Six Months in the Making...

Wow! .. I cannot believe it's been over 6 months since my last post! Guess life just hasn't been that interesting   See folks, when I say "same old, same old" .. believe it!

I can't quite remember what's passed during this half year...

Dec - Bday and Christmas was fun as usual. No gift exchange between hubby and me since we're saving up for our new place! .. I bought a set of fun christmas fabrics on etsy.. I still haven't done anything with it yet, but I have big plans!

Jan - Completed my very first baby cardi for baby inness, who is in HK, hence the short sleeves  I used the Little Coffee Bean Cardigan pattern by Elizabeth Smith and loved it! So simple, yet effective!

I also finished baby stone's coat using the Lino's Coat by Lili Comme Tout. It's a pretty awesome pattern, knit sideways. Very simple to make and I ended up finding the perfect chestnut-shaped buttons for it!

Feb - Feb marked the beginning of my love affair with cowls ... soft, cozy, warm cowls!!!... and the slip honeycomb stitch. The first one was a gift. I loved it so much and had such a hard time parting with it that I decided to make one for myself and I wear it every chance I get!

Baby hugo's bday was fast approaching so a preppy sweater was needed. I got right to work after finally settling on the Henry sweater, and it's a good thing that I did cause that's when I discovered the JSSBO, which is the greatest thing EVER! .. This will be my go to bind off technique for closed neck sweaters from now on!

Mar - Soft, mohair cowls are awesome .. but by this time, I was finally ready to move on. Enter the seed stitch cowl! .. I absolutely adore the colour and stitch definition on this and ended up making a pair of them! I hope the receipients of both cowls love them as much as I do!

Cowls are awesome, but frankly, they are not enough to keep me busy! After days and days of pattern browsing on ravelry, I finally decided on a sweater for baby ashley: the autumn leaves vest! The daisies were suppose to go all the way around, but I couldn't resist putting on buttons! I wasn't quite sure the placket was gonna work, but in the end, it turned out a-okay!!

Apr - This month was mostly dedicated to knitting the Sunny Caridgan, but alas, it was a failed project. The yarn that I chose just didn't work out. My gague was all wrong even though it worked out when I swatched it. It's completed and blocked and sitting in my room right now, but I foresee a vicious frogging session  Oh well, I guess the yarn is destined for something else!! To make up for my lack of success in the knitting area, I turned to crocheting and whipped up 3 baby hats, each with a pair of interchangable flowers!!! ... how cute!

May - After my defeat in the knitting arena, I decided to give sewing a try. It was getting nice and sunny and warm out, and the thought of wrapping myself in yarn just didn't have the same appeal anymore  Plus, I had found this AMAZING bapron pattern and had to give it a go!! Here they are! .. I've already made 6 of these and I'm sure more are to come. I also managed to whip up a set of small snack pouches! It turns out that you can make quite a bit using a fat quarter. Let's count it: 1) bapron, 2) small snack pouch, 3) large sandwich pouch!!

Only 2 more days until June... I'm currently working on a laptop bag and hoping I can add it to my May tally!!

TO BE CONTINUED (with pics!!)...

Oh Tunic... How I Love Thee!

My still light tunic is finally done!!!!  I love, love, LOVE the results! It was a whole lot of stockinette, but it was sooooooooo worth it! After endless hours of counting stitches, glee episodes, and leaf games, my tunic turned out perfect. I wouldn't change it in anyway (well, I'd probably lengthen the body and sleeves a bit more if I had the extra yarn, but I'll save that for the next one)  .. To make this tunic extra special, I decided to sewn on one of the cute wooden owl buttons that I picked up in Paris, France ... what a hoot!

Here's my attempt at some artsyish photos in the backyard...

