catching up....

I know.  I know.  This space has once again been sort of neglected.  (sorry.)  So, it's time to catch up.  

The week....

::a visit with our son and family....we dragged daughter and her boys with us, so all the grands were together; we were only missing SIL who had to work.  We celebrated 3 birthdays, saw three grands' basketball games, went out to dinner, and managed to watch the Xavier game.  Then we white knuckled it the 5 hours---that turned into 6 1/2---home in a blizzard.  Gone less than 48 hours.  Phew.  That was fun.  (I think.)

::an antiquing trip to Nashville with a friend.  'The Plan' was to find a corner cupboard for our new renovated space...maybe a table...maybe a big vintage 'teaching poster' for one of the walls....some rugs.  I bought a hooked rug (on a stretcher, so it can be hung...but it says 'Welcome' and that really isn't appropriate for hanging on a bedroom wall, now, is it??!!!?), a teeny British metal wheel barrow, a cutting board, and a turkey cookie cutter.  So much for 'the plan'.  Nothing ended up in the new space.  It was a fun trip.

::Empty Bowl project lunch with a friend and about a million other people because it was a beautiful 70+ degree day.  (Yes, that's my bowl in the photo.)

::cleaned out the greenhouse, two closets, the basement, and the front porch (it was a pretty day, remember?)....moved an old zinc-topped table to the new space (where the corner cupboard was supposed to be) and saved us between $2500-$3500 (the prices I saw on a couple cupboards that wouldn't hold the TV anyway).  Hubby has NO idea what a deal I can be....but I'm reminding him daily.

:: read When Breath Becomes Air.  If you only read one book this year, this should be the one.  

::and then the knitting...little croft pincushion---done.  Basic socks----done.  (the black yarn bled all over myself through the whole project.  Blech.)  Started Snowfling mitts...love the Tanis fiber yarn soooooo much!  (this was a kit)

How could I have failed to put Miss Bunny in Ravelry?  (The blog is not the only space that's been neglected.) Julie Williams' patterns are meticulously written, with lots of photos...no detail is overlooked.  I think this one was about 14 pages long.  Lots and lots of finishing work, but if you do what she says, your results will be worth the effort.  And these little toys do take some effort.  I've only made one other, but he turned out just as cute as this one.  I'm thinking that this will be my go-to baby gift...Miss Bunny with a Beatrix Potter book for a girl, and the elephant with a Babar book for a boy.  A Plan.  

I'm full of 'Plans' this week...

After finishing the socks, the little croft, and the bunny---more yarn was added to the 'leftover fingering weight' yarn bag, so decided to start another (drum roll, please....)

Mitered square blanket...this will be #4.  It's a Plan.  

You've seen how some of the plans around here work out.

I'm not holding my breath. 

Comments

[Sara]

I can't tell you how much I adore the bunny and the gift idea! I'm not a fan of knitting little animals (I don't think; I've never really wanted to try!), but I may have to make this one. One of my Etsy shops is based on a book and matching blanket theme (Nest Egg Knits). The idea of a softie with a book is awesome.

Glad you made it back safely through the blizzard. My son was skiing in WVa with a church group and their 6.5 hour trip turned into 12! What a nervewracking day that was!

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

My my, aren't we busy! All such fabulous projects. I adore your bunny! I need to get on a bunny for Reed's Easter basket. I meant to last year but didn't. Bad mom.

[Kim]

You have been busy! Those little croft houses are adorable and I am mulling around the idea of knitting one for each of my knitting friends for Christmas next year. We are all going to the ocean for a weekend in November and going to celebrate Christmas while we are there. December always gets so busy that we recently have had to celebrate in January. The past two years I have sewn them each project bags which they love, but I feel the need to shake things up a little. I would need to knit 6 of them....hmmmm..maybe I should get started now!

Regarding that bunny.... I have mulled that pattern over before, but am wondering if there is a lot of picking up of stitches or if pieces are knit and then sewn on. Picking up stitches freak me out...

