H is for Hedgehog or Hippo

It had been a little while since I participated in a swap, and the Itty Bitty Group was starting a new swap, "H is for Hedgehog or Hippo" and it was calling my name.  I tried to resist, but I failed.

The requirements for this swap were simple.  You had to knit either a Hippo or a Hedgehog for the swap, and then include any other regular goodies that have been known to appear in swap packages.  I crossed my fingers and hoped my swappee would like Hedgehogs because I was dying to knit the Hedgehog/Squirrel reversible toy by Susan B. Anderson.   (I lucked out and as it turns out, my partner was more than happy to receive such a toy...but that is a post for another day.)

Here is what I got in my package from pammigliore...

The cutest Hippo toy ever!  He's squishy and lovely and makes me smile (and the kids love him so...)

and his red ears are fantastic!!

Handmade Hedgehog stitch markers (by Knit Cubby on Etsy) 

Hanging row counter

Heart-shaped tape measure

Helper tool for my project bag

Handsewn/Handknit project bag (Icord drawstring)

bare Highland wool to Hand dye (with 5 packets of KoolAid)

3 Hanks of Spud & Chloe Fine in Dragonfly, Calypso and Anemone that I HAD to HAVE :)

Handpainted Merino - Claudia Handpaints in Last Night's Wine

Horse buttons

Handknit Horse washcloth (beautiful color in a Heathered yarn)

Honey Stix from Colorado

Hankies (tissues with an "R")

Highlighters for project bags and work

Hand sanitizer (what every mom needs)

Hippo watering can for my garden or the kids

Happy Hippo & Hug Time Hardcover board books for the kids (we read these every night at bedtime...I can't leave the room without reading these books...)

Hello kitty PEZ - while Squishy may not understand it, he enjoyed the candy and the actual PEZ machine

Humbles baked Hummus chips

Hot cocoa mix (dairy free from local spice ship!)

Hard candies (I love these strawberry candies! My grandma always kept them in her kitchen when I was younger and I'd always pick them out of the bowl and not eat the other kinds!)

 Hand-me-down outfit from Pam's daughter for Lovebug

I loved everything I pulled out of my swap box and Pam did a great job scoping the forums and stalking me to make her first swap experience terrific! :)  Thank you, Pam!!

Friday Favorites: TV Shows

Today is the day I put myself out there a bit and admit that perhaps we watch too much tv in our house.  Although, it's not as simple as to say we sit down and watch anything and everything.  Instead, we have a group of shows we regularly stay caught up on.  I thought it'd be fun to share a few.

Glee 

Yes, we watch Glee.  Who doesn't love a good musical number sung in the  middle of a show?  I've always enjoyed musicals and singing.  Music has been a big part of my life for a long time.  Makes sense I would enjoy Glee.  Even Mr. man enjoys it.  "High Schoolers" singing and dancing every day?  Yes, please!

Leverage 

I don't know what got us hooked on this show, but we love it.  Funny with some drama and romance thrown in, there's something for everyone.  My favorite characters are Hardison and Parker, Elliot coming in at a close third.  You can find this group of grifters and theives on TNT.

Bones 

What's not to love about Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz?  I've followed Boreanaz's career since his days as Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  He's what originally drew me in to the series.  Now I can't enough of Deschanel.  She's beautiful and clever and quirky.  As partners in solving crime, I think these two have great dynamics on screen.

New Girl 

Which brings me to Emily's sister, Zooey Deschanel.  This lovely lady always plays a role that's a bit different.  And I love that.  The role she plays as the awkward new roommate to three men is fun and fresh.

So...there are lots more than that...Gold Rush is strangely addictive...and don't even get me started on the addictive properties of Storage Wars!   What shows do you like to keep up with?

Friday Favorites 8/26

Air Conditioning

Yep, central air is a must in our house.  Usually, I’m the cold one in the family.  Mr. Man gets overheated very quickly and doesn’t like/can’t tolerate the really high temps and energy-sucking humidity we get in Iowa. 

Lately, he’s been cold and I feel like I could overheat!  The weather has cooled down a lot compared to what it HAS been this summer.  But at almost 30 weeks pregnant (29 weeks today), I find myself VERY warm most all the time.  My office at work is a stifling 81 degrees or so.  No windows, just a door to the hallway.  Getting up and moving around is a must to staying cool.  Then to get in a hot, humid car, pick up Squishy from Grandma’s house and drive home is terribly uncomfortable. 

Evenings haven’t been too bad. We can get some time in outside after the sun has past the peak of the day.  So today I herald central air!  What a blessing!!

