Groggy Bloggy

Seriously could use a nap today. Seems I could use a nap every day.
I have been a night owl for as long as I can remember. For some reason regardless of how tired I am, I will stay up just because that is my time do things that I want to do.
Knit, watch Grey's Anatomy, clean...
As a result my days consist of massive amounts of caffiene intake.
I think a change is needed.

I did mention in my last post about a company that I was scheduled to meet with.
The meeting did happen and was full of great conversation, product design, and ideas.
Technically I will be a vendor for them and will be knitting product as yarn is provided.
It was a serious relief when they acknowledged the time it takes to make things and want to pay me what my work is worth.
Their business is a craft in its own and so they are well aware of the work and time that goes into creating something.
Looking forward to providing knitted goodness to "Bread and Butter".

I did finally start something that is NOT an order.
I posted around christmas time this adorable sweater...
Well I have cast on and have just started the sleeves.
Learned a cool new trick with the color work and will get some practice with the magic loop method for the sleeves.
Being that I am making this for my daughter I have chosen a rather girly color..

And the mustache is this color...

I am seriously anxious to get it done.
After that I will be ready to start a couple of knits that I am gifting.
And then start another project of my own.
I'm trying to balance here if you haven't noticed.

Time to get my work on!
Just wanted to keep you posted!

Blessings!
Caren

Lately

So I was suppose to have a meeting on monday (2/27) with a locally owned business.
It Sadly didn't happen but has been rescheduled for this friday.
This business is owned and opperated here in Casper by a man, his wife, and his best friend and handsews all of their clothing within a downtown studio.
They have recently incorporated hemp jewelry and crocheted accessories made out of organic materials such as bamboo, hemp, and cotton.
Well, they have been looking for a knitter to add onto the team and was directed to me by a mutual friend of ours.
So I will be meeting with them over sushi (their idea :) ) to discuss a possible "partnership".
I'll write more when I get more details.

Lately I've been planning and mapping out future projects.
I have bought a hat pattern that I am anxious about starting that uses a provisional cast on and is knit flat. Also uses a new technique called welting which I have not done on any knitting before so it should be fun.
I have yet to start that sweater I mentioned a post or two ago.
Other projects have been more pressing lately and has taken away from my personal knitting time but as soon as I finish this one hat then I will start it.
I'll just have to hop between projects because if I dont do that then I will never get in any knitting time for myself... or my family..

I'd been patiently awaiting for the comic strip post by my friend Gilly on the Knit Princess website.
Yesterday was the day but sadly there was a technical issue and I had to wait. It wasn't a very long wait though and Gilly made her debut on my favorite comic strip!

I wish I knew how to make the picture larger and I am sure I could figure it out but I don't sadly don't have much time till I pick up my son from Preschool.
I absolutely love it though! And based off of the comments the readers really enjoy her style! The last artist was talented but it was such an odd look that it was hard to get into.
So glad to have Gilly and so very proud of her!
So cool to see where God is taking her with her artistic ability and to know that her talent isn't going to waste.

Well off I go.
I will be posting soon.
I've had a lot on mind lately.

Love you ALL!

Blessings,
Caren

p.s. spell check did not work for me today. I am sorry for any type-o's! Or poor grammer. It happens sometimes and my fingers don't always move as fast or translate as fast as my brain does. :)

Thoughtfulness and Celebration

Just to warn you...
If we are friends on facebook you have probably already seen 3/4 of these pictures! :)

Valentines day was just another day.
It's not like how it use to be when I was younger.
I remember waiting for the day in Junior High just so I could see who I was compatible with out of my classmates through this thing called "data match".
Then in High School it seemed like a competition of who got the what from their boyfriend or girlfriend.
Valentines day was always a nice excuse to dress up, be romantic, indulge in sweets, and enjoy flowers, and hug onto stuffed animals.
Now that I have kids.... the holiday is more focused on them and making it special like how it was made special by my mom when I was growing up.
They both got a heart shaped box of chocolates just like how my mom STILL does!
David though... He did something super thoughtful this year.
He made me this...

