1 Year??!

I just noticed it's been 1 year since I've posted on my blog. I peek over here once in a while but since I keep track of all my knitting on Ravelry (get over there!) it seems redundant to post here too. I'll try to be better at getting a post up here once in a while, OK?
This year I'm trying to knit 12 pairs of socks and read 12 books...my 12 in 2012 project of sorts.
So far, I've finished 2 pairs of socks and 1 book. Not off to a great start but there's still a lot of time left.
So the 1st book I finished was The Hunger Games and I also saw the movie 3 times!! I'm now reading the 2nd book in the series, Catching Fire.
This is the first pair of socks I finished this year, I name them Pink Ribbys.
And my 2nd pair, given to my mom for her birthday. I named them Winter in Ely since I purchased the yarn in Ely, MN in the winter, the color reminds me of winter and my mom's birthday is in the winter.
See you soon!!!

Hello!

I've been thinking about my knitting blog lately and how I've tossed it aside for quite a while. I don't want to get rid of it, where would all the info go if I did??
I tend to keep my Ravelry page up do date so if you're not following me there already, come on over. My name there is smileshiner72. The website is such a good resource for all things knitting.
I have been knitting a lot lately and I even have some finished objects.
I'll try to get some posted here in the next few weeks.
If you're still reading this blog, comment so I know there are people still out there! Thanks!
This is one of my recent favorites. A monkey I knit for my cousins new baby Crosby John.
Project Details:
Pattern: Jelly Bums Monkey by Raynor Gellatly
Yarn: Plymouth Encore & Lamb's Pride Worsted
Color: 599 (brown) & M-115 (natural)
Needles: US 3 dpn
Started: March 12, 2011
Finished: March 17, 2011
Modifications: I knit the monkey in the round instead of flat w/ seaming
Knit for: Crosby John - born March 17th, 2011
Gifted with a monkey blanket too

Block-A-Thon

Tis the season to knit for others! Specifically for Warm Up America!. Together we can help Potter Craft with this great knitting event they've put together to knit afghans for people in need. They've published 2 blocks from Nicky Epstein's book Knitting Block by Block for you to use when knitting your donated block, The Happy Heart Cord block and the Chucka Chain block. All the details are found on the link above. Deadline for sending in your block is December 2nd. Did I mention there are prizes involved?
....off to knit my block....

Whoops

I knit this cool pair of socks for Socktoberfest using the mystery pattern by Through the Loops. This pair of socks were going to be my State Fair entry for 2011!! I thought for sure I would have enough Jitterbug yarn to complete the project but, surprise! I ran out. At least my Frankenstein foot is hidden inside of a shoe if I dare wear these outside the house. Aren't these the saddest socks you've ever seen? Nuts.

Knitted Wild Animals

There are 15 super cute wild animal patterns in this book Knitted Wild Animals by Sarah Keen. The patterns range from the well known elephant, giraffe and zebra to the more obscure wild animals like the warthog, moose and the giant panda. There are many photos of each toy throughout the book plus plenty of general knitting instructions and finishing tips. If you have a child in your life, this book is a must have. Heck, lets knit some toys for the holidays!

October is for Friends

A long time blog friend is celebrating her birthday and her blog anniversary this month. Head on over to her place and enter to win some super cool prizes!

And in the mean time, LOOK! I've been knitting, I've found my friends again...needles & yarn. I actually started 4 new projects in the last 2 weeks. Soon I'll have finished object photos!

Reasons I Love my nook

* I can read and eat at the same time, no book to hold, no pages to turn!
* I get free goodies, like Godiva chocolates when I visit Barnes & Noble
* I can look up words I don't understand
* I can check my email!
* It's smaller than a book, I can easily tote it around
nook, where have you been all my life??!

Nom

These French Macarons are like no other. Heaven in a box.

Knitting Mochimochi

I've been a big fan of amigurumi for a long time but I don't really know how to crochet so this knitting amigurumi book is right up my alley. Hey...I just noticed there's a slipper on the front of this book too!

