tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40107061527233758032024-03-14T05:33:59.837-04:00kookababy ™Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-55724698222407473602014-12-03T15:36:00.000-05:002014-12-04T12:51:06.977-05:00Swap, swapity, swap, swap, swapSo I decided to dust off the old blog today and wax on about swaps.<br />
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Hello! My name is Giedra and I think I may just be addicted to swaps. My first swap was the <a href="http://www.schnitzelandboo.com/">Schnitzel & Boo </a>mini swap round 2 and man I LOVED it and was sad when I packed that mini up and sent it off. Sad to be done creating and IG stalking.<br />
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It's an extraordinary thing that all these people all over the world, the <b>whole world</b>, are creating for people they have never and may never meet. I poured my best efforts and heart into that little quilt. Was it perfect, Oh NO, far from it! In fact I have learned so much from taking part in all these swaps. That's the reason I even started signing up. I really wanted to push myself to learn but without a cause I was sort of aimless and kinda timid to sew for myself. Mini's seemed like just the right start!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRYw3uZp-DaXXV5rlsp3Tui8kCJQTDEVvhqbGsBVUmIhRa82knpKjTceSo_FZfAink1-yIBaJ4Zmu_jqzuZYXsy1KW09NC6_esuw6wFRfUcnb4JlOqtruHIuk6_QgZiJ2fM2f9-0Gmv3x/s1600/DSC04834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRYw3uZp-DaXXV5rlsp3Tui8kCJQTDEVvhqbGsBVUmIhRa82knpKjTceSo_FZfAink1-yIBaJ4Zmu_jqzuZYXsy1KW09NC6_esuw6wFRfUcnb4JlOqtruHIuk6_QgZiJ2fM2f9-0Gmv3x/s1600/DSC04834.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first mini!</td></tr>
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With my first swap I wanted to test out an idea I had for a larger quilt and with it I learned:<br />
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1. How to quilt, yup it was my first real machine quilted quilt<br />
2. Bias binding and hand finishing. I used only cheater binding before (shh don't tell)<br />
3. Glue Basting. I think its not totally for me but it's good for some things.<br />
4. First ever lined zipper pouch (as an extra). I am now pouch obsessed.<br />
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I also learned that I still work my best when I have a deadline to meet. In collage I was never late handing in anything but I did pull a LOT of last minute night before all nighters. I'm better now but I still drag my feet on getting started and the finishing. With this in mind I signed up for not one, not two but FOUR swaps all due Dec.1st. That's right crazy lady right here.<br />
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Here is what I learned in the four swaps I just compleated:<br />
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1. I can totally bring a drawing to life!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IG mini swap</td></tr>
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2. Hand Quilting<br />
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3. Free motion quilting<br />
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2. Flatter is awesome, mini irons not so much<br />
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3.Don't fight the machine let it work for you not you for it, seriously my quilting has grown by leaps and bounds when I figured this out.<br />
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4. Paper piecing! I love it, it's kinda like paint by numbers for fabric.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaGScTeiz8AqXp24lJpQNazMZvteAAgCkD70cYJnZ3-KiOoaEiyQqU7FROmMTzSyzIaHRJ-xWfk4Ow8jL1iAHUjLfCM5F1DTNqv9lALapRuen9g7paXKrOFO3bdZjICBcidIp3wsgMrea/s1600/DSC05938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaGScTeiz8AqXp24lJpQNazMZvteAAgCkD70cYJnZ3-KiOoaEiyQqU7FROmMTzSyzIaHRJ-xWfk4Ow8jL1iAHUjLfCM5F1DTNqv9lALapRuen9g7paXKrOFO3bdZjICBcidIp3wsgMrea/s1600/DSC05938.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Quilt Swap. Cocktail Shakers pattern from the book <a href="http://www.sarahfielke.com/23/little-quilts/">Little Quilts by Sarah Fielke and Amy Lobsiger</a></td></tr>
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5. Sewing circles is super time consuming but not as much as tying off all the thread you get when sewing them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwX1tSA4ltkd0XjOJXFCJP3rU5ixS3yhpqq0qVYBJlEfkaCMBislVbQJyDNOE88FjpSWbDwQ-fDy_bQEcyRqu9ihDMffr4jnZAZA6HTSeYoLZ0p_fNj3ionprU8uMFt4HFS47rLTjd6ul/s1600/DSC05953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwX1tSA4ltkd0XjOJXFCJP3rU5ixS3yhpqq0qVYBJlEfkaCMBislVbQJyDNOE88FjpSWbDwQ-fDy_bQEcyRqu9ihDMffr4jnZAZA6HTSeYoLZ0p_fNj3ionprU8uMFt4HFS47rLTjd6ul/s1600/DSC05953.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jolly Swap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was super windy during the photo shoot</td></tr>
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Lastly you get way better pictures on a sunny day. My only regret in not taking more photos of my IGmini swap quilt (the pink one) when it was sunny!<br />
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Now that I feel confidant to cut into some of my stash for my own quilt I swore that I was off swaps for a while but then, THEN, another Schnitzel and boo swap came up so what did I do ..yup signed up for a 6th swap without batting an eyelash. Why, Why, Why did I do that? Well because I still have stuff to learn...and I was inspired to finally join our local <a href="http://www.themodernquiltguild.com/">Modern Quilt Guild</a> so you know I need more project to show off there!<br />
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Luckily I have been making things and really wish I had time to show them all off but for today I am picking something I made last year that I never got a chance to write and it's timely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzv-y3oAP9AC5aHN-VVE6bHvhSnveuv10osnjnWuANaFv1S_XCxujA89UN-_t0SRiGUapO3gkdKOgbjqDCKhjNzulEPfMz2yLnOvSCJldQ8unezeo9j7-7OwDvXpflCe7sYRFKiGUzWHnW/s1600/DSC00424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzv-y3oAP9AC5aHN-VVE6bHvhSnveuv10osnjnWuANaFv1S_XCxujA89UN-_t0SRiGUapO3gkdKOgbjqDCKhjNzulEPfMz2yLnOvSCJldQ8unezeo9j7-7OwDvXpflCe7sYRFKiGUzWHnW/s640/DSC00424.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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The reason I had no chance to write about my advent calendar is because I started one week before Dec 1st sooo I was a bit busy and I was literally one step ahead of each day adding the ornament and pocket.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxZiCLlspg25J5DN4HUEAwfLBKrrXEesxsdLQz7uSmoKb5jXTCiqvRhQGZXTZ6KqmQjcJ-lMn6CMwEDqQRMKhY-RKHdGvYlS6-ClFR2cmMP3gBIhTLi6pRla1CTl3Lh0Rs7EBhrL1KLBK/s1600/DSC00427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxZiCLlspg25J5DN4HUEAwfLBKrrXEesxsdLQz7uSmoKb5jXTCiqvRhQGZXTZ6KqmQjcJ-lMn6CMwEDqQRMKhY-RKHdGvYlS6-ClFR2cmMP3gBIhTLi6pRla1CTl3Lh0Rs7EBhrL1KLBK/s640/DSC00427.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was clearly inspired by <a href="http://katieemrich.blogspot.com/2010/11/adventing.html">this one </a>I found on Pinterest. I used brighter colors and only two shades of green in my tree. I hand drew everything and made little paper templates for all the tree pieces and ornaments. I loved working with felt and plan on doing more once my to do list gets smaller, heh. I still have some little details I want to add. I see it as a work in progress that I'll do a bit to every year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my all time favorite ornaments and I kinda wanna make some for my real tree.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I think there is plenty of time for anyone who is inspired to get crackin !<br />
