Ok, I started weaving this item with stash yarns in hopes to plot out a Dolman Jacket.  Where were my brain cells while calculating everything?  Not sure but I didn’t have enough finished cloth to make the jacket.  Did I dispair?  No way.  I made a sweater instead.  I love it and want to make more.

Front and back are blue and white while one sleeve is green and white while the other is purple and white.

It was Chris’s idea to mix and match the sleeve cuffs and I really liked that idea.

Oh what to weave next?  So many ideas, so little time.

Spent most of the night awake again last night.  Jac got sick and threw up.  Let me tell you, puke splatters from the top bunk.  The other boys, bless them tried to help clean up and stay out of the mess as well.  He’s doing much better today and back to his ornery self.  But decided we should stay home from church just in case.  Also, add the fact that I wasn’t fit to drive a vehicle made it a safe idea to stay home.

Wonder if I can catch a nap somewhere in the day and wake up with a house still in tact?

Chris had his 2nd sewing lesson on Friday.  Normally he would have done it Thursday and have music on Friday, however, plans needed to be changed a bit so we did sewing on Friday instead (with no music this week waaahh).  This week, he graduated from sewing on paper to sewng on material. 

He did an awesome job on his pillowcase and couldn’t wait to sleep on it.

While Chris sewed, I did too.  I had some cloth in my stash that I actually wove last year.  I knew I didn’t have enough cloth to make an entire skirt, but wanted one none the less.  I had the bright idea to use an already made purchased mini skirt (that I wouldn’t dream of wearing as it was) and add on to it.  Now…where to find one?  Oh the consignment shop was sure to have one…and they did….actually they had um…5 that would fit the bill.  (and all 5 for $1.00 total…what a bargin)  So, I pieced the cloth together and attached to the skirt.  I like the way it turned out and see me doing more of this in the future.

And it sort of matches the blouse I wove and stitched last year.

So, I was weaving yesterday while the kids were doing some of their independent studies.  Jessica brought me in her writing project.  She copied a song.  I just happened to have it on my Ipod, so we both plugged in and sang along:

Who says you can’t do school work, weave, and praise God all at the same time?  We are a family of multi-taskers.

What song you ask?  BURN FOR YOU by Toby Mac

I’m a brand new man, I’m a conscious man
I’m a man who’s burnin’ for you
The mistakes I’ve made have been chased away to the bottom of the ocean blue
I’m a brand new man in a foreign land, I’m a man who’s feelin’ that fire
And it’s all so clear when I’m standing here at the peak of my desire

I’m a whole new guy with a whole new vibe
Changed inside - more flame in the fire
Can’t stop, won’t stop praying for desire
Like the bunny on the screen feel so energized
Old shell gone without a trace, new face
No more shortness of breath, new pace
Live life now without the taste of fear
TOBYMAC, Double Dutch now let the smoke clear

My Bestfriend

My Baby

My Boo

Here’s the first Mitten Mania pattern for you.

Just an easy cable up the center.  You can find the pattern here.

Thanks Aunt Sally for this picture and testing my pattern.

So the other day Chris asked if I would make him a “Buck” scarf.  I asked him what a “Buck” scarf was.  He let me know it would have to be red and gray (later he was corrected to scarlet and gray) and he wanted it to be clasped weft.  When I figured out he wanted an Ohio State BUCKeyes scarf we got down to more serious discussions.  He was very specific in how he wanted me to paint the warp and what colors he wanted for the clasped weft.  I tried to warn him I didn’t think the colors would turn out quite as expected, but he’s a bit stubborn (not sure where he gets that from) and I agreed to do it as he wanted.  When done he declared it “ok” and admitted it wasn’t quite what he wanted.  I think we would have done just fine if we had left the warp gray instead of scarlet and gray.  But in any event, he likes showing off Buck so here it is.

Here’s what we were looking at in the teleidoscope yesterday.

And a close up.

Specs:

warp…5/2 cotton…I used three different warp chains that I hand painted in random stripes.

weft…coconut boucle from Heritage Yarns. I used the natural and dyed it myself.

