Baby knits

It's baby season.

Well I guess every season is baby season.

It seems my friends get pregnant in bulk which is why it may feel like it's baby season.

I'm far complaining here because this just means that I get to knit cute baby things without having to birth the child myself.

Baby items are my favorite to knit, partially because they are so little and somewhat fast, but also because it's a sweet way to welcome a baby into the world.

Every stitch was done with love for that child and I've had the joy of love stitching for a couple of sweet ones just recently.

Baby booties are always a must knit and especially ones with ties.

Not only do those little toes need to stay warm but they need to stay on and if you've had experience with babies... booties and socks can be super frustrating to keep on the feet of a munchkin.

I made these for baby Eli.

He was born alllllmost a week ago to some good friends of mine.  I watch one of his big sisters on occasion and will soon get him once a week when his mama goes back to work.
This family means so much to me and wanted to make sure that this little love bug got something special.

 

Another fun thing to knit would be baby garments.

I don't knit too many of them but think they are a ton of fun just due to the variety of patterns that are out there and especially for little girls.

I knit this "Milo Vest" for baby P and she is due to come next month. 

Her mama is seriously one of my closest friends and it seems she gets most of my love stitches.

I saw this pattern and knew that I had to knit it partially because it's construction, which is knit in one piece (with no seaming) but also for the fun cable chart options.  so that fun little braided cable that goes down the front of it is one of many options.

Plus I learned a couple new things.

There is a different bind off that it called for but I had to get this done and didn't bother to learn it but will be making another one for a class I plan to teach. 

 

 

 

If there is one thing that I have a hard time knitting for babies it would be blankets.
I have only completed one in the 4 years that I have been knitting and that was for my own daughter.
I do however have one on my needles right now and am hoping to get it finished within the next couple of months.
If I don't, I may as well rip it out and use the yarn for something else.
They just get to be long and tedious and I'm an instant gratification kind of girl.
I will however persevere and get it done.
(This is me encouraging myself)
I refuse to let another baby blanket go unfinished!

I've had people ask if we plan to have anymore kids and as of now... no.
But we will see what the future holds.
David and I have talked about and dreamed up our future in possibly adopting but there are a few things we'd like to get in order first before we consider bringing another baby into the family.
For now I am enjoying spoiling and kissing the faces of the two kiddos I have and the faces of other peoples babies.

Anyway I was on facebook earlier today and found this picture of Michael Jackson and his Llama.
I don't know why but I felt the need to post it on this blog.
I personally think he would look better with an Alpaca but that's just me...

 

 

I pray you all are having a blessed day despite the challenges you are facing. 
Time to enjoy the rest of your day!

-Caren

Missing

So my last day at the radio station was March 7th and I am going on my 2nd week being at home.  Some think I'd be going crazy by this point.  Some may think I lounge in my pajamas all day.  Some may not care.  BUT I'm doing well.

I miss my job.  I miss the people.  When I started working there I have no doubt that this job was God provided.  He brought me to this place knowing exactly what I needed and for a time I filled a need of theirs too.  God is always faithful to provide and at that time he provided for both me and the radio station and I KNOW he will continue to do that.  Provide.  That is just what he does cause God is cool like that.  But I miss it there.

I miss walking in, placing my things on my desk, and walking to the back to greet Aaron while he puts in programs for the day.

I miss visiting with Aaron about his time in Portugal as a missionary, our love of coffee, and of course our kids.

I miss sitting in my chair every morning while I ate a bowl of oatmeal and checked my email.  

I miss the warmth and the coziness of the building and nothing but the sound of the radio. 

I miss my friend, Joy.  Our laughing, sharing, collaborating, supporting.... 

I miss the opportunity to pray with complete strangers and on occasion, have a complete stranger pray for me. 

I miss Wanda's smiling face when she comes through the door and updates me on her goal progress and what's going on in her life. 

I miss them all and though it has only been a little over a week I can't help but to think that March 7th was the last day that I would experience it all.  That in itself makes me miss it though I've only been separated from it for a short time.  There is so much that I left behind but at the same time there is so much that I have gained. 

