I whipped together a pair of Firework shorts for the baby. Discovered I didn't ahve elastic for them but decided she was gonna wear them anyway! I'll probably finish them up this week and make another pair.

I've also got the move on a dress for the big kiddo. The Pattern is cut now I just need to decide am I making her birthday dress for next year or a sunny summery dress for this year.... decisions decisions.... plus I have 2 more piles of material for something matching for both girls!

Never an idle moment here! :)

Half n Half and Chocolate!

July 2 at noon was exactly have way through the year, so in celebration of that fact here are my two half n half layouts... WordArt by Digimedic, fonts are both Freestyle script!


Now this little beauty comes in early celebration of Chocolate day which is traditionally celebrated on July 7th.... what a glorious day! LOL! Again wordart by Digimedic, and font is Freestyle script!

Happy Belated Canada Day

Since it is 90 degrees outside in my part of the world I thought this little cheery piece would be good! LOL!

WordArt from Element Scraps 30 day Challenge by Danielle ..... Kit is America from Retrodiva Designs. Photo is from 1974! LOL!

Weightloss

In keeping with the weightloss challenge scrapping I'm doing at ElementScraps.... I signed up recently for an awesome program by SparkPeople. It seems like a great program after 4 days! :) I've attached a link in the sidebar to the website! :)



Get a Free Online Diet

Nothing like a little Shameless advertising! :)

F&F Soaker Pants with Embelly

I did the Fern & Faerie Soaker pants based on S's measurements.... I got bored on the last leg and decided to see how well a cable would show on variegated yarn. I like them but probably wouldn't do that again.

4th of July 2003

A 4th of July photo from 2003.
Reads:
This is the first dress that I made for you. It was done in time for the
4th of July 2003. You were so pleased wearing it. Everyone thought you were so wearing it. You had an awesome time at the fireworks, so much so that you keep asking when they'll come again! This photo was taken a few days later. Here you are wearing the apron that you and I made!

Kit is Let Freedom Ring by Susan Godfrey available soon at Elemental Scraps.

Lyric Challenge

These two were both done for a lyric challenge at ES....

More from Gulf Shores

A week at the beach can do a family good...

Here are some of our photos from our recent trip! :)

Kit is Catch A Wave by Susan Godfrey
Font is Bradley's Hand

Surf's Up - Catch-a-wave

Kit is Catch A Wave by Susan Godfrey
Font is Bradley's Hand
Tear by Steph Krush
Sketch by Bree at Scrap-maps.com

Sarah and Mummy
Kit: Purple Passion freebie by Jennifer Layden
Fonts: Ma Sexy, and Bradley's Hand
Sketch: from Bree, of http://www.scrap-maps.com/
Tear by Steph Krush


Big Sister
Papers: MamaRose bonus freebie by Eva Kipler
Font: French Script
Rose: from my garden

D is for..... & Doodling Moon

This one was done for 3 challenges.....June's Doodling moon at DigitalFreebies Amanda's Doodle Challenge, D is for at ES Debbie's Alphabet, and Blue Prints by Brenda at Gootapixel....

D is for Daddy Darling and Dreaming
(ain't that the truth with a newborn?!)
My dd (at a couple weeks old.)

Journalling....
Everybody else has closed their eyes
It's quiet as can be
Everyone will sleep until sunrise
Everyone but the moon and me!
Bill Harley as sung by Nicolette Larson

KIT is Doodling Moon - Bannerwoman Designs

A Day of Projects...

So if you scroll down to the 'In Progress' section you can view what I'm working on. I try to keep it up to date with the projects I'm working on this month.... right now I've got.....

Crochet Heartghan (Seam) (Dec) 33%
This is somewhat of a thorn in my side.... I'm not happy with the project but well some day it'll get done!
pic to come

2nd Mint set (hat mitts booties) - (May) 45%
The jacket is done, I just need to work up a hat mitts and booties set to go with it... I'll get back to this one when I'm less distracted.

35 charity items *April* (0 of 35 items) (Apr) 0%
I've adopted the flylady method on this one and will work on the June ones till they're finished then go back and work on these! :)

40 charity items *June* (6 of 40 items) (Jun) 15%
Progressing.

