New Purse

I made myself a new purse about a month ago. My old purse was beginning to fray all along the strap, and it bugged me to no end.

This is the perfect size for me, holding everything I need without allowing room to become unmanageable.

I went dark this time. I also used a cotton webbing strap.

I am not entirely sure about the solid black, but at least it won't show grime.

The pocket on the left side holds my cell phone. I sewed a snap in the middle of that pocket so my phone can't just slip out and get lost like it did with my old purse.

I also sewed a couple of mini tote bags for Sophie and Tommy, my friend Jessica's kids. But I forgot to take photos of them. Oops. I made those bags a bit wider than the other kid bags I've made, and I think that worked a lot better. I love the idea of a little tote made from fat quarters, but in practice, it's just not practical.

Sheep and Wool Hat

Way back in February, I brought Nora shopping for yarn. She selected two skeins of Mirasol Tupa in her favorite colors: turquoise and pink (well, magenta in this case). I had a pattern in mind and she found it agreeable, so I went to work.

She asked about it regularly for 3 months. She was so anxious to get her hat!

Well...Nora was at a birthday party this afternoon and I sat down and finished it. When she got home, I tried to put it on her sweet blond head, and it refused. This hat was way too small! My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach. The thing is, I KNOW I knit really tightly! But I did a gauge swatch and this was right on.

Nora is so sweet. She told me to give it to Dana, which I did. And Dana loves it. Loves it!

I don't know what's going on with the mouse.

The pattern is called Sheep and Wool Hat, but I cannot find it anywhere! I mean, I know I found it on Ravelry, but I can't find the blog where the pattern actually is. If you want the pattern, you can sure leave a comment and I will look harder. It's out there somewhere!

It's a great pattern with a lovely secret: it's double thickness around the ears! My whole goal was to knit a nice, cozy hat for our horrific winter weather. Nora's other hat is pretty, but it's not super warm and it sure doesn't cover her ears. She asked me to knit this hat again, only bigger, in the same colorways. And so I will. It was a simple pattern, easy to memorize, and the yarn is pretty swell to work with. So watch for another post of the exact same hat in about 3 months. That's the pace I work at nowadays.

Flannel in April

Today we had planned to go geocaching, but instead it was cold and windy. And so we stayed inside to play.

I got out my sewing machine and went to work on a couple of flannel nighties for my little ladies. They picked out their own fabric a couple of weeks ago. It's been sitting, cut out, ever since.

Let's keep in mind that the girls are fresh from the tub, so their hair is wet and possibly unruly.

Nora picked out really plush flannel by Valori Wells. Actually, Dana picked out the same fabric in a different color for her last mama-made nightie. It's pretty sweet fabric.

Dana picked out baby boy flannel. I don't know what to tell you. Nora and I can't figure out what made her fall for this stuff. It's sort of thin, and the pattern screams "baby boy!" But she thinks it is fantastic, and as long as she's happy, I'm happy.

I have fabric cut for 3 more sewing projects. I have yarn for 3 more knitting projects. And 3 of my closest girlfriends are pregnant. I need to finish up my 6 projects so I can get to work on some teeny tiny things.

Una Fiesta

Our friend Callie joined the Peace Corps. She's leaving for Guatemala in 9 days!

Callie hosts a Cinco de Mayo party every year (remember this post? or this one?). Since she will be gone this year (and next year, and I think the year after, too), she threw an early combo Cinco de Mayo/Adios party last night.

I sewed her a mini messenger bag as a going away present.

This the front, with the front flap closed.

And this is the front, including the strap. I used cotton webbing for the strap again. I think it will hold up better than quilting cotton.

The best side view I could get. The gusset is a dark orange background with magnolia blossoms.

The back view. There are pockets on the back (the magnolia fabric).

The front of the purse, with the flap open. There's a magnetic snap closure, and there are 2 pockets in front.

The inside. I am no photographer, that's for sure. There's an inside zipper pocket, perfect for securing small items. The pocket in my mini messenger holds lip balm and my Swiss Army card.

I made jalapeno poppers from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I did a few modifications: the bacon is Morningstar Farms, not actual pork; I used neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese and reduced fat sharp cheddar; and speaking of cheddar, I used a whole cup, not half a cup; and finally, I pressed little bits of pineapple into the filling. They were awesome, if I do say so myself. My friend Charity, who is 36 weeks pregnant, ate 5 of them. I love her so much right now! She also ate 4 pieces of cake at Dana's birthday party. She is so good for my self esteem.

