Crafty Cottage Week & new support for the gals!

I just had a lovely crafty retreat week at a cottage in Minden. The bugs were hell, but it didn't matter since my friend and I went there to craft our hearts out.

Here are a few shots of what I accomplished:


Me starting on curtains for the nursery.



The finished product! I took ready-made panels on 50% sale at Fabricland, shortened them and jazzed them up with ribbon and cool tie-backs.



Shot of baby cardigan almost finished. I struggled to darn in the ends and sew it up enough to finish the edging. I've developed pregnancy related tingly/numb hands, so holding the darning needle was torture!



Encouraged by my quilting friend T I helped stitch and design the beginning stages of this quilt. It may take us another year to get together for some dedicate quilting time, but at least we've started it!

I also made progress on my top secret knit project and I was able to start the summer shrug. I think I will get the sleeves and edging done this weekend. I'll have to pass it off to someone to darn and sew for me. My numb little fingers just can't take it.


Hubby stayed with us for the first two days. At week's end we missed him so much we resurrected this sad baking potato in his image. It was T's inspired idea. I loved it!



25 week self portrait! Baby likes to hang out on the left side, down low. The midwife says her head is low right and her back, bum, and legs are low left. Otherwise known as oblique position.

I found out the hard way that I can no longer wear underwire bras. My belly has grown so much it reaches my boobs. The underwire rubs the skin on top of my belly raw. Ouch! I've since been fitted with a very comfortable bra at Secret's From Your Sister. Thank you Sista!

body pillow plans, yoga flop, belly & project updates

I think I need a body pillow. The multiple pillow arrangement I have been using is not quite cutting it. Plus I wake up Hubby every time I roll over and rearrange myself. I'll be trudging over to the ever crowded Dufferin Mall later today to check out what they have at Babies 'r Us. Sans Hubby. He loathes the Duff Mall, especially on weekends. Going solo is okay with me, as it will give me time to browse cutesy baby things on my own.

I'll also try to find a basket type thing to bungie to the back of my bike, as I am getting tired of lugging around bags on my body while I am riding. Yes, I am still riding when weather permits! So, in the last two weeks that hasn't been often. I did use the bike to jaunt over to my pre-natal yoga class yesterday.

That class was a flop. I've been once before.(I also try to catch a Monday night hatha yoga class that is easily adaptable for pregnant moi). I arrived yesterday all psyched for some preggo talk and good stretching, only to find that there is a substitute teacher. 'No problem', I think. I arrange my mat and make small talk with the sub. She asks me about my yoga experience and she tells me she does Kundalini yoga. Means nothing to me. She says it involves a lot of breath work.

No other students arrive. Hmmmm... great! A personalized class! We begin.

I realize almost immediately that this Kundalini thing might be too woo-woo for me. Extra chanting at the beginning and she tells me there will be a song at the end. A song! Uh-oh! I can't sing! And, excuse me, what happened to a little check-in talk about how my body feels and what I'd like to focus on in class?! No check-in. No pregnancy chit-chat and tips. I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this 'pre-natal' class with the 'non-natal' sub.

As the class progresses, I uncomfortably discover that Kundalini yoga is ALL about breathing and has very little to do with good stretching for pregnant bodies. Sub Teacher leads me in a few limited stretches that she does not adapt for my pregnant belly. I adapt them myself. We sit in a so-called Easy Position for most of the class. My left foot falls asleep and starts to ache at the ankle. My ass starts to hurt more than its usual pregnant stiff hurt. I eventually give up on 'easy position'. I tried not to hyperventilate with all the short, fast nostril breathing.

I almost lost it when we got to the block-a-nostril-and-breathe-quickly-through-the-other-nostril exercise. My allergy irritated sinuses did not cooperate. I imagine that Sub Teacher could sense my frustration because she then launched into the Patience Pose. Sit in 'easy position' with arms lifted straight out to the sides at shoulder height, palms up. Flex your middle finger up and down quickly. Breathe in and out synchronized with finger flexing. Do this for 3 minutes. Try not hyperventilate or faint. Be patient. Patience Pose will end eventually.

Be patient again while singing begins and goes on and on.

Look forward to Hatha Yoga on Monday night for a corrective experience.

Here's updated belly photos for week 23:




These don't look much different than week 15 or 18 pics, but in real life it sure looks bigger. My uterus has grown beyond my belly button already.

I am working on finishing up a couple of baby crochet projects, but no photos yet. I'm thinking of a summer cutesy dress for our Babe to wear next summer. I'm also going to start a summer shrug for myself. In a week I leave for a cottage with my sewing machine in tow - baby curtains will be made under the watchful eye of experienced sewing friend, T!

