Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Rapunzel is Retiring

After six hair donations to Locks of Love (locksoflove.org), I think I may be finished growing my hair out. Maintaining the patience to grow the last few inches before racing to the hair dresser is growing thin for me! However, as in years past, I do hope to inspire a few students to follow suit and donate their hair as well. 80% of donations to Locks of Love come from children.



This year I am able to donate 12 inches of hair. The grand total length that I donated in six times was 82 inches, which is 6 feet and 10 inches or 2.0828 meters. Yes, I think Rapunzel may be finished. That is a lot of hair!



Here's to inspiring us to help each other in as many ways as we can think of!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Surprise Gift Bags

In addition to Nephew #1, my parents also celebrate their birthdays in March. I whipped up another reversible gift bag for the occasion. For a March birthday we have a display of yummy cherries.


For Christmas, sparkly gingerbread men are the feature. My mother was eyeing this fabric with great interest at Christmas when I wrapped something else in it, and was sad when I immediately reused it for another gift. So, I thought it would a perfect part of her birthday present. I'm sure it was a nice surprise to peek inside the gift bag and see a favorite pattern.


The second bag is in use for the second time already, this time with spring flowers on the outside. Here are the two birthday bags, stuffed with gardening supplies and chocolate, just like their recipients asked for!


I have two wonderful friends who enjoy wine A LOT! In October during Fall Break, I picked up some wine at Hermes Winery in Sandusky, OH, for them.


I wanted to make the gift extra special and searched online for a wine bag pattern. This beautiful pattern and tutorial came up: http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-data/529/WineTote.pdf


Sadly, one my lovely friends recently lost her dog to an illness. This was the third dog she lost within a year. Condolences of a special sort were in order.


My other friend is constantly doing me huge favors and is a great musical partner as well. I definitely owe her a token of appreciation. This fits the bill nicely.


Finally, it always amazes me how much time it takes for finished crafts to materialize! Fortunately, the process is usually as rewarding as the product, though there were a few incidents that demanded the use of a seam ripper on these projects...


Here's a toast to awesome family and friends!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

And the Sorting Hat Shouts...

GRYFFINDOR!



Nephew #1 turned 9 years old recently, so technically he is still too young for Hogwarts, let alone a 3rd year scarf, but how can you deny a favorite person a knitted gift that he requested?!?



I have been revisiting the Harry Potter book series via Books on CD recently on my commutes - so fun! I am trying to get through all of them before the last movie comes out this June. That will be a sad day... but I'm sure the thrill of these books will not be lost on several other nephews who will also need Harry Potter knits in the near future! I am so thrilled that my nephew not only can read well, but is enjoying a series that has become a family favorite.

The Details - Beanie
Pattern: House Hats, Beanie by Alison Hansel
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Needles: size 8
Colorway: Burnt Sienna and Butternut
Size: Small
Started: January 2009
Finished: February 2009



The Details - 3-4 Year Scarf
Pattern: Year 3-4 Scarf by Lauren Kent
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Needles: size 8
Colorway: Burnt Sienna and Butternut
Size: Small and short
Started: January 4, 2011
Finished: March 6, 2011



A quote from the nephew's Grandma (who is also my Mother-in-Law): "I mostly wanted to tell you that J. absolutely LOVED the scarf and hat! It was so cute... when he opened up the scarf and hat, he jumped up in the air yelling, "this is exactly what I wanted!" And laughing his J. laugh, he put them both right on!! It was so cute to see! I have never seen a 9 year old boy so excited about a scarf and hat! By the way, they fit perfectly!!"



Happy Magical Knitting!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sure Signs of Spring

Crocuses are popping up all over the property, both in flower beds and in the "wild."




A late Valentine's Day gift report: How awesome is this pin of a Suri alpaca?!


Speaking of Suri alpacas, the animals on the farm are starting to show their fiber in longer dreadlocks. Click picture to make larger.


Of course, we can't have Spring without a nearly finished mitten... While danger of frost continues through May 17 in these parts, I am not hopeful that I will get a lot of use out of these until next season, especially since the second mitten still needs work as well. The pattern is "Woodruff" by Jared Flood, a very fun knit.



Happy Spring to All!