Mama Toadstool Speaks

Cardboard box cold frame/raised bed

2012-01-28T11:44:00.001-08:00

So far,so good.

The box seems to be holding heat well enough to keep fragile seedlings from freezing at night. I don't water it on the cold days ( under 50 with no sun) because we get freezing temps at night.

Its holding moisture well too. I thought the cardboard might suck out too much moisture but it isn't.

The second box isn't doing as well. Nothing is growing and its right next to the other one. That box has a small hole in the top about the size of a fig. I think too much heat escapes. I'm going to add a second layer of plastic and see how things go.

Why i blog

2012-01-24T07:39:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I spent a good amount Of time searching for blogs of a specific nature. I didn't find many. I changed things up a bit. I began searching for something similar. In this instance, urban farms and micro farms. I did get a lot of hit. Unfortunately the majority of them hadn't been updated in 6 months or more.

It left me wondering. Did these ambitious farming bloggers give up.when things got too difficult? Are they thriving and are soooooo busy they no longer have time to blog? Did they DIE!?!

It was very unsettling. However there was an upside. It rekindled my passion in wanting to DO for my family. I don't want to be lumped in with the "bloggers that time forgot" , or worse yet, " the bloggers that just gave up".

I dont blog to make money ( though that would be awesome). I don't blog to keep up with the Joneses. For the most part, I blog because I never lack for something to say ( now whether or not anyone cares to listen is something else entirely! ).

I blog because I get bored. I blog because every now and again I get a good idea. I blog because I require a an output and I enjoy a sense of community, especially now that I live so remotely and my friends and family are hours away.

So that's why I blog. And that's why I wont give up on my blogs. They are here for me. Not for the searching masses stumbling through cyberspace ( of which I, myself, am guilty of).

They're here so I can look back and say I made it. Or I failed only to get back up, dust off my knees and continued on. And of course the memories of all the amusing blogworthy things my kids do.

Why do you blog?

Trailer trash at heart

2012-01-18T10:23:00.001-08:00

Have I mentioned my love for vintage travel trailers? Probably....but if not this post is looking over due.

I'd say my affinity for the bubbly RVs of days gone by boarders on obsession. I've even tried ( and so far failed) to convince Lover to allow me several for the property. I need one for a studio space. One for a guest room.. it would be nice to have one for a dairy ( Instead of having to lug ice, milk, eggs to the house to wash and store I could do it all over by the livestock yard...its logical... it is!).

Our home is small. And while I understand pioneers lived in 800sf and less, it isn't the turn of the century and I need to be able to hide from the kids some times!

I even have a fantasy of building a courtyard completely surrounded by tin hams. I think it would be grand. Lover I of the opinion we'd epitomize trailer trash. I have an education and all of my teeth so really, I'm down with the label!

We had one we bought as a restoration project that we never got around to so we sold it. I think I'll just save up and buy a completed restoration.

I know what your wondering. Why not just build a barn/creamery? Add a third bedroom or a tiny shed to the back yard? The simple answer? Economics.

Each of those things would require careful planning, building permits, and a certain amount.of permanence.

If its on wheels it can be moved wherever I want it, including taking it with is should we move ( or go camping!).

Here are some fabulous rvs and travel trailers courtesy of Google search. I've only posted the ones I couldn't find owners to because I'm lazy and dent want to email everyone asking for permission. With that being said NONE of these images are mine.

Cardboard boxes

2012-01-06T10:11:00.001-08:00

Yesterday,  on my hobby farm blog, i wrote a post about reusing our empty moving boxes as raised garden beds for my kids.
The same child that inspired that post asked me to make him a " car box ". After a quick Google search I was bombarded with a massive amount of ideas. There are whole websites dedicated to the turning of cardboard boxes into playthings.
So after a little mama time ( aka reading in The tub) we are going to make some cars and a gas pump for him and his brother to play with. My boys got some cool puppets from Auntie for Xmas so I believe a puppet theater is in order... I'm now slightly bummed because I just smashed and trashed a perfectly good box this morning. It would have made a great gas pump.
I'll post pics later. In the mean time here is a great link http://declutterorganizerepurpose.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/repurpose-cardboard-boxes-into-kid-craftstoys/

Knitting nappies...or panties

2012-01-05T10:05:00.001-08:00

Because when all the nappies she came with were gone, she was left "indecent ". What else was I going to do with ugly yarn remnants?

Chicken hoop coop

2012-01-01T12:44:00.001-08:00

I'm adding 5 more chickens to my flock on Tuesday so their previous abode would not do.

There was already a pen on the grounds when we moved here. Its a very sturdy welded rebar pen measuring 14 by 14. The side are chain link and are buried down into the ground so stuff can't dig in
Moneys tight and my property isn't fenced. What's a gal to?

I really liked the mobile coop hoop designs that are popping up everywhere. But that's not safe here out in the open. So I just took the basic principles and added the hoop to the top of the existing structure. The pen had a rebate divider down the center so now There's a duck side and a Chicken side. Eventually I will have the regular mobile hoop house for them but This will do for now.
Its not complete. I still need to tarp it. I still need nesting boxes. The pink 5 gallon buckets are substitutes for now. ( they'll be 5 of them raised up off of the ground with a barrier in from to keep eggs from rolling out). Each end had two Welded wire panels attached to each other and folded over ( livestock panels aren't readily available here).

I didn't have enough panels to cover the whole thing so I used pex pipe and bamboo to support the over laying chicken wire in the center

Warning: angry mom parenting post

2011-12-29T12:05:00.001-08:00

Breathe in.........breathe out.........

For some reason ( probably related to Auntie flow coming around the mountain) I awoke this morning feeling ..... perturbed.

I put the dogs out, made my coffee and turned on cartoons for the kiddies who are always awake by 5 am. They know they aren't allowed to talk to me until my coffee is gone, but then they ask me every two minutes if my coffee is gone yet.

I'm sitting on the couch watching Curious George do something that's supposed to be cute, but would piss me off to no end in reality. I can see my dusty spinning wheel sitting alone in a corner next to my hoops and a violin case covered in dust bunnies the size of Jack rabbits.

I let out a breath. Where did I go? I wasn't prepared for the double life one must lead when becoming a stay at home parent. I was looking forward to KY new identity as Mom. The great and wonderful woman who kisses booboos and bakes Brownies for the cub scout group.
What I didn't realize is how much I would miss the version of me I allowed myself to give up. I know not all people who choose to stay home andraise their families change so drastically, but I did.

I wonder to myself, " holy crap! What if Lover dies tomorrow? !? I've given up my career for my kids! How will I support them!??"

I used to be a rather social individual. Very open and outspoken. I didn't go out much but I went out a hell of a lot more than I do now. And because I " did stuff" I had something other than my kids to talk about.

I guess things have gotten a bit worse because of the move. Lover is gone an extra two hours a day and I get no breaks from Mace, my very hyper active emotional little 4 year old.

Its difficult to think about the future. I can't mesh my reality with who I want to be, who I SHOULD be.

Oh its hard, this whole staying at home thing. Lack of close friends and family for socializing and help is a kick in the pants!

And to make matters worse and more confusing, my kids are getting older. So while one part of my brain is scream YES! A little bit of independence! The other part is saying what the hell am I going to do!?!

The day will Co
E when they no longer want me around. They'll have girlfriends ( shutter) to speak their woes to. And I will once again have to try to figure out my new identity.

Dang! It can't be all that dramatic! Right?
On the upside I wont have to take a bath in a stinky bathroom because a child " just had to go" and couldn't wait ten more minutes.
Yes. Its gross.

