Ice, Ice, Baby

Well, then. A frozen winter became a close encounter with spring for 5 warm days, and then BAM! ice storm! and back to winter we go...

I would have preferred to take some ice photos with sunshine, but it wasn't meant to be. We didn't get any sun for 3 days and by then the ice was gone. So I'm glad I took the time to get these pictures when I did. It was bitter, bitter cold outside and my fingers were sore cold. They hurt so bad and I thought I might have gotten frostbite. But luckily they warmed up nicely and everything works :) I need some photographers gloves. Do they make those? I wonder...

Knitwit Files Vol 7: Slouch Hat and Pattern

Trial run with my first pattern inspired by some others I'd read but written by me! It's not slouchy enough for my dreads, but it works quite well for The Girl. She snagged it up before it was even finished! The next one will have to have an excessive amount of slouch and a bit bigger headband if it's going to fit me. And if I make it big enough, I make even get to keep it! :)



Here's the pattern if anyone would like it.

1. CO 68 stitches in the round. Place marker, join round, be careful not to twist!
2. K2P2 Rib for 1 1/2" on #8 - 16" circular knitting needle. It's gonna be tight, but it'll get easier soon enough.
3. Time to increase: K1M1 all the way around. You should now have 136 stitches.
4. Knit until body is 6 1/2"
5. On last knit row, place marker every 34 stitches (use color other than 1st one so you know where the beginning of the round starts)
6. Begin decrease: Row 1*K2 K2tog(15 times) K2* repeat ** 3 times - make sure to move markers. 76 stitches left
7. Row 2: *K3 K2tog(7 times) K2* repeat ** 3 times making sure to move markers - 48 stitches left
8. Row 3: *K2 K2tog(4 times) K2* repeat ** 3 times, moving markers - 32 stitches left
9. Switch to (4)DPNs
10. K32 putting 8 stitches on each DPN - 32 stitches
11. K2 K2tog(2 times) K2 -all the way around. 24 stitches left
12. Cut tail of thread at least 18", thread on needle and pull through all stitches, pulling tight to close up opening. Weave in ends.

Materials: #8 16" circ, #8 DPNs, stitch markers, tapestry needle, yarn #4 worsted acrylic blend about 200 yds (244yd skein)

4x12: February

Walkin' on, walkin' on, broken gla-aass...

Welcome to Lake Michigan! A frozen Lake Michigan, that is. It was so very cold that the lake froze all the way across - something I've never seen before. It was also unusual because normally there are mini mountains along the shoreline in the winter, due to the waves. The cold snap hit so fast and so hard the lake just froze in its tracks. Quite the sight to see. And we were lucky to see it this year. We made it just in time. The day before this was taken it was still extremely solid. The day this was taken (Monday, Feb. 15) it had already started to melt. And now because of the super warm weather we've been having (40s!) its no longer safe to clamber across. So I'm glad we did this when we did. It makes for a wonderful backdrop :)

This makes photo #2! 4 people 12 times makes for a great challenge. They still whine when I tell them we'll be taking a family photo, but I know eventually they'll see it coming and just fall in line :)

The Knitwit Files Vol 6: Warm Hat

This has was knitted flat using 2 strands of #4 worsted held together: one in snow white and the other in navy/white mottled. They are both a wool blend. The yarns were super slippery to work and I am so glad I worked this one flat. It only took a few evenings to knit this one up. I will most definitely use this pattern again.

Winter Storm 2011

Once we got the tire fixed and back on the tractor, Great-Grandpa made the attempt to make a path up to the driveway. There was too much snow so I went ahead of him with a shovel and broke a path so that the snowblower could get through. Even so, he still got stuck a couple times. Once he got up to the drive the kids helped me clean up the path so he could get the tractor back to the barn.

The Girl came out to help after we already had quite a bit finished. Here she's helping to clear out the path from the driveway to the little barn out back.

This is the driveway. It is completely drifted closed and the drifts are definitely over Little Man's knees. He started digging it out, but I set him on another task since Great-Grandpa planned on using the snow blower on the driveway.

Clearing the path from the back door to the little barn. The wind blew so hard it came down off the roof and made those huge drifts.

It took almost 3 hours to clean up all that snow. While Grandpa was working on the drive, the kids and I took turns clearing the paths and I cleaned up around the truck and car and widened the outside edge a bit so I had room to squeeze the car out when I get parked in.

Once the work was done the kids took a little side trip out into the untouched drifts of snow along the barn. They didn't get far before turning back! They put the shovels away, brushed the snow off and headed inside for some hot cocoa.

Project 365 - 2011 Edition

I'm getting a bit of a late start this year. Not having a computer of my own to work on whenever I need to/want to has been as much a bane and it has been a blessing. I've been working on making my journaling cards and design cards a little at a time. I decided to go with stripes and polka dots this year. Creating my projects in Photoshop Elements 2.0 actually came much easier this year due to all the practice I had last year - even making some digital scrapbook layouts!



I already have my binder and divided page protector sheets - all assembled and ready to go. My photo file is constantly being updated with daily pictures - edited, labeled and ready to upload and print.

My big challenge now is getting everything printed. I've located two online printers who do 12x12 scrapbook pages. I'm thinking I'll send an order to both and see which one I like better before ordering the cards for the entire year. And then I have to get all the photos printed. I've always used Shutterfly for my photo printing. Of all the online printers I've used in the past, I like them the best.

Eventually, I'll be able to put everything in the binder. And hopefully, that day will come soon!