Sew Cute!

An appropriately cheesy title to an applicably cheesy and slightly pathetic post! Okay, so we have babies coming out our, well, you know where they come out of...but there are lots of 'em coming out! Our family was just blessed with a new addition on January 26th. Evan Stampfler was 7lbs 9.5 oz and is super-cute! His sister Addie is a happy girl, so far! Also in the works, my cousin Keely is due to have Riley Aislinn any day now (Im hoping she holds out for my birthday...but since Keely was born on Jackie's birthday, it would be pretty sweet if Riley was born on Jackie's daughter, Rachelle's, birthday, on the 3rd!). My cousin Jake and his wife are pregnant, my great friend Jacks and her husband, Casey, are pregnant, my other cousin John and his fiance Amber are pregnant, my other cousin Jim and his partner are pregant...wow! So many babies. So, in the spirit and in my restless craftiness, I started sewing some yesterday! A blankie for Evan (even though OBO wants us to keep it...no, we're not expecting!) and a bib and burpcloth set! It was fun and the blanket turned out super-cute, especially.

A great end to a rough...month

I got my swap package from Naomi in the Bohoknitterchic swap! It was a great package (hehehe, we are immature, yes...packagepackagepackage!) It included some great sock yarn, an awesome Care Bear Batt from Bohoknitterchic, herself! I have been lusting after this particular batt for some time now. It spoke to me! It's the Cheer Bear colorway, and I just love it!

I also got a mug, some pendants, cute stitch markers, chocolate that was YUMMY! (and now it's gone), conversation hearts, a bookmark, a pampering package, a sheepy bank, and a sexy crocheted outfit for Valentine's day!

The day after Fiber Friday...Sheepy Saturday?

Okay, as promised: pics of my samples for the January Phat Fiber box! I think I mentioned before, that this month's theme was For the Love of Books. As an avid reader, this very much excited me! I spent alot of time with my grandma growing up, therefore, was itroduced early to "grandma books" as OBO calls them. Also, as he so lovingly points out every time I make him read a book out of one of the series' that I am enveloped in: I am a sucker for a well-developed character. Hence, the affinity with series books. So, one that I love and have loved and will continue to love: the "Cat Who" series by Lillian Jackson Braun. I love the mysteries, I love the mindlessness, I love the characters. Inspiration.

So, here's my samples for this month (as per the tardy nature of my postal contact...aka...I didnt move my ass to the PO fast enough, I hope they got there in time for the box drop tomorrow!)

Yellow (cormo/corrie cross, pin drafted roving): Mildred Riker

Shades of Blue (sw corrie/bamboo batts): Polly Duncan

Salt and Pepper (corrie batts, corrie/shetland batts): Qwilleran

Shades of Brown (Polwarth combed top/roving): KoKo

Brown and Violet (Polwarth combed top/roving): Yum Yum

It was pretty great and Im pretty proud of those contributions this month; it is my first month contributing batts, after all! Im loving my Fancy Kitty Kitten drum carder that I got for Christmas! Good job, OBO! (oh, and the in-laws, too) Hopefully next month will include another new pattern. Im trying to get this designing off the ground, this year. Im thinking a man's hat in greys...sophisticated, classy, versatile, sexy. Now, to convert the vision to finished product!

On another note: in the spirit of fiber and Phat Fiber in particular, I have been looking at lots of yummy goodness for my BohoKnitterChic swap. Just wanted to post some of the lovelies that I have been lusting after: this particular beauty in Tropical Storm from Beesybee Fibers; yum!

A busy new year

Between work, and well, mostly work...this has been a busy new year. I havent had much time to devote to my blog; not nearly the way I would have liked. I am currently in the business of setting new personal, familial, and professional goals for the year. Hopefully they are real, measurable, and most of all...manageable! So far, it eludes me as to how I can continue functioning on a human level, especially with my current work load!

A few goals I have for myself:

• Participate in the Phat Fiber Box every month (I only missed a few last year and have contributed consistently since...May, I believe!) (Oh, yeah...this month's samples are almost done, I promise. They will go out tomorrow! The last bit of fiber is drying in OBO's bathroom right now!)
• Promote my etsy store. That's a big one. Tentative. Scary. Daunting. Scary. Nerve-wracking. Exciting. Scary.
• Blog more (hehehehe; it hasnt worked so hot, yet!)
• Use said blog to promote said etsy store!
• Perform. I dance...I love it! I dont strive to be the best dancer out there (something very unreasonable for me, as yet. I dance with some incredibly talented ladies), but I do want to better myself. I want to get on that stage, at least once, this year. I am an extremely outgoing person, but have always been very nervous in front of a crowd a people. I want to build that confidence in myself and owe a service to the talented ladies (one, in particular) who believe in me and in my ability as a dancer. I didnt grow up with dance, and have recently found this passion for myself and as a form of exercise. I digress...I want the stage!
• Make it through my new daily devotional. I bought "Babes with a Beatitude: Devotions for Smart, Savvy Women of Faith" for my cousin for Christmas and liked it so much that I bought myself a copy! It seems to be what I need as my faith waivers...another digression to a completely different goal!
• Swap! As much as possible, budget-willing. I am currently participating in the Valentine Swap through BohoKnitterChic's Boho Gypsy Caravan group on Ravelry. Love it! Just got my partner's info today. Cant wait to stalk and post and acquire nommy goodies!

So...a few. Nothing too unreasonable, at this point, it doesnt seem. Although, seeing it listed out like that...wow! Hopefully I will have some teaser pics of my samples by tomorrow. Just need to get them packaged up and in the mail! Theme: For the Love of Books!

New year, new blog!

Well, as we ring in the new year...I have already punked out on one of my goals for 2010. Epic Fail. I wanted to try to make mass for each Holy Day of Obligation this year and managed to miss the very first HDoO for the New Year. Prayers for all and a special blessing in honor of the Solemnity of Mary! It can only go up from here, right?!

On a positive note: My new Fancy Kitty drum carder is fantastic! I have started my sample batts for this month's Phat Fiber sampler box. The theme for the January box (one year anniversary...woohoo!) is "For the Love of Books". As an avid reader, I am in love with this theme and am really excited about my interpretation! Sneak peeks to come.

Finally, tonight, I am really hoping to elevate my fiber business from "lucrative hobby" status, to something that may actually supplement our income. I love what I do, in all aspects, but sometimes feel guilty for time and money it brings takes, for seemingly no payoff. OBO (Oh, Bearded One...Marty Stewart...my hubby, for those not in the know!) is incredibly supportive, of course, often increasing the feelings of guilt. Ahhh, the good ole guilt-factor!

A parting picture to ring in the new year: Eloise in her Halloween costume. Apparently, all the other angels just happened to be busy during this particular photo shoot!