Oh My... How Pinteresting: 08/02/2012

I have decided to sign up for the Pin it and Do it Challenge this month.  I decided to to this when I made a pinboard of completed pins and realized I've only done two pins... one in October of 2011 and one this past July.  Sheesh!  Hopefully this will compel me to actually do something.  I signing up for the second level, Pinterested which is to complete 4-7 pins in the month of August.  I've shared some of the things I want to to here and here, but here are a few more things catching my eye:

Veggies make me puke right now, but I think I could eat this!

Homemade baby wipes

Washcloth patterns... this is quick way to use up yarn!

I'm thinking this would be great in my room or in the living room

Atticus's burp cloths were used to death.  I need to make a bunch before baby #3 arrives

Whelp.  I think I have enough on my plate for now.  Time to actually get my butt in gear and make stuff.

Join in with the fun!

The Great Blogcation Debacle

It is a very good thing I went on a Blogcation last week. Not because I necessarily got any rest or relaxation... no.. last week was HORRIBLE.  I had a sinus infection, bronchitis, pinkeye, and Atticus was teething and vomiting from sticking his fingers down his throat.

Picture this.... Monday I was sent home from work due to a violent cough (yay sinus infection turned bronchitis).  I woke Tuesday morning with my right eye swollen shut from pinkeye.  I resolved to stay home in bed and sleep while the kids were at school.  Then Atticus puked.

There I was, lumbering around the house.  Coughing.  Right eye shut.  Nose running.  Unshowered.  One or both boobs hanging out from constant nursing.  Chasing a gleeful toddler who discovered a penchant for vomit.  Tuesday afternoon was a bit better; after Atticus napped and I read Charles Dickens with one eye open Atticus and I played.  He is quite fond of "line things up on the window sill" game. 

Things looked better after Tuesday.  Mostly because I tried to rest.  I read a little on Wednesday afternoon.  I skipped my knitting group to go to bed early on Thursday.  I took Friday off and spent time with Hope (she was out on holiday), exercising, stitching, and napping.  I napped on Saturday and then enjoyed Hope's birthday party.  Sunday it was back to work.  Not a lot of reading, but a whole lot of tea, exercise, and napping.

Okay.  This week WILL be better.  I did, however, finish the softies for Atticus' class.  I made 8 (one for Atticus and then one for each of his classmates).  I didn't get them done until Friday as I thought it best to not stitch things for toddlers whilst suffering from pinkeye.

On to a new week, filled with cautious optimism.

Thursday Threads: Finishing some WIPS and other plans

This week I plan on finishing two projects I'm nearly done with.  The first is an embroidery project I started ages ago.  I'm embellishing flowers on a thrifted pillowcase.  Then there will be some sarcasm and either couching or felt letters applies.  I cannot wait to finish it.

The second project is Hope's cowl.  I'm really sick of this thing by now.  There is actually a funny story behind this.  I crocheted myself a cowl and Hope balked at it.  Then she opened one of her tweenage celeb magazines and *SHOCK* Selena Gomez was wearing a cowl.  Now Hope wants one!  She asked for lots of colors and to make it long so she can make it "super loopy."  You're super loopy, Hope.  Harty Har Har.

Now, one to February projects.  My yarn project will be from this lovely book:

And I'm planning on making this:

I also plan to carry a skein of cotton yarn and some knitting needles to whip-up dish clothes.  My new favorite gift for teachers/family/friends has been baskets with a dishcloth, baked goods, and tea or coffee.  Folks seem to like them and I like being able to give folks something homemade.  I have plenty of cotton to keep me going:

Finally, lots of embroidery and sewing will be going on this month in the form of Valentines!  Atticus's toddler class sent home a Valentine day list (you know the list of names).  I feel silly sending scraps of paper to a bunch of under twos -- the paper valentines will be quickly destroyed and/or eaten -- and I don't want to send sugary junk.  So I've decided to make the kiddos these:

The pattern is from Belle and Burger.  I won't put buttons on as they are a choking hazard, but they will have wee stitched eyes and smiles and then the kiddos name on the back.  The pillows are small and there are less than eight kids in the class.  I should be able to whip-up these in a weekend.

I have a few other V-day stitchy plans, but they are secret and cannot be shared yet.

Things I'm Loving: 11/04/2011

Photo Credit

I love my little rental house, but the kitchen is functional and ugly as sin.  I'm been thinking of ways to spruce things up a bit and I love the idea of this fabric backsplash and the open cabinetry option. 

As I chopped a butternut squash last week to make chili I thought to myself, "my death will probably involve a knife and a butternut squash."  Here is a great tip for roasting a squash so I don't maim or kill myself with a knife. 

I'm totally signing up for this reading challenge.  In fact, next year I think I'll make a month my "read from my stacks" month.  I love supporting libraries, but I need to read the books on my shelf!

I desperately need a needlebook.  Luckily, I found a pretty awesome set of directions for a cute, scrappy needlebook.  I need to bust out those scraps and get to stitching!

I'm loving these beautiful Dahlia pins!  

As if I needed another excuse for plate thrifting.

Hello to all my baking and book buddies, Penguin is releasing in the US several titles from the Great Food series.  I want them all!  Geez those covers are lust-worthy.

Reason #372 on the "why I need a doughnut pan" list. 

Owl brooch!!!!!!!!!!!!

More embroidered book cover goodness.