Baby & Piano

This picture takes my breath away. I am new with the Photoshop program and basically stumble across some beautiful effects for the pictures I have. This is a picture of Elias playing with a keyboard. I really wanted to do something fun and precious with this photo and I think I have accomplished just that. It sort of takes my breath away.

I applied a lighting effect because it was really difficult to see his beautiful baby face. Then I added a Diffuse Glow Filter. Ah. I'm in Love.

Two Color, Cable Knit Scarf

Requires: 1 Straight Needles size 8

               1 Cable Needle

               

1. Cast on 11 sts of green. Cast on 11 sts of white.

2. Odd Rows: (beginning with white) Purl 3, Knit 6, Purl 2. Cross green over white, Purl 2, Knit 6 and Purl 3.

3. Even Rows: (beginning with green) Knit 3, Purl 6, Knit 2. Cross white over Green, Knit 2, Purl 6 and Knit 3.

4. Every 5th Row: Purl 3, Place 3 sts on Cable Needle and hold to front. Knit 3, Knit 3 from Cable Needle, Purl 2. Cross green over white, Purl 2, Place 3 sts on Cable Needle and hold to back. Knit 3, Knit 3 from Cable Needle and Purl 3. 

5. Continue until desired length. 

6. Bind off Knitwise. 

7. Weave in loose ends.  

Natalie's Window

                My sister lives across the street from me. The house she lives in has a gorgeous, huge window that is divided into panels. It lets in light from the North side of the house and it creates a great environment for taking photos.

Often when I babysit, I find myself struck with inspiration looking at the babes playing in the daylight. I have taken way too many photos of them sitting by this grand window - I think last time I uploaded the camera it was close to 700 pictures.

Valentine Hat

I wanted to make a cute little cap for Elias for Valentine's Day. It took quite a few tries and is probably a very confusing pattern, but here it is.

Requires: 1 Set Size 8 Needles

               1 Darning Needle
               1 Button

Yarn Used: Lion Brand Jiffy, 100% Acrylic: Silver Heather
                  Lustra by Berroco, 50% Peruvian Wool/50% Tencel Lyocell:
                     Lus Burgundy

Heart
I found it was much easier to create the heart on straight needles utilizing 2 different strands of the Burgundy yarn. I like using this personal variation of the Seed stitch/Moss stitch so that it has a great texture about it and isn’t too perfect. However, it is also the stitch I ended up using for the hat so perhaps creating the heart of Stockinette stitches might be appealing as well.

1. With line 1, CO 3 sts. Repeat with line 2. These will remain separate sections as if using different colors.
2. Row 1: K1, P1, K1 - repeat. Remember to keep the two sections separate until Row 5.
3. Row 2: K1, M1, P1, M1, K1 - repeat. (Makes 5 on each lobe)
4. Row 3: K1, M1, K1, P1, K1, M1, K1 - repeat. (Makes 7 on each lobe)
5. Row 4: K1, P1 - repeat.
6. Row 5: K1, P1 across all sts. To change from first lobe to second, pass thread from second lobe over first line as you would if you were using two different colors and P1 before picking up second lobe. (Makes 15)
7. Row 6: K1, P1 across all sts.
8. Row 7: K2tog, *P1, K1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 13)
9. Row 8: K2tog, *K1, P1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 11)
10. Row 9: K2tog, *P1, K1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 9)
11. Row 10: K2tog, *K1, P1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 7)
12. Row 11: K2tog, *P1, K1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K1tog. (Makes 5)
13. Row 12: K2tog, K1, K2tog. (Makes 3)
14. When 3 sts remain, break thread leaving approximately 5". Thread needle, pass through remaining stitches. Pull tight, knot and weave in loose ends.

Hat
It took a lot of work to figure out this pattern. This was my 7th attempt. The stitches do not go in any perfect order so I have created a grid for the crown. Essentially, after Row 2, when you have made an increase, you start again with the stitch create just previous to the increase. For example, Row 3: K1, P1, M1, P1, K1, M1, K1, P1, M1, P1, K1, M1 etc. The row will ALWAYS begin and end with a Knit stitch.
Click on image to enlarge.

1. Begin by CO 7 sts.
2. Row 1: Use seed stitch - K,P,K.
3. Follow grid above for 16 rows.
4. Rows 16 - 35: make sure to measure as you go, add or subtract from here to fit. Seed stitch, always beginning and ending with a knit stitch.
5. BO Purlwise.
6. Break thread and leave approximately 8" tail. Thread needle, pass through remaining stitches and knot.
7. Use remaining thread to sew up the side seam using the Mattress stitch technique.
8. Knot and weave in remaining ends. (Snip if necessary).

Button
1. Attach button where desired, I placed it off to the side a bit.
2. Push button through center of the heart created above.

Meet the Crew

As I post photos, quotes and thoughts on this blog, I am sure there will be quite a few names that reappear. I spend a lot of time with my son Elias as I am a stay-at-home mom. His growth and development will no doubt be chronicled on this page.

  

Also, my best friend and sister - Natalie - lives right across the street. We spend as much time together as possible and her children, Emma, India and Jude, are so much fun!

 

There will definitely be many hilarious and thought-provoking quotes from India on this page. She is our little drama expert, theologian and all around entertainment.

 Jude is growing so quickly and the photos that I am able to snap of him are some of my favorites.

 Emma leads a busy life as she is involved in her church choir, school honor choir, orchestra and any plays she can find time to participate in whether they be at school, church, the local theatre or just at home with her sister.

My husband Ben works in crop research. He generally tries to dodge the camera but is usually my partner on my journeys.

I will try to remember to introduce other people as I go.

First Official Blog

Hello! This is my first blog. I never thought that I would actually create one, but for some reason I have a desire to log certain items on the web. Hopefully I will be faithful in updating and adding to this site. Also, I hope that whoever is reading this will find the information to be interesting or enjoyable. This is short, but as I am a beginner, I am not quite sure what else there is to say at this point. I guess - keep an eye out and fun items shall be posted soon!