Hellooooooooooooooooo Gorgeous...

We're working on the jazz hands.

Hey everybody :) I'm back. We're home now with baby making three (well, four...we mustn't forget Hank in all of this). Please allow me to proudly introduce the lean, mean Pinta Bean...or as we might call her from time to time, Avery Sophia. She did indeed make her way into the world at 8:56 am on Wed. March 25, 2009. Weighing in at a whopping 10 lbs., 2 oz., (no, that is NOT a typo) it was a very long, awful, harrowing ordeal that all started with attempts at induction way back a million years ago, last Friday. I won't go into every gory little detail, but lets just say by 7:30 am Wed. morning, with labour having started for realz late Monday night and both of us having given it the old college try on our own, I pulled rank and opted for a c-section and that was that. When they announced what she weighed at the time of birth, I knew right then and there it was the correct decision. She was facing the wrong way anyway, face up and all that. It just wasn't happening. And there was very little left of me in terms of energy or sanity at that point. (PS: Her daddy bought her that sheep. It was a big hit among the hospital staff. He's calling her his little ram, on account of the fact that she's frickin' huge and also an Aries. He's so getting on board with this sheep thing. Also, get a load of all that hair. It totally cracks me up).



See, I'm so crafty I make quilts and sweaters and people too.

So here's the dainty little cashmere kimono I made, stretched to it's limit on those linebacker shoulders. Don't care. Still adorable. I mean really...who doesn't look lady-like in a bonnet? Anyhow, Avery as you can well imagine is as healthy as a little horse and spoiling me rotten with all of this seemingly non-stop sleeping. Only stirring every four hours to chug back a bottle and then off to la-la land again. I can't speak for her, but I for one have never been so happy to be home in my whole life. The staff at the hospital were above and beyond exceptional in terms of their level of support and care. I can't thank them enough for everything that they did for us. And of course they fussed and fawned over the wee one so much that I left there thinking that I have the best baby ever. But no matter what, there's no place like home. I'm still dealing with some wonky high blood pressure and of course the post-op stuff, but overall, I gotta say, I feel pretty good. Exhausted, but good.



For someone who's pretty reluctant to post their pic online under the best of circumstances, I'm quite surprised that I'm opting to post this one at all. Must be the drugs. But as I said, it was a long hard battle and while I didn't believe anyone at the time, it was so totally worth it. Like all brand new parents I'm sure, the constable and I are just in another dimension, one where all you do is sit and watch a sleeping baby and comment on how genius she is for figuring out that whole breathing thing.

Super huge thanks to my bestest BF Carrie for blogsitting and keeping you all updated and entertained at the same time. She's always got my back. Thanks to all of you out there who left lovely comments of support and congratulations. It's heartwarming to know that people are so excited, despite the fact that many of us have never met. Awesome.

Clearly no one won the date portion of the contest, but I'll have to review the list again and see if someone made or came close in the weight category. Still reeling a bit from that one myself. I mean, I had given up quite some time ago that she'd be the delicate little seven pounder I was hoping for. But good grief Charlie Brown, ten pounds? The OB had trouble getting her shoulders out...during a c-section. Yowseh.

Anyway...I'm slowly slipping into my Tylenol 3 nap now, so I'll leave it here. Just wanted to fill in the blanks and brag a bit about my newest little creation. Let the parade of knitwear begin...hehehe.

Until later...

Jubilation! Yeah! Celebrate! Hugs!

SHE DID IT, SHE DID IT, SHE DID IT! YEAH! Miss Pinta is here! Mom and babe are safe and doing well. Marti will tell you the particulars herself when she gets home.

In the meantime let me take this opportunity to say how proud I am of our brand new mom - she totally kicks ass! What a trooper! Oh words fail me right now, I am just sooo excited for her!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Ok, Ok, I'm sure Marti wouldn't mind if I shared one detail - Miss Pinta has sandy brown hair!

Soft & Sqwishy

No baby news folks, but everyone is OK. In the meantime let me share some cuties with you:




Available at http://www.squishable.com/s/

Wild and Woolly 2009

Sorry, no baby news just yet. So while we wait a post I'm hoping will at least be of interest to the yarnies among you.



Science enthusiasts (COPUS) have declared 2009 to be the year of science, the Chinese calendar has declared this to be the year of the Ox and of particular interest to knitters the United Nations has declared 2009 to be the Year of Natural Fibres.

There is even an event in Liverpool, NS called the First Annual Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat on April 3-5.

Keep the Fleece is also marking the Year of Natural Fibres with a number of activities including a unique fundraiser where groups can simultaneously contribute to the world's longest scarf and help buy sheep for farmers in developing nations.


How awesome is that?

Yipee!

Gotcha! You probably thought that cry of joy was baby related, but alas it is not. That is the sound that I guest blogger extraordinare, Carrie from Carrie's Workbasket made when Marti said I could blog-sit for her. I know, not very sensitive of me, but I am just so thrilled about playing in someone else's backyard for a few days that I decided my first post would selfishly be just about that.

