Homemade with a Twist

Fun Day

We headed down to the zoo today with some friends and had a blast.  First time I have had 3 car seats in my truck.  It worked out quite nicely.

And someone was so tuckered out that I managed to get a blanket sewn up for a friend's new baby. I am loving how the turtles turned out.  Just a simple cotton print backed with minky and then I free motioned traced some of the turtles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butterflies

We met some friends at the Butterfly Pavilion today.  In the four years we have lived here this was our first trip.  It was lots of fun.  Keith managed the spiders and I took the starfish. 

Great Fun

We were so lucky to have Julie visit!  We had such a great time,  play, reading and a zoo trip.  Tiny even learned to say Julie....her first name other than mama and dada.     We are looking forward to an even longer visit this summer :)

Zoo Trip

The weather turned out to be even more beautiful than predicted and it seems as though many people had the same idea we did.  The zoo was well....a zoo.  We did have a fantastic time with 4 other moms and babes.  Here are the kids all ready to go.  And here is Tiny sitting on a bench enjoying her new found climbing ability. 

Fairy Godmother

The last couple of days we have had the pleasure of having my godmother and her husband visit.  They were coming to the area for a wedding and came out a bit early to squeeze in a visit.  It has been quite some time since I've seen them and Keith had never met them.  We had a lovely time visiting and catching up.  Hopefully it won't be another decade before we get to do it again!!!   

Playdate at the park

Tiny and I met some friends yesterday at our local park.  Keith had a few minutes and was able to join us for lunch.  He picked up some subs for Shino and I and came by to see his little girl.

Zoo Fun

For Mother's Day we got a zoo pass,  Tiny and I have been putting it to good use.  We met Karen and her little one for a walking tour.  Tiny is intently watching the peacock in this first picture.

Play date

Yesterday after we took Angela to the airport, Tiny and I headed over to a friend's house for a play date.  Her girls (all three of them) are just a couple of weeks younger then Tiny (you can see what a social butterfly we have).  We all played a bit inside and then decided a walk was in order.  By the time we got back all the kids had fallen asleep.  Lots of fun!

Fun

A friend of mine came for a visit over the weekend.  Angela is one of my oldest friends and it was such a treat to have her visit.  We were able to catch up,  I showed her how to knit and she taught me some very cool scrap booking techniques.  Our visit went by so quickly but was such fun!  Here are a few of the highlights- Tiny enjoying lunch out on Friday, shopping at the stationary store, and hanging out, concentrating on the knitting, scrap booking.   

New Arrival

Tiny and I were very fortunate to be able to welcome our friends new daughter.  We stopped by for a visit yesterday afternoon.  She is beautiful and look at all that gorgeous hair!  It doesn't seem possible that Tiny was even littler than that not so long ago. 

Karen is a new knitter and look how great her first project turned out!

Outing in the Park

We took advantage of this lovely day and were fortunate to be able to meet up with a friend and her daughter (and her bear).  Sometimes last minute plans are the best.  Here is Tiny waving hello in her adorable sun hat (thanks Debbie) and lounging on the blanket. Keith stopped by on his way home from work and took a quick turn on the swing. We even saw a cute little woodpecker on our way out.  

  

Big Day Out

  Keith took Tiny to the office this morning for "Take your Kids to work day".  She was her usual smiling self and the youngest attendee by several years.  She hung out with dad for the kick off breakfast then I went and picked her up.  We came home for nap time then headed out to meet a friend of mine at the botanic gardens.  We managed to get there just about the time the rain rolled back in,  but had a great time anyway.  I really enjoy the rain these days,  we don't get it very often here.

Little Bit of Crafting

I have been wanting to get back to some crafting.  Last week my little helper and I started on some soft blocks.  She tuckered out about halfway through (notice the lovely knit blanket, thanks so much Amy).  I managed three 3 in blocks and am going to work on some bigger ones this week.  We also went by the fabric store this weekend and picked up some various textured fabric to add a bit more interest. 
So far these seem to be a hit :)  

An fun surprise

I know it has been quite some time since my last post.  Alot has been going on and the summer is flying by.  One thing at a time,  Keith and I had the most delightful surprise this week when we got home.  A package on the porch always perks me up but this package contained something very special and very unexpected.  A lovely quilt for the baby we're expecting in the fall.  Julie truly outdid herself and I know this is going to get a lot of use.  I love the colors, fabric and it is a perfect size.  THANK YOU doesn't even express how touched we are.  And the pictures don't do it justice.