And romance? What the heck is that!?!! I remember a fun Flirty me. Very Flirty. I didn't really date. I went from one long relationship right into the one I'm in now (9 years), but man could I flirt.
I go to bed at 8 ( and that's sometimes a struggle) and my current idea of flirting...
Well honestly I don't have one.

These are the things other moms forget to tell new moms. I personally think that's born from shame. Because nobody shares these little peaches of information everyone thinks that it must only be them and so obviously they must suck as a parent.

Have I mention the guilt thing yet? Guilty. About everything. Its not my kids fault I'm tired. It is.t their fault they're crazy and drive me nutso. But you k ow what? IT IS!

AND lets not forget about how spouses seem to drop off the radar. I'm home now so I'm responsible for everything. So if Lover can't find a matching pair of socks that's my fault ( not because lover lime to change shoes in car leaving socks I their too and I can't ever find them). I don't even OWN a pair of socks!

And I've gotten soooooo lazy...... in any job, monotony creates sloth. Who wants to do the same thing every single day all day? I know. Also my fault. Enter more guilt.
Okay. Bath water is officially cold. Kids want their lunch. The dogs want to go out and I need to hang the laundry and start the next load. Is that a goat at my window!?! Damn.

Consider hormone induced whiny rant over.

Cabbage patch love

2011-12-25T14:46:00.001-08:00

Okay. I seriously have a thing for round eyed smiling faced doll with tagging on its rear.

I remember my very first cabbage patch doll. They were being sold at save-ons ( sort of like a Walgreens ). It was near Christmas and the hand an encapsulated full of the chubby dolls in their yellow boxes with green stripes. I ran over to the shelf and grabbed one. We were kitchen d of poor though so I had to put my little girl back. She had big fat red yarn pony tails. Imagine my surprise when she turned up at my place some time later!!

The next in I got was a "cornsilk " doll. They had " real" hair that could be brushed. It was long and blonde and I loved her.

Whenever I see an older cabbage patch doll at the thriftsore I feel a strong desire to rescue it. I buy it, clean it, and make it new clothes. Needless to say my kids have a growing collection of CPKs.

None were new however until this year. His name is Houston Beau. Mace has been feeding him and singing him lullabies. I'm getting that itch. Must...add....more....

Making progress

2011-12-14T07:29:00.001-08:00

My son decided to request a pair of Xmas socks. And not a purchased pair, a hand knit pair made by me. I'm glad my kids are young enough that mamas special handmade gifts are still special. I know there may come a time when they are embarrassed or bored with crafted things. Those will take a back seat to video games and movietickets. Guitars and trendy sneakers. Then when they're older my stuff will be cool again. Mainly because I'm not the type to knit or so dreadful, useless Things.

Anyway- one sock was completed and the second sock was started. Today I shall finish sock number two, Ponyo still needs a head and some stuffing. The robot thats lacking in limbs shall be completed by tomorrow.

Lovers scarf? Well I'll be working on that daily for the next week and a half.

Progress report

2011-12-07T15:22:00.001-08:00

A headless Ponyo Goldfish and a limbless, faceless robot..

Please keep in mind I'm working g without patterns so progress is a wee buy slow!

Changing up my xmas gift plans

2011-12-07T06:21:00.001-08:00

So originally I was going to make felt Ponyo dolls for the boys ( fishy version) and stick them in little green pails for their stockings. Now, however, at this very moment...6 am.... I've decided Mace gets a Pippi Longstocking instead. Mace has had this obsession with pirates for quite awhile now and I do believe it stemmed from his introduction to my childhood hero Pippi. Since unpacking the DVDs two days ago, we've watching the freckle faced red haired girl at least 6 times... including now. At this very moment. At 6:10.

I would love to knit one up but Time is of the essense and all that... plus I don't have any flesh toned yarn . I need to fiddle with my sewing machine some more. For some reason the tension just wont stay right. It needs to be serviced again, I know. ( something I should have done last month but it was in the very back of the shed after we moved). I'll Post progress pics later!

I have knitting ADD.

2011-12-05T06:28:00.001-08:00

I have ten projects to complete before Xmas.10. Well what's the problem you say? Get on it! The problem is I just can decide where to start. I think I'm actually at the point where I have to make a list and scratch things off as they're finished.

Every Xmas I make the boys a plushier of some sort. I've gotten on finished. I Need I make another. I W's going to knit an elephant but I fear there's no time. Then I found a cute horse pattern. Again....no time to knit it! Crap!
My goal for today..... START A PLUSHIE FOR MY KID.

Fantasy knits from fantasy films

2011-11-30T06:28:00.001-08:00

Even before the little's entered my life, children's fantasy films has always been my favorite genre ( followed closely by horror.weird. I know.).

If you've never seen Nanny McGee, you should! The oldest son Simon where's this awesome teal sweater. I love it. I searched high and low for the pattern to no avail. Luckily for me, it looks to be pretty simple wither alternating rows of garter and seed stictch. My knitting experience has evolved enough where I can probably do a decent job of a hack.

I'm also a huge Harry Potter fan-bizarre since I've yet to read the books! Talk about amazing knitting. They need to make a revised pattern book for that one to include the later films.

There is a knitting pattern book for nerds coming g out next year. I'm sure I'll love everything in there.

What is it about yarn crafts that makes everything seem so much more magical and fantastic?

Knitting and colorful quilts. They just make my heart soar and my mind fly with the unicorns.

Can you recommend any other great knit flicks?

Holiday knitting revisited

2011-11-22T09:06:00.001-08:00

Sometime today I HAVE to finish installing the insulation in the livingroom and get a couple loads of laundry done. However... in the meantime, I'm goingto go ahead and work on some socks for a very dear friend. I promised her socks for her birthday, back in October but they ended up getting trotted because I screwed up.

Mace has requested a tea set. But not only a tea set.. but a PIRATE tea set. I was going to make it out of felt because Mace is very hard on his toys. Lover questions the Functionality of a felt tea set. I simply reminded Lover of the outcome of Mace and cups that actually hold liquids.

Anyway. Pirate tea set... how am I going to pull that off? Any suggestions? Maybe pirate flag felt tea bags? The lid of the kettle a tricorn hat? Am I being too literal? Help!!!!

One persons trash. .

2011-11-12T13:21:00.001-08:00

Have you ever heard of the Joshua tree trash house? Probably not, but you should look it up because its amazing!
Its made almost entirely from salvaged/found and used objects. Its a huge I.aspirations for me.

I'm am a trash digger at heart. Its my dirty little secret.. ( get it? Trash/ dirty LOL! Well I thought i twas funny). Its hard for me to drive by a junkyard without ogling the mounds of stuff. I'm not a hoarder.

Anyway- there's several lots with junk abound near the home we are currently leaving. We didn't have a kitchen sink yet soil was on a hunt for one. I didn't find one. I did however find two bathroom sinks! They're are round and sort of vintage looking. We're thinking of using them for the kitchen. I have an image ore one mounted several inches higher than the other with a single swivel faucet between the two. It looks cool in my head. I hope it looks cool in my kitchen.

Missing my pages

2011-11-10T07:00:00.001-08:00

I like to read.... a bunch. ...
I'm not the reader who meanders through several chapters before bed either. I'm the reader who foregoes all the days necessary tasks in order to devoure the book in one reading ( which for me is anywhere from 3-8 hours depending on length and quality ).

I haven't been able to do that much lately because I've been busy with so many other things.

This has lead me to have sort of a binge book purchasing moment. Luckily for me, there is no shortage of free and 99cent kindle books available!