Healthy Children

Squishy was sick again this week.  For whatever reason, yesterday he had some sort of stomach bug.  I hate it when he’s sick.  How do you explain to a 2-year-old why they don’t feel good and how it WILL get better?   And if said 2-yr-old doesn’t want to sit still, how do you tell him that it’s really better if he just sits back, relaxes, and stays calm so his tummy doesn’t get upset again?

Squishy is quite good at communicating what he wants or needs or how he’s feeling.  But there are still gaps, like telling Mommy “I have to throw up!” 

So we had a rough morning yesterday.  By suppertime, he was doing much better and I’m happy to report that he’s back to himself today.  No tummy problems, lots of energy (at least there was this morning), happy, healthy child.  My favorite!

Weekends

It’s the first week back to school with students (last week staff returned).  I like having all the people in the building because otherwise the high school is a bit of a ghost town.  But goodness has it been busy!  I’m appreciating that the weekend starts this afternoon and there’s a break before we go through it all again next week.  I know it will slow down into a rhythm very soon, and I look forward to that!  

Friday Favorites 8/9: Random

It’s back! After a long break over the summer, I’m ready to launch back into Friday Favorites.   It’s random, so bear with me!

New Hostas

I have no idea what kind of hostas these are, but it’s wonderful to see them planted.  We’ve been talking of putting these in since last summer and now it’s finally done.

We got the two on the outside and the two in the center from my parents.  The other two solid green hostas are from Mr. Man’s mom.

They don’t look like much at the moment, but next year they should look terrific.

Moby Wrap

(Image from MobyWrap.com)

Knowing that come this fall we’ll be toting two children around, I’ve been looking for alternatives to a double stroller, which can be expensive and bulky.  Enter the Moby Wrap.  I was planning to purchase one before Lovebug arrives, but I was lucky to have a friend give me hers!  That was so generous! 

I have an Ergo carrier, but not the newborn insert, so it’s really not useful until she’s a bit larger.  I’d like to use a wrap/carrier more this time around as I found the infant carseat carrier to be a pain.  When Mr. Man and I are out together with the kids, I’m sure we’ll still use it, but I hope this will be a nice alternative when I’m by myself.  We may still invest in a double stroller, but this gives me options in the meantime. 

I’ve already practiced (yes I feel silly telling you that…) putting it on and placing a baby doll in it.  I know it’s not the same as a real baby, but I want to feel as comfortable as possible using it once she is here.  It will help that once she IS here, I won’t have a baby bump in the way.

Sassafras Creations

I’m almost hesitant to share this next one because I just found the shop this week and I like to keep finds like this to myself for a while before sharing…  But…it’s not like I’m her first customer – she’s got almost 900 sales to her name!

I found this Etsy shop to be delightful and resourceful.  She takes old aluminum needles and makes them into jewelry.  How awesome is that?!  What a great way to repurpose an item.

These earrings are my favorite of everything in her shop

(Image by Sassafrascreations)

and these keychains are really cool.

(Image  by Sassafrasscreations)

I’ll be keeping an eye out for her watches as well. 

(Image by Sassafrasscreations)

It might not be obvious to all who see it, but I know we fiber artists love to surround ourselves with items related to our craft.  This jewelry is like a little secret between us that we’re not ever too far away from this craft we love!

Friday Favorites 5/20: Books

Books.  Yes, I said book.  I love them.  Reading, collecting, sharing, staring at them on my shelf.  I love my Nook and it’s so terribly convenient, but I don’t think I can ever give up having the actual item surrounding me.  So I’ve chosen a few to share with you.  Patterns, stories and pictures.  Happy reading!

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

By Hadley Fierlinger

I mentioned this book last week.  This is one of my favorite books from my small knitting literature collection because whenever I need motivation or inspiration, I find it here.  It doesn’t mean I knit something from it right away (although soon I will!), but I find the patterns so simple and elegant.  Complicated patterns can be wonderful and certainly have their time and place, but I constantly find myself drawn to those things that are minimal and understated.  Vintage seems to be a good place to start.  Favorite patterns?  I’m glad you asked.  They are: Hooded Capelet, Wavy Cashmere Blanket, Modern Baby Bonnet, Angora Bolero, Vintage Pixie Cap, Double-Breasted Car Coat and Petite Beret.

