Baby Hats and More

The basket (box) is finished for In The Fields Mininstry's fundraiser auction. All the proceeds go to help drill for fresh, clean water in Uganda. It is hard to see what is in there but it is packed full of goodies. I made 2 wash clothes, hat and booties, fleece blanket with crocheted edging, and a double layer flannel receiving blanket. Also included is some goats milk soap that my sister makes -- yummy stuff. And I found this adorable box with a Noah's Ark theme from the Paper Factory. The lid is 3D which is very cool (in my opinion LOL!).

In other crafting news, our church hosts a "ministry fair" once a year where all the different ministries can set up a booth and then attendees can walk around and see what the church is up to and sign up to participate. The emphasis is on participating since we are all called to serve God. I set up a booth for the quilting/knitting/sewing ministry and had about 8 new people sign up who are interested in joining us. That really fires me up to come up with new ideas for what we can do as a group.
Our current project is making a quilt for a family who lost their teenage daughter last summer in a tragic accident. Our group is making a quilt from some of her clothing. It has definitely been a challenge with all the different size squares/rectangles that we needed to use and then using a comforter for a backing. It will be tied since I don't want to fight with it trying to machine quilt it. I know it will bring comfort to the family!

I came across some beautiful knit baby hats by Lenore English the other day. 5 of them to be exact. I have made the first three (which are displayed in our booth) and also a pair of booties to match the basket weave ribbing stitch hat. They all turned out adorable! Thanks Lenore!!!

Where did the week go?

I can't believe it has been another week since I last posted -- where oh where is April going? I am thinking that the busier I am the faster time goes!

I have to say I haven't accomplished much in the past week. The pink waves baby blanket is coming along and I did manage to pick up more yarn so I can finish it. It is about 12" long so only 24" more to go.

I stumbled across Judy's Knitting Patterns yesterday. Oh my, she does some lovely designs. If you want to knit a Christening/Burial gown she has the most gorgeous patterns. There is also a little Tuxedo sweater for boys that is adorable.

For an easy baby sweater check out Carole Barenys' Top Down Seamless Raglan. Knitting on the Net has finally posted her pattern again. This is the pattern that I have used to make my newborn baby sweaters. It is easy to follow and works up quickly. She also has the most adorable baby booties to go with the sweater.

Speaking of baby sweaters, check out the Mitred U Baby Jacket that Megan Mills designed. This is another "must try" to add to my list. Thanks Megan!

Heavenly Angels In Need (HAIN) has posted their newest newsletter (warning large PDF file). Check out the beautiful dress that Mary designed on page 4.

Out O' Yarn

Well, not really!! One bootie is finished, but I ran out of white yarn. Darn! I ordered some more (and a few other items of course) from JoAnn's online because they have the Patons Astra yarn that I like to use. It should arrive on Monday so I can finish up the booties to go with the hat.

In the mean time I finished one baby footprint washcloth -- it turned out adorable and I will definitely make this pattern again. And have the LOVE washcloth in the works. All these items are going in a basket to be auctioned off and the proceeds to support In The Fields Ministry.

Baby Footprint Washcloth
Yarn is Peaches and Creme 100% cotton
Needles size 4mm

Love Washcloth
Yarn is Sugar 'n Cream
Needles Size 4mm

Today, my daughters and I are going shopping for some other purchased items for the auction basket. They are excited to help pick out things and it instills in them a heart for giving. Even if it isn't their money they are spending LOL!

Fun Links--
Diaper Cover (Soaker) knit pattern by cyntergnomes. Wouldn't this little soaker be cute along with a little dress or longish sweater. I like that she has sizes for newborn up to toddler.

Slipped Stitch Baby Blanket knit pattern by Barbara Breite. This blanket has wonderful texture and is really easy to knit. I love the pastel colours she chose but wouldn't it by cute in more boyish blues, purples or greens.

Very Busy

I never remembered having a puppy being so much work. The constant need to watch him and the fact that he is fascinated with my knitting -- wanting to chew on anything that is close enough for him to sink his sharp baby teeth into (including my hands, legs, arms). On that note there is not much new to report. The good news is my girls are home for the week on spring break so they will be a bit of a distraction for him!

The hat for the Dulaan project is done. I actually finished it before Benji arrived on the scene but haven't had a chance to take any pictures. It is made with worsted weight 100% wool from my stash and it didn't have a label on it. The pattern is one by Sarah Peasley which I have made a few times before. I really like how it turns out. This makes 6 items completed for Dulaan with a large size sweater almost finished -- it's one of my UFOs (unfinished objects) that has been sitting on my "to do" pile for months.

The next project I volunteered for this week is to help In The Field Ministries by making a basket for their auction in May. They are hoping to raise $25,000 so that they can drill a well in Rwenjiri and help out the local Pastor by replacing his mud home with a brick one. I am planning on making a "Baby Basket" for them. This hat is for the basket and I am working on making some booties to go with the hat. Hat pattern is from P2Designs. I have a fleece blanket that I will crochet an edging around, a couple of flannel burp clothes, wash cloth and then I will probably go shopping for the rest. Binky, sleepers, stuffed animal, a toy or two. Any other ideas on what would be a good item to add? If I am really ambitious I may make another basket with more girly items since this one is more boyish.

If you sew for babies you really need to check out Barb's instructions for making these really cute burp cloths. I am planning on making some of these for the above basket. Thanks Barb!!

And if you ever want to make wash cloths for babies this baby footprint cloth is adorable and so is this Love cloth. And one more -- this embossed heart cloth is very pretty.

Completely Off Topic

My wonderful DH brought a new puppy home yesterday. He did have the foresight to phone and ask me first if it would be ok! We have been talking about getting a smaller lap dog and I guess he has really been looking.

Benji is a Shipoo and weighs about 2 lbs, is very playful and loves to play with our 10 year old golden retriever, Rio. Though Rio is still pretty unsure of this whole situation.

Finished Socks

I finally finished my Trekking XXL socks I started a few weeks ago. This is only my third pair of socks I have made and the first pair using sock weight yarn. I love how they turned out and they are very comfortable to wear.

Yarn - Trekking XXL #84

Needles - size 1 2.25mm

Pattern - Marguerite's Basketweave Socks without the basketweave

Since I finished something I of course had to start something new. I had purchased this pink cotton fleece yarn for my birthday and was planning on making a baby sweater and hat for a friend who is having a baby in June. Change of plans -- I started a baby blanket with the yarn instead. And of course I will probably need more than what I purchased -- guess I will have to go back to Weaving Works ... darn!! For the blanket I cast on 189 stitches using size 3.75mm needles and am using a pattern from a Japanese stitch pattern book I purchased (also for my birthday). I am not usually into pink but I am really liking this combination. Ask me in a week or two after I have been working on it for hours and hours :-)

What about the hat for Dulaan that I started last week -- it is almost complete. I am just finishing up the decreases on the top. Picture to come in the next post.

It must be spring ... the elk are back. We had 6 of them in our front and back yard the other morning. They are lovely to see but can wreak havoc with my garden. They seem to eat almost everything and what they don't eat the rip out of the ground. Needless to say, gardening here is quite a challenge!

Someone sent me this email and I thought I would share it with you!

Suggestions for making the most of your Year
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.Albert Einstein:

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement:My purpose is to___________ today.

5. Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books than you did in 2006.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, and walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Y our friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

36. Do the right thing.

37. Call your mother and father often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished____________.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.Enjoy the ride.

Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.