There's so many (20 exactly) cute patterns in this book I just don't know where to start, the Petite Pencil? Human Beans? Grouchy Couch? TV Guy? Love Muff? Feet Eaters? Pigs with Wigs? Yes, definitely Pigs with Wigs and when I get around to finishing it there are plenty of instructions with photos for that too. I love giving handmade baby gifts but I get so bored with hats and booties so I love knitting toys. This is a great resource for those 'out-there' types of gifts for all ages.
This book will definitely be staying on my knitting bookshelf.
Order yours today...it's released on June 29th! If you can't wait there is a free pattern available for the baby gators if you click here.
Check out the Mochimochi Land blog too!

The Week of Book Reviews

I've been given a task to review a few new knitting books & they've been sitting on my coffee table long enough so I'm going to knock them out this week.

First on the list is One Ball Knits - Gifts. It's the 3rd in what appears to be a series, the 1st was Accessories and the 2nd was purses. I don't own either of the first two books even though I'm usually a fan of one skein / ball / hank pattern books. Buying one skein of yarn is usually a habit of mine because I want the yarn right now without a long term plan. So I now have quite a collection of 'one skeins'.

Unfortunately this book was a little underwhelming for me. The first 37 pages were full of good basic knitting information if you need this type of help and considering knitting a gift with one skein of yarn is somewhat beginner I think the basic information in the book is well placed. Moving along, there are 20 patterns in the book. My favorite pattern? Toasty Toes Slippers, the slippers that are featured on the front of the book. Other patterns include: a pillow cover, place mats & napkin rings, baby blocks, gloves, socks & a felted laptop back just to name a few.

I definitely think this book is worth checking out, it just all depends on what floats your boat whether or not you think this book is worth your while. I think next time I'm at the bookstore I'll check out the 1st two books in the series to see if they suit me a little better.

Grandma's Iris

Back in 2003 when my grandmother passed away my mom went to her house before it was sold and dug up a bunch of her flowers and somehow I ended up with quite a few iris'. Over the years they've really taken off and each spring I get more and more blooms. This year when they bloomed I was really excited about this purple one, it reminds me of grandma.

Book Review

Recently released in paperback, the Mason-Dixon Knitting book is still one of my favorites but at a more affordable price than the hardcover version. One of my go-to dish cloth patterns came from this book, the ballband dishcloth I think I've knit about 423 of those things. There are so many patterns through out this book but scattered in between those patterns are tip, tricks, stories, jokes and tons of great photos. Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne are long time bloggers who met online and came together in a collaborative effort know as Mason-Dixon Knitting, how can it get any better than that? They have a great wit about them and are very talented knitters. The patterns in the book range anywhere from dishcloths to curtains, nightgowns to shawls, seat cushions to towels, blankets to rugs and everything in between for beginners and the more seasoned knitter. If you don't already own this book it is definitely a good one to pick up. It's more than just a knitting pattern book, it's entertainment.

Hi! I'm 12!

Hi everyone! Today is my 12th birthday!! Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to meeee.....

Purse Lottery

Recently I hit the jackpot in the purse lottery.
My friend Splatgirl helped me bring an idea to a reality by using some of my deployed brothers camouflage pants in a purse for my mom. She also made this clutch for me, the backside of it consists of a cargo pocket from the pants making it twice as useful!
THEN...she had this little orange beauty waiting around for a forever owner so I took it off her hands too :) If you would like one of her gorgeous handbags visit her etsy shop.
I'm SO lucky to have a good friend who makes well designed hand crafted handbags!

Candy Hat

Project Details:
Pattern: Candy Hat - on the label of the yarn
Yarn: Artful Yarns Candy
Color: 9361
Needles: Size 5 16" bamboo circular + birch DPN's
Started: January 23, 2010
Finished: January 25, 2010
Modifications: I added the "Marley Top" as written by Susan B. Anderson in Itty-Bitty Hats
Knit for: My friend April's anticipated baby boy