Resolution update 8 months in

Oops a little late on this one...I forgot in the midst of back to school and all...

•charity knitting: I didn't do much knitting at all this month actually. Did a few small things for Christmas, but nothing for charity so to speak.
•reading: finished up The Odyssey. Definitely not going on my list of faves, but glad I read it. I then turned to re-reading Harry Potter and read books 1-4.

•devos: working through Paul's letters. Lost some consistency when Xav got sick and the daily schedule changed. Trying to get back into it and hoping that I will keep it up while working.

•weightloss and fitness: I try to go for at least one walk and/or bike ride each day. I hope to still take some afternoon walks after I get home from work.

•family: of course I am doing well with this one! I love the time I get to spend with Mase and Xav this summer :-) Hopefully the school year doesnt cause too much stress.

Diary of a 'mamamamamama' (mom with a sick baby)

Xav got his first illness :-(

Thursday: A little whiney in the afternoon, but nothing too extreme. I went to a play at night and when I got home Mason had him laying in the living room watching a movie because he couldn't get him to settle in and go to sleep. I went to kiss his forehead and he was burning up. Checked the temp 101.4. Very long night - I pulled an all-nighter with him. We watched a whole lot of Baby Einstein and Praise Baby. He was exhausted, but wouldn't give in to go to sleep.

Friday: Took him to the doctor in the morning. She found nothing notable to be wrong, but he still had the high fever. Discovered that he would sleep in the stroller, so we took a couple walks to get him to nap. In the afternoon his temp spiked to 103.9. Long night again. Discovered that he would also sleep in the car, so Mason and I took turns driving him around in the middle of the night (Mason's turn was much longer than mine) until he was totally out and then he came in our bed to sleep for the night.

Saturday: Temp is down to normal. Still not feeling well though. Took LOTS of walks to get those naps in. He was coughing more often and would grab at his head/ears every time he coughed or cried. We took him in to the ER assuming that there is something wrong with his ears. His ears were still clear, but he had developed large blisters in his mouth/throat. Another night of doing some driving and slept in bed with us again.

Sunday: Temp still down. Improving. Nothing too notably new today. No driving necessary at night, but he needed to cuddle with "mamamamama" all night. Mama's back hurts bad!

Monday: Slept in until 10 AM! Doing a lot better again. Able to go down for short naps in his crib without going for a walk or drive. Mama got a massage for her sore back. He slept the whole night in his own bed needing only a few short cuddles!


I wanted him to learn to say "mama" so badly, but after hearing it in only a whiney, needy, voice for a few days I don't love it as much!

Resolution update 7 months in

After more than half the year, I am pleased to say that my resolutions are holding on strong!

• charity knitting: I did A LOT of this this month: 2 sets of hat and mittens; 3 squares for knit-a-square (see earlier post); and 4 bookmarks that resemble House Scarves from Harry Potter for a JK Rowling reading charity.
• reading: read book 4 of Percy Jackson series and started The Odyssey (Homer). It is a bit slow going, but good for me to step out of my regular choices
• devos: working through Paul's letters. Pretty consistent.
• weightloss and fitness: I am down past my goal (but still not to where I was before Xav); I try to go for at least one walk and/or bike ride each day. Sometimes more than one of each!
• family: of course I am doing well with this one! I love the time I get to spend with Mase and Xav this summer :-)

New Fiber Hobby - Handpainting/Dyeing

So, I decided that I wanted to dye up some of the plain roving that came with my wheel. I researched how to handpaint roving using Wilton's Cake Icing Dyes and jumped in...

I soaked the 4 oz. twists of roving in hot water and vinegar...












I mixed up dyes with water, vinegar, and the Wilton's in five colors (Violet, Teal, Brown, Copper, Golden Yellow)...

I set up my station with newspaper, glad plastic wrap, and laid out the roving (after gently wringing it out)...

I used a turkey baster to apply the dye to the roving in segments...

I rolled up the plastic wrap around the roving and placed in glass bowls, and then microwaved them rotating 2 min on 2 min off for 6 total "on" minutes each...