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-45741352333155915042013-05-21T13:52:00.001-04:002013-05-21T13:52:17.061-04:00Pantsapalooza!I've been MIA because I made a choice to do rather than to blog. It worked. I made stuff and I liked it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-lzqyLyfZcN9AqnfHJ89RfIJtMx_JKpMcEZ8Kkk9tLtNbOWgS_8uuOb63TsnQjSmSovQ1WMvBOhHKj68HoejssO0sZYv-XrvPsrC8EDG-v5cl72-3rpZiyN_JxR6t5PBH9BVKyi5LFgT/s1600/DSC01281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-lzqyLyfZcN9AqnfHJ89RfIJtMx_JKpMcEZ8Kkk9tLtNbOWgS_8uuOb63TsnQjSmSovQ1WMvBOhHKj68HoejssO0sZYv-XrvPsrC8EDG-v5cl72-3rpZiyN_JxR6t5PBH9BVKyi5LFgT/s640/DSC01281.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">From Left to Right: <a href="http://www.sewing-for-boys.com/">Treasure pocket pant</a> (x2) <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2013/04/parsley-pants-sewing-pattern-is-here/">Parsley pant</a>s (x2) my own pattern and two more Parsley Pants.</span></div>
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-81620204622909718552013-01-28T15:11:00.001-05:002013-01-28T15:11:21.337-05:00They're Multiplying!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used the same <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/curly-snake">curly snake pattern</a> as Astas <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-knitting.html">Big 'ol' Snake</a> that he got for christmas. This time I just followed the pattern as written with the exception of using the magic loop and knitting both of these snakes at the same time. I was also lucky enough to have brought my little with me to pick out the buttons we used for the eyes. Just as I was about to give up he found these tiny itty yellow ones that were perfect!</div>
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-63734602322336191342012-12-29T08:57:00.000-05:002012-12-29T08:57:22.168-05:00Christmas KnittingThe dust of frenzied gift making has settled and I finally have time to share what I have been doing with my bits and pieces of free time. Part of my time managment problem is that I have a really bad habit of working on, Oh I don't know, 3-7 different project going on at the same time. Having so many projects on needles and in the "to sew" pile leaves little time to think about writing. I also find it incredible hard to put down the hand on creative stuff and blog, although I'm not sure why since I waste a very good portion of my time messing about on the Internet.<br />
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On to the the knitting...<br />
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My list of gifts I wanted to make for people for Christmas was a long one, longest in history. Some got done and some didn't even get started *sigh* The first item I absolutely had to make was one of the only two things my little guy asked for: a grey snake. I looked high and low for such a thing out there in the world and apparently there is no such thing in the stuffed animal kingdom. Black, blue, green and even pink but no grey.<br />
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I set to knitting choosing the curly snake pattern out of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/books/Itty-Bitty_Toys__D31248.html">Itty-Bitty Toys</a>. I needed this snake to be a slight bit bigger and fast so I used Cascade Eco which is a bulky yarn. I followed the pattern as written and came up with this!<br />
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He loves it!</div>
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I couldn't be happier even if he thinks it came from Santa no matter how much I tell him otherwise. He finally came up with the compromise that I made it but Santa brought it.<br />
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-9479632123119714502012-11-16T13:53:00.002-05:002012-11-16T13:53:50.498-05:00Ridiculously Cute/Easy/Fast Baby BootiesThese might seriously be the best thing I've made in a while. Why? Because it took me maybe 2 hours from start to finish, I love working with Koigu, I didn't have to buy more yarn to make them, they are seamless, have only two, TWO, ends to weave in and when all is said and done will produce the loudest awe's at any baby shower.<br />
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Convinced? Wanna make some too?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">See, ridiculous!</span></div>
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If you knit and are on Ravelry you might even recognize these little cuties. The original pattern is <a href="http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf">Saartje's Booties</a> a "hot right now" pattern that I have never wanted to make because of all the ends and a seam...no thanks. Too much work for such a small project.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lit up with some fall sunshine!</span></div>
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Well turns out my sister is having a girl and she saw these on Pinterest so I though I'd give them a try. After reading the original pattern again I just knew that there had to be a better option. I put Ravelry to work for me and found <a href="http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/">Fleegle's Blog</a>. This wonderful knitter had done all the work I didn't want to do and <a href="http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/sartjees-fleeglized-bootie.html">converted the pattern</a> for knitting in the round.<br />
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I made some minor changes like using <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html">Judy's Magic Cast On</a> and I knit them two at a time magic loop style up until the straps then I had to put one on a holding needle. Easy Breeze!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ACK! I just noticed that I sewed the buttons on backward! The baby won't notice, right?</span></div>
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-97316727051544002012-11-01T11:18:00.000-04:002012-11-01T11:20:58.137-04:00Dia De Los Muertos AKA My Glass is Half Full<br />
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Sooooo it's been a bit...</div>
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While I didn't outright fail on the kids clothing week (I did sew more than an hour each day, I swear!) I didn't meet my goal *sigh* things happen, dinners need to be made, sick kids have to go to the doctor, husbands have birthdays that need cake...the list goes on and on and on.</div>