I have more time with my kids now which is AWESOME.  Now I just need to sit down and figure out what to do with that time.  I'm thinking I'll be pulling together a list of things for us to do.  Totally can't wait for the summer to come because I know that list will grow quite a bit once Brodey is out of school and he can do more.  But for now I'm sticking to play dates with Saiya and more time with Brodey when he gets out of school. 

So if you're worried that I'm going nuts... I'm not.  I'm keeping busy just with what I have at home and remember... I still have two other jobs. 

If you think I'm spending this time like its a vacation... Have you met me? 

I just plan to take this time one day at a time and am enjoying the fact that I now have an entire week to run errands and I don't have to shove it all into one day.  Can you imagine the relief I felt when I realized I didn't have to go grocery shopping on Monday but could go on Tuesday if I wanted to? 

Do I have more time to knit?  Not really but of course I will make time.  It is my therapy ya know?

I have a list a mile long of things that need to be made, things that are being made, and things that I want to make.  So slowly but surely I am working on it while at the same time slowly but surely adding on to it.  I just can't help it.  It's every knitters struggle but at least we will always have something to knit...

I have been thinking about doing more with this whole "Sereknitty And Purls" thing I have going on.  When I first started it I was taking on custom orders and blogging regularly.  I'm thinking about starting that back up again just a little bit to see how it goes.  maybe taking on a couple of custom orders here and there.  I've also been thinking about throwing in some lessons.  I already teach at my favorite local yarn shop but for those who can't make the classes I teach, maybe I can teach them from home...  I'm still not sure about that part yet and am not in a huge hurry to figure it all out quite yet.  We will see. 

Well, I'm not going to go knit but I am going to go do dishes.  I just wanted to give you all an update on this whole job thing.  I appreciate you all and I love yous...

Blessings!

Caren

Playing Catch Up

 So I've really seemed to have fallen off the blogosphere.  It's far from intentional and I hate that I am such a random blogger.  I have the thoughts, the pictures, but I seem to lack time.  I really enjoy writing on here.  It gives me a chance to share with my friends and family what I've been making and what I've been doing and allows for me to connect with new people that have interest in knitting. 

I've been trying to find new patterns lately that will help further my knitting skills.   I use to be very intimidated by trying new things in fear that I couldn't get the hang of it or totally mess up what I was working on.  Now, I just want to make things and if I don't know how to do it, then I will learn. 
Here are a few things that I've made over the last few months. 

Brodey's Birthday Hat :)
I learned how to do a Right Front Cross.
Gives a cool cabled look.



My stress knitting hat.
No new technique learned.
Just really needed to do some therapy knitting.



This is my first Entrelac project.
Ended up teaching a 3 hr workshop at my LYS. :)



A tutu!!
learned a new project for this yarn aside from scarves!



Mitten Ornaments
I made 9 of these for my nieces and nephews for Christmas :)



 I have made other things that I haven't loaded pictures for but maybe another time, right?
What I've been wanting to knit lately has been a super cozy shawl.  I don't know why but ever since I made a prayer shawl for a dear friend of mine I have wanted one for myself.  I have been working on one for my aunt that I keep running into snags on but am hoping to get it figured out somehow so she can at least enjoy one. 

There have been other exciting and busy things going on lately.  One of these things would be that my son Brodey turned 6 yesterday and got a ferret as an early birthday present a couple of weekends ago. 



Our newest family member

He named her Dorothy and she is by far one of the sweetest and most playful ferrets I have ever met.  I had two of my own growing up and so I was so excited to do this for him knowing that I too would enjoy having her.  But he is constantly saying that he is her daddy.  The sweet little names he calls her (baby, girlie, sweetie) just warms my heart.  This little boy really is her daddy and he takes such good care of her.

I've been working a lot lately.  If you didn't know I have 3 part time jobs.  One is at a local Christian radio station, one is doing property management from  my home, and one is working at my favorite local yarn store.  And I'm not the only one that works a lot.  David is gone a lot of the time for work and averages about 60 hr weeks... sometimes more. 

Lately I have felt like the job that is the most important is the one that is often times neglected.  Being a mom.  Now I'd like to think that I'm a pretty alright mom but I'm also a very busy mom that can sometimes be too busy.  I don't feel as though I am being the mom I want to be or being the mom that God is calling me to be.  So I've decided to make changes. 

