New Knits

I finally finished my new scarf for fall. LOVE it. The pattern comes by Stephen West. His pattern was great. Easy to memorize and straight forward. You can adjust the pattern to any weight yarn and tada, you have a new accessory for fall. I used sport weight yarn from Tree Frog . It is alpaca yarn that will be great for the cooler months ahead. The color green is always a winner in my book. I tried to get a close up of the pattern, but my photo skills are not so good. Also photographing yarn is really hard! I highly recommend the pattern for you knitters out there. If you want something easy, warm, and wearable for fall, check it out. You can use the link above or find it on Ravelry. Happy crafting!!

It's Coming....

Things are seeming a little different outside. The smell is different, the sun is different. This means that fall is starting to make her way here to Michigan. While we can still expect BEAUTIFUL days for a month or so, there is something about fall. I LOVE IT!!! The cool crisp feeling, cooking, apples, beautiful trees, and the clothing. So here are some ideas that I have been thinking about for FALL!

I am thinking of heading to the thrift store and finding some nice corduroy men's pants. I love my repurposed cargo skirt so much, I think the idea would be great for fall as well. Nothing like nice broken in corduroy! Also maybe a heavy knit skirt would be most comfy to tuck feet into while sitting on the couch watching a movie, reading, or knitting. I had such fun this summer with all my skirts, that I want to somehow work that into fall/winter. Time to start thinking.....

We Can Do It

I found this flickr blog called We Can Do It. The pictures are based on the J. Howard Miller's we can do it poster from 1942. (pictured above). They are inspiring photos of hard working women who are willing to roll up their sleeves, get dirty, and at the same time they are proud to be feminine.

These pictures and lots more of amazing photos can be found here. The photos above are provided by Kate O'Brien, snippets from suburbia, lyrabellacqua. Happy Tuesday!

To Long!

The end of the summer is vastly approaching and we have been so busy trying to enjoy before school starts. All this enjoyment has made me lapse in blog land!

On the crafty front I have started my string quilt. It is a pretty easy thing to do and PERFECT for all those strips of fabric I inherited from my grandma. Not sure how the quilt is going to look overall, but it is what it is. A BUNCH of scraps from a special lady. I think I am going to make it throw size. Something to use on a chilly evening, or to lay on outside in the warm weather. We will see!

Goals

This week has been all about goals. Simple goals for just this week. J is gone for 5 days so I am trying to stay busy, keep the kids busy, and work on things for myself. So far, so good. I have managed to keep messes at bay. I have given things a cleaning and got the laundry under control. That is a great feeling.

I completed my first week of running and met all my goals for the week. That is an AWESOME feeling. I have already uploaded week 2 for Sunday.

I took the kids blueberry picking for the first time. They had a blast. Went in the morning so it was not to hot. J.D. ate almost as many as he picked. Afterward we had blueberry/vanilla soft serve ice cream. It was HEAVENLY!!! The perfect reward for job well done at the blueberry patch. I have been freezing our haul. Can't wait to enjoy them in the middle of winter. YUM!

Finally got going on a knitting project. Working on a "scarf". Pics and more details to come. The one bummer of the week was not being able to start on my string quilt. But I guess that will come. I also think it will be a great project for fall. Now is time to finish out the weekend with family and then dad is some on Sunday! YEAH!!!!

The Crazy Train

I have got a case of crazy. I think something has snapped. The one thing I swore I hate to do, I am doing. JOGGING. I don't know what has over come me to start jogging, but I am on my way. I found this program called The Couch To 5K. It is not scary, I get to walk to start out, and I find myself enjoying it. Who would have thought?

I find myself thinking that maybe I can do this. Is it possible? Can I actually run a 5K? I like getting up and getting outside. I like that when I am out (gulp) exercising the world is quiet and peaceful. When I get back home, I am wide awake and ready to greet my kiddos and get the show on the road. And at night I don't feel so bad while I sit and knit or sew. I feel.........healthy.

There are no plans for marathons or running for more than 3-4 times a week. Just a way to stay fit and take care of this aging body. I want to enjoy foods and drinks and life and not diet my life away. So maybe, just maybe, this will help me do that.

DONE!

I finished the other mitten on our way up to the U.P. and there was much rejoicing. These are a really fast and fun knit. A great way to slowly ease your way into thinking about back to school. The Chevalier Mitten pattern by Mari Muinonen (found also on Ravelry) is so much fun. This is first time I have really done a mitten. It was not so bad, and the cable pattern held my interest. I really love Cascade 220 yarn. It has nice definition, comes in lots of colors and won't break the bank. The heathers is wonderful in the green color. It has just a hint of yellow that pops against the green.

I find myself wanting to make more and more mittens. Next on the list.......Maybe these or these. Be sure that probably both will be made at some time.

August, Already??!!

Where is the summer going??? Oh my goodness. We are heading up to Michigan's upper peninsula on Tuesday for a quick trip to visit family. I am very much looking forward to knitting in the car. I have lots of projects to start and a couple to finish. Now I am thinking about fall and items that bring soft textures to dry skin and warmth on chilly days. It is time to prepare for more mittens (maybe some of the fingerless kind) cowls, and wraps. Also may do some mitten knitting for Christmas.

I am also getting anxious to start my string quilt. Went to the fabric store to pick up fabric for the blocks and found some fat quarters that will go well with some of the vintage fabric from grandma. That will have to wait until we get back.