My new kindle favorite is HP Mallory. Her books are of the paranormal romance variety ( no shame! I love it). I would describe her books as 'fluffy'. They are cute and quick. Not too heavy. The only downside is she tends to end on cliffhangers, which when you read like me, sucks. Especially when the next book is several months away from being released. But anyway- check her out. You may be pleasantly surprised! !

http://hpmallory.com/

I'm off to go buy more books I can't read right now.

Im back!

2011-11-03T13:39:00.001-07:00

I haven't had internet access for awhile, hence my absense. I return with this concept: pennies. Yes, pennies. Lover and I decided a copper penny countertop would look mighty awesome with our steam punkish light fixtures. So here are some cool penny pics for ya!

a waking thought

2011-10-07T07:34:00.001-07:00

This morning I woke up with one thought on my mind... well... two really, but sexually inappropriate thoughts about fictional characters aren't relevant to this post....
Anyway - the thought that IS relevant and subject of said post is YELLOW DRAPES. Velvet yellow drapes to be precise. I don't know why I some up thinking of yellow drapes ( perhaps they were in Fictional Characters boudoir ) but I think They're fabulous.

Lover hates all things bright, particularly yellow. I see a battle over color in my future.

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Muno revisited

2011-10-06T07:50:00.001-07:00

A year ago this month, I knit this sweater for Brave for his 5th birthday. It was the first sweater project I complete, and did so completely without a pattern so, needless to say, I was very proud of myself.

Here we are a year later and I don't want to let the sweater go. The head opening fit him back then ( my son is microcephalic), but it had become too small. I tore out about 6 rows of the collar and added a simple crochet edging. The arms fit fine so I've left them alone.

As you can see, the sweater has quite a bit of girth to it so the body of the sweater was good too.

However - it has a rolled edge on the bottom so now its a wee bit too short. My solution? Pick up an knit a 2 inch ribbed. Hem on the bottom, buying my boy at least another winter to his Muno sweater.

Who knows- perhaps next winter I'll add a ribbed cuff at the sleeves, a turtle neck , and another rolled edge to the bottom on the sweater.

My sons down with it.. he's pretty easy going.

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2011-10-04T17:29:00.001-07:00

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?

2011-10-04T15:34:00.001-07:00

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finally starting holiday knitting

2011-09-23T12:45:00.001-07:00

After a long search I found the needle I needed to start Lovers Xmas scarf. The first line in the pattern?

Cast on 441 stitches..... like m.good friend charlie brown would say-good grief.

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New Clothes For MaxMax

2011-09-22T13:00:00.001-07:00

I was informed by my son that Max, his baby, needed some new clothes. So now I have a use for those WTH-were-you- thinking yarns that have been sitting around for years.

If Max could speak, he may chastise my choice in colors for his wardrobe. But fortunately, Max is plastic, fluff, and polyester blend. So he can't.

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giant cowl, giant bust.... (no pun intended)

2011-09-20T15:31:00.001-07:00

The gigantic cowl looked better in my head than on the lisa frank sweater. So I'm tearing this collar out too..

Dang it.

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Tiny Kitchens!

2011-09-19T14:29:00.001-07:00

We have 14 days left on our escrow. Wow.

Its a pretty tiny house. If lived in a tiny house before. I lived in a tent. I lived in HALF a converted garage. I lived in a motorbike in about 80 SF of usable space ( with Lover and two cats). I can do tiny.

The one This g I'm going to miss about my current rented home is the open kitchen ( and the creek in the back yard. And the complete lack of neighbors. And the quail jackrabbits cottons tails that call my front yard home).

So the new kitchen is going to about the size of the kitchen in an R.V. it opens up into the living room so it doesn't seem so tiny.

But here are a couple tiny kitchen pics I adore. Lover and I differ greatly on decorating an style. I LOVE bright open spaces and color. Lover preferes a dark cabin woody cave sort of look. This is what I had in mind. What do you think?

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the Lisa Frank inspired sweater

2011-09-19T10:07:00.001-07:00

Well I finally finished my sweater. While the sweater is naturally shapeless, I'm wishing I added just a weee bit of shape. Maybe I'll Be able to rectify that issues with some hardcore blocking.

Issue two. I hate the collar. I'm trying to decided if I should frog the whole collar And just add a trim or make a huge cowl.
I think a gigantic cowl would fit the overall clownlik feel of the sweater more than no collar at all. I guess either way ill betearing that collar out.

Gigantic cowl, heard I come.

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It started with a sink.

2011-09-17T08:27:00.001-07:00

Last year Lover and I bought a ramshackle homestead cabin. We intended on restoring it to its mid century glory, but decided its location was just too far away. We let the property go, but not before finding an awesome 1950s pink bathroom sink.

Now, we're in escrow on a property that's much closer ( and a little larger). Its torn down to the studs inside so is essentially a blank slate.

Lover wanted to make it look sort of mountain cabin-like inside. I thought this was bizarre since its NOT the mountains.its the desert.

While cleaning and packing we ran across our pink sink. Which then led to needing a tub. We found a powder blue cast iron 1950s tub. So while Lover really wanted that mountain retreat in the desert, I may be getting my midcentury palette afterall. And I owe my thanks to a dusty 60 year old pink sink.

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holidau crafting season is upon me!!

2011-09-16T12:30:00.001-07:00

And I am NOT ready! My sewing machine and back up sewing machine are out of commission.

I can knit, but we're currently in escrow of a major fixer And time and money will probably go into that.

Not to mention I Have two birthdays in There somewhere and the whole trying to get pregnant thing. Wth!??!?

On an up note a picked up a piratey short and tricorn hat at the thrift for only $4 for Maces Halloween costume. We are going to make him some papier mache bling.

I'm Not sure what Brave wants to be. Hopefully nothing that requires sewing.

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book nerdiness

2011-09-07T08:07:00.001-07:00

When a series comes to an end my heart breaks. Ever read Misery? Yeah. Its that bad.

I stalk the pages of the authors desperate to find an update about a new release in the series. While I haven't jumped completely over the edge into reading fan fiction, I'm almost there.

One of my all.time.favs has come to an end but before my lament could take hold the author reveals a spin off trilogy in the making, as well as two additional books in the series!! This time my heart skipped a beat! Yay! This particular series is called the ' fever' series by Karen Marie Mining.

Another series I'm lookingforward to release day is H&W investigations series by Jess Haines. I think I saw 3 more books in that one.

Then there's the next Mercy Thompson book by Patricia Briggs, though that one is a long time coming.

So if you're a super nerdy birdy like me, you've spotted the urban fantasy trend that males up my reading palette.

Don't judge.

What's your favorite series? Got any recommendations? I need something to fill the void until the next book release.

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Owls!

2011-09-03T16:58:00.001-07:00

We stopped at a yard sale today on a whim. The gents had some great stuff and it took much effort on my part to limit my purchases. One. Was this outlook. Its about 16 inches long and is plaster. Here is the before and after. ( the before is the brown bronzy silvery weird one...Just so ya know)

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learning to not hate the little pink line.

2011-08-29T11:54:00.001-07:00

I had two negative pregnancy tests this Well. I know. Why two, right? One was an early detection and the second was a regular one.

Its easy to say " I hate you , little pink line. HATE YOU."

But really? That's just not fair. Its not Pink Lines fault. Pink line is probably incredibly lonely and would like nothing more than another pink line to show up to keep it company.

I mean, Pink Line probably has huge therapy bills, what with the constant loathing of TTCers the world over. Nobody ever thinks about Pink Line.

So. Pink Line, let me be the first ( and probably only) woman to apologize for the misdirected hate. I'll open a PayPal donation button to help pay for your therapy and prozac. After all, Its not your fault. We shouldn't hate you.

