mama's world

feeling a bit overwhelmed

Nothing major...just me getting too bogged down in too much.  On the knitting front, there are quite a few UFO's and more than a few of them want my attention.  Usually that doesn't bother me; however, I really, truly wanted to take a stab at my first sweater this winter and I just can't start.  I resolve that this coming weekend (too late for this one) I will pick up a few crochet hooks in varying sizes and get my test knit #1 finished.  I will then search for the missing US5 needles and finish test knit #2.  Then I can go into Malabrigo March without guilt and cast on for a sweater.  A girl can dream, right?

I've also been trying to organize my digital "supplies".  So, this means that I have been tinkering with the EHD's when I sit down to the laptop instead of scrapping.

But tonight, tonight I feel good and that is thanks to Sue Cummings.  Her designs are fresh and simple and set to get you scrapping quickly.  I took one of her quick pages and some of her word art and very quickly did this:

I Love You
 
*click on the image for full credits*  I did absolutely nothing to this layout except plunk in a photo, drop on the "title" and fiddle with the three little hearts.  The photo placement, the background word art, etc. were all there for me already.  And the best part?  Sue usually has a few versions of the quick pages in the pack...each with a few little changes to the details.

And the best part?  I've been wanting to scrap this photo for months and wasn't sure what to do with it.  The simplicity of Sue's quick page is absolutely perfect!

If you have a minute, please head on over to Sue's blog, My Chalkboard and check her out.  While you are at it, take a peak at her Oscraps store.  You won't be disappointed.

scrapping and knitting and life

Sounds a little philosophical, doesn't it?  Well, sorry to disappoint, but it's really just a summation...lol

I got home Friday to find that Daddy-o had decided to make homemade pizza for dinner.  YUM!  The downer?  As I was eating, I began to have tunnel vision in my right eye.  That's the term, right, when you lose peripheral vision?  Not pleasant.  I've never had a migraine (that I know of), but a few months before we were married (12+ years ago) I had a really horrible sinus headache that started like this.  Not the normal sinus headache.  I was getting sensitive to light and sound.  Not good.  I finished eating, took Tylenol Sinus and laid on the couch in the semi-dark while P-nut finished her dinner.  It subsided some (and the tunnel vision went away), but my sinuses were in an uproar and I had a hard time watching tv.  Also, the tv combined with P-nut and Daddy-o talking drove me to distraction.  At 8:30, I decided it was bedtime and jumped in mine after putting P-nut in hers.

I woke around 4:30 and still had a really bad headache.  I took more sinus meds.  When I got up a few hours later, it was there--but bearable--so P-nut and I got dressed and headed to the office.  She was so psyched to come to work with me.  I ended up having the headache (varying degrees) all weekend so I laid low and knit a lot. 

Saturday night I felt well enough to make a layout for me new CT.  I am happy to announce that Deb Fisher (aka DebF) at Pickleberry Pop is designing again and invited me to rejoin her template team.    I made my first of two layouts with her Templates Vol. 12.

And here is A Little Reminder:

Click on image for full credits and journaling.

My knitting over the weekend consisted of working the SKA January Mystery Beaded Socks.  One sock is done through the heel and the other is very nearly ready to do the toe decreases.  YEAH!

On Monday, I met Ruth and a friend of hers for lunch.  We chatted and gave one another moral support and tried to figure out the square Ruth and I are working on (is it really working on it if we knit 4 or 5 rows on Jan. 2 and haven't touched it since?).  I had laid out the written pattern in Excel in what was (for me) much more understandable than how it is laid out in the pattern book and it seemed to help us both.  I did 4 more rows at lunch, found a few fixes I need to make to my "chart" and feel better about the project.  Also, after talking about it, I think I have decided to make two 6-square lap-ghans instead of the 12 square afghan.  Honestly, what am I going to do with a huge cashmere afghan?  Don't get me wrong---if I do it right and well it will be a thing of beauty---but I have a child.  and a dog. and a husband.  'Nough said?  I am going to keep one and put the other away for P-nut---hopefully as a wedding gift some day.  This will also allow me to skip the squares I don't particularly care for.  On the months I'm not fond of the suggested square, I will do a repeat of one I have already done and that will be a square for P-nut's afghan.

I was going to scrap tonight, but I am woefully behind on two test knits (different designers) and I could also use a new pair of mittens.  So, what better time to do the second mitten for one of the test knits?

I am woefully behind in posting my Project 365 photos though I so I need to spend about an hour working on those before I knit.

Have a good day.  If you are sledding with the kiddos (or without) don't forget to take a few photos.

so, what have i been up to

Can't tell by looking here now can you? 

We've been dealing with some behavior issues with P-nut.  Nothing major, but still troubling.  I think we may have the bulk straightened out, but positive thoughts are much appreciated.