TinyBird Soakers in Sarah (Embellish) (May) 95%
These pants are done and they've been worn a couple times already... I just need to find a good image of a dragonfly to embellish them with.... for some reason Sarah reminds me of a dragon fly and all the things that have been bought for her have a dragonfly on them - so this works.
pic to come

Felted Lunch Bag (Jun) 27%
I'm not into this one so much right now... but it is progressing (this has become my car project!
pic to come

Sew - Knitting Needle Holder (Jun) 100%
Wham bam thank you ma'am.... this works up really quickly.... usually uninterrupted about 20 minutes cutting and 1 hr sewing. So this was an easy knock out.
pic to come

Knit F&F Pants in Rose&Gray (Jun)
This was one of those spur of the moment decisions.... The majority is done, I just have one leg left but this one will be slower than the rest as I'm doing a cable down the leg. Don't know how it will look but hey. I feel I need to make myself a cable needle... so that will probably a quicky project shortly too!
pic to come

You can tell I'm horribly distracted.... because these are the ones I've worked on today!
40 charity items *June* (6 of 40 items) (Jun) 15%
Felted Lunch Bag (Jun) 27%
Sew - Knitting Needle Holder (Jun) 100%
Knit F&F Pants in Rose&Gray (Jun) 80%

Sewing - Knitting Needle Holder

For Christmas last year I made my mum (and myself) a knitting needle and a crochet hook holder, she loved it. Mum's friend has been good to me, and my kids. She's a long time knitter as well and has her needles in the same box/bag that mum had hers in and it about drove me nuts every time I went to look for needles when I'd visit my mum! LOL! So mum wanted to pay for the materials and time for me to make one for her friend as well. I couldn't charge my mum for that... well low and behold mum's friend is having a birthday next month... so its taken me a month or so to drag out my sewing machine and materials... but in an hour (almost to the minute) I'm about 85% done.

I'm not happy with one of the seams and will 'rip-it' but after that I have to get rid of the strings and finish up the needle stripes... and its done. I love fast projects.... but of course in shopping for the ribbon, which I didn't have extra of... I found 3 patterns that I wanted.... and so once this is complete, I have a dress (material already bought) and some jammies to sew for the big kid.

Ah... I miss sewing sometimes... I think after this little spin with the machine though its time to take it in for service.

ESSYS - Weeks 1 and 2

These two were done for Element Scraps - Scrap Yourself Skinny.
both are done on Hunter's Overalls.
Fonts are Bradley's Hand, Tekton Pro and French Script

Stitch Markers

So I stop by various sites and blogs and see all these really nice stitch markers only to discover that I'm using crappy strands of yarn to mark my place and I'm tired of it because my markers ALWAYS fall out and I have to sit down and recount! LOL!


So in surfing I decide.... darn they can't be hard.... so I picked up a few supplies at the Walmart the other day ... and in 15 minutes had one put together... I love my little dragonfly marker.... another 15 minutes and I had a butterfly marker too. So cool! But I'm not thrilled with how they turned out and have decided to research a little more and get better supplies... (I'll redo the markers I made - just because I can! LOL!) and the fact that I need more anyway...


Here is an awesome tut. on how to make them at wormspit.com I've decide that I'm gonna try and make some Crochet markers too.

So I've been making alittle progress on my current soaker... and have fallen head over heals madly in love with my PureWool yarn.... mmmm sumptuous.

Heros and Birthdays

Elemental Scraps Chat the other night requested a photo of your heros.... well here are mine. Most people can't say their kids are their heros but after all that mine have been through I figure they've justified the title! :) They still smile and they truly are my heros! :)


This one is the first in a series of photos of M's 5th birthday. The little cupcake sticker was from Susan Godfrey's Shabby Birthday kit. The rest I customed from the Celebrate sticker (which is a photo from the wall at Pump-it-Up.

An awesome time was had by all that attended. Slides and bouncing for over an hour... followed by a 30 minutes of food and cake... I think all the kids went home tired after that....

Yarn Weenie - Rant

I feel like a yarn weenie today. Its evident I'm not a yarn snob.

I'm on a yahoo group that uses various types of 100% Wool yarn, silk, Alpaca, 100% cottons etc and they talk of acrylic like it is the most evil horrible creation in the world and those who use it are poor excuses for human beings. But there are some I rather like.

Red Heart has its uses - I can't say I love the feel of it but it has its uses, just like anything else... Other acrylics I like because I can toss them no guilt into the washing machine and promptly dry them without worry of shrinkage or other horrible disasters occuring.

I've knit for almost 28 yrs and there is no way in this day that I would make sweet baby outfit in anything that is hand wash or special care... its just not nice. Ya it might be soft, but the way I look at it,... if it is special care how likely is the baby to wear it? and isn't that why I'm making it - for everyday use?? For me I wouldn't use it because I don't want the hassle and don't have the time to stand and wash by hand.... maybe that's just me. Baby S here is a puker and 5 minutes in a cutesy handwash and that's it. What fun is that?? It would be banished to the bottom of her keepsake box just because it was a pain in the butt to use.

