Tuesday's Tribute

Lesa from Lesalicious Style and Life gave me this award yesterday. Thanks Lesa!

I thought Tuesday's Tribute would be a perfect way to pass this on to some of my favorite bloggers to let them know how much I enjoy them. This Tribute's for you ladies!



1. Subway Hooker - Not only does Subway Hooker crochet and knit all sorts of awesomeness, but she also gives a great look into vintage patterns. I would have never discovered the beauty of vintage patterns if not for her. Not to mention the delicious looking bread she keeps baking. Makes me want to get a bread maker every time!

2. Random Meanderings - Bezzie is the chick to check out if you want a nice dose of humor, sarcasm, and baking to go along with the fiber goodness. She's an awesome knitter and her projects are a major reason why I decided to try my hand at knitting. It is tough reading Bezzie's blog while on a diet though...all the cookies! Mmmmm

3. CookNKnit - Karen's is the first knitting blog that I started following. All the credit of that goes to Karen. She started a conversation with me on the subway when I pulled out the hook and gave me my first intro to the world of knitting. Karen's is another blog that is hard to read while on a diet. The cupcakes she bakes makes me want to lick my computer screen.

4. Riohnna - I love reading Angela's blog! She's super talented with thread crochet and especially doilies. Her daily stories always make me giggle. Not to mention the great Monsterling (her baby) pics that always make me smile.

5. Crochet Cami - Cami is about as all around talented as you can get. She crochets, sews, quilts, and is learning to knit too! Cami's quilts are amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. One day, I hope to grow up and quilt just like Cami.


6. Pulsipher Predilections - Kristina is the funniest blogger ever! I learned the hard way not to drink anything while reading her blog. I usually laugh so hard, something is shooting out of my poor nose. Thanks for the laughs! Especially your post about the Snuggie blanket!

7. Red Hair Lady Crochets - Laura always has awesome crochet projects going on. I get a lot of inspiration from seeing the things she's done. This chick is also super smart and keeps me updated with the latest going ons. Not to mention I am totally jealous of her awesome red hair!

Lesa, since you were already nominated, I thought I'd give the spot to someone else. But, I just want to let you know I love your blog and your sewing projects are such a huge inspiration. You rock chica!

Thanks for making the internets an entertaining place to be! Now go nominate your own 7 (if you want).

Baby Randi part 2

This weekend was soooo relaxing. I slept, crafted, and lounged around, leaving me feeling so much better.

Baby Randi got more of my crafting attention. I wanted to make a bib, specifically THIS one from Chickpea studio, but the cotton fabric I had for the backing wasn't large enough. Instead, I drew out a rectangular pattern on a sheet of paper and wound up with this. I use the word pattern very loosely. C'mon, its not so hard to make a rectangle.

I realized that I didn't have snaps either, so ribbon closures it was. Mind you, I had no idea how I was going to sew the ribbon in, but it was a problem that could wait. I pulled out the monster 60's sewing machine and started setting up. It was a no go. The machine started making odd noises and the needle wouldn't move. It sounded like a car whose engine won't start. After over an hour of trying to fix it, and possibly maybe (profusely) swearing at it, I put it away. I had to meet my mom anyway.

Mom and I were running some errands and I started explaining the issue with the sewing machine. She listened to me rant and rave. I was so upset that the f-bomb slipped out while describing it. Oops. Mom looked at me with wide eyes and offered to let me borrow hers. The f-bomb might have shocked her, though she's got a potty mouth as bad as me. Sorry ma!

After all the drama, I was able to attempt the bib and ended up with this. Its far from perfect and riddled with mistakes. See the uneven hem at the bottom? Considering its my first bib, I'm happy with it and am going to give it to Baby Randi anyway. She's going to be spitting and drooling on it. I hardly think she'll mind an uneven seam. I hope!