After they cooled a bit, I took then out of the plastic wrap and let them set over night...

In the morning, I rinsed them in cool water to make sure that the dye wouldn't bleed out and hung them to dry...

And Voila! The one is called 'A Midsummer's Night Experiment'. I intended it to be purple and green, but the Teal turned more blue than green...

This one is called "Mason's Earthy-tones' because Mason picked the colors for it. The brown turned out a bit more red than expected...











All in all, I am very thrilled with them. After they have set, I will experiment spinning a small section to see how easily they draft. I fear that they may have felted a bit. If they draft nice, I may try to sell them on etsy.

My baby is 8 months old!

And today he cut his first tooth!

Spinning Adict

Hi, my name is Liz and I am a spin-a-holic.

I am LOVING my new wheel. Here is the latest finished yarn.

Now I just have to try to reign in my fiber spending...

Charity Knitting

I was told about a charity called Knit A Square that you can knit or crochet 8 inch squares to make blankets for children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa. I couldn't resist making a few.

Ariadne's First String

OK, the myth says it was red, but the first yarn I spun on Ariadne was Beach Glass from Uniquely Yours on Etsy.

Meet Ariadne

I got a new spinning wheel! She is a Kromski Fantasia and I have named her Ariadne. I'll explain why:

When I was younger one of my favorite parts of Disney's Fantasia was the Pastoral Symphony which depicted the wedding of centaurs. At the festivities, several of the Greek gods made appearances. My favorite, when I was young, was Dionysus, the god of wine. I thought that he was so funny stumbling around happily spilling his wine.

So, it seemed that my Fantasia should have a name from Greek mythology. Ariadne was a mortal born woman. The myths about her vary and contradict each other (as most of the myths do). Some say that she was granted immortality when she married Dionysus, but others say that Artemis killed her with her bow because she hurt Dionysus. The most famous myth about her, though, is the help that she gave to Theseus in navigating the Labyrinth and killing the minotaur. She gave him just two items - a sword and a ball of string. The ball of red yarn that she gave him was a special ball that she had spun that would help him find his way through the confusing and changing Labyrinth. The spun string made her name proper for a spinning wheel. So, here is Ariadne, my Kromski Fantasia.

Enjoying summer

Resolution Update 6 months in

Here we go. Half way through 2010, I'm keeping up with my resolutions:

• Charity knitting: made two sets of hat and mittens fro ArtPrize Charity project through Clever Ewe
• Devos: had a little slump adjusting to the summer schedule from the work schedule, but back into it and going through Paul's letters
• Weightloss & fitness: still have a few extra pounds, but fit into all my old clothes now. I am loving going for walks and bike rides with Xavy this summer. I try to get out every afternoon unless it's way to hot for us to be comfortable.
• Reading: Read Catching Fire by S. Collins (2nd of the Hunger Games series), books 2 and 3 of the Percy Jackson series and Eclipse (although that doesn't actually fit the resolution because it was a re-read before seeing the movie)
• Family time: loving the extra time that I have with Xav and my more relaxed evenings with Mase. For the 4th, we hosted a party for some friends and family and that was fabulous as well!

Spring lace sweater

I had this idea in my head and couldn't find a pattern out there that fit everything that I was looking for, so I decided to try my hand at designing it. It came out just like I wanted it to! So here it is for all of you to enjoy :-)

Materials:

• ~4.5 skeins of Knit Picks Cotlin DK yarn (~600 yds)
• Size 7 24" circular needle
• Tape measure
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• 1 pin back (optional)

Finished size: fits 34" inch bust

Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch and 7 rows per inch

Necessary skills / Required stitches/abbreviations:

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Kfb: Knit front and back of stitch (increase 1 stitch)
• Pfb: Purl front and back of stitch (increase 1 stitch)
• YO: Yarn Over (increase 1 stitch)
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease 1 stitch)
• SSK: Slip two stitchs as if to knit. Pass back to the left needle and knit together through the back. (decrease 1 stitch)
• P2togtbl: Purl two stitches together through the back of the loops. (decrease 1 stitch)
• Knit in round on a circular needle
• Cable cast on