I have yards and yards of Sayelle yarn from years ago when Sears.Ca used to do their promotionals. You know that stuff knits up stiff but after its first wash it is so sweetly soft. I was cursing at its roughness as I made S's Baby blanket mere days before she was born, then mum tossed it in the wash and it was super soft... even I would snuggle up with it.

So tell me yarn users... would you shun me if I sent you a beautiful hand knit outfit that you could toss in the wash without a thought? Even if it was soft?

I'm feeling rather sensitive these days about this issue because I've made about 6 different outfits for friends new babies in yarns like Bernat Baby Softee and the like - washed them so they're soft (with no harsh chemicals) and sent them on their way but if you wouldn't wear it on the baby what was the point of my making it?! Maybe I'll resort back to buying cheapo outfits and keep my hand knits to myself... *sniff*

Tell me, I'm curious.....

5 months

Where does the time go?

Journalling
You're almost 5 months old. I can't believe you've grown so quickly. You're definitely a kid who loves her tummy time. You'll play quite a few minutes on your surfboard, but when you've had enough you've had enough and the whole world will know it. You are rarely without a smile these days. Your personality is shining through.... You are curious, cuddly and almost always happy!

Yarn-addiction Post

....aaaahhhhh (read that as a comforting sigh) ....

Dh was talking with a co-worker about my current love of 'higher priced than Walmart acrylic yarns ... if they're over $5.00 a ball he calls them the "Albino - endangered - Rabbit fur yarn" and the guy mentioned that his wife works at a local yarn store..... hmmm he says... where is it, maybe my wife knows it... ha guess what... I didn't, and the sweet dear that he is he came home and told me about the place I haven't yet been too....

Well me being me I says: "So you're taking me there Saturday right? Because I'd love to see it... maybe they have friendlier people that the current Snobby LYS I go to."
DH: "Sure."
Me: "I just want to look you know."
DH: "Ah-ya right!"
Me: "Well... will ya take me."
DH: "Okay"

So I sit the last day or so and think about the yarn store... like I have nothing better to do right?! And then I talk to my (dear sweet child) DSC#2's mom tonight and tell her I'd love to make something for the baby.... because well DSC#1 and DSC#3 receive many of my test projects and she says well... something like this or this or this would be perfect... you know I'd love something you made for the baby because well its from you....

So at midnight I get off the phone with her and think to myself I saw something like this a couple days ago... and hmmmm where could it be.... a quick search and I know what yarn I want to buy at that yarn store tomorrow....

I want to make this...Katja in this yarn..... Well low and behold... this yarn store is supposed to have it....

So now I can sit back and relax,.... know what I want to buy and how much I need - though I might buy a couple extras... as I could make that top into a cute little dress instead... (or I could make a duplicate for DSC#3 as well....)

Mental note.... Best deal I can get on this yarn is $48.75 for 10 balls of this yarn (what would I do with 10 balls?) from http://Discountyarnsale.com/

Hats.... and more Hats.

From May 29th to June 3rd I've completed 20 hats, thus completing my May goal for hats... now I have April (20) and June (40) to work on ... I have 5 hats on the go this morning ... 3 knit, and 2 crochet'd. I should post pics of my hats later this afternoon.... and get my 2 patterns up shortly.

4 months

Kit is Outerbanks (freebie) by Eva Kipler
Fonts are Ma Sexy and Papyrus
Sketch by Nicole White

At four months you smile a lot, but you also have a temper when you want something and can't get it. You're a baby who loves to be moved around since you can't go yourself, but often when you are in the Maya you fall asleep in a wink. I think these 3 pictures show your personality... Sweet and snuggle, Smiling and happy, and a total grump when you want to be though I'm happy to say that doesn't happen often!

An Ad Challenge

An ad challenge done for Elemental Scraps - my entry was late but hey I had to wait for imms to make it work! LOL!




Journalling reads....
When the Pain Bites: We bite it back with a little tylenol. Following your 6 month round of immuniziations you pretty much let us know that there was some serious pain happening there. We were in the car and there was no way we could go anywhere til we got you something. Well just the look of the box was enough to keep you happy til we got home. But like your sister before you - you also let us know that you won't be tolerating this stuff in the future and we better find you something that will work for ya!

May Charity Challenge on the Hook

FlyLady's motto is "You are not behind! I don't want you to try to catch up; I just want you to jump in where we are. O.K.?", so I've decided to jump in with two left feet on my May charity goal of 20 items.