There's a large amount of fleece sitting in my wicker chest (and more in my closet) that I bought on clearance when the Rag Shop went out of business. I pulled a piece out that had Tinkerbell, thinking it was cute and girly but not too babyish and cut it to be 36" by 36".



I had some leftover Bernat's baby coordinates in yellow and edged it with that (the edging pattern is on the Edgerydoo website). Its a really simple chain edging that was super fast to complete and I love the way it turned out!



When Pi saw it, she started moaning about how much she loves Tinkerbell and she wished I had enough left for her. Funny how last September, when we were shopping for backpacks, she told me only babies (imagine her rolling her eyes here) carried Tinkerbell bags. Indecision much? There's definitely not enough for a big kid blanket but there's enough to make a doll blanket. She seemed pretty happy with that compromise.

My sister had 2 more guest passes to her gym and she let me use one yesterday. I did an hour on the elliptical. An hour! I've never never never done an hour on any exercise machine, even when I was 20 pounds lighter than I am now. I'm pretty proud of myself. If you happen to be walking behind me as I go down the subway steps, don't be alarmed at the "ouch, ouch ouch" that you might hear. :)

Happy Monday peeps!

Baby Randi

Sorry I've been MIA the last few days. I've been crazy busy and just feeling completely drained. Add Aunt Flo to that and well, I'm tired and cranky. I'm hoping to re-charge this weekend and be myself again on Monday.

My last few posts have been minus any kind of craft, but lookie lookie, I finally have something to show! My co-worker had a little baby girl on Christmas Day. Baby Randi was over a month and a half early, so no one was prepared. I'm happy to say that Randi is doing really well and thriving.

Since she came before we could throw a shower, we're throwing a post-birth baby shower next Friday. You know what that means. Baby clothes! Wooo!



I used Yarncat's Cone Hat pattern for the cute little hat. I wanted to do something a little different than a regular baby beanie. The only thing I changed was that I used a fpdc and bpdc to create ribbing on the last 2 rows. I also used Bella Bambina's Kelly Sweater, which you already know is my favorite baby sweater pattern. The elf booties are Maven Haven's Elfin booties.

The purple is all Caron pounder (which gets soooo soft after you wash and dry it). The variegated accents for the pom pom, sweater edging, and bootie edging is Bernat Softee Baby. Its my first time using this yarn and I'm a fan. Its easy to work with and feels soft even before you wash it. I'm hoping to edge some fleece for a baby blanket this weekend, but it depends on how tired I feel.

An awesome surprise arrived in the mail today, all the way from Italy! I'd won a prize from Angela over at My Tangled Threads. The prize was a secret, which was killing my curiosity. It was worth the wait...Angela sent a Brittany hook!

I've heard of these before but had never seen one in person. Its gorgeous, delicate and lightweight. Look at the detailing on the end of the hook. Just wow! Thank you so much Angela! I love it!

Last, but not least, I've got good news and bad news.

The good news: Today was weigh in #2. I lost 3.3 pounds this week, for a total loss of 8.5 pounds in 2 weeks. Woohoo!

The bad news: My fight against Aunt Flo cravings crashed and burned today. I ordered a pizza and...and I enjoyed it, dammit. I should feel guilty, but I don't. Aunt Flo demanded the pizza. Tomorrow, I'll get back and track and chalk up today as a momentary weakness.

Tuesday's Tribute

Today's Tuesday's Tribute is about our departing president Mr. George Bush.



While I think that Bush was not a fabulous president (understatement) and not really a bright man (understatement), I have to give credit where credit is due. Mr. Bush did do a great deal for the Pro-Life movement and I applaud his Supreme Court appointments. Yet, by far, his best achievement has been the creation of Bushisms. Mr. Bush was quite possibly the funniest president this nation has ever had. Really, what other president inspired whole calendars with Bushisms?



Here are just a few of my favorites.

"Misunderestimate" (November 6, 2000).

"I'm the decider." (April 18, 2006).

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." (September 29, 2000).

