I Gots Some Knittin' to Do!

Okay, in reviewing what I did and didn't knit this past year, I thought I would look back to see what my goals were two years back.

Goals from 2006:
It looks like I actually did finish several of those projects. I caught up with a lot of this in 2007. And, some of these goals I'm not interested in anymore, but I do still want to make that hotpink mohair shawl and work on some of my hat designs. And, I still have one more wrist warmer to complete but will probably give those as a gift cause I'm over them.

Goals for 2008:
I accomplished quite a bit of my plan for last year in regards to special gifts. Even though I didn't make exactly all of these specific projects, I still made handmade items for my list. The only thing I didn't do was a beanie for dad and a toy for baby, but there's always this year.

Something I totally neglected in 2008...I didn't complete my "Pay it Forward" projects. So, for those of you who signed up to receive a giftie from me (Meg, Kary and Apple) please forward me your mailing addresses and I will make it a priority, I promise! I don't want to be lame in 2009. I think I just got a bit lazy last year.

So, this year I still have a couple of UFOs I would like to complete...you know, a pair of pants that won't fit my son now and a wrist warmer that I won't wear. I can't wait to carry the cute orange totebag. It will feel good to get these UFOs out of my bags and off my to-do list. I might not make gifts for everyone this year cause I don't feel like making so many commitments, plus I want to make a couple of big projects for myself...we'll see, I'm just not making promises, but I'm proud of what I made last year. Everything turned out great. I just really want to do some "Stitch n Bitch" group knitting this year...I will make that goal. I miss doing that with my friends and getting out of the house for a bit.

Merry Christmas to All!

Santa #3, originally uploaded by Knitterista.

One of Flynn's three photos with "Santa" this year...he didn't care for this one so I sat in with him. The other two were the real deal, but this was fun getting to share the moment.
Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the moment with your families.
Here's to a new and wonderful year to come!

Pardon Me I Didn't Knit That for You!

This is quite possibly the funniest thing ever! If you are a knitter, you have to watch this especially!

He totally posed for this

He totally posed for this, originally uploaded by Knitterista.

This child o' mine is beyond words. Just look at that beautiful posed face. I held him at the front door with the sunlight coming in on him and took a jillion photos. He posed pensively for everyone of them. Crack up!

Happy Halloween from the Gnome Family

We had such a ball Halloween night taking Flynn out to the neighbors and showing off his costume. I knitted all of us gnome hats and pinned flowers to him and myself. I got the rest of his costume as normal clothes from Target and put the dog's collar on as a belt, stuffed his belly with cotton batting and away we went with our watering can for a candy bucket. He was absolutely precious.

Ghoul's Gone Wild Parade

CIMG5452, originally uploaded by craftyminx.

Here's a little teaser from the parade tonight. Craftyminx took this shot...very cool. That's me in the middle waving like a pageant queen.

Ghoul's Parade, originally uploaded by Knitterista.

Here are some more fun shots from the parade...pink hair and all.

7 Year Itch

7 Year Itch, originally uploaded by Knitterista.

The beginning and maybe the end of this round of the anniversary sweater I was knitting for JD for our 7th Anniversary. Traditionally you give wool for 7 years, hence the cleaver name, 7 Year Itch.

I gauged this dang thang and I think it is way too small...would fit me rather than a man. So, I'm sure I will be frogging this out pretty soon.

I do however really like this yarn I got at the Taos Wool Festival. It's really pretty and super soft...will be nice if it ever turns into something of substance.

Table One

We went to the most amazing dinner recently. A chef friend opened his catering kitchen and is doing special 8-course meals cooked right there for you in front of you. He did a unique menu and a just-for-me menu for me the vegetarian. I did however have fish and scallops...no egg though. He paired it with wine and beers from my husbands soon to open brewery. It was so awesome. These photos do not do it justice at all. And, I ate practically every bite.

Taos Wool Festival

Taos Wool Festival 1008, originally uploaded by Knitterista.

