36 weeks

Stats: Baby Girl is scheduled for c-section on February 26th. We hope she behaves and stays put like she is supposed to do. The doctor's appointment this week went really well. I am now going every week until she comes. That means weighing in every week.

 I made this sweet little hat this weekend to go with her blanket.

 This little guy is finally feeling so much better. He is my sweet handsome boy.

My Newest Project

This is a heirloom blanket I am making for Meredith. I made one just like this for Charles before he was born in a grey. I will use these blankets on them while they are little, and then I will wrap them up to preserve them for my grandbabies. I have almost 4 1/2 inches completed. Only about 35 1/2 inches to go to getting it complete. I hope I can get it finished before February because I really want to make her some other things.

Show Us What You Make Or Sell

Here are a few things I make:

 

 I made this scarf for my sister.

 A sweet baby blanket for a precious baby girl.

If you would like to see a picture of Charles' heirloom blanket click here.

This is one of my most recent projects.

 

Currently I am working on an ABC blanket. I do not have any pictures yet, but I will post them as soon as I get far enough along.

Goal 2 Accomplished

2.Finish the blue cable blanket. On March 4th I reported that I had 16 rows left. Last night I finished knitting the blanket. This morning I sewed in the cast off strand and cut off any extra strands that needed to be removed.

 

I found this pattern on Lion Brand's website. I am adding in the pattern and the few changes I made. I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS PATTERN.

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®

GAUGE: 8 sts = 4 in. [10 cm] over St st (k on RS, p on WS) BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

6/6 RC (right cross of 6 sts over 6 sts) Slip next 6 sts to a cable needle and leave at the back of your work, k 6 sts from your left needle, then k the 6 sts from cable needle.

 6/6 LC (left cross of 6 sts over 6 sts) Slip next 6 sts to a cable needle and leave at the front of your work, k6 sts from your left needle, then k the 6 sts from cable needle.

THROW 

 RIGHT CROSS PANEL (make 3)

 Cast on 24 sts. Knit 2 rows.

 Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, and 17 (RS): K 2, p 4, k 12, p 4, k 2.

 Row 2 and all WS Rows: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Row 13: K 2, p 4, 6/6 RC, p 4, k 2.

Row 18: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Repeat Rows 1-18 7 more times. Then repeat Rows 1-7 once. Knit 2 rows. Bind off.

 LEFT CROSS PANEL (make 2)

 Cast on 24 sts. Knit two rows.

 Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, and 17 (RS): K 2, p 4, k 12, p 4, k 2.

 Row 2 and all WS Rows: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Row 13: K 2, p 4, 6/6 LC, p 4, k 2.

Row 18: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Repeat Rows 1-18 7 more times. Then repeat Rows 1-7 once. Knit 2 rows. Bind off.

 FINISHING

 Sew long edges of 5 panels together alternating Right and Left Cross Panels.

Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES

k = knit

p = purl

RS = right side

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side

~My changes 7 panels instead of 5 and instead of rows 1-18 7 times I went with 9 times. Size 15 needles instead of size 13 because I knit tight. Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Hometown USA Washington Denim. I also knitted it as one piece instead of knitting panels and sewing them together. This took 21 balls of yarn. I have most of the 21st ball of yarn left over. I only used ball 21 for the last two rows of the blanket. With my changes I noticed that I could get 8-10 rows off of a ball of yarn which is great since there were 168 stitches in a row.

 

2013 Goals Accomplished So Far

Goals not Resolutions for 2013 These are not in any particular order.
1.Read a book for every week of the year. I will be happy if I read 2 books a month though.
 January: 4 weeks and 4 books!
1. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer 366 pages
2. A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer 348 pages
3. Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma by Janice Hannah 310 pages
4. The Rose Legacy book 1 by Kristen Heitzmann 395 pages
February: 4 weeks and 7 books!
1. Sweet Boundless book 2 by Kristen Heitzmann 350 pages
2. The Tender Vine book 3 by Kristen Heitzmann 382 pages
3. The Real Enemy book 1 by Kathy Herman 376 pages
4. Two Brides Too Many book 1 by Mona Hodgson 304 pages
5. Too Rich a Bride book 2 by Mona Hodgson 306 pages
6. The Bride Who Wore Blue book 3 by Mona Hodgson 288 pages
7. Twice a Bride book 4 by Mona Hodgson 291 pages
March: I am currently reading The Last Word book 2 by Kathy Herman. I am so excited to be ahead of schedule. I know once the weather is nice this pace will slow down a lot. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the books above.
 2.Finish the blue cable blanket.

