2011 in Pictures

2011 has definitely been a year to remember and I say that because I have so many more pictures now.  Blogging has helped me document my life better and keep track of it better.  I didn't start blogging until April, but I can still give you a full year recap.

The big event in January was going to the Winter Classic.

The biggest event in February was my sister and Rob getting engaged!

March was all about relearning to crochet and making Julie's blanket.  In April, I blogged about it.  I made some mosaics from my blog.

April 2011

 May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

September 2011

October 2011

November 2011

December 2011

That's my year in pictures.  Hopefully things will continue to improve in 2012.  I hope everyone out that has a good New Years!

Sam <3

Emily's Purple Infinity Scarf

A friend of mine, Mike, asked if I could make a scarf for his wife, Emily, for Christmas.  I sent Mike a few patterns to choose from and he picked one.  Then he just told me to make it purple.  This was before anything happened with my bf going into the hospital.

This project actually ended up being the project that got me through all of the hospital time.

This is how it started:

It is a nice ripple infinity scarf pattern.  Here is how it turned out when it was all finished.  I had to take the pictures at night because I really cut it close.  I finished it on the 22nd and gave it to Mike fully wrapped on the 23rd.

I love it and I'm probably going to have to make it again for myself!

Details:
Pattern:  Infinity Scarf by Kim Miller, I bought the pattern on www.knitpicks.com
Yarn:  Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in the color Bordeaux, closest picture to true color is the first picture of the unfinished scarf.
Hook: 3.5mm E hook
Size:  58" x 8" (147cm x 20cm)

This pattern is amazing, it has a lot of texture because you work only in the back loops.

You might see another one of these sometime soon because I want one!

Sam <3

Hot Drink Sleeves Galore!

On one of the early days of bf being in the hospital, I got an Etsy message asking if I could make 5 of my hot drink sleeves like this one:

I brought my supplies and started churning away in the hospital room with nurses asking me what I was making and such.  I pretty much took over the whole counter space in his hospital room.  It was my craft area my bf joked.  Bf helped me choose colors and which flowers to put on in between food network shows.

Thankfully I made 5 because the one the girl referenced above was purchased while I was working on her order.

These were what I came up with:

I really like them.  I'm definitely going to have to make more to put in the shop!  I think the last two are my favorite.  What do you think?

Sam :-)

My Christmas

Last post, I explained how my bf, had been in the hospital for most of December.  Well, we had Steeler tickets for the game on Christmas Eve.  He still really wanted to go and the doctors said if he was up to it, there was no reason why not.  I was a bundle of nerves of course.  I didn't want someone inadvertently bumping into him.  His surgery wasn't that long ago.

We thankfully had a parking pass right near the stadium and a family member helped with a few phone calls about security pat downs and we were in!

Our seats were amazing and it wasn't too cold, especially when the sun was shining, and we dressed really warm.  I eventually got us hot chocolate too.

I tried to take a picture of us and I must have accidentally zoomed in and this was the result:

How cool is that?  A happy accident is what I call it.

Of course we tried again to get a picture of us at the game.

We had a good time.  I ran around to get any goodies we would want.  We stayed until somewhere in the 3rd quarter.

The rest of our Christmas time was pretty quiet.  Dave did a bunch of online shopping in the hospital!!!

He got me a Michael Kors watch!!!

Its so pretty and I love it!

He also got me a case for my Nook and a clip on light.

Bf also got me not one, but two pairs of Steve Madden boots!!!  Brown and black!  I don't have a picture of the black boots, but I got the brown ones early and wore them to my sisters bridal shower.

They are fabulous boots if I do say so myself.  They are these ones here.  I got them in the brown and black.  Use the 25% off coupon if you get them!

I got clothes and a gift card to help me get a new phone from my parents.  I already got a new phone on Monday and I love it.  The camera on it is amazing.

Grandma Betty loved her blanket.  I didn't get a picture of her opening it because I was just enjoying some family time.  She was very touched that it was for her.  She had seen me making it and I told her on Christmas that it was for her all along.

I hope everyone had a really good Christmas.  I really enjoyed mine.

Sam :-)

Everything in Perspective

Last year around this time, I was upset that my bf had to work crazy hours and we couldn't do anything Christmas-y at all.  This year, everything is in perspective.  How silly for me to be upset last year.  This year, bf is on the road to recovery.  After a total of 18 days in the hospital, he's finally home and we are taking it one day at a time.  Thank you everyone for your well wishes.  We're moving slow, but we're moving forward.

When major things happen, you always cherish the little things.  My dad and I went to get a Christmas tree one Saturday at bf's insistence.  We like having a real tree.  They smell so nice.  The tree was up in our apartment bare for a while.

I also picked out a wreath.

It makes me smile, every time I come home.  I can smell it while I'm unlocking my door.

One night I decided to decorate the tree, even though it was just me.

I showed these pictures to my bf at the hospital and he told me that the star was leaning to the right...I laughed and gave the exaggerated thaaaaanks.  It was nice to joke around.

These are the ornaments bf's mom sent us, sock monkeys with our names on them!

I'm so thankful for everything I have.  I'm so happy he's finally home.  Its hard, but at least he is home.

A good friend of mine, who is also going through a hard time, told me a few things that have helped more than she knows:

-You're stronger than you think you are.
-When you don't know how to express gratitude for everything people have done, thank you is enough
-Don't get mad at people for asking how you are doing, they just love and care about you

Words to live by in my opinion.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sam

Christmas Swap

I signed up for a Christmas Swap on www.Ravelry.com in the We Love Lucy (Attic24) group.

I received my swap present yesterday.  I've been really busy lately and I only had time to take pictures at night.  Here's what I got:

Didn't I get some really great things?!!  I got two ornaments, some Lush soap, buttons, a handmade hook case, chocolate covered pretzels, and bunting.  Did you see the yarn I got?  I got some Debbie Bliss to go in my blanket stash (I almost have enough!).  The other two brands are soft and new to me.  I'm anxious to try them.

Thanks Anna!!!!

This is what I sent to her:

This was the bag I made her:

It was the first time I have sewn in a zipper.  It was harder than I thought!

I had a really good time with this swap and I hope Anna did too!!

Did you participate in this swap or one like it?  I'd love to hear about it.

Sam :-)

FO Friday - Joint Project with Grandma Donna

A while ago on some WIP Wednesdays, I gave you updates, here, here, and here, on a project that I was working on with my Grandma Donna.  It was a blanket for my cousin Hannah.  My Grandma has finally finished it and here it is.  The pictures were taken in my Grandma's living room at night with a bright light on, so the color may be a bit off.

So, the project was divided up like this:  I did the center square, the heart appliqués, one corner square, and I started all of the other corner squares for my Gram.  My Gram did the side rectangles, 3 of the corner squares, joined the pieces, and did the border.

I think it turned out really nice!  You can see that the green yarn is sparkly!  Its so cute!

Details:

Pattern:  Teen Throw

Yarn:  Caron Simply Soft Party in Spring Sparkle (green) (5 skeins), Caron Simply Soft in Mango (orange) (about 2.5 skeins), and Caron Simply Soft in Watermelon (pink) (2 skeins)

Hook:  5.5mm I hook

Size:  43in square (109cm square)

This was a fun project and I'm glad my Grandma finished it in time for Christmas!

Don't forget to see everyone else's FO over at Tami's Amis.

Sam :-)