Bedside Manners

I know you all are excited because this post is two for the price of one. . .when it comes to marking things off the to do list! We are going to take a look at the bedspread & bedskirt, I made for our bedroom and some night stands Jerod spruced up for me.
Let's start with the bedside tables!
Along in September Jerod took an old, worn out bedside table, we already were using and a rusted typewriter stand and gave them a sanding and a coat of paint and . . .Voila! Fresh, cute and mismatched (while still related) tables.

Ignore the taped together alarm clock on the first table, I am aware it needs replacing.

Now we will move on to the bedspread and bedskirt. There is not too much to say, except that I sewed diagonally cut strips of fabric together, backed them with cotton batting and solid colored cotton and then machine quilted it (sort of). I also made some matching pillow cases and a contrasting bedskirt. I am quite pleased with the results. I would like to make drapes for the room and possibly add a couple of decorative pillows but compared to what it use to look like, it's a 100% improvement.

Oh. . . and Crispin helped me during the sewing process.

Miss Molly (A Secret Knitting Project)

On December 22nd my niece Molly was born! A few weeks before she was born I visited my family in Colorado and took some pre-birth presents to Molly. I have knitted a blanket and hat for both of my sister's other children (Owen and Wyatt) and was not about to stop for her third.

My sister and her husband choose not to find out the sex of their babies so I always try to pick gender neutral colors for these projects, since I complete them before they are born. I also use 100% cotton since I am never sure what type of allergies or skin sensitivities a kiddo might have. On top of feeling good cotton is easy to wash and dry which is nice for kids stuff. For Molly's blanket and hat I used white, yellow and two tones of grey (I have since become obsessed with this color combo. . . you all may see it crop up in a latter project). In my attempt to stay gender neutral I made a detachable flower for the hat, which has come in handy! I used a traditional log cabin pattern for the blanket. You can find a good explanation of this pattern in this book.

I have used a variation on this hat pattern more times than I can count . . . You can find it in this book. And of course I had to include a picture of the adorable Miss Molly Katherine Hobgood all dressed up!

Snow Day

Oklahoma got hit with and actual snow storm (not just ice, although we got some of that too) so Jerod and I both received a day off of work. We decided due to the arctic temps, and the niceness of having an unplanned day off together to have a big breakfast, stay in our comfies (i.e. pajamas and blankets), cuddle with cats, bake and have a casual dinner.

On a side note Mark Bittmans pie crust is delicious as is this Mexican Quiche recipe!

Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip!




Nice, light dinner (from here) to finish off a lazy day.

I found out that I will not be working tomorrow. . . I don't know what I plan to do with it!

To Do List Update!

I did not even come close to completing my before Christmas/New Years to do list. But I did get a couple a things done or at least started. Over the next few days I will post pictures and updates on what I've been working on. Below is the list and where I am at on each item.

1. Knit Mittens-Done
2. Sew two dressed for work-fabric has been purchased...and that is all.
3. Make a plan for backyard-we have a vague plan but won't be able to do much until spring.
3. Secret knitting project-Done, post to come.
4. Surprise sewing project- Done
5. Secret knitting project-Done, post to come.
6. Knit a sweater-In progress, I will post a couple of pictures!
7. Finish bedspreads & bed skirts for both beds- One is Done, post to come. One is in progress.
8. Make new pillows for couch-In progress.
9. Paint and spruce up bedside tables-Done, post to come.

I, of course, will continue to add things to my list. . .hints the name of this blog. So, check the side bar for updates and additions. Also, one of my goals is to post a bit more frequently in 2011 ( I don't think I will add that to my to do list though).
Wish me luck!

Mitten Accomplished

I am FINALLY posting pictures of the mittens I made. I think I finished both of these in October. . .I know it was still warm outside. Obviously, I haven't been great about posting as I complete things. I am going to try to be better about this going forward. We'll see how this goes.

Of the tons of wintery things I have knit and crochet (hats, scarves, shawls) I have never made mittens. Thus my goal of whipping some up this year. I started with this pattern and used a red cotton as opposed to a more traditional wool.

I then figured I would quickly make a pair of wrist warmers from this pattern and a grey acrylic yarn I had lying around (or is it laying around?). Wrist warmers and fingerless gloves are a good option for the Oklahoma fall and spring.