rocks with sweaters

Let's face it. It's cold out there. Well in the northeastern US it is.

Dear friends of ours gave us rocks as a gift.

A whole beautiful bagful one day last summer. They were moving to London and had already carried them from England to NY and well one of them didn't want to cart them back to England.

They are from Cornwall near the ocean and there are so many stunning ones. I really should have photographed the 'naked' ones for you. Some of them have these great details like there will be a beautiful single white swirly stripe or multiple stripes amongst a shadowy gray or a perfectly shaped oval or the one with the eight on it which happens to be my favorite number.

Someday, I plan to mail some of them back to my friend, who was slightly distraught that her husband gave away their rocks, with a few other pleasant handmade surprises. I think perhaps for her birthday which happens to be 2 days before mine. I am pretty sure they don't read my blog so it should be a happy surprise.

So yesterday, I decided to give felted rocks a try. It's basically wrapping the rock with wool roving and then getting it warm and soapy with warm water and well, soap, smoothing it and then putting it in a stocking and the washing machine. Okay, here are directions

Here are the ones that came out. A few got tossed out of the stocking in the machine... not sure why.

So, there you have it...rocks with sweaters

mary jane slippers

I have always loved Mary Jane shoes. They are the 'it' shoe for little girls and big girls with little girl hearts. Last year I found this pattern on PurlBee and immediately knew I wanted to make them.
Almost a year later I have my slippers.
With the temperatures in the teens and more time spent indoors this was the perfect project to make and start enjoying in the Winter. In January when things are sort of blah, the bright colors and soft shoes are perfect for a little pick me up.
Go ahead and knit yourself a pair- you won't be sorry.
All the details of yarn, needles are the same ones you find in the pattern.

finally friday

I couldn't think of a title for this post so please forgive this silly one, ok?

So, the baby is sick- coughing, runny nose and I think teething too. She has been having trouble sleeping. Poor girl! The night before last I only had three hours sleep. Yikes!

M only had school one day this week as it was cancelled on Wed. (he usually goes 2 mornings) because of ice (which there was not much of).
Okay, but all in all it wasn't really a horrible week. Just long! I got used to those short holiday weeks.
So, how about some sweet things to brighten up your Friday.
I have been working on inventory mostly this week

I've been doing some appliques (here is a sampling)



And, some sewing of smocks (actually made 2 of that pink one so four all together)


Some mailing out of birthday invitations and thinking about party decor etc.
Someone is turning 1 next month.
We customized the invite with our info. but found the layout here.

And... knitting another pair of slippers because I wasn't all that crazy about the fit on these ones. I still wear them though. Am crossing my fingers that the news ones are done next week.

the dollhouse

One year for Christmas when I was a young girl Santa brought me a dollhouse. Santa or rather Mrs. Santa (okay my Mom) pieced together and painted this dollhouse for me and now as of 2 days ago it is now in my home and my room. I'm thinking of putting it in the attic though today and surprising the baby with it when she is a little older (or should I put it in her room now?)decisions...

I spend part of the morning playing with my dollhouse and memories of playing with it surfaced and it was just wonderful. Such a delightful moment in time as I took out each doll and chair, brass bed and bedding, the pie, a little vase and cups, sink etc.

I've noted that a few pieces are missing: the table, the boy doll and baby doll but it appears most of it is there and intact.

There is also a pretty needlepointed rug that was made by my Aunt Lillian. I would never have remembered that she made it had this not come up in conversation recently.

My Mom ripped the rugs out because they were old and most likely yucky. Carpeting was more in style then.

Right now I don't want to do anything to it but, someday I may remodel it. Then again maybe I won't for history's sake.

How can you not love the spinning wheel?

Note: This year Santa brought the kids this dollhouse which is a bit more sturdy and can withstand rougher play.

cinderella, found in the attic

About a month or so ago, my Mom brought me a little find from her attic. My light switch cover from when I was a baby. How amazing! Scarlet and I just love it. I wonder what else was in my room....

This might say something about my Mom and I because this is the exact type of thing I would have bought in a antique store/etsy/ebay had I been looking.

When I sat to write this I remembered a post of Emily's from when she had a really great day thrifting and after a search I found she has the matching lamp.

owl sweater

I realize I have yet to complete the two sweaters I began this fall in earnest and then let fall by the wayside but this sweater is making me so crazy/happy and I really want to knit it. The pattern will be free on Ravelry soon. I hope it is not too hard to do because I really want to give it a go. Now I've got to figure out how to justify buying the yarn.

new year, new dress

A new dress -cut out and sewn for my baby girl.
A perfect way to start off the new year.
The dress just needs a hem and the tie to be put through the casing. Done
Happy 2009 everyone!