Summer Vacation

Slight Misunderstandings

"Dad, can you get me a water bottle?"

"Why do you want a water buffalo?"

Callapitters are so cute. Caterpillars too.

Paper Beads

These turned out so cool! The young lady who is watching my kids this summer made these. I can't wait to see what she does with them. I especially like the map ones.

Birthday Alligator

I needed a gift for a three year old for this weekend and this is what I came up with. My sister received one of these when she was a kid from my Aunt. I received a hippo from the same pattern set. This pattern has been in the family for a LOOOOOOOOOONG time. Several of my cousins and now their children received stuffed critters from this pattern set. When I went through my mom's sewing stuff, I took this and a few others.

The alligator from my sister's childhood is still around and my daughter loves it. I had bought fabric to make one for her ages ago and never go around to it. My Aunt has given her her one already and I still had all the materials around, so...

ta da! The alligator! He's about three feet long.



I will also be giving her some alligator themed books - "An Extraordinary Egg" and "Wide Mouthed Frog". I hope she likes them!

Summer Beach Reading - Something Different

Whenever I go away for the weekend or on vacation, I like to take magazines. This year, I've picked magazines I've never read before. I can't make myself pay $5 per magazine for something I might not like, so I've left the motorcraft magazines alone...so far. It is fun to read stuff I don't usually read though so who knows, maybe next time I'm at Barnes & Noble I WILL buy the Alpacas magazine (yes, they really did have a magazine there about Alpacas).

Here are some of my June/July magazines:

For spring break, I chose House Beautiful and Yoga Journal so this time, the Yoga Journal really isn't new. I was surprised at how much I liked it though so I'm buying it again. Who knows, maybe someday I'll become more of a yoga enthusiast and develop the ability to make myself into a pretzel while feeling really focused, centered and grounded?

Next Sock Project

next sock project
Originally uploaded by ktes750

This yarn felt so soft and I wanted to try something different so I bought it. It is a bamboo blend. I love the colors too and am excited to start. I am waiting until the deck is finished though, so as not to be distracted by this project.

Second Pair of Socks Finished!

knit socks-second pair
Originally uploaded by ktes750

I'm really enjoying knitting socks. This is my second pair. I love the yarn I used and these are probably the softest, most comfortable socks I own now.

Everytime I get to the toe I have to go online and find a video explaining the kitchner stitch. I hope that eventually I will remember it.

"Helping" me with the yarn

emily helping me knit
Originally uploaded by ktes750

Knit Socks

knit socks-2nd pr view 2
Originally uploaded by ktes750

finished scarf

finished scarf
Originally uploaded by ktes750

I finished this scarf this week. I started it back in late February during my knitting class and set it aside when I started knitting socks. It was a fun pattern and yarn to work with. Every solid color is just a regular stockinette stitch and every varigated color is a pattern of some sort. There are six different patterns. It was a great way to do a project and get some practice at trying out some different patterns. The pattern was created by the teacher for the class at The Knit Side in Holly.

The knitting part of this project is finished but I still need to weave in the ends and block the piece. I really need to finish staining my deck first though, and since winter is a ways away, that part can wait.

TYS-Moving Forward

TYS-Moving Forward
Originally uploaded by ktes750

I'm still working on my art journal class and still managing to keep up (mostlly). I have two days which I haven't done yet but mostly because I'm waiting for inspiration. Sometimes if the prompt for that day doesn't resonate with my, I have a difficult time figuring out what to do. I think I have an idea for one day but I need to gather a few materials.

I've had a great time in this class. I've found it quite challenging to keep up with a daily class and will not attempt to art journal daily again. I'm thinking maybe 1-2 weekly will be good for me. I know I could have taken longer to complete this class, but I was afraid that I wouldn't do it if I didn't try to keep pace, given my experience from other online classes. Plus, it's nice when a group of students is all working on the same assignment at the same time.