Jofrog is Knitfrog!
June 27 2007
I got an email from Carol this morning asking if I was okay because I haven't blogged here or on Kaya's Blog in a while. I'm here, I've been knitting some, and playing with babies lots.
Have I been taking pictures of the things I've been knitting... not so much!
Just for Carol though, I'll show you some soakers I've been knitting.
Kaya's summer wardrobe consists of a t-shirt or tank and a wool soaker over her cloth diaper. I know that many of you may be skeptical of the efficacy of wool soakers, but let me tell you... they are AWESOME! Kaya's little bum has never been so cool and dry, and they stay dry on the outside too. They are really fabulous. I've knit a ton of them, but they are never off of her long enough to photograph! Next time I wash them I'll be sure to take a pic.
The blue one in the above picture is for Carol's son Henry. Unfortunately I'm used to making them for my pipsqueak, so it's a bit short for her toddler. Eh, I'll just have to knit him another... and on that note, off to find my needles.
FYI: This is the pattern I've been using. I know that there are better, more contoured patterns out there, but soaker knitting has to be mindless knitting for me or they will never get made fast enough. Whoops... I'm Supposed to Blog About the Knitting!
June 15 2007
Today is the fifth anniversary of the day we adopted Naomi from Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury MA. We are so happy to have her as part of our family.
Naomi had a rough start to life. She was rescued by Save a Sato in Puerto Rico by a lovely woman named Ruthie Diaz. Thank you Ruthie! Naomi was found by the dumpster in a Walmart parking lot emaciated and dirty. Ruthie took her into her home, got her cleaned up, and sent her stateside.
I don't have any digital pictures of Naomi when we first got her, but she was a scrawny little thing! She was full grown, probably a bit over 4 years old, but so thin. She was scared, a bit aggressive, and had no social skills whatsoever!
Five years of training with us, and she is a wonderful part of our family. She's still a bit skidish, she isn't amazingly trusting, but she has room in her heart to love and it doesn't take long for people to find their way into that spot. Once Naomi has befriended you, you have a friend forever!
This dog has come from the mean streets of Puerto Rico to a pretty lovely life in Boston.
She loves her time in the sun:
...but she'll deal with the snow also.
She's the best hiking companion:
...and we are looking forward to another 5 years at least! Naomi we love you! Thanks for all of the licks, snuggles, and hikes.Happy Adoption Day Naomi!
June 13 2007
Yesterday we continued with our new schedule of visiting yarn stores on Tuesdays. We took a trip out to Knit Purl in Sudbury, MA. (They don't have a website yet, but say it's next on the list. Their phone number is 978 443 5648.)
Now, I've been to a lot of yarn stores. I used to work in a yarn store. Some (ahem, my mom) call me a yarn snob. Maybe I am. I'm perfectly happy to visit any yarn store. I always check the yarn selection in the craft stores even, but it takes a lot to wow me.
Knit Purl was beautiful from the first step in the door. It's a really nice space, we'll utilized, with lots of light and wonderful yarns. There is a great selection of beautiful things.
So many nice things, but so much yarn at home waiting to be knit. I left with this one lovely skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn, and my name on the mailing list. I'll be back!
Thanks Knit Purl for being such a welcoming experience after a horrible one last week!A Much Nicer Experience
June 11 2007
I've been making shoes like nobody's business around here! Sorry yarn, but the fabric is calling!
I made two tester pairs last week for Kaya and Buddy.
Kaya likes them!
And here is a closer "in action" shot.
Since then I've made them for all of the little people I know, and one that is on the way!
And this fabric is calling:
Click here and here to see closeups! I'm a very tall cobbler elf, but I'm still holding out hope that if I cut the pieces I'll find them put together in the mornings! Not yet, but maybe the real cobbler elves read my blog!Shoe Obsessed
The best thing is they STAY ON!
June 5 2007
Do you remember when I talked about baby Rachel in this post? She is going through aggressive chemo therapy for bilateral retinoblastoma (eye cancer). You can keep up with her at her CaringBridge site, but the quick and dirty is that the tumors are responding to treatment and she still has both of her eyes!
Her friends have been trying to raise money for the family in any way possible, and here's another really really fun one! My best friend Miranda just wrote a book! It's called "Rapid Duck" and is a super sweet story about a little adventurous duck and the animals he meets. Miranda wrote and illustrated the book and all of the profits will go to help with Rachel's medical bills.
This would make a nice gift for any little person in your life, while also helping a young family in need. Hey, if you live locally I can even get it signed for you!
Now go hug your littles and be thankful they are healthy. I'm snuggling Kaya right now!
Rapid Duck
Buy it here!
June 1 2007
We know that yarn stores are not known for the sweetest employees or owners, but there is not friendly, and then there is all out nasty. Unfortunately Alison and I experienced the all out nasty today. We learned from Dava, a former Knitsmith, that Needle Arts of Concord was going out of business and was having a sale... a 50% off sale! That sounds like a good reason for a visit from two knitter moms with two obliging babies in tow.
The store had some very nice yarn. We could have done some serious damage there! Unfortunately the owner made it clear to us that we were not welcome because we were not her customers and were just there to "take advantage of the sale". She told us that it was a shame that we made the trip all the way out there (about a 30 minute drive). She wished us good Friday commuter traffic on the way home. She commented loudly when the babies made noises (happy noises at that). She spoke loudly to her employees and other customers about how she had spent "thousands" on sending out the postcards to her customers. It went on and on. I'm not sure whether to tell you to stay away and not give her your money, or to go there and let her know that you read about the sale on the internet! Either way she'd be upset.
Okay, enough about them... we each made very small purchases (and my discount was calculated improperly so I got gypped out of $3.75), and we went across the street to a FABULOUS QUILT STORE.
As soon as we stepped into this store we knew we were in a different world. We were greeted warmly. They took my bag so I didn't have to carry it around while looking at fabric. They played with the babies. They asked Kaya if she felt better after she spit up! It was great. I was happy to leave there with this:
I'm going to attempt to make these cutie shoes for Kaya, Buddy, and Baby L. I'm much more of a knitter than a sewer, but Korin made them by hand, so I think I can make them with a machine... I think!The Worst!
Note the lack of a "SALE" sign in the window.
