Wee Owlet Update

My Wee Owlet pattern has been released on Ravelry. Go check it out!

Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to Brynne- the lone commenter- and winner of my guessing giveaway!  Not only was she good enough to comment, but she also got EVERY ANSWER RIGHT!  It’s so nice to know there are others who are translating toddlerease on a daily basis.  :)

So, Brynne, send me your address and soon you will receive these lovely stitch markers- amber stars.  I think they go up to about a size 7 needle.

Thanks for playing!

A Breath of Summer

Something else we did last week (in the depths of winter) is make lemonade!  We were gifted a beautiful lemon tree for Christmas by Nate’s mom with about 20 lemons on it.  Beautiful as it was, it did start to lose integrity as the lemons dehydrated and so we put them to better use.  Fresh-squeezed, straight from trees, the lemonade was really, really great!

Nate helped squeeze the lemons, which would have been MUCH easier if we’d read the manual for the food processor BEFORE trying to get the juice.  But, 4 cups of juice later, we had lemonade.  I made a 1:1 sugar syrup to add to the juice and we diluted it by about 2/3 water /syrup to 1/3 juice and it was still REALLY lemony.  Nate made the mistake of drinking a bit of the straight juice.  I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard at the faces he made in ages!

For a moment, it felt like summer!

What we did on our First Snow Day (the day after vacation)

Who would have thought that we’d have a snow day the first day back to school? Needless to say, my Type A child was quite upset and cried about having to be home- such a horrible place to be.  Guess I should be glad- she could have been cheering.  At least I know she likes school!  So, what to do?  Seemed like we’d done just about everything over the Christmas break!

I did some searching on snow day crafts and games.  Most were wild and crazy or required bringing snow inside.  Didn’t feel like that. BUT- we do like to be crafty.  When I found this link I knew we’d have to try it.  The snowmen were so cute and easy looking!

Here’s how ours turned out.  More like something out of The Nightmare Before Christmas than Frosty the Snowman!  The girls have been very “in” to aliens since we got Monsters vs. Aliens over the break.

M informed me that her’s has 6 arms and rosy cheeks, while K didn’t want hers to have a nose.  Pretty cute, nonetheless.

So, all you lurkers- any guesses on my contest yet?  Someone’s going to miss out on a nice skein of yarn or some cool stitch markers…

Guessing Game!

Again, I am privileged to have a toddler who says some pretty funny things.  So, for your enjoyment, I have a guessing game.  Leave your answers in the comments.  I’ll have a knitting-related prize for the best guesses!

Toddler names for Cartoon Characters:

1. Omo

2. Honas Train

3. Babarudder

4. Sus Sus

5. Hubber Eye

Good luck!

The Wee Owlet

I’ve designed another pattern!  I’ve been working on these wee owlets for the deacons of my church.  We tried a radical concept- giving back to the congregation- to multiply funds to give to the deacons.  The concept is based on the parable of the three talents (Matthew 25: 14-30).  It’s being called a reverse offering.  We (the congregation) were given $1200 and asked to take what we wanted.  Then we were to do something- anything- with the money and bring it back in three months.  So far the tally is not in, but most people who have reported have at least doubled or tripled what they took by cooking, making crafts, holding raffles, etc.  Luckily, we have a very creative church!  The deacons will be able to use the profits (we’ll repay the $1200 first) to help others, through meals, gas cards, or whatever might be needed.  What a gift!

In any case, I took $40 and created the wee owlet.  I’ve sold 10 so far!  I am planning on releasing the pattern for sale, with 50% of the proceeds going back to the church, even after the offering is complete.  Keep watching for the pattern, but here’s a few pictures to whet your appetite.

Happy Birthday K!

Two weeks ago my wee girl turned 4.  FOUR!  When people say time flies they sure are telling the truth!  We unfortunately had to celebrate the day in the midst of a bout of H1N1, which was no fun.  We had to cancel the butterfly party, but we were still able to have some cake, which is the best part anyway, right?

She was thrilled to have a colorful butterfly cake and loved her presents.  I made her a birthday sweater (of course), which fits her great.  She wanted socks, too, to keep her feet toasty.  That’s my girl!  We also got her a game called Rapelli, which is really cute and fun.

Project specs: Seed-stitch Cardigan from Lion Brand. I used Plymouth Encore worsted and added the wee owl after.  I asked several times what colors she wanted and the pink/brown combo won each time.  She sure knows what she likes!  I shortened the sweater by about 2 inches and it works great.  The socks are also Lion Brand.

To my girl:  Another year has gone and you are turning into such a great kid!  Not that you weren’t before, but it’s amazing to me to see you blossom and come out of your shell.  You have started preschool and that has really helped you to be your own person- not so controlling or feeling like you need to hold back.  Your language and sounds have improved greatly and you are so sweet to your brother and sister- most of the time!  We still have our moments of independence, but you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t try to do things your own way!  Though you are still a peanut, you’ve become such a big kid and are so full of kisses and love.  Thank you for always being my sweet middle child.  I love you!

Now on Etsy!

Just wanted to let you know that I have opened an Etsy shop.  You can find it at this link or by typing:

weesheep.etsy.com

Come visit and see what’s new!

Halloween Fun

Well, Halloween has come and gone!  We had a fun night- the kids trick or treated at a few houses and then went off to their aunt’s to have some “ghoulish” (otherwise known as goulash), eyeball soup and fun.  We had a game night at our house with a few friends.  Two of the three kids are now sickish- fevers, coughs, general touchiness, but they were SO CUTE in their costumes!

I also finished K’s birthday sweater yesterday- I’ll have specs and pix soon.  Happy November everyone!

Happy Birthday B!

My little man turned two a few weeks ago.  Such a sweet kid.  He needed nothing more than his happy cookie and a tractor.  He also got a really cute page boy hat, which he wears EVERYWHERE!  We just had a small, family party for him on his day and spent some time at a local pumpkin farm to celebrate on Columbus Day.  We topped it all off with cake and more happy cookies.  What more could he ask for?

I was a bit late with his birthday sweater.  It was ready on his birthday, but the neck was a too small to fit over his head and that just won’t fly!  So I had to rip it out and make a stretchier version.  No problem.  It fits great and is just so cute!

Project Specs:  V-neck Vest from Debbie Bliss’ Essential Knits for Kids.  There are some CUTE patterns in this book!  I used Rowan Kids Wash Day Wool (picked up on sale in Ithaca last summer).  I used a bit more than 2 skeins.  Quick and easy.  I did have to go up a few needle sizes to get gauge, even though the yarn seems pretty similar to cashmerino.

A note to my boy:  Little man- I am so glad to have you around.  You are my jokester- my funny boy.  You are FEARLESS and LOUD and BUSY!  But all those things are just a part of you.  You are so thrilled with little things, and although you really like to get your way, you are sweet and loving and happy.  You are talking so much, commenting on stuff constantly.  I can not believe two years have gone by.  You’re such a big kid already.  I so easily forget the trials and just look at your smile, your curious eyes, your desire to learn and love it all.  Happy Birthday!