Can you really call this church?

Yes, and according to Lilli, "we have the best church in the world!". Our summer Wednesday night series concluded this week with "Speedworld". An evening at a local go kart track. A fine and grand time was had by all. Lilli got a feel for the road (and left quite wound up!).
That's Katelyn zooming out of the picture.
Here is Katelyn coming up on a wipe out.
And Parker, glad to be ahead of his sister who is front and center in a spin out.





This has been a fun summer series. Full of fun and fellowship and not totally without spiritual insight. We visited "Fiestaworld" (tacos and pinata bashing), "Waterworld" (ice cream and water games) and "Gameworld" (board games). Now just a family break and then the big event! The church's birthday event called "Knightvision". Can't wait. 

Flip Flop Fun!

Last Saturday I went into my lys to take a pattern reading class. After that class there was a crochet a flip flop class. Had to take it. It sounded like way too fun of a project for a Floridian and the class included a "secret accessory". Dang, that hooked me. (hahaha funny unitended pun- I crack myself up) On the way to class I stopped at Target to get the necessary supply. Flip Flops. What did I find in the dollar spot (which my dh has dubbed the $20 spot)? My friend Lori, but besides that...Not just flip flops, but 4 for a dollar flip flops! Being the extremely OCD person I am, I bought about 20 pairs. Go ahead, say it. I'm nuts. But here in Florida, you can alway use some flops. And 25 cents...... Anyway, I finally finished them all. Here are just a few them. In all their novelty yarn glory. The "secret accessory" was a hair scrunchy. Even more fun. Had to make about a zillion of those too.


So I've got tons of leftovers. I've given quite a few away. Anyone want some? The sizes are goofy. Size large (supposedly 9-10) and medium (size 7-8). There has been much debate on the sizes. Guess you sacrifice size acuracy for cheap!

Baby sweetness

This was sugary sweet knitting at its finest. First of all 3 fruit caps. 2 apples (green and red) for twins due to a co-worker of my sisters.














Then these little gems. Gotta confess these are one of my very favorite things I've made yet! Newborn socks. For another co-worker of my sisters. Took the picture with the pacifier so you could get some perspective of how small they really are. They really were quick and easy. Did them in just 2 evenings.














I've been working on a poncho now for what seems like an eternity. I've got to get it done. I have other fun projects just waiting in the wings. I try my best to have only one large project at a time. Then I usually have a pair of socks or a warshrag going. Hopefully pictures of the poncho will be next. 

Finished!

My first pair of Cascade Fixation footies. They were fun and easy. The colors are so fun! They were great to knit up.
And, believe it or not, I've never made a scarf yet! I started with fun fur scarves first! The scarf with the blues and pinks was a big ole pain for about the first 5 rows, but I got over it. This is fun evening tv knitting. 

A Recipe

for July 4th fun. Ingredients: cousins (how ever many you have), water (as much as your water bill will allow, preferably ice cold!), some balloons (for filling with said water and tossing), enough food to feed a small country, and fireworks. Mix all ingredients and enjoy!














Kendall being schooled in the fine art of watermelon seed spitting.
Look out! Baby with a water bomb!
Relaxing and chilin' with Uncle Pete.

















A good time was had by all. 

How to or...

or how NOT to slip and slide. Jordan wins. He's the champ. Uncle Mike gets points for bravery and manning the hose.


 

Finished Socks

These were supposed to be birthday socks for my girl Katie, who's birthday was the 5th of May. I'm a little late, huh? They look and fit great on her. They really look fun with her hot pink crocs.














On a technical note, I sweated blood over these socks. Not because of the difficulty, but see the yarn on the floor by her toes? Thats all the leftover yarn! Yikes, cut it close didn't I? 

Stash, sweet stash!

Us newbie knitters drool over the stashes that you more seasoned knitters have! Until now, I've pretty much knitted as fast as I've bought the yarn. But..... after decluttering some other craft stuff on ebay (thanks to Pammi) I decided to invest in serious stashage.

Where should you go when you need to stash? Perchance to Knit at etsy of course. http://perchancetoknit.etsy.com This shop belongs to Susie who has serious dying and spinning skills. She had a sale this weekend that pretty much blew the virtual doors off her shop. Give her some time to restock and check it out! She even included some gorgeous markers.
What am I going to do with all this loot? Besides love it and pet it and hug it and squeeze it and call it George? There's plenty for socks. The rest? I'm sure the yarn will tell me if I'm patient. Kendall has already picked her favorite. The Superainbow sock yarn. I see some tiny footies in her future! 

Yay for Finnished Stuff!

This was supposed to be a baby cap. Peaches and Cream. Stitch pattern from MDK baby genius burp cloth. General hat pattern from Yarn Harlot. Now that Kendall's had it on her big ole melon, it's hers! Too big for a newborn! Truth be told, it was always too big for a newborn. This girl is seriously silly.
Next up is more MDK knitting. For twins (boy/girl) due to arrive this summer. My sister works with their mommy. One for each: baby bib, baby genius burp cloth, and baby kimono. All patterns from MDK. Cute inexpensive and fun to knit. 

Insert "Jaws" Music Here

Sure she's cute. Lookin good in her suit and googles. BUT... this girl is fearless in the water. While I was innocently sitting on the pool steps (with a firm grip on girlfriend's swimsuit straps) I had to make a quick reach with my other hand to save Lilli. Somehow, when I looked down at Kendall, she was on her back, about 6 inches under, looking at me, calm as could be. Now it was one of those moments that happen in an instant. I snatched her out. Her back, thankfully was to me and she was facing my friend Kimberly, who fortunately is a genius and clapped wildly and said, "yay Kendall". While I'm trying to remember to breathe again and get the blood back into my head. She spit once I think and was ready to go again. She'll jump in too. Look out for this one folks!
 

Good news, bad news...

Here it is. A fo. Halter top pattern (katja) from Knitty. Made from Sugar and Cream yarn. Cute, huh? That's the good news.














The bad news? Ummmm.... What the heck happened to the back? I hit gage. The front fits just right. The "cups" go right where they should. But it went really wrong. Ever hear of a plunging backline? Back to the drawing board. Gonna try sewing and cutting on Thursday with the help of knitting sensei Barbara. Can't win em all!

 

Home Safe and Sound

Yup, it was a strange week. We missed her. The kid we've had around the longest. The experimental child. She had a seriously great time. We have new respect for LeeAnn, "the youth guy". She's got guts and patience that woman!















We celebrated with dinner and shakes at Steak and Shake.

 

Momma's Gotta Brag...

This is Katelyn's very first f.o. ever! It was quite an undertaking. I don't think I would have picked this pattern for my first. I'm not sure I want to attempt it at this point in my knitting even! She did a great job. Even had to do a 3 needle bind off. Luckily I'd seen one on "Knitty Gritty" and we got it done. I really only helped her with that part. She used Fantasy by Plymouth in pink and brown. Great job, huh?
 

Yes Sir, That's My Baby...

There she is. At the hideous hour of 5:30 a.m. On her way out of state to her first ever church camp. I am so excited for her. I hope she loosens up and has a great time (without getting in trouble of course!). We're all gonna miss her this week, but I'm glad she gets to go. Adults, take some time to wax nostalgic about your summer camp adventures (or misadventures). Fun stuff! If you thing of it, say a prayer for my baby girl and the other kids (15 I think). Mostly pray for the 2 brave adults on the journey with them!