One of those is to let go of a job that I have been so blessed by that I can't help but be saddened, but it is also the job the takes me out of the house on a consistent basis.  I feel it is important for me to be home more consistently being that David's schedule is so unpredictable.  I don't know how we will be sitting financially and I trust that we will be able to stick to our budget plan... I am just trusting God in this.  I truly believe that I am doing what God is calling me to do and have a feeling that he has some other things in store for me.

I feel peace in knowing that God will take care of us and that includes my family at the radio station.  I felt some what guilty because they have blessed me so immensely and I don't want to walk away leaving them in a tough position but thankfully they have been super encouraging and completely understanding.  Just another reason why I am so blessed.  Promises have been made to stay in touch and I was relieved to hear that I will still be invited to birthday lunches.  I just can't imagine not staying connected.  They have brought such joy into my life as we have prayed together, celebrated together, cried together, laughed together, supported each other...  I have been so blessed.

So as I'm preparing to leave this job and further improve my role as a mom, I can't help but to look into the future months and plan for the summer.  I envision lunch outside, playing at the park, story hour at the library, parade day, hula hooping in the yard, outdoor crafts, walking a few blocks to grab ice cream,  and maybe even a road trip or two.  I just can't help but get excited as I think about Farmers Market, NIC Fest, and possible music festivals we can go to.    It will be bitter sweet.

In this hectic life I have been super busy managing a renovation project for a property that I manage from home and occasionally teaching and planning at the Dancing Sheep. BUT I've been doing some playing as well... In the form of hula hoop dance.   


Took a cleaning break to get my hoop on.



It seems to be picking up in popularity but the more hoopers the better in my opinion!  It is a fun and creative way to get my body moving.  I feel more and more confident knowing that I am doing something to better use and tone my curves.  In some ways it is therapy of its own.  I just feel a total lift in my mood and spirit when I do this and can't wait when the weather gets nicer so I can play. :)  I just wish I had more time and bigger living room right now.  haha!

So now you know what's up with me....
What's up with you?

Blessings,

-C-



Hello Kitty (and neglected blog)



Birfday Mitts

I thought it was time to write.  Actually my friend Jami posted on my facebook wall and reminded me that I've been neglecting my blog.  She didn't say that exactly though.  Just reminded me that there are some people out there that actually read what I post and that she is one of them. :)  Thank you, Jami! 

My knitting lately has been crazy. I've been fairly proud of what I've made though and unfortunately haven't taken pictures of all that I've made. A lot of it has been gifted and I didn't think about pictures until after I've handed my precious work of art over.  I did manage to get a picture or two (or three) of what I've made recently. 

My sister just recently had a birthday and I knew exactly what I was going to make her after a trip to Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago.  These Bulky Green Mittens were so easy to make and I knitted and did a crochet edge on a heart applique.  The pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple and can be found on Ravelry.  It's called "women's super bulky mitten" or something like that. 


Best pin cushion EVER!



Candy Corn Costume



Before I made those mittens I decided to dig back into a folder that I stored this sweet little cupcake pincushion pattern in.  I seriously have been wanting to knit a cupcake since I learned how to knit.  In fact my favorites on Ravelry has quite a few cupcake patterns on it from back in 2009.  I figured that I am well capable of making one now that it's been a few years and I am a much more experienced knitter than what I use to be.   Take a look!

This cupcake pin cushion is actually pretty cool.  It is knit from the bottom up.  Once I got to the pink frosting I filled it up with a little bit of poly fiber filling and then put one of those tomato pin cushions in there and just kept knitting my way around it.  I learned how to make knitted bobbles which is what gives it the textured edging.  I thought it turned out pretty cute!  Wish I had put filling in the cherry though. :/  I got so excited about it that I just pulled it shut without even thinking about filling it.  Oh well.  It's still cute and holds my pins and needles nicely.

I did manage to take on a couple of orders which I have not been doing much of.  One of the requests though was a little candy corn outfit for a sweet little 3 mos old named Owen. 

Behold.... A picture. 