While in California for a few days over the summer, David and I had the opportunity to go to a beach. We played in the water fully clothed, took funny pictures with the seaweed, and of course combed the beach for cool seashells and rocks.
I found the perfect stone and thought it would make an excellent pendant for a necklace and worked extra hard to find another one like it so we could both have one.
We packed them up in a baggy and took them home but sadly had not been made into anything.
Well, David made me my necklace complete with romantic initial carving and awesome wire wrap job on the stone.
He clearly put a lot of work into it and I'd have to say that it is by far one of my most favorite gifts from him.
Homemade gifts are the BEST!

Speaking of homemade gifts I did manage to knit Brodey is Wiggles Scarf for his birthday!
I also knit a smaller version of it for his new stuffed bear.
Honestly he was not thrilled when he opened it and his lack of enthusiasm was slightly disappointing seeming as how I'd spent hours knitting this for him but over the past couple days he has been spotting playing with it.
When he gets older I think he will really come to appreciate this but for now its just another thing he owns and will occasionally pull out to play with.
I'm okay with that.

I stayed up super late the night before and wrapped all this.
I know it doesn't look like much but its hard work for me and I'm not awesome at it but I am trying harder now.
Someone once told me that how you feel about the gift you are giving is reflected by how it is wrapped. Makes sense I guess.

So after Brodey tore through all of his gifts and got balloon shopping done with...
we went bowling!
Had a ton of fun with friends and family and Brodey could not have been happier as he welcomed those who came just for him.
He knew the day was about him and I made sure he knew just how big of a blessing he is to us all. He hugged me as I told him just how special he is and how I am so lucky to have him as my son.
We bowled, laughed, ate cake, and celebrated the gift of Brodey Lee Williams. <3
i LOVE him.

After bowling...
POTTERY BY YOU!

He had never painted there before.
I painted all the time there when I was pregnant with him and brought him with me a lot when he was a baby.
This kid pretty much grew up there his first 3 years and over the past couple years I'd cut back on the painting and focused mostly on the knitting.
I thought it was time to break him into one of mom's favorite things to do.
He painted a car and called it "The Wiggles Big Red Car" though it was a mix of color (4 colors in particular) and reminded me a lot of tie-dye.
I did manage to write on it for him like he had requested.
A Wiggles car would not be complete without his name and a giant number five on the top to mark his 5th birthday!

It was a busy day.
It was a blessed day.
It was a Brodey day.

I love that little boy so much more than I think I could ever express.
There is no love like the love between a mother and her child and
I had no idea just how strong that love was until i held him for the first time.
What a blessing he is to me and our family.
So glad we were able to celebrate the little twerp!

I may or may not have exciting news in the near future in regards to my knitting.
It will have to wait for next weeks post being that things are uncertain and undecided at this point.
Either way it's pretty cool!

Hope you all are doing well!

Blessings,
Caren

My "CAN'T WAIT" but will post

In the midst of all of my knitting there is one project that I am really wanting to start but haven't yet because I want to make sure that I can dedicate a good chunk of my time to it guilt free.
I have an incredibly hard time starting projects for myself when I have orders that need to be done for other people and so I'm busting my butt so I can get started on this...

It's a Newport Beach Sweater.
I love the neck on it and I think it would be perfect to throw over a tshirt or tank top. It calls for fingering weight yarn and I believe is knit on size 6 so hopefully I won't lose interest being that it's knit on smaller (but not the smallest) needles.
I managed to score some yarn on clearance in this color...

I ordered it from knitpicks which I don't really ever do.
I would much rather go to my LYS because at least I am investing my money into a local business and can touch and feel the yarn before I purchase it.
I figured at a little over 2 bucks a ball that I would give it a try though.
Cheap doesn't always mean good and I haven't knit with this yarn before so we will see how it goes.
I CAN'T WAIT to get it started!

