anyone?

There are some amazing giveaways going on in blogland right now.
Nicole has some gorgeous yarn.
Katie has some beautiful amy butler fabric.
Erin has the new Betz White book.
And, Julia has some fantastic needle wraps.
You should enter.  You never know, you could win.
And, my sister would like someone who needs a wedding dress to have hers.
                         My sister and her husband.  Still happily married after eight years.
Seriously.  So if you are planning a summer wedding or know someone that is, and can wear a size 4, then leave me a comment (letting me know you want it) by friday, may 1st at midnight.
If I get more than one request, then I will draw names.  The only catch: you have to pay for the shipping.  And for those of you who like to sew and design your own clothing, there is a lot of beautiful fabric there.  I'm just saying.  

so good

Lucy posted the pattern for her emerald fingerless mittens.  Of course, moments later I was searching through my stash.  I found a grey yarn with the correct gauge, perfect.  Unfortunately, the yarn is a little fuzzy and the cable/bobble pattern was lost.  However, a fabulous pattern that I will most definitely make again.  What's that?  The scarf?  Oh, I LOVE it, too!  I bought it here. 
And a little behind the scenes photo for you.  I usually have one of my three assistants work the remote.  They can work it like champs.  Charlie doesn't like my music (which is constantly blaring through the house) and as he was snapping away he was also sneaking back to turn off the music.  Busted!
Look what is also busted.  I dropped the cookie jar this morning just as the lightening hit and our electricity went off. 
A few other things that are so good:
-Hilary's patterns.  I love this.
-I have also always wanted to make a market tote.  I really like this one.  It would be great out of some sort of organic cotton.
-The weekend!
Have a wonderful one.  

love

Spring is here, pretty much in full force around here.
Fall is my absolute favorite season, hands down.  With summer and winter coming close behind.  (Yes, I love winter.  I think it must be for the knitting.) And then comes spring.  What is there not to love about spring?  Pink trees, that green lush grass, flowers that have been underground for months, popping up like gifts. And lets not forget how nice it is to eat dinner in the daylight and wake up to sunshine.  Yep, I am pretty much loving that it is finally spring.  
We all loved our cookie of the week.  So much so that I am making them again, today.  For the third time.  Sandy posted this recipe for shortbread meltaways last week.  But they will be forever referred to as "Sandy's shortbread meltaway cookies" in our house.  
Happy Thursday.

package pillows

Remember the package pillows a few posts back?
Well, I put together a "how to" and you will be able to find it here and over there, 
in my sidebar. 
You can decorate a party table, make a bunch at Christmas time and place them under the tree or all around the house, or give them as gifts with something special in the small pocket.  Just have fun!
Have yourself a wonderful weekend.

home....again

Again it went too fast.
Again we spent time doing the things we love to do. 
I read a book. (Love.)
We watched for things.
She wore a yellow polka dot bikini.....and my hat.
Someone kicked sand on plisse.  And that made me very happy.  Hopefully I even brought a few flecks home.
Happy Tuesday.

get excited

I am sure you are all familiar with the "keep calm and carry on" posters, right?  I love that one.  And truly try to live that way.  But when I saw this on Jenna's flickr page, I was all over it.  You can download it and print it.  I downloaded the original size and printed it on a piece of white card stock. I had a frame (from target) waiting for prints of the kids.  But it was just so perfect for this. Within minutes I had it framed.  Kerstin changed the color in picnik.  So, go ahead, get excited and make one.
Our cookie of the week was an oatmeal chocolate chip.  Rosemary e-mailed me the recipe letting me know it was one of her family's favorites (and told me I could share).  Truly one of the most delicious oatmeal cookies I have made.  This will definitely be in heavy rotation over here.  
Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Beat 1 cup of softened butter with 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar.  Stir in 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups of flour, 2 cups quick cooking oats, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt and 2 cups chocolate chips.  Drop from tbsp onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 350˚ for 10 minutes.  Enjoy.  Thank you, Rosemary!
I picked all the daffodils that were in bloom in our yard.  I would much rather enjoy them in the house.  They will most certainly bring excitement to this grey rainy day. Also bringing excitement? Packing for spring break.  We are leaving tomorrow for sunny skies.  
Have a great one!