Here's a photo of the beginnings of my second knit project. (I still can't reveal a photo of the first completed top secret knit project, as it has not be delivered to my friend yet).

Crochet shots and belly shots

I don't think I ever posted a picture of this finished beauty! It has already found its home in Oakville for Baby Isabella born in late April. Special thanks to my crafty co-worker G for the fabo button donation!

This yarn was left over from my first attempt at my own Catherine Wheel pattern baby blanket. I've started a second baby cardigan using this yarn as an accent colour. I bought a neutral cream for the main colour. I'm thinking I'll keep the second one for our own little babe.

Here's the finished baby vest:




It is supposedly 3 - 6 month size. A few people with more baby experience than me say it looks about right for that age.

I'm also making a gender neutral pull over in red with white trim. It is a very simple pattern, but I think the babe is sucking on my brain because I've had to rip it back a few times already (too many, or too few stitches).

And now for some belly pics!


Marvin and I at my mom & dad's place for Dad's 70th birthday party. You can sort of see the belly there.




Me on my bike outside Knitomatic last week (week 18). One of the gals couldn't believe that I'm riding my bike still, so she was compelled to capture the moment. Again the belly is a bit hidden, but this is best photo for publishing.




Me tonight at the end of week 18! It doesn't look like much more here than the week 15 photos, but in real life it looks and feels bigger! My belly button is getting a lot shallower.

Another listy post

It's been almost half a month since I've posted. I've been busy I suppose, but I am not too inspired to recap it in detail. One of my popular lists will have to do:

narrowed down colour options for baby's room (final decision this week)
picked up a copy of 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' at a garage sale (loving it!)
saw preview of The Stone Angel (it was ok)
volunteered at AIDWYC's annual fundraiser (fun & felt good to do good)
cleaned up renovation garbage & mess
made a brilliant lemon poppyseed cake (simple & delicious!)
finished knitting top secret project (learning casting off tomorrow from co-worker)
started on a cute gender neutral baby vest (light blue with white trim)
made delicious beans & rice tonight, with side of roasted cauliflower! Yum!
traveled to Mom & Dad's for Dad's 70th! (Nice family time & did Mother's Day a week early)
Enjoyed two episodes of House
started a Monday night yoga class that I missed tonight (long story related to renovation hell)

I'm too lazy to take pics of the baby vest tonight. Watch for photos of that and the top secret project in a week or two. I'll likely have an updated photo of the baby belly too - week 18 this week!

Crochet & Cookies

I'm feeling a bit more excited about crochet again. For awhile there, I just didn't feel like picking up a hook and doing anything. I was able to finish a couple of projects that were sitting around here. Here are a couple of photos:


This is a piggie I made for K's third birthday. It was a hit!




Here's an infant blanket that I made for K's new brother. My first project without a pattern! I'm still working on some fine details and want to make it larger before sending it to a magazine in hopes of publishing.





Here is a detail of a scarf I made for S. He told me he's had a lot of compliments!

Right now I am finishing up yet another baby cardigan. Lots of friends with buns in the oven! I can't do a blanket for every girlfriend, but I feel babies and new moms need handmade things, so little cardigans it is!

I also need to concentrate on a spider web cardigan for MezzoDiva. She's working on a great summer tank for me. I started her cardigan in the Fall and of course thought that I had a ton of time before Spring arrived. Even though the Winter from Hell is only just now retreating, I've hardly picked up the project!

Cookie Challenge update!! Finally! Along with not being interested in crochet, I haven't been motivated to bake either. So much for the Cookie Challenge. Last weekend I finally put the apron on and baked two different batches.

Cookie number 5: Orange Oaties



Easy & fast!
Great orange flavour!
Chewy, not crispy (thumbs down for me when it comes to thin cookies).
Low fat (thumbs up for those who care about this).
A little bit too sweet for me.
The gals at work really liked them.

I think if I made these again, I would add some toasted almond slivers.


Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies



Again, easy & fast!
Great chocolate flavour!
Good combination of soft cookie texture and oat crunchiness.
A little bit crumbly, but not so much that it is really messy for eating.
Just the right amount of sweetness for me.

I put chocolate chips in the thumbprint centre instead of chocolate spread as the recipe asked for. Next time I will add a nut to the chips. Chocolate spread would be great if there is already some in the house. I would make these babies again!


Other news: In about 9 days, Hubby and I will be on a plane for San Francisco! I can't wait! I'll be meeting Hubby's 86 year old aunt for the first time. Hubby and I will be doing some free walking tours in the city, lots of eating, a little shopping and possibly driving to see the Muir Woods.