We had a ball (or skein I should say) at the Taos Wool Festival during our family trip to Santa Fe. It just happened to be at the same time...just my luck. Thanks to Amy for pointing out the dates. I'm so glad we got to go...I owe JD for him tagging along.

Flynn enjoyed seeing the llamas, sheep and rabbits. I picked up a bit of yarn...didn't overdo it like I could have so easily done. I got some wool for a special project, some that was just plain gorgeous (see in Flynn's grubby little hands..I'm sure they were filthy by that point) and some peaches and cream color that was to die for.

I swear, if you are even thinking about spinning...don't go to a wool festival. It will make you want to pick that up as a project too, cause the have workshops and wool galore to purchase. That's the next thing I want to learn to do...someday...someday. I certainly don't need one more thing to take-up in my life. It was really inspirational being there and getting to be around so many other textile people. I loved it!

The Ravelry crew had a booth at Taos Wool Festival. It was cool to meet the owners...sorry no photo...didn't want to be a total geek. I picked up a couple of buttons from them.

Taos Wool Festival - a shot of some of the vendors. There were probably 75 or so of them...all full of yarn. It was awesome!

It's all about the wool my friends. Here'a a little Before and After action...they did a demo of sheep shearing at the Taos Wool Festival. That was fun to watch.

Bye Bye Little Puggies

They're off to Grandma's house...cause we've got plans.
HINT: Taos Wool Festival...yippie!

The Anywhere Clip

In keeping with my handmade gifts plan, I made Marilyn a beaded flower "anywhere" clip for her 40th birthday. I also wanted to make the 40th gifts a little more special. Dawn got a scarf/fingerless glove combo I had made a while ago for her 40th this year.

You can clip this in your hair or on a jacket or anywhere!!! I had promised Mare a few years ago that someday I would bead her something because she had given me this huge stash of seed beads and wire when she was purging her craft room. So, I came through. I like how it turned out. I usually attach my flowers to a pin back, but this was a lot easier and small enough. I like the option to put it in your hair. I need to make more for myself now.

PS: Please overlook my big giant ear!

Great State Fair of Oklahoma

We took Flynn to his first state fair. I was just dying to go. For some reason I feel as a mother I connect to that stuff a lot more now...the down-home kind of feeling.

He loved the petting zoo. It was adorable watching pet the goats. He also saw the livestock barns with the cows, lambs, piggies and some Clydesdale horses. Those were pretty amazing.

We also saw a sea lion show which was a little different for a fair, but cool. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when the sea lion danced to the macarana. Geez. You know we'll be going to Sea World someday. But, I actually look forward to it cause I didn't get to go there when I was a kid. Now I get to take Flynn to see all the things I want to see. Yippie!

Becky's One Skein Wonder

My dear friend Becky had mentioned that she liked my One Skein Wonder... I'm going to go ahead and stick my neck out here and say, probably 2 years ago...and I started one for her and got nearly complete and for stupid reason I never finished it. I think because the yarn was totally wrong, but I wouldn't admit it because I hate spending time on something only to onravel and start over.

So, going along with my plan to save money and consume less, I was going to finish that darn schrug and give it to her for her birthday. Because I'm also on a kick to finish my unfinished projects.
I just couldn't bear to give her the tan ugly mess, so I started over in a different color that I knew she would love.

And, yes, she freakin' loved it...announced that the purple I choose was her new color for the season and wigged out. And, proud to say it fit her perfectly and is adorable.

One Skein Wonder - CHECK...off the list!

August 2008

Partay all night!
We had two big events to attend this Saturday night...and Flynn was a social butterfly.

We first attended the Rally on the Alley event at Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery. It was a scooter themed art show. Our bikes were on display. That's me and Flynn sitting on my Vespa. He and Daddy have fun on the patio.

Then we zoomed over to Dawn & Freddy's for a soiree. They had filmed for a design show (Utopia Joe) earlier in the evening and then had the Oh Johnny Girls singing and a movie playing in the backyard. It was too much fun. Wish we could have stayed longer at both, but the little boy was pooped out by the end of the night. It was great to see all our friends out though...at least we got out of the house for a change and socialized like other adult individuals. Good times!