 

I am proud to report that I only have 16 rows left to go on this blanket. That include casting off. I will post the finished blanket soon. I started this blanket right after Labor Day.  I have been very hit or miss on the nights I have worked on it, but 6 months is pushing it for this very easy design.

3. Knit something out of my comfort zone. This means something besides blankets, scarfs, and rags. I have just the project as soon as I get the blue cable blanket finished.

4. Do something crafty with Charles 

5. Play in the snow with the family. I am going to give myself grace here and say taking pictures of Charles looking at the snow/pictures of snow accomplishing this goal. We have had massive winds with our snow. Also, I don't want to purchase snow pants for Charles that he will only wear 1 or 2 times. Lastly, we have had a huge amount of sickness in our home I would rather not aide in any way to another round of sickness.

6. Rake leaves into a pile and jump in. 

7. Color eggs with Patrick and Charles and take Charles to an Easter egg hunt.

8. Try a new recipe. 

9. Go tubing or white water rafting.

10. Donate 10 inches to locks of love. My hair is getting on my nerves so this maybe happening before I planned.

11. Make or do something on Pinterest. 

12. Do a moviethon with Patrick. Watch a set of movies that are sequels complete with popcorn & candy or cookies. 

13.Encourage others: prayers, cards, emails, and phone calls. This is ongoing and I'm praying for the request I know of. I have been sending random cards, emails, and texts.

Things to Accomplish in 2013

Goals not Resolutions for 2013 These are not in any particular order. 1.Read a book for every week of the year. I will be happy with 2 books a month--I am just challenging myself. So far this goal is going very well. We are in week 2 of January and I am about finished with my second book.

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer was my book for week 1.

A Tailor Made Bride is the book I am reading now. I should easily be finished by Saturday with only 117 pages to go. We will see if I can keep this trend up and read a book for every week. I will really need some great suggestions to keep this up throughout the year. If you haven't tried one of Karen Witemeyer's books you should. I have read everything that has been published so far and can't wait until June 2013 when her new book comes out! 2.Finish the blue cable blanket.

I have 79 rows left to finish and that includes the bind off row. I have all the yarn and supplies I need. 3.Knit something out of my comfort zone. This means something besides blankets, scarfs, and rags. 4.Do something crafty with Charles 5.Play in the snow with the family. 6.Rake leaves into a pile and jump in. 7.Color eggs with Patrick and Charles and take Charles to an Easter egg hunt. 8.Try a new recipe. 9.Go tubing or white water rafting. 10.Donate 10 inches to locks of love. 11.Make or do something on Pinterest. 12.Do a moviethon with Patrick. Watch a set of movies that are sequels complete with popcorn & candy or cookies. 13.Encourage others: prayers, cards, emails, and phone calls.

Christmas Vacation

We had a lot of fun on our Christmas vacation to the south. Charles did great in the car and didn't get fussy until we were about two hours away from being back in Carroll.The first two pictures are crafts we made for Christmas gifts. The reindeer towels were for the grandparents, and the scarf was for my friend Heather. I celebrated my 31st birthday while I was home. Don't you love my wonderful birthday cake!? It was very yummy and we got pretty creative with the candles. We were blessed beyond measure at both sides. Charles very much enjoyed being spoiled by all his family. Please enjoy a few of our Christmas pictures. I'm waiting on more pictures from family so you may see more in another post. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2013 be great to all of you.

Projects and Band Camp

 I finally finished Patrick a beanie for the winter. My knitting time has decreased dramatically in the past year.

Pinterest Love: Bath Toys and a Glue Gun.

 Take plastic toys and fill in holes with glue gun to keep out the black gunk.

I know I found this idea on Pinterest but I can't remember whose idea it was. So for more details go on Pinterest.

