Blog-iversary!!! and a little giveaway (NOT a bear) to celebrate!

 

 

I took a class once with Anna Zilboorg.  What an amazing character!  The class was on strip knitting, and as many weekend classes will do....this one had us making a teddy bear sized sweater.    Our assignment was to bring a bear and multiple colors of the same weight yarn.  Things went pretty well in the beginning, although I think I was the only one in the class with DK weight yarn (the directions might have specified worsted (!) but I had more colors of DK) so I was forced to knit like a whirling dervish to keep pace.  Also, Ted E. Bear was a bit paunchier than his peers in the class, so his sweater needed to be a tad bigger;  it was a good choice-- the dk weight was far more flattering than the worsted would have been. Things were progressing well until the end of class.   All those loose ends!  So, I'm working on tucking them in--when Anna declared she never tucks in loose ends.  No one sees them, no one cares.  (no one cares???  really?)  It was break time---everyone was breaking but me....I just had to take care of those ends.  I HAD TO.  Anna came over, complimented me on the sweater (like she did to everyone) and declared it beautifully finished.....teddy bears really didn't care about those ends.  

Ted E. Bear cared---(and he told her so).  

I'll come back to Ted in a minute......

Can you believe I've been merrily blogging for a year??  A YEAR????  What started as a little personal knitting journal has turned in to a venue where I've met some of the most remarkable, creative, intelligent people..... who truly have made my world a better place.  I cook better (healthier), I take better pictures, I'm inspired to try new things---from all of you who have hopped into this little space and welcomed me into yours.  The one thing that you all haven't been able to do, though, is improve my sewing skills.  I still stink at it.

So, of course, this is what I've chosen to give in my give-away.  #1 Daughter found this fabric---I couldn't resist!!

 Yep.....that's the Lorax and friends----KNITTING!!!  I had to make SOMETHING out of this!!!  Sewing machine is dragged out of the closet.....maybe if I really really stay focused, my Japanese knot bag will turn out PERFECTLY.  (I've made a bunch of these----they are just the thing for small projects-on-the-go---mine all look sort of jimmy-wonked, but I still love them.)  I used to think that it was my machine's fault.  It is a BASIC one---it sews a straight line (does go backwards) and zigzags.  No fancy stitches, no blind hemming, no buttonholes, no serging, no computerized anything.  (Let's be honest, here--I make jammies for me and the grands, aprons, tote bags, that's about it.---I don't NEED fancy stitches, blind hemming, buttonholesl --oh maybe, but I can do those by hand-- or serging.  The problem is most definitely a user problem, not a machine one!)  Anyway, I patiently stitched my giveaway gift, and it's as poorly constructed as all the others I've made in the past.  (I did give #1Daughter the first one with the Lorax knitting upside down; that I could fix!)

BUT...even though it isn't perfect, believe me----your socks (or mittens or hat) really, truly won't care.

 

Even Ted E. Bear says so.  And he cares about everything.*

 

(*He's very politcal, too, as you may have noticed, and has collected pins from family and friends for years.  I think the only one that came from me was the Earth Day one!!!  He and I don't talk politics.)

So if you would like to be entered for this very usable, but not perfect knitting pouch---and I bet I might find some goodies to go in it!!--just leave a message below!!!  I'll choose a winner August 14th (my official 1st blogging day).

Comments

[Melissa]

A year?!? Already!?! Time sure is flying; congrats on the Anniversary!

[Debbie]

Congrats on your Blog-i-versary. I really enjoy your blog and you have inspired me in many ways...especially to explore and enjoy my creative side. Thanks. I hope you will keep going for many years to come. Please enter me in your give-away...even though I can't knit (wish I was your neighbor because I know you would teach me) I could sure use that fun bag for my crocheting projects and we LOVE Dr. Suess around here!! Enjoy the week ahead.

[lori]

congratulations steph! i hope this is the first year of many.i know just how you feel about blogging, i wish everyone had one so they'd know too, it's a life changing blessing.

your knitting is so amazing, your teddy sweater is perfect. i would have had to weave those ends too (i just learned a new way, it looks like your making a duplicate stitch, it really hides those bits).

and i really LOVE your bag. it's so cute! the lorax, knitting, the color and i really love small bags. my husband would say i have enough, but he would be mistaken, i need an orange lorax bag! thank you for the giveaway!

[lori]

p.s. thank you for reminding me i have a blogaversary coming up too!

[tanna]

Congratulations on a year of blogging!! I am so happy you started and love finding inspiration here. Here's to many more years of knitting and blogging! LOVE the teddy sweater AND the tote!!! blessings ~ tanna

[Heather]

Happy blogiversary! Wonkiness is part of sewing imo. I have a fancy machine and a few other vintage ones. I wish I had saved my money as I prefer the vintage machines and their solid parts. The computer is overrated.

[Jen]

Congratulations & Happy Blog-ivarsary!! I'd be the same way with the ends....they MUST be tucked in! The bag came out beautiful and what awesome fabric!

[Jenny]

Congratulations and thank you. I say thank you because in the short while I've been reading your blog, it has become one of my favorites. You always have neat things in it and update regularly. I know it's a lot of work so thank you.

[swanski]

Congrats on your anniversary!! Time flies when you are having fun :) It seems like you've been doing this forever to me!!

[Melissa]

Congrats Steph!! I'm so glad we met. I've discovered so many kindred spirits by blogging. I'm so glad to add you to that list of friend!

[Tracey]

Well, congratulations on your blog anniversary! Time does go by so fast, especially when you're having fun.
I love the Lorax and well anything Dr.Suess,but the Lorax knitting is just over the top. I would love to win a project bag. Thanks Stephanie it's adorable.

[Amber]

Congratulations! I love to read your blog. It usually always either makes me gasp with delight at your amazing knitting projects and pictures or laugh at your funny stories. Hugs, Steph!

[Vickie]

I can't believe it's been a year!! And I'm still very impressed with your sticktoitness. I've seen your sewing...and as usual you don't give yourself enough credit!! Congratulations...and thanks for letting me appear as a visitor now and then:). It always makes me feel like a star when I'm mentioned!

[valleyp]

Congratulations on your blog-iversary! I love reading your blog everyday (I do check everyday!) You inspire and make me smile (even laugh out loud at times).

[Shannon]

Congratulations! I always love looking at your knitted items (with a mixture of awe and envy). :)

[Emma]

Congratulations on a year of blogging. I have found your blog via ravelry you have so many lovely items on your project page.

[Olallieberry]

Congrats on Year One! I really enjoy your blog Steph, so glad to have found you! AND, very impressed with your lovely Lorax bag, well done!! ;^D

[autumngeisha]

Happy one year blogiversary! I love visiting your blog because of your creativity and sense of humour. The lorax knitting pouch is beyond fantastic and perfectly reflects all the things I love about your blog!

[Erin @ Wild Whispers]

Lovely! I'd use the bag tons... thanks for the opportunity to win it! Happy Blog-iversary! I love reading what you are up to!