This is a brilliant designed! .. Completely seamless, which makes the design even more worth the mind-numbing knitting. If you're looking for something funky to knit, I highly recommend the Still Light Tunic by Veera Välimäki:
http://100-rain.blogspot.com/2010/05/still-light-tunic.html

The pattern's really well written and super easy to follow. Next in my knitting queue is the Twenty Ten cardi, also one of Vera's seamless designs... where mah knitting needles!! .. I say, I say, gimme my knitting needles!! .. but not before the reveal of girl blankie number 4!!! .. such a purdy quilt!! .. love the mix of pinks .. it's super super pink, just like requested!!!  It's the largest blankie I've made and I love it .. I'm gonna have a hard time giving it away

Next up, more bags!! .. I've gotta whip up two more bags before I can even touch my knitting needles   but it'll all be worth it in the end .. I just hope the bags turn out exactly as I imagine them! *fingers crossed!*

Stay tuned!!

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Currently Listening: Kung Fu Panda on tv and hubby in the kitchen
Currently Wanting: more knitting time!!! .. sigh

Case of the Happy Feet

Someone's got a case of the knitted sock bug .. me!! .. what's cuter than a knitted baby sock? ... More than one, of course!!

Was on ravelry looking for some quick baby projects and came across this pattern: http://funknitsfreepatterns.blogspot.com/2008/02/newborn-hat-and-socks.html

Once I knitted up the hat, I couldn't wait to start on the socks ... and once I knitted up a sock, I couldn't wait to start on the other, they're just that cute! Didn't take too long either. Just a few episodes of Glee and I was well on my way to a second pair, but in pink!

And here they are in action!

And while knitting is super fun and relaxing, you just gotta take a break sometimes. What better way to take a breather than to whip up a baby blankie and matching burp cloths! ... Perfect activity for keeping busy while hubby washes the car outside  I'm totally in love with the hooty hoot kangaroo and argyle fabrics!!

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Currently Listening: Hubby speak
Currently Wanting: More knit time!!!

Putting the Petal to the Metal...

So I finally go around to busting open my new sewing machine. Unfortunately, the first item made with my new toy was not for me, but I love it nonetheless...

My scottish-inspired Shortbread tote, complete with an adjustable strap, handsome tartan print, and pleats galore!!! ... it's even big enough to fit my notebook .. score! .. hopefully it's new owner will love it as much as I do.

Next up .. 2 more shoulder bags and then finally something for myself .. woot!

K .. I'm pooped today. I'm out!

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Currently Listening: Eason's Duo concert CD .. good but I'm a little disappointed
Currently Wanting: a vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nails and Needles, Screws and Sewing Machines!

Omg, it's been such a hot, hazy, and humid summer so far. Crazy hot last week and will be crazy hot again in a few days. Everyone knows there's no better way to battle the heat than to chill on a patio with an ice-cold drink and some good company... either that or indoors making crafts in an air-conditioned room

Speaking of patios and good company, here's hubby building our patio furniture from scratch.. yep yep, everything from the design, concept, measurements, assembly, filing, and sanding was done by none other than hubby! I helped too, if you count sanding down the surface, drilling in 2 screws, and being the test subject of chairs and a table!

Introducing micolleen's first ever line of patio furniture... what can I say? .. hubby's one amazing guy. What's a crafty wife without a handy hubby?

Sigh ... hubby's so dreamy!  .. but enough about him and our awesome patio furniture .. it's time to move onto softer and more cuddly things...

Before I go any further, Shehnaz, I'm hoping you've already received the care package so I don't spoil any surprises, especially the handmade dolly for bab Aliana!! .. how fitting for a baby girl who's about to turn 1 in a week!!

Aliana, meet Katie ... Katie, meet Aliana! .. Katie's a kitty for those of you, like me, who think she looks more like a piggy than a kitty... and for those of you who want to make one for yourself, here's the link to the pattern on knitty.com: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTkate.html

Ain't she a cutie?

And last but not least, here's my latest bag creation .. a custom made diaper bag for twinnes... cause she's having twins!!! a boy and a girl to be exact! .. going to be sending it off to her first thing tomorrow morning. Hope she loves it as much as I do!! .. *fingers crossed!*  

Love, love, love the swanky black and bronze pinestripe material that I ended up using for the inner lining!!

And with that, I conclude today's post ... next up, my latest necklace, my paris scarf, and maybe some micolleen pottery pieces if I get around to taking pics of them!

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Currently Listening: The computer fan and my rushed typing...
Currently Wanting: A back massage!!