Its Mr.Sperms fault. We hate him.

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super Mace! my 4yo knee hooping!!

2011-08-28T08:20:00.001-07:00

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battle of rationale v. Romanticism

2011-08-27T17:55:00.001-07:00

We went to look at another property today. Wow.

Not the good kind of wow either. The actual property was descent. It had many large mature trees. The acre it sits on was. Completely fenced. There was a separate fenced backyard, chicken coop and goat area out of chain link.

But that house.

Lord have mercy.

The dreamy romantic part of me sees opt and thinks " its a crapper but I can spin it into gold!" The pioneering part of me thinks " you can do this. Look what other people have done. Its a piece of history waiting for you to restore it!"

But the logical. ...rational. ..part of me thinks " are you fricking crazy!?! What the #@*%+&$@# are you thinking woman!?!"

Its small. Which I'm down with. It needs.....are you ready? It needs: floors roof wiring tear down of bizarre addition and rebuild of new addition ( or in our case shipping container master suite)

On the upside, the very low mortgage would allow us about $1,000 a month to put into it.

Decisions decisions.

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the kitchener stitch

2011-08-11T17:24:00.001-07:00

Kitchener stitch, you are officially my bitch.

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DK weight house socks

2011-08-07T12:01:00.001-07:00

My first attempt at socks. I wanted to use a pattern I already had, and wasn't interested in learning on fingering weight yarn and size 2 needles. SO these are made from DK weight and size 5 needles. As you can see they fit me pretty good. However, they were meant as a gift for a friend with much smaller feet than me. I'm think I'll make a second pair and go down a needle size or two.

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Plushies. The band aid for the soul.

2011-08-03T13:23:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was just an all around craptastic day. And not just for me for many people close to my heart. It was o e of those days where you just want to go to bed and pull the covers over your head and wake up to butterflies and rainbows.

Well. There were no butterflies or rainbows when I woke up this morning. I had to make my own.

Enter plushies! I made two scrap plush dolls today. One looks like a bear or rabbit or something. The second looks a bit Like a tooth with Who hair ( as in Dr.Suess ).

Do I feel better? Yes. I do. Unfortunately I now have a bunch of housework to catch up. On. Too bad the the plushiest can't do it.

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The nuttiness of tryin to conceive.....revealed

2011-07-27T07:19:00.001-07:00

In our modern day, advancements like IVF, sperm banks, artificial hormones And petri dishes allow nearly anyone who has been unable to conceive naturally a fighting chance.

And with ovulation prediction kits and online charting calenders to tell you when, Internet pages and YouTube videos to tell you how its damn near impossible to screw it up.

But something else happens. Something that we all do but none speak of. We Go nutty.

So desperate are we to see That second line that we go to the extremes. We buy home pregnancy tests in bulk. We test daily as soon as we get past our first week during the dreaded two week wait.

We Have pyschosematic pregnancy symptoms( usually just pms ).

We hold our tests up to the light because that faint shadow may indeed actually be the line we've been waiting for.

When That fails, we take the damn stick apart..... just to be sure.

And then we test again the next day.

Should our attempt at being up the spout actually fail, we replace peeing on sticks with consuming large quantities of cupcakes and wine.

But only for a week, because then we Have to clear our systems of the badness so that we can start peeing on sticks again to determine when our LH surge hits so the process can start all.over.again.

So there it is. The reality behind trying to get pregnant. And for those of us ' without a penis partner's or suffer from infertility it also carries a hefty price tag.

And so does adoption by the way. even though we are asked 'why don't you Just adopt ' the thing that some may not realize is infertility is covered by insurance for many. Adoption isn't.

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i want this!

2011-07-23T10:42:00.001-07:00

I'm not usually a gadget person. And as far as I'm concerned, the less alliances are around to clutter up my kitchen the better. But when I saw this adorable mini baby bullet my eyes bugged out!

Its somewhat convenient. I made the baby food for both of my boys with a regular old blender and ice cube trays. But this has the cube trays as well as little jars with screw on lids. SUPER CUTE!!!! But the $50 price tag is not cute, not when I can do the same things with what's already available.
I will add it to my baby registry though for Invisibaby. ;-D

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TWW

2011-07-15T08:46:00.001-07:00

Today is the first day of my two week wait. Two weeks until I can tell if I'm preggers.

Know this post isn't exciting, but I got home at 2 and spent twelve house at Disneyland yesterday. I'm pooped.

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think positivs baby dust thoughts

2011-07-14T07:12:00.001-07:00

The deed is done. The Two Week Wait officially begins.

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remnant ball bib

2011-07-13T18:41:00.001-07:00

I love this bib patter. The seed stitch doesn't show up too well with the variegated yarns but whatever.

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fertile days

2011-07-13T09:50:00.001-07:00

I got my first positive OPK this morning ( ovulation prediction kit). You pee on a stick, like a pregger test, only its checking for an LH surge.

LH stands for luteinizing hormones. Its created right before ovulation. Why is that important? That means sometime during he next 24-36 hours I will drop an egg. Which also means I'll be inseminating tomorrow morning for the first time.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

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Holy camole! Lucy gives another cup

2011-07-09T08:17:00.001-07:00

At this mornings milking Lucy gave me nearly a whole quart!!! She's been consistently giving 2 cups in the morning. Then when I weaned the boys, it was 2 cups at night as well. This morning she gave just over 3 cups!! If she gives me that much tonight as well, that's 3 gallons a week! Lucy, you ARE an amazing little goat! Not bad. For a dairy goat who only weighs 60bs!!.

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BABY BRAIN

2011-07-07T08:31:00.001-07:00

I'm giddy and nervous. I've been bottle feeding 3 newborns since Monday morning, which doesn't help the situation. I want to do some sewing but my machine is on the fritz again. I really want to make a couple kimono tops and some cloth diapers.
My insides feel like this : $&%;@#$%&$##$!!!!!

My baby juice is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Ovulation should.occur between Saturday and Monday. Should.

I think I gave myself tennis Elbow, only from knitting. Knitting elbow? So I have to SEW. Must create babyness! Must craft Babe love....

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patternless pants to go with raglan shirt

2011-07-06T14:35:00.001-07:00

I found plenty of pants patterns, but none that were appropriate so I made up my own.I made it up as I went along.

As a result there are things I would change. For starters, I would have decreased at least twice more or added an eyelet row TO make the waists more narrow. I needed the seat to be large enough to accommodate cloth diapered bums.

I also did a somewhat crappy job grafting the crotch, being a advanced beginning knitter.. it took three 50gm balls of Rowan calmer. I have enough left over to make some booties, or a striped hat with a white ball I have.

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adventures in baby making

2011-07-05T07:10:00.001-07:00

I've been talking about getting pregnant for about a year And a half. It took me a year to convince Lover ( it was actually our ' baby ' nearing 4 that sealed the deal). Then there was planning, charting, saving money ( when you have to pay for conception it ain't cheap).

I've been sewing and knitting in the mean time to pass the time that brought me to today.

Today I start my OPKs ( ovulation predictor kit), and in about 23 minutes I order my sperm. Holy.Cow.

Its been a long time coming. Like everyone else who is TTC I hope it happens the first time. However, I'm realistic andrealize That while it does happen. Its rare.

I will most likely inseminate this weekend And then its the TWW, the dreaded two week wait to pee on a stick That will tell m if I'm knocked up.

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baby owl shirt

2011-07-02T20:30:00.001-07:00

Rosen Calmer yarn, in Delight. Its a pale mango. That pattern I a slightly altered Debbie Bliss patter. I shortened the sleeves and removed some of the taper. I added about an inch because the rolled hem caused the last one I made to resemble a half shirt. I also added the owl cable panel down the right side.