In Stitches

By Amy Butler

Moving out of knitting and into sewing, I must share a favorite here as well.  I love bags and cases and anything that deals with organization, not to mention little home decor items.  I have three of Amy Butler’s books and I love them all (Little Stitches for Little Ones, Style Stitches & In Stitches).  In Stitches encompasses all those thing I love about organization, as well as the opportunity to make them for myself.  Amy’s patterns range in difficulty and I haven’t yet tackled complex patterns, but it’s an option.  I also must recommend “Sew What Bags.”  It’s a wonderful addition to any sewer’s library, especially for beginners.   Favorite patterns?   They are: Floor Cushions, Giftable Recipe Card Bags, Square Pot Holder, Bedside Organizer, Document Duvet, Fashion Checkbook Clutch and Patchwork Handbag. 

The Blue Sword

By Robin McKinley

This is my comfort book.  Sometimes, we just need a good read and to mellow out.  I’ve had this book (as well as The Hero and the Crown) since high school, I think.  That was at least 10 years ago, but I don’t remember –exactly- when these came into my possession (only that they were from my mom), so perhaps longer.  I read it every year.  Perhaps twice if I feel like it.  A heroine, lots of horses, a bit of magic and I’m hooked.  Here is the synopsis from the book:

When Harry Crewe's father dies, she leaves her Homeland to travel east, to Istan, the last outpost of the Homelander empire, where her elder brother is stationed.

Harry is drawn to the bleak landscape of the northeast frontier, so unlike the green hills of her Homeland. The desert she stares across was once a part of the great kingdom of Damar, before the Homelanders came from over the seas. Harry wishes she might cross the sands and climb the dark mountains where no Homelander has ever set foot, where the last of the old Damarians, the Free Hillfolk, still live. She hears stories that the Free Hillfolk possess strange powers — that they work magic — that it is because of this that they remain free of the Homelander sway.

When the king of the Free Hillfolk comes to Istan to ask that the Homelanders and the Hillfolk set their enmity aside to fight a common foe, the Homelanders are reluctant to trust his word, and even more reluctant to believe his tales of the Northerners: that they are demonkind, not human.

Harry's destiny lies in the far mountains that she once wished to climb, and she will ride to the battle with the North in the Hill-king's army, bearing the Blue Sword, Gonturan, the chiefest treasure of the Hill-king's house and the subject of many legends of magic and mystery.

I encourage you all to give it a chance.  Yes, it’s a young adult novel, but I love it just the same.  And for any young girl in your life, it’s a great story for overcoming challenges, learning new things and falling in love.  

Friday Favorites 4/29: Sweaters

Happy Friday, Readers!

This week I'm going to share with you some of my recent favorite sweaters.  Sweaters are a funny thing for me.  There are a lot in my Favorites, and I've admired many a sweater made by friends, but I've never been convinced I have the skill to complete a sweater for myself.  So all those lovely patterns are there for me to look at, but I've never considered taking the dive.

This might be the year that all changes!  Lately I've been more and more intrigued by the idea of a loose-fitting cardigan of sorts that I could wear while pregnant.  Right now I'm leaning towards a cardigan that doesn't button closed, but I could easily change that by adding a button at the end, right?   And then, hopefully, the sweater will be useful after little baby has arrived.

So here are my most recent favorites that are potential sweaters for knitting!

Doric

by Cecily Glavik MacDonald

All Photos by Tunney Wool Company

This seems like a fairly simple, straight-forward design to me.  I think I was initially drawn to it because of the color shown, but really, my favorite detail is in the collar.  I love how the designer added tabs on each side to button down the collar.  I think it's worth taking a look at.  And while you're checking out this pattern, be sure to check out Cecily's other designs - she's got some beautiful patterns!

Creature Comforts Cardi

by Madelinetosh

Photos by WoolTherapy

This cardi appeals to me because of the detail on the back.  The leaves climbing up the center back give it some interest, as well as a break from the ever-monotonous stockinette stitch.   While looking through the projects of other knitters, I see that the length seems pretty varied.  I would most likely knit it a little longer (if I could figure out how) because I hate it when sweaters are just a little too short.  The only thing I'm not sure about on this sweater is because it is loose, it is quite baggy under the arms and around to the front.  But it's still on my list of sweaters to consider. 

Farmers Market Cardiagan

by Connie Chang Chinchio

Photos by simplebeans

I have to admit that seeing this project for the first time on a pregnant woman was what drew me in.  Since I troll my "friends activity" page every day, when someone else favorited this project, so did I.  The cabled collar that goes around the neck, down the front and then turns into pockets on each side is lovely.  There were several versions that had a single button or hook to close it just a bit, which I thought was a great idea.  This cardigan looks like something I could wear to work, but would also be really comfy lounging at home on the couch. 

