It’s been awhile! This poor blog has been neglected for months, mostly because I haven’t figured out how to post quickly and efficiently. Whenever I post, I write drafts and find suitable photos and think and come back to the post.  I’m hoping to find a way to be a little more free and easy with blog posting because I miss it.

Charlie is now almost 14 months old and he is so much fun! He’s walking now – not all the time, as he’s still much faster when he’s crawling – but he’s starting to do it more and more. It still blows my mind to see him toddling around the house. His favorite things these days are hanging out with his dad while he cooks dinner, walking around with his train, and being outside. He LOVES outside.

Since the last time I posted, we also welcomed a new family member – my adorable nephew, Jack! He and Charlie are about 8 months apart in age and we can’t wait until they’re old enough to play together.

I was inspired to post today because the fabulous Jenn of nipperknits posted about her new website, and I designed her new site! I’m so excited that her website is live and looking shiny and new. She also posted a fabulous hat pattern and is having a giveaway, so you should check it out.

I’ve also been knitting! I’m always on the lookout for new baby patterns, and I think I might’ve found a new favorite: Elefante (Ravelry link)!

This pattern was super fast and fun to make. The ears as written are crochet, but very doable for a beginning crocheter (like myself) and I think they are adorable. Charlie was super interested in this little guy, so I might have to make another one for him, but really, I want to make an army of them! They are the perfect size for chubby baby/toddler/kid hands to squeeze. The pattern calls for poly-pellets in the trunk and feet but I left this out since it’s for a baby and just used polyfill.

I also recently finished a cowl for my dear friend Carolyn, who has a very cold neck. The Happy Solitude cowl (Rav link) was another fast and fun knit – I used Malabrigo worsted held doubled and it’s so soft. The pattern is reversible cables and can be worn a bunch of different ways. The weather here changed from wintery to spring while I was knitting this, so  I felt funny knitting a super warm cowl while sitting in 80 degree weather. HA. Georgia’s springs are pretty short-lived – we’ll be in 90 degree weather here in no time.

Anyways, things are great around here! Work is busy, Charlie is growing like a weed, and we’re loving being parents. I can’t wait for summer and lots more outdoor time.  I’ve just cast on for a summery top – Vesper – and I can’t wait to find more warm weather knits.

Hope you’re having a lovely March!

So. You know my pretty lightbox picture of my sweater? I’m really glad I posted it, because I realized after reading my comments that I was knitting the Minimalist Cardigan WRONG. oops. I guess I should read the pattern, eh? I read about it on blogs/Ravelry and I kept reading seed stitch, seed stitch … so I just forged ahead with regular old seed stitch.
That is not right. It’s a seed stitch pattern. D’oh. I emailed Veronique to thank her for her comment and I think she felt bad – but seriously, I’m glad! I love the way the cardi looks with the actual pattern as written, so I’m glad I realized it now instead of later.
So I r-r-r-ripped that sucker. And I read the pattern. and started again.

ahh. that’s better.
This is my take-everywhere knitting, so it’s slow going, but I love it.
I’ve also been knitting away on Emily’s Mingus raffle socks. I’ve got two socks done to the heels, and I’ve turned the heel on Sock One. I love this pattern! I think they are going to be awesome, and I think I might have to knit a pair for myself. Like that’ll ever happen. But a girl can dream.
Let’s see. What else is new? I went to Mississippi last weekend to see Jacob’s grandparents and his mom and celebrate Easter good times. Here’s what I learned in Mississippi this weekend: if you go to the grandparents’ church on Easter Sunday, you might have to sing a special. Don’t try to avoid it. Just sing it.


Practicing for the special. I played the piano and sang low harmony, and my sister-in-law Alison sang lead. We’re like a family band.
We also ate dinner at Catfish Country, which features an all you can eat buffet (with catfish), and lots of friendly people. One waitress was so friendly, in fact, that she and her family sang a spur-of-the-moment song for everyone in the restaurant. The video isn’t that great, but listen to the audio…


I’ll Fly Away from carrieoke on Vimeo.
Dude. They were rockin’ awesome.
My stomach has almost recovered from all the Mississippi fried goodness. Now it’s back to work, and school, and lots and lots of Flash programming. Soooo much Flashy flash, for both work and school. At least I’m getting better at it. There’s also been lots of Ravelry, and lots of TV (who’s watching American Idol? Carly is my favorite. and oh we started watching BSG. LOVE.) and quilting too.
I have actually quilted my first little quilt, and I’m trying to find the time to do the binding. I did it on my machine, used a walking foot and everything, like a fancy pants machine quilter. SO FUN. I can’t wait to do the binding and have it finished and then start the whole process over again.
I’ve been taking lots of pictures, too, since I’m doing the 365 Days project on Flickr. Here’s a recent one that is very representative of my week:


I need coffee. EVERY. MORNING.

It’s been a long week, but tomorrow is Friday and I’m going to see Girl Talk and sew and knit this weekend! yayayayayayay. Now I’m off to lurk on the Rav forums…

Yay for holidays. It’s been a lovely week, despite the stress of last minute shopping and hiding a super secret Christmas present from Jacob’s mom. We did succeed – she was totally surprised when she opened a box on Christmas eve and saw this:

SCHMOO!

This is Rosie. She is a long-haired Chihuahua, and she is CUTE. and also smart. and sweet. We kept her this past weekend (much to the chagrin of Bella and Chili) and absolutely fell in love with her. She’s with Jacob’s mom now and will be off to Mississippi to be a country schmoo.
Other Christmas surprises? Here’s one:


oh. boy.

My new sewing machine, courtesy of the Pants. It’s a Janome Hearttruth 2008 and I lurve it so much. Funny how it’s easier to sew a straight line when you have a nice sewing machine. Hee. Today I will be buying some fabric and working on some projects out of Bend the Rules Sewing and also that Denyse Schmidt Quilts book. I already started one last night:


Frame of Mine.

It’s a little picture frame backer. So cute. I haven’t squared up the pieces yet, but it’s gonna be adorable. Oh, the possibilities. There will be sewing. And quilting. oh yes.
The Big Head Schmoo sported a very fashionable sweater on Christmas Day:


Trellis in action.

He’s really grown into it! My dad rocked a Santa hat…



We were totally spoiled with presents (including Veronik Avery’s Knitting Classic Style – love it! and a beautiful handmade family tree, complete with leaves to fill in our family members – pictures later) and fun times with family. We also went to see Sweeney Todd, which was fantastic (as expected) although extremely, excruciatingly bloody. (I was in a production of Sweeney Todd in college, so I was determined to see this movie, even though I don’t normally do extreme violence / gore / spewing blood in the theater. or on my DVD player. But it helped that I knew the entire story, so I knew what was coming, and also ALL THE SONG LYRICS. I loves me some Stephen Sondheim.) I did spend a lot of time hiding my face, but I still loved it.
I made an attempt to knit a sweater for a Christmas present and I failed miserably. I finished a back and a front side in time, but I decided to give Cat something else and keep the sweater for myself once I finish. And what is it, you ask? Here’s a hint: it’s a really popular sweater in the blogosphere right now, and it could reasonably be knit in a week. Betcha know what it is…. (I’m making you guess because I don’t have any pictures of it. hee.)
So now – any suggestions for beginning sewing? Good sites, tips, tricks? All advice is welcomed. I know I need to start slow and be patient, and also I need to learn to cut straight.
I don’t have to go back to work until Jan 2. Life is gooood.
Happy holidays to you! and happy New Year!