Blanket idea

I'm thinking of making a patch-work type baby blanket. Scraps of yarn made into squares of various stitches, sewn together in a pleasing design. I'm sort of excited about using up some scraps, choosing stitches, and laying out the design. I'm 100% not excited about the assembly. I really don't like sewing things together. Likely I will use single crochet to assemble them - less painful for me.

Stay tuned.

Other projects on the go:

black slouchy beret (on hold, not inspired to finish it)
toy pig
MezzoDiva's cardigan (spider web pattern)
baby cardigan (12 month size)

Lots o' stuff

As promised, here is a mish-mash of updates and interesting tidbits.

Here's me cutting a delicious carrot cake I made for a Girls' Night at S's home in November.



Here are some of the carrot cake fans:



And another big fan:



She also likes Scooby-Do books and Spider Man! She's so cool! I dig her!

On a trip to Montreal earlier this year, I started working on creating a baby blanket pattern. I found the Catherine Wheel design in a book of trims and patterns. Here is a shot of the gauge swatch for the blanket.



Here's a picture of Hubby and our friends waiting for our Porter Air flight to Montreal.


I feel like I'm putting my neck out a bit admitting that we took Porter Air. I am only slightly ashamed to admit that it was pure luxury and I would do it again in a second. In the picture above we are sitting in the self-serve kitchenette in the Porter Air lounge with its unlimited and complimentary snacks and bevies. These are no cheapie snacks either - espresso, cappuccino, juices, trail mix, and quite yummy cookies.

They even served lunch on the plane with your choice of wine or beer! I was so excited that I took a couple of pictures! Here is lunch container:



Here is what was inside!



Hubby and I shared our sandwiches for a little variety. It was all delicious!

So, the Catherine Wheel baby blanket was born on our little adventure to Montreal. Here is the finished product and a detail shot:





This lovely green blanket has a happy home in Winnipeg with the scrumptious little daughter of my childhood friend.

Special thanks to my Knitomatic SnB gals for good feedback on this blanket. After searching and thinking and searching and thinking about the border, I took Haley's advice and went with a simple single and double crochets. Leona also gave me good advice about the tension and hook size. The second attempt at this pattern has been crocheted with Hook size I rather than H. (I haven't yet photographed the second blanket).

You may recall the beginnings of my turtle baby project. Here he is!



This critter was just sent to a sweet little Ladybug in Calgary whom I hope to meet someday.

There is more to tell, but my bed beckons. Plumbing stories can wait.

ho hum

I'm not really sure what this post is about. This morning I've been feeling ho hum one minute and optimistic and energetic in the next minute. My weekend seems like it will be nice a mix of chores and socializing, which is good. I like getting domestic things done, but it is so much work. It's good to break up the chores with fun stuff, little rewards.

It just occurred to me that perhaps my ho hum feeling comes from only having had a cup of coffee so far this morning. My cook, my favourite person, my Hubby is out of town for many months. I have to rely on my Self getting me fed now. If I don't eat regularly, I develop ho hum-ness.

[pause for nourishment break]

I just realized that I may have started choosing my meals based on what concoction uses the least amount of dishes. You see, we don't have a dishwasher. Dishes, dishes, dishes, every day, even after a simple snack. This everyday chore starts becoming a bore, especially when more than half of your house is still waiting to be cleaned up from the insulation installation that happened over a week ago. (Some clean up already has taken place, only to become covered in insulation dust all over again - sigh.) I feel sometimes I can barely keep up with the everyday chores, never mind the big jobs like cleaning up after a renovation type project.

On a brighter note, another baby has arrived in the world and I'll be packaging up a handmade blanket and card to send off to my friend, the new mother! I know she will love it and that her little ladybug will look gorgeous wrapped up nice in Italian cotton. I chose the catherine wheel design from a book and developed the pattern for the blanket myself (thanks to some Stitch N' Bitch women for their ideas and tips). I'm already working on a second blanket and getting the kinks out of the pattern. Sorry no picture just yet. It's too early on a Saturday morning to figure that out!

Progress has been made on the turtle baby; the tummy and shell are complete and the first little leg is started. Not sure if it will be together for next weekend, but I'll try.

Turtle babies

I can't make a blanket for every new baby who will arrive in the next few months. There are just too many babies coming! Yippee!

Cutesy turtles will have to do. I picked the pattern from The Best of Woman's Day Crochet published in 1971 and bought by me in BMV on Bloor St W.