Callie's pinata. She totally outdid herself. See all those mini pinatas hanging off of the branch? Those are miniatures of pinatas she has made for previous Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Is that not amazing? And this bird had actual feathers! And she stuffed it full of really clever treats, like peace sign necklaces since she's joining the Peace Corps, and balloons with globes printed on them. And chocolate.

Buena suerte, Callie!

Belated Birthday Purse

Today is April 8. My sister's birthday was February 8. I have just now completed her gift. Shameful, considering I have had the fabric in my closet since November. And also considering that her birthday falls on February 8 every year.

I am really crossing my fingers that she likes it. I think the fabric is deliciously adorable. It's very narrow-wale corduroy, and the colors and prints are so sweet! I love owls and I love lollipop flowers. Hopefully my sister does, too.

I put a pocket on the outside, mainly to show off the contrast fabric. I am not sure what one would put in an exterior pocket with no fastener. Shopping list? Outgoing mail? Flask?

I also put little ties on it so she can adjust how cinched it is. And you can't really see it, but the button is shaped like a flower. It's really cute.

I put another pocket inside. I also used cotton webbing for the straps. This is the first time I have ever used pre-made purse straps. It saved a ton of time and they will wear much better than cotton fabric straps.

Since the purse is fully lined, it's reversible. So if my sister prefers the lollipop flowers to the owls, she can just turn the whole thing inside out. Fun!

I am going to run this down to her right now. Cross your fingers for me!

Peeps

Now that the girls are getting older, they notice things like holiday decorations. For example, my sister is a huge fan of Halloween, and she puts up a gigantic Halloween village every year. This year, the girls asked me when we were going to put up our Halloween decorations. Except that we don't own any Halloween decorations.

So I have been working on holiday decorations. One occasion at a time.

I spent a couple of gymnastics sessions cutting bunnies out of felt.

I had thread to match each bunny already. I just had to buy ribbon.

Ta-da! It's a Peeps banner! The girls love it, and it was really easy.

I made one for Grandma Bev too. She hung hers over their patio door. Now I want to make us a second one so we can hang ours over our patio doors next year.

If you want to make one, go here to view the tutorial. Some people have the best ideas!

Central Park Hoodie

Wow-I haven't posted since February 15!

Well...let me fill you in the Ravelympics: I failed. I didn't finish either of my projects. In fact, I didn't even start the hat. However, I was thisclose on the sweater. All I had left was seaming and the front band.

I finished a week late, on March 7. On the one hand, I didn't meet my deadline. On the other hand my hoodie is done! And months earlier than I thought! I was certain it would take me an entire year to knit, and it ended up taking 4 months.

Here are a few photos, with the warning that I have not blocked it. The front band is ribbed and sort of shrinks up the length of the sweater. Blocking will help that. I just need to do it. Also, I can't decide on buttons. I am still trying to find the perfect ones.

Also: photography is not a talent of mine. I tried. Sorry.

Here's the back. Some people continued the cable pattern all the way up the hood. I opted not to. I was already trying to keep track of where I was on the cabling around the front of the hood, and I was NOT on the same row on both sides of the hood. I didn't feel like I could throw in a third cable to keep track of and keep my sanity.

Here's a close-up of the cabling on the back.

The only change I made: I went up one size for the sleeves. I read time and time again that the sleeves were tight. Thank goodness for Ravelry! Mine are perfect!

The verdict:
Yarn- I absolutely love this yarn! It's Manos de Uruguay Rittenhouse.

Pattern- So easy to follow. If I ever knit it again, I will do the body in one piece, not 3. Seaming is fine, but why bother if you don't have to?

Ravelympics- Mixed feelings about this. It was helpful to have a deadline in mind to urge me to keep going. However, towards the end, it was stressing me out. I knit to de-stress, so it seemed counterproductive. I will sign up again next year, but with more realistic goals so it's challenging AND fun.

As for the hat, I am working on it. About 3 weeks ago, my right arm started to ache, and then it started to get numb. I finally went to the doctor and she took some x-rays and it looks like 2 of the vertebrae in my neck are compressed, and they're pinching a nerve. For about 2 weeks, my wrist hurt so much that I couldn't really use my fingers. Which meant knitting was out. I start PT on Monday, so hopefully this will get sorted out so I can get back to life.

Meanwhile, I have some old stuff to post in the next few days.