Now where was I?

Oh yes, projects.

But first, I know I didn't get a chance to say thanks to all of you who left me such nice get well messages. I went from feeling a little better Monday night, to even better Tuesday, to thinking I was surely going to die of a head explosion yesterday. I did absolutely no knitting for the last two days and went to bed early. Very rare for a busy body like me. Usually I'm more of this variety: I feel like my head is going to expolode and this pain is unbearable. I need to go to bed. But first I have to wash the floor, do the dishes, and knit twenty more rows on my sock. Which is probably why I'm so sick in the first place. But today was good, and while I did wash the floor I took it easy most of the day.

So anyway, before I gave in to the sinus infection of death, there was a dragon at my spinning wheel.


He's been making frequent apperances lately, which should make his grandmother very happy that money for the dragon costume has been well spent. The dragon, along with his assistant, the tiny Wool-Eater, had been helping me to spin this:

Into this:

Which now looks like this:

Still pretty uneven. My spinning is still in the "woo-hoo, I'm SPINNING!!!" stage which means I just keep spinning away, oblivious to being even slightly even. But it's still beautiful, and really, how even can you get with a dragon and baby who eats wool as your assistants?

Next, the pincushion:

Nothing too fancy. My first attempt at piecing anything together. But hey, it's cute and does the trick.

This is my favorite:

Another one? Yes, but not just any old needle roll. A sock needle roll. A tiny roll for tiny needles.


See those little six inch size zeros in there? Yes folks, no more needles sliding around in a too-big needle roll that was meant for seven inch size eights. This is for teeny-tiny sock needles only! And with interfacing...no more poking holes in the bottom. I'm very excited about this, and guess what? There will be more coming!

The only thing I'm a little dissappointed with is that the inside panel was supposed to be off-center on purpose, but I didn't off center it enough so it just looks like I can't measure. Other than that I'm pleased with the roll as well as my sewing skills. All those hearts made this a breeze.

Finally, the Ann Budd Raglan of Interweave Knitts, Spring 2004. It's been hiding in my closet for two years. It used to be my lunch project, and I lost interest while pregnant since it would be no fun to finish it and not get to wear it. But now it's back, and I'm decreasing.


Little Man's suggestion? "Take is apart. It's yucky." (Someone didn't think taking pictures of Mama's stuff was a fun afternoon activity. I can't understand why.)

I also have started some socks for the Skeptic but no pictures yet, as my picture taking mission had to come to a close. I'm sure you all understand why.

Now, off to another early bedtime.

Valentine's Day?

Yeah, our Valentine's decorations are a little bit late. But, I'm pleased that I stuck it out and finished this little garland up.

The lighting wasn't so hot and I had a hard time getting a good shot. But they look beautiful hanging by the window and I'll leave them up until Easter, to add a bit of color to the house. Lately I'm wishing for the house to be filled with color. It feels so blah lately....

The heart garland is a kit from Anna Maria Horner. This was a perfect practice project for me. Practice in using my rotary cutter for more than straight lines (easy!) and having to sew curves (HARD!) although I got better.

The big trouble was my sewing machine. All of a sudden it wouldn't bring up the bobbin thread. I messed with it for an hour and gave up. The suggestion at Mom's Night last evening was to change my needle and wind a new bobbin. Those mamas are smart, it did the trick and the garland was finished last evening.


Now for a little envy: SOCK CLUB!!!


I joined one at Spunky Eclectic. I love her colors and you join on a month to month basis, which I like. The one for February is called Forecast.


Considering we're swamped with snow here, it's perfect. We're gonna hunker down for the next day and enjoy a nice snowstorm!

And just because there's always room for a good laugh at the end of a post, guess what Little Man called me this morning? "Friggin' Mom. Friggin, friggin Mom!" He did not like the lack of chocolate in his breakfast options. Apparently the Skeptic and I have not cleaned up our vocabulary quite enough.

As promised.....

Laundry Detergent

You will need:
2-3 T essential oil (orange and lavendar are my favorites)
1/4 cup green clay powder
12 cups baking soda
13 cups borax

I buy the essesntial oils and green clay powder at my coop. If you don't have a local natural foods shop check out Frontier.

Mix the oil and green clay powder thoroughly together in a bucket. Then, add a few cups of borax and baking soda at a time, mixing the clay/oils bits throughout. Keep mixing until it's all blended together. There! You've got laundry detergent!!!

Use about 1/8 cup per load, 1/4 cup if things are extra dirty and stinky (which is far too often in this house, as far as I'm concerned.)

That gorgeous pile of fabric is from here. Anna Maria is one of my favorite fabric designers and bloggers. That fabric is destined for patchwork curtains. I've got some big time plans for sewing around the house. I've realized that my home has gotten a little too much red/brown in it and it's feeling a little blah. Actually, I've been thinking a lot lately about how my tastes in design around the home have changed over the years, but more on that another day. We've got a playgroup to get to!

Oh, Anemoi update before I go: I can see the light. I passed the thumb and got 15 more rounds done last night.

Don't forget the GPA craft fair tomorrow!! I'm hoping to get one last package today of dontations and then I'll get photos up.