Thanks to Mezzodiva for help with picking out the colours. You rock!

Crochet weekend

It's finished! The spiderweb cardigan (a.k.a. The Muppet Cardigan) is done! I finished it at the Alterknit counter over a bottle of organic lemon lime fizzy drink and a butter tart. (I'm in love with the butter tarts!) Check out the sweater:





Detail shot:




Once the sweater really starting taking shape, I wasn't sure I was liking it. I started to think it was looking a bit matronly. Mezzodiva helped me see how it would work on my petite self if I keep it open at the front and keep the sleeves at 3/4 length. All I need now is a couple of really nice tanks or camis to wear under it. I can't wait to show it off at work!

Here's something I whipped up last night:



This is my version of a jean skirt project idea in Interweave Crochet's Spring 2007 issue (page 9). Nancy Marchant's project was 2/3 crochet and 1/3 jean. I wasn't so sure about those proportions, but I like the idea of combining jean with crochet.

While shopping with my lovely cousin last month at Value Village, I found a jean skirt for $5.99. I used two balls of Cantata cotton crepe DK (colour 9480) to make this fringe. I followed the basic instructions from Interweave for the length, but then veered off from there. I picked the pattern from one of my crochet stitch guides. It's called SC Magic. Tight single crochets are used to make the medallion shapes.

Here's a detail shot:



This is really my first pattern creation! I think it's a good start.

Here's the vision, after some sewing has taken place:




The original pattern was worked as a ring. I decided to keep the slit in my skirt, so I worked it up straight across without joining it. I like how it will ruffle when it is gathered during the sewing.

Hubby's not so sure about this project, but I think I can pull it off with the right shoes and accessories. It's good bbq or day trip wear.

top secret project revealed!

I am drinking beer and eating chili. I'm alone in the house. It's a perfect time to update the blog. This may be short and sweet because I want to get to the spiderweb cardigan tonight. (I've started the sleeves!)

So, first off, here are a couple of cute photos of me crocheting the top secret project (scroll down a bit in that older post)! I can finally show you since the big reveal happened on Saturday.



This is me at Alterknit working on the crocheted wrap. Tiny little clusters. The retro Vogue pattern calls them petals.





Here's Lucy (you can see my hair just beside her) showing off the wrap at a Blue Jays' game in late May. I've been working on the wrap since March and have taken almost everywhere.



When I started the project every row took about 25 minutes to complete. My friend Glenice can vouch for that, since I started it while bunking with her at Nottawasaga Inn for the annual work retreat. (I think I actually started it in the car on the way up there. I wasn't driving.) By the time I finished I had my time down to 17 minutes. I forgot to count how many rows I did, so I can't give you a grand total of hours. Next time I see my sis I'll take a peak at the wrap, do the calculations and report back.




Here's my sis opening the gift at her 40th birthday bbq (shared with her hubby, since they both turn 40 this summer).






Sis showing off the beautiful wrap! She loved it!

Something I learned from making this project: switch up your projects, especially if they are big like this one. I worked only on this wrap for months. My arm started aching from the repeated motion. I had to go to physio for a few weeks to recover!


Other photos from June:



Me in Prince Edward County for a wee vacation. Hubby and I had a lovely time tasting wines and eating good food.





Long Dog Vineyard & Winery. Beautiful place. Too bad it wasn't open. I'll just have to go back!




The library in Wellington. Hubby had to visit because he was jonesing for an email check. I love libraries and this one is so easy on the eyes!




Me and Janine! She visited from BC for a few days before going off to see the parentals and grandparentals in another city. We had a great time crocheting - see below! We spent almost an entire day at Knitomatic.



Janine is working on a practice swatch. She's already altering patterns! I can't wait to see what she comes up with on her own!

Lots of nice things

I've had a luxurious life recently. I've been able to do a lot of things I enjoy.

A dear, dear friend from BC stayed with us for two days. She's smart, funny, open, adventurous, and so easy to be around. I just love her! She wanted to learn crochet, so we parked ourselves at Knitomatic on Friday and I did a little teaching. She's off and running with Haley's grocery bag pattern and some Super 10 cotton!

We went to The Paper Place and I managed to spend only $5! That's a first! I bought a mini grab bag of paper ends. Can't wait to make some new collage cards!

Just down the street, we popped into Fresh Collective to pick up a T-shirt that Mandy was repairing for me. See Vacation Friday entry for more on Mandy and my love of her designs. I am now coveting one of her belts.

