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

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

In Like a Lion

Project Details:
Pattern: Grrr by Alice Bell - Knitty Summer 2007 (non-Ravelry link)
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease
Color: 186 Maize
Needles: Size 5 aluminum straights
Started: December 26, 2009
Finished: January 23, 2010
Knit for: My friend April's anticipated baby boy

Whirly

I recently saw these whirlygiggle quilts popping up all over the internet and knew I wanted to make one. I have oodles (three) of co-workers due with babies this month so I was presented with an opportunity to make a whirlygiggle quilt (or 3 but I only made one). My friend Erin found out she was having a boy (she's in labor right now!) so I naturally went for all boy colors. I REALLY like this quilt a lot. It was a little fussy since the pieces have to be cut out using a template but it did go quicker than I expected. I can't wait to present this quilt to little Liam!

31st

Whew! Has it really been a month since I posted last?? I'll make a point to post at least twice in Feb :) I have managed a few finished projects in January despite my crazy busy schedule at work and lots of social activities.

Pattern: Basic 3 x 1 rib
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
Color: P103
Needles: Size 2 birch DPN's
Started: November 9, 2008
Finished: January 11 , 2009
Knit for: Anita

And the other projects I've finished this month...

Patriotic

My most recent finished quilt. Previously seen in the photos with Casey, who couldn't keep his paws off!

Project: Snapshots from Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs
Made for: a friend who retired from the Air Force
Started: October 2008
Finished: December 2008

Charitable Quilting

One of my local quilt shops gathers baby doll quilts for donation over the holidays. This summer I picked up a few fat quarters and just recently sat down to make the baby doll quilt. I'll be dropping this off in the next couple weeks and feel pretty darn good about it.

Happy 40th Bday Bro.

You look like a monkey & you smell like one too.

The Mojo Might Be Back

A couple of years ago my mom mentioned that she always wished she had a summer birthday so I started celebrating her 1/2 birthday which falls in July. This year I promised her a stow-away bag but it took my until now to finish it! For some reason the handles gave me a bunch of trouble this time around but last night I sat down to finish it once and for all. I quickly realized that I had the bag inside out which at one point does make a difference. Ten minutes later, it was finished and now my mom can use it.

Pattern: Stow-Away Shopping Bag by Oat Couture
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Color: CW-730 Raging Purple (from the stash!)
Needles: Size 15-24" Bamboo Circular
Started: June 12, 2008
Finished: September 7, 2008
Knit for: My mom's 1/2 birthday - 2008

Snapshots

I finished this quilt a while back and already gave it away to a very appreciative recipient. This quilt is one of the favorites that I've made.

Project: Snapshots from Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs
Made for: Addison Lynne M. - born March 11, 2008
Started: February 2008
Finished: April 2008

I think I may love the backside almost as much as I love the front.

Turtle Turtle Turtle

I finished Sheldon in the nick of time for the baby shower today.

Pattern: Sheldon by Ruth Homrighaus on Knitty
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport
Color: MC - 6561 Green Grass CC - 6560 Grass
Needles: Size 3 aluminum DPN, size 4 aluminum straight, size D crochet hook
Started: February 17, 2008
Finished: February 28, 2008
Knit for: Baby M

Tiny Bootees

These bootees are so very tiny, I hope they fit the baby for at least one day.

Pattern: Saartjee's Bootees
Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK
Color: 509
Needles: Size 1 - 16" circular Addi Turbos
Started: January 14, 2008
Finished: February 8, 2008
Knit for: Baby M
Special Notes: I used this tutorial for the button loops
buttons found in my stash

One & Two

Less than 1 day remaining in the contest!

This is the 2nd and last hand knit item I gave as a gift this Christmas. These are identical to the ones I made for myself.

Pattern: Hand/Wrist Warmers by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha
Color: 61
Needles: Size 6 DPN bamboo
Started: November 23, 2007
Finished: December 22, 2007
Knit for: My mom

Chocolate Mint Slippers

My first installment of 2 in the Christmas knitting category. That's correct. I only knit 2 gifts this year. And I'm OK with that.

I knit these slippers for my mom after a Thanksgiving day conversation about how we both needed a new pair.
Pattern: Fiber Trends Felted Clogs size Women's Medium
Yarn: Cascade 220
Colors: 9445-brown, 9407-green
Needles: Size 13-16" & 24" circular, Size 11-24" circular (to attach the 2nd sole)
Started: December 14, 2007
Finished: December 23, 2007
Knit for: My mom
Adjustments: I blanket stitched Fiber Trends suede soles (size 10 1/2") onto the bottom using Cascade 220-9445.

I Must Have Been REAL Good This Year!

I met my friend Splatgirl for a really good dinner, some drinks and of course presents on Thursday night. LOOK at what she made for me!! It's the coolest wool felt, leather, hand appliqued and needle felted stocking I've ever seen! And you should see what she tucked inside. One of her super cool wallets, mine matches the pink leather on the stocking. A new moo pocket to match plus a key fob, pink lego hair pins and strawberry Whoppers. I don't know what I did to deserve all this cool stuff but I sure love it! Thank you Splatgirl!!!! xoxo

Check out these bobbles!

Since today is much more snowy and cold than yesterday, I'm inside wrapping up some last minute holiday baking and making. I have this mixture in the oven right now and boy does it smell good! The Vikings will be on in an hour and a half and I have a little project to keep me busy for the evening. I hope you're all relaxing before the holiday, it's not worth getting yourself all in a bundle, it'll be over before we know it...enjoy.

Outtake #1

I don't always have perfect photos the first time around and for this I am grateful for digital cameras. This particular photo shoot caught Casey in a compromising position, although it looks as though the photographer (hint: it's me behind the quilt) made sure Casey was in the frame. Stay tuned for more outtakes.

I Can't Stop Sewing

I have so many sewing projects staring me in the face that I just can't keep myself away from the sewing machine. So forgive me if I bore you in the coming weeks with sewing projects since I want to blog about them here in order to remember the details for myself. I have done a little knitting and I will show it to you tomorrow.

Project: Ducky blanket
Made for: Makena Rae (my friend's 4 month old)
Started: October 22, 2007
Finished: October 28, 2007

The Quilt is Finished!

Last week I finished the wedding quilt with plenty of time to spare! The bride & groom loved it and I was happy to give it...even though I thought of stashing some money into a card several times so I could keep the quilt!

Project: True Lover's Knot from Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift
Made for: Lisa & Kevin's wedding - October 20, 2007
Started: October 8, 2007
Finished: October 17, 2007

In honor of all the quilting I've been doing, I'm giving away this spare October 2007 copy of American Patchwork & Quilting. If you are interested in this magazine, please leave a comment here and I'll do a random drawing on Friday afternoon.

Splatgirl Swag

I received this awesome Splatgirl swag for my birthday this year from the designer herself, a flap bag with a matching wallet AND moo pocket. You must run to her etsy shop and get your own. Her sewing skills are superb and the fabrics are so yummy. That leather wallet down there? It smells like heaven on earth. Thank you SO much for the swag Splatgirl!

Flowers Blooming Everywhere

In the interest of using up some of my stash, I finished another Reverse-Bloom Flower washcloth from Weekend Knitting.
Pattern: Reverse-Bloom Flower Washcloth by Cindy Taylor; Interweave Knits Winter 2003 & Weekend Knitting.
Yarn: Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille 1 skein
Color: 5329
Needles: Size 6-16" Bamboo circular & Size 6 bamboo DPN's
Started: August 11, 2007
Finished: August 13, 2007
Knit for: a new friend