SunshineKnits in the land of LabsAndSticks

Overalls and diaper bags

I know I was all about the 'purses' the last time I posted BUT I was interrupted by the need to have something for my stepdaughter's baby shower SOOOooo as practice on the purse venture I made her a diaper bag from a pair of her dad's worn-out overall's.  Sweetie runs a concrete plant and his favorite 'outfit' is good old, hard-wearing, country, denim overalls.  Sometimes we use the old ones for scarecrows but other than that I hate to admit that some have been disposed of.  I think I'm on to something here that may eliminate all that waste.  what do you think?

Here's the back view.

I really need to take a better shot with nothing in it - I took the pictures after I'd gussied her up for the baby shower.

Now, from here I think I need to get on to making my purses and knitting trugs like I'd planned.  I have almost gotten my etsy shop ready, I have labels ordered but I gotta' have something to sell before it will really be ready.

Now I've still got a 2nd sock on the needles and tons of yarn, but what's a girl to do.  Ya gotta' go where the inspiration leads ya.  And I still have not taken pics of my living room sewing station.  I'm still thinking I'm gonna take over the grandson's room - I mean he's only there on the weekends!!

Purses??

Okay, I'm not really a purse girl - I usually change once in the Spring (which begins in 8 days-meteorologically speaking) and then back to a darker color in the fall.  I've got fabric to make a purse I found the pattern for online BUT then yesterday I saw this purse at bluefly.   On sale for 823.49 - regular price $1525.00.  This is insane!  Okay, so now my plan is to make my own version of this purse and maybe sell on etsy for, oh, $50.00 or so.  See, the thing is my husband wears overalls to work (he runs a concrete plant and it's what he likes to wear-go figure) so they fade and get worn out and I save 'em cause some years we make scarecrows out of 'em.  This is gonna' be my project this weekend - it's not as if I don't have socks to knit or anything.  I plan to use sunbrella fabric for the parts that are leather 'cause I just don't think my new sewing machine - durable though it is - would handle the leather.  We'll see how it goes.  I just love this bag but $800.00!!!!!!!!  And besides, I love the thought that I'm reusing the denim from my husband's overalls - the ultimate 'green' thing to do - REUSE!

Slouch purse details

I did find the pattern online again.  Going by Hancock's when I get off work today - just wasn't up to a trip to Memphis yesterday.  When I get home, plan is to get pictures of fabric to include here.  I'm hoping this turns out cute.  If it looks good enough, I may even have a go at selling it on etsy.  I'm thinking this is something I could do after retirement from UT - 4.5 years and counting - it's something I enjoy and although I think my retirement is covered, it would be nice to have a little extra income from something I enjoy doing.

Projects, Projects, PROJECTS!!

okay, so maybe I'm NOT capable of posting every day, but I'm doing better.  I have so much going on - socks to knit - such good intentions but after I smucked up the toe for the second Monsoon sock from the RSC, I frogged it and haven't cast on again.  NEED. TO. DO.

I have fleece to make a new blanket for my Queen size bed that matches the colors in the quilt my big-sis made me.  It's all cut into strips and ready to go. JUST. NEED. TO. SEW.

I also bought fabric to make a purse.  I found a really cool pattern and I've bought the exterior and lining fabrics.  Just gotta' get the 3 kinds of interfacing it needs.  I meant to make it to Hancock's this weekend and HEY there's still one more day so it is still possible!!

I like to think that maybe it helps to just get it all written down to help me keep going.  On the new knitter front, my niece Jeannie has been doing well.  She was just doing stockinette on a circular (knit flat).  I checked in with her yesterday and she said she was doing well.  I asked had she noticed the curl on the edges of the stockinette . . . Yes . . . so I gave her instructions to start and end her purl rows with 3 knit stitches.  She laughed - said she wasn't expecting homework.  I'll think she'll be fine.  Gotta find out if niece in Ohio has kept it up since Christmas.

Well, it's bedtime soon - gotta go!

2 NEW Knitters

Christmas Day my niece from Ohio, Jennifer, asked if I would show her how to knit - HOW did I forget to blog about this!!!  I got out a circular needle and some spare yarn and demonstrated for a few minutes.  Fairly quickly she was doing well.  I gave her a small paperback I had picked up at Wal-Mart back when I was a newbie trying to figure out how to do a yarnover.  I only showed her the knit stitch after I cast on 15 or so stitches.  She seemed encouraged and said she would go to the library when she got back to Ohio and get another book.  I sent her home with a circular needle and some yarn to start.  Then earlier this week, another niece who lives closer, Jeannie, called and asked if I could come over Friday afternoon (today) and teach her.  We had a little more time - just me and her newly adopted Parson Russell terrier, Russ.  Again, I cast on 20 stitches, demonstrated the knit stitch and the purl stitch and again, fairly quickly she caught on.  We've got a date for next Friday afternoon.  I've always hesitated to teach someone else 'cause I don't knit the way the demonstrators do on Knitty Gritty (yeah, I know it doesn't matter).  I think my final "product" looks fine but I haven't had the luxury of having others to knit with. I learned everything I know about knitting - starting with Common Threads - and then from there it's been a blog, blog, blog, blog world - so much information - I love it!  Maybe next time I'll post a picture of a swatch - feedback will be appreciated, although I can't say I'm likely to change at this point unless there's some compelling reason that I should modify my method somewhat.  Hey, look at me, posting without pictures!  REALLY though, I do wish I'd taken pictures of them knitting - I was so proud!!