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At least I'm done in time for a day where my pants fit right it.</div>
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These Treasure Pocket Pants are from the great book <a href="http://www.sewing-for-boys.com/">Sewing For Boys</a>. I've had the idea "in my head" for ages and used the KCWC as the kick start I desperately needed to make them reality, unfortunately I didn't have any idea how much time these would take. It probably would have been more clear had I actually read the pattern before I cut my fabric (oops!)</div>
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One of the reasons the pants took me so long is the lovely seam construction and attention to detail. These pants are built kid tough. I think the knees will blow before anything else. My littles could not wait to put these on and find treasures to put in the clever pockets.</div>
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The other is that I made two pair using the same fabric but in different sizes. You can use your imagination to picture all the comedy show that was me putting a 4t panel with a 3t one High-larious!<br />
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Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-83296474103890069222012-10-09T08:59:00.003-04:002012-10-09T09:20:01.863-04:00Kids Clothes Week: HatsOooh I can barely contain my excitement about <a href="http://www.elsiemarley.com/kids-clothes-week-fall-2012.html">this whole challenge</a>. I mean if this went on ALL the time, you know the having to be accountable and such, I would never have to buy anything at a store ever ( I kid, sort of.)<br />
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I work well with deadlines and other peoples expectations and this is why I did alright in college. Yes it's true that I almost always did everything (maybe even a 12 page paper) the night before it was due. Scrambling to put the finishing touches on projects at 2, 3 or ever 4AM and then managing to somehow function, look good and be running on time (this was back before I drank coffee too.)<br />
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So here I am with a <a href="http://followgram.me/i/297767352471983281_202464932/">literal mountain of fabric</a> and project ideas, not to mention blog posts to write. As I was cooking dinner and occasionally checking on the littles I wondered "How am I supposed to do this and still manage to wash clothes, cook, clean and pay attention to my kids?"<br />
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The answer is still unclear but I am typing this in a clean living room having already washed my fabric, put away dinner and I even have a project to show off. *<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I typed this last night as I was waiting for my fabric to dry</span></i><br />
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Ready set GO!!!<br />
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To be fair I did not just whip these up today. I finished them today. I'm taking this week to help me get back on track with my time spent here on the the blog, finishing old projects and starting projects that have, until now, lived only in my head.<br />
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Project Low Down<br />
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Pattern: my own made up simple hat. CO 133, knit a 1x1 rib for about 7 or 8 rows until it looked how I wanted, added a couple random stripes to give each hat a way for me to tell who's who's. Even decreases starting after the hat measured about 5 inches.<br />
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Needles: Size 2 for ribbing, 3 for hat<br />
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Yarn: <a href="http://www.koigu.com/">Koigu</a> that the boys picked out themselves.<br />
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-11193792245459315512012-10-08T08:32:00.000-04:002012-10-08T08:32:37.031-04:00I Heart MichiganI can't think of a better way to kick of the<a href="http://www.elsiemarley.com/kids-clothes-week-fall-2012.html"> Kids Clothes Week Challenge</a>! Here We Go!<br />
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I have crush on my home state of the mitten. The lovely summer we had enjoying all it's water ways and sandy beaches only fueled the fire.<br />
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Wanting to share the love with my littles I searched out a simple shirt with a pic of the great lakes or just the outline of the state. Would you believe that this was hard to find? I didn't think it would be but for some reason all of the kids shirts had silly sayings or some wording like "Made in Michigan", personally don't get the appeal.<br />
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While being lulled to sleep by the waves of Lake Michigan I had an idea, combine my many loves to make a great shirt! My kids, Michigan and <a href="http://alabamachanin.com/">Alabama Chanin </a>style sewing.<br />
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I started with some plain shirts from Target, scraps from another project I'm working on, two pairs of tiny hands and lots of love. CHEESE!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Do you see that black spot??? Can you believe I sent him to school in this before taking any pictures? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">It was the only day he came home with not just paint but BLACK paint on his clothes. AHHHH! (don't worry it mostly came out)</span></div>
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Not sure if you have ever traced your littles' hands but, <b>it is really hard</b>. It's one thing to do it for a fun picture but it's a whole other ballgame when your trying to make a template for an applique. I needed their tiny fingers to be just so. Thankfully they were into the whole process and we managed to do it in about three tries.<br />
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<i>Oh my gosh! I just just now realized that if youj are not a native Michigander or know someone who is you may have no idea that we here in the Great Lakes State often use our hand to show our location or what have you.</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I ironed these, I swear!</span></div>
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After using a basic straight stitch for the applique I backed stitched on a little love for our town: Ann Arbor. Now don't go looking to compare the location to it's map counterpart, it's a heart in the general abstract vicinity of A2.<br />
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I kinda wanna make one for myself. Will. Have. To. Wait. Focus on the kids...</div>
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Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-7651903713510123512012-09-04T15:09:00.000-04:002012-09-04T15:09:07.878-04:00Kindergarten *SOB* not him but his Mama. Loki went off to school today for the very first time and didn't even look back.<br />