I spent a good bit of my spare time last week cleaning up my digital supplies.  I took a bit more time looking at my back-up EHD and found that the back-ups for the drive that died were still there (YEAH!) I just hadn't been looking in the right place for them. 

So I copied all of them to a brand spankin' new portable EHD and started the loooong process of going through the files and deleting a bunch of stuff I'll never, ever use.  I freed up over 30GB by doing that and I'm not done.  Now I need to move some stuff from the other portable EHD to there and I'll be in business.  Ready to tag some more in ACDSee.

I did manage to get a LO in (and will have at least two more a some point this week).  First, take a look at the kit:

Charmed by Micheline Martin.  Gorgeous, isn't it?!

And here is what I came up with:
 
Full credits can be found HERE.

I haven't given up on Project 365 either.  I did miss a few days (and took some extras), but I haven't given up.  I just need to get the photos on here.  Maybe tonight or tomorrow night.

I also finished the first sock for a late Christmas giftie for one of my BFF's.  It'll likely be the weekend before I get a photo though.  Need to wait for some decent light.

a quick LO

Yesterday I wrote about the budding photographer that I seem to have.  Here is a layout showing a few of the dozen or so photos she took of herself (click image for full credits)....

She also took about 20 other photos of all kinds of things in the house.  One photo is of me while I am knitting.  I think I am going to need to use that one in a LO too!

I did not take a photo yesterday.  I thought about it while scrapping and then completely forgot again.  I'll take at least two today to make up.

a budding photographer?

P-nut loves playing with the camera. I toyed with the idea of getting her an inexpensive P&S for Christmas, but I already have a P&S (in addition to the dRebel) and I could already see DH's eye roll.  Much of the time that she asks to take pics I do let her...I mean what's the harm....it's only the battery. I don't waste film.  Here is a LO I made back in November with her Littlest Pet Shop Photo shoot (click on image for full credits):

About a week and 1/2 ago she was playing with the camera again while a friend and I visited and knitted together. I knew she was taking more photos than usual, but again---what's the harm? I also caught her taking some silly self portraits. I completely forgot about all of it until last night. I had taken the last 3 Project 365 photos with the P&S and wanted to get them off the card. I sat there laughing and laughing as I watched them download. Most pics are poor quality, but there is so much more to it than that. It was really funny to watch her ham it up--completely unencumbered. There has to be at least a dozen "self portrait' photos of her. I think I'm doing a layout!

She also took a bunch of other photos including her Littlest Pet Shop toys (which is why she wanted the camera), my latest yarn stash additions, my friend and I deep in concentration on our first afghan squares, and odd objects around the house.

I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't have her do a Project 365 too....hmm....On second thought, that might be overwhelming for her.  Maybe instead I will give her the camera once a week to take shots of whatever she likes.  Then we can go through the images and she can select 1 or 2.  I'll print them and she can start her own scrapbook.  She has a little stash from her 5th b-day when both her aunt and cousin gave her small scrapbook kits.

I'm going to talk to her tonight and see what she thinks.  Methinks she'll LOVE the idea!

scrappin' and stuff

I cannot believe that I forgot to mention my good news.  I am now officially a Creative Team Member for Blythe Evans.  She designs lovely digital scrapbook kits that can be found at OScraps.  Check her out!

Here is a layout I made last night with some of her products:

BabyLove - full credits can be found HERE.
 

Here is one I did the other day for a one-kit call for Sara Ellis' Happy Blue Year.
Socks - full credits can be found HERE.
 

Last, but certainly not least....here is a layout I did using 52 Inspirations 2009 - Week 1 by Sue Cummings.  52 Inspirations is a series of mini kits by Sue Cummings, Sweet Genevieve and Vicki Stegal at OScraps.  It can be purchased as a subscription service or each week individually.  It's awesome!
Be Inspired - full credits can be found HERE.

So that's it for the scrapping so far this week and I haven't done any knitting on the Mystery Socks or the other project I haven't shared yet, but I have done a bit of knitting on a pair of socks that will be a gift to a good friend of mine.  I'll have to share pics on that soon and hope she doesn't realize they are for her.

My new scanner/printer/copier thingie came yesterday.  I ordered the Canon MP610 from the Canon site over the weekend.  I really just wanted a flatbed scanner, but they are getting more and more difficult to find and this was a good price.  Also, Canon handles ink much differently than HP so there should be less waste (hopefully).  I'm going to hook it up in the next few days and see how it goes.  If I like the scan quality and the print quality I'll be disconnecting my trusty HP and putting an ad up on Craigs List.  Wish me luck.

