OTN, and goings ons.

OTN

Basic top down raglan cardigan, in Peace Fleece "Grassroots" Drool. I love this yarn/color. I am close to taking the sleeve stitches off and working on the body. I need to find some freaking awesome buttons.

Cabled shorties for Bodhi, in Peace Fleece "Blueberry Borscht" . Just inserted a three strand braided cable down each side. Nearly knit to the gusset now.

Celtic Tote by Jennifer Tallepeneni... (sp?) in Peace Fleece "Sakhalin Salmon" About halfway done with the front. This one is slow going as I have to have my chart, and I have to not have a toddler rip said chart to pieces. But it'll get done someday.

So, I LOVE peace fleece apparently. I am going to put in another order for 1-sweater quantities for each of the kids, and some DK for socks, shawls, etc. I also plan on a Knitpicks order for some Palette.


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In non knitting news, I have to get myself a little healthier. Staying up a little too late these days, eating a little too much crap, and not walking any more (does 2-3 times a month count?) is not adding up to Mama feeling very good. I also am at the top weight for my "happy range" and want to drop like 5 lbs. So back to counting what I eat just for a while, because one doesn't need three leftover peanut butter cookies in one day.... ;-)

I didn't count what I ate yesterday but it was generally good. (forget about the cookies...) I made curried lentils for lunch, with raita and rice. Breakfast was two eggs in corn tortillas with a tablespoon of cheese and some chili sauce. Dinner was some homemade Hungarian Potato soup (and my was it divine! next time, light sour cream and less butter...) with biscuits and salad and 1 beer.

My problems usually lie in slightly overeating, and snacking on chips, etc if I have them around. I ate some bbq stax while cooking lunch when some fruits and veggies would have been better!

Before bed though, while we were watching Avatar with the kids and I was knitting, instead of grabbing another drink (which tends to lead to Too Much and staying up later than necessary...) I made a cup of skullcap tea and had a couple bites of some tasty ice cream. Yum.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is also that time of year when my kiddos leave for their fathers for extended visitation. This weekend happens to fall right before it, so instead of 15 days they will be gone 17, then another 18 later on. :-( I miss them so badly when they go. Although it's a little easier these days with Bodhi getting so big, he keeps me hopping. And I will work more hours, and get some home improvement jobs done as well. It's still hard though.

Earth Day Fun

After dinner, we built a fire in the firepit, and roasted marshmallows. Riley would like to say "It was fun roasting marshmallows and coloring our paper of the earth. And it was a bunch of colors. Happy Earth Day"

We started off the day just me and the boys, as Addison spent the night with her Gram. The boys and I cleaned a bit, and after breakfast we went on a long walk to the park. We walked through woods and wildflowers and had a great time. We saw a cardinal, a wildflower we can't identify that was in a field of Indian paintbrush. We thanked the earth for all we get from her.


Later, Riley colored a paper of the earth, I don't have a picture of it, but it was fantastic! Early afternoon we went to BellaRosa and picked up Addison, went to the Angel store and got some lucky marbles and quartz (the store is by my store, and the lady loves my kids, they go in with a dollar and come out with three things...)


Addison would like to say "I am very thankful for the earth, and my favorite thing about earth day is reading books and singing songs. I am so thankful for the earth, and my whole family."


The kids swam for a couple hours with Gram while I worked, and then we came home to dinner (gotta love the crock pot) We had chili, then the bonfire!

My kids are awesome, my husband is awesome and my life is beautiful!







Of course, what is Earth Day, without watching Aquamarine before bedtime.... LOL.














Shelley

Non knitting chats.

Is anyone else out there Gluten Free? Seriously. Eating out has not been that bad, there are lots of great option in the DFW metroplex. But I went somewhere that was one of my FAVES before gf days and got a chef that, well, lets just say I would have respected him more if he just admitted HE DIDN'T KNOW what had gluten. Because telling me I couldn't have a rice dish because it "got starchy" just made me not believe when he said something actually was safe. Arg. I was not very filled from my little (delicious, though) salad.
I need to write an educational letter I think, and remember to mention the fabulous waitress that worked her bum off for us. My kids ate great though, and thats good.

Shamlessly stealing posts.

I am going to snatch my partner-in-crime's lovely post on buying handmade. She said it better than I...

Why buy handmade?