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When I picked him up from school and he found out he got to got back tomorrow let me just say he was beyond thrilled.</div>
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The only thing I regret is not finishing any of the projects I had lined up for him to wear to his first day. Oh, well...the school year is long and we have time.</div>
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-4054867605057859712012-08-16T21:46:00.000-04:002012-08-16T21:46:16.697-04:00At Least the Yarn is LovelyI had high hopes, maybe too high, for this project. I had been eyeing the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caramel-2">Caramel </a>pattern for some time but had yet to find just the right yarn, enter <a href="http://www.eatsleepknit.com/cshop/product/Madelinetosh-Tosh-DK-Yarn/1897/">Madelinetosh DK</a>. Ooooh *swoon* what amazing and lovely yarn. It's a dream to knit with just slipping through my fingers soft and light. The colors that are available are almost too much to bare. I had the hardest time choosing but settled on Milk, Coral and Robin's Egg calling the sweater Seaside Sunset Caramel because together they reminded me of how the sun looks as it dips into the sea just before slipping away. I started knitting it on the plane to San Francisco and you may have even seen it peeking out of my<a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/04/have-bag-will-travel.html"> Show Off Bag.</a><br />
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Everything was going fine, I was loving the color combo, the pattern and the yarn. I bound off and tried it on *sigh* the back rode up just a little and I didn't really love it so I ripped it back just a touch and added three short rows to the back. Fixed!<br />
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I blocked it (which took two months to make myself do) and gleefully packed it for a trip up north (if you are from or know Michigan you know where I mean.)I Pictured being snuggled up on a slightly chilly morning drinking coffee outside while watching the lake wake up. Well fortunately it was hot and super beachy which I la la love more than anything so that was fine. Fast forward to the end of the trip on a very blustery day and it turns out this sweater was the only warm thing I brought. Bah.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ack! Ignore the thread peaking out, Gah!</span></div>
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The yarn didn't travel well (see the wrinkles) and I wish I had figured out how to make an extra small because the whole thing just feels too big and too floppy for me. To ease the flop I bought a pedestal button which works fine until I bend over *sigh*<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Serious Button Action, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I need to do some closure thinking to get it just right.</span></div>
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Alright enough with the blah..after looking at the pictures and seeing it on my friend<a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/"> Rae</a> (whom it looks particularly stunning on) I see that it really is a nice sweater for the colors alone. I think I can play with the fit and if not I'm sure I could find a pretty good home for it.Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-62590640357308372892012-07-30T15:45:00.001-04:002012-07-30T15:45:18.724-04:00Love Story: How a Knitter Fell for Hand SewingI'm still kicking myself for not discovering <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1513994407">Alabama </a><a href="http://alabamachanin.com/">Chanin</a> sooner. Seriously? Where have I been? Why did I not know about this? I remember when the first book was released and how I was drawn to the name and the cover but because it was sewing by hand promptly put it back on the self. To think I was so close to meeting my new love.<br />
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The title could also read "Sewing For Knitters" because I have found a true companion to complement my deep deep adoration for knitting. Don't get me wrong there will be nothing that can replace the soothing sounds of needle tips clicking together as mere wisps of string are looped and caught to magically transform into a garment (highly romanticised but true.) I am always in awe of knitting. I look down to watch my piece grow and marvel at how amazing it is every time.<br />
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What does this have to do with sewing and how is it that someone who will avoid seams in a knit garment at all costs as to avoid sewing can now be so in love with it?<br />
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The idea of crafting a garment completely by hand, at first, terrified me. All the steps before you get to the actual sewing are very much the same as for machine sewing, although as I went to sleep last night I realized that cutting out the fabric is very much akin to winding a skein of yarn. The similarities to knitting keep coming. Once your fabric is cut out in pattern the project is totally portable, just like knitting. There might be a little set up such as testing what embroidery stitch to use, like swatching a knit. Pinning items together and "loving" your thread are like casting on.<br />
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Are you still with me?<br />
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The Low Down</div>
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Pattern: Alabama Chanin tank top from <a href="http://alabamachanin.com/books/alabama-studio-design">Alabama studio Sewing + Design</a> size XS</div>
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Fabric: A thrifted XXL mens t-shirt</div>
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I used a thrifted shirt so that I could just dive in. I have a terrible tendency to hoard fabric and find it too precious to cut. Not so with some dudes giant purple t-shirt. The shirt turned out to be a super awesome find. It's a really lovely thin 100% cotton that's soft and has tiny purple and light purple stripes.<br />
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Let's talk about the sewing, oh the sewing. I love how it feels to be hand stitching the seams together. Felling them is my preferred look and I really love the whole embroidery bit. I even like testing it out to decided what would look best. I went with the<a href="http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/buttonhole-feather.html"> feather stitch</a> because it was one I could actually figure out and make look good. I have a lot to learn about embroidery stitches.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One of my littles was about to sneak in the shot</span></div>