It took me 4 days to make this which is actually not bad at all considering I didn't use big needles and it was last minute.  I don't have a pattern name for it or anything.  I just kind of what off of what I knew and winged it.  This is what came of it which I think is pretty darn cute if you ask me. 

There is plenty more that I've knitted and have been working on but now my attention has to be focused on Christmas knitting.   I'm hoping this year won't be as stressful as last seeming as how I'm not making anything super complicated or huge.  Just simple knit bits of love for the ones that mean the most to me :) 

Aside from knitting things have been kind of "Meh" around here.  David has been out of town.  I battled strep throat for a couple of weeks.  I've been working on top of taking care of kids, home, and knitting.  Oh and cats.  Can't forget about the cats.  We adopted a new one. 



Human cat tree



 Meet Jemma.  She WAS a stray that found her way into our home, where we have taken care of and have loved on her.  There is a huge long story as to how we managed to get her and it's much longer than what I'm willing to type but needless to say she was destined to be with us and so she is. 

In this picture she has perched herself on my shoulder where she hangs out and likes to snuggle my ears and face. :)  I think she is pretty special. 

Well I suppose it's time for me to do something productive.  :) 

I hope you all are doing well and appreciate you all for reading my random posts when I actually get around to it.  Life is busy and often times the things I enjoy doing go on hold. 

Have a fun and safe weekend everyone!

Blessings.  -Caren

p.s. disclaimer: I will not blamed or held accountable for poor grammer, incorrect spelling, or typos.  :)

Busy Blessings

Ever have those times when you're much busier than you'd like to be?
That has been me.
Over the last few weeks I have been working, working, working, knitting, planning, errand running, and taking care of my loved family that I am sure has been feeling pretty neglected.
Things have FINALLY slowed down and it's a relief.
I stayed in my pajamas for at least half the day yesterday and when I finally decided to shower and get dressed, I wore nothing but cozy clothes.
I had no errands to run, no place to be really, and nothing to teach the teens at the Landing for Celebrate Recovery.
I just got to go and hang out.

I just had some phone calls to make, some emails to check, and some kiddos to hang out with.

I just completed a Market bag class at my LYS.
This class took 3 different meetings to complete and only 1 out of 4 I think actually completed the bag.
It's the Grrlfriend Market Bag off of Ravelry and its a free pattern if you want to look it up and give it a try.
The cast-on is by far the most difficult thing out of the entire project and took 2 hrs itself.
By the time we hit the next day of class (a week later) a couple of them were getting stuck on the pattern repeat that makes the main bag part.
By the third class I had one that was working on the brim and handle of the bag and walked out with bag complete.  All she had left to do was weave in the ends.

What a good feeling it was for the both of us.
She felt accomplished because she completed her very first bag and it was only her 4th project ever.
I felt accomplished because I didn't suck as a teacher. 
Good job to us both!

Next class... Baby Booties.

Found this pattern on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/womb

I thought it was pretty neat!  lol
As you can see it is a knitting uterus.
Why would anyone want a knit up uterus?
Well there are a lot of women that have knit them for their Doulas (sp?) or Midwifes.
I think that would be the most appropriate use of this particular project.

Maybe an obgyn...
But it seriously made me think of the Bible verse that I have written at the top of my blog page.
"...you knit me together in my mother's womb..."
I have officially made this knitting uterus/womb the Sereknitty and Purls mascot and I intend on knitting one... when I have time. 
Until then, it is just an awesome thought. :)

I have a lot of knitting planned out.
I was thinking that I'd knit again for Christmas so I've been trying to plan for that but in addition to that I have been planning for and knitting a little bit for Saiya's 2nd birthday which is in a month. 
I can't believe how time has flown. 

Changes have seemed to come pouring in over the course of 2 years.
In two years I have lost a job.
Given birth to my 2nd child (that almost died)
Had a health scare.
Almost filed for bankruptcy.
Had some difficult friendship/mentor changes.
Got a new job.
Had a child go into preschool.
Now he starts kindergarten on tuesday.
David left a job of 10 years to pursue a new career.
and it seems every week poses a new challenge of some sort.
BUT
these last 2 years have blessed us in a lot of ways.
I don't ever doubt that God will take care of us and our every need.
I don't ever doubt that in my time of struggle, uncertainty, and sorrow that God is right there comforting me and giving me strength.
I have learned that my life plan may not add up with God's and that any life plan that I force, God will be there to make it right.
I know that at the end of the day we have each other.
I know that God has provided us with incredible family and not just biological but church family as well.
In all this change I am blessed and I am proud and stronger than I think I've ever been. 
It is in these things and God working through them and through me that I am able to share about the goodness of God and his provision in my life and that of my family.
God is what gives me hope, purpose, and peace.
I am so thankful.

