A Wedding...

My sister Kathleen's Wedding is but a mere two weeks away from today.  So exciting! I’ve been busy putting the final touches to the ring bearers’ pillow and the flower girls basket that I made for this special event. Tommy, my grand nephew will carry the knit pillow. It is made up using two 8x8 stockinette squares that are sewn together and then a scalloped crochet edging was added.

Madeline, my grand niece will carry the flower girl basket. I crocheted the basket using a pattern sent to me by the lovely Maaike, She had showcased the basket she made for her Wedding on her blog Crejjtion a while ago and I wrote and asked her for the pattern.  She graciously wrote it down and sent it to me.  Thank you and hugs Maaike!  I can’t wait to see the little ones carrying these down the isle.

Both items were made using Rowan Siena 4-ply cotton yarn.

a bit of non-knitting news...

My sister Kathleen is getting married this coming March. We spent last weekend in Las Vegas celebrating her upcoming nuptials. A glorious weekend that included a luncheon in her honor, shopping, of course, and an Opera…The Phantom. 

Arrival at Aria Hotel

It being the year of the dragon, we found that many of the hotels were dressed up in red and paid homage in numerous ways. Our hotel even had a dragon made entirely of chocolate on display. We’re told that marriages and births are especially lucky in 2012.

Looks Yummy!

Oh, and if you haven’t seen the Phantom yet, the LV production is just amazing.  The theater at the Venetian Hotel was built specifically for the show.  It has had a 6 year run and will end this September. The costumes are truly amazing.  

Nicole, Kathleen, Diana, Me & Netti

We laughed, giggled into the night and shared family memories.  I will keep this precious time in my heart always. ❤ ❤ ❤ Happy Valentines day ❤ ❤ ❤

Anticipation

Spring is just around the corner and I can't wait to see and smell the flowers. For now, I'll just have to be content with this little crocheted one.

Me and my hexipuffs

Progress continues on my Beekeepers Quilt. And I have to admit, I'm still loving this project. To help keep me on track I've joined a 365 photo group on Flickr. I thought i'd share this weeks contribution here.

Toast with a little jam please

I was over visiting one of my favorite blogs, a friend to knit with, and read Leslie’s entry for Jan 5th and immediately went looking for the copy of her pattern, Toast, that I had downloaded and stuck somewhere a while back, with plans of making sometime in the future.  I loved that she shared an e-mail from Char about the pattern.  It compelled me to pull out my skein of Shelter in the color soot and whip up a pair these little beauties.  Quick, cozy and a great knit to cast on dp needles and perfect their use.  So off I go to enjoy a cuppa with my pair.  FYI, these will be great to pull on in the wee hours of the morning when I grab my laptop and visit blogland.  The computer keys are always sooooo cold!

blue

I finished up my blue hitchhiker scarf right before the holidays and am finally posting it as a fo on ravelry and blogging about it.  I can’t say enough about the yarn, Rainy days & wooly dogs, Ricin.  It has a bit of bamboo in it, which gives it a beautiful sheen, softness and drape that I’m just crazy about.  Stephanie has such amazing yarns, no wonder I’m a gothsock groopie! This being my second hitchhiker to complete, it is a given that I’m in love with the pattern as well.  Martina did a great job with the instructions and making this such an easy one to follow. I hope to get much use out of blue this season.  

Enchanted

What can one do with a bit o stash yarn, warm sudsy water and a couple of magnets?  Why create a little castle to house your darning needles, of course!  I've been over the moon in love with this pattern by Stephanie of TOK since I first spotted it on Ravelry. It is a fun, fast and easy project and so adorable once complete.  I had the best time making up my little castle.  Who couldn't use a little whimsy in their knitting basket?  So looking forward to making up the next one.

Happy New Years!  Wishing you all a Knit & Crochet filed 2012...