the chalkboard place mats

Do you remember the chalkboard place mats I told you about back in the spring? I told you how we made them and how you, too, can make some. Well, I got such great feedback and inspired some of you. I love that.
Well, you inspired me, too.
I knew I couldn't make them for others, (they are just too darn time consuming) but I thought maybe I could find someone to manufacture them (in the USA) for me. And you. And save everyone some time. So, over the past months, I have been working on this little project. With the help of a friend, found all the right people and an AWESOME product.
I truly can't say enough about these. They are thick and durable and oh, so, smooth, the chalk just glides. Speaking of the chalk, it is like it is magic. For some reason, it produces very little chalk dust. Gotta love that. They wipe clean with a damp cloth and look like new when they dry. They have bull nose edges, so they are careful on the hands. They are safe on your tabletop and will inspire all those in your family.
Have your little ones set the table and have fun while doing it. They can write the names and choose where everyone sits. They can practice spelling words and math problems. They can play tic tac toe and hangman. You can leave notes to others and yourself. You can draw yourself a pretty picture and smile at it all day long. You, and they, will use your imagination to come up with new uses. Trust me, there are plenty!
I opened a little shop so you, too, can have some in your home. They are sold in sets of four and include one box of crayola® colored chalk.
If interested, go take a look. 
Thank you... and have a beautiful day!

two

November 22, 2009
The two numbers the random generator chose were:
18, Geri
Congrats! Please e-mail me (address in sidebar) with your address and I will make sure they land in your hands.

My parents arrived today. My mom is currently on my Ravelry account looking for a new project to make for my father. She is sweet. (My father is currently washing my car.)

Happy Knitting!

mittens and gloves

I've been meaning to show this for quite some time.
Chances are you have probably already seen it out there. The book includes 40 of the best designs from Vogue Knitting magazine.
An entire chapter devoted to mittens, one to gloves, one to wrist warmers and a fun and funky section.
Super long, fair isle, motif's and cables.
I'm pretty sure you could find something for everyone on your gift list, including yourself. Time to get busy!

Tara over at Soho would like to give one (actually TWO!) to a couple of my readers. Leave a comment between now and Sunday the 21st at 12:00 EST and I will have the random generator choose two names.

By the way... the pattern links in the sidebar now work. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Also, I have added the yarn colors to my piece of pi and your piece of pi.

Have a great one!

eleven

Andrew is eleven. I'm not going to mention how hard it is to believe that, but it is.
Eleven balloons, chocolate croissants for breakfast, (Trader Joes. My friend Betsy turned me on to them... they are so good. Frozen, four in a box, check them out.) a ride to school and yellow smiley face cookies for the class.
Friends over, pizza and cupcakes.
It's good to be eleven.

Have a beautiful weekend!

this time

Oh, hey. I just wanted to let you know I realize you can't get the Libby pattern, the chunky knit beanie pattern or the package pillow pattern from the sidebar. I don't know what in the heck happened to them, but do know that I am working on it. Please give me a few days and then you should be able to access them. Sorry about that.
I also wanted to tell you that Sara is holding a little contest. If you would like to knit or crochet something for your favorite charity, then you are eligible to enter. All the details can be found here. Always a beautiful thing to knit for charity.
Loving the extra light, the sunshine and the frost on the leaves in the morning. You should see some of my morning get ups for walking Trouble. (And I'm not talking shoes.) You would think I am getting dressed in the pitch black. Always good to laugh at yourself.

the winner

Gosh. I'm so sorry I can only choose one winner for the Piece of Pi pattern and yarn. (It truthfully bums me out that you all can't win!) The random generator chose #569 Elizabeth Soule. Elizabeth, please e-mail me (address in sidebar) with your address, and I will make sure it ends up in your hands... you will soon be busy making three super cute hats!
As always, thanks for playing along.
xx, leslie

your piece of pi

Remember my Piece of Pi? Well, guess what? Nichole would like to give away her pattern (!) AND Classic Elite would like to give away yarn (That yarn! Up there! How great are those colors?) to one of my readers! How cool is that? So leave a comment here by Sunday the 7th, 12p.m. EST and I will have the random generator choose a number. Oh! And guess what else? Nichole is giving away the same thing, just different colors. So go ahead and enter hers, too!
See you Monday!

Above yarn: Classic Elite Fresco, 5335 Peacock, 5350 Ginger, 5336 Oatmeal, 5378 Alpaca Sox, 5322 Port Royal.

thirteen

Thirteen balloons. Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast, a big hershey bar in her lunch box and her favorite soup in bread bowls for dinner, again.
A vanilla cake with purple buttercream icing. (Quite possibly the ugliest cake I ever made.) She loved every bit of it.
Thirteen beautiful years with a little girl that inspires me every single day.

queensland collection

It's one of those. A sweater that can be worn over and over and over. Doncha' think? I have always wanted to knit something like this but could never find the right combination of yarn and pattern. And since I am a girl that (usually) uses what the pattern calls for, I had a hard time finding that. The moment I saw this sweater and felt leche, I was sold.
This is what I worked on while on my trip. Stockinette pieces with a cable yolk. Just enough simplicity with a little detail to keep it interesting. Not too bulky, great for traveling. If you haven't attempted cables in a sweater before, this may be the project for you. Just a small section, perfect.
Yarn: Queensland Leche Shade #9 brown (but all I see is PLUM!)
Needles: 1 pair US6 and US8
Size: 32"-34" actual 36"
Modifications: none.
This pattern can be made for a little girl, too. You better believe Libby would have had one.

my piece of pi

L O V E this hat.
You know it's a good one when a couple of twelve year olds walk by you and say, "Cool hat, Mrs. Friend".
The pattern was fun, easy and a pretty quick knit. Nichole knit a couple of super cute variations. The possibilities are endless, really. It uses Classic Elite's Fresco. My first time working with this yarn which was super soft. I ordered the yarn from Sarah at Knot Another Hat. (I have told you how fast she gets her yarn to you, haven't I?) It may seem a little pricey, but you will have enough yarn to make three hats. So, there you go. You'll have three gifts or three new hats for yourself or one for yourself and two for your friends or special someone or kids or...
Happy November!

5335 Peacock, 5376 Moss, 5336 Oatmeal, 5378 Brown, 5301 Parchment .