Its a very quick, simple and sweet pattern. I have about 200 yards left in that color and 175 in white, so I think I'll make some striped pants and perhaps some booties if there's anything left.

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Priorities.

2011-06-28T11:56:00.001-07:00

They certainly have a way of getting lost in the shuffle, don't they? Once upon a time, about six years ago, I decided I wanted to be a midwife.

I enrolled in a Doula program. I have a tendency of getting bored/ sidetracked ( often give up) on new thing so I told myself if I can complete a doula certification I would enroll in the more pricey childbirth educator program. If I complete that, I will enroll in the midwifery program. I finished my doula program but it ended there.

I read through my nursing/ midwifery. Textbooks every so often but I still haven't taken the plunge. When one allows the bumps in the road to throw one of course, goals with never be met.

Its a real chin scratcher, I tell ya. But its what I've wanted for so long and still want so it wouldn't not suit me at all to let this one go. If I'm not pregnant by December, then I'll. Enroll in January. You all have my permission to kick my rear end if I renege.

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awesome knit baby sweater idea

2011-06-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

April 2007 Pattern Contest Winner - Presto Chango by Valerie Wallis - Free Knitting Pattern at Jimmy Beans Wool

USC FANS?

2011-06-27T10:59:00.001-07:00

I actually did realize I was using Trojans colors until I got half way through the hat. Oh well.I dontthink the parents to be are fans, but its cute and that's all that matters! I needed a quick project to break up the monotony of a stockinette sweater, and keeping those good baby vibes buzzing around .

I think I may make a pair of matching mittens too. Whatever's left after that goes in the Mordred square blanket stash.

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and the journey officially begins...

2011-06-25T16:53:00.001-07:00

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getting better!

2011-06-20T07:44:00.001-07:00

This would have been two cups, had I not spilt some if it fighting Lucy. I do Have my technic down now, I just have to pick up speed. When the boys are weaned, I will be milking twice a day so she'll give me one quart a day, maybe a bit more since the babies wont be nursing.that equates to two Gallons a week ( again, perhaps a bit more).

A half falling of goat milk goes for about $4.50 in these parts. So that's about $18 a week work of goats milk, which is about what I pay For in hay. When my lamancha freshened, she'll. Give me about 6 gallons a week. You do that math!

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that project you hate, but finish anyway

2011-06-18T15:20:00.001-07:00

This vest/ shirt was based on the " funky tank top" pattern in Zoe Mellors ' Big book of Kids Knits'.

I made it longer and larger so it would fit this coming winter since its made from wool-ease. I shorted the ribbing on the neck and sleeves. Rather than doing the mutlicolored stripe in the book, I did a chain pattern from another book.

By the time I finished the two sides, I was OVER IT. The chain looked cute in the book, but was looking outdated And 80s ( the bad kind). I didn't love it, and therefore didn't want to seam it so I sewed it together on my machine, spending only 10 minutes over than wasting 40 seaming it by hand.

When I was done though, it wasn't Too terrible. I actually think it looks quite fetching on Thing One. The colors are too dark for Thing Two, so his will be lighter and without the chain.

It is made up ENTIRELY of remnant stash, so there were a lot of ends to weave in. I have just enough left over to make a knit Beanie to match, which I don't really feel Like doing because I'm over these colors right now. So I'm currently working on the Lisa Frank Sweater.

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a new use for duct tape

2011-06-17T09:13:00.001-07:00

I love duct tape. Doesn't everyone? I regularly find new uses for it. I've even used it, successfully I might add, to "wax"/ groom my eyebrows!

Today's use? Removingteeny tiny itchy cactus needles from my kids hand. We have beavertail cactus everywhere. Its needles are fine and hairlike. You don't feel them going in, but they work their way under your skin and itch for days.
Despite multiple daily reminders over the years, my son still touches them regularly.

Enter duct tape. Rather than spend what was sure to be an excruciate 30 minute torture fest removing about a hundred microscopic needles with tweezers, I put duct tape over the afflicted spots, rubbed it to make sure they stuck, the quickly pulled it off. I had all the needles out in about one minute and my son didn't even complain. Man I love duct tape.

Its magic. Especially this one.

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a tribute to Lisa Frank

2011-06-06T14:05:00.001-07:00

Ah, Lisa Frank. Remember her? The bright happy artwork of Lisa Frank glistened everywhere on gals between the ages of 6 and 16 ( and if you were super cool on into your 20s).

The hot pink And purple spotted leopards printed on high gloss folders brought a smile to many a face.

So when I started knitting this sweater in the fabulous rainbow yarn I recently purchased, I thought " holy crap! Its a Lisa Frank sweater!"

So while I We not originally intending this to be a tribute, it is completely unavoidable.

As twenty year L.F fan, I tip my proverbial hat to you Lisa!
( p.s keep your nose clean, no more shoddy business practices.)

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awesome thriftstore score

2011-06-04T12:46:00.001-07:00

I found this avocado green enamel percolator today. I love it completely. They also had a matching fondue set and a stock pot but they wanted $12 each and I'm a cheap you-know-what so just walked out with this. Ain't it perty?

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oops. oh Well! one can never have too mich yarn?

2011-06-03T12:11:00.001-07:00

I went to the store after two skeins of navy blue yarn and several nautical themed buttons and some snaps for a baby gift. I came home with Seven skeins of Loose Threads impeccable in folklore, and sans everything else.

Do you think a rainbow sweater might br a bit overwhelming for an adult? Perhaps on anyone other than myself. I think I can pull it off!

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oops. oh Well! one can never have too mich yarn?

2011-06-03T12:07:00.001-07:00

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vests for boys

2011-05-30T16:44:00.001-07:00

I know its getting to Bea bit warm for wool blend vests, but I really didn't have to wait until October to start working on them. I live in the desert so it would be late November before the boys could west them.

Anyway, I'm tryingto burn through my stash! Wouldn't it b great to buy all new yarn to work with in our all new house? I thought so ( pray that escrow closes wibout a Hitch).

I took a simple vest pattern from one book, and simple colorwork stitch pattern from another and Voila! Brave gets a vest!

I'm not sure if I'll have enough left over to make Mace one. Unless of course he wants a peach one. Or perhaps one on rainbow sock yarn. But I dontthink he does.

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2011-05-25T10:27:00.003-07:00

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Goddess Bless Youtube ( for showing me how to milk)

2011-05-25T10:27:00.001-07:00

I found te appropriate video. I watched. I studied. I learned. I MILKED.

I was a training exercise for both Lucy and myself. She did very well considering I have no stanchion.

However, when the grain was gone so was she. She stepped in the bowl, spilling pretty much everything. But now I can express milk for Orchid!

I need to build a stanchion. Like, yesterday.

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chones de cabrito

2011-05-24T14:31:00.001-07:00

Yes. I sure did.

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Orchids outfit of the day!

2011-05-23T09:58:00.001-07:00

Since she's feeling better, its damn near impossible to get a decent picture of her. Bit here she is in Her new dress. It had an extra ruffle on it originally, but I thought it too much so I took it off.

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crafting for critters

2011-05-20T15:41:00.001-07:00

At present in my living room is a rather large box full of baby stuff for a baby I have yet to even try to conceive. Poking out of the top were a couple unfinished bibs.

I took them out and stared at them. The shape wasn't too far off from a simple dog shirt. After pondering a bit more, the dog shirt shape wasn't very far off from that of a shirt for a tiny, premature goat kid.

