Brakes? Slow Down? Talk to me again after Christmas!!!

As the title of this post suggests, my needles are still on fire!!  I am typically a knitter who works on one project at a time, but lately I have found myself bouncing from project to project.  Thankfully none of them are super time consuming, so I am still getting things done.

First up, a pair of slippers I made for the Alberta Children's Hospital.  During a recent visit to the hospital, Hannah noticed that a little boy was walking around in a hospital gown and a pair of slippers, similar to those I make.  That visit led me to contacting the hospital to see if they accepted donated items.  Yup...they sure do!  So, in between my other projects, I hope to whip up some pairs to donate.  These are a modified version of Aunt Maggie's Slippers.  I skipped out on some of the length so these would be more suitable for a child.  I think they are super cute and I can't wait to make more.  The yarn I used was some leftover Bernat Chunky from my Homeward Bound sweater. 

My next finished item is a hat.  I actually finished it about an hour ago.  The Diva and I went on a walk the other day and we stopped at the local Dollar Store.  She spotted some purple yarn and asked for a hat.  At a buck a ball, who was I to say no?  So, here is what I came up with...

As you can see from the photo, I started my decreases too early.  So, this one goes into the donate pile.  No biggie, I was going to make some hats to donate this winter anyways. 

I cast on 60 stitches on size 10 circulars...knit a bunch of rows and then started my decreases with knit 8, k2tog and worked my way down from there.   The 60 stitches is perfect for her, I will just start the decreases after the hat is the height of her head, know what I mean?? 

I had bought 4 balls of this yarn, and I only used one full ball and a tiny bit from the second (no yardage is given, so I'm not sure how much that equals), so I have plenty to make another hat.  I must say, for Dollar Store yarn, I am quite pleased with the quality and knitability of the yarn.  I may even pick up some more for my charity item stash!!!

And now for an item in the works.  Recently I was browsing through Ravelry with the Diva and we noticed some projects that incorporated Glow in the Dark Yarn.  The Diva had her eye on a treat bag that used Bernat's yarn, but of course I then found out that this yarn had been discontinued.  Argh!  Thankfully I was able to locate some on the Mary Maxim site, and voila...here is the start to The Diva's Loot Bag!! 

Since this photo was taken, I have finished the colorwork and have an inch or so left to do of the black before I bind off.  One big lesson I learned is that the glowing yarn has NO stretch to it!  Being my first large project with colorwork, I did everything too tight, and the lack of stretch made it even worse.  Oh well...live and learn.  I'm going to wet it down and try to stretch it a bit, then I'll make up the difference when I seam it. 

I am using Mary Maxim's Titan yarn for the black, and I am afraid I might run out of it.  To try to make it last the whole project, I am going to add some glowing stripes to the backside of the bag.  I might have to get creative on the straps, depending on what I have left.  Thankfully the Diva isn't very big, so I don't need super long straps!!  I'll be sure to post photos of this once it is done.

I have also been busy seaming blankets for the WCOBBS.  I have done two so far, and I am working on more.  Once I get some of my personal projects out of the way, I'll knit up some more squares for that project.

Oh, and I also finished a project that I started a million years ago.  It is a blanket, and I'm going to wait to show a finished photo until my friend Jenn gets it in the mail.  I decided that it would be perfect for her baby girl that is due next month, and that gave me motivation to finish it.  So, stay tuned for photos. 

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the first days of Fall.  The Diva and I harvested sunflower seeds yesterday and we're going to roast them this afternoon.  I'll show photos soon.

Cheers and Happy Crafting!
Sharon

A Unique Way to Celebrate Mom

Hello Everyone!!!

So, I had been meaning to post about this, and I admit it, I completely forgot.  I feel awful for being such a bonehead!!  Anyways, one of my closest friends is doing a charity walk/run this weekend, and it would be awesome if you would consider donating some funds to the cause.  This is Cara's first Mother's Day with her little man...aka My Boyfriend, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate!  I truly wish that I could go to cheer her on instead of heading up to Edmonton for Hannah's surgery...I guess as Moms we have to go with the flow when it comes to our little ones. 