"You work three jobs? ? Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." (February 4, 2005).



"Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" (January 11, 2000).

"It was not always certain that the U.S. and America would have a close relationship." (June 29, 2006).

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." (May 24, 2005).



Sorry BO, as charming as everyone seems to think you are, you just can't rival Bushisms.

I've given birth to...

A babushka! haha. Piper and I took a run to Sears this weekend with my dad to return something and the little babushka was clearly cold and tired. When I turned around in my seat and saw that, I just about died laughing.



Speaking of Pi, she got the strangest assignment last week. She's learning about immigrants in school and her teacher told them that part of their homework was to learn to the words to Coming to America by Neil Diamond.

I'll pause while you re-read that and let it sink in. Uh-huh, I'm not joking.

Now, I'm not sure about you guys, but Neil Diamond isn't a huge deal in my house, so I didn't have this song already. Hubby bought the MP3, looked up the lyrics, and let Pi go to town with the song. She's been listening to it everyday, at least 12-13 times a day. At full volume. And do you know what? She friggin loves the song.

Unfortunately, for hubby and I, the song is stuck in our heads. We can't get it out and trust me, we've tried. Its like Chinese torture.

Not much crafting going on this weekend. Saturday was full of chores and Sunday I had to make the decision to use my free time to craft or use the free buddy pass my sister has for her gym. I went with the buddy pass and worked out. I will have to hook soon though...there's a baby shower coming up in about a week.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Week one completed!

My first week of the biggest loser challenge is completed! If I do say so myself, it was really tough but worth it. I lost 5.2 pounds this week and am in 35th place out of 103 players! Booyah!

I rarely use the word hate, as I feel its really really strong. But I'm going to use it today. I hate you, elliptical. I know we have the same goal - banishing the lard - but can't you take it easy on me just a little? No? I didn't think so. Bite me!



My family has been really supportive and has been trying really hard not to tempt me. Well, that was the case until this box of school candy came home, calling my name in all of its chocolaty goodness. Chrisssstina...Chrisssstina.... eat ussssss....we're preciousssss. Did you notice that the box sounds like Gollum too? Creepy.



Hubby and Pi each had a bar. I stared in disbelief and horror. I was drooling to boot. So in desperation, I ran to the kitchen and grabbed this. Thank goodness for Jello. Seriously, this stuff will take most of the craving away when I need a lil sumthin sumthin. Since I've been eating more of it, I've been buying the boxed stuff that you make yourself. Its half the price of the ready jello.



Last night, we went grocery shopping after work. Normally, we go out to eat because neither hubby or I feels like cooking after we get back from shopping. Hubby and Pi wanted Burger King. The panic bells started ringing in my head. RUN, RUN STUPID! I think hubby and Pi noticed the panic and they both assured me that BK has salad. Really? Who knew? So I ordered the garden salad with grilled chicken and no dressing. I ate it while inhaling the french fry fumes and you want to know something? I didn't want the french fries! Maybe there's hope for me yet.

I won't get too excited though, because yodels still look awfully sexy to me.

P.S. - Thanks for the school info Laura. Pi's school is not affected, but the other school in the neighborhood is one that is closing. Its sad, really sad, but the diocese has to do what it can to protect the schools that can stay open.

P.P.S. - You guys convinced me. I'm going to enter the hat in the Vanna contest.

Baby Petal Hat

(photograph by Samantha Adams Photography)

This is newest baby hat design. I think I'm going to call it the Baby Petal Hat, since my inspiration was flower petals. Its made in panels to give the feel of separate petals.

I'm terrible at sitting down to type up my patterns, but I'm going to work on it in the next week or two. I need to perfect the other sizes and then I'll put it in my Etsy store. This is the 3-6 month size.

I'm thinking of entering it in the Vanna's Choice Contest. Do you think its decent enough to enter? Slap me with your honesty, please!

Thanks again Samantha for such an awesome picture!