The result? Several unfinished baby bibs are now the beginning of a goat wardrobe. Now I understand Orchid isn't out of the woods yet, but the clothes are for more than just her.

Winter goat babies benefit from a sweater or to to help regulate their body temps. Orchid is quite small for her breed, having come early so is benefiting as well.

When Supermodel, my lamancha, kids this coming winter I'll be prepared!

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SURPRISE!

2011-05-18T14:23:00.001-07:00

Lily dropped a doeling today! I was NOT expecting that.

I just happened to be outside a noticed what looked like Two little white rocks. On closer inspection it was a tiny little gal. Lily ditched her. I cleaned her up and tried to get her to nurse on Lucy. Lucy was tolerating my attempts because of a hefty grain ration but little baby wasn't having it.

I tried ( unsuccessfully ) expressing from Lucy into a bottle. No go. So I drove to the feed store for colostrum. I know I should have already been prepared but I wasn't.

I don't know if she'll make it. Her hooves look odd, like they aren't fully formed? Kind of soft??

Anyway - she's been on earth for all of 3 hours and has spent all that time sleeping for the most part.

I hope she makes it.

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oops.... didnt i say i wouldnt do this?

2011-05-17T15:07:00.001-07:00

Today I did two things I told myself I wouldn't. One-on-one I bought another knitting book. Two- I paid full price for that book ( blasphemous ! !)

In my defense, its not actually a pattern book, but a book of stitches. So in the long run, I'm saving money. I can use the same patterns from the books I already own, and change up the design by altering the stitches used. See?

With new books comes new inspiration, thus a need for new yarn. Its not my fault. I didn't right the rules! And any knitter will agree. Just go ask one. So...... yarn shopping anyone?

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Goodbye yarn remnants, hello birthday snake!

2011-05-09T11:48:00.001-07:00

Ever since Mace and I had a brief encounter with a lovely red diamondback rattlesnake on a nature walk he's become smitten with the slithery reptilian serpents.

I received this book of knitted toys for Xmas and have yet to make anything from it due to lack of appropriate yarns.

Then, duh, like a runaway freight train, it finally occurred to me that KIDS DONT CARE. My sons aren't going to Give a crap that their zebra has blue and yellow stripes instead of black and white. My boys aren't going to care that the kangaroo is hot pink and the little piggies are lavender. Afterall, who doesn't want a bright red ape in their menagerie?

So enter the odd colored snake. And Its quick so it will be complete by his birthday ( theoretically ).

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mini kitchens

2011-05-02T19:19:00.001-07:00

http://dornob.com/electrochef-all-in-one-vintage-kitchen-appliance-set/

Ever heard of the electrochef? Probably not but they're amazing! It's a micro mini compact electric kitchen range. I want one. Seriously. If you see one somewhere- be sure to drop me a line! ....text.... email? Whatever.

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one of those days!

2011-04-28T09:58:00.001-07:00

You know those days when you have a CRAP TON of stuff you should be doing, but none of it sounds very appealing. And your body aches with exhaustion just thinking about it....and so, consequently, none of those things actually get accomplished?

Yup.

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another project complete!

2011-04-27T10:27:00.001-07:00

This is the second to last project on needles That was started forever ago.

I made a few mistakes, corrected a few. But all in all it didn't turn out too bad considering I didn't use a pattern and it was my first attempt at a cable That wasn't a simple twist.

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a welcomed distraction.. the leaf pattern baby hat

2011-04-22T09:58:00.001-07:00

Since I finished another previously started project and only have 2 unfinished ( one of which will be completed by next weekend) I figured it was okay if I started a new project.

My mind is currently a mess, and not of the creative chaos sort that it usually is. Yesterday we put an offer on a house. 4 days ago we were talking about what a pain our current rental situation is and yesterday BAM! An offer was made. Oh my word. I half hope the offer is rejected because moving a whole hobby farm is a daunting task at best. And the house is mostly gutted.

2 or 3 years ago a gutted house would Have been a dream come true. Built it up the way I want with all the jar stuff already completed ( wiring, plumbing, code checks, permits, septic etc). Now? I just don't know if I can hang! Plus my pumpkins wont be mature yet and I'll have to watch them die. Again. Just like last time.

So enter the leaf baby hat. Loslts of counting and keeping track to distract my brain from the multitude of negative. Thoughts and " what ifs". I know I could just focus on the positive, but it would be too dissapointing and depressing having gone through this 3 TIMES already since we moved here 2 1/2 years ago ( Lover is fickle ).

So here's to knitting my blues, stress and future grey hairs away.

Cheers. ::::: toasts invisible microbrew that I wish I had even though its only 10 am::::::

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why gardeners and prospective gardeners should never trash jugs

2011-04-20T12:09:00.001-07:00

I love milk jugs. * love them*. While a bit unsightly perhaps, they are about as utilitarian as a disposable thing can be. While there are dozens of uses for them, My two favorite uses are organizing kid crap and gardening. Even the smallest apartment has room for a vertical window garden! Other than planting IN them I've also planted UNDER them. They make cool little mini green houses and windblocks for those freshly transplanted seedlings. For a windbreaker I cut off the bottom and about 2 or 3 inches down from the top to essentially create a tapered tube. As a planter I just cut a large hole in the side, leaving the handle attached, and pole several holes in the bottom. The handles make them easier to move or hang if you're going vertical.

Plants That do well in milk jug planters ( from my own experience) lots of herbs like catnip, basil, spearmint, and rosemary ( though Rosemary will have to be split or transplanted fairly quickly). I've also grown kale, radishes, carrots ( in the tall water jugs. Makes for easy harvesting), swiss chard, tomatillos, and bell peppers. Go try it! Its a great kids project to boot! Never experience guilt again.

P.s I didn't take the picture of Dr. Ebenezer, of some church somewhere, I found it online. :-)

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Why today sucks

2011-04-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

I was woken up purposely by Lover several times in-between the hours of 1 am and 6 am. I having sleeping issues so that's sort of a big deal.

The water pump that pumps water from cistern to house has failed. Meaning I had to water 20 animals and 60 plants by hand. Five. Gallons. At. A. Time.

Braves snotty severe allergies caused him to booger up not only his shirt, but his entire face and left arm. By the time I had him changed and all cleaned up, we missed the school bus.

I had planned on going to the laundry, getting gas, and returning Netflix movies, but alas, I cannot.... having only ONE carseat and an unexpected TWO children. The other carseat is in Lovers car 25 miles away.

Oh- and the boys somehow managed to completely disassemble the hand made wooden play kitchen I made them two xmas' ago. I'm not sure how andeach one says the other did it. Pieces continued to fall off smashing my toes as I carried the kitchen carcass out the back door pondering how I could salvage the wood for something.

I want to go back to bed. Its only 9 in the bloody morning.

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Why today sucks

2011-04-05T09:02:00.001-07:00

I was woken up purposely by Lover several times in-between the hours of 1 am and 6 am. I having sleeping issues so that's sort of a big deal.

The water pump that pumps water from cistern to house has failed. Meaning I had to water 20 animals and 60 plants by hand. Five. Gallons. At. A. Time.

Braves snotty severe allergies caused him to booger up not only his shirt, but his entire face and left arm. By the time I had him changed and all cleaned up, we missed the school bus.

I had planned on going to the laundry, getting gas, and returning Netflix movies, but alas, I cannot.... having only ONE caraway and an unexpected TWO children. The other caraway is in Lovers car 25 miles away.I bought three pair of jeans last spring. one fit prefectly. two were a bit big. Guess what? the too big pairs now fit and the perfect pair struggles under the mass of my ever growing derrière. The thighs Have stretch marks and I have a permnant indent resembling a snap just below my navel.