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Overall I'm really pleased with how it turned out but I did have to make some modifications. After I was all done sewing the binding in place I tried it on only to find that I really should have done so BEFORE I worked so hard on the embroidery (hand to forehead, doh.) The armholes gaped something fierce and there was no way to remedy the problem without taking off some portion of the binding. </div>
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I only had to remove the slightest bit near the shoulder seams. I seam ripped and took in the shoulders quite a bit. I'm still left with a bit off a gap but nothing that screams "redo" or at least not to me.<br />
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More to come! I already stared another tank with thrifted shirts but this time with applique and I've order actual Alabama Chanin fabric to make a dress . Yippee! Hurray for Hand Sewing!</div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-9259339414105234692012-07-20T15:59:00.002-04:002012-07-20T15:59:39.153-04:00New Obsession and Love<div style="text-align: center;">
Just buzzing by with a quick peek at what I've got in my hands and on my mind.</div>
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Thanks <a href="http://alabamachanin.com/">Alabama Chanin</a> for a new way to spend my evenings.</div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-13168778264147939612012-07-09T14:43:00.000-04:002012-07-09T14:43:24.958-04:00Hot Dye!This week it has been HOT here in the mitten and we spent most of our time either getting wet outside or staying dry and cool in the AC.<br />
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By the end of the week I was all swum out and it really was too hot to just play outside (we're talking over 100 degrees!) but we were starting to feeling cooped up in our house. What did we do to beat the heat? Well naturally it's tie dye time! <br />
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Loki got a tie dye kit for his birthday and I figured what better way to spend our time outside but to strip down to undies (the boys, not me) and dye some things crazy bright colors. Unfortunately I have no pictures from the actual dye session because my hands got messy fast and corralling squeeze bottle toting tots with a camera was out of the question. Much fun was had and we all ending up with very colorful shirts and hands and even feet.<br />
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The ends results are quite wonderful and even more so because both kids really did all the dyeing of their shirts on their own with no help. I only stepped in to keep Astas from emptying the entire contents of every bottle of color onto one shirt. We also made shirts for their cousins and me, by we I mean me, can you tell which ones I did?<br />
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The hardest part for the kids was waiting. After the shirts where all colored they had to be wrapped up in plastic and left alone for 24hrs. Twenty Four hours!! A day in kid time feels like a year. It was as if we were on a long trip except for "Are we there yet?" was replaced with "Are they done yet?" I didn't wait the exact amount of time recommended to rinse and wash them because there is only so much a Mama can do to keep anxious kids at bay. I did all the rinsing, washing and drying so I could surprise the kids after siesta time. They were so happy and proud that they wore the shirts to bed and are still wearing them as I write this.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Proud Artists</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Goofy artists</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Firetruck sighting</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Closer view of the firetruck.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Trying to keep an eye on the firetruck parked across the street.</span></div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-46470066255399708032012-07-01T21:15:00.001-04:002012-07-03T07:07:11.820-04:00And She Sews in to the Wee HoursMy little guy turned 3, THREE, this past week. We have been talking about birthdays with him for a while because it's kinda been a birthday season that started in <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/03/five.html">March </a>. We asked what he wanted for his birthday and he said "Strawberry cake and presents." I had the cake covered thanks to <a href="http://pinterest.com/Kookababy/">pinterest</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This was the best picture I could get because he kept dancing around (and my camera is crummy)</span></div>
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The "and presents" not so much. I was racking my brain and remembered "oh, yeah...the quilt....." I bought the fabric for it waaaay back in 2009 and <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2009/12/moving-on.html">even posted about it</a> to keep me motivated. Clearly that didn't work. The day before his birthday, or that night before, I set out to finish the stinkin quilt. All I had left was to bind it all up. Piece of cake, right?<br />
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Somehow my brain was so fried that I could not wrap my head around how to do those mitered edges and I think I spent about a 1/2 hour struggling with the logistics. Luckily my brain kicked it into high gear and I got the machine sewing done. I then spent the better part of the evening hand stitching the miters into place with the injured thumb to prove it. The end result isn't perfect but when he went to bed after his birthday dinner he said "I need a blanket." I covered him with a gauze one he has been using since it got hot. "NO" he said "my new blanket, it's my favorite." Heart melting and gleeful smiling on the part of this Mama.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Frolic by Wendy Slotbloom</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> with some other randoms to round it out</span>.</div>
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Seriously could not have asked for a better end to the day or project.</div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-85329171224349717802012-06-18T14:59:00.001-04:002012-06-18T15:01:34.098-04:00A Year in the MakingI have written this post in my head for, well, almost a year now.<br />
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I say "I really need to blog about this, but I have to block it first. I'll do it tomorrow." Tomorrow comes and I never feel like blocking. I knit a new thing, I weave in ends on another thing, I sew a little something. Summer turns to Fall, Fall turns to Winter, Winter turns to Spring and $!@&;^%$ it's Summer AGAIN??!<br />
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I have been saying " I really should block this." about once a week and somehow I never do it. I think<br />
"I kinda want to wear it" as I lay trying to fall asleep. Tomorrow...<br />
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Tomorrow came and I did it!!!Maybe all this foot dragging is due to the fact that this was my second Buttercup tunic and so it wasn't a thrill to knit or finish. I made another one because I wasn't really that happy with how <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2011/06/loving-purple-right-now.html">the first one</a> turned out and I had to make some modifications.<br />
