Raggy Hat

I added strips of fabric to this hat. It reminds me of the ragtime quilts I've done for the boys. I love the idea of marrying two crafts together. I'm a wanna-be quilter so it's fun to work with fabric too.

Cherish

Here's my Uppercase Living art for our Master bedroom. I love the silver. It's subtle on the dark wall. I have our wedding photos in silver frames so it all goes well together. Anthony made me promise I wouldn't buy anymore for a while. I think he fears every wall will have words. :) I may just have to sneak one or two more for the boys' room. There's one that's a street sign and says, "All Boy Blvd."

Uppercase Living

I absolutely LOVE my new Uppercase Living art for my walls. Thanks Shannon! Here's what I put up in my craft room. Gavin helped me put it up and we had a lot of fun. He's such good company!

Gavin is holding a lamb stuffed animal I felted. It was tedious to do, but worth it in the end. It could also be used as a pin cushion. It reminds me of my Dad's old stuffed animals he played with when he was young. It has an antique look to it. He hangs out on the yarn shelf in my craft room for fear he would get destroyed if he was in the toy box.

Jayden

Jayden's Momma gave me this pic of her in one of my hats. Look at those eyes. Thanks Mandy!

Cookie Grandma

This is my husband's Grandma, Mae Jeanne. She is such a wonderful friend of mine. I am very lucky to have her. She's my blog's biggest fan too! She looks at my blog every day and always sends me nice e-mails about it. We miss her when she goes to AZ in the winter. Around our house we call her "Cookie Grandma" because she bakes fresh cookies and then mails them to the boys. They run around the house yelling, "Cookie Grandma Cookies!" until we can get the package open. They are so lucky she does that for them. It's their special thing together. She bakes 'em and they eat 'em!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday! We had a great time last night and now we're off to our next get together. My goal before we go is to get all 3 boys to nap at the same time so I can. Hmmm...we'll see how that goes.

I was excited to give my niece, Ava, her stocking. It was a surprise and I wasn't sure I would get it done with all the craziness. I knit it and then felted it in my washing machine. The snowman and holly were done with needle felting. I loved doing it; it was fun.

Kate

Here's Kate in her latest hat. You may remember her adorable pic posted Nov. 11th. She's getting so big! A few of us neighbors do last minute week night dinners so we don't have to cook every night. We just bring what we have in our fridges and wing it. It's nice to see friends in the middle of the week when things are crazy.

I love this hat because it's stretchy so she can tug on it and it will go back to it's normal shape.

Chloe and Me

Here I am knitting with my friend at my feet. She loves to lay in my yarn and keep warm. She's good company when she's not barking or escaping out the front door.

My Buddy

This is Mandy's son, Jake. He is such a BOY! He fits right in at our house. We spent the morning together yesterday. He was so quiet without the other kids around. Every once in a while I would say something silly just to make sure he was still good. He got this tiny smirk on his face and then shyly looked away. I know his Momma knows what I'm talking about! You are in so much trouble Mandy!! Puddy in his hands..... :)

Avery

Here's little Avery in the hat I made for her. Can't wait for the little peanut and her family to move into our neighborhood. We will have so many great times hanging out and watching our kids grow. Thanks for sending the pic Becky! Hope to see you soon...

Little Sam

This is Sam. She's teeny tiny like her Momma! Mandy Birdwell took these 2 pictures of the babies on their tummies. What a great idea for a picture. It never gets old seeing these brand new little darlings. How lucky I am to see them in something I've made!

Baby Amelia

I could stare all day long....look at that little butt! This is Amelia. She and her twin sister, Rachel, did this photo shoot together but Rachel decided to stay awake the whole time so Mandy wasn't able to get her laying on her tummy snoozing. They also have a 2 yr. old sister, Claire. As you can imagine, their Mommy and Daddy are very busy! I'm convinced God makes them irresistibly beautiful so we forget how much work they are and have more. :) The booties Amelia is wearing are great because they have a tie on them so they stay put.

Vertical stripes

Here's the hat I finished last night to match Gav's winter coat. He wasn't too sure about it until his little brother begged for one just like it. Then he had to wear it to school. This time I made sure to have a label in it before he left. I hope it makes it home today! I wanted to try doing vertical stripes but didn't see a pattern out there that I liked. I ended up just winging-it and, this time, I think it worked out. I like it. It's silly; just like Gav.