Handmade goods are increasingly popular because it is so easy to buy and sell online. Etsy has been instrumental in raising the popularity of unique handmade items. I enjoyed the time I spent with Etsy, and now I'm ready to spread my wings and start my own shop, in partnership with my best bosom friend, kindred spirit, fellow fiber artist, Shelley. Here we are:

Cute, huh? My point is to point out that when you buy handmade items, whether online or in a shop (obviously I don't mean to include sweatshop made) you are:

• buying something truly unique- a veritable work of art
• supporting a work-from-home mom and/or someone trying to make a living doing what they love
• supporting the tradition of learning and handing down arts and skills through the generations

Shelley and I are two of those stay-home-moms, just hoping to make enough money to stay in business, so we can continue to do what we love and pass it on to our children. Hopefully some day we'll make enough to help with our family expenses. For the meantime we just want to get...and keep our shop going.
So all of you go forth and buy handmade for gifts, jewelry, pottery, art, clothes, home decorations... You'll get so many compliments on your excellent taste while knowing in your heart that you helped someone out with your purchase.

Blessings,
Lindsay

New Year - New Life WIP's

Hey all! Been a little quiet around here, I know. Just now recovering from the holidays!

We:

Had a lovely Christmas at home with my family and inlaws. The kids were the only ones to open prezzies as my in laws side of the family did an exchange the night before (Hello Woolery gift certificate, Thank's Tiffany!). It was messy and fun, and we ate tamales and Jason's Pico de Gallo. He makes more and more ever time we have company and it keeps getting eaten. I think this was like $25 worth of homemade pico this time!

From the 26th on, A and R went to their Fathers house for Xmas, and we trucked on down to Austin with my side of the family. (Must get pics back from dad's computer!) My brother rented a lake house, parents bought most of the food, and we all paid to get there - All in lieu of gifts! It was the best vacation, except my kiddos were sorely missed. Bodhi was there, obviously, and was the biggest flirt ever.

So, I want to move to Austin now, except I won't, for numerous reasons, but Jason and I both said we would LOVE to relocate to Austin. It's so laid back, and quite a bit more earthy, and the best Whole Foods I have ever seen is down there! As well as the best, Celiac friendly, Mexican food restaurant - Guero's. OMGah.

Anyhoo, great trip. I have some yummy yarns that I acquired at Hill County Weavers, and am currently working on a pair of socks for moi.

So we came home on the 1st, the kids came home on the 3rd (and left for another weekend the next day, but I digress) and this week is the first we are really settling into the New Year. I am doing well with my resolution to practice daily yoga, thanks to http://woyopracmo.ning.com/ , I didn't gain any of my recent weight loss back over the holidays, I am in the throes of purging the massive extra clothing my daughter and I have, and I am spinnning/dyeing away getting ready for the opening of my- and my bestest friend's- new store www.owletsyarn.com

I will probably keep a small etsy store going after Owlets opens, but mostly you will find me and my wares at Owlets. We hope to open early next month. !

Quant. The new Calorimetry? Panta?

Why are we so drawn to festive little pieces of headgear? Not really going to keep us very warm... (Although i must say, a Panta out of Patons SWS keeps me toasty here in Texas)

I have made Knitty's latest little addition to the headbandesque craze - Quant. Entrelac, easy, satisfying.

I altered it a bit, making it for my daughter. I used Panda's Cotton, fingering weight, on size US 1's

Enough sock yarn leftover to make some American Girl Doll Socks. Pictures to come...
Very poor picture....
And my Harry Potter. I mean, Harry poter for the kids for Christmas. Kimberly Chapmans "Little Dudes" pattern. too tired (lazy) to hyperlink,
Oooh, now I'm artsy...

And getting ready for Christmas more...

Ah, the classic, electric Yule Log....burning in the fireplace.Bodhi's newest longies. Yes, I am knitting these instead of Christmas prezzies. I work well under pressure.
Hazel and some Handspun
A festive dining room. Actually we have a new table. When the camera's batteries are charged up I will add a pic. New *gorgeous* wrought iron and glass table. Yum
A wee tree is all we have this year, less temptation for 8 month old grabby handsS


And me. Crap, I can't take off the strike... shit.

Getting ready for Christmas!!!

Hey look! Pictures! This is The Holly King. Hand dyed, handspun, 2 ply domestic wool. I like how it "candy" stripes!

A bunch of roving. So far I just plan on spinning it, but if anyone is interested in buying it I can list it on Etsy. There are some YUM colors...And JAMBERRY handdyed worsted wool. The colors in this skein are amazing!!! I kettle dyed it and the colors just swirled together...
And my son, smiling weirdly for the camera... in front our uber-cheesy christmas table in the kitchen
Addison listening to Jason read "the Hundred Dresses" by the fire.