I took the various warp chains and just threaded them with no specific pattern in mind.

It’s so soft and silky feeling.  I plan on wearing this on Sunday at my dad’s wedding.

While I was sewing it together, Chris got his first sewing lesson.  A friend gifted us her old sewing machine and I just had him “sewing” lines on paper to get the feel of it.  He did great on the straight and zig zag lines, but the curves…well…he is aware he needs way more practice there.  But he can’t wait til next Thursday and his next sewing lesson.

I went to go out and dye Socks for Soldiers socks and some yarn today, but alas all my prepared dyes are frozen.  I am starting to hate winter

Ok…so it’s been awhile since I got to show off some finished projects.  Believe me when I say things have been very intense here.  While I won’t bore you all with the details (and I have done that with others already) suffice to say, it’s been stressful, draining, and I haven’t had the desire to knit or weave for several days.  I do think I got my “mojo” back as I got the opportunity to spend some time reconnecting with “Harry”  (yes dear, he’s just my loom and you haven’t been replaced.  You are still my main man! )

So, to show off the finished projects, first a pair of man sized fingerless cable mitts. Pattern is mine.  Used worsted weight wool (can’t seem to use skinny needles or fingering weight yarn these days to save my life.)

Here are the roving rugs I finished last week.  The green/yellow/red roving is from Cary at Serenity Farms.  I believe she called this Salsa.  Sure does remind me of that and will be on the floor in the kitchen.  The purple/pink/blue was roving from my SIL (who continues to remain blogless and website less even though I beg her to get something up) and will be on the floor by my side of the bed for a nice warm comfy squishy place to put my feet first thing in the morning or last thing at night.  The pink and white one has been claimed by my cat believe it or not.  He (yes Bear-Cat) keeps stealing it off the washer everynight to lay on it.

The next three projects I am showing off for Chris.  He wove these on a Hazel Rose square loom.  Two are cotton and will be winging their way to the winners of the guess whose toes contest we sorta held.  Chris wanted to make the prizes himself since they were his toes.  So, hang tight winners they will be on their way to you (um..ladies…could you please send me your addresses again…hits head to hand…I accidentally deleted while “housecleaning” the other day).  The other is made from cotton chenille I received as a wonderful pick me up Chris.  My Chris made this one for me as a special present yesterday. 

And finally, I leave you with these way cool pictures (at least we think they are).  While I was warping my loom, Chris and Josh were playing with my teleidoscope looking at what was on the loom.  We got the great idea to take pictures of what we saw.

So, can you guess what the project is?  Well, stay tuned to find out.

Yes, I am introducing Mitten Mania.  Each month I hope to be giving away a mitten pattern.  Look for the first pattern soon.  I also have some other finished objects to show off so as soon as things settle down a bit and I can spend time photographing them and such, I will show off.

Today is clean fest and there’s nothing like the smell of bleach to get you going.  Although it’s not helping this raging headache. 

Still no new weaving and very little knitting to report.  Have I lost my mojo?  Am I burned out for the year already?  No…me thinks the crazy week we had last week and already starting out this week in the same manner is taking it’s toll on my creativity.  But stay tuned, cause I am going to try to battle through this craziness and I will become the yarn victor

Wow…it’s already the end of Sunday and I wonder where the weekend went. I used to look forward to Friday afternoons knowing that Jim would come home and be here through Sunday (well, when not on call and or having to work extra duty or something along those lines).  Family time could be expected and some cuddle time while watching CSI or a football game.  Well, now weekends aren’t so grand.  They are to be endured rather then enjoyed.  But, we did make it through.  Didn’t feel so great yesterday and the night ended up being worse.  Woke up this morning to no internet connection or TV that worked.  No news, no weather, no email, no nothing. Finally got connection back later this afternoon. Kids all fed, showered and ready to start a new week and school tomorrow (yea..ok I can dream on that).

Praying that this coming week is a better one for our household and that yours is blessed as well.