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The Low Down<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buttercup-6">Buttercup</a> by Heidi Kirrmaier<br />
Yarn: Jaeger Trinity<br />
Modifications: There are a ton and since I finished knitting this almost a year ago and didn't take good notes I'm making some grand guesses as to how exactly I modified my top. First off I omitted the gathering at the back neck to result in a more overall fitted look. According to my notes I did this "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">body, knit until measures 10 cm from underarm.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">after marker ssk knit until 2 st before next marker k2tog sm ssk knit until 2 stitches before marker k2tog" </span> I assume this was to take it in a bit so it fit better. I knit the sleeve much shorter. In fact I only did a couple rounds after picking up the stitches for the sleeves then I bound off loosely and I didn't do the "puff" sleeve so I could get a tighter trimmer fit.<br />
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My overall goal was a more fitted top and I am so much happier with this version then I am with my first attempt.</div>
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Notice the red bracelet?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3QKn7W7IozXakbgb1uXWD02twoIUROVIBDBVZYaUa7mz3mkm0gNcaNI6bix8AoZ0XxuySJtRjmy36WMtdlcqJ-6CKq02ZTUGykcscLG3dK58CIR2ipWxXYR7G7q_LT4A2uicSsRh_gkS/s1600/IMG_8354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3QKn7W7IozXakbgb1uXWD02twoIUROVIBDBVZYaUa7mz3mkm0gNcaNI6bix8AoZ0XxuySJtRjmy36WMtdlcqJ-6CKq02ZTUGykcscLG3dK58CIR2ipWxXYR7G7q_LT4A2uicSsRh_gkS/s640/IMG_8354.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Here's a close up</span></div>
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It was a birthday gift from my friend Christy who has a wonderful line of jewelry over at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2093954544">B-side </a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bsidemetalworks">Metalworks</a>. It's a wish bracelet that is so sweet in it's concept and look that I couldn't resist tell you about it. The idea behind it is to make a wish when putting it on and when the bracelet falls off your wish will come true. So cute!</div>
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<br /></div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-29828692738874164842012-06-16T15:13:00.002-04:002012-06-16T15:13:52.097-04:00SummertimeIt's really not news that the weather has been in the 80-90 degree range in the Mid West with an occasional chilly dip into the 70's for some time now, but I only just now feel ready to welcome the summer with open arms.<br />
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Earlier in the year I ordered myself a new pair of sandals to take on <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/04/have-bag-will-travel.html">vacation</a>. They arrived a day before we left, so I though I'd better skip it and the potential blisters.<br />
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Fast forward to today when I wore them walking around farmers market and to the grocery store. I am in LOVE with them. They are so comfy it's what prompted this post, not to mention cute.<br />
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So what are these glorious sandals? They are <a href="http://ssekodesigns.com/">Sseko's</a>! Not only are they ridiculously comfy they can be styled in a million different ways with all kinds of colors of interchangeable straps. I'm still figuring out all the ways. Just type in Sseko to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a> and you will have more tying styles then you have time.<br />
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Beyond the stylish exterior lies a company doing really good work in Uganda.</div>
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Click <a href="http://ssekodesigns.com/the-sseko-story/">HERE</a> to read the whole story.</div>
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How Cute is this strap?</div>
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<br /></div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-46582660255946723432012-05-18T14:11:00.001-04:002012-05-18T14:11:54.122-04:00Just in TIme...<br />
Oh, wait...maybe not.<br />
Even though it's not quite as warm as it has been I think I've missed the weather boat with this one.<br />
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I actually started this sweater waaay back in September thinking I'd knock it out in a month or two, it being all nearly seamless and semi-bulky.<br />
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Well, me being me, I made some modifications. In my mind they were going to be totally minor and not at all a big deal.<br />
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WRONG! I forgot that converting a pattern from flat to in the round can sometimes be tricky. So tricky that even after you figure it all out it messes with the way the rest of the pattern goes too and then you have to figure that part out as well. So I put this sweater down in favor of <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-love-cables.html">many</a>, <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2011/11/critters-for-warmer-necks.html">many</a>, <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2011/12/unselfish-knitting.html">many</a> <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/02/ive-got-secret.html">other things</a>.<br />
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After much procrastination I made myself finish this project in hopes I'd wear it while <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/04/have-bag-will-travel.html">we were on vacation</a>, but the weather was just too warm.<br />
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I put it on today for the first time to take pictures and will probably not wear it again until the fall.<br />
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The Low Down;<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/august-pullover">August Pullover</a> by Veera Valimaki<br />
Yarn: Cascade Eco + in Amethyst Heather<br />
Modifications: OK, here we go<br />
I really wanted the sleeves a bit less wide which other people of done by knitting a few more rounds of the twisted rib before separating for the sleeves front and back. Easy. Not for me because I didn't really like the look of having more ribbing, so I set out to knit the twisted rib as written then change to herringbone pattern in the round until I got to the point I wanted. Piece of cake??? NO, no and no.<br />
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After trying very hard to wrap my brain around converting a pattern from flat to in the round I went in search of someone who had already done it. I searched and searched and finally found a lovely pattern by Lauren Osborn called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/herringbone-cowl">Herringbone Cowl</a>. Thankfully she had figured it out and even charted it. So all is good right? </div>
