Baby's first photo shoot

Well, it's been a crazy week and I feel like I've got a million things to catch up on now that the move is over and I have an internet connection again! We moved all our stuff on Thursday, spent all Friday morning with workers installing things, and then took off to Vegas on Friday afternoon to go visit our nephew, Ethan, and take a much needed break from the pile of boxes in the middle of the living room.

Seeing as I haven't had much opportunity to take pictures of things recently, I was more than happy to oblige when my sister in law asked me to do a photo shoot of the baby for his birth announcements. Naturally, my camera was buried somewhere in the new place so I needed to use their little camera and some creative natural lighting with adjusting the horizontal blinds, but I think they came out well. Ethan was particularly well behaved and slept through the entire thing!

Monday morning humor

Seeing as my crafts are all packed, I don't have much to share in that respect, so I thought I'd share a brilliant little video from when Richard Simmons appeared on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
This has been a favorite show of mine for a long time (including a crush on Ryan Stiles, who is just too lovable!) When a co-worker shared this video with me, I was in tears and my face hurt a little from laughing. Mondays mornings are definitely a good day to need some manic laughter, so I had to share...enjoy!

What have I been up to?!

Well, it's been a thoroughly eventful week for me. Firstly, dealing with our escrow company has been um...a bundle of joy? More like making me want to pull my hair out and throw things. Last night we were able to finally sign the final docs, which means all we have to do now is get the loan funded (should happen tomorrow) and registered with L.A. County (should happen Friday) and then keys will be in hand!! May our new lives in our new homes begin.

I've got 6 yards of a beautiful microfiber just waiting to be turned into curtains and I can't wait to take care of that. I'm excited to try sewing curtains and I'm also very hopeful that it's as easy as it is made out to be on the videos I've been watching on you tube. In addition to that I'm thrilled that I'm going to be gaining a dedicated craft space, and creating a couple of stairwell galleries for my photography. =) For now, I will continue putting things in boxes and living out of my suitcase (seeing as we sold both of our dressers in anticipation of our new bedroom set.)

Secondly, I am happy to announce that as of this morning I am officially a U.S. permanent resident. Almost exactly 11 years ago to the day, I got on a plane out of Heathrow to start my new life at UC San Diego. I'm truly happy to say that, while I love England (check out the picture of my local pub back home) I'm really excited to be staying out here as a very proud Brit in California. After all the trials and tribulations of staying out here legally through student and work visas, walking into my green card interview and trying to show someone that the last ten years of my life with my new husband are truly legit is definitely an experience that brings you crashing back to earth. When the official said "Congratulations, I'm approving your petition," it took a lot for me not to jump around the desk and hug him.

So, to sum it up, I certainly wasn't expecting to find the love of my life a couple of days after getting off the plane but if you have an 18 year old daughter who meets a cute guy in the dorms that's willing to give her and her friends a ride to a frat party, don't discount the fact that 10 years on they might be happily married and with a new house purchase on their hands. =) It's been a rocky road but I know if we can support each other through the last couple of weeks we've had and still maintain somewhat of a sense of humor, it will be getting better from here.

We Will Remember - 9/11

Interesting effect

This weekend, a friend of mine brought over her yarn stash that she said she was never going to use. I've been so good about not buying yarn on account of buying a house that this was of course a complete delight! While rummaging through her "donation" to my cause that afternoon, I came across a long crochet hook with a hook on each end. I had no idea what it was so immediately had to go do some online research to find out! Turns out that she had given me an afghan hook, also known as a cro-hook, or it can be used for Tunisian crochet. You might be wondering what on earth I am yapping on about at this point, and I had no clue either so let me explain a little more!

The difference between Tunisian crochet and regular crochet is that loops are created and pulled up onto the hook, then the piece is worked back and forth without turning the work. It creates a pretty cool woven effect, which I love the look of.

A double ended cro-hook (which is what I have) has a hook on each end and is similar in technique to Tunisian crochet, but is great for working two colors. Essentially you work with one color from each end. Check out this information from www.crochetcabana.com if you'd like to know more!

I started making a cowl using the Tunisian crochet method last night using some pretty novelty yarn from my stash. The pictures below show the interesting effect that happened with this particular yarn.Front side (above) & back side (below)The front side has the textured woven look that I was expecting, but the back side has created a really fun fuzzy look that reminds me of a pile of pebbles. My original plan has now changed and I will be making this into a reversible cowl! Stay tuned for finished pictures and of course the listing in my Etsy store.

I'm officially in love...

...and yet we've never met. I have to share this picture I was just sent of my nephew, Ethan. Check out that smile. I'm madly in love with this child! My husband had better watch out or I'll be leaving him for a younger man. Hehe.

Welcome baby!

Congratulations to my sister in law and her husband!! They welcomed baby Ethan into the world today - a healthy 7lbs 13 oz.
I was hoping to finish off his knit hoodie before his arrival, but seeing as he was early, we'll consider it a good thing that I made it in the 9-month old size. =)

I'm so excited to truly take advantage of being his crafty aunt!!!

Knit Pattern - Rustled Up Socks

I am happy to announce the release of my latest pattern today!

Near where I grew up in England, there is a street which looks beautiful in autumn as the leaves change from green to rich fall colors. Now that I'm in Southern California, I do miss the beauty of each season as it chages, so I rustled up these socks as something seasonal for my feet!

These are a cuff down sock incorporating a simple leafy lace design with both written instructions and charts. The yarn was custom designed for the pattern by Carissa Bonham of the Cupcake Factory, capturing the range of colors that inspired the design. The photo shows a women's size 7 sock, which used approximately 230 yards. A single skein would accommodate a larger foot or additional pattern repeats on the leg.

DETAILS:
Yarn: Buttercream yarn in Pumpkin Pie colorway [100g / 3.5oz; 460 yards (421 m); 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon] available at The Cupcake Factory.
Needles: 2.5mm (Size 1.5 US) double pointed needles
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle
Gauge: 8 stitches and 10 rows = 1" in pattern stitch
NOTE: The lace pattern will make the sock seem narrow until it is placed on the foot, which will open up the lace and expand the sock!

This pattern is available for $5.00 either through my Etsy store, or by clicking the buy now button below.



Thanks to my test knitters who helped me make sure that the pattern is clear and easy to read!

Trisha (http://sassy-pants.net)
Jen Rice (www.yarnhoardinmama.blogspot.com / www.yarnhoardinmama.etsy.com)

& Deb Closter

If you have purchased this pattern and have questions, do not hesitate to contact me at organicstills@gmail.com.