Bloomin' Knitiot

Blue Moon

2009-12-31T19:23:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Tonight there is a "Blue Moon" which I feel I must mention, since my company name is Once In A Bloomoon Creations. A Blue Moon comes every 2-1/2 years, but only about every 19 years on New Years Eve . So, now that you know that piece of info......

Let me just say, 2009 had its share of moments, that's for darned sure...

The highlights:

~Kaitlyn graduated from high school with high honors

~Kaitlyn got her drivers license and a car (THANK THE HEAVENS ABOVE I am done carting that girl's butt around!)

~Kaitlyn started college

~Kim and Drew announced that Mike and I would become grandparents!

~McKenna was born

~I became a very proud grandma!!

Some of the challenges:

~Insomnia came to visit and didn't want to leave... I still have sleepless nights at times but things are somewhat better. That was a struggle for quite a few months. There have been several other health worries, some of which are still unresolved. Other family members have had their share of health issues as well.

~McKenna's birth was 9 weeks early, due to Kim developing severe pre-eclampsia. McKenna's 45 day stay in the NICU downtown was emotionally, logistically, and basically in all ways challenging. We all got through it... I am humbled by Kim and Drew's strength and perseverance during this time to do everything they could for their tiny preemie daughter. Happily things have only improved over time and she is doing so well now!

~The timing of McKenna's birth coincided with my planned trip to Portland to go to the Sock Summit. While disappointed about missing the SS, I was also going to be able to visit with my sister who lives too far away for me to see more than once a year if we're lucky. And I was going to finally meet my dear online friend Maria. We have "known" each other online for 12 years and we were so looking forward to a face-to-face visit (and some sock knitting together). But I needed to be here to support Kim and Drew as they learned to cope with the situation and help them get through it to the prize at the end....

~Mike worked about a million hours (slight exaggeration, I think... but I'm not sure) this year... way more overtime than he would like at this point in his life. I try hard to not complain, considering the rate of unemployment, especially in Michigan. And considering a couple of family members lost their jobs this year, we do consider ourselves fortunate to not have faced the prospect of Mike looking for a new job (again). But really, 70+ hours a week when you're in your 50s gets a little hard on the body (and mind). Give the man a bit of a break. We'd all be a little happier and less stressed, that's for sure.

My business was very slow this year, but I am going to take part of the blame for that. My focus was definitely elsewhere, and the lack of extra time to devote to promoting my patterns was just something I had no control over.

I spent a very huge portion of the spring, summer and fall planning and executing a graduation party, a baby shower (that came after the baby!), then caring for McKenna when Kim went back to work...I was devoting my attention to everything (it seemed) but Jake. Guilt overpowered me at times... I felt like he spent way too much time at the bottom of the totem pole this year, and I tried very hard to make special times with him, but it just felt like I was throwing him a bone. I am hoping to somehow make it up to him. He was a trooper, thank goodness. I hope he doesn't resent the lack of attention compared to everything else that happened this year.

Jake didn't really have any huge milestones, but I will report he is doing great in 7th grade, and loves being "Uncle Jake" to McKenna. So many days he rushes in from school, scrubs his hands, and comes to say hello to her. Such a good boy :-)

So that was 2009, and I think we are all ready for a New Year. Here's to the hopes and expectations and dreams... may they all come true!

Dodecahedron---I just call it Pointy Ball!

2009-12-17T10:07:00.004-05:00

What's this? Another blog post so soon? Another FO so soon? In the midst of the holiday chaos?

I finished up McKenna's ball last night. Knitting the last point after stuffing it was pretty tedious, but I'm happy with the results. I put a cat toy (bell in a cage) in the middle of the stuffing for a little jingly fun. I hope McKenna enjoys her dodecahedron for years to come.

click for pattern

Oh heck, let's just add one more photo here. I made this Pretty Thing cowl for my good friend Tamara. I used alpaca, (because Tam loves her some alpaca) but it kind of hid the stitch pattern. Next time I make a Pretty Thing (and I will do this project again) I will use a less fuzzy yarn. It's a pretty thing indeed!

Pattern available on Ravelry

McKenna's Stocking

2009-12-15T11:43:00.006-05:00

I went to my stash and came up with these 4 colors to knit McKenna's Christmas stocking. Not Christmas-y colors by any means, but definitely girly-girl colors. I made up the pattern as I went along, and had no idea how it would turn out. McKenna thought it was a pretty cozy sleeping bag before it went into the washer for felting!