Boy Premie Hat

I made this hat today. We were on the way to see Santa and I forgot some of my needles. I ended up using my lip liner as a double point to finish it up before we got home. I added this woven label on the hat ("fun, wild & crazy") because making the hat reminded me of when our first son was born 3 lbs. 8 oz. He was in the NICU and all we wanted was him home with us. My Mom used an orange for sizing when she knit Gavin's hats. It's hard to believe a baby can be that small (or smaller). The label is my note to the parents that soon enough their little premie will be running around being fun, wild and crazy. The days at the hospital will be a memory and he'll be eating 2 sandwiches at a time like ours does now.

Maddy's Hat

Here's a hat I just finished for Maddy. I met her Mom at a Uppercase Living party and found out we have a lot of people in common. A group of us are going sledding on Saturday night. I hope I don't end up in a body cast.

Men's Mittens

Here's a pair of men's felted mittens I did. They are so warm! After I made them my husband told me he doesn't wear mittens. Well! I guess I have another pair for myself...

Happy Monday Everyone! It's nice to have the sun shining on this freezing day. Here are my favorite mittens. Every year when I get the bins down with all the winter gear in them I can't help but feel a bit of dread. The idea of cold weather and trying to keep the kids from having cabin fever all winter can be a scary thought. When I see these mittens somehow they minimize that feeling. Opening up that bin of scarves, hats and mittens I've made brings back memories.

All my Boys

I just ran across these pics of the first days with Fin. You get a peek of the booties I did to match his hat in this pic. I love this picture because it's how I know my wonderful husband these days...in his Golden Gophers sweatshirt looking a little sleepy. Love you P!

Graham had a few days there when he decided for every picture he would cross his eyes. Not sure how he came up with that. Mandy, with all her skills, got a shot of him looking at Fin. It was no small task.

Here's the proud biggest brother. Even now he wakes up in the morning and says stuff like, "Mommy isn't it fun having a baby in our house?" He is such a generous soul.

Old experiment becomes something unexpected...

I was going through my yarn the other day and found this completed project just waiting to be felted. I knit this a few years ago just when I was starting to try my own patterns. As a hat it turned out too wide so I stashed it away (I never have the heart to rip out my projects). When I found it I decided to felt it anyway and see if it would work as a bowl. It does! Now I have a place for my keys and change.

One more to go...

Here are the stockings I made for my two older kids. I machine felted the stockings and then needle felted the snowman and tree on. I still have to do Fin's (yikes!). I'm going to do Santa on his. I plan on putting their names on them too. Let's see...how many more days before Christmas?!?

Newborn Boy

Here's the hat I did last night. I like how these colors are so boy. When I started knitting I noticed all the newborn things were pastel and sometimes a bit old fashioned. It's nice to change it up a bit. Can't wait to see a picture of the little guy in it! He has to be born first though :)

I'll be sad to see this one go...

I love this hat so much! It truly was a labor of love. It evolved as I was doing it. It sparked so many new ideas. I need to jot them down in my knitting journal. The hat is heavy since I used quite a bit more yarn than usual. My dream would be to have some of my patterns published. This one would definitely be one I would include. The yarn is sturdy and durable but the flowers make it happy and fresh.

My Spot

This is my favorite spot to sit and knit. Lots of my knitting books and tools get piled up like they are in this pic. My parents brought this chair home from the cabin. Who knows how old it is. It badly needs to be refinished or painted. I can't bring myself to do it though. There's something about it that I love just the way it is. I think it reminds me of my childhood at the lake. The sun peeks through our windows in the morning right when my youngest goes down for his nap. It's perfect! A little peace and quiet while I do one of my favorite things...

Baby Girl

Here's a hat I did today. It's for a baby girl that is set to be born on Wednesday. When I get an order for a newborn hat I can't help but think about how this brand new life will wear something I've made for them in their first days of life. I know I've said this before... it's such an honor.

Newborn Boy Hat

Here's the hat I did yesterday. I'm working on booties that will match. I'll share those when I'm done. I loved doing this hat because the colors are great. Every time I start a project I get so excited to see how it will turn out. Sometimes I have to force myself to stop! It must be love....

The set will be for my friend's soon-to-be born nephew. I hope when he arrives they take one look at him and see messages from God of peace, love and healing.

Ava and Preslee

These two sweethearts are our dear friends' girls. Mandy Birdwell took these pictures recently. Once Ava and my Graham were wrestling at our house. I was nervous he was going to hurt her and didn't know if wrestling was a regular occurrence at their house. Then a minute later I heard Ava say, "Ride 'em cowboy!" I looked over and she had Graham pinned to the ground. It was hilarious! They are two peas in a pod. I can only imagine the schemes they will come up with through the years. I am sure we will need a couple glasses of wine to get through it, right Monica??