While here it is my goal to:

a - keep you briefed on baby related going ons (We are still on baby watch)
b - keep on with the crafty goodness Marti is so well known for (But of course in my own fashion)

Calling on St. Patrick...

We...have found evidence...just today...that in our home...there is the distinct possibility...that...we...have...a rat. Not a mob informant, like Rizzo from the Muppets...only not at all cute.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Freakin' gross. Seriously, the irony (is irony correct?) of finding such evidence on today of all days is just a little much. Since I don't play the flute, I settled for my classical guitar (#987 on the list of things that are difficult to do when nine, nay, ten months pregnant) and hope that it scared it away (it's been a seriously long time since I've practised). I have to say, the two of us are positively befuddled and totally put off by the fact that there might be a RAT, ARRRRRRG, in our house. And of course we discover this only minutes after the hardware store has closed, negating any possibility of picking up a rat trap tonight.

A rat...a freakin' rat. I didn't even know there were rats in NS. Is this possible? At least I hope it's a rat. As opposed to some other kind of woodland creature or something. Or a freakin' huge mouse. The constable is the one who did the internet search...he seems convinced it's a rat anyway. I, however, am on bed rest at the moment, so I'm taking his word for it. Freaking out, but taking his word for it.

Oh yeah, the bed rest thing. Well, I'm having blood pressure issues and so am confined to bed (I'm taking liberties and including couch as well) for today at least. I have to go back for another assessment tomorrow to see where I stand. Fun fun. Thankfully I've got my hubby here for four days while he's got regular time off so depending on how things go tomorrow, we may be looking at induction sometime this week still. I'm taking full advantage of being waited on, and am now wishing they had put me on bed rest like a week ago. It's kinda sa-weet...hehehe. All that is missing is a little bell.



Anyway...I meant to show these the other day. My ma sent another package for the babe and these were inside. The bouquets are made up of little onesie outfits. Aren't they adorable? I hate to take them apart.



And while serving my bed rest, I finished a pair of duck feet from Zoe Mellor's 50 Baby Booties To Knit. Ya know, in case this kid decides to show up by Easter at least. Tonight I plan to start a bunny hat. So I've got all my bases covered.

Also, a couple people asked about the bags and dresses in my last post. I can be quite lax about posting my sources for patterns etc. Anyhow, again, I don't have the exact info, but the bag pattern was a Sewing For Dummies one. Sorry I don't have more than that. That would require me going upstairs, and we all know that's against the rules...hehehe. As for the pillowcase dresses, I used this website as my guide.

That's about it. Hope y'all had a nice, rat free St. Paddy's Day. Until later...

Multiplicity...

No baby yet.

This is my 304th post. That's insane. I've filled 304 blog posts with not a whole lot to say about yarn and fabric and occasionally, my dog. Or the weather. And yet still you read. Bless you.



Still doing a little sewing to keep myself entertained. I've been on a bag jag the last little while. I inherited a bunch of quilting fabric from the constables grandmother a while back, when she was clearing out and downsizing. Nice stuff, but some of it...well, I wasn't sure what I would do with it. I like to quilt, but they are the kind of 'few and far between' projects. Anyhow, I'm continuing my efforts to de-stash a bit and lighten my load, at least with respect to craft room if nothing else. And it's been really fun to turn inward and challenge myself to making stuff from materials I already have...this is what I keep telling myself when the reality is I can't manage to be upright for more than five minutes at a time, so going out and procuring said materials is, like, a righteous pain in the ass. Anyhow, four bags so far and yesterday I found a few more remnants that might do well for this particular pattern. These make nice little knitting project bags so who knows...some lucky knitters out there might be in possession of one at some point.



On one of my Frenchy's sprees, I picked up a couple of pillowcases, intending to try out the whole pillowcase dress thing, and seeing as it's simple and fast, I managed to bang out three of them. The faded blue paisley one was from a set of my own sheets, ones that I loved dearly (strange how you get attached to stupid things) and for some reason, I hung onto the pillowcase. Anyhow, it was my tester. It is the 12 mos. size, the orangey-ish one, 18 mos. and the one with the blue roses, 2T. I was thinking these would make really great beach cover ups or just bumming around in the sandbox kind of wear. Things that I'm not going to get too fussy over if they get incredibly dirty. They really are quite cute. There was enough pillowcase left over that I was thinking of making little draw-string bags. Ya know...for shell collecting or the like.

No knitting to speak of really as I've sorta lost my mojo. But I did wake up this morning feeling the urge to cast on a new project, which was a delightful change of pace. So who knows. Two projects that I had started have bitten the dust. A grey (what was I thinking?) sweater I started for my nephew is now in the circular file and a pair of socks that I started for myself just weren't doing it for me, and have since been frogged and re-caked. I feel very good about these decisions. Sometimes deconstruction is as satisfying as the construction.

