After Christmas

So I can now post what I accomplished before Christmas. Love the way my mom's came out...not perfect but what is...for the most part I'm happy with it. The other blanket I didn't love but she's happy with it so I guess I'll leave it at that! Next up, a nap roll for Caden! 

Front of Kimber's

Back of Kimber's

Mom's of course

Been awhile again...

With Christmas looming I've been busting my behind to try and get this quilt done for my mom...still not done but here it stands as of last night.

Finally finished the hat below...it's long overdue! Planning to take it to the hospital this weekend with all the other hats I have completed over the last couple months...

Also trying to finish up a blanket for my little sister...she's been telling me for the last couple years she needs a new one...it's not my favorite but it's a blanket that I had already started and decision to give her one wasn't made until a couple days ago so I'm having time crunch issues!

Other than that home improvements are going down this weekend so I hope I can finish the blankets in time to get them sent for X-Mas!

Finally

Alright even though I have no readers/followers I at least like to keep this updated for myself. It's been almost a month since my last post...eek...BUT, we've had Caden sick, actually more than once...I think I was sick in there again...and some Tastefully Simple parties/events. Haven't had much extra time to work on anything. Plus lunch at work has been taken up by other things and by making up time so I haven't even been knitting as much. Haven't made knit group in several weeks! I miss that time but at the same time it's good I've had some TS stuff. So anyhow, I've got several quilts which must remain nameless right now as some are gifts...Here is what I finished on Sat...

First time ever doing triangles plus I did a zigzag stitch for decoration so I am fairly satisfied with how it turned out...when I fold it up it's pretty much the exact same size all around which is awesome...I guess the only thing is that it is very square...but since I'm still learning it's all good...the one I'm working on now is a Carebears quilt and I know for a fact it is not so square! Oh, also on Friday night I cut and did the colorfast treatment on some photos for another quilt...after Carebears I HAVE to get going on that one! So I guess this is all for now...

Accomplishments

NONE! Sick again this weekend w/strep...AGAIN...wondering why I'm all of the sudden getting it again. It's been 4 or 5 years since I had it last!

Did start cutting squares for my next quilt...anxious as I'm trying to plan this and really hoping this one turn out...of course each should get better than the last...practice makes perfect...hope to cut more for that one tonight after the boys are in bed. We'll see...Caden did NOT have a good night so we're all kind of tired! I guess we'll see...hopefully I'll have something to show by this weekend!

How I got started...

Upon the suggestion from a good friend, I'm going to post how I got started doing anything I do. She thought it might be nice to share it.

First came knitting. I originally started way back when I wanted to quit smoking...I needed something to keep my hands busy. So I bought "I taught myself to knit" at Walmart and went to it. It worked...I quit 6 years ago and finished my first blanket...it was huge and I had pieced the whole thing together...I didn't pay attention to dye lots or anything like that so the thing is rather strange but again, it's huge and holds sentimental value b/c it was the very first. I still have the blanket sitting in the closet. Didn't do much knitting for a long time after that. I didn't know how to purl and I didn't know how to follow a pattern. So I just kind of stopped.

Next I taught myself to crochet. This went on for some time although I still didn't know how to follow a pattern. I made several baby blankets and each got better than the last. Did probably 10 baby blankets and then stopped crocheting.

Then came sewing. Never had sewn more than a button until about 5 years ago. I got a sewing machine for Christmas. My first project was a memory quilt for my sister's wedding shower. I got out some old pictures and made some other things to add to the quilt like "The Log" (you just had to be there and no I'm not talking about poo). I was just kind of winging it since I had nobody to teach me how to use this machine Santa had brought me. Somehow I got this quilt together and since I'm a rather large perfectionist I had to come up with a way to fix anything that wasn't perfect. So ribbon was sewed on and worked 'ok'. That was 4 1/2 years ago. I've sewed some over the years...when friends/sisters had babies. I was flattered last year when a friend who liked the two blankets I made for her girls asked me to sew a blanket for a friend of hers. With every blanket I learn something new about my sewing machine or another way to use it or stitch with it. Every blanket gets a little easier and quicker. Recipients seem to like the blankets so I think I'm doing an 'ok' job with them. I just keep trying to improve!

A few months ago I found a group of ladies that knit/crochet/bead...just about everything! Love the group and look forward to it every single week. It was a few months ago that I attempted my first baby hat. It didn't turn out great but I can see vast improvement with each hat I make now. I've learned abbreviations and basically the "right" way to knit. I had no clue that way back when I wasn't even doing it right! I can now follow many patterns and have a group of ladies that I can ask if I get stuck. Each hat looks better and better!

So, that in a nutshell is how I started doing everything I do. Nobody has taught me how to do these things which is why they are not perfect or perhaps not the most precise. I try my hardest though and hopefully people really are enjoying when I make these for them and not feeding me a line of bull!  :)

Working right now on more of an actual quilted blanket. We shall see how it goes...will post when it is complete.