New Year-Same 'Ol Dogs

It's January 1 and I thought it would be a good idea to document my girls.

Molly and Sadie are both aging,

Lucy's just starting to grow up.

Molly's my oldest girl - she was 11 on December 23.  Sadie turned 10 on December 7 and Lucy will be 2 on January 10.  Molly struggles to get up and down but just show her a tennis ball and she's raring to go.  We pretty much limit it to tosses in the air - she can still catch 'em.  Sadie's still getting around really really well - just not so interested in playing ball although she'll retrieve six or seven before she gets bored with it.  She's had 2 litters of 10 puppies each so I guess she's allowed to be a little lazy.  She has a bit of a saggy belly (which she loves to have rubbed) but otherwise she's in pretty good shape.  Lucy's just now starting to settle down.  We left her in the house out of her crate for 2 hours a couple of times over Christmas break (after the tree came down) and didn't chew up/destroy/eat a single thing.  I love my girls.  One of Sadie's pups, Gracie, in North Carolina has been diagnosed with probably Addison's Disease - I'm gonna' call her mom tomorrow and get an update.  Very Happy New Year here in Munford - looking forward to the new one!  Note to self - that's 1 for 1!

Trugs & Socks & Sticks

Okay - I'm a BAD blogger (and it seems just saying that doesn't shame me enough to do better!)  But I have been doing a few things I wanted to share with my sister in NC and blogging really just makes sense!  In October I saw a trug knitting bag clicking on links at Mason-Dixon Knitting that lead me to this lovely trug at Philacraft's blog - see October 14 - Love is a trug.  I also went to the website for the trug that inspired her for dimensions.  Here's my take on the knitting trug

take 2

I plan to try again - I use it alot but it really needed fabric with more substance - I love the colors - it was a pack of fat quarters I picked up at Hancock's on sale for about $5.00.  I used some fusible interfacing to stiffen up the outside layers (ummm - as demonstrated by the puckers on the outside) and I didn't put an inside pocket which I will do next time.  All in all I do like it.

I also finished ONE sock from the 2007 rockin' sock club before the end of the year.

If I can get the toe started correctly on the second one before I head for NY eve party at church I may work on it some there tonight.  I LOVED getting the yarn/pattern every month - loved the extra's - dyers notes, etc. but I've decided to pick my own colors this year.  I am going to finish the other socks first but may not use all the patterns.  Funny, I was "scared" by the toe-up first pattern which is my excuse for putting it off again and again but in the end I didn't have any real trouble with the pattern at all.  Inertia is a big problem for me - lots of ways - not just knitting.

And finally, we (DH and I) made 4 child-size adirondacks this year for various great nieces/nephews.  Duh-me, I only have a picture of this one unfinished (Bob the Builder was done for the grandson as the demo model several years ago) - no face on Snow White!  We did a Belle from Beauty and the Beast and 2 Thomas the Train - one front on and one side view.  When I called my blog 'labsandsticks' I had forgotten about the woodworking thing.  I cut out the pieces, DH sands and puts them together, then I paint and finish. 

It's been a good year - I really can't complain - I have LOTS and LOTS of blessings.  Immediate plans for 2008 are 1) as usual - lose weight (and yes, I have a plan - more later), 2) walk the Little Rock half-marathon March 1 - training already started, and 3) and DARN, I got LOTS of socks to knit!  Sitting here, right now, I think if I try to blog every day in January it may get me going again.  I'm not promising pictures every time but surely I have a thought to share.  Looking forward to the new year.  Be careful tonight - no drinking and driving guys - be SAFE!

Sock Rigor Mortis SURVIVED!!

You know if I posted more often I wouldn't end up with this (what I consider) picture heavy post and the problem with what to call it.  For starters, I've been hung up on one particular pair of socks that I started off on 2 circs - I love the pattern, River Rapids by SockBug - not so sure about the socks-on-2-circs although I think part of my problem was that one of the circs was a little short.  FOR some reason, I just couldn't make myself start another pair until I finished these.  I read other's posts about all the stuff they have on-the-needles and I'm just not there yet.  I loved the color of the yarn - sale yarn - don't have the label BUT one of the skeins  had a "faded" section (BEWARE SALE YARN) in the middle which caused me to make the socks shorter than I really wanted BUT they're pretty and they're comfy!

