Re-learning to knit!

Holy cow! It's been a while since I last posted. I've been fairly busy though! The twins are now 9 months old, and if that alone hasn't kept me busy enough, I've also made baptism invitations for the daughter of a lady that my husband works with, FINALLY completed 50 poodle magnets for NEC (New England Crafters, http://www.magicalgift.com/) that I haven't sent in yet, nearly finished a quilt top with over 700 pieces that I started about 4 years ago, and re-taught myself to knit!

Why knitting you ask? Well, in my daily surfing I came across a great crafting web site: http://www.craftster.org/ and I have to say I think this is the most comprehensive crafting web site I've ever seen. They have a great forum for crafting of all kinds. I was inspired to finish my quilt top from all the great ones I saw here, and noticed they had a knitting forum too. So, I thought I'd check it out. My mom taught me to knit when I was about 13, but I couldn't understand the patterns, so I gave it up and decided to stick with crochet because I only had to keep track of 1 hook as apposed to 2 needles! Then about 7 years ago I decided that I wanted to knit a sweater for my oldest child (who was about 8 months old at the time). So I bought a learn to knit kit, and made the sweater. The silly thing is that I put it a way for a while because it needed some hand embroidery to be completed, and I just finished it a few months ago. Luckily I did have another girl, and it turned out way too big anyway, so I think it'll fit her even though she's nearly 3 (I'm giving it to her for Christmas). Anyway, I got to looking at the beautiful completed projects posted on craftster, and realized that there are just some things that can only be done right if you knit them! So, I have again begun to learn to knit. And this time I've already taken it a step or 2 passed knit and purl! I've done a little ribbing, and I've completed my very first cable stitch! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out seeing as how I only had this simple booklet to work with. I haven't actually made a real project yet. I'm just working with some scrap yarn, and messing around until I feel like I've figured out enough to actually make something useful. This swatch will most likely be a wash rag. I'm currently trying to figure out how to do a simple lace pattern. And I would like my first real project to be a pair of socks, but I haven't priced out the yarn for that yet, so we'll see if that really happens. In the mean time I'm having a great time learning, and looking at beautiful things I'd love to make. Oh yeah, and I learned how to make my own knitting needles out of wooden dowels. These pictures are of my current swatch that I'm making on my first set of home made needles, and a close up of the cabling! I'll post pics of my first completed project if I ever have one. And I'll also post pics of my daughter's quilt when it's completed. ENJOY!

Look what I made!

Hi,
I actually got a chance to post something. This is the card I made for Father's Day for my Hubby. This was a fun one to make because it didn't take me all day. I usually have a hard time comming up with manly cards. Usually when I sit down to make a card for a man in the end it still looks more like something I'd rather give to a girl. I know this is a very simple card, but usually simple works best for me when it comes to manly cards. My hubby liked it too and that's what mattered to me.

I'm currently listening to Dave Ramsey's radio show as I write this, and he's talking to a lady about her hubby spending money that he agreed he wouldn't spend without talking to her about it first. Hhhhmmmm...... sure glad my hubby doesn't do things like that to me, or I wouldn't give him my fabulous cards. I seem to always give my favorite cards to DH. Yes even the pretty ones. But I figure it's ok to give him a pretty card for occasions like valentines day, and our anniversary because those are more "pretty" occasions I guess. But the other reason I give them to him is because I have a hard time letting go of my favorite cards, and when I give them to him I still get to have them in my house where I can see them if I should feel the need. DH knows I do this, but I think he should be flattered that I give him my favorites because he's my favorite too. I guess it's my way of trying to tell him I like him. Anyway, sorry to get all mushy.

Well that's it for tonight. I just wanted to share the latest card I've had a chance to make, and tell DH he's still my favorite.

Have a great day,
Michelle

I would like to introduce myself

Hello, my name is Michelle, and this is my first blog entry ever. Here I plan to showcase my creations of all kinds. You never know what I may be in the mood to show you from day to day. I have many interests including artistic rubber stamping, scrapbooking, sewing, crocheting, and basically anything crafty.

I am also the mother of 5 wonderful children who always keep me going! So I doubt I'll be able to post every day at this point. My children are ages 7 years, 5 years, 2 years, and 4 month old twins! However in the event that I am able to have creative time I hope to be able to share my creations with you!

I am also married to a fabulous husband Mark, who is very supportive of my crafting time. I think it's because the more time I have to be crafty the happier I am, and the less I tell him to stay home and help out with the kids who can drive me batty at times. But when he is home to help out he usually does a great job! Yes ladies he changes the twins diapers without being asked! Where'd I find a guy like that you ask? Online! But more about that later. My 5 year old just woke up from a nap with a fever. Have a great day!

Michelle

P.S.
If you'd like to leave me a comment please do. :)