We had a lovely Mexican dinner on Baldwin Street at Margaritas with BC friend and two Toronto friends. The sangria and margaritas were flowing and the tacos were super messy! Not a good first date meal. Thank goodness I'm off the market. But, I digress. Baldwin Street is just such a lovely little piece of Toronto, especially on a warm summer night. It makes everything in life seem perfect. So, perfect that you don't want the evening to end. This led us to College Street for Big Chill ice cream - yum!

Hubby and I watched Pan's Labyrinth on Saturday night. Such a good movie! Last night we caught up on Entourage and watched this week's episode this morning. Thank you Roger's On Demand.

Sunday morning we brunched with our Sunday New York Times and tv writer friend at Cucina. It was pure Sunday morning luxury that lasted 4 hours.

I checked out Cafe Taste for the first time last night with some new friends. I like new friends and I like Cafe Taste.

I'm speeding right along on the Spiderweb Cardigan. Photo later this week - stay tuned!

Vacation Friday

Here is the promised picture of my at Knitomatic starting on the Spiderweb Cardigan (aka the Muppet Cardigan).



I love the top I am wearing here. I get compliments on it whenever I wear it. I bought it at One of a Kind a couple of years ago. It is a Mandala Design top by Mandy Armstrong. I have 4 of Mandy's tops and I love ALL of them. In fact, I get compliments on all of them.

This morning I am off to the dreaded Dufferin Mall, but hopefully early enough to miss the crowds. Hubby and I are tardy getting our health cards and driver's licenses updated. (What an odd little word - tardy. It even feels different in the mouth from other words.) Anyway, the Duff Mall has a handy kiosk for updating our records with the government, plus it has a fantastic No Frills. I need more cherries and No Frills has them for dirt cheap, unlike my beloved Kensington Market.

This afternoon I will be enjoying glorious naked beach lounging at Hanlon's Point. I don't make it out to the island as much as I'd like, so I am really looking forward to the ferry ride and beach relaxation. And, yes, the nudity. It just feels right for me.

knit-along, new projects & vacation plans

I'm on two weeks vacation. I started it with the TTC Knit-along last weekend. I don't have too much to say about it, other than I met some cool people, bought some luxurious Misti Cotton, and I finished my not-so-secret project (thank goodness!). My pics below. (check out flickr for TONS of great photos of the knit-along) Someone took a great picture of me and my not-so-secret project, but I shall not publish it until the secret is revealed to the appropriate persons.

Here is my latte from Alterknit - got to love the i deal coffee latte



Here are Melinda's Alterknit waffles. The waffles were a big hit with many of the gals.



After Alterknit, the Central team was off to Knit-o-matic. I walked along with Carol and Anu, since the weather was so amazing! Here is a picture of the portable project (another market bag) that I worked on when I was walking or on the TTC. The not-so-secret project required dedicated sitting time without other distractions.



Here is a great picture of me with my newly purchased Misti Cotton in light blue twist. This yarn is pure luxury - a cotton and silk blend! Two or three of the gals consulted with me and all purred about their love of the Misti Cotton.



Thanks to some comments on this picture on Facebook, the yarn is now known as the Muppet Cardigan. I've never touched a Muppet, but I if they are super soft, silky, and just a dream to run your fingers over, then this yarn is a cousin or half-sibling.

My sister commented that she thought I was holding a baby. That Misti Cotton is my baby! Right after I paid for it I asked Carol to take my picture. Last night at Stitch 'n Bitch at Knit-o-matic, I asked Haley to take a couple of pictures of the beginnings of the cardigan (Spiderweb Cardigan from Interweave Crochet Spring 2007). I'll post those later, although I had to rip those first few rows out due to my mis-reading the pattern.

After ripping out and re-starting, following the pattern very slowly and carefully, I still had problems with how the beginnings and endings of the rows build on each other. I'm also not sure if the first chain 3 on the foundation row is counted as a stitch. I've sent a friendly email off to Interweave to inquire.

I've also started a dressy T-shirt in Salmon Berry Red cotton fleece from Brown Sheep (the colour is not listed on their site). This pattern is straight forward so far and I'll work on that while I wait to hear back from Interweave.

Other vacation plans:

Hubby and I will be staying for two nights at Ganders Bed & Breakfast in Prince Edward County. I can't wait! We'll visit some local vineyards and potters' studios, play a few cribbage games by the water, and enjoy the jacuzzi in our room.

Hubby is off to Winnipeg for business for a couple of days next week as well. While he's gone I'll do some errands for the 40th birthday party I am planning for my sis and her hubby (their birthdays are a month apart this summer) and hopefully do some relaxing with a girlfriend.

I think there are some patio afternoons in my future too.