HIP BABY STYLE - FLICKR GROUP

I had been documenting Flynn's wardrobe since he was born...kinda kept track of his growth too. I thought it would be fun since I do the Wardrobe Remix group when I can and since that is only for grown-ups, I thought I would start my own group for the kiddos.

So, in August, I did just that...it's called HIP BABY STYLE.
Go here to sign up and share your baby's stylish wardrobe.

The icon I use is from a scooter rally tshirt a friend brought back for Flynn from AmeriVespa, designed by Modified.

Chevron Scarf - Check

I finally finished my sister's birthday scarf in July. Her birthday was in April. Just as I was getting into the pattern and making some headway, I fell and broke my wrist. So, there was no knitting to be had for some time. And, once I was able to knit a little bit, it hurt really bad and I had the use of only two fingers on my left hand...sucked.

I had plenty of time to complete the project but just couldn't control the situation. Oh well. Things happen. But, I did get it done and hopefully she liked it in the end...part of my "make everyone's gifts this year" project. It turned out pretty cute.

First Trip to the Zoo

We live in the best neighborhood and have made some of the best friends with our neighbors on our block. There are about 6 houses of families that get together and have parties and cook-outs...great fun. Although one of our best friends moved away recently to grow their family in a larger house, we still get together all of us with the kids.

We went to the zoo, Flynn's first trip, with the Oldfield boys and the Curran boys...all close to the same age, with Flynn coming in as the smallest. It was so cute to see him checking out the animals. We saw up close the baby lion cubs, then there were the bears, and of all things, he loved the catfish the most...guess it is a water lovein' thing.

Summer Fun 2008

These are a few of my favorite Flynn shots from over the summer.
-He sure had a great time at his first pool party. The neighbor boys didn't know what to think of all his splashing. He loves the water.
-The 4th of July was fun too...he tried his first plum and devoured it...so cute in his red and blue stripes. We were at our yearly neighborhood party...a can't miss.

-That boy loves to swing at the park and get close to his toys

-Grandma and Grandpa took him to the science museum in the building where I work and he played in the little tykes area, got all wet.
-He learns how to walk by pushing his dump truck
-New birthday swing of his very own in the backyard

-Giggle fest
-playing with his new cousin, Addysin
-having fun with his Dada

Off to Connecticut

I work for a non-profit American Indian cultural organization...in June we have our huge Festival: art and dance event. It's a huge undertaking, but I've done it many times before so it was like old hat jumping into it again. As part of my new post, I am getting to attend some amazing museum (which we also have) conferences.

I won a scholarship to attend the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian exhibit renewal conference. It was at the Pequot Tribe's reservation in Connecticut. I had never been to that part of the country, except for NYC, and it was just gorgeous. It was one of the best experiences ever, plus I have a lot more museum related knowledge under my belt now and made some great friends.

The tribe hosted a lobster dinner one night on the coast just down from Mystic Pizza (shot that out the window as we cruised by). We had a double rainbow view of the harbor. Part of the workshops included mount-making classes. The lower right shot is of the Pequot Museum...gorgeous.

I've taken two more museum courses since, but they are related more to archiving which I find fascinating. Lots to do in the museum now that I'm a know it all.

Flynn's 1st Birthday Party

BooBoo's first birthday party was Memorial weekend. We had over 40 people (close friends, neighbors and family) at the house. It was a tight fit but so much fun. It was a vintage race car theme. Flynn wore a tshirt I made for him and we got him the cutest Little Red Wagon race car. He's now getting more into it now that his legs are longer. He also got the blue Pooh Bear car which makes plenty of noise. His party was so much fun. He was startled by the singing of the birthday song but got into when he realized it was all for him. My friend Melissa is an awesome baker...she made his cake to match his tshirt and the cookies too. My inlaws put in landscaping that weekend as their gift to us all. It turned out really nice...we needed it. It really was a perfect first birthday party. Next year...low key.