The Mother's Day Run and Walk will be raising funds for the Calgary Health Trust (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nurseries at the Foothills, Rockyview & Peter Lougheed Hospitals).  Though when the Diva was born, we lived in Maine, and she was in the NICU at Maine Medical Center, I know the importance of having a well equipped NICU.  The Diva wouldn't be here if it weren't for the care she received by her NICU nurses.

Cara has set her goal at $500 and she is so close to reaching it!!!  Please join me in wishing Cara and all of the other Moms out there a Happy Mothers Day by pledging some funds. 

Please click here to go to Cara's pledge page.

Oh, and she has no idea that I am posting this...she is way to humble to ask anyone to donate...so I'll do it for her!!!

Happy Mothers Day Everyone!!!

Cheers!
Sharon

Getting Focus Back...

Hello All-

Okay, so first, let me apologize for the fact that I am publishing yet another post that doesn't involve photos of my current knitting projects...this post is a pretty important one, so I hope that even without visuals, you continue reading...

For the last year, I have been involved with the WCOBBS. I post often about blankets we are working on, and about 6 months ago, I asked for my readers to consider bidding on auction items for a fundraiser we were hosting. Well, again, I am asking for your support.

The WCOBBS is an organization that has made a major impact on my life....though the other knitters/crocheters probably have no idea just how much. When I was pregnant with Hannah, I decided that I was going to reconnect with my past and give knitting another chance. I went to AC Moores, bought two jumbo balls (Lion Brand Pound of Love) of yarn, and cast on a yellow and white baby blanket. I made lots of mistakes, cursed a lot, but felt so wonderful that I was making something for my little one. Then, when I was 20 weeks pregnant, we found out that she was going to be born with a major heart defect. My desire to continue the blanket was gone. What if I was making this botched up blanket for a baby who would never live to see it?? I just couldn't get my focus back.

Thankfully, my story has a happier ending than that of many. Hannah was born with the defect, but has been doing great! When she was born, she received several blankets in the hospital. One was a beautiful quilt in the NICU, and the other was a striped crocheted blanket in the PICU after her first open heart surgery. The nurses explained to us that there were groups who made these blankets and donated them to the hospital. It was at this point that I decided that I needed to pick up my needles again...my focus was back.

Upon moving to Calgary, and being introduced to Ravelry by a childhood friend, I found the WCOBBS. This was the motivation that I needed. Not only did I finish that botched up yellow and white blanket, but I continued working on other projects too. Then, in March 2009, I worked on my first OBB...Peter Rabbit. The joy that working on that blanket brought to me is priceless. Since then, I have worked on 7 different blankets, and every one of them hold a special place in my heart.

Each time I write a little note in the journal that accompanies each blanket, I think about the little person who will be receiving it, as well as the crafters who donated their skills to my Hannah. I guess I always thought of each row I knit as a little thank you to those individuals who I will never have the honor of meeting.

Shortly after I joined the WCOBBS, I learned of a little girl who had recieved one of the WCOBBS blankets. There were two things about this girl that stuck out in my mind, one, I thought it was so amazing that the group was able to know who recieved one of their blankets, and two, the little one had a heart condition, just like Hannah. Over the last year, the family of this little one blessed our organization by sending updates on how she was doing. There were ups and downs, but each of us prayed and kept the faith that this little one would have a happy ending.

Sadly, a few weeks ago, we were notified that this little angel earned her wings. She lost her battle with her CHD shortly before her first birthday. I still break down just thinking about the loss that her parents must feel...and how easily it could be me in their shoes.

After sitting back and taking the whole situation in, I decided that something must be done to honor this special little life. In my opinion, there is a reason why the WCOBBS was brought into this family's life. So, I suggested that we collect funds to donate in her name to a charity that provides help to families like hers. Because our crafters represent all of Western Canada, it was suggested that the organization that we chose would do the same. It is for this reason that the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton, Alberta was chosen. All children from Western Canada go to Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton for their heart surgeries, so the Ronald McDonald House is a place that offers a service to these families.

So, for the month of January, all donations made on the WCOBBS Donation site will be going to the Ronald McDonald House in this little angel's name. I ask that you consider making a donation...of any amount. If you prefer to donate to a more local organization to where you live, please do so...and keep this little angel in your thoughts when you do.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope that 2010 is a wonderful year for all of you!! Happy New Year!!

God Bless,

Sharon