Needed Update

I was pleased today to find a pattern I had made on Ravelry. It's pretty cool to see when other people make a pattern that you have written out, and have success with it too! I have been busy making several things. Here are a few of them:

I went to an arts and music festival a few weeks ago, but didn't find any interesting yarns. I am still loving making my soaps, and have found a successful way to make lotion. Maybe I will try to post some of the soaps and lotions I have made. I signed up for a soap and washcloth swap which I thought would be fun to go with my new interest! I am absolutely loving Ravelry and the wealth of patterns! I also love that I can organize my work, and not lose patterns or the adjustments I have made to them after they are done. Hope everyone is enjoying there summer as much as I am!

Finally, Something Finished!

Well I finally got something finished!!! I did the Summer Fun Tote pattern from the Creative Knitting magazine (May 2008). I love how it turned out. I also like the fact that I could use up stash yarn and pastic bags. I am now working on the larger size bag from the same pattern.

They Keep Me Busy

Here are some shots of my little ones that keep me busy. I have taken to making clothes for them (sigh). I need to get some postings of the clothes that I have made for them on here.

This first shot is of Hercules (obviously caught with his hand in the candy jar). I didn't make this sweatshirt, but he still looks cute.


This little on is Chiquita. She is sporting a little purple hoodie that I made her. Actually it is the first item of clothing I made for her and I was pretty surprised how well it turned out. Many more items have followed! She is so tiny (2.5 lbs), it is easier to just make her clothes instead of search for them.

I'll post some of the other things I've made when I get shots taken of them.

Catching Up

I know so much time has gone by since updating this blog. I have been busy working on my classroom getting ready for the "new bunch". The district decided to combine their elementary schools and so I am in a new school. My mom and I have been plugging away at getting things unpacked and ready to go.

I actually haven't been knitting a great deal. I have been crocheting and doing needlepoint thought. Here are some of the things I have been working on.

The doily I just completed:

This isn't "mine", but it is from the page where I got the pattern. If you click the picture it will take you to the pattern page. It was a fun doily to make and turned out just like the picture.

The needlepoint I am working on:

This project isn't quite finished yet. It is the first needlepoint I have done. It is a really fun project to work on. If you click the picture above it will take you to the place that manufactures these. They have many pretty patterns to choose from! Normally I do cross-stitch or embroidery. I really like needlepoint now as well.

Word of Warcraft has also been keeping me busy! I have been working on a new character, and whenever you start up a new character you get a bit addicted for awhile.

Due to this second surgery on my other foot, I am still on hold from Irish dance. I am really, REALLY missing it right now. Hopefully I will be back to it with no restrictions before long. I have also been using my dad's laptop and wireless internet since surgery. I have decided that I would like to get one. If anyone has any suggestions for a laptop that they recommend, please let me know. I would like to use it between work and home, especially since at school we only have Mac's. I can't convert my files very easily. I would also like to put WoW on the laptop. So I need one that can run games and internet, but doesn't cost a fortune.

I hope everyone out there is doing well. I know summer is flying by, but take time to enjoy it!

EEP! She's Back!

Ok, I am still here. Sorry for such the long time in posting... Thea, I know you'll be happy to read something new on here!

On the knitting front:

I have been pretty busy knitting some knew items. Some I'm even designing myself. I'll get pictures posted when they are more "presentable". I also started up a knitting group at work. I was surprised to learn how many other teachers knit/crochet or want to learn how.

At school:

We seem to have this tricky "leprechaun" that has decided to pay my classroom a visit. He left green glitter footprints across the floor and up my table. The kids are bound and determined to catch him. I am a bit sneakier than that. They are loving it! I plan on spending the week messing with their heads, and watching them hunt down this "leprechaun".

And everything in between:

My ankle is doing much better. I have been up and dancing for a few months now. I am getting ready to sign up for my first few competitions. I will have to have the other ankle done this summer, but that is no biggie after this first time. I must say, I am really pleased with the work the Dr. did. It looks great!

I am hoping to hop over to our local St. Patrick's Day celebration called the "Blarney Bash". I have been the last few years and it has been really great. Thea and I were there for a bit together last year watching the entertainment (of course the dancing too). Who could pass up great music and green beer!?!

Couldn't Resist Sharing This One...

Just thought I would share a little piece of the community where I teach. I found this article while browsing their local paper. Keep in mind this is a rural community. I was looking under the police activity (can't help it, it's the best part!). Here is the article:

Oct. 17: A National City Bank employee said someone tried to use fishing line and a hook to pull bags from the night deposit box. The attempt was unsuccessful, but it damaged the deposit box.

This should sort of sum up where I work and what I am up against with my 3rd graders. I haven't decided if this attempt was pure genius, or completely asinine.

Of Reptiles and Kids

I know, I know, I am horrible. I haven't been on here in over a month. The last post was just before I started back to school, and...well I am back at school. I do have a nice class this year, but I have been working constantly to keep caught up with them. Who am I kidding, I am never caught up with them. The year is going well so far, not to forget the round of chicken pox we are going through. Here is where the reptile comes in...

One of my student's twin brother was home wtih the chicken pox, but still managed to find time to put a dead snake in his brother's backpack to bring to school. He enjoyed playing with it out front, until another teacher put a stop to that.

That same day around 11:00, one of my student's came to me asking if she could bring her frog to school. I said sure just make sure it doesn't come on the bus and a parent brings it in. I got a funny look from her as she walked off. About five minutes later this same girl comes up to ask me again if she can bring her frog in. I reminded her that I said she could sometime. She then said, "No, now". (Long sigh....) I asked her if she had the frog at school already and where it was. She proceeded to let me know it was in her backpack. Mind you it was 11:00 (kids get there at 8:30). So we had a frog guest for the day. I am sure he liked the atmosphere of the room much better than the backpack. (At least she had it in a container).

On the home front, my brother and his family have a new puppy. She is a 3 month old beagle named "Lucy". Myra (my puppy) absolutely loves her. Here are a couple of shots of the new little one...

In knitting land, nothing has been accomplished. I am working on a shortened version of these fingerless mitts. I think they are cool, but I am going to make them much shorter in the arms. I want them to fit just inside the sleeve of my jacket. Plus, I don't have the patience to knit that log a sleeve if it isn't attached to a sweater!

As far as my foot, it is still a work in progress. It looks soooo good. I now officially have two different feet though. The other one, I shall fix soon enough I'm sure. I am not sure when I will be allowed to go back to dancing. Our team had a competition today as a matter of fact. I haven't heard yet how they did. I'm sure KGF will post on her site soon, as she was one of the competitors. I still have a brace on my foot, but I am in shoes which is nice. I go back to the Dr. mid-November to see what happens next.

I hope everyone is doing well. I am sorry for not having kept up and posting sooner. I'm sure you all understand how busy things can be sometimes. I will try to be a better blogger :).