Brodey's turns 5 yrs old in 9 days!
I have been brainstorming on what to knit him that will be quick and simple and yet will get a lot of use and love out of it.
I think a simple ribbed scarf in his favorite Wiggle colors (yellow, red, blue,and purple) would be perfect for him.
He plays with this Spongebob Square Pants scarf that I got like 10 years ago and I think he would love one that is made in his favorite colors. So, I will be starting that tonight when he goes to bed cause I would like to surprise him if I can.
Should be a fairly quick knit :)
I think I'm just as excited for his birthday as he is.
I'm pretty sure we both....CAN'T WAIT!

If you are a nerd and enjoy comics in addition to your knitting then you've probably already heard of "The Knit Princess".
If not the link is here: http://www.knitprincess.com/
anyway.
They were looking for a new artist a couple of months ago and had posted it on their facebook page. I shared that page with my friend, Gilly, who is an incredible artist and has done some work for the famous Comic Con and various other things.
She sadly didn't get it and it was handed over to a chick that was capable of getting the job done and honestly can do a better job than I can but it totally messed with the feel of the comic.
Welp, that person is out and Gilly is in!
Her comic debut for The Knit Princess will be on Feb 28th so keep your eyes pealed!
I CAN'T WAIT!

Kids go in for a re-check on their ears so wish us luck!
I really hope that Saiya does not need tubes in her ears and am keeping my fingers crossed that we can dodge that one.
Until then though I will be working and then picking up munchkins for a quick lunch and nap before we have errands and the dr. visit.

Hoping your day is a good one!
love you ALL!

Blessings,
Caren

pish posh blog of randomness

Ugh I know.
Super Sucky at writing lately.

I did you know that it is cold and flu season?
Did you know that the months of January, February, and March are the worst months for it?
Well my family seems to know this all too well and I can't wait till it is over.

Saiya has had fluid on her ears for the past 3 months now that keeps getting infected. I think within that time her ears have been clear once.
She has been on 3 different kinds of antibiotics and has gone in for checks and re-checks in addition to her milestone check-ups.
This has kept me on my toes.

Brodey has been pretty healthy but this season he has had numerous colds, pink eye, an ear infection, the start of strep, and we just recently found out that he may be going in for surgery in a couple years to have his sternum pushed out because it is slightly concave right now (which makes, what looks like a hole in his chest) and may get worse as he grows. Guess we will cross that bridge when we get there but it has just been nuts with all of these doctors visits!

I have had what I believe to be tonsillitis twice within the last 3 weeks. I know its bad to self diagnose but when I go to webmd and every symptom I have matches up exactly with tonsillitis... I'm going to put my money on that.
Thanks to a stock of antibiotics and a ton of vitamin C... I feel like I am on the mend finally.

My husband.... he feels great!
good for him.

Anyway. I've been thinking about collections lately. I know a lot of people who collect things. And often times I read blogs where people actually post their collections on there. And then I start to think... what do I collect? Well I have a nice "collection" of yarn and an awesome variety of coffee mugs! but that is about it.
One collection I think would be fun to start would be of nesting dolls.

Maybe someday I will start a collection of my own.
But right now I am just too cheap.

Within the last year my yarn has been forced out of my knitting corner. My one corner in the entire house that I spend knitting, contemplating the meaning of life, drawing up my escape plan, and figuring out quantum physics. Well.... I knit there at least.
This corner has seemed to transform quite drastically as I've acquired new yarn, books, and more responsibility.
It's become more of a little office area than anything which holds all my paper work, Celebrate Recovery Resources, mail, and of course all of my knitting resources and supplies.
It no longer looks like this little picture...
It looks like this now....