Pattern:

CO 128 and join in round (careful not to twist)

R1: P all stitches placing markers every 16 stitches (use different markers than round marker so that you can tell when a round begins)

R2: K1, K2tog, YO, K2, Kfb, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K2, K2tog, Kfb around (8 times)

R3: K2, K2tog, YO, K1, Kfb, SSK, K2, K2tog, YO, K1, K2tog, Kfb around (8 times)

R4: as 2

R5: as 3

R6: as 2

R7: K all stitches removing markers as you go. Place new markers after 23 stitches, 18 stitches, 46, stitches, and 18 stitches (23 remain for end of round). Again use different markers than the round marker.

R8: K to last stitch before marker. Kfb. Slip marker. Kfb. around. (Do not increase at round marker)

R9: K all stitches Repeat rows 8 and 9 until 60 stitches are between the markers where there were 18 originally (sleeves). This should be about 7 inches from the top of the work. End with a R9.

On next row, K to first marker. Bind of sleeve stitches as follows: CO 2 stitches using cable cast on; bind off 6 stitches. Repeat to next marker. (You will have to bind off the last sleeve stich over the first stitch after the marker. K across the front stitches. Repeat bind off for other sleeve. K across the back stitches to finish round.

On the next row, K to one stitch before arm hole gap, CO two using cable cast on. K3 (you should be at arm hole now). PM. K1. CO two using cable case on. K to one stitch before other arm hole gap and repeat. K across back stitches to finish round. There should be 92 stiches for the front and the back (184 total).

K 7 rounds straight.

Begin body shaping decreases as follows: K to 2 stitches before marker. SSK. slip marker. K2tog. K across front stitches. SSK. slip marker. K2tog. K across back stitches to finish round.

K two rows straight.

Repeat these three rows 6 times total (80 stitches remain for front and back - 160 total).

Knit even until the shirt measures 10.5 inches from the arm hole. Increase before and after marker on each row for 10 rows (100 stitches for front and back - 200 total).

Knit until shirt measures 13 inches from armpit (measure straight - not along seam where the hip increase is) or 20 inches from collar (or desired length)

Bind off as sleeves.

Weave in ends and block (if desired).


Flower:

CO 64

R1: Knit

R2: K1, K2tog, YO, K2, Kfb, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K2, K2tog, Kfbimes)

R3: Pfb, P2tog, P1, YO, P2tog, P2, P2togtbl, Pfb, P1, YO, P2tog, P2imes)

R4: as 2

R5: as 3

R6: as 2

R7: P2tog for all stitches

R8: K2tog for all stitches

Bind off with purl stitches

Curl into spiral and either sew onto shirt or pin

Summer's New Routine

Now that I have more time on my hands, my days look a bit different. I am going to try hard to be a better housewife and mother with my extra time. Here's the daily routine:

• wake up. feed Xav (and me). play with Xav.
• Xav goes down for first nap. devos. do a chore (clean something, organize a closet, etc). shower. free time?
• feed Xav lunch (and lunch for me). play with Xav (maybe bike, walk, or run errands).
• Xav goes down for second nap. do a chore. possibly start dinner (depending on how long it needs to marinate, etc)free time.
• feed Xav snack. play with Xav.
• Xav goes down for third nap. free time. Mason comes home.
• Feed Xav dinner. Mason and Liz eat dinner.
• family time.
• bedtime routine (feeding, bath, etc)
• Mason and Liz free time.
• bed.
• repeat!

The major goal is to concentrate on getting at least those two chores done and getting a good dinner on the table. Good dinner means something that involves mixing ingredients, not like a Stouffer's Lasagna or Voila frozen meal (which is the usual go to!).

From fiber to scarf

I wanted to share a recent project and show it's progression...