Well... Enough of the seriousness.
I have a women's retreat to go to!

Love you all!

Caren

The Insanity

 Yay another post before the month of July ends!
I was meaning to post yesterday but I got caught up in work and decided to use the kids nap time as time for me to watch shows aimed towards young teenagers and hang with my Momma.
I know you're jealous....

This coming Thursday (Aug. 2nd) I will be teaching a class on the
"Grrlfriend Market Bag".
This is a free pattern that I found on Ravelry that I absolutely had to make.
I've been wanting to make a market bag for a long time... like since I first learned how to knit but didn't have enough skills to make one easily.
Well since I'm pretty confident in what I know and am totally willing to learn what I don't... I decided that it was time.
I've made 4 in the last 4 months.
It's knit from the bottom up and the cast on was pretty tricky but as long as I kept breathing...
I was golden.
Here is one that I've made for the class.

I've been contemplating making a few and selling them...

Any takers?

I went to Billings, Montana over the weekend with my Mom and Kids to go visit my Grandma.

It had been a little over a year since I had seen her and so I was thrilled when my mom offered to take us with.

We had ice cream every day.

Shopped.

Went Swimming.

Ate at a yummy pizza place.

and found a couple yarn stores.

(one of which I actually went into.)

I was seriously in need of some time out of town and especially with people who are so key in my life.

Wild Purls was a highlight on my trip for sure.

I walked in and immediately felt at home as I browsed at the big selection.

Saiya was busy.

Brodey was busy.

I was busy looking at yarn.

My mom helped me out and kept Brodey preoccupied in the car while Saiya and I kept looking.

I visited with the lady that was working there as we shared some of our favorite things to knit, planned projects for the future, favorite yarn,  and pattern/yarn match-up mistakes.

I walked around a few times and kept gravitating towards this bin of beautiful, soft, luxury yarn that I just could not help but to pick up and pet.

I ended up getting two skeins of it!

Lorna's Lace Shepherds worsted weight.
100%  superwash merino wool

I don't know why I didn't think to look at the tag to see what kind of yarn it was.
I just saw that it was Lorna's Lace and was super soft.
I was sold.
I then got super excited when I realized it was superwash merino wool because I often times prefer it due to its washability and softness.
I like having high quality yarn and still being able to put it in the wash with no worry of felting.
Especially with a toddler that is oh so busy with food and cup.
It was a successful yarn purchase and I walked out of there all sorts of giddy.
If I wasn't worried of looking like a complete fool you could have possibly seen me skipping out of there with bag in hand and ear to ear smile.

Sometimes I feel like I sound insane.
Like I'm just some fiber crazed fool that has completely lost it around yarn.
But I know other knitters understand.
Yarn can either make or break a project.
It adds character.
Texture.
Uniqueness.
Possibly some sentimental meaning.
and not to mention some yarn is hard to knit with and can honestly hurt the hands.
Would you rather knit with some stiff string that has absolutely no give or bounce to it?
Or would you rather knit with something that is soft as it hugs your needles and gives nicely as your needles move in and around it? 
Do you want harsh man made fiber hanging off your body or the body of a loved one that holds no real warmth?
Or something that gives warmth and comfort?
See where I'm going with this?
Yarn is very important to a knitter.
and if we sound crazy...
we just might be but only because we know what's good and have learned to really appreciate all the work that goes into making it and how it makes the knitting experience just that much more enjoyable.

If you're a knitter or crocheter (or both) that does not purchase yarn from a Local Yarn Store I would recommend purchasing Lionbrand's woolease (if you haven't already) which I've found at Walmart and Hobby Lobby.
I've knit with that a few times and have enjoyed it on the occasional project.