I love it when i can actually post pictures... ;-)

Tatto talk... and more camera troubles.

Why oh why does technology fail me!? My lovely father works for IBM, I get free tech support, nice techie gifts, etc. But HOLY HELL everything effs up on me. My camera card reader (that would be the brand new one, folks) was fried my one of the ports on my laptop, dammit, and now I need another one. So no pics for a while.

But I have tattoo art! Kristin of Silver's Sock class fame, KBelle on Ravelry, designed me an ambigram Knit/Purl tattoo. *swoon* I love it! I just need to go get it done now.

I am not posting a pic of the art, cause, well, I don't want you to steal it. lol.

Mwah!

...on going Gluten Free

Ah. French Bread. Bagels. Whole Wheat toast when you are sick. A Reuben sandwich. Beer.


Or, being able to order out at restaurants without an intimate knowledge of the kitchen.....


Apparently I must say goodbye to (most) of these things. At least without a lot of prep and alterations. I have recently come to the realization that I am at least gluten intolerant. (Lets face it, I am willing to be in the dark on whether I am intolerant or actually have Celiacs Disease. Damage is Damage, and gluten causes it in me)

So the past month or so I (and my family) have been on this little foray into the world of Gluten free cooking, gluten free living, and gluten free outings. It's been interesting, to say the least. I have, in about a month...

~Discovered that two local liquor stores carry a gluten free beer that is made out of sorghum and tastes delish.
~Discovered that approximately 50% of the gluten free breads out there available to purchase taste like crap. But, thank the bright stars above us, Whole Foods has an entire line from their Gluten Free Bakery (they have a Celiac baker, guess they didn't want to lose him...) that is amazing! Cheddar biscuits, scones, mmm. I can't wait to try the pie crust.
~Fumed and flustered about over the fact that while my dear son flourishes on a GF diet (behavior problems, gastrointestinal issues, and skin "stuff" led us down the path to gluten free in the first place) he backtracks quickly when he has consumed gluten (among various other lovely food choices) at my ex husbands house...
~Hosted a dinner, and a girls night "in" at my house with entirely GF menus, to the delight of all. Apparently Brie and Fig Jam on crackers doesn't need gluten injections, no matter what hubby says.
~Made acquaintances with some new and old friends, like Quinoa, Teff, Millet, Tapioca, and Rice .
~Stumbled deliriously upon a GF alternative foods store literally less than a mile from my house, that has been there for ages. I think the owner there is a little worried for me, as I hugged her with teary eyes the first itme I went in...
~ Felt better than I have in years and years.

My list of heroes now include Danna Korn, founder of R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) and the author of several books, including Gluten Free Living for Dummies. Along with The Gluten Free Girl.

It isn't nearly as hard as it sounds, and sometimes it is every bit as hard as it sounds. But I feel great, and more than that I know that even a "little cheat" can cause damage, leading to other immune problems, disorders, even cancers later in life.

So, my house is now gluten free. (except for hubby's shelf. And the gluten injector I promised him for Christmas. He feels his apples may be tastier with a little glutenization)


Shell

Christmas List,,,

So I have a list a 60 in circular needle long to knit, for the kids, the spouse, and friends. I thought I would type it all out and keep a bit organized...

Addie -

1 pair LTK felted mocs - DONE
1 pair Knitty Knucks in Lion brand wool ease
Hermione doll with Crookshanks (if not more HP characters. If anyone has a pattern for this so I don't have to cobble my own thing together, I would love to hear it!)
Head wrap, maybe a calorimetry, or something

Riley -

1 Pair LTK Felted Mocs
1 pair Knitty Knucks in LB Wool Ease
Hagrid Doll, a dragon (He wants Norbert to be able to come out of an egg. Yeah, my kids think I am super wonder knitter....) and Fluffy the three headed dog. Sigh. They would like a whole slew of characters, but I want to at least give them a bit to get started with the promise of more to come.
That hat with the face thing on the latest knitty. What the hell is it called? Riley LOVES this.


Bodhi -

1 pair LTK Felted Mocs - Halfway done
A wee gnome in Peace Fleece or handspun scraps
Maybe a bulky sweater, if I have the time. But as he won't really "get" Xmas this year, I am more focused on the older two. Jason and I decided to wrap a couple of empty boxes with shiny stuff and that will be more fun than anything I could knit. lol


Jason -

LTK felted mocs. Jason has these old, worn Homer Simpson slippers that he loves but they are so holey. He wont give them up but I am going to make some anyway for when he actually needs something warm. I might even try for a Homer face on the top. Because I, apparently, am crazy
I don't know what else he and I are doing for each other for Xmas. Money is tight and I just don't think we need to really spend money on each other. We plan on using Xmas money to buy a family membership to the Frank Buck Zoo.