I haven't felted anything in a while, and I guess I forgot that standing over the washing machine with a watchful eye is the key to getting the results you want. I had the stocking in the washer for only 8 minutes, and it was done. I would have stopped the felting a bit earlier had I been standing there. It's not WAY too small, but I would have liked it if all my design elements were a bit more visible and also if it were just a wee bit bigger to fit more goodies inside in future years.

I'll be needle-felting McKenna's name once the stocking is dry.

Hey! What happened to my sleeping bag? It used to be THIS big! I can't fit in that anymore!!!!

My new toy

2009-12-11T15:46:00.005-05:00

My new piece of electronics arrived today. I decided I needed one of these slick little Flip video cameras. The fact that you could personalize it with a photo or a graphic really sealed the deal for which camera I might buy. I love the fact that no one else will have a camera exactly like mine!

It really couldn't be any easier to use. The USB connection "flips" out of the top of the camera and you plug it right into your computer, without any cords.

The software is so user friendly. Within mere seconds you can save to your computer, email your video, upload it to the internet, pull screen shots from it, make it into a video greeting card, burn it to a DVD, etc.

The Flip MinoHD is quite small, (smaller than my phone) and will slip easily into a pocket or purse. I am going to be taking a ton of video of McKenna (and Christmas, and many other things) How handy, to just be able to whip it out because it's with you all the time, instead of having to haul around the big video camera, in its big case, worrying about if you have a blank tape or DVD to record onto, etc.

I'm so excited to get the early Christmas present that I bought myself. I got the power adapter free (you get one free accessory on the website right now) which allows me to charge it when I am away from my computer. I also want the HDMI cables that will let me watch the videos on the TV, and also the mini tripod which will come in very handy.

Knitting has resumed....

2009-10-21T18:55:00.004-05:00

My cut has healed, but I still have swelling, pain and numbness in my finger. I decided I couldn't wait any longer to knit McKenna's pumpkin hat, so it was knit yesterday with my finger up in the air. My tension was definitely all over the place. Oh well, it still turned out to be a cute hat for an adorable little girl. Hopefully my finger is back in working order before too much longer.

Well....

2009-10-05T16:39:00.003-05:00

There will be no knitting with THIS (or the pain that accompanies it).

Public Service Announcement:

Can Lid + Stupidity = 6 Stitches (of the non-knitting variety)

McKenna hits the yarn store....

2009-10-01T21:52:00.008-05:00

McKenna is 2 months old today, and she decided it was about time she shopped for yarn. She had an appt. downtown today, which happened to be in the building next to where City Knits is located. So McKenna convinced her mommy to take us inside so she could pick something out.

She quickly was overcome by the yarn fumes, and went off to la-la land, which meant she had to trust me to pick out the yarn. I picked Crystal Palace Bamboozle, in the Tulip colorway (which reminds me more of melon colors than tulips, but it's pretty!) I'm not sure what I'm going to make with it yet, but it sure was exciting to me that one of the very first places McKenna went (besides to her doctor appts.) was a yarn store!

No knitting, just McKenna

2009-09-20T19:14:00.004-05:00

This picture was taken today and I love it SO much that I had to share!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

2009-09-15T19:01:00.004-05:00

McKenna is leaving the hospital tonight!!!!!! We are all so relieved, happy, excited, etc. This sweetie is finally going to sleep in her own home with Mommy and Daddy. YAY!!!!

ps... that's the latest new hat from me :-)

Blanket of Love

2009-09-04T22:04:00.004-05:00

I started this blanket soon after finding out Kim and Drew were expecting. It was a "stop and start again" kind of project, with lots of other knitting going on in between. When McKenna was born early, I had to get the needles clicking again to finish up her blanket ASAP!

Kim's second shower is tomorrow, and I just took the blocking pins out of the blanket and wrapped it. I am very pleased with how it turned out. Such a difference from pre-blocking. It was a rumpled blob ... and now it's a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself. I can't wait to see McKenna wrapped in this blanket. Each of the 55,772 stitches are filled with Grandma love!

ps... McKenna is doing great, and will be leaving the hospital very soon! Yay!

Apple Blossom Cardigan

2009-08-30T20:48:00.002-05:00

I knit this sweet little sweater for McKenna this week. The pattern (available free on Ravelry) called for worsted weight and size 10 needles, but was going to be too big. I used DK weight, and size 6 needles, and it is more her size. I'm hoping it will be perfect for her to wear home from the hospital (which we are hoping is VERY soon!) I am going to use the lace pattern at the bottom of the sweater to make a matching hat, and will whip up some booties too. I can't wait to see her wearing this!