With June fast approaching I haven't done any charity crafting really in 2 months... and for Bev's 2006 Charity Challenge I had set my personal goal of 365 items by the end of the year so I've fallen short. Bev's group is doing a Hats off Contest to see how many hats we can make between now and June 18th... starting yesterday (May 29) and I've just flung out 8 from 9:30pm last night and 3 pm today. This should help me get focused and back on track. I need to set my sites on June's goals too though. I figure 30 should do it but I'll update my figure when I find out where I stand in terms of my totals.

So keep your eyes open they'll be a few updates before the end of the day tomorrow, once we get the Kiddo's 5th birthday party out of the way... we should all be exhausted by the end of tomorrow! LOL!

Baby Pants and Dolly Clothes

Just finished up a pair of TinyBird Longies in 100PureWool (Sarah Colourway), but I want to put an embellie on them... so pics will have to wait until I've found the right embellie.


I used the Dragonfly Faery pattern to make a pair of shorts for my dd's doll out of the left over Sarah, and also did a Doll sweater for a very disproportionate
dolly, I think she is the Little Mommy doll.
but she looks cute and I hope to have one really happy kiddo tomorrow! LOL!

Why I Scrap

This was done for an inspiration challenge at ES
Credits: Dirty Cantaloupe Freebie by Susan Godfrey. Font is Susie's Hand

100% Pure Wool

If you use 100% Merino wool for anything and haven't used 100PureWool you don't know what you are missing. This is an incredibly soft and luxurious yarn and it comes in so many pretty colours. I've decided that if I'm working in wool - this will be my yarn! I'm in love....

But I'll wait until the Manos Del Uruguay comes in and see what I think of that too!

Woohoo! I got percentage bars.

I finally managed to find some percentage bars thanks to The Dragonfly Faery who got hers from Unlikely Words.

Rainbow Park

Journalling reads:
They finally upgraded the park in our
subdivision this year. Where before we had
swings and a crummy slide, now we have this
awesome climber, swings and a slide. No
matter what the weather, you are always happy to
go to the park you named Rainbow Park. The
name seems fitting as it brightens your day
when we go there. Your favourite things are to
climb the rockwall, swing and slide downthe
straight slide. When you are playing you
constantly talk about being at Rainspell Island
and capturing the Rainbow Fairies because you
read the Rainbow Magic Fairy books Series recently.

Credits: Font is Ma Sexy, and Bradley's Hand, green paper is from Amanda Rockwell's Fun kit.

Yarn Junky gets a fix

The yarn junky in me just fixated on some Manos Del Uruguay, and I've looked at it everyday for 3 days with that evil little voice in the back of my mind saying "Get it, Get it - forget what dh says Get it! GET IT!"

So guess what.
I placed a bid.

Dh said it was okay too but I guess I'll wait a week or two before I go buy my lunch boxes which I want NOW NOW NOW! Its a trade off.

More Shorts

More Mummy Made shorts! :)
These ones were done in Lion Wool. They're rather rough and I'm hoping they will soften but not totally convinced that will happen unless they felt a little.

Items I love in my Home

The gift dh and I bought ourselves with a gift certificate present from a fabulously expensive shop where we could afford 2 doilies or this.... I like our choice.

a Wedding shower gift. My beautiful little kitty.

Thursday's Blog Challenge

And now for something a little different! :)

From 2Peas Message board.
Thursday Blog Challenge.

Challenge: What do you like to do when you have your home to yourself, for an hour, for a day, or maybe even an entire week?

Here is my answer to this one!

When I am all alone at home, just me and my thoughts... I will do a few things.

Knit, sew, crochet or scrap
Tidy areas that can't be tidied with daddy and the girls around
Surf the internet
Read a good book.
Relax and simply daydream

Lately my true love has become to digi-scrap. It is something I can't really do with the girls nearby because I can seriously be whisked away by my whims for an hour or 2 or 3 and little girls need at least a glance of attention.

Crochet'd shorts

I love this pattern, but I don't know if it will be posted online...

Dragonfly Faery Crochet Longies. (only these are shorts)
Yarn is 100% Pure Wool in Ibisco
Time: 3 days (sporadic)

Gossamery Spring

I totally love the colours and textures in this kit. And there are whole bunch of embellies I haven't even begun to play with!


Credits: Gossamery Spring kit by Susan Godfrey.

Credits: Gossamery Spring kit by Susan Godfrey. Font is Bradley's Hand.


Credits: Gossamery Spring kit by Susan Godfrey. Font is Ma Sexy.

