Coming outta the closet!!

Hey ya'll!! Ok, so today I decided to get my yarn into one place, all nice and organized right? (We''ll see how long it stays that way!) haha...I went and bought this way cute basket/trunk so that it matches the house and goes w/ the decor. (You'll see that in just a few minutes)...But first....We HAVE to take a look at how I WAS storing my goods!! As you can see here I was using all different sorts of bags and they were ALL stashed in a different place....One of my bags called the linen closet home, the big black bag was housed in the storage closet, and then another was stuffed under an entertainment center!! A hassel when I needed something I tell ya that!

Ok, so here is all the little guys out of their stuffy bags! I can just hear the sigh of relief now=)...I don't have as much yarn as I thought I did...Hummm, maybe I need more?!?! YAY!! LOL

And VIOLA!! Here's my own personal Vanna White, displaying the yarn's new home!! Ok, so they are all stuffed up again, BUT hey, they have a spot in the family room and I have easy access! All is well in the land of the yarn=)

~*~Until next time, take care~*~

Cable is not just TV!

Ok, so I'm really excited right?!?! In my last post I mentioned teaching myself to cable...OMGosh, the pattern is starting to take shape and you can actually see the cables!! SEEEEEEEEE!!! WOOT!! I can't WAIT to finish this purse, it's gonna be WAY cute!!

My bff Christy told me not to long ago..."If "I" can't cable, I KNOW you can't cable!!"...HAHA...Did I let her know the TRUE capabilities of my talents you ask?? Well of course I did! Called her up yesterday and made sure to tell her!! hehe Her response was.... "Well, you know I HAVE to try it now!"....LOL

Here's a couple shots of what the cable stitches look like on the needles...

I'll update w/ more pics as this project progresses! I'm thinkin' I should be done w/ the pattern and casted off by tomorrow=))

Been Bizzy Knittin'!

This is the doll I knitted for my daughter. I'm so proud of it! It's the first actual "thing" I've made other than easy scarves.

My Mom taught me to knit about 5 years ago. All I've known how to do is knit and purl that whole time. And come to find out, I didn't even know how to purl correctly!! LOL I didn't know how to increase, decrease, YO, or anything!! I just stuck with the basic garter and stockinette stitches. Boring right?? I thought so, in fact I've been stuck with bags and bags full of yarn for 5 years and nothing to do with it all, simply b/c I got bored w/ basic stitches!

I taught my BFF how to knit shortly after I learned, so again, about 5 years ago. WELL....who wouldathunkit??? She took it and ran with it! She's made hats, scarves, mittens, arm warmers, a shrug, baby blanket, and much more! I have been keeping up with her projects online, thru pictures due to the fact that we are about 2,500 miles apart. But guess what?!?! She and her hubby came to visit us in Jan. 09' and she taught me a couple more things and I've been stitchin' ever since! She taught me how to increase, YO, and she even taught me a new Co technique. All of these are SOOO easy!! I had no idea!!

I've since, taught myself to CABLE!!! YAY!!! I'm so excited, I'm now making a purse with cable stitches in it, so adorable!! Here's the yarn and the CO...

Well, my camera batteries need charging, so once they get juiced, I'll post another update pic of the purse project! Until then, take care~*~

Jodie's Story

I have just finished reading Damaged, by Cathy Glass. This is the most heartbreaking story I've ever read, and unfortunately it's true. Jodie was a child in the foster care system, and her story is unfathomable. This one will keep me awake at night for a while. The graphic details are horrendous.

During the course of reading the book, I would tell my husband some of the things that were happening to this little girl. He finally shook his head and told me he could hear no more. He finally looked at me and said..."Please, don't tell me anything else. I can't hear anymore."

The book itself is a great book and after looking at the authors website, it seems she updates the status of these children that she has written about. In fact she updated the status of Jodie this past Sept., which I thought was really neat of her. She has written other books as well, and as I may find myself reading another, it may be a while. I need time to recover from this one.

The fact that there are people in this world who could do such things to a child is unthinkable. This blog may seem a little scattered and not put together well, but remember, I have JUST finished the book and haven't had time to absorb it all. My emotions are still reeling.

What's scary is this: This is just ONE story...ONE set of individuals who did these things to this child. I just can't seem to shake the feeling....you know that old saying about roaches "If you see ONE, there are a thousand more where that one came from"?....I just can't seem to get my mind around the fact that there are probably others out there who commit these unthinkable crimes against children everyday!

Ugg...Ok, I'm gonna head to bed and try to get some sleep. Oh, and I do reccomend the book, but only to those of you who have a strong stomach, as I felt myself becoming nauseated more than a couple of times.

Take care

~*~Me & My FrugalNESS!!~*~

Ok, so I was recently turned on to frugalmom.net, where they have thousands upon thousands of tips and ideas for busy Mom's. Today I decided to try making my own laundry detergent from a recipe I found on the site. As of right now I've cut the soap and have it dissolving in water ove medium heat...The recipe says to use a bar of ivory soap, or any bar that you like the smell of. I chose lever 2000 as you finished product will take on this smell. (the whole house smells of good clean soap atm!)

I've just added the borax and washing soda, and am now boiling for 15 minutes. (twiddles thumbs, paitently waiting) =))

Ok, I'm back...15 min's is up, the mixture is now the consistancy of honey, just as it should be. It's been poured into the bucket and the water has been added to make 2 gallons. Now we have to twiddle the thumbs for 24 hrs, which at that time it should be like a gel!

I'll be back then w/ another pic!!

WOW, it's only been a few hours and the detergent has already begun to gelatinize! It's so cool! This one 2.5 lb bucket is concentrated and will wash up to a minimum of 190 some loads of laundry! Tomorrow, I get a clean empty milk jug, fill it halfway w/ this concentrated gel, fill the other half of the gallon with water, shake well, and VIOLA!!!! Homemade laundry detergent!!! 190 some loads for a total of $8!!

My first Blog!

Ok folks, I just joined ravelry and everyone there seems to have a blog!! I think I need to add this to my list of hobbies and get to gettin'! I'll make this short as I'm anxious to start customizing my blogspot!! Until next time!

~*~Me~*~