I'm Back...

The giant project we've been working on for the past 2 months is nearly complete. We remodeled our kitchen, completely. All we need is a microwave and some paint touch up here and there. On the left is the before photo, one wall of original 1950's cabinets on a crazy stone wall. The refrigerator used to be plopped between 2 openings in the wall, it is now against what used to be the stone wall. The photo of the after doesn't show that at all. We have a pantry in the place where the fridge used to live. We added tile to the floor, plenty more lighting and new appliances. We couldn't be happier with the finished result. Hopefully I'll be able to hop onto a crafty train one of these days.

Oh My

I am still here! We've been busy with a giant project but I hope to be back to a normal routine very soon.
The puppies say hello!!

Pink Sheldon

My little pink turtle has been living in a Ziploc bag for some time now, I started knitting her in February of last year. In my quest to finish up some long overdue projects she was brought out into the fresh air for a little bit of TLC and she came to life on Sunday!

Pattern: Sheldon by Ruth Homrighaus
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport
Color: 6555 - Blush, 6564 - cherry
Needles: Size 3 aluminum DPN's, Size 4 aluminum straight needles, Size D crochet hook
Started: February 2, 2008
Finished: February 22, 2009
Knit for: Me!
Thoughts on the project: I love this yarn! The finishing of the turtle is a bit putsy but now that I look back, it was well worth it. 2nd Sheldon I've knit, 1st one here.

...what should I work on next??

February Finished Socks

I'm on track to knit 12 pairs of socks this year!! Even though I cheated, this pair was started early in 2008.

Pattern: Basic Stockinette Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock
Color: 401 Neon
Needles: Size 1 birch DPN's
Started: March 20, 2008
Finished: February 16, 2009
Knit for: Me!

Whirly

I recently saw these whirlygiggle quilts popping up all over the internet and knew I wanted to make one. I have oodles (three) of co-workers due with babies this month so I was presented with an opportunity to make a whirlygiggle quilt (or 3 but I only made one). My friend Erin found out she was having a boy (she's in labor right now!) so I naturally went for all boy colors. I REALLY like this quilt a lot. It was a little fussy since the pieces have to be cut out using a template but it did go quicker than I expected. I can't wait to present this quilt to little Liam!

Sock on My Back

My goal for 2009 is to finish a pair of socks each month and they must all be knit out of my stash. In January I finished this pair and I plan to finish this pinky striped pair in February. I started knitting these socks way back in March of 2008. It's about time I think about finishing them don't you think?

On an unrelated note, isn't LOST just rockin' the boob tube this season??

Flea Has a Birthday Too

When we got Flea back in December she didn't come with any information but we kept hoping the papers would turn up. Yesterday we finally got some info on little Flea Bee Girl, her pedigree papers state that her birthday is April 16th of 2002 so this spring she'll be 7 years old! More parties!!

Dog Biscuits

Sure! I'll share the dog biscuit recipe, it's not an original of mine. I found it on the www but I can't remember where so I'll list it here.

Pumpkin Cookies
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 C canned pumpkin
1T brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 T Crisco
1 egg
1/2 C buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients, cut in the Crisco. Beat egg with buttermilk & pumpkin and then add to dry ingredients. Stir until a soft dough forms. Drop on cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 min at 400º.
Let cool & serve.
I forgot to add the brown sugar but the dogs still like them, they're not too picky.

My Boy is 11 Today!

Today we celebrated Casey's 11th birthday. We started out baking some dog biscuits for the neighborhood dogs.

Packaged them up really nice.

Opened presents.
And then headed outside for a walk. I think Casey enjoyed his day :)

31st

Whew! Has it really been a month since I posted last?? I'll make a point to post at least twice in Feb :) I have managed a few finished projects in January despite my crazy busy schedule at work and lots of social activities.

Pattern: Basic 3 x 1 rib
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
Color: P103
Needles: Size 2 birch DPN's
Started: November 9, 2008
Finished: January 11 , 2009
Knit for: Anita

And the other projects I've finished this month...

Finished Objects 2008

I didn't knit a ton this year but what I did knit I had a lot of fun doing. The wee socks are a hoot, the Soctoberfest Mystery Sock was a blast and Casey's birthday hat is just crazy. And a toy turtle? What is better? Hopefully 2009 will bring even more happiness from my needles.

Happy Holidays! / Puppy Madness!

I've been neglecting my blog lately and for that I apologize. I must have needed a break. This holiday break has been very laid back, I was sick to begin with so now I've just been relaxing, catching up on things and spending time with the puppies. Yes, I said puppies.

Back on December 6th, Kyle rescued a Boxer from a friend of a friend from heading to the dog pound. We had good intentions of being a transition home for her until someone could take her full time. Kyle fell in love with her in .05 seconds, it took me about 3 seconds and Casey warmed up to her in about 10 minutes (give or take a few days). They still aren't cuddle buddies or anything but each day they surprise us.
Her name is Flea (the name is growing on me) and she's somewhere in the 5 year old range. She is very well behaved and loves attention.

We did some dog sitting for our neighbor the week of the 15th. Shadow is a 1 year old Boston Terrier and the sweetest little cuddle bug. He wasn't too fond of the little santa suit I put him in though.
So other than all of this there hasn't been much going on here. Happy Holidays to you!

Patriotic

My most recent finished quilt. Previously seen in the photos with Casey, who couldn't keep his paws off!

Project: Snapshots from Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs
Made for: a friend who retired from the Air Force
Started: October 2008
Finished: December 2008

Six Things

Guinifer tagged me for the six things meme so here it goes ~

These are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random, arbitrary things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I drive a pickup and I love it!
2. I hate the smell of smoked oysters
3. I don't like blinking Christmas lights
4. My favorite color changes almost daily
5. I am addicted to Diet Coke
6. I think I may like MN winters better than I like the summers (let's see if this is still true in Feb or March!)

I'm tagging NorCalMrs, Valkryie Knit This, Kym, Deb, pjbknit, and Sandy - she's well on her way to blogging every day this year!

Casey, Stay Off the Quilt! Part 7

He just cannot resist being right on top of my projects!