Yarn Along (a couple days early)

Working on Wednesday mornings has really cut into my knit-blogging-time, let me tell you...
This week, however, it's Spring Break and I have all the time in the world.

After 14 years of knitting, and 12 years working at yarn shops, I have a sizable yarn stash and it is a goal of mine to begin knitting that down over the next year.
I pre-ordered Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos over two years ago, and when it came I was so excited to choose a pattern and cast on. However, I got busy and now, finally, I am starting my first project Autumn's End.
This sweater is knit from Tracie yarn that I snagged in a clearance sale a few years ago.
I'm loving the knitting. The yarn has a great bounce, and the pattern has an easy repeat.
Though, since the season finale of The Walking Dead was so awesome last night, I had to do a little triage on a few of the lace repeats this morning.

I have been on an Autobiography kick lately. In the last two months I've read/listened to Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin, I Must Say:My Life as a Humble Comedy Genius by Martin Short, Yes Please by Amy Poehler, Girl Walks into a Bar by Rachel Dratch and I started, but did not finish yet, As You Wish by Cary Elwes and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. My book club decided to read Pioneer Girl by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but it proved difficult to find, so we put it off for the future. I had already ordered my copy, though, and so now I'm reading that. Any annotated book takes me years to read, I get so distracted by the notes, so I'm not too far into it, but it's an enjoyable read so far.
What's on your needles right now?
Joining Ginny

Something New

Rather than follow my usual modus opperandus for Easter dress production (that is, working late into the night before, or the morning of) I thought I'd try something new this year.
I planned ahead.
I bought the fabric months ago, it was on clearance at the New Year's sale. I cut out a bodice right away, and then it lost priority to other projects. However, this afternoon I squeezed in an hour or two at the sewing table and finished it up.
My original bodice was of a cotton broadcloth, but as the skirt is knit it made more sense to go with a knit bodice as well. I re-purposed a t-shirt, though I had to bring it in a bit, the only solid tee I found was a size 6X. I added a ribbon sash after I attached the skirt, and voila! A super fast Easter dress.

(It is nigh on impossible to take a photo in focus of a dancing-nearly-three-year-old)

The Elder's outfit is a bit of a sticky wicket. I want to make something for her, but she is SO over dresses.

I think I'll applique some flowers from my leftover fabric on a tee, and call it a day.

What's on your creative plate today? 

Home

Big Trip

The Elder left this morning on an adventure.
At her school, the big end of the line trip for the graduating 5th graders is a bus ride up to Ely, MN for a fun-filled 5 days in the woods (in a cabin, let's be real, it's cold up there...)

 Looking at my cool, collected, mature young lady this morning I was reminded of another milestone day, waiting for a different bus.

(first day of kindergarten 2009)

My sweet lady, I am so proud of how you are growing and I can't wait for the adventures that are coming your way.

There's a Bird on Your Head

Coming up in April, another mom and I will begin rehearsals with a group of 5th graders to produce the school play.
We got a crazy idea that we could ask Mo Willems for permission to use his Gerald and Piggie books, along with The Pigeon.

He responded the same day (through his agent), with a Yes! and we were off to the races.
We chose:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Listen to My Trumpet!, My New Friend is So Fun!, Let's Go for a Drive!, The Duckling Gets a COOKIE!?, Should I Share My Ice Cream?, I Broke My Trunk!, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!, and There is a Bird on Your Head!

The kids will do a lot of work with the scenery and costumes, but I got a head start (along with The Elder) on the main props for There is a Bird on Your Head!

Gerald: Piggie! Is something on my head?

Piggie: Yes. There is a bird on your head. 

...

They are love birds! 

They are building a nest!

Gerald: I am afraid to ask...Do I have an egg on my head?

Piggie: One, Two, Three!

Piggie: The eggs are hatching!

Birds: Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!

...

Gerald: I do not want three baby chicks, two birds, and a nest on my head!

Piggie: Where do you want them? 

Gerald: SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Piggie: Why not ask them to go somewhere else?

...

Gerald:Excuse me, birds. Will you please go somewhere else?

Birds: No problem!

Gerald: It worked!

There is still some tweaking to be done, the birds fall out once the nest is on anyone's head, but I think that won't be hard to adjust.
Lots of hot glue went into the nest, it's felt wrapped around a Styrofoam wreath frame, and the birds I mostly made up.
I changed the colors of the birds from the book, they were a little drab for the stage.
I think the beaks all need a little adjustment as well, they're pointier in the book.
It was a fun project overall, and so satisfying that my vision came out pretty much as I had planned.
 Joining Nicole for KCCO

{this moment}

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 
Joining Amanda this morning. 

A Finished Product

Looking at these, I guess we should have thought more about our kids' names.
This doesn't spell anything.
Unless you take me out of the equation, and then we have Ahab, which is pretty cool.

I guess the only solution is to have three more kids and give them a V name, and L name and an A name, then we could spell out one of my favorite screenwriter's names - Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.

Or, maybe not...