My wonderful wife and kids made holiday treats for the neighborhood. Highlights delivering them included the old man in his underwear and Bennett screaming "There are NO NUTS!!" as a reminder from his mom at every house.

Reading

We've been obsessed with Richard Scarry around here. How about at your house?

Family Pictures

I know it's been a while since we've posted... so, here's some photos to make up for it. About time! Thank you Juli! Woohoo and happy fall to everyone!  Be back soon with more updates, pinky swear!

To Boston With Love

Sooo... our Nikon camera broke. Specifically the lens, thanks to a couple rowdy kids and some full hands. I've been posting tons of photos on Instagram instead (I'm starlightsound on that site if you feel like following me). 

One awesome project that has been on Instagram and Flickr is the #tobostonwithlove, a collaborative project to create flags for Peace, Hope and Love following the marathon bombing.

Here's my finished contribution:

IMG_20130502_061433, a photo by starlightsound on Flickr.

You can find more information on this amazing project here.

Love to all!

Whaaat?

It's already March?!

Good grief, where is the time going?

February was filled with knitting, baking, moving Norah out of our bedroom and into her shared room with Bennett, some more knitting, lots of books and winter weather advisories, a visit to Hive 13 (and possibly many more visits), a bit of sewing, and even more knitting.

We promise to come out of hibernation with the beginnings of spring... the snowdrops are already blooming and the bulbs are beginning to push through the earth... so it's time for us to do the same and push through this gloomy Ohio winter into the light.

Baking day

 With temperatures in the single digits we have been spending LOTS of time indoors.

 The most recent Christmas acquisition of a cookie playset has kept this girl of mine happy for hours.

 Here you can see these awesome felted slippers I made this fall. They are definitely getting put through their paces and holding up well.  I used puffy paint on the soles for traction.

And I've been doing some nerdy knitting for myself. What's better than Tardis Socks??

Post Flu Holiday Photos

Well, we have all been struggling the last week with the flu and other assorted upper respiratory crud. No fun. So here's a few shots from Christmas Eve, complete with Butters, the newest "cousin!" (not ours, but Katie and Mike's pup!)

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Portland

We shall be moving soon, somewhere my peppers and beard will be appreciated.

EDIT: We are NOT moving!! B just fantasizes about curing meats and riding uncomfortable bicycles. 

Kiss Hat Pattern

I have had a couple people message me for the pattern I have for the baby kiss hats I make (and sometimes sell) on Etsy. So, here is the pattern for the Newborn size. It knits up quick, so there is still time to make one for someone special this holiday season! And thanks to Sharon for the amazing photos!

gauge: about 4-5 sts/inch

needle size needed: #8 DPNs
yarn used: light grey worsted weight (I used some Cascade 220 wool for the one featured, though I have made TONS of these in everything from Cotton Ease to Caron's Simply Soft. Whatever you prefer!)
Other notions and supplies: a pink or blue piece of ribbon, about 3 inches long, sharp metal large eye needle.

Cast on 55 stitches and join, taking care not to twist your stitches. Place marker if desired.

Knit in single rib stitch (K1, P1) for 5 rounds.

Knit in stockinette (K the entire round) for 13 rounds.

Begin decreases!
Decrease Round 1: (K9, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 2 (and rounds 4, 6, 8, and 10): K entire round.
Decrease Round 3: (K8, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 5: (K7, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 7: (K6, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 9: (K5, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 11: (K4, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 12: K entire round.
Decrease Round 13: K entire round.
Decrease Round 14: (K3, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 15: K entire round.
Decrease Round 16: K entire round.
Decrease Round 17: (K2, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 18: K entire round.
Decrease Round 19: K entire round.
Decrease Round 20: (K1, K2TOG) five times.
Decrease Round 21 K entire round.
Decrease Round 22: K entire round.
Decrease Round 23: (K2TOG) five times.

Knit one more round, then cut your yarn, leaving a good six inch tail. Thread tail onto a sharp sturdy needle (I found a metal craft/embroidery needle works best), then thread through remaining stitches, removing needles.  Insert a 3 inch piece of pink or blue ribbon into the top, pull your knitting stitches snug, then using the tail stitch ribbon securely into place.

Weave in ends and enjoy!

we LOVE Ed Emberley!

we chase sunbeams

We chase sunbeams on Sunday mornings.

late summer snapshots

Where have we been and what have we been doing?  Here's a quick look...

In July we went to Missouri (hi Mom, hi Aunt Jan!), 

stopping in Illinois to see Lincoln's Log Cabin and help some historical reinactors make lunch.

 I participated in my first swap from the #talknt gang, receiving this awesome loot all the way from Hawaii! (Thanks again, Melanie!!)

I sent off this little Granny Square mini quilt, chock full of Denyse Schmidt fabrics.

The backing is more Denyse Schmidt from her DS Quilts line for Jo-Ann fabrics, the binding an awesome aqua stripe. Yummm!

 I packed it up with some goodies before sending it forth.

I finished this awesome shawl FOR MYSELF. With delicious birthday yarn (thanks Mom!).

 I got this quilt finished...

..just in time for this lovely gal's wedding in August!

In September, in between other super secret projects (and a lot of crazy work days) I got this sweater knitted for Norah:

And these slippers felted for Bennett.

October started with a trip to the Ft. Wayne Maker Faire where we ate twinkies 

shot from this hand-built vehicle:

Then raced this modded John Deere Power Wheels:

Down this course:

 And won.  Yesssss!

And at the end of October we flew with BOTH kids to Austin to see my sister wear red shoes...

 ...and get hitched beneath a beautiful tree to a wonderful guy who adores her.

Then we partied with these guys!

Then it was Halloween!

 (Yes, store bought. Something had to give. Jedi Paduan Learner and Baby Lulu!)

Then, the first weekend in November I had my first ever trip away from the family to Lake Michigan with some friends. Amazing. And hello Chicago! I see you across the water!

Phew!!! That was a lot of stuff. Condensed in VERY few pictures. With loads left out. We will have to catch up more thoroughly, methinks. And soon. But for now...

...from our busy family to yours: Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Copycat

Dinner conversation:

Brian: "What did you have for snacktime at school?"

Bennett: "What did YOU have for snacktime at school?"

Brian: "Hey!"

Bennett: "Hey!"

Brian: "Stop copying me!"

Bennett: "Stop copying me!"

*pause*

Brian: "I love to eat vegetables."

Bennett: "I love to eat vegetables."

Brian: "When I get bigger I will mow the grass."

Bennett:  "When I get bigger I will mow the grass."

Brian:  "When I get bigger I will weed the garden and clean my room every week."

Bennett:   "When I get bigger I will weed the garden and clean my room every week."

Brian: "With no complaining."

Bennett: "With noooo complaining."

Brian: "My feet stink."

Bennett: "My feet STINK!"

Brian: "Mom smells like old socks."

*small pause*

Bennett: "Mom smells like love."

Score: Brian: 0, Bennett: 10,965. 

Norah's birthday dress

One of the fun things about having a girl is getting to make clothes for them, as I am slowly discovering.  It's been hectic around here and I hate to ignore this sweet mellow little gal while her exuberant brother has a big birthday bash filled with friends and fun.  

 I cut into some hoarded  Japanese Kokka fabric for this little reversible apron dress.  It is lined in pink Kona, with some ric rak and an appliqued matryoschka doll on the reverse. A couple vintage buttons from the button jar finish off the shoulders.

The series of photos was taken as Brian was taking a break working on the porch roof. She is all about walking everywhere, now!

Such a sweet dress for our sweet gal!  Now I gotta go windex the door again.  Happy birthday, Norah!