Keep your eyes peeled and look at labels.  I know I've seen a few acrylic yarns with wool blends added in like woolease but have also seen some with alpaca and other friendly fibers.
You can still enjoy yarn on a budget.  :)

If you haven't tried luxury yarns...
I dare ya.

I hope your day is going well!

Blessings!
-Caren-

Knits and Finds

 I was hoping to get this blog posted before the kids got up from their nap but I had problems logging in and then had to go through a couple hundred emails before I realized I was in the wrong email account to get my login information.
They are wide awake now as Brodey scrolls through Netflix to pick out a show to entertain them for a few while I do this. 
My computer at home seems to be a little bit more user friendly and so I'm hoping to post more frequently now that I'm not as limited.

For the last 1.5 years I've been wanting a China hutch. 
I even went as far to ask my mom for the one that I grew up with because I just needed a place to put some of my breakables and store some of those keepsakes that I didn't want Saiya's busy little fingers all over.
I'd post on facebook on Casper Mama's Upcycle every once in a while asking for an inexpensive or free china hutch and had no such luck. 
I had just figured that it would be simple to find one at a decent price because I always see people posting on their blogs the stuff that they bought from thrift stores for close to nothing.   They do not live in the state of Wyoming and apparently our 2nd hand shops here in Casper are not always poverty friendly.
Well last month I decided to ask God for one.
"God, please give me a China hutch.  I feel like I've been patient in my search and I would just really like one.  Please give me one...."
And he did!
I had posted on the same facebook page that I have been for over a year and had an immediate response (from someone I knew of all things) saying that I could have theirs for free.
I was thrilled and couldn't wait!
I got it, I moved into it, and it sits full in my dining room.  :) 

 Is it in perfect condition?  No.  But does it have to be?  NO WAY!  There is a little wear on it but I don't mind.  It just gives me a good excuse to paint it later on down the road if I so choose.

Now I didn't ask God for these but they were an awesome garage sale find!  I love garage sales but it seems I don't find much because often times what others see as junk... I see as junk as well.   BUT there have been times when I find something perfect and this last month I did. 
These two red chairs!
SCORE!

The guy that was selling them was wanting $50 a piece but David talked him down to $20 so I got both chairs for under the asking price of one. 
They are so comfortable, and after a little rearranging (and total make over on my knitting corner) they fit perfectly!

I have been knitting!  In fact I have been knitting like crazy. 
I've managed to complete a number of projects in the past couple weeks. 
This dress being one of them!

In addition to that I've managed to knit 2 headbands, 1 washcloth, 1 market bag and this super cute and fairly easy baby sweater.

I started this baby sweater on a Friday afternoon and had it done by a Sunday afternoon.
It was knit using chunky yarn and size 10 US needles which would explain why it wouldn't take so long to do. 
The size I made was a 6 mos.

I've been planning for Saiya's 2nd birthday that is coming up in Sept and have been starting to get ideas for Christmas knitting.
I don't know why I want to torture myself again this year with deadlines and last minute projects.
I just have some ideas going around in my head and they are so awesome that I'm having a hard time passing them up but we will see. 
(will more than likely knit.)

David has been at his job for a little over a month now and all is well so far.
The longer he is there the more comfortable we have become with this change even though there are some things that we are all adjusting to still.
The hours are unpredictable and though he may be given a day off... it doesn't mean it is.
They can call him in at any time and send him home at anytime.
There was one day when he worked from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 a.m. the next day which included a couple hour break for him to come home, cook, eat, and water the lawn.
He will be going out of town the closer his training comes to an end.
I am just thankful that 1.) He has a job and 2.) God is providing and 3.) He is much happier than he was.
We have a lot to be grateful for!

Brodey will be starting Kindergarten in just a few short weeks.
The closer that time comes the more I consider home schooling, which is weird because I have never felt these emotions before.  haha!
I know things will be ok and if at some point they aren't... I will deal with them then and not be in fear of what he may face.
Just praying and trusting God while I prepare to send my son off to elementary school.
I am so proud of him and feel so privileged to watch him grow into such a neat little dude. 

Whoa.
I guess this is what happens when I don 't post for a while.
Big ol' long winded blog.

Love you ALL

Caren