I'm not in it a whole bunch while I'm knitting but I still do enjoy it.
I've claimed this little spot on the floor that has a massive pillow for me to lounge on with a whole bunch of throw pillows and an electric heated blanket which is where I do most of knitting now. It's cozy. :)

What have I been knitting?
ORDERS!
I will be starting a project of my own here soon. Just need to knock out another earflap hat and a couple of neckwarmers.
ALSO
I am going to knit something for Brodey for his birthday which is on the 18th of this month. He is going to turn 5 years old and I just can't believe it.
It seems like it was just yesterday that I saw him for the first time. I intently studied his face and looked over every little bit of him to find his features that were most similar to mine. I immediately fell in love with his sweet little heart point chin and completely soaked in the feeling of finally being a mom. Not just a mom though... HIS mom.
He was the biggest adjustment I ever had to make but has by far been the biggest joy I have ever had. Even just this morning as we were hanging out before school he said "Mom, I love you. Want to know why? Because you're my favorite. Want to know why? Because you're mine!" I am so glad to be HIS mom but most of all I am blessed to have a son as wonderful as him.
This little boy deserves something special and of course it has to have the same colors as the Wiggles. Haha! It just wouldn't be right if it wasn't!

Off I go to get some work done.
Have a busy day today with kiddos.

I hope you all are doing well.
Love you ALL!

Blessings,
Caren

Mah Bad!

I've been really bad about writing the past couple months.
Not intentionally.
I usually do my blogging during down time at work and as of late I have had plenty to do which is a good thing.
But I have also been busy doing other things aside from that and will be blogging again within the next couple days to share.

I have been getting some knitting done! Kinda.
I have taken a few custom orders have been having a hard time not knitting as much as I'd like because between the kids and I... we have all been sick enough to probably last us till next winter. Ugh.
Seriously.
It's a good thing I'm not speaking this blog to you because you'd probably be quite irritated with my deep, raspy voice which sounds like a smoker going through puberty.
I squeak mid sentence with what little voice I have.

I don't like posting blogs without at least one picture so I thought I would share this one with you!

This sweet little picture from a Valentines Day Card was floating around on facebook yesterday and I absolutely adore it! I seriously would be thrilled (well. first floored) if David gave this sweet little card to me. It is just perfect.
Actually, I enjoy it so much that I printed it out yesterday and framed it to stick in my knitting corner.

Speaking of Knitting corner...
I had done a post on it a long time ago. It was probably the 2nd or 3rd post I did on this blog.
Anyway. There have been changes and I will be posting pictures. So anxious to show you my new working space(s). It seems I've claimed the living room. :)

Well, on I go to find stuff to do at my day job.
I hope you all are doing and I love you ALL!

Blessings,
Caren

Did I get it all done?

So I'm sure the question I should answer is...
"Did I get all my knitting done for Christmas?"
Answer: For the most part.
I came to realize that I couldn't devote my every waking moment to knitting and crafting and not that I couldn't but mostly didn't want to.
I scrapped the idea of knitting for my husband and managed to buy him a Christmas gift.
Didn't paint my yearly ornaments for my kiddos but am knitting them 2011 owls to hang on the tree this coming Christmas.
Didn't get to knit for my Godson either like I had wanted to but found a super cute Veggie Tales Nativity set!
(Baby Jesus is a baby carrot! so cute!)
But I did get all custom orders done.
I did knit for my grandmother and 3 of my siblings.
And my wrists have had a nice vacation.

I think the Christmas gift that I was focused on the most was my brother in-laws bearded toque.
It is rare when I actually know what Bryan wants for Christmas and I was shocked to hear that he wanted a bearded toque because he dresses fairly simple.
But I was determined to knit this thing and so I did!
Aprox 14 hours later I completed this...

I practically swim in it but it fits his face perfectly!
And from what I have heard... he wore it out to shovel the driveway a few days ago. :)

Now when I say that my wrists have had a nice vacation... I mean I have probably knit for maybe a total of 3 hours since Christmas Eve.
Shocking I know.
I do have Custom orders now that I will be starting on tonight more than likely but what I really want to knit is a sweater.
I found this pattern for the simplest top down sweater and still need to buy yarn for it but I don't think I will be satisfied until I cast on for it.
Ugh.

My Christmas was wonderful though :)
I spent it with family, enjoyed the laughter, loved the smiles, savored the fellowship and celebrated the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
That's what it is all about to me.
Not about knitting and yet that seemed to be my focus leading up to the holiday.
This time... I'm starting my Christmas knitting in August.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas AND a Happy New Year!
Love you ALL!!

Blessings!
Caren