I hope you enjoyed a look into my favorites this week.  I'll keep you updated on whether or not I have the nerve to take the plunge!

Happy Crafting!

Friday Favorites 4/22: Babies!

Because I haven't been spending a lot of time online, I don't have a lot of knitting favorites to share with you this week.  Yes, my list of favorites on Ravelry is miles and miles long, but I haven't gone through them lately to pick anything out.

So today I'll just share with you a different sort of favorite. :)  

The reason I haven't been online much and haven't been posting much lately is because I really don't have that much energy or motivation to get things done.  And THAT'S because Mr. Man and I are going to have another baby and Squishy's going to be a big brother!! :)  Family and a lot of friends already know the news, but I thought it was about time to share it here.  This week will mark just 11 weeks, so just in the first trimester. 

I've had a lot of exhaustion and nausea, which sort of incapacitates me when I want to get busy crafting.  I look forward to the second trimester when that will be alleviated just a little.  

My due date is 11/11, so we'll have a Fall baby.  The perfect time for fresh-knit baby hats!

So that's my favorite of the week (okay, and the month and probably the next several months!) :)  

Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites 4/8: Swaps

I'm sorry for not posting much recently.  This week has been absolutely crazy, and last week...well...just didn't get around to much posting.  My crafting has taken a back seat to other things that needed to get done.  Hopefully this weekend that will change a bit.  I did actually get some knitting in on a car-ride yesterday.

But today is Friday and it's time for Friday Favorites.  My most recent favorite thing is the Easter swap package from my friend, Mary Rose!  I have seriously been slacking in telling you all how wonderful, thoughtful and generous she is. :)

This swap was fairly simple.  It incorporated the letters B and C.  Bunnies and Bilbies (click HERE to learn more about them) and Chickens and Chocolate.  You had to craft one item for the swap yourself, and include a kit for one of Susan's bunny or chick patterns.

One afternoon I came home from work after getting a text from Mr. Man telling me there was a package from "so and so" and did I know what it was.  Of course I knew who he was talking about and what the package was.  I had lots to do that day, but I put it all off until I could open the package.  And here's what it contained:

Mary Rose included so many cool things. As always, it was packaged in a beautiful storage box.  I love these boxes and keep my yarn in them.

Starting with the sweets, there's several kinds of chocolate and some marshmallow Bunny Legs just for Squishy.

I got some really neat Easter-themed items including a blue metal chick (which Squishy LOVES and wants to hold at least once a day), a glass chicken (who is spunky and radiates personality), chick towels and Easter chick socks. There were also some really neat Easter window clings. :)  I also can't forget the bunny and chick cookie cutters!  Squishy and I will enjoy these!

The kit that Mary Rose included was 3 skeins of Simple Worsted Cotton in Marshmallow and Dogwood Heather for the Bunny pattern from Itty Bitty Toys.  I've been wanting to this guy!  There were so many cute bunnies from last Easter, I may have to steal their ideas!  There was also bunny stitch markers, a row counter, US 5 dpns, embroidery floss and a needle sizer.  Awesome!  And a blue project bag to fit it all in!  There's also a really cute knitting keychain which has already been attached to a notions bag of mine. :)

I also got four skeins of Knit Picks Gloss in Kenai to knit the Pea Vines, a shawl pattern she gifted me with while I was sick.  I really appreciated getting the pattern while I was feeling so crummy!

One of the coolest items in the box was a little crocheted bilby!  What a unique and wonderful find on Etsy!  He's a tiny little puppet for Squishy.  I love him, Squishy loves him.  He's a great edition to the knit toys box. :)

And saving the knit item for last, I got an adorable little bunny from Knit Simple 2010 Holiday Edition, the Woodland Creatures collection by Susan Anderson.  I love that little bunny.  I know Mary Rose had a hard time parting with him, but I see him every day when I come home and sit down from work and he always brings me a smile.  He's squishy and soft and wonderful!

So thank you, Mary Rose!  We love everything.  We've enjoyed the knits and the chocolate and marshmallows, the knitting notions and yarn (okay, that's maybe just me...).  You did it again!  :)

Friday Favorites 3/25: Friends

I'm sorry but I don't really have any photos for you today.  Today's Friday Favorites is a little bit different in that I don't have an object to show you.  Instead I thought I'd share something a little more personal.

Today's topic of discussion is friends.  There are so many things that apply to this simple word I can't begin to cover them all today, but I thought I'd share just a few.

