Christmas todo list

DSC_0121.JPG, originally uploaded by a-chan.

I need to make a to-do list for tonight when I get home. If I write it on a piece of paper, I will loose it.

1. vacuum
2. make sugar cookie dough and put in fridge
3. weave in ends to scarves, mittens, and blanket
4. knit 1.5 more toddler gloves
5. wrap some presents (mostly Richards things since he works late tonight)
6. start last pair of adult mittens
7. rest

Do you see the problem with this list? I do. I'm suppose to be resting. I think #1 should be rest and the rest can wait... but they can't. I told myself I wouldn't work too hard and stress myself out. It's not good for the banana (the baby).

I have some family and friends coming over Friday night to bake cookies, so I NEED to vacuum. I NEED to get the cookie dough in the fridge so the nieces will be able to help cut and decorate it.

And there's not even a new CSI tonight!

I've been up late every night this week because I decided I needed to send my already late thank you notes from the wedding inside the Christmas cards (yes, not proper, but I don't care, they're already late!) At least Richard helped clean last night so I'm not as freaking out as I could be.

(gingerbread house was made a few weeks ago at my bro's house with the nieces, it's really cute and I want to make one for my own house, but I don't have any time.)

Toddler mittens

You have new Picture Mail!, originally uploaded by a-chan.

Pattern: peekaboo mittens by Pensive Frog in Magknits (Feb 2007) - heavily modified
Needles: us size 7 dpns
Yarn: Lion Brand wool-ease Chunky

So I've knit 3 pairs of mittens from this pattern, but this one is really small. I cast on 10 less stitched, guessed on the thumb gusset and guessed on the finger opening. Everything fit my 3.5 year old niece except the thumb. I ripped the thumb out and am reworking it with a few extra stitches. The yarn is so chunky that the first thumb was like a 7 stitch i-cord.

Christmas list: I now have to finish it's mate and then knit another pair slightly bigger for my 3 year old cousin (who is bigger than my niece). Two pairs of baby mittens (no thumbs). I did one pair already, but they were too small (I'll keep them for my own baby). And maybe one more pair of adult peekaboos for my sis-in-law's sister... and maybe another pair for my friend... If I keep adding to the list, I'm never going to finish.

In other news, I had another ultrasound on Friday. It was abnormal (low fluid), so they sent me to a specialist and I got another ultrasound. She said that while the fluids were on the low side, they were still in the "normal" range and there was nothing to be worried about. That was scary! I did earn myself an extra ultrasound for next month just to keep tabs on everything.

After those two ultrasounds, I still don't know if I'm having a boy or a girl. The second tech said that she didn't see anything, so she would guess it's a girl, but the baby was crossing it's legs at the knees the whole time so she didn't get a good look at all.

I have another post to make and I've been putting it off and I just can't do it right now. So, it will come next time, I hope.

Celebrity look-alikes? Not so sure

Down the Rabbit Hole

DSC_0256.JPG, originally uploaded by a-chan.

I'm not much into sewing... sure I have dreams about sewing a whole bunch of things, but when it comes down to it, I never really do anything. Anyways, my niece wanted to be Alice for Halloween and the Alice costumes at the stores this year didn't really look like Alice dresses.... they were all princessed-up *gag* So, her mom was shopping for a pre-made dress on ebay and they were so expensive! I talked her into making one.

On friday night we cut all the pieces out, the next weekend we sewed the top half with help from my sis-in-law's mom (who then finished the dress part the next day).... My friend baby-sat one night and we came home and it was done! We should have known better because Valeska is known for her anime costumes. But we were glad it was done!

We didn't see any other Alices trick or treating and I don't think we saw any other handmade costumes! Alivia had a great time! Although, some people didn't know what she was.... I think it's pretty clear!

So anyways, the costume was fun to make and I do see myself sewing more often, but probably not in the near future as the Christmas knitting is less than half done!

Peekaboo!

Peekaboo!, originally uploaded by a-chan.

(sorry about the crappy picture, it's from my phone)

To prove that I have been knitting, I introduce you to Peekaboo

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport - held double through-out
Needles: us size 7's (dpns)
Pattern: Peekaboo from Magknits

No changes that I remember. I had to rip the tops out of them several times to get the right hight, they're still not exactly the same. I don't like the decreases, so If I knit these again, I'll probably use a different top.

I love the finger holes! They're so convenient! They're for me, but I think I have enough yarn to knit two more pairs in smaller sizes (like, for the nieces).

Another FO:



Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Ballerina (less than half the skein) and Plymouth Encore worsted, held together through-out
Needles: us size 17
No pattern

A basic garter stitch scarf for my grandma. I'm not one to usually go to the dark side (novelty yarn and huge needles), but I did for this fast knit. I got a little scared that I didn't have any Christmas gifts done, so I whipped this one out on Sunday.

At the Blue Moon Fiber Arts de-stash sale on Saturday, I picked up the Ballerina (can't even find a listing for it on Ravelry), a hank of Rio in lapis, a skein of what looks like Gingerbread Dude in STR mediumweight, two skeins of STR lightweight in what looks like two of the Raven series, and two skeins of neon STR lightweight that missed their bath and are not superwash. It wasn't as successful of a trip as I hoped. I really wanted to find enough STR to knit the Big Bad Baby Blanket from SnB (3 skeins of two different colors to be held together... but I can't afford that at full price)

I should have more FOs soon because of gifts. I already started a feather and fan scarf out of the neon STR.