I have put that blanket pattern in my favorites. I am starting to acquire lots of left over fingering and don't know what to do with it all. I am a little nervous about how to join all those little squares as picking up stitches, (see above) is still not my forte!

I just have to say, and I mean this in the most un-stalkerish way possible, that I wish we were neighbors. I love visiting you via your blog, and always feel inspired after I do. You seem such a lovely soul and someone it would be nice to sit and chat with while knitting over a cup of tea.

xoxoo

[Aoife]

Yay for the new sock yarn blanket! I am so impressed with how many you've knit! I have a friend who just started one and it's severely tempting me to get back to mine. Trying to bang out a few more pairs of socks first so I can really spend some quality time with it, tho.

[Tahnee]

You've certainly been busy enough to justify a little neglect of the blogosphere. Miss bunny is SO cute! I've been meaning to knit some of the Little Cotton Rabbits patterns and now that a friend of mine is expecting I have the perfect motivation to finally do so.

[DIane]

busy week and I love that you even have a zinc topped piece of furniture -- lucky you.
Thanks for the book recommendation -- with that kind of endorsement I'm heading straight to my Goodreads account to put it on my reading list - thanks!

[rusty duck]

I'm in love with the little croft house..

[Zeta]

You busy girl! I don't know where to start. That knitted little house is just adorable, as is Miss Bunny! I have made lots of amigurumis but I haven't knitted a doll so far. Looks like a real keeper! Every recipient would love it! Another sock blanket? And that will be #4??? You're a hero!

[karen]

I was wondering what you were up to! I am so glad you saw your family but not happy to hear you had to drive through a blizzard. more gray hair I bet!! Love your bunny and that idea for babies is a really good plan. number four mitered blanket??? now that is an ambitious plan!!!

[Caffeine Girl]

Indeed, how could you forget to put Miss Bunny in Ravelry. She is darling beyond words.
Sounds like you had a some great family time. Don't know if I'll ever have grands, as both of my kids say they are too busy to date. But, I'll bet it is fun!

[Tracey]

Every time I see something that you have knit I want to knit one too!
Much love my friend.

[Caroline]

Love those socks. I jsut started my first sock last week and although i'm kinda enjoying it, i'm not sure if number two will be made! It's those dpn's that kep jabbing into me.

[Alina]

Wow! You've been busy! I fell in love with this bunny when you posted it on Instagram - how cute is that?!

[Kat]

Mitered square blanket number 4???? I feel like I'll never be finished with my FIRST one, lol :) I find all of these scrappy blankets so cozy and comforting though, and it's so nice to have one to work on. Enjoy!

[Andi]

A seriously busy and wonderful week, love.
That rabbit makes my heart soar.
The fact that you are making your 4th mitered blanket rocks my world! I was starting to feel sad about the fact that at some point my scrappy blanket would be finished, but the possibility of making 4 has made my happy.

[Elizabeth]

you are making such darling things and the colours of your yarn are just lovely, so cheery! glad you had a visit with your son! and an antiquing trip! fun!!! God bless and have a peaceful day!

[Laura from beautiful West Michigan]

Oh, sweet little mousie! I love all her little creatures. And the little house! Thanks for sharing, and yay for all your energetic project finishing! Send a little of that my way, would you please?

[Anne at Shintangle Studio]

What a charming little thing that Miss Bunny is! My three year old grand-daughter has just had a birthday and I wish I'd known about this pattern beforehand and that I'd made this for her. Perhaps next year . . . . And that little knitted cottage in your first photo reminds me of a cottage my grandparents had years ago near the Welsh border. I think I want that idea knitted into a tea cosy. There must be patterns for such things. Did my grandmother have one or have I just dreamt that up out of cherished memories of visiting England as a child? I'll have to ask my parents . . .

[ellen]

Crazy busy! But family and all the good things. I love those socks, I'm sorry they bled all over you. "bloody socks!" ha!

[Tien]

So many cute things! Those croft houses are going on my to-knit list. The bunny pattern has been in my queue for ages. I love how you can knit separate little outfits for them.