Band Camp: It is so very hot please be in prayer for the students and adults at camp. So far they are having a blast and learning a lot.
The first night they played laser tag and had so much fun. I was not present but the stories sound like they had the time of their lives.
Last night Charles and I went to band camp from 3-9pm. Let me tell you they sound great. We were able to hear them play part of the half time show. They have a great group of parents getting meals under way. Supper was pulled pork, mac and cheese, salad, and cookies--very yummy. Last night was huge blow up water slide and pool night. Charles enjoyed the pool. Patrick enjoyed the slide and pool. I enjoyed the one time I went down the slide but one time was enough for me. I think this time was great because everyone got to cool off from the heat!!! After we left they had glow in the dark rehearsal. Charles and I had to leave before that started. I'm sure that was fun too.I know they are making memories that they will talk about for years to come.  I am happy everything is going great so far and I pray that the last two days are wonderful!!!

Baby Gifts

My Aunt Allie is very talented. She stitched these bibs for Charles. They are beautiful.
The coming home outfit. He is going to be so precious even though I know I am biased.

Gifts from his Pop and Mama C.

I made this burp cloth for games and events. Our high school team is the Tigers. I took a dish cloth pattern by Amy-lynne Mitchell and just made it long enough for a burp cloth.

The Past 2 Weeks

Patrick and his new yard project!

The blanket is finished! I am now working on hats.

Picture on left 31 weeks. Picture on right 32 weeks.

Finished backyard project.

Sorry for being away so long. Blogger was not allowing me to post pictures for some reason, and most of my post must have pictures. :)

What I have been making and things I have been pondering

For a boy's room I would like to do something very similar. I like the stuff on the bed and the little lamp, but for curtains I would like for them to be long to help block out the sun. We have prints of fighter planes from WWII that will go on the wall. I have no idea what color to paint the walls though. I am open to suggestions. I really want the room to be cute no matter if it is a boy or a girl I just want it to be something they can grow with. For a girl I can not choose from anything online. I either want to do something really girly or I would like to do something from the Wizard of Oz. If I go the Wizard of Oz way I would like to do a crib skirt in blue in white checks with touches of red bows (same for curtains), a cute little country quilt (maybe have a picture of ruby red slippers in the center), and have a print or two on the wall from the movie. Any cute cheap ideas for the walls would be much appreciated. Again what color for the walls? With both a boy or girl room I know I would like to put their initials on the wall.

I just couldn't wait until April 11th to start making something for my little one. I decided this little blanket could be for either a boy or girl. This blanket will be mint green and white. Once I find out what we are having I know I will make some gender specific blankets. I also have a goal of knitting a fancy blanket for the baby. I will need help from the local knit shop ladies for that though. I also need to learn to make little baby hats. I just love homemade things they are just so special.

These are a few of my favorite things

I couldn't resist adding a few of the things that have been making me happy lately:
Knitting is one of my favorite hobbies and this is one of the many dish clothes I have made lately. I cannot take credit for the pattern. If you knit and want this pattern go to www.krisknits.blogspot.com . I have been on a knitting streak lately and I even taught myself the very beginning stages of cabling. Keep a watch out for these knits in blogs to come.

I also have been enjoying books from young adult fiction and contemporary Christian fiction. You might enjoy some of the same authors and books. Here are a few of the authors that have captured my attention and my daily reading times: Marian Hale, Karen Kingsbury, and Ann M. Martian. Marian Hale has books that focus on historical coming of age novels they are great, but keep the tissues handy. Karen Kingsbury's novels have touched my heart and helped me grow in great knowledge of God's redemption. Speaking of Redemption start with that series if you wish to start with the Baxter Series like I did. I made the mistake of starting with Book 1 Sunrise which is the last series about the Baxter family, so now I am going back and starting in the correct place. Last but not least the book above is an excellent book set in the 1950's. I am sure it will touch your heart and make you start searching for your corner of the universe. If you have read any of the above or have any suggestions let me know.

These slippers are called Snoozies. They are warm, comfortable, and have little grips on the bottom. Definitely a good idea for Christmas for those cold feet people in your life. They come in children, men, and women sizes in various colors.

The flowers above are from my husband he brought these home to me last night for no particular reason. He is such a sweetie.