Puddles (2 Pager)

I couldn't resist these pics from this afternoon!

Credits:Camo Baby Kit by Susan Godfrey (letters too)
Font is Bradley's Hand.

Journalling reads:
There is just something about being young in the Spring that attracts all kids to puddles. Muddy or not, and you are no exception. I learned pretty early on with you that if I needed to get somewhere it was much more fun to just let you splash til you're heart was content. These yellow boots, your 'Wellies', are your prize possession on rainy and wet days. They have seen many puddles, and many mud puddles too. We are not afraid of the rain!

Fuzzy Feet for Mum

Yarn is 100% Pure Wool in Ibisco.
Pattern is fuzzyfeet from Knitty

A Camera..... 3 months, and C is for....

My camera arrived this afternoon.... a Canon Rebel XT. I'm drooling.... but I need to learn to use it first! :)


Papers by Me.


Papers by Me.
Based on Sketch from Scrap Maps
Fonts are Ravie and Bradley's Hand.
Eyelet from Lauren Grier's Sweet Heart Kit, Tear by StephKrush, Stitching by Miss Mint from the Spring Jelly Bean Kit
Journal reads.
10 little fingers
10 little toes
Sweet little cheeks
and a Button nose

Rosy red lips
Bright blue eyes
My heart always melts
At the sound of your cries.

Tasty Toes

Credits:MrsSmuck's Sweet Chloe. Fonts are Ravie and Bradley's Hand.

ETA - tomorrow - New LO

My baby should arrive tomorrow, but $5 says I won't be home when it arrives *sniff* I will be so upset if I have to wait till Monday to get it.

I've been busy planning a birthday party.... Its amazing how hard it is to co-ordinate people the first week after school gets out. So I did an Digi layout for my invites and have to send paper ones as well because of the 'waiver' in it. But at least with the digi - I can have everyone reserve the day! :)

Anyway here is my latest.

Credits: Kit is Fun by Amanda Rockwell, Fonts are Tekton Pro and Bradley's Hand. sort of Scraplifted from "Robin's first steps" by Stampalux at Elemental Scraps

3 days and Counting.

Hopefully in 3 days my new camera will arrive! YAY! I'm hoping it will be a significant improvement over the old one! Now I need some books to read up on improving my photography! :)

First Piggies

This one was done a few days ago but I ran out of time to post it.

What's a little girl without piggies?

Credits: Camo Baby Kit and the gray buckle is from A Girly Grunge Kit by Susan Godfrey LO was Scraplifted from July 04 Sketch Contest Layout at DigitalScrapbookPlace Fonts are Vivaldi, Tekton Pro and Courier New.

Post Vacation Work!

We just got back from vacation hence the silence.

But I managed to complete a pair of fuzzy feet in the 7 hour drive + 1 extra day. I also completed another Garter sweater, both of which I'll add pics later. For an update on the to do list here is where I'm at....

UFOs
1. In Progress - Heartghan for friend (Seam - 1.25 of 3 strips done) took out strip 2 and had to redo it
2. In Progress - 52 Digital Scrapbook layouts (40+ done waiting to print)
3. 35 Charity items .... April goal
4. 20 Charity items .... May goal
5. In Progress - Finish the rest of the minty set (hat mitts booties)
6. Ducky print#4 on Embroidery quilt (3 of 12 done) .... Feb goal
7. Sampler quilt. .... Dec goal
8. Bunny print#5 on Embroidery quilt (3 of 12 done) .... New goal

2 Months

Another Layout for this evening. Its amazing how quickly you forget the little things that a baby needs to learn to do and get caught up in the everyday of their care. I like doing these monthly pages because it reminds me of the things she had to learn to do way back when!

Credits:A Girly Grunge Kit by Susan Godfrey
Fonts are Harrington, and Susie's Hand.
Scraplifted from Michelle's Sketch Challenge at Elemental Scraps April 28th - May 12th

10 Things that make me smile

Gosh limited to only 10 things. That was a toughy. This layout was done for the BOM (Book of Me) Challenge #2 at Elemental Scraps.

In explanation - there is of course my dh and the babies, there is the obligatory chocolate (in all flavours - light dark and white,) there is the Beach, and the mountains. I'd love an S2000 - that would definitely make me smile, and the digital camera I have my eyes on .... and then maybe a few hours (days, weeks) to sit and craft to my heart's content! :)

This was done on Susan Godfrey's Green with Envy Freebie Kit, using a Georgia font. The chocolate was borrowed from Wikapedia, and the Beach pic was borrowed from Brett-Robinson.com (because I haven't got my photos back yet! LOL!)