Hey look! A Craft Post!!!

So I have been remiss in posting/crafting lately, however, good friends, Mike and Amy, found out they are having a girl, and I immediately had to craft SOMETHING.  I chatted with Amy, got the nursery colors (by her own description "wackadoodle" until you see the whole design) and we discussed what she would like.  She decided between a blanket and a snuggle bunny, and to surprise her.

Mike, Amy and I have known each other for about 10 years (holy cow!).  Mike was my manager at ESPN Zone, and he helped me get a second job with Amy (the store manager) at The Right Start.  Mike and Amy moved back to the East coast not long after I was hired on at Amy's store, and we have kept in touch since (yay facebook!).  Recently, the three of us have been chatting back and forth with regards to our mutual love for all things Mad Men.  So, when they found out Amy is having a girl, we were talking one night and throwing all kinds of names back and forth, especially from the show.  Since they had just found out she is a SHE, there's no names in stone yet, so my nickname for her has become Ms. Blankenship.  So, Ms. Blankenship, needed a blanket!  (I know, I made something, and it's not a hat...I was shocked too!)

As I worked on this, I posted sneak peek pictures on facebook, but it was tough, because I didn't want to give away all the colors/final design, so thankfully, the iPhone has a great selection of apps to totally distort photos.  :)

I wanted to do this in acrylic so that it's easy care for mom and dad.  Once I finished, I washed it in SOAK (in the Unleash sent, very light and crisp, my fav) in the washing machine on the delicates cycle and then threw it in the dryer.  I did this instead of traditional blocking because it is a machine washable piece, and I wanted to soften the yarn and take out that "store" smell.  Now, it actually feels like a great baby blankie.  So, without further ado...Ms. Blankeship's Blankie!

I can't wait to hear how mom and dad feel about Ms. B's new blankie!  ;)  Happy new baby Mike and Amy!!

3, 3, 3 Hat Posts In One!

So, I eluded to CMM's hat in previous posts (see: here) but it's done!  In fact, it's been done for a bit, so I'm surprised at myself for not posting it already!

Cameron's Spikes (will be updated with the picture of him actually wearing it later)

Also, Kathryn turned 7 just last week...and I am still having a hard time with this...to me, she still is this:

As you will see in pictures below, she's definitely NOT that little girl anymore.  I am refusing to believe that means I am any older though.  Anyways, in working on her birthday present, I realized (after finishing) that I had done something horribly wrong, or the pattern wasn't written the same or something.  (Likely, it was me doing something wrong.)  However, my mistake on the first go round ended up being a PERFECT hat for a 6 month old little someone.  (That should give you a hint as to how off I was...was supposed to fit a 7 year old, instead, fits a 6 month old.)

Here are pictures of Kathryn and her hat!

And now...big girl in her hat...ugh, she CAN'T be seven already!!!

(I have to admit, I love this shot...you can see just a hint of her eyelashes and her adorable little nose...ugh...Auntie Jolene isn't biased AT ALL...)

So, of course, if this means this is the good hat...the oopsies one, has to still be around, right?  Nope, boxed it up, and sent it off to one of the cutest 6 month olds I know...

Still is pretty cute though right??

Momma Molly got the package SUPER fast and w/in a day and a half, THESE showed up on facebook...

The first picture, I just died...that little face, and the fact that she was obviously having such a good time, that we lost a sock.  LOVE.

The second one...who doesn't love an adorable kid with her Baby Ray-Bans and the beach?!

Lady A...Auntie Jolene just wants to EAT. YOU. UP.

Whipped Up in a Frenzy...

Since being unemployed, there are 3 things I've been able to do a lot of: rest, knit/crochet and go to the gym.

My friend ITGD saw Bailey's birthday hat and requested a version for HIS 5 year old, Livy.  I didn't take pictures of it, so imagine Bailey's hat w/o the funky teeny white stripes.  :)  Just the big ones, pink, white, orange, repeat.

I have had the yarn and pattern for what seems like FOREVER to do a hat for my dear friend Samantha (who doesn't know her hat is done and coming yet) and it is finally off the needles.  Pictured below!

Then, since I was actually able to whip out ITGD's daughter's hat in time, he asked if I could do a beanie for his sister in law, who just finished breast cancer treatments and is bald as a cue ball.  Oh, and by the way, she's a huge Denver Bronco's fan...think you can whip something up by Christmas?  Good thing I can crochet like the wind, and the pattern was nice and easy!!!

I was truly excited to do this one for ITGD's sister in law...anything for a chemo cue ball!!!  :)