Jayden modeling for me again...

Here's Jayden in a hat I posted previously. I love that it fits her and the teenager I made it for. It can last a long time as long as it doesn't get lost! Isn't she adorable? We had to make sure her necklace was out so you could all see it. Graham insists on having me wash his hair before she comes over. The other day he announced that Jayden was coming over to have lunch and play "best friends". I love this age....

Best buds

Here's Jayden and Graham being silly. I had a lot of fun making the hat Jayden is wearing. I love the curly cues because they move around when the child is wearing it.

The "Dottie"

This hat was so fun to make! I had heard about a hat that had balls on it and I decided to do my version of that. I love that one small thought can trigger so many ideas. I've started a journal so I don't have to keep all the ideas and patterns in my head. I named this one "Dottie" after my Grandma. That was her highschool nickname.

Sophia's Hat

This hat is for our dear friends' baby girl that is due very soon. We are so excited to meet her. Her parents are such wonderful people...it will be fun to go through the parenting journey together!

Jayden and her Ribbon Hat

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had such a good time with family and friends. Here's Jayden arriving in one of the hats I've made her. I LOVE this hat! It has over 24 feet of ribbon. My Graham and Jayden have a special bond. She's here playing with Graham right now and they are singing their preschool songs. Good thing I had the video camera out. :)

Another Newborn Hat...

Here's another newborn hat I've done. I think this one would be so cute as a prop for a baby girl photo shoot. It's slightly variegated so it looks extra cute in pictures.

Gracie

Here's Gracie in her jean jacket and hat. The mittens in the pic below go with the outfit. I sewed on the knit collar and cuffs to match her hat and mittens. She is such a doll. We recently went to her birthday party. When she thanked people for her presents she gave them a thumbs up. It was hysterical.

Baby Emma

Here's Emma in her hat. Look at her little hand tucked up by her chin...so precious. This little one is the daughter of friends of ours. Her Mom and I always dream of quiet time to do our crafts. Some day we will get all of our projects done!

I love the stripes on this hat. I can't wait until my kids are in sports and I can make this type of hat in their team colors.

Some examples

Here are some more things I've made. These type of hats are great because I can make them for the whole family. One of my sons weighed in at 3 lbs. 8 oz. when he was born. We sized his first hat off of an orange. They have some give so kids can pull on them and they go back to their original shape.

Here are some more hats I did at my craft weekend. I'll have some pictures soon with the cutie-pies in them. I love doing hats because the possibilities are endless and I get to see people wear them. It's rewarding to actually see a finished project. It's exciting...a little different than when I'm done doing daily tasks. Sometimes I wish I could shout from the rooftops, "Look everybody, I did it! I finished all my laundry!" That doesn't happen very often, by the way. :)

Kinsley

Here's another hat I recently made. Her Mom is a friend of mine and let me surprise her. She picked out the colors and I got to do whatever came to me. It was fun. Thanks Kate!

Preslee

Here's a picture of sweet Preslee. She has worn other hats of mine since this one. Her Mommy promises pics of her in them soon so I can share.

My Inspiration

This is my Mom and Gavin. She and my Step dad live in this paradise when we are all freezing here. She's the reason I started knitting. She hung in there with me for 2 years when I only did dish rags...slowly but surely. She has the most talent and knowledge of any knitter I know. In fact, after college she had a knit shop on 50th & France called the "Knit and Purl". When my sisters and I talk about it she says, "Oh, that was forever ago." It doesn't matter to us. We love hearing about it. Thanks for passing down the knitting gene, Mom!

Grandma's Mittens

My Mom brought these up this morning. Nothing beats a pair of Grandma's mittens. For you knitters, she did these on 2 needles.

Ozzie and Mac

These two little darlings are my friend, Jill's, twins...born just days ago. I can't tell you how neat it is to see these beautiful babies wearing the hats I made for them. It's such an honor. Congrats Jill and Chris! We're so happy for you. They are lucky boys!

Send me pics of your kids in their hats!

Here's the hat I finished today. It's for a teenage girl. I hope she likes it. I met her Mom at the craft weekend I mentioned earlier. I had so much fun seeing what other women create. It was such nice break from reality. If I've made a hat for your child, send me a pic so I can post it. I have a feeling this hat will be much cuter with the recipient wearing it:)