Seriously?

April? Seriously? That was my last post? Well, there has been a bit of sewing and knitting here and there but it very much got lost in the busy-ness of our summer life. With DH gone most of the summer, there was very little time for mama. I did start to sew myself some undies from old t-shirts and I LOVE THEM but I will not be showing them to you. Maybe in a pile someday. After we get a camera again (OH. YAH. Lost our camera in July, too).

Meanwhile, I have started the Christmas sewing and knitting plan and I am quite EXCITED about it all. Ordered some fun little tags, too. And the greatest ... I am going to do it all with stash. Don't feel bad, really. The stash is QUITE extensive so it is a bit like shopping in a store when I get to open the bins and bags and play with colors and look for patterns.

But right now, I just ran upstairs to get the fabric scissors. Really. But then I decided to look at the Sew Mama Sew blog and got distracted by the Pajama Party post. I have some adorable sheep flannel (a sheet I bought many years ago) and plan to make PJ's for the whole fam from it. Woo-hoo!

Oh, yah. Back to the cutting of little boy boxers. With an almost potty-trained little one (and with the same waist size as the older one) we are in need of some more boxers. Those I am willing to show you.

Sketchbooks

In an effort to encourage art with my boys, I made them some simple little "sketchbook folders". Holds a small sketchbook and a few colored pencils. So far, they have traveled with us to a few places. I bought some stickers that I will give them to put in there, too. They are 2 and 4 years old ... I do what I can!

More gifts, revealed!

Now that these have been "gifted" I can post the pictures!

First up, for my SIL's wedding shower ...

Potholders and an oven mitt. Fabrics look familiar? Yes, they match the apron I gave her a few weeks ago at another shower. Yay for coordination!
Patterns: from Simple Sewing my Lotta Jansdotter

Second, a purse for my SIL's birthday ...

Unknown fabric, purchased in fat quarters at The Calico Shoppe in Eau Claire, WI.

Pattern: The Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae

Great little pattern - a quick sew and free pattern! I have already made myself one (just haven't taken any pictures yet) and plan on making a few more.

And for a friend's baby, still on the way ...

A Sweet Norwegian Baby Cap and leggings. Yes, my favorite hat pattern once again, and this time little covers for little legs. Made with Dale Baby Ull. Too sweet! How I wish that I had discovered this before my boys were too big (have I said it before? Probably. I think it a lot, too).

The needles have been flying and scissors have been cutting. As usual, my projects are behind my photos and blogging. But you only know that because I just told you.

Until next time ...

Coming soon ... diaper cases, toddler backpacks, and more gift knitting ('cause I know that you will be waiting in great anticipation!).

ButtKnits Pants

I have finally found a knitted pants pattern for Thor! He is mostly cloth diapered, and has been most of his life. I have always wanted to do the wool soakers, but didn't want to buy what I could easily make, and just never seemed to make them (a common thing in my life!). Now, he is getting to be a big little guy, and finding a size has been the challenge. But I found some! I made my first pair and put them on him immediately after finishing. I love them! They will be great as we enter the land of potty training, too . . . as long as I remember that knitted pants do not work well with velcro on shoes.

Pattern: Longies from ButtKnits

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Wool in navy

As always, more details on Ravelry

I like the pattern so much, that I have already cast on two pairs for gifts, and as soon as those are done I will cast on another pair for Thor. I am considering the cottage license to sell them, too, because I have so much spare time (hahaha). But I do have a lot of yarn that would work well!

Knit on!

March is a month of many gifts (MARCH GIFT MADNESS, people!) ... gifts are always harder to post since I can't post until they have been given. But here is the first:

Reversible apron for Janna!

Pattern: Emmaline Apron

Fabric: (don't have my notes here at the library, so I am guessing ...)

Apples and Pears by Alexander Henry AND pumpkins gone wild by Sandy Gervais

Rather than making my own bias tape (on a time crunch, as usual) I bought some wide quilt binding. Found a color that matched perfectly! When I make this pattern again (and I will!) I may plan on using the bias. It went quickly and saved cutting up a yard of fabric, just or the neck ties.

This is a wonderfully flattering apron. I thought it would take several hours, but I was able to do it in half a day with the boys awake. Pretty quick sew for a great apron.

There has been knitting, too. Lots of knitting. Mostly starting more gifts for MARCH GIFT MADNESS. But until more is done, and I have pictures, Ravelry is the place to go. Ahh, back to the needles . . .

Updates

Really? Not really. I am so happy to ever be able to make anything, that I just don't keep up with posts! But I am doing better with Ravelry ... but here are some pics with the latest goodies (mostly gifts!). If you want to see details, check out my projects page on Ravelry. D's Valentine Hat

Nancy's Birthday Mittens

Greta's Birthday Mittens

I have a few other finished 2009 projects: hat, scarf and fingerless mitts for my brother Jon's birthday, a pair of mittens for Thor, and a pair of mittens for Vanya. Maybe pictures another time. I want to go knit now :)