Weekend accomplishments

So I finally got a blanket done. Seems like every time I get out the sewing machine one child or another will not leave me alone long enough to actually DO something. So while Caden napped, Gavin "helped" me put "pokies" in...then I was able to sew it up with both boys watching me. Nothing elaborate but should be perfect for the NICU. Also was able to finish up another little blue hat. Last night I got started my last little pumpkin hat (I think).

Weather here was finally enjoyable even if we did stay indoors a good portion of the weekend! Hello FALL (or as much of one as you get in the South!!)!

Accomplishments

So I accomplished quite a bit this weekend...started a quilt with my new quilting supplies...started sewing them together until the baby woke up. Also finished a hat on Friday night, did another pumpkin one Sat and finished another random one today! Trying to use up some of the yarn I already have before I go crazy and buy a bunch more for Santa hats :) Here is what I finished this weekend...

Done Sat-Will be adding a Pumpkin ribbon...white was all I had at the moment....

Finished Fri night-Pooh was the best I could do :)

Randomly done on Sun...no good head to model on...must find someone with a spare doll head...

Little blue eyelet

So here is the little blue eyelet hat I finished this morning. Super stretchy and cute as can be. The i-cord is missing on this one but it still turned out good IMO.

Here's the pattern link:
http://woolwindings.blogspot.com/2007/11/preemie-hat-pattern.html

Poo and fevers

So between HORRID diaper rash on one child and high recurring fevers on the other, I haven't gotten very far this week on my hat :( What I have gotten done I'm not thrilled with. It's supposed to have eyelets but the eyelets aren't even noticeable...I may start over on this one!

Can't get the idea of trying to do something good for kids and/or NICU babies around Christmas. I think I might ask my knitting group girls if any are willing to commit to making an item or 2 items or more...see if they have any interest in it...

So excited as we're meeting at a knitting store tomorrow in town...I've never been there but have a feeling I'll go there more than once! Thinking tomorrow my purchase might just be square knitting needles! We shall see...

Weekend

So I didn't actually get to make any blankets as planned this weekend. Wound up sick and glued to the couch whenever the boys didn't need me. Have a Tastefully Simple party next weekend but I'm hoping maybe I'll get a chance on Sunday or something...Also am starting a new hat today...not sure if I'll attempt another pumpkin or break out a brand new ball of yarn......decisions, decisions.....

2nd preemie pumpkin

So this is something I just randomly did.

Knit with Peaches 'n Cream yarn (got to love that it's only a $1) using the Magic Loop method. Used size 5 circular needles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtBSmxGomPk&p=057092DE55B6981C&playnext=1&index=8

Cast on 48
K6, P2 for 26 rounds
Changing to green
Knit round 27
Purl round 28
Decreases:
K6, K2tog
Knit 1 round
K5, K2tog
Knit 1 round
K4, K2tog
Knit 1 round
K3, K2tog
Knit 1 round
K1, K2tog
Purl 1 round
K2tog all the way around

Then I just made a stem on top and sewed it shut!

Not my favorite but not bad seeing as I totally made it up as I went...

Another pumpkin...

So rather excited by the hat I'm doing right now...So far it looks slightly more like a pumpkin...now i just have to keep it looking like that!! Hopefully be able to finish it by the weekend. Will be busy tomorrow night with a Tastefully Simple party but I shouldn't be late so maybe I'll still get to work on it after that! This weekend I'm breaking out the old sewing machine again to make up some blankets. I've got plenty of fabric to use up!! Make hubby happy too to get some of that fabric used up!!

Leah's Blanket

Made this while my niece Leah was still in the womb. Finished March 2010.

Teeny hat

This I believe was an actual Bernat Softee pattern

Pumpkin Hat

Pattern I found online...see link...just made a couple stems instead!http://www.20hatsproject.blogspot.com/

My goal

Alright...the whole purpose of me even starting this blog is because I feel like this is something I can do to make a difference. A small way I can give back...this uses my imagination and I put a whole lot of love into whatever I'm working on.  I am by no means an expert seamstress or an experienced knitter...but I enjoy doing it and have heard from many that it is terribly appreciated. If anyone is interested I'll share patterns I use and pics of the finished products before I turn them over to the local NICU.

I hope that others will join me in this little quest...I would love to be able to consistently make large, monthly donations to the NICU. To make sure that the NICU NEVER runs out...I would love to be able to raise funds and be able to do holiday themed day where a bunch of us sit down and make gifts like pj's or quilts or hats for the kids who are stuck in the hospital over the holidays...to hopefully brighten their spirits and put them in the holiday mood! I want to make preemie holiday themed hats...who knows, maybe someday I can even come up with some of my very own!

Obviously I'll never meet every baby that I ever knit or sew a blanket/hat for...but it doesn't matter. This is the baby's first blanket or first hat and I can only hope that their mother/father will keep it and cherish the memories that go with it. Alright, enough sappiness!!

April