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WRONG.<br />
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The herringbone patterns are just ever so slightly different and I had to figure out how. I thought I did but then after knitting 18 rounds figured out I figured out an 18 row repeat instead of a 20 row one. I went with it because I thought it was minor, NOPE.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I used an ancient method of cutting a pasting paper to rework the chart.</span></div>
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OK it wasn't THAT big a deal. I only had to figure out how it changed the sleeve count,the neck shaping and how you cast on for the back of the sweater, no biggie. </div>
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So you can see why it took me so long. Ton's of stopping,starting and brain wracking. Now that it's done I'm not even sure it's something I will really wear. Oh well...Le Sigh.<br />
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-17692574017396243092012-05-11T15:21:00.000-04:002012-05-11T15:21:45.423-04:00In Full Spring!Almost everyday we go for a walk and are lucky enough to live by a paved path that does a nice loop around a river and over a dam. Along the walk are parks, crew boathouse, and a little pond teaming with frogs and turtles.<br />
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The other day we set out with nets in hand to catch frogs. On the way we got caught in a rainstorm that passed just as we pulled up to the pond (so no pics of our adventure). A bit soggy we got right to work and I caught two frogs. Both boys loved it. After that the frogs got wise and I set about randomly swooping the net though the water. Much to my surprise I got a huge tadpole. I have never ever seen one in real life. It was the size of a small lime with a fishy looking tail and frog eyes.<br />
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Why am I telling you all this? Well when we got home Loki asked him I could please knit him a "tagpole". So I did.<br />
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Thank goodness for scrap yarn!</div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-69220455179568235002012-04-27T10:26:00.000-04:002012-05-11T15:22:06.390-04:00Have Bag, Will Travel.This past week (and a half) we went on a little tag a long trip with my husband to Monterey and San Francisco, California. I mean if he's going for work we might as well too, right?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Us being super touristy. I think this is the only picture of me in the whole bunch.</span></div>
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Of course what that said to me was, totally need to make a new bag! Did I do this months or even weeks in advance? Ugh? NO, why make things too easy?<br />
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On top of packing for me and the littles I set out to make this bag about fours days before we were leaving. I didn't actually really get to it until two days before and finished it at around midnight the night before. Worth it? Yes!<br />
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The Low Down<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2011/09/showoff-bag-pdf-sewing-pattern-is-here/">The Showoff Bag</a> from my dear friend <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/">Made By Rae</a><br />
Fabric: Amy Butler Lotus I think? Lithuanian linen my Mom got for me when she went there in 2009, some quilt weight cotton left over from <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2009/12/oh-no-she-didnt.html">Loki's quilt</a>.<br />
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Close up of the contrast lining</div>
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A peek inside</div>
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Bag on vacation lounging poolside (pool not pictured) I love this chair. It goes so well with my bag.</div>
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The one thing that happened because I was in a rush to make this bag, and you may have noticed if you have seen it before, is that when I carefully laid out my fabric I cut out the pattern for the lining instead of the main bag. It really wasn't a problem I had time to fix so I just skipped the pleats.</div>
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Maybe I'll leave more time to make my second one.</div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-9122469600356875972012-04-08T09:55:00.001-04:002012-04-08T09:55:19.627-04:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nothing says easter like a tiny robot bug with ears!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Egg dying is serious business.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So hard to get a good picture of two kids actually looking at the camera at the same time.</span></div>
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-12209820362002782692012-03-23T08:44:00.000-04:002012-03-23T08:44:46.722-04:00Goody, Goody, Goody!Wordy start, but stick with me!<br />
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As part of my <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/03/five.html">make it as memorable as possible birthday party</a> I made goody bags. I made them even though I do not care for it when my own kids receive a goody bag. I am happy just to help the person celebrate and do not need anything to make it feel like it was worth my while for going. There has even been some <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/fashion/gifts-to-young-party-guests-irk-some-parents.html?_r=1&ref=fashion">recent press regarding goody bags</a> and how they can get out of control or that they can be filled with junk you will just throw out when you get home. All this aside, I had a kid who was hell bent on having goody bags to hand out, so if I was to stick with my intent (you know making the memories) goody bags were a must<br />
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On the flip side of all the negative, a nice way to think of it is that giving is better than receiving. The goody bag kinda helps the birthday person experience this. I knew I didn't want to have bags bursting with dollar store trinkets and penny candy, but what to do?<br />
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Here is what I came up with:<br />
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I thought it was important for Loki to have a hand in the making of the bags. First he made a painting and then we cut it up and he signed the bottom to use as thank you notes.<br />
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In each bag we put a favorite toy we always get when we go to the zoo.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">These are the size of a penny which I should have included for scale...Oh, well!</span></div>