We live in a small community, at least 30 minutes driving distance from our nearest friends.  Life gets busy or we forget and so we don't often get to visit or make plans with those who are close to us.  Mr. Man and I were talking about how so many of our friends live a good distance away.  It's not like in college when they were in the same town (or perhaps even the same apartment!).  So for me, one thing I value is visits and time with those friends.  Lunch or supper out with a girlfriend or an afternoon spent at our friends' house is refreshing and a good reminder that we're not just parents, but young people who like to get out and do things!

This weekend we have a couple of our really close friends coming to visit.  I went to high school and was friends with L and Mr. Man went to school and was friends with J.  Funny how that works out sometimes, right?  They just had a baby back in October so he's right about 5 months old.  I can't wait to see how much he's grown!  We're planning on having supper together and just catching up.  I really wish we lived closer!

Then in a couple weeks, we're going to another friend's house for the day.  Squishy will stay with one of our parents, probably and we get a little breather.  What's nice is that most of our friends are at the "family" stage in life.  They are married and have kids or want kids.  They understand how life can sometimes get away from us.  Mr. Man's friend, J (different from the above mentioned J) will be back from Indiana for a few days and he and his wife, L (different from L above!) will be joining us.  Mr. Man and J were childhood friends and always enjoy getting together.  They have 4 beautiful children who have just gotten so big!  There will be more people there than just us 4, but it will be especially nice for us to spend time with them, seeing as how they live so much further away!

You know that friend you had when you were little?  And perhaps you don't get to see them much now, but when you do it's like you never lost any time between?  I have a friend like that.  We became attached at the hip in the 2nd grade and shared so many interests.  I only get to see Iz every few months and I wish it were more (she's only 30 minutes away!) but time together is so much fun.  There is not enough time in a day to exhaust our conversation.  The visits always end too soon, but it's nice to know that our friendship can withstand all the time and distance.  She's a friend I'll never outgrow and I hope that when I'm 75 and set in my ways (ha, like I'm not already!), she'll still be around and we'll still be able to pick up where we left off from the last visit.

Finally, I thought there were a few other friends that deserved some attention.  Some people may find it strange, but I don't care.  Ever since I started knitting and perusing Ravelry, I've met so many wonderful women and made so many great friends.  No, I don't see them weekly or monthly.  I may never meet them in person.  But I talk to them at least once a day if not more, and I value them as friends.   We meet, knowing we have knitting in common, and then realize there are other things that make us feel close to one another.  These people are spread out all over the country, including the United States, Canada, Ireland and Australia.  It would be amazing if we all lived closer, but instead we settle for chatting together online.  Several of these ladies have blogs that I read daily, and it's like a glimpse into their lives.      We share stories of all kinds and the generosity I've seen from these ladies is overwhelming.

Friends come in all shapes and sizes, from all over the world.  It's easy to take your friends for granted, so I thought today would be a nice way to remind myself how much they mean to me.  :)

What about you, Readers?  Do you have friends close by?  What do you do when you get together?

Friday Favorites 3/11: Random Knits

I'm going to attempt to make this short - I have a lot to do today.  Today's Friday Favorites comes across a bit random.  In fact, the only thing they all have in common is that they are in my growing favorites pile. I hope you all enjoy!

My free Hobbes pattern

by Ann Stiver-Balla

Did any of you ever read Calvin & Hobbes comics when you were little?  I did.  My aunt loved the comic and so she had a large collection of all the Calvin & Hobbes comics in those handy-dandy collection books.  We went to her place a lot, so, loving to read, I read them a lot.  Seeing this pattern brought back a little of that nostalgia. :)  This is a free crochet pattern for the loveable Hobbes.

Oor-flap Muts

by Nancy Marchant

Lately I've had a thing for brioche.  I even bought the book, Knitting Brioche, a few weeks back.  Why does it intrigue me so?  I don't know.  But I'm dying to learn.  There are a few things I'd like to accomplish first, so it'll have to wait, but it's one of my goals this year to learn.  I like this hat, with the flaps and ties.  The fact that brioche is reversible is awesome because you get two hats for the price of one!

Brown Cow

by Susan B. Anderson

From Susan's new book, Spud & Chloe at the Farm, this brown cow has captured my heart. If you search Ravelry for cow patterns, of any sort, there's quite a few that come up.  But do you see the expression on his face?  :)  Love it! :)  I can't wait for Susan's book to arrive.  I pre-ordered the book awhile back and it should be arriving very, very soon!  Now...if only she would design a horse pattern, I'd be the happiest knitter ever! :)