Exhibit 1

The pattern doesn't show up as well as some River Rapids I've seen - ain't these purty in blue!! I do think I'll make this pattern again.  I did make the toes a little too short - thought I'd prefer a squarer toe but I should have done a few more rows before "kitchenering".  I'm also including a pic of my new favorite shoes - these are made by Ariat (that's Lariat without the L) and I got them at TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY - yeah, cowgirls apparently like comfortable shoes cause these are really nice.  I've already got my eye on another pair!!

I also finished a pair of Fetching fingerless mitts for my BF Cheryl for Christmas - these are my very first CABLES - I thought it was a good pattern to learn the cables on. I used Rowan Calmer in Lucky so they are a much lighter weight but very soft and comfy AND you can get a whole pair out of one ball - there's probably enough for 1 more so I think I can get 2 pairs out of what I have left.

Now we have the cute-patooty baby socks I made for Amber's baby-on-the-way, Lily Grace.  I used this yarn from Spritely Goods. 

It's very soft and comfy and such a generous skein that I tempted fate by knitting these first and then casting on for my own 2nd pair of Jaywalkers.  I love the Globe Mallow colorway!!  See the stripes in the baby socks - not so much in the big girls socks but I'm still loving the Jaywalkers.

Now I'll finish with pics of the 3 girls.  The first one of Molly show her in her favorite napping position ('course she prefers being stretched out on our bed but since I was in the LR she stayed in there with me.)  Molly turned 10, December 23 and she's starting to lose a little muscle in the hips but she still loves to chase that tennis ball - just not as many times in a row!

Sadie did get caught esconced on the bed and even looks a little embarassed at being found out - she turned 9 on December 7.  NOTE: black dogs are so hard to get good pics of!

The one of Lucy is fuzzy for which I apologize BUT she looked so sweet and generally I don't have the camera handy when she's being peaceful - DUH girl - that's what makes digital cameras so nice - you can LOOK at the picture you just took and be sure it 's good and IF NOT SNAP ANOTHER ONE!!  Lucy turned 1 on January 10 this year.  It's been a hard first year with a puppy around but she is starting to settle down some and I'm planning on repeating her Obedience class since she and I both need it and the repeat is FREE!

Santa Dogs

Are they cute or what!!!  That's Sadie (the 9yo), Molly (the 10yo) and Lucy (the "almost" 1yo).  This was made at the Quito-Drummonds Volunteer Fire Department.  Now mind you, they are NOT that good!!  I actually took 3 pictures - 1 of each in their respective positions and got MFN (that's MyFavoriteNephew) to PhotoShop them together for me.  I gave it a go but mine was no where near as good as his.  Gotta' get the girls some Christmas presents to open as they have been really good so far and haven't opened a single one under the tree (although Lucy really does think they're pretty darn interesting!!)  I've been crating her in the morning while I'm taking my shower for that very reason!!

I finished another Meathead hat for one of my nieces as the first one I made her was too small - this one's way cuter.   I was disappointed my Meathead was not selected (sigh!!) but I do love the pattern and it really is a fun and fast knit.  I think I'll have to play with the pattern and eliminate the "peak" to make one for Sweetie - the doubled Brown Sheep Bulky makes for a really soft comfy hat but he's just not into the elf look!

Rob, Molly, Sadie & Lucy - "Hey Mom, make me one of those hats, I'll bet it'll be a great chew toy!!"

Meathead & Half-Marathon-FINISHED!!

Okay - so I've finished two things - here's my Meathead hat - I'm not sure if Larissa is going to consider it for her book as I just posted it to Flickr today - I had a hard time with my "old" camera and getting Flickr to work since I'm a newbie there!!  I also COMPLETED WALKING the St. Jude Half-Marathon - note WALKING - I'm not a runner at all.  I was not the last to finish but I was close and considering I'm 51 I don't think that's too bad!  We figured we actually walked 15 miles by the time we walked from the Trolley to AutoZone Park and then all the way around the block to get to the last "corral" which was for the slow runners and walkers.  Got a Blister but it didn't pop.  I'm a little sore and tired BUT DAMN IT - I finished - can ya' tell I'm just way too proud about this!!

Meathead

and MEDAL!!

I love the meathead - great pattern, knits up easy and I'm rather happy with the embellishment I chose.  That's brown sheep bulky doubled in Bronze Patina with Limeade, Kiwi, Lotus Pink and RPM Pink inthe embellishment.  I tried a little shibori for the berries - they're not perfect but not bad for a first timer I think - and the green is pleated and felted.  I also love the medal - very heavy, silver with blue ribbon - the full marathoners' got a gold medal with red ribbon.  It was extra cold for Memphis on Saturday but all in all it was a GREAT DAY!

Rob - Molly, Sadie and Lucy say, "what's up mom?  why no ball throwing Saturday afternoon? we were ready to PLAY!!"