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We closed each bag with a little button. I love these and all the cute sayings. I though it would be something the kids could pin on a jacket or bag to always remember the party.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Also should have used coins to show scale..these are a bit smaller than a quarter.</span></div>
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Last but not least the bags also had a mini Star Wars fruit roll up per Loki's request (no photo of those). I put all but the buttons inside a wax paper bag that I sewed up in the birthday boys favorite color, pined them shut and voila! not too terrible, kinda lovely goody bags.</div>
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I love, love, love sewing paper but let me warn you wax paper, not so much. It is a pain. I would use parchment instead if I were to do this again.<br />
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At the end of the party we had a goody bag "egg" hunt (also Loki's idea) because it was 80 degrees in March. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-58345217239881283872012-03-21T14:59:00.002-04:002012-03-21T14:59:53.119-04:00Five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How is it that once you have kids time seems to speed up and years fly by. With all these people telling me to cherish every moment you think that you could slow things down and take a second to enjoy your baby, toddler or new five year old but no... time flits past and where you once had a squishy tiny newborn now stands an adorable seemingly huge five year old.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Every year I take a picture just as they are waking up (they pretty much all look like this)</span></div>
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Up until now we have not had a party (well not counting his 1st birthday) but I remember my fifth birthday so I felt that it was important to help make his very memorable and thanks to<a href="http://pinterest.com/Kookababy/"> Pinterest</a> I hope I did. In fact it was Pinterest's fault that I had so much work to do what with all its good party ideas and stuff. Thanks A LOT Pinterest.<br />
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<a href="http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2012/01/guest-post-homemade-pixie-sticks.html">Homemade pixie sticks</a>, <a href="http://shopsweetlulu.com/category/Stripey-Straws/c1">adorable paper straws,</a> <a href="http://www.tealandlime.com/2011/09/diy-glass-milk-bottles-tutorial/">tiny milk bottles</a> (really cleaned frappaccino bottles), <a href="http://quick-dish.tablespoon.com/2011/03/15/double-rainbow-pancakes-double-rainbow-recipe/">rainbow fruit kabobs</a> and my own touch of a fabric scalloped fabric bunting and homemade goody bags. I'm tired just remembering all of it.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ready to party!</span></div>
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With the exception of the pixie sticks (more on the big FAIL later), all was a success! I am so happy with how everything turned out and plan to use the bunting for every party we have since I worked so hard on it. Who new that round would be so time consuming a thing to sew and iron, but boy I love the look better than the pointed kind.</div>
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet little guy!</div>Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-50476120469157917662012-03-09T14:59:00.000-05:002012-03-09T14:59:28.187-05:00Elfish My Selfish HatLast summer I knit myself a new <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2011/07/its-cool-koolhaas.html">winter hat</a>. Unfortunately the yarn I used was not a good fit for the pattern which is kinda stretchy and the yarn is all stretched out and now the hat is big and it doesn't cover my ears.<br />
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I turned to Ravelry for inspiration and ideas when I stumbled across a kids hat pattern that I loved. My ears and head are now gloriously toasty all the time!<br />
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The low down<br />
Pattern:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quynn"> Quynn</a> by woolly wormhead<br />
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran that I got I on a whim because it was on sale. It's super soft and the color is lovely. So far it's wearing very well with not a lot of pilling.<br />
Mods: extra increases to fit an adult head and ears and changed from garter stitch to straight stitch after 5 garter ridges.<br />
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This was joy to knit and such a great way to seamlessly make a hat with earflaps. It knit's up fast too! I used my leftover yarn to make the <a href="http://kookababy.blogspot.com/2012/01/lost-hat.html">same hat</a> for my friends daughter.<br />
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<br />Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010706152723375803.post-68416572576566637792012-03-05T23:45:00.000-05:002012-03-05T23:45:37.740-05:00Gifted Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have to admit I'm a very, very selfish knitter. I love knitting. I knit everyday if I can. I want what I work on to stay with me. Of course if I really kept to this I would have a house bursting full of knits and not enough kids or days or me to wear them.<br />
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So on that note and to keep my mind and fingers busy with yarn I knit this lovely sweater for my mom. I gave it to her for Christmas unfinished. In years past I have given people unfinished knits and, well, they have remained that way. Not so with this one!<br />
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The Low Down<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cardigan-bay-jacket">Cardigan Bay Jacket</a> by Carol Feller<br />
Yarn: Mirasol Yarn Ushya colorway 1706 or greenish (the same yarn I used in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/mirasol-yarn-ushya">Cardiff Coat</a>, just a different color)<br />
Modifications: Less waist shaping and did snaps instead of buttons.<br />
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My mom had asked me to knit her something with boucle yarn, to which I cringed and searched and told her NO. I continued my search for a sweater (and yarn) I wanted to knit that she would also like and came up with the Cardigan Bay. It had texture that I though oozed comfort and cuddly.</div>
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When I gave it to her I did not have the snaps on yet and was hoping that she would be fine just using the belt. Not the case...so I added the snaps I had planned for thinking it would be less of a pain then buttons. NOT THE CASE! Snaps are a huge time consuming pain that I had to force myself into getting done. Overall it was worth it because I really like the clean look of the snaps with the belt but next time I think snaps I may think again.Kookababyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527099310010705359noreply@blogger.com1