Knitting Again

So excited to be knitting again after a long bout with pregnancy induced carpal tunnel. I am back to knitting socks, which are my fave to work on. I don't know why I love knitting socks so much. Maybe its because it's the portability, or the yarn, or the coziness of it. Or, maybe its because even when it's 100 degrees in the Memphis summer time, I can still knit socks and not be covered up and sweating under a heavy project. In any sense, sock knitting makes me feel relaxed by giving me something to do while sitting still, which is a difficult thing for me.

Being the thrifty wife and mother I am, and due to our current recession, I went in search of places to find free patterns and great deals on yarn. I consulted one of my dear knitting friends and she suggested Knitting Pattern Central. If you are a knitter and you've never visited that site, go now. I found an amazing selection of wonderful sock knitting patterns for free! I spent about an hour downloading and saving all of the PDF patterns. I plan on working these 2 in the near future:

 Air Raid Socks

Tidal Wave Socks

I was also suggested a great site KnitPicks where I found sock yarn for as little as 4.00 a ball. And, I snagged this listing of Brown Sheep Sock yarn for super cheap on Etsy.

Two of my favorite sock books that I own are Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch and Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. The first one is a must for every sock knitter because it basicly teaches you how to design your own socks to fit your foot and your style. I have used it for many of my projects. The second one beautifully reproduces patterns from the 1800's to fit today's yarns and styles. When I knit from this book, I feel a strong connection to my grandmother knitters.

Ruffles

Okay, so I love ruffles! I just love how feminine they are and how they make me feel so pretty and girlie. Yesterday, I was reading through the Dashboard and found this tutorial from Tea Rose Home for a gorgeous ruffled shirt made from bargain T-shirts. Can't wait to make!

Babylicious

Yesterday during naps (I have gotten both babies on a very similar nap schedule. Yay!), I did some baby themed stuff. First off, I made baby applesauce like Dianne Keaton in "Baby Boom" and second, I finished Caleb's new diaper bag. He needed a new one badly, especially since I was using his sister's old green one that had had so much stuff crammed into it that it was about to fall apart. Plus, I was ready to show off my sewing skills with a cute bag made the way I want it and with the fabric I want. I used Patty Young's  Mezzanine Fabric and The Avilo Tote pattern in extra large size. I used the bag for the first time today for a quick trip out, and I am in love. I was able to fit all of my baby essentials, plus diapers, snacks, crayons, and books for my toddler. I am seriously considering making another one for my little girl to take to mothers' day out and a slightly smaller one for myself for knitting, books, etc.
Next month, Caleb turns 4 months, and I (along with our pediatrician) am a firm believer in starting solids as soon as possible. I tried it with Katie, and she seemed to be a lot happier and satisfied. I also think that it is not necessary to start baby out on rice cereal. It's a good thing, don't get me wrong, but I like doing first fruits and veggies better. With Katie, I started with rice cereal and applesauce. It tasted better and she seemed to eat it more readily. So, without further ado, I have included my recipe for baby applesauce. This recipe can also be easily adapted for pears, peaches, and sweet potatoes.

Baby Applesauce

You will need one 3-5 pound bag of sweet apples (I like Gala, but Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Pink Lady are fine too), a large sauce pan, a food processor or blender, ice cube trays or freezer safe plastic containers.
Place peeled, cored, and chopped apples in saucepan and add just enough water to cover them. Simmer on Medium heat until they are just tender enough to be cut with a wooden or plastic spoon.

 Remove from heat and allow to cool in pan for about an hour or so. Drain and place fruit in food processor.

Pulse until apples are a very thin puree for younger babies. For older babies who are ready for more texture, you can do a chunkier puree.

Spoon into ice cube trays or into freezer safe containers. Cover trays loosely with aluminum foil and place in freezer overnight. Take cubes out the next day and place in gallon sized, labeled freezer bag.

Apples can be frozen up to four months. Take out and thaw in refrigerator overnight or defrost in microwave before serving.  Your baby will love it!

Here are some pics of Caleb's new diaper bag:

Super cute isn't it? I love the nice long straps, the inner pockets (which I custom made to hold 2 bottles), and the overall roominess of it.

New Projects and Etsy Store reopening

I finally have gotten the Etsy store back up and running in the last week, however, it is still a major work in progress since I have been working on tons of new stuff since I went on maternity leave last October. My problem is finding the time between crafting, taking care of babies, and cleaning house to sit down and list everything. I try to do a little at a time, but when I do that, I become a crazy Etsy posting woman and I can't stop myself!
Here is a preview of some projects that I have been doing. They have either been just recently listed or are coming soon to the shop:

 

Abbey's bag. I made this for my sister in law for Christmas, and it turned out so cute I decided to list it.

Caleb overalls. Available in 2 lengths and in a variety of gingham colors. Monogramming is extra.

The Kaitlin top. Loving the colors in this one!

 

Brown Bubble Wrap reversible top.

Limelight dress. Super cute for warm weather!

I also just got tons of new fabric in from my new favorite fabric store Down Shadow Lane, which is located just over the bridge in Jonesborough, so I get it really fast. Next up, I am making a diaper bag for Caleb and some pillows to give the living room some pizazz.

New Patterns

Today, I used my Christmas cash to buy some super cute patterns both for me and for little miss Cupcake Katie. I love Whimsy Couture, and right now they are 3 for 18.00, so I took advantage of the price and purchased her Ladies' Pillowcase Top, Ladies' Peasant Top, and Over Tops and Dresses pinafore. They were sent to me super fast via email. I also bought Sis Boom's Megan Peasant Top and Dress pattern. So excited to be making stuff for me to wear! I feel like I have been pregnant for 3 years straight and am really looking forward to being back in normal clothes. For Katie, I got Romeo and May's Lucia Halter dress and I broke down and bought Izzy and Ivy's Macy Giggles Dress. They were both too cute that I just had to have them. Now I am torn as to which dress I should make for Katie's birthday next month. Here's a few pics of these lovely patterns:

 

 

 

Izzy and Ivy

Just found the cutest patterns at one of my new favorite online shops, Fairy Tale Frocks and Lollipops . They are by Izzy and Ivy, and they are precious, frilly, and very girlie, which is totally my sewing style. The Izzy and Ivy blog is having a give-away of either a pack of 6 patterns or an adorable ruffled bag. Head on over and check them out! Yay for giveaways!!!

Here are just two of the patterns available:

 

Recent Projects

I am finally posting! It's been a crazy seven weeks complete with new baby boy and lot's of illness. However, I have managed to get a few little dresses done in my not so spare time thanks to my wonderful husband!

 

 

This was made with Whimsy Couture's Ruffled Neckline dress Pattern

 

Whimsy Couture's  Reversible A-line Tops and Sew Sensible's Boutique Bottoms patterns

 

 

 

Mani Mina's  reversible Kimono Wrap dress pattern (Notice she is wearing my sock pulled all the way up to her knee in a couple of these pics. Silly girl!)