Oh- and the boys somehow managed to completely disassemble the hand made wooden play kitchen I made them two xmas' ago. I'm not sure how andeach one says the other did it. Pieces continued to fall off smashing my toes as I carried the kitchen carcass out the back door pondering how I could salvage the wood for something.

I want to go back to bed. Its only 9 in the bloody morning.

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big montana tunic pt. 2

2011-04-04T08:23:00.001-07:00

I had to sew it and cut off about 5 inches. Its still a little roomy but since I hope to get preggers This year, I'm figuring by the time it'd cold enough to wear I may grow into it ;-)

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big montana tunic

2011-04-04T08:19:00.001-07:00

I haven't done the rib around the arms but this project has been s Not of a pain. It wasn't hard, it just kept coming out way too big. I read on ravelry that was a common problem because Oh all the negative ease? I was glad to hear I wasn't th only one with sizing issues.

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the saxony spinning wheel

2011-03-27T13:55:00.001-07:00

Lover just bought me ones of these from an antique shop.

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no more good will for you!

2011-03-24T15:49:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine just called me with amazing news. As a result I had to dig all my ids clothes back out of the donation bag. These pants were my favorite, albeit a bit raggedy. Not anymore! Now they're ' boutique' awesomeness for nothing!

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Just Scooting Around!

2011-03-24T07:03:00.001-07:00

Lover decided scooter would Bea good investment with our tax return. Between the Jeep Cherokee And vintage Ford truck, somewhere up around $350 a month on gas gets spent. That isn't counting what I spent in my very economical little Hyundai accent. Lovers solution? Buy a scooter to go to work....and apprently go riding together as a couple/ hobby type thing. I laughed and said " sure thing! As long as its pink and has a side car so I can use it to take Ben to the bus in the mornings. Had had had". Well-known the jokes on me.

( p.s I don't own the awesome scooter pictured no did I snap This photo. I found it in cyberspace somewheres)

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Teeny Tiny T-shirt Prefolds

2011-03-22T10:26:00.001-07:00

My kids decided it would be a good idea to grow. I don't know why and I did try to stop them
I blame genetically modified foods. Anyway- I cleaned out their closet and anything with a " 3 " on it left the building. So what if they're 4 and 5. They were cute shirts!!

So into the donation bag they went. And like many things That find there way into the donation bag, slowly certain things began to find their way out again.

Mainly the t shirts with cute designs. I decided to turn them into itty bitty prefolds. I'm guessing they'll fit 0-3 months. After that they'll make great doublers! Wee ones go through A LOT of diapers so I figure even if they only fit for a month, they were worth it.

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enee meenee minee.....mo....

2011-03-21T15:22:00.001-07:00

What's a gal to do? Work on all three. That's what.

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another knit project complete!

2011-03-21T10:52:00.001-07:00

So I made a mistake in saying I had four projects left because I forgot about this One.I had about 30g if a skein left and one bootie completed. Not I have the other bootie and matching hat. Yay for me!! Time to go wash the dishes.

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one knit down, four to go!

2011-03-19T17:21:00.001-07:00

This little kimono top has been sitting around waiting to be finished since September. Its not a difficult pattern, just a boring one. Well its finally finished ( almost). I need to weave in the ends and I think the I cord neckline is pulling to tight so I may do it over and I may not. I also may add trim to the end of the sleeves ( which I shortened). I think perhaps ill make another, but NOT in garter stitch. Maybe I stockinette with some owl cables?

I have enough yarn to make a matching hat and booties so perhaps I'll start that later in the week but for now, I'd like to finish what I've already started.

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sfabric scraps are fun

2011-03-18T07:33:00.001-07:00

Not only do I rarely trash my fabric scraps, but I pilfer them from others. You don't need to spare a dime, a bag of your crafting waste will do Just fine, thanks. I made this bib on the fly as Wells as another that didn't photograph well because I neglected to iron it.

I know a crap ton of preggos right now and am hoping to get there myself one day so quick, cute projects like this are just what the doctor ordered!

My baby hope chest is runnith' o'er so I need to make stuff for those who are ACTUALLY pregnant now ( but the bins I made yesterday don't count since I just announced this proclamation today ).

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its getting close! Baby dust dreams revisited

2011-03-17T14:00:00.001-07:00

I've had two uterine ultrasound appointments. Both of which were rescheduled ( AFTER. I paid the babysitter anddrove all the way to the clinic with a bursting bladder). My third attempt at getting my ultrasound is tomorrow. Hopefully they don't screw this one up! However, all of my other tests came back great today so as long as the ultrasound goes well tomorrow we'll be registering with the sperm bank at the end of the month. I hope to have my first ICI in May! The year. Just FLEW by! It will be one year in May since I told Lover I wanted to try to get pregnant " next year ". Its amazing I tell ya!

So I've started in with the making of baby things again to keep my hopes up, plus it seems everyone I know is pregnant right now.

I said I'd take a knitting break which lasted all of...12 hours? I started seed stitch and cable baby hat by Debbie Bliss yesterday. Man ,I love me some Debbie Bliss. But arms ,they are a-achin' so I think I'm going to put said hat away and make some boppy covers instead.

Cheers!

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Cable Surgery

2011-03-16T11:22:00.001-07:00

I I know I said I'd take a break from Knitting but.... you see, for the past three hours I've been weeding and replanting and shoveling horse shit so I decided I needed a break.during said break, thought " hey, I might as well just see about correcting the cable problem". It made sense.
So I did it somewhat successfully. The only problem is when I got back to my needles I should have been on row 5 in the cable, which didn't match up. So I went to row 7. Also didn't match up. Then I tried row 3 and it fit ( even rows are knitting and purling but not cabling hence the number skipping). While I may now have a section of cable a wee bit longer than it should be, and whole it isn't as neat as it was before I fixed the cable direction, the fact that I did it without frogging several gourds worth of work makes it all worth it. And while I hope This isn't a skill I have to use often whenever I see the slightly elongated cable I will smile to myself and see it as a badge of courage ( that Invisibaby will wear every damn night).

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Knitting Vacation

2011-03-16T06:31:00.001-07:00

Nope. Not in the good way. I'm taking a break! I have 5 projects in needles right now. Two could be finished up rather quickly. One is short two skeins of yarn which I need to find and purchase. Yet another is a rather lengthy affair and will take wee bit of time. Lastly. The latest project, a seed stitched and lattice cable infant sleep sack. This is the project that has me taking a break. You see, several rows back I crossed a cable the wrong direction ( twice actually but I'm letting the first one slide). So I straddled my stitches on my needles and tore out stitches down to the offending error.

The I staired at it. And I stairwell at it some more. I knew that the steps I'd taken were the correct ones, but wasn't actually sure what to do next. So I did what any self respecting advanced beginner knitologist would do- I Googled it.

I did find what I was looking for but at present don't have the patience or the ovaries to attempt This repair.

My right wrist is involved in sort of a bazaar love triangle with yarn and string, resulting in a slightly painful ache when I knit It has been protesting my knitting excursion to ' knit world's and is requesting a short reprieve.

Out of respect for my right wrist and the desire to cling as much as possible to my sanity I have decided to embark on my vacation from knitting.until Friday night.when my knitting group is coming over.

I guess I should utilize this time to get caught up on chores and finish reading this novel I've been chipping away at!