I began with fiber (bamboo merino blend)

Spun it into a single

Plied it with metalic thread to make this yarn

(Close Up)

And crocheted this scarf

(Close Up)

Resolution update 5 months in to 2010

• charity knitting: fail. Didn't get anything done for charity this month. I hope to get back to that this month.
• devos: pass. Finished working my way through Proverbs. Moving on to Galatians - 2 Thes. I hit a good routine during the last month or so at school and I hope that I can get a good routine going at home this summer.
• reading: pass. Read Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult (didn't really like it. ok didn't like it at all). Read Hunger Games by S. Collins. (loved it. reading the sequel now).
• fitness: pass. Still losing a bit of weight (down to my goal - 12 more to get to where I was, but I am fine if I stay here). Enjoying walks with Xav. Hoping to get out on the bike with him this summer.
• enjoying family: Of course!!! I am thrilled about summer being here so that I have all day every day with my precious baby boy :-)

6 months old - where did the time go?!

I can't believe he is already 6 months old!!!

He is sitting up with just a small amount of support; laughing; chatty; jumping in his jumparoo; turning around in his excersaucer; eating cereal; bound to break some teeth through any day now; grabbing at everything; putting all said things into his mouth; rolling over both ways...

He is an angel and we are truly blessed to have been given such a perfect baby.

Resolution update - 4 months

Oops April changed to May and I totally forgot about writing!

• Reading:  I read Simon's Night and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. I LOVED Percy Jackson and am excited to see the movie and read the rest of the books.
• Charity knitting: I made another set of the Artprize mittens and hat.
• Devos: I have done great with this one this month. I am working my way through Proverbs with the 17:18 series (see an earlier blog post for more into on how it works)
• Family time: Not only have I been able to enjoy time with Mase and Xav, but this month I got to go to Florida and spend time with Mom, Dad, sisters, a brother-in-law and some nephews, and some aunts, uncles and cousins!
• Exercise: The lbs are still coming off slowly - only a few more to goal weight! I have been biking and walking with Xav and Mase in the evenings :-)

Spring Spinning

Presenting my first handspun with enough yardage to make a full project! Approx 190 yards of sport weight. 2-plied from 3 oz of roving. I am super happy with it :-)

Resolution update three months in...

• charity knitting - I made a hat and mittens set for a large scale charity project for next year's ArtPrize through my local yarn store.
• devos - I found the perfect time to do them (when I have nothing else to distract me!) and have been doing them for the past week :-) [working through Proverbs}
• weight loss and fitness - I fit into my skinny jeans today! I still have another 10 lbs to get to my goal (20 to get back to where I was) but I am still making progress and now with the nice weather I can walk and go out for rides on my new Cannondale
• reading - I read Freakonomics (educational and easy read) and Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult (very good as all of hers are)
• enjoying family time - how could I not enjoy the time I have with Xav?!?!? He's changing everyday so I am trying to take it all in. Mase and I love to just sit with him and listen to his stories :-)

Xav is four months!!!

Resolution update - 2 months in

At the end of the second month of 2010:

• charity knitting: I made some items for the NPC tuition assistance auction as well as another item for the NPC spring play
• book reading: I finished East of Eden (loved it) and just started Freakonomics
• exercise/weight loss: the pounds are coming off very slowly, but I have lost a few more this month. The bigger deal is that as I write this I am in my old jeans!!! I haven't been working out as much lately because I don't really have too much time with being back at work, but I am going to a Zumba class once a week.
• devos: still pretty much a fail. I am doing a little better while back at school because I lead class devos from time to time, but still am struggling with making personal devos a priority
• family time: still loving every minute I have with Mase and Xav. (I think I even value the time that I have with Xav more now that it is not as much - I can't take it for granted any more)

Wow three months already

Everyone always says that time flies and kids grow up so fast...it's true! I can't believe that it has already been three months since our little angel arrived. He has grown and developed so much in that short time. He is very social - loves smiling and talking (he takes after his mom!). He can hold up his head for good lengths of time and is beginning to grab at things (especially mom's hair). He loves watching his dogs and tv (probably loves tv a bit too much). He sleeps through the night almost every night (bed at about 9:30 and up between 5:30 and 6:15). Over the past week and a half I have had to let go of him a little and give over my day time with him to a few other people. The transition has gone amazingly well for us because we know that he is in good hands and loved by those that are watching him. I love my evenings with him, but they go by way too fast. I'm sure before I know it I'll be putting up a 6 month update, then a year, then he'll be in college...I vow to enjoy the time I have with him at each stage because they really do grow up so quick.

