sewing aspirations...

I've finally starting knitting again lately, inspired by actually seeing my niece running around in the tiny pink sweater I made her, and by friends asking for lessons. I love teaching people to knit, its such a great hobby... Anyways, what I've really been thinking and dreaming about lately is sewing. I've had a few small successes making baby burp clothes for the seemingly thousands of girlfriends that are pregnant right now, and its rekindled a love for the machine. I read today on the purl bee blog about oliver + s children's patterns! Sooo cute and I'm hoping a few of the babies due this summer will be girls so that I can try one of these adorable sun dresses. Check them out... way fun. amb

cutie in pink

i just received some adorable pics of my cutie neice in her pink sweater! I was so excited to see that it fit, and she may even have a few months to grow into it... this is amazingly lucky since I am not an expert in gauge by any means. And to top it off, this cute kid is going to be a big sister this year, so the list of baby gifts continues to grow and grow... i'm going to be busy busy busy!! Anyways, i thought i'd share a few shots with you. enjoy- amb

projects on the horizon...

since the BBBB was finished before the holidays, ive been in no hurry to start another large knitting project. I've been satisfying myself with tiny knitted things that can be started and finished all in one sitting. There is something very satisfying about finishing things to me, I guess its the same reason I like crossing things off of to-do lists (i've even been known to add things to the list just so I can cross them off... so sneaky!) Anyways, after the java jackets, I've made a tiny brown baby beanie for baby D and thats about it. I have about five friends due to deliver babies this spring and summer so i needing ideas for baby gifts (suggestions would be greatly appreciated in this area). So far I'm leaning towards sweaters or knitted pants rather than attempting the blankets again. I feel like if I make a blanket for one friend, I should do it for all of them, and I might not pass my last semester of OT school if i attempted that. Anyways, this is what I've thought up so far, i'm trying to even up the gender specific projects since I don't know how many boys/girls there will be... and I'm hoping none of the mommies to be know about this blog (if you do, close you ears... eyes... whatever...)

1. Another child's placket neck sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts (maybe in grey, yellow, green??)
2. Elizabeth Zimmerman's February sweater from Knitter's Almanac (this ones pretty girlie, but who could resist that pattern?? i love it! pic above is Elliphantom's version... adorable!)
3. Baby's denim drawstring pants (also from LMKG)
4. ?????

I need more ideas!! Anyways, I have plenty to get started on... pics on the progress soon to come, well i need to cast on first, but I'll try hard to get busy! See you soon- amb

christmas success

the java jackets or coffee cozies (whatever you want to call them...) were a big hit. I think i'm going to have to knit up several more for all of the starbucks fans in my life. So far, mom hasn't trashed either one of them, but I know the day is coming.. hehehe... anyways, i hope you all had a wonderful christmas holiday and are enjoying the calm after the storm of business... sometimes i feel in a slump after christmas, but this year i am enjoying a few days of nothingness before its back to work. if you get a minute check out my new blog and let me know what you think. goodnight to all- amb

starbucks coffee cozies...

I'm starting a christmas travel project this weekend... while the hubs and I are traveling to dallas from houston in the car, i'm going to attempt to knit up three or four of these awesome coffee cozies designed by mkcarroll. my mom and dad are avid starbucks fans, so i'm trying to adapt the pattern to be more of a sleeve than a cozy, we'll see how well it fits the cup?? Also, i'm pretty confident that mom will accidentally throw hers away after finishing her first cup of coffee, but its worth a try anyways! Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you're holidays are filled with calm moments and laughter. - amb

Molly's Sweater...

Here are a few pics of my 1st sweater, made for my niece’s 1st birthday in November. I started so long ago with no idea if I’d be able to finish it by November, but I made it just in time and the little pink thing was ready to be wrapped up before the big day. Easy pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and I’ll definitely use it again in the future. I used Cotton Fleece by Brown Sheep Company in provincial rose, and was generally happy with how it knit up. With the new nephewling due after the holidays... there may be a little orange or gray version in the near future??

the BBBB is done...

I finally finished the BBBB thanks to extra, post-finals free time lately! I don't think I'm even going to need to block it since the yarn I chose is fairly springy and holds its shape nicely. I'm pleased with the finished project, but don't think I'll be casting on another anytime soon. The patterns goes on and on and on with rows of knit and purl that are nearly mind numbing. But the overall look is really cute and perfectly boy. Anyways, hopefully I'll have several more interesting projects starting up soon, but for now, here are some pics of the process... Enjoy- amb