Sweet McKenna

2009-08-19T19:12:00.003-05:00

Words are not really necessary. This face says it all!

McKenna continues to do very well. She's reaching milestones, gaining weight, and we are all hoping her stay in the NICU will be over soon. She has changed SO much since she was born, looking better (and cuter!) every day! She is loved by so many. Thanks again, everyone, for your continued prayers. They are working!

I am one proud Grandma!

Sizzlin' Sunday

2009-08-16T10:10:00.004-05:00

A quick update, and I'll try to post pix very soon.

McKenna is now 2 weeks old and doing great. I am going to go see her in just a little while. I have not seen her since Monday, which breaks my heart, but it was all I could do to pull things together for the baby shower (yesterday). Thanks to many good friends and wonderful family members, it was a beautiful day for Kim and Drew. So much love was in that room, and we had McKenna's photos on a digital frame slide show, so she was with us in spirit.

Kim is doing great. Her blood pressure seems to be under control and the symptoms of preeclampsia are all but gone. She is exhausted, understandably, from all the trips to the hospital, catching up on her class for her Masters, phone calls, paperwork, and just getting things ready for McKenna to come home. Now with all that extra LOOT from the shower, she'll spend a lot of time getting everything set up in the nursery for her. How fun!

Happy Sunday! I'm hitting the pool when I get home! It's a hot one!

Welcome to the world, McKenna!

2009-08-03T21:44:00.004-05:00

My grand-daughter McKenna was born Saturday evening, more than 9 weeks early. She weighs 2 lbs. 5 oz. and though very tiny, is doing very well! She came out crying and breathing on her own, and is full of spunk. Of course I fell in love with her the minute I saw her. I am hoping to be able to hold her tomorrow.

The way things happened made for a wild ride, and even though it's not what any of us had planned, it looks like it will all be ok.

I missed out on 2 months of knitting time... I'd better get moving on finishing up that other project, and making a few preemie hats!

McKenna's arrival put a wrench in my plans to go to Sock Summit, and while I'm disappointed, HERE is where I need to be...where I want to be. Kim is going to need a lot of help in the coming weeks. I want to be the one helping her.

I can't believe I'm a grandma!! Squeeee!

May I present to you....

2009-06-28T18:51:00.006-05:00

the new addition to our yard...

After much delay, swimming 2009 has commenced. I thought the new (bigger) pool would never get put up and filled, but here it is. Oh swimming, how I have missed you! Now, if the weather would just warm back up again.... I can't believe we are expecting highs in the 60s and 70s this week after the sweltering week we just had. Can it please be summer and stay summer?

And here, just as a little bonus, is a picture of the little baby robins that hatched this past week or so. Mama Robin built her nest in my philodendron that was hanging out on the porch. They are getting pretty crowded in that little nest!

Food as art

2009-06-17T17:45:00.003-05:00

This post is for you, Lynn!

I saw the colors blended in my pan as I was stir-frying tonight, and thought "Well, isn't that pretty?!" and ran for my camera.

I wish I had caught it while the red onions were still colorful, but along with them, there was orange pepper, broccoli, celery, mushrooms, and water chestnuts. The meat was strips of turkey breast. Sooo good.

And to cleanse the palate, a small dish of homemade Lemon Ice.

Jake did most of the prep work. He cut and juiced the lemons, measured out the other ingredients and mixed them together. It was certainly delicious and he's already said we need to make it more often. This was our first time. I ended up mashing my strawberry in while I ate it, and decided next time we make it, we'll add some chopped strawberries to it before the final freezing.

GO WINGS!

2009-06-09T10:02:00.003-05:00

Jake's first meal of the day... we are SOOO excited about tonight's game, hoping that the Wings beat the Penguins again in game 6.

Repeat ... so sweet!

The Baby Bump

2009-06-04T10:54:00.008-05:00

I can't get enough of looking at Kim's belly. Isn't it cute? I know there are pregnancies everywhere, but this one is most special!

Here's what I've got on the needles for the baby bump right now. It's a little more than half done. Easy garter stitch short-rows. Good mindless knitting for hockey games.

GO WINGS!

Kaitlyn has graduated!