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aaaaand the interim knitting project

2011-03-15T16:58:00.001-07:00

So what you are looking at is the waistband of a wool soaked sleep sack for Invisibaby. Its a 2/2 rib with a lattice cable panel.down the center. The ' blanket' part will be done in moss stitch. I cast on with 4s and increased to 8s after the ribbing. I did an eyelet tow for cording if its needed ( but I don't think it will be). I'm going to do moss stitch for about 18 more inches and somewhere in there increase about 10 stitches in there somewheres an add another eyelet row across the bottom. I'd like to do some sort of decorative edging on the bottom. Add a Picot edging maybe?

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damn you sweater! DAMN YOU!!! ……and damn me too.

2011-03-13T16:16:00.001-07:00

Ten points ( and a surprise!) to you if you can guess which film I parodied that line from.

So. I know the point of gauge checks. And I did one ( sorta). The first time I attempted this pattern the Gauge was not correct. The yarn was not bulky enough. I trigger it and started over with new thicker yarn and needles two sizes smaller than what the pattern recommended! And its still too big.

So. I'm at a crossroads. Do I : A. Keep going knowing full well it wont fit me and just keep my fingers crossed that I'm knocked up by September ( then the baby bump and fabulous. Preggo boobs will fill it out) or gift it out to someone who will think its amazing ( because it will be).
B. Frog it again..... a second time, which very well end my sanity, my love affair with yarn and knitting, and quite possibly my life.
Or C. Put it in the back of the knitting cabinet And marinate on my little conundrum whilst working on something equally fulfilling and great that WILL fit because this time I'll do my gauge check the right way ( instead of half assing it like I usually do Andaman famous for.

What do you think? Inquiring minds want to know! Well-known *my* inquiring mind wants to know anyway. :-/

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Flourless peanut butter cookies

2011-03-13T10:51:00.001-07:00

I used oatmeal instead of flour and Reese's pieces for awesomeness

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thrift store scores

2011-03-12T16:00:00.001-08:00

I just can't pass up hand knit baby clothes... can't do it. To think I paid $1 each for these lovingly created tokens of knitted affection makes my heart hurt.....but only for a little while. There were three more but I couldn't justify buying 5 hand knit sweaters.. of course, thinking on it now, it seems like every other person I know is pregnant. Oh well! I'll. Have to do with two. I also bought a size 7 DPN set (7 needles) and some straight 5's for only $2.50. Again it took all my might to make an offer on the whole jar. I really didn't need another set of 10s or 6s.... but sometimes you lose a needle and that kind of blows, right? I dunno. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow and buy them anyway.

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So Far So Good - using up that stash

2011-03-11T10:36:00.001-08:00

In very happy. I used up 3 50g balls of fun fur type yarn and 3 plum sized remnant balls! Ha! I'm just a little bit closer to being able to buy purple...all...most.....there....

This is a photo prop set for a friend of mine who is quite amazing. One of these days I'll learn how to post links using blogger Droid and then you shall see the awesomeness that is Raechelle Tinsleys photography.

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Knit Porn

2011-03-10T11:16:00.001-08:00

Ohhhh.... this book is delicious. I just received French Girl Knits. After thumbing through the sensual pages of pure yumminess, I suddenly felt the need for a post coital cigarette - which is saying a lot because I don't smoke. EVERYTHING in this book is gorgeous and feminine. I seriously cannot wait to sink my needles into some luscious yarns and get to it! Granted I'd say.... oh....80% of the patterns are beyong my skill level. However, I have two beginnerish lace projects in the works. By the time I complete those I should be ready to tackle the most simple project in the book and I'll. Work my way up from there.

I predict my future to be bombarded with swears and yarngasms. :::::shutters::::::

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A Quick Knit

2011-03-09T14:03:00.001-08:00

I've been working on a larger project. While its coming along nicely ( now that its been torn out a few rows back and re-knitted), I needed a quick knit to reset my brain a bit. SO- I whipped up this faerytale inspired baby hat. I have a photographer friend who does babies. I'm thinking this may make its way to her. I.also used up a skein and some remnant yarn which is important because I can't buy more yarn until I use what I have!!

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progression of the sleeveless hoodie

2011-03-08T12:18:00.001-08:00

Somewhere down the line I repeated a row and sort of screwed up. Unless your Super Knitter, you probably wont see this giant glaring error. However- an error that I just found that IS super noticeable is there, on the left side, my stitch marker somehow got moved over one stitch to the left ( which explains the odd number of stitches I keep having to correct in the center panel. A real knitter would be appalled by such a blantant disregard for yarn and the art and craft that is knitting and would frog -frog - frog to correct this erroneous eyesore. *I* onto the said hell know. I'm not taking this thing apart again. Its my first attempt at any sort of lace work. And while its worsted weight and fairly simple, I'm giving myself a pat on the back for even attempting it. Not to mention the lace panel is not in the original Hoodie pattern.
So there you have it. And here it is. P.s isn't that color AMAZING?

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Who Needs Prozac?

2011-03-07T08:03:00.001-08:00

I've struggled with depression my whole life. The one reliable cure for me is to create. Because of that, I made a pledge to myself that I will do one crafty thing every day. Its more entertaining than swallowing a pill and it brings an instant smile to my face. The only negative side effect I'd the shrinking bank account and storage space.....which I can live with.

It did for a time become a problem however. I would get do caught up in projects everything else I. My life would get neglected! I've had to now out restrictions on myself. I try This limit my crafting to 2 hours a day ( I try to limit my reading to two hours a day too....).

Today's craftiness will manifest itself in the form of cataloging my yarn and needles, and organizing my fabrics. Yes its actually CLEANING … Do you remember on Duck Tales how Uncle Scrooge used to swim in his money vault? Just imagine me doing that, only with fiber ; -D

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super kitschy find!

2011-03-04T12:06:00.001-08:00

Oh man did I score! I found This awesome hand embroidered nature scene at the thrift shop for $7. I love it. I needs a new frame though. I think I make have a totally awesome frame too!!

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Where the crap is the damned bloody wrning label!?!

2011-03-02T17:13:00.001-08:00

I have eye strain. My vision is slightly blurred. I wonder if any studies have been done on the addictive nature of Smart Phones? Or perhaps the long term side effects of instant gratification. I'm pretty sure blindness and sudden onset adult ADD are to ensue.

Someone should start a support group, SPAA, smart phone addicts anonymous. The Department of Child Services should probably be informed of this new threat too. While parents everywhere are blogging, you tubing, texting ( all while driving) there children are eating cat poo out of litter boxes, stealing cars, bumping off liqueur stores....or in my case, playing with scissors and cutting my hair ( unbeknownst to me).

They put warning label on booze and cigarettes. I'm petitioning to have them added to any phone with internet and t.v watching capabilities . I know I should ' just say now's, but as any heroin addict will tell you its easier said than done. .....plus the withdrawal is a you know what!

Come on, whose with me?

Stand up. MY NAME IS BETTY BOHEMIAN. AND I AM A SMART PHONE ADDICT. sit down.

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the pro and cons of crafty gifting

2011-02-22T12:35:00.001-08:00

One of the great things about being crafty, even when your skills aren't so amazing, is that you can always come up with something to make for anyone with a personal touch. Sure, you could run to your local mart of choice but where's the fun in that?

I made a pretty cute apron for a friends birthday. It was one of the projects that is so cute you debate keeping it and whipping together something else- but then you feel guilty so decided to just make another one for yourself that for some reason never comes out as cute as the first one.

BTW- sitting here blogging in the bathroom has reminded me of something ( the only place I can get away with ignoring everyone for a few minutes): SPRING CLEANING. I'm on it like white on ice!!

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RAAARRRRRRR!!

2011-02-20T09:41:00.001-08:00

I have the pleasure of living near the ' pee wee Herman ' dinosaurs. Good times

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