It's a beautiful day and of course I'd love to be able to take the Hankster for a nice long walk. Alas, we are cloistered. What did they used to call it? Confinement. Yeah, they kinda weren't kidding. He's been such a good boy for the most part. He tolerates all the napping very well. Thankfully it's staying lighter much longer and the hubs can get him out a bit if he's home from work early enough. I just keep telling Hank that pretty soon, things will get better for him and I promise to get him out more often. That first walk with the stroller and a freaked out, holy-snappin'-crap-Lou-I-haven't-been-for-a-walk-since-summer-of-'08 German Shepherd should be interesting. Poor guy.

Anyhow, that is all. Until later...

Still Here...

Just in case you were wondering.

No...

...no baby yet.

Just Keep Sewing...

Yep, still here. No baby yet. 39 weeks and 1 day pregnant.

I feel like Dory, the forgetful fish from Finding Nemo wherein I keep chanting to myself, 'Just keep sewing, just keep sewing...' (instead of swimming obviously). So I have been. Here's s'more stuff I've made.



Finally got around to making the dust ruffle for the crib. I thought since the matress was at the highest level that a dust ruffle might look goofy, so I wasn't in too much of a hurry to get it done (obviously, since I left it this long) but I think it looks rather sharp. You'd think at 39 weeks + 1 day pregnant I wouldn't have any disillusions about the contraints of my body, but it really is facinating how much in denial one can be, even at this point. It was quite a chore trying to get this damn duster ruffle on the crib at all. I still need the constable to straighten it out on the back side. It's all bunchy. Anyhow, I'm quite content now that the crib set is complete. Again, not something I had anticipated getting finished, but am pleased that it's done.



Here's a remnant of the animal panel so that you can see it more closely, cuz, well, it's uber cute. See the theme? An alligator wearing argyle carrying apples; an elephant in earmuffs eating...well, something, can't quite make it out. Anyhow, you get the idea.



Also made a hat for the little sunsuit. It's too big, but whatever. It's also cute.



Eons ago, fellow knitter and fabric enthusiast Heddy and I were out and about doing some fabric shopping and she stumbled upon a whole heap of Mountie themed fabric, which I promptly cleaned the store out of. The intention all along was to make a crib sheet and matching receiving blanket, shown above, and I still have enough of this particular one to make at least a little pair of toddler pajama pants.

And I've started a little sweater for my new nephew Nolan (say that three times fast) which I neglected to photograph. Just picture grey garter stitch. No really, it'll be cute when it's done.

So yeah...I'm running out of things to craft. This kid better show up soon or I'll be forced to start on the window dressings I've been saying I'm going to get to for nearly a year now.

I'm off to nap now. Until later...

Quilt Guilt...

...has been exercised from my system. Granted, the actual quilting part has yet to take place, but it is all put together and could be put into use if need be. It's one of those quick turning type quilts, where you sew the top and back together with the batting sandwiched inside out and flip it, if that makes any sense. I forgot to note the pattern info, but I'm pretty sure it's a Simplicity pattern called something to the effect of Aunt Edna's Pinwheel Baby Quilt.



Close up. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I love this pattern and as I mentioned in the previous post, have used it a number of times before. I think the end result (really wish it showed up as bright and cheerful as it is in real life, but it's a dull day and the flash made it look too yellowy) is sweet and springy and for me anyhow, surprisingly traditional. In terms of fabric choice anyway. All of the fabric came from fat quarters I had in my stash, which I've collected over the years thinking, 'these would make a sweet little baby quilt someday.' And so they've fulfilled their quilty destiny.



Back. I've been carrying the backing fabric around with me for years and years and years as well. It came from my mom who never got around to using it. When I done growed up, I inherited all of her sewing apparati like the sewing machine, serger, sewing scissors (Henckels no less...ma didn't mess around with her tools) sewing box etc., only ever misplacing her pinking shears which makes me sad, cuz they were a really great pair. She wasn't a huge crafter when I was growing up, certainly not to the scale of obsession that I've taken it, but I distinctly remember her pulling out the old machine (back then, an ancient brown and cream Singer that weighed about as much as an anvil) at Christmas time and going to town. She was no slouce. She was good at what she did, and was all about the details.

I have this memory of standing beside her at the kitchen table while she made little felt doves that I was allowed to help put glitter on. Even at that tender age, I remember thinking 'I wish I knew how to do that'. She used to let me just rifle through her sewing box, which I would do over and over and over again and I would look at everything and touch it all as though it was great and important treasure. Badges and labels and appliques; beads and buttons and pins; thread on wooden spools, a hook for rug hooking, tailors chalk. Now when I open up the sewing box, I still see these things and it brings about a wave of nostalgia. When I finished the quilt this morning and was sewing up the opening I used to flip it right side out, I thought of these little treasures.



I guess the 'Mom' would be me now.

Until later...