2009-06-01T19:51:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, Kaitlyn, and 400+ classmates, graduated from Romeo High School. Commencement was held at Freedom Hill, an outdoor concert venue, with a covered pavilion. It was on the chilly side to begin with yesterday, and being in the shade, with a stiff wind, made for a somewhat uncomfortable couple of hours. I neglected to wear anything warmer than a short sleeved shirt, (well, yes, I WAS wearing pants) and believe me, I was sure wishing I had a hand-knit shawl around my shoulders! What was I thinking? Mike, Kim, my parents... they all had jackets. Jake had a long sleeved shirt over another shirt. Me, I wore goosebumps. I really felt bad for the girls graduating.... they all had dresses on under their skimpy little white gowns, and I'm sure they were freezing!

The ceremony was quite nice. Kaitlyn graduated with High Honors and we are very proud of her! Congratulations, Kaitlyn!

We will be throwing a big graduation party for her in July. I really need to get to planning that.... and a baby shower..... tick tock tick tock....

Sock Summit

2009-05-27T11:54:00.005-05:00

Like hundreds (thousands?) of others, I was poised at the ready yesterday, waiting for the moment when class registration for Sock Summit '09 was to open. Like almost everyone else, I experienced the problems that occurred as we all clicked at once. It was a time-consuming, often frustrating process, but in the end, I got into a few classes I wanted, as did Diane, and Jane. Unfortunately Maria didn't, but I am hoping that as the double-bookings are sorted out, her class will open up and she can get in. Fingers crossed for you, Maria!

The IT people were warned that a capable server was necessary to handle the influx of crazy-ass knitters, but they, once again, failed to realize our numbers. Server crashed. Server did NOT serve its purpose. Many people are left very upset in the wake of what happened. Thankfully I am not one of them. I feel for the people who had classes snatched out of their shopping carts and were not able to get them back. But I hope after the initial disappointment fades, they will still go to Portland and enjoy the camaraderie of all of us who will be there, as well as the many wonderful things that Portland has to offer.

I am arriving a few days early, and not taking a full class schedule, because I want plenty of time to experience some of the sights and sounds and tastes and experiences of Portland. I am looking forward to spending time with people who mean so much to me, (Diane, Becky, Jane, Maria, Lynn) and meeting many others who may become future friends.

I'm very excited and looking forward to August. But in the mean time, I have a lot of summer activities to enjoy before that happens. The first of which is Kaitlyn's graduation on Sunday.

Congratulations, Kaitlyn!

More Baby knitting

2009-05-19T20:31:00.005-05:00

Over the past few days I knit this cute little sweater and hat. Garter stitch with bulky yarn on size 10 needles. Lickety-split, it was done! The buttons are not sewn on yet, but that's a minor detail.

This is for an upcoming baby shower. I wanted to get it done so I can get back to secret baby knitting for my granddaughter.

Kim passed the 20 week mark on Sunday, so she is officially in the second half of her pregnancy. We went shopping for some prego clothes last night. I can't believe she was still trying to squeeze that belly into non-maternity pants!

Prom

2009-05-15T05:52:00.003-05:00

Don't they look great?

So excited!

2009-05-07T21:00:00.004-05:00

I'm going to be doing a lot of knitting for a little princess. My first grand-baby.... It's a girl, due early October.

Kim and Drew found out today. I am beyond excited. I wish I could knit in my sleep. There's just not enough time to knit all the precious sweet little girly-girl things I want to knit!

Announcing new Ripple Slip Pattern

2009-04-12T11:31:00.008-05:00

My new pattern is now ready and up for sale. The "Buy It" buttons are over there in the sidebar. ---->>

I've added it on Ravelry (where you can see a few more photos). I still need to add it to my website.

There are many options with this pattern:

Scarf or Shawl
Knit stitch pattern lengthwise or widthwise
Yarns in 2 contrasting solid colors
2 colorways of a self-striping yarn
A self-striping yarn with a solid

Here are some photos for ideas:

Scarf, 1 skein Kauni, split so that contrasting colors were alternated, knit lengthwise:

Scarf, 2 skeins of different colorways of SWTC Karaoke, knit widthwise:

Shawl, 3 Skeins Silky Wool and 5 Skeins Silk Garden Lite, knit widthwise:

Shawl, 4 oz. each tan and black DK Alpaca, knit lengthwise:

Let me know how you like it!

Go Spartans!

2009-04-06T15:43:00.005-05:00

So, any N. Carolina fans who are in town for the big NCAA Championship game tonight woke up to this:

Hope they're enjoying the Michigan weather! At least it was decent on Saturday and most of yesterday.

Jake wanted green pancakes in honor of the game tonight, so I went one better and made 2 of these (only one survived the flip though)