Meet Toby

Toby is the new addition to my and Dave's family.  We got him from a rescue organization.  He is still VERY shy.  

He likes to hide out in his cage.  It makes me feel better that he feels safe in there.  He slept all night in there. I only closed the door when Dave and I went to bed.

He is a little over 4 months old and he is a bichon frise.  I've always wanted to rescue a dog, but I'm limited by what breeds I can handle due to allergies.  I saw this guy on www.adoptapet.com and did a little research on the breed and that was it!

He is so cute!  I can't wait until he comes out of his shell a bit.

Sam <3

ps.  I have a finished object that I could have showed you last week, but I procrastinated on pictures.

Update and WIP Thursday

It is hard to believe that my last post was on July 6th.  A lot of things are going on in my life right now and this blog got pushed to the side.  Dave had his liver surgery on July 20th and all is well.  They got all the cancer out of his liver and he is recovering well.  He'll have to do some more chemotherapy, but that won't start for a few weeks.

I have still been crafting, just not as much or not as fast.  Dave's mom and sister have been staying with us again for a few weeks and I seem to not have enough time to do everything.

Here are all of the projects I have been working on:

Dave's socks:

I'm probably as shocked as you are that I learned how to knit socks.  That's a heel up there!  Also, I'm actually farther along than the picture shows.  I'm actually about this far on the SECOND sock.  Note, can you see up there that I am actually using My Ripple?!  Love it!

My Dad's Wavy Blanket:

My dad has been asking about a blanket for a long time now and I've always had other blankets that I was working on.  Now I finally got a cool idea that I was excited about and I went ahead and purchased the yarn.  Its going to be 60"x80"!!!! (approx 152cm x 203cm)  My dad is a tall guy and wants it to cover his toe.

Little Square Baby Blanket - Girl Version:

You may have seen my Little Square Baby Blanket that was for little baby Leo.  I used my leftovers from My Ripple, but now I am using the other colors of my leftovers.  I don't know who this is for, but it travels well and was a good project to work on in waiting rooms.

Drops Blankets:

You may have seen Grandma Betty's Drops Blanket and I must say it is one of my favorites.  My sister really liked it as well.  She had an idea to have a blanket in that pattern, but do it in blues and browns.  I liked her idea so much, I bought enough yarn for two blankets!!!!!  Again, this is another really portable project with no deadline and I enjoy working on it.

I did receive a question a couple of weeks ago from Lea.  Lea, I'm going to answer your question here since I couldn't find an email or blog to respond to you.  You asked,

"...I am thinking about making this for my grandparents this year, but I hesitate on the yarn since I have to mail order it and I have heard a few people complain about the quality and texture of this particular yarn. How do you feel about it having completed an entire blanket out of it? Would you have compromised the colorways to have had a better feeling / more snuggly blanket? Thanks in advance!"

I'm betting that my choice to make not only a second blanket out of this yarn, but also a third, answers your question.  I really like this yarn.  I think it is a soft wool.  It does still feel like wool to me, but I think it is soft. My grandma loves it.  She thinks it is soft and lightweight and warm all at the same time.  Also, I think the colors they offer are gorgeous.  I love the blanket I made for my gram.

Even though I am a day late, I'm going to link up with Tami's Amis, Small Things, and Frontier Dreams.

I'll try to update more often, but my life is so busy at the moment.

Sam :-)

FO Friday - My Knit Vest

My first knit piece of clothing is done!  My knit vest is complete!

The seams really scared me, but I don't think they look too bad.

I was so nervous to try it on.

It is a little big in the width and a little short.  I think I can make it longer with blocking, but I think I'm stuck with the width.  Overall though I am very happy with it.

I've linked up with Tami's Amis, Natural Suburbia, and Wisdom Begins in Wonder.

Sam :-)

ETA:
Details:
Pattern:  Karina
Yarn:  2.75 skeins of Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in color Uva
Needles:  US 9 - 5.5 mm and US 10 - 6.0 mm

Finished Object Page

Hi Everyone,  I just wanted to write a quick note about the new Finished Object Page.  You should see it right next to the home button on the upper left hand side of the page.

I created this page so that the finished objects were easily accessable.  I must say I did it more for me to have them all in one place.

I'm going to get a June Mosaic out soon with some straggling May pictures that I still have queued up as well.  Also I have another FO for tomorrow!

Sam :-)

FO Friday - My Ripple!!!!!!!!

I've finally finished it!  My ripple is complete!!!  Want to see?

It ended up being 52"x76" (132 x 193cm)!!!!  As you can see above, I can lay on the couch and be completely covered!!!!

I'm so excited that its done.

I did a very simple border.  Who knows, I may add to it later.

I struggled to get a full picture of it on the floor, but here's my best shot.

Look at all the color!!  I love it!

What do you think?  I love it!  I started it in January, so this blanket is the biggest and took me the longest.

Details:
Pattern:  Neat Ripple Pattern
Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
Colors:  All listed on my project page, here
Size:  52"x76" (132 x 193cm)
Hook:  4 mm G

I've linked with Tami's Amis, Natural Suburbia, and Wisdom Begins in Wonder.

Sam <3

I Won Crochet by Faye's Giveaway!

At the end of March (I can't believe it was that long ago) Robyn Chachula of Crochet by Faye was reviewing the Jordana Paige Butler Tool Case and she was giving it away afterwards.  It turns out that Jordana Paige decided to send me a brand new one!  I have been using this tool case non-stop ever since I got it!

It came in the mail when my boyfriend was in the hospital.  It really brightened my night opening it up.  I made myself go slow and savor it.

This organizer is amazing and I can't say enough how much I love it!

My hooks are in the front compartments and my needles are in the expandable section.

I just want to say thank you to Robyn and Jordana!!!  I'm sorry it took so long, but I love it and thank you so much!

Sam :-)

May Mosaic

May flew by and not a lot of crafting was done.  Many of you know that my bf, Dave, has colon cancer.  I told you a few weeks ago that it has spread to his liver.  We now have surgery tentatively planned for July 20th.  He's starting another round of chemotherapy today.  His mom and his 11yr old sister are staying with us for most of the summer and I'm glad they are here.

Here's my May mosaic:

June is looking to be a really good month.

I still have to show you the giveaway that I won and the yarn that Dave bought me when he got out of the hospital.

Sam :-)