Scrappy

I've been working hard on a very large crochet afghan.

(7 feet or so)

It is made up of granny squares and 20+ different colors. This of course means I have an abundance of scrap yarn.

And I have an issue with throwing any sort of left over yarn away. Even the smallest little ball of it. So I decided to whip up a quick baby blanket with my scraps. It is essentially one giant granny square with a shell edging (my favorite edging). Here are the details:

Hook Used: Size I/5.5mm

Finished Blanket Size: 35" Square

Yarn Used:

Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids:

Purple

Eggplant

Kelly Green

Mustard

Colonial Blue

Pink

Dusty Purple

Magenta

Terracotta

Sapphire

Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Baby:

Little Boy Blue

Red Heart Ltd. Soft Yarn Solids:

Really Red

Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids:

Aran

Shell Edging:

You can find the pattern for the shell edging on Lucy's (Attic24) blog here. You will need to scroll half way down the page, past the crochet bag instructions, to the "Shell Edging."

That should about do it!

Oh, and another picture of the finished blanket before I go:

Flickr Favorites - Dreamy

"I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering."

-Stephen Wright

1. “Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.” ~ Langston Hughes, 2. Close up - IMGP5039, 3. White..., 4. Untitled

These days I find my head is up in the clouds.

I have no intentions of coming back down until the weather cools and I can enjoy a nice autumn breeze surrounded by nature.

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New and Exciting!

Just wanted to do a quick little post on some exciting news!

You can now find my work at Bushel and Peck Paper, an online store full of lots of goodies for the special little people in your life! You can find a select number of my prints under the Room Decor & Gifts section :)

Flickr Favorites - Time to Sleep

1. Return, Back to Home - Dubrovnick to Bari Ferry (From Croatia to Italy), 2. Relax... (explored), 3. dorminhoco, 4. Currently reading

I am exhausted.

Exhausted isn't even the word. I can go to bed at 9:00 and sleep until noon the next day.

I attribute this complete exhaustion to one of three things:

1) being pregnant

2) being pregnant during the hottest summer of my life

3) being pregnant during the hottest summer of my life and driving back and forth to the hospital every day for a week.

(number 3 perhaps?)

Regardless of the reason I'm listening to my body and trying to get as much extra sleep as I can, though I do force myself up and out of bed well before noon! Hopefully by autumn I'll be feeling more energized again!

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Flickr Favorites - Secrets, Revealed!

1. Carotino, Mimi Lapin, William, Mr. Mushrooms and Pickles, 2. doll quilt wall, 3. Nursery from doorway, 4. Saartje's Bootees

Can you guess my secret?

I mentioned something about it 3 or so Flickr Favorites ago.

And I thought it would be at least another 3 Flickr Favorites until I finally broke my silence. (I'm not very good at keeping secrets)

Well if it isn't obvious, my (growing) secret happens to be a tiny person working hard to meet the outside world in February. February 13th the doctors tell me. :)

I'm completely in love

Though only my closest online friends knew (thanks for listening to me all those months Mitsy) this baby was something that doctors suspected I might never have. It started at the very young age of 22.

Very newly married, my husband and I asked his doctors if his kidney disease would affect our ability to have children when we were ready for them. They suggested we meet with a genetic counselor, and if all went well to try sooner rather than later. No one could be sure if he would be okay after a transplant or not. The genetic counselor told us we were good to go, and we decided we would try right away rather than wait the 4 or so years we had planned on.

Next thing I knew I was 23 and confused.
We check the husband. He's fine. We check me. I'm fine.

And so begins the fertility treatments. 8 of them, covering pretty much every treatment you can have. 8 of them resulting in nothing.

Time practically flew by and I was 25 and taking my husband to the hospital on Christmas Eve to get his kidney transplant. Having no choice but to push thoughts of baby aside, I focused solely on helping him to get better.

Life had become a bit of a roller coaster ride and we decide to take a vacation to Ireland. It seemed like after everything we deserved a good get-a-away.

And while we were at it we decided to splurge on new bikes. For both of us. (cyclocross bikes, and they are awesome)

But let's not forget about the babies completely. Two months before leaving for Ireland we had the husband tested to see if he was okay post transplant. He most certainly was not. The kidney transplant left him completely sterile. Doctors told us it is most likely temporary, and happens after major surgeries. He was to be re-tested in July.

And on the day we came home from Ireland, I discovered we brought a tiny extra passenger with me. Completely by surprise, and completely naturally.

Did I mention I am in love?

9.5 weeks down, 30.5 weeks to go!

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Dishes

(serving set of three porcelain plates by gleenashop)

(which I think I need)

I love handmade dinnerware.

In fact my bowls, plates, and cups (with the exception of my cherished latte bowl collection) are all handmade out of porcelain or stoneware clays.

When I hear word of an even with ceramic pieces for sale I'm there.

Finding bowls and mugs are easy.

Plates on the other hand are a challenge.

I like something lightweight, pretty, unique, and of a certain size. Lately I can't find any plates at all (sandwich or the full sized dinner version). I've taken to the etsy streets on this quest for the handmade plate, and there are so many to choose from! The one drawback is that I can't hold it (to see if it is heavy or light) before I buy it.

Anyone buy any handmade ceramic plates on etsy before?

If so which seller, and what do you think of them?

I think a plate from Gleena's Shop will be in order, sooner rather than later!

Long Dog Love

Yesterday I discovered a new etsy shop.

It had actually been quite some time since I had purchased anything on Etsy, and as soon as I landed on this shop the cart was being filled.

The shop? JuneCraft

The purchase(s)? One print and one DIY sewing kit:

(pictures a la flickr)

1. Retro Wiener Dog

1. Doggies

Aren't these the best!?

I can't wait until they arrive on my door step!

ps. my long dog diy kit is in brown, but I'm seriously contemplating whether or not I need the red one as well :)

Flickr Favorites - Helpful

"One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing

is what we do for others."

-Lewis Carroll

1. Vintage Blossoms, 2. 137.365 ~ .curiously complex ettiquette., 3. it is time to help a friend in need, 4. Sneak Peak Southern Engagement Session

----my all-time favorite quote-----

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Happy 4th

Wedding Cake for Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross

First I should clarify, this is really the wedding cake for the two people who portray Betsy and Ben down here in Old City Philadelphia.

I chose this picture because it has been a goal of mine to say hi to Ben, except every time I'm in Old City I never see him. My husband lived in Old City and he got to see him often. (he brags about this)

But enough about Ben and Betsy.

(Ben, if you are reading this please hang out in Old City more so I can find you and say 'Hi')

I'm leaving today to head to my parents town for their annual 4th of July party! It is always a great time, and one of my favorite holiday party's of the year.

To those who celebrate, hope you have a happy 4th!
To those who don't, have a happy weekend!