This week has been a bit hectic.  It's my busy time at work (and will be for the next couple months) so by the time I get home around 7ish it is time to start getting P-nut ready for bed...and Wed. are dance class which is always a hectic night.  P-nut likes her "cuddle time" on the couch before bed and it won't be long before she is missing it.  Thankfully, Daddy-o has a meeting tonight which means I have to get home a little sooner.  That will give us time to get P-nut a bath and also have snack and cuddle time before bed.  It will be sweet!

Tonight is also the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy so I'm looking forward to enjoying that once P-nut is in bed.  I want something easy to scrap while I'm watching that so I am thinking about scrapping the Christmas photos.  I was very fortunate a few weeks ago when Deb Fisher RAK'd me (she had a giveaway...I didn't win, but she sent it to me anyway!  How cool is that?!) with her "an abc of Christmas" album.  It's very simple, but lovely and I've been wanting to play with it.  Tonight it is!  Here's a sneak peak:

Well, I'm off.  Back later with my 365 photo.

some goings on....

The best of intentions.  I'm not even going to apologize for being such a bad blogger.  Heaven knows it could be months before I'm back...lol

Daddy-o has been home from work for a month with some health issues.  He will be okay, but he needed some time to get himself healthy.  He's doing much better and will likely be back to work next week.

P-nut is growing like a weed.  She had her annual check up earlier this month.  She passed the hearing and vision tests with no problems and is now 43 1/4 inches and 42 pounds.  She is reading more and more each day and is loving school.

Santa was very good to all of us.  Daddy-o got something he'd been wanting for his truck and P-nut got everything under the sun.  Her favorite?  Well, she usually doesn't pick favorites, but she answered without hesitation this time.  The Wii.  Yup, Santa brought it this year and it was a surprise even for me.  DH also gave me a lovely necklace which is really cool since he doesn't do jewelry often.    Remind me to give that man a special thank you.  He deserves it more that I give him credit for.

I'm back to digi scrapping.  I had gone on an unintentional hiatus earlier this year.  I just didn't feel like scrapping.  Here a few of my recent layouts:

Sweet Surprises using Amethyst by Blythe Evans.  I did this one for her CT call (cross your fingers for me?)  Full credits can be found HERE.

Wii Wish You a Merry Christmas.  This was a "one kit call" for Sara Ellis' Wonky Christmas.  Full credits can be found HERE.

Holiday Celebrations.  This features items by Sue Cummings and Dianne Rigdon.  Full credits can be found HERE.

Christmas Bright.  Full credits can be found HERE.

Holiday Memories.  This was done for a "one kit call" for Monica Larson's Frosty Sensation.  Full credits can be found HERE.

Sprinkle.  This also for the "one kit call" for Monica Larson's Frosty Sensation.  Full credits can be found HERE.

Just for the record...the last two layouts are using Christmas 2007 photos.  She has definitely gotten bigger since then. 

Lastly, I am kind of excited.  I have my old doll from when I was a kid. She's pretty grungy and beat...she's a Fisher Price doll circa 1970's. I don't even remember playing with her, but I do recall her being "around" with the other toys as I grew up.  I took her out a few years ago for P-nut. She had absolutely no interest and thought she was ugly. (I should also add that she has never had any interest at all in baby dolls. Barbies, yes. Polly Pockets, yes. Baby dolls, no way) So, not wanting to get rid of her, I put her on the top shelf of the desk in P-nut's room along with some other stuffed animals and the like that she doesn't play with much.  Yesterday she looked up at the doll and asked if we could get her down. I was on my way out the door for work so I told her later. Last night I took her down and clean her up a little as P-nut went to bed. She took her, cradled her in her arms and looked at her adoringly. She snuggled her under the covers in lieu of her usual lovely (a stuffed dog) and woke up this morning loving on her.  Isn't that the coolest? I know there's a scrapbook page in here somewhere...lol

I found pics on the web. This is what she looked like:
 
Mine is missing the hat though.  It was around at some point, but it's long missing now.

Okay, off for now.  Need to get some work done.

all is quiet on the home front

Nothing much going on here.  Same old, same old.

P-nut has two more weeks at her pre-school and then she is done.  Beginning mid-July she will go to the summer camp held by her new school two days a week and spend the other 3 days with Daddy-o or Grandmom.  In September she will start the new school and officially be in kindergarten!  Last night we had a "girls night" with her friend and her friend's mom.  We went to the new school for their uniform exchange.  We were fortunate and were able to get a few of the school polo shirts and a sweatshirt each.  This will supplement what I already ordered and allow me to pare down the polos I had planned to order.  Afterward, we went to Chick-fil-A for dinner and to the playground.  The girls had a blast.

Other than that, things are quiet.  Not that I am complaining.  In less that two weeks, Col will come for her annual visit.  She's 15+ now so I have a feeling this might be her last visit.  I was actually a little surprised that she wanted to come this year.  We are all looking forward to seeing her though.