First day back

Well my time at home has come to an end. Today was my first day back at work. Xav was very good for me last night, sleeping until 6 a.m. So, I was actually dressed and ready before he woke up to eat breakfast before I left. When I came home he was so happy to see me! This is definitely going to make me appreciate the time that I have with him more.

Resolution update - one month in

Well here we are one month in to 2010. By now or within the next two weeks most people will have given up on their resolutions so here's how I'm doing:

• knitting for charity: Pass - I made a few baby hats for my friend Amy's YoungLives group for pregnant teens and a hat for the Tuition Assistance Auction at NPC. This month I plan to make at least one more item for the auction.
• getting rid of the baby fat: Neutral - I have done some sort of exercise 5 days a week. I have enjoyed doing videos from Exercise TV that are free on demand with AT&T U-Verse. I particularly enjoy Bootyliscious Buns 1 and 2, Incredible Abs 2, and 6 Round Slim Down. I say this is neutral because I have only lost 5 lbs this month and still am a long way from fitting back into regular jeans, but I can tell that I have gained a lot of strength and endurance because I can do the workouts a lot better. I am planning on joining a Zumba Dance class this month.
• Read one new book: Pass - I read Godric by Fredrich Buechner and am about half way in to East of Eden by Steinbeck. I plan to read Freakonomics next.
• Devotions: Fail - I have done no better here. I just haven't made it a priority. Unfortunately this is probably the most important of all my resolutions and I have done the worst with it...
• Family time: Pass - I love the time I have been able to spend with Xav before going back to work. Also, Mason and I have been blessed to take several date nights because X has grandparents that beg to babysit!

So, there it is. Hopefully next month will be even better!

Changes...

I still do things that I did before...
...cooking...

...knitting...

...I just do it all while holding a baby!

Resolutions take two

I forgot one:

• charity work. - Like so many I often feel that I don't have the time or money to give to charity work. (Although, let's face it, usually we actually do and just don't want to.) However, something I can do and enjoy doing is knitting. When I delivered X, the nurse put an adorable hand knit hat on his head. When I asked her where it came from, she said that a group of ladies makes them for the hospital. I thought, "I can do that!" So I have already made 5 little baby hats. It occured to me last night, though, that a friend of mine runs a program called YoungLives for pregnant teens and young women. Most of these girls are going at it alone, so to speak, with little to no support from family. I decided that they may enjoy these hats more. So my resolution is to continue knitting for charity this year.

New Years Resolutions 2010

OK so I guess this is a few days late, but it's amazing how much time that kid takes! Last year my olnly resolution was to learn to knit and I definitely kept that. Hopefully this year I will do as well with them. Here are my resolutions/goals for 2010:

• get rid of the baby fat! - This is the first time in my life that I have ever made a resolution about fitness or weight loss. I have been blessed with a great metabolism so have never really had to think about my weight before. This year though, I have some extra pounds to shed. Also, I want to not only lose the weight, but also get in shape. Perhaps working toward a 5K or something, but I'm not going so far as to make that an actual resolution!
• do better with devotions. - OK so it won't actually be too hard to do better with devotions because last year I was really bad at it. I did awesome for about a month before Xavier came along, but now again since I've had him, I have fallen out of the habit again. That's really what it needs to become I guess, a habit. I want to work towards devotions being a part of my daily ritual.
• read one book I've never read before each month. - Fiction, nonfiction, religious, anything! One new book a month.
• enjoy my time with my husband and my baby. - You never get time back so I want to make sure that I use mine wisely. I want to enjoy the time that I have with Mason and Xavier because X will never be a baby again, and as they say, they grow up so fast!

Well now they're in writing and out there for everyone to see, so hopefully I'll be accountable to them! :-)