it doesn't get much cuter

So, this weekend I was able to whip up this adorable Toddler Backpack.

First, we have the happy picture:

Then, a meltdown begins:

Finally, it's just a puddle of melting boy on the floor:

Anyway, I absolutely LOVE how this came out! The pattern was very straightforward and easy to read. The pattern calls for a medium to heavy weight fabric but I made things a bit harder on myself by choosing a light weight cotton fabric. I wanted the backpack to really hold its shape so I lined it with heavy weight interfacing. Then, to hide the interfacing on the inside, I had to use another piece of light weight fabric. This made for some thick sewing but my machine handled it just fine.

a little of this, a little of that

I was doing so good on my Berry and Bramble Cardigan but.....I've been stuck for the past week.

Now, that I look at this picture, I really don't have too much left on it (it is a short-sleeved cardigan after all) but I've been having problems with the decreases in the Berry-in-box stitch pattern. It's very tricky! I've just been really busy this week and haven't had time to sit down and concentrate! Maybe I'll get to it tonight.

Anyway, I've been having some fun with the sewing machine.

Are these not totally cute?! They are Rag Quilt Letters from Happy Together. When I first saw these I thought they would be so cute for when Jack gets a little older and starts learning his letters but she mentions making them into a "Merry Christmas" banner and I have the perfect place to hang it here in the new house! (after all, Christmas is just around the corner! ack!) I decided to go with non-traditional multi-colored letters (as opposed to red and green) and I haven't decided if I'm going to make them "raggedy" or just leave them as they are.

There is actually another really cool magnetized plush alphabet tutorial from Chez Beeper Bebe that I am totally going to make! It might be a good Christmas present for Jack.

Is anyone else having a crafty Saturday?

last weekend

Okay, I meant to post this on Monday but didn't get around to loading pictures until today. I had such a lovely weekend I just wanted to share.

I am so excited to be knitting the Berry and Bramble Cardigan. I'm rolling right along, although 10 inches of twisted stitch ribbing takes a while!

Pumpkin Cupcakes from Real Simple magazine (October). They were really good! like pumpkin pie in a cupcake.We picked out a pumpkin. Jack tried to pick this one up. It was too funny!And we got a roof built over our back patio! I absolutely love it!I hope everyone else had a beautiful weekend! I guess it's already time to look forward to the next one.

My New Endeavor

Here is what has been consuming my time for the past month or two!

I am proud to present my Etsy quilt shop!

I was talking with a cousin of mine about how much I've been enjoying making quilts recently and she suggested I start an Etsy store. After much thought and planning I decided to give it a go.

I think I may have mentioned this to you before but I really owe it all to my mom. She was really into quilting when I was young (still is today) and not only did she teach me the "proper" way to do things but she also let me have free reign in her sewing room to experiment with my own way of doing things. Up until the last few years I didn't have the capacity to do much sewing (you know, college, travel, making a home with the hubby) nor did I have any clue about the amazing fabric designers that were out there making modern, stylish material. It's really been fun rediscovering my love of quilting!

I promise you that this is still my knitting blog and it will remain so with the small addition of my Etsy store in the side bar (I hope y'all don't mind).

So, that's it! Thank you so much for reading this blog (I don't say that nearly enough)! I hope everyone is having a lovely fall weekend!

My Little Man

It just doesn't get any cuter that this.He's still pretty unsteady on his feet but he can move surprisingly fast, which makes for difficult photography!

Pattern: Pebble

Yarn: less than one skein of Peace Fleece Worsted wool in the Ancient Fern color

Needles: US #9

Notes: This came out exactly how I wanted it to. I used thicker yarn and larger needles to get a larger vest. It fits fairly snuggly but I haven't blocked it yet so I think it should grow just a bit. I have to admit, Jack wasn't completely thrilled with wearing it but I think he's just been used to the light summer clothes he's worn for the past 5 months. Hopefully, he'll appreciate it more when it gets really cold here ( ;-). The buttons I used are definitely too big but they'll work. I'm just happy that I finished something! and now my boy has something hand knit for winter.

Lots and lots of sewing going on around here. Stay tuned for some exciting news (no, I'm not pregnant). Hint, hint, it has to do with said sewing.

lots going on around here

We now have a 1-year-old! Here he is trying to figure out how the heck to do you eat a cupcake.
You eat the part with the frosting first, of course.

Hey look! knitting!Pattern: Wisp

Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino in the Hercules colorway. I think I only used a bit more than half the skein.

Needles: US #7

Notes: I love how this came out with the colors in the yarn.

And here's a sneak peak and something that has been keeping me very busy.

Happy Saturday! I hope the weather is as gorgeous where you are as it is here!

the five minute solution

Well, if you're like me you're always looking for cheap ways of keeping your clutter out of sight.

This weekend as I was unpacking another box of "random stuff", I found I needed a box or basket to fit in our TV stand to hold said "stuff". Not wanting to spend any money, I came up with this storage solution.

First, I cut the flaps and top off of a box to fit the cabinet. Then, I cut a piece of fabric so that it would just cover the front of the box that would be showing.

I hot-glued the fabric down along the edges and viola!

You would never know it was just a regular old box unless you pulled it out of its space. Of course, if more of your box was going to be visible you could always glue fabric inside and all around. This project probably cost me less than $1 and I'm very happy with the results!

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Labor Day holiday!