Now for the scrapping and knitting...

I'd like to give a big thank you to Gina Miller for the sweet RAK she gave me the other day.  She saw me mention that I liked a kit she was releasing this coming Sunday (I had seen a very, very tiny sneak peak) and she gifted me the whole kit.  What a gal!  I did about 3/4 of a two-page layout with it last night.  I'll post the layout and the kit previews early next week once the kit is in stores.

I finished two Amanda hats about a week ago.  Both were done in Malabrigo Merino Worsted.  The first is in their Emerald colorway (both are modeled by P-nut):

The second is in the Purple Mystery colorway:

I also have another project in the works.  I am fortunate to be a test knitter (new) for NinaKnits.  My first test knit for her is on her Faberge Cowl pattern (awaiting release)---my first beaded knitting.  I am really enjoying this knit.  Here is a sneak peak of where I am with it:
 

And a close-up:

Is that cool or what?  Oh, the colorway here is Dusty and it is not really bright as this picture seems to hint at.  Bad photography.

I am also working on the Monkey socks.  I had tried them in Flat Feet by Conjoined Creations, but I am having serious problems with that yarn.  I have tried two patterns and a total of 6---yes 6---cast-ons and they are either too tight to get over my heel or too baggy.  ARGH!  I have put the yarn aside for now.  But, I really wanted a pair of Monkeys so I cast on with some new ONline Supersocke that I bought on sale a few weeks ago.  Nothing like trying a new (to me) yarn that is on sale!  I like the feel of the yarn and it is knitting up quite nicely.  The sock (about 1/3 up the foot, toe-up) fits nicely.  Could be a touch tighter, but we'll see how it is at the ankle.  I think it will be fine.  Since the yarn is 45% bamboo, I am thinking about stopping at the ankle.  They'll be nice for summer.

Well, that's all for now.  Maybe I'll get some good beach shots this weekend to share.

Oh, I almost forgot.  Tomorrow is the kick-of for Summer of Socks!  Yeah!  I will be casting on a very special pair of socks tomorrow night and I am looking forward to it.

a little peak at the recital

I don't have all of the recital pics uploaded (I'm such a slacker), but here is a layout I did last night.  Forgive me, the pics aren't all that, but it's so hard to take good photos of them on stage.
 
Full credits can be found HERE.

Last night was day one of a three day dance camp for P-nut.  She had a ball.  It's called A Little Bit Of... and basically exposes them to ballet, jazz, cheer dance and acrobat/tumbling.  I snuck in about 1/2 an hour into it an watched.  It was pretty neat.  She is actually teaching them little numbers and they will show them to us the last night.  I kind of wish they had longer programs in the summer.  But, the studio is moving this summer to a larger facility (How's that for growth?  The owner outgrew her studio in the first year of business.  GO JANICE!)  Maybe next year she will have more summer offerings.

I am about chin deep in the teacher's gift.  I made a little album with pages from all the kidlets.  I also offered to make copies (spiral bound) for the kidlets for $5 (ink, paper, etc.).  The teacher album is more or less done, but I printing, printing, printing for the 6 kiddie copies.  Then I have to cut them down and put them together.  Why did I volunteer for this?  Will I ever learn to keep my trap shut?  Stay tuned...

i'm back...

Kind of dropped off of the face of blog-land there, didn't I?!  Nothing wrong, just being lazy.  Plus I tend to blog more about my digi scrapping and I've been spending less time with that and more time knitting.

So, I suppose a bit of an update is in order.  Daddy-o spent a three weekends in a row in early-mid May at the beach getting the trailer ready to go and building the porch on it.  Last year we didn't have one (it was our first year down there as seasonal) and we missed not having the extra space and privacy.  Funny you can miss something you have never had.  The Monday after he finished we got hit with a whammy of a nor-easter (odd for this time of year) and the beach was hit hard.  Many people lost their roof (most expensive part of the porch) and some lost the entire porch.  We were fortunate and had minimal damage.

P-nut and I finally made it to the beach with Daddy-o for Memorial Day weekend.  We helped paint the porch and I cleaned the inside of the camper and now we are good to go.  P-nut really LOVES the beach this year and could not wait for the trailer to be opened up again.  She started asking for it in February/March.  This is a big change for her because she was not so into it last year.  She is turning into quite the little beach bum!

She also had her dance recital in mid-May.  Here is a photo I took at the dress rehearsal (no flash photography/video at the recital).  I have the professional photos scanned too and will try to get them up tonight.  Let me just say that, while they are nice, I feel Target did a much better job last year for the money and will likely go back to them again next year.

 
Full credits can be found HERE.

I'll post my knitting adventures in the next post.  Lots of photos.