Zoo Lights

This past Saturday we went with some friends to see the zoo lights and had a great time.  I don't think either one of us has been to something like this before.  We were fortunate that the weather was mild for this time of year.  In addition to the lights we saw lots of sleeping peacocks in the trees and even some ice sculptures. Click on any of the pictures to make them bigger :)

     

         

Thanksgiving Fun

Keith and I were fortunate to spend Thanksgiving with some friends.  We had a fantastic dinner that I was so anxious to eat that my pictures don't do it justice, but here goes.  Amazing appetizers, moist turkey, terrific sides and pecan pie for dessert.  We also had lots of fun with their kitties, who even got into the holiday spirit after dinner.    I hope everyone had a fabulous day!     

Sock Swap

Sunday brought with it our second sock swap.  I was blown away by the lovely red beaded swirl socks that Crystal knit for me (a perfect fit).  And the great goodies she included were spot on, a great martini wash cloth, martini glass stitch markers,  martini sticker buttons, euclan, almonds,  chocolate,  sock patterns and a skein of  lovely manos silk/wool blend and All Things Heather sock yarn.   

I am so lucky that even though I have moved a couple thousand miles away that this fantastic group of knitters still include me in the festivities.  

Circle of Friends

Several knitting pals are putting together a Circle of Friends blanket for another knitting friend.  This is Strip Four and is on its way back to MA to be joined to the other strips.   

The Big Reveal

  Thank you, Debbi!  We swapped our Silly Socks this afternoon. Debbi spoiled me with these lovely blue socks that fit perfectly (I need to get the specs on them), some Spunky Eclectic roving,  some of Mary's fabulous stitch markers, a yummy cookbook, handmade soap that smells good enough to eat, hot cocoa (that will be going with me to work), a fantastic sock pattern, and a whooping 600 yards of yarn called Dragonfly.  And thank you Christine, Crystal and Kathy for the wonderful narration....it was almost as good as being there.  What a great idea Julie and Crystal ! The group reveal photo's are here and go over and check out Madame Purl's lovely new socks.     

Saturday Hike

Keith and I went hiking with a friend yesterday.  A gorgeous spring day, temps in the 70s, and plenty of sunshine.  We headed out early for our hike up Mount Sanitas.  Nothing is blooming just yet but we found a few photo ops.     

I go out walking

I managed to finish up the most recent baby gift less than a week after he arrived. Julie and I picked up this adorable dinosaur fabric on my last visit for a friend that was expecting. I finally dared to break out the walking foot for my machine and quilt this most recent one.  I was very pleased with how it turned out and the recipient seemed to snuggle right in.  He is our youngest house guest to date (6 days old),  he and his very proud new parents came by on Sunday for dinner.  

Impromtu Knitting

A cup of coffee,  a sock, and some lovely conversation.  I finally plowed though the second short row heel on my Silly Sock Swap Sock and am making great progress toward finishing them up.

On the way I pulled over to snap this beautiful mountain morning.  

Sunday Crafting

Early Sunday was a perfect snowy New England morning and there was lots of knitting going on.  Christine was helping out one of our newer knitters  and Mary  was intently working away on her sock.  From knitting Julie and I went by Idylwilde to l ook around.  I haven't quite found such a neat "farm stand" in Boulder. Look at these veggies! Then off to Quilter's Way where I picked up the fabric for the lastest ba by quilt I will be making.   As if this wasn't enough we went back to Julie's and she was so kind as to show me her soap making secrets.  I will definitely be trying this at home.  It isn't near as scary as it sounds :).

And to top it off Jason had made a wonderful dinner (gone before pictures) and dessert.

Saturday Fun

     I had the good fortune this weekend to go back East and hang out with the gals. Today Crystal, this little guy, Julie and I headed up  to The Fiber Studio,  took a bit of a detour to Apple Tree Fabrics, then on to The Elegant Ewe.  We found the best stash of Noro Sock yarn, some Habu stainless steel and wool yarn, and I also picked up some Lorna's laces.  Before heading back to MA we had a lovely lunch at The Common Man  .

Despite the snow this evening we met up with some more wonderful knitterly friends for dinner and then headed back to Julie's to knit and chat.    

  

Decisions, decisions

I throughly enjoyed the Bloomin' Feet swap last spring so I was thrilled when I was asked if I would like to participate in a small swap among friends.   Aptly dubbed the Silly Sock Swap as the packages are due on April Fool's Day.  The matches were made and the questionnaires exchanged.  Now all the decisions about the perfect yarn and pattern.  I am pretty sure I have settled on the yarn, a lovely Lorna's Laces and I have narrowed down the patterns to a select few.  I am hoping to cast on this weekend.