Vacation Day #1

My 13 day vacation started today. What was on the agenda? A day with Mr. E of course. Can you think of a better way to start vacation?

After his breakfast he took a three hour nap. Mommy and I played a couple games of Banagrams and then she helped me finish winding yarn for my crochet classes next week. When Mr. E woke up we went to have lunch at the office with Grampa Boo and Daddy. Then we went to the bank, Joann's and the grocery store. Of course he had to have a sugar cookie from the deli. He knows he gets one every time we go there.

When we got home it was play time:

Pool—$7; 50 plastic balls—$7; balls and gadgets from other toys—who knows. Watching him twirl round and round and giggle and laugh? Priceless!

A wonderful start to my vacation.

Sweet P

Almost Finished Projects

I've been working on a few projects trying to get them done before we go on vacation next week and then the Knit and Crochet Show.

I recently showed a stack of granny squares I was crocheting. This is what they became - a Blooming Granny Squares Bag from Margaret Hubert's new book: The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet. The blocks were fun to stitch and the whole bag didn't take long to make. I need to make a lining and sew on a handle and it will be ready to use.

The back side

I mentioned a scarf I'm crocheting using Mochi Plus yarn. I'm following Nancy's Waves Scarf pattern on Ravelry. The yarn is perfect for the pattern. It's another quick and easy project. Although I've run out of yarn and need to buy at least one more ball of yarn to finish it.

Here's a close up of the stitches. Isn't this pattern cool?

I'm desperately trying to finish the quilts I started 18 months ago for DS #2 and his GF. The first one only needs binding. The second one needs to be tied and then bound. Hopefully they will get done before we leave to see them on vacation.

We have been watching World Cup and are excited to watch the US/Ghana game tomorrow. Are you watching futbol too?

Sweet P

Happy Summer!

Happy Summer Everyone!

It was a hot, hot weekend here and we celebrated Father's Day and summer with Mr. E, his daddy and two of his grandpas yesterday.

He arrived looking very fashionable and ready to party.

But the real fun started when we introduced him to the sprinkler.
Mmmmmm . . . what is this?

Yeah, this is fun!

Can you see the little rainbow?

Mmmmm . . . up close it's still fun.

Ahh . . . a wonderful way to keep cool.

Would you like to join Mr. E in the sprinkler?

Sweet P

Time for Food and Goodies

Mr. E started walking yesterday! Just a few steps at a time, but definitely walking. Yesterday he was in a "hold me" mood and sat in my lap between games of Banagrams with mommy. Mommy was being silly and spelled his name out for him.

It's been a while since I posted photos of my food explorations. This past Saturday we invited mommy and Mr. E over for breakfast before Grampa left for Asia.

I made a sausage, egg and cheese pizza. I used a Pillsbury pizza crust, browned and diced sausage links, scrambled eggs and cheese. It was on OK pizza, but would have been better with onions and peppers on it.

I also made Cinnamon Roll Pancakes from the Big Red Kitchen.
These were a delightful change from regular pancakes and everyone enjoyed them.

I received my swap package from my Cookbook Lovers Swap on Ravelry. My partner sent me two skeins of hand spun yarn, a pound of locally roasted coffee, hand made buttons, a cookbook of Canadian recipes and a gorgeous plate. Thanks, Mimi.

I've started a quick and fun to crochet scarf using the Mochi Plus yarn I bought in April. I should have photos in a day or two.

What are you up to this week?

Sweet P

My Creative Nest

This is where I sit and do handwork, my creative nest, if you will. Come along while I take you on a brief tour.

Let's start on the sofa table on the left. If you look close you can see a few milk stains from Mr. E. I haven't scrubbed the front of the sofa and it's due. On the table is the stack of crochet somethings I'm working on, a drink and Wally, the Red Sox mascot. Under the table you can see my laptop peeking out. It's never far away from me.

My Ott light is there and I couldn't create without it. The shades are nearly always down. The parking lot is right outside the window and I'd rather not have everyone looking into my living room.
The bookcase on the right is my bookcase. There are four baskets on it right now, two filled with crochet projects, one with embroidery patterns and a general catch-all basket. My ball winder is attached in the front. The middle shelf has various patterns and miscellaneous papers along with a couple of doodle books. There is another basket of crochet projects behind my bookcase.

In the back right is Mr. E's bookcase. This is for his toys, diapers and books. In front of it is my keyboard that he loves to play. He has learned to leave my bookcase alone and play with anything on his bookcase. Peeking out from the love seat on the right is Mr. E's toy bucket.

What does your creative nest look like?

Sweet P

Condo Buildings

A great photographer I'm not. I try though. Earlier tonight we had thunderstorms roll through town. When DH and I were outside I was struck by how white the peaks on the condo buildings looked against the dark sky.
Someday I would love to take a photography class. Maybe, someday . . .

Sweet P

Current Projects Around Coffee Time

Believe it or not, I do still sew!

Here is a Sleepover Bag made from a pattern by Melly & Me.
It's on its way to Treasured Threads to be a show sample.

Mr. E needs new bedding for his new room that is fit for a little boy.
He is getting two quilts: an emergency vehicle quilt . . .

And a road construction quilt.

And curtains.
The colors don't match in the photos,
but the stripe fabric is the same fabric in all the pieces.

I changed my fabrics for em ay kay ee's {Make} A Bag Sew Along.
I have a package of Moda's Summer in the City charms.
Right now these fabrics are speaking to me more than my previous fabric choices.

I started working on the bag today and I'm up to the quilting step. I'm trying to decide what color to use for the quilting. I'm going to outline quilt the seams so I don't want the color to jump off the fabric. I'm thinking of using white thread. I tried pink, brown and turquoise, but none of them seemed to work.

The crochet hooks are still flying around here too.
I crocheted a journal cover for a swap gift and it's on its way to my partner.

And here is a stack of crocheted items waiting to become something.
Cryptic, I know. They are for a swap gift and the partners are not secret.

I guess that's all the news for today. The weather has been gorgeous. Mr. E is delightful as ever. Life is good.

What's happening in your studio these days?

Sweet P