Lindsay and her fam

Neener. I am not telling, because Lindsay, you are probably the only one who actually reads my blog. So there



Seriously if anyone has a pattern for the HP characters I would LOVE to know. Right now I plan on Kimberly Chapman's little dude pattern, modified. But Norbert? Crookshanks? Fluffy? Holy Hell.

A Wee Little Sprite

I knit this little gal for an MDC mama. I am thinking about selling then on my Etsy store, waddya think?

I have in mind needlefelted artwork on the hat, stars, flowers, vines. hmmm.

Oh and apparently, this little elflet liked my spinning wheel.

The Mullet Hat

Awww. Well, it wasn't supposed to be a mullet, so much...

I used Caron "Black Magic" I think.
Top down, Magic Loop, made it up as I went along...
And, um, a Short Row Mullet
Cute little top knot head
Gratuitous Tooth Picture.


***No part of this post is meant to endorse the use of Mullets, knit or otherwise***

LTK Picky pants.... Again

Yes, more cloth diapering stuff... Awww. look at his cute tushie!

I knit these in (kind've) a size medium, 1x1 rib waist with crochet drawstring (yarn held double for cord), icord bind off and a simple cable running down the leg. Used just a hair over 2 skeins of Peace fleece in the Ancient Fern. Took me forevah to complete them as I have been spinning a lot, and babe doesn't want me to do housework, let alone knit!

Hey look ma, I'm Spinning!

So, I've been busy....
This is my current favorite.... "Fresh" is a navajo plied domestic wool. I first acid dyed the top, then spun a freakishly large amount of single, then navajo plied it. This is my bestest navajo ply ever. The color changes stayed true and separate through the whole thing with occasional wisps of twisting together. It's gorgeous! "Nagini" is a bulgy, thick and thin single, domestic wool

"Berry Sweet" is a two ply, domestic wool, very squishy! Mmmm.... BFL..... This Stuff Is AWESOME. Super silky, hand dyed in my "Harvest" colorway, then spun into a two ply skein of gorgeousness....
"Rainy Day Tweed" is a tightly spun two ply sock yarn. I plied a charcoal single with a blue/silver/ivory single to make a shadowed semi varigated. It's so cool.

What else. Mmmm. I knit Lindsays daughter a wee little gnome. Its her favorite birthday prezzie apparently. And she named it after my husband. LOL. Jason the Baby Gnome. Classic.

I will see if she has a picture, because I (ahem) knit it up the day before her party. Crap, where did that pattern go???

I made yarn on a wheel!

It's craptastic!

No, not really. Probably going to be knit and then felted, I don't know. I just used some brown domestic wool top, navajo plied. I am purty proud actually.

Although lord have mercy, I need more bobbins, and a tensioned Lazy Kate. Or make my own, whatevah.

She's Here! ~ And a WIP

Woot! Now I *thought* she was going to be Clementine. But now that she is here, and I have been playing a bit today, I think she is actually supposed to be Hazel. She seems more wise than impetuous. ;-)I have a bobbin nearly full with some slightly nobbly wool single. But honestly? I think spinning on a spindle for a couple months really has made a huge difference in my learning curve. Although i took the same approach to spinning as I did knitting, (You know, "keep on knitting past the mistakes because keeping the mojo is more important") I feel like I could actually make a smooth, even, decent yarn now on the wheel, if I wanted to go slow enough to do it.
And my single...(Don't look too closely...)
And now the KPS hooded pullover. Yknow, minus the hood and sleeves. And on the wrong child. (It's for Addison, but she was at my moms this morning.) I must take a break before finishing this up because Bodhi needs woolly pants, and lets face it. I'm going to be spinning

Wah. My wheel isn't here yet...

Arg. So I spent my pent up energies dyeing fiber yesterday...


crap, blogger won't let me upload pics. Go here instead - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellaknits

Well, at least my etsy store will have new offerings over the weekend.

Dah Dah DAH!!!

I bought a wheel. Found an AMAZING deal on it. She should be shipping to me tomorrow!!!

I will wait to post a pic until I have her sitting in my living room

Pic of Bodhi.

My cool dude...