This weekend

I have really enjoyed sharing crochet progress pictures with during the week. It has inspired me to keep taking pictures of my work -- and keep working!  I wanted to share a few other pics from this weekend as well (via Instagram)...

My to do list. All crossed off (although a couple items were moved to next weekend)

Finding Matt's bible on the table in the morning makes me really happy. He sure is dedicated to be up and in the Word before he leaves for class at 5 am!

I created this shade structure for some tomato seedlings. The kittens thought it was for them. The seedlings are dead. Sigh.

Sprinkles! Need more jars, for sure!

Joining the vertical rows of the blanket at coffee with a friend (hi Mel)!

There you have it. A few glimpses of my weekend. I left out the cooking pictures, because they are all over Newly Wife. I also left out the post-run pictures because who wants to see me all sweaty with a red face? However, I would like to say that I AM GOING TO FINISH my Couch to 5k program. I only have 3 weeks left, maybe 2. I also started running with my neighbor. Also, I did a (girl) pushup with a clap in between. Holla! Lastly, has anyone seen my leggings? I run with them when it's cold and they have gone MIA. Sad days.

Chuggin along...

I've made some progress on the blanket for my friend's baby. I'm way ahead of my little schedule that I made last week, actually. I only have four more little light blue squares to go, and probably four more rows to join. Yeah. I'm stoked. I need to remember that I still have to do all of the vertical joins though, and an edging.

Okay. I'm not going to focus on what I have left. Just keep making my baby steps! haha I still have ilke three weeks left to go, though! What are you working on right now?

Proud of my Man

Today is a very important day. Matt starts his Fire Academy full time. We have been prepping for this and praying about it for a very long time, so it is hard to believe that it is here. I got up early (5:35!!)and surprised him by being awake and taking pictures and helping see him off. That sentence doesn't really flow, but I just don't care. Today is a fabulous day for us, and nothing can squash my joy! My life as a full fledged Academy wife has begun and I will be cooking a lot, cleaning often, and putting some of my things on the back burner.

  
We have been organizing our home so that everything will run smoothly in the mornings. That bin is full of everything that he will need in the day, so he can easily get it into his car, and into the car of the guy he carpools with (who also has a bin, so they can easily choose which car). Tonight I get to hear all about his first full day of class and what we can expect for the next 12 weeks. I also get to clean out his cooler and prep it for tomorrow.

I wore red for solidarity. hehe. I can think of so many epic things to say, like "this is the first day of the rest of our life" and "this new adventure is the journey of a lifetime." However, I will leave it at this. God is good and he has provided abundantly. We're trusting him with everything right now, and know that He will continue to provide (and I just may have to skip coffee dates for awhile). I am so very proud of my man.

Progress

I have been working on this blanket for quite some time now. I'm about 70% finished and I need to finish by mid March (because I actually figured out who it is going to)... I think I can, I think I can!

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Also, I was on facebook and a friend posted a picture of her baby on the blanket that I made. Let me tell you, that made me smile! I love knowing that the things I worked hard on are appreciated and used! :)

Ripples

The other day my Mother in Law called to let me know that she found some yarn at an amazing price and would I want it? Of course! The bright colors made me think of summer, so I started this summery ripple blanket. It is going to be the perfect size for draping over the couch... for my favorite 4 legged friends to sleep on!

 

She likes my La Push blanket... as we saw on Christmas...

Sewn Christmas Gifts

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway -- you still have time. It's open til Sunday!

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While most of my Christmas gifts were crocheted, I did manage to sew a few things. First, I made a sewing machine cover for my Mom in Law. She picked out the fabric and wanted a crazy pattern. So I just went with it. She really liked how it turned out, and I was glad to learn that I could wing it (no pattern) and make something fabulous!

I also made a cute little business card holder for my cousin. She works at a winery, so I thought the fabric would be perfect. I didn't have any of our full size Newly Wife cards, so I just put in my own (it needed to hold it's shape). I am supser happy with the final product -- and totally planning to make my own! Now... what fabric to use? Oh yes, and I used this tutorial.

Basket Case Giveaway

Sorry, but this giveaway is now closed. Three winners were chosen. Congratulations to Crafty Holly Louise, Da Crafty Lady, and Rengawk. Congratulations and thanks to all who entered!

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Happy Sunday! I'm teaming up with my girl Laurie to put on this fun giveaway for you. She is the one who designs those lovely scrubby patterns that I am always making. Can you believe I no longer buy sponges? I simply use a scrubby for a few days and then throw it in the wash (we have a bin for dirty rags by the garage door so they don't stink up / get moldy in the house). Anyways, here's what Laurie has to say...


In honor of the fact that I've been a total Basket Case lately, Megan and I are each giving away one Basket Case Three-Piece Set. This is not the actual finished project, it's the .pdf file which includes patterns for the scrubby, pot holder, and towel.

The rules are pretty straightforward. You'll have three chances to win. For each of the following, you will receive one entry:

• Stop by Megan's blog, Crochet Every Day, follow it, and leave a comment on any post except the one that describes this contest. If you're already a follower, just leave your comment.
• Stop by Laurie's blog, Big Girl Blog, follow it, and leave a comment on any post except the one that describes this contest. If you're already a follower, just leave your comment.
• Tweet the link to the contest with a cc to Megan @themegababe or Laurie @LaliberteLaurie. It doesn't matter which blog you link to in your tweet. If you're not on twitter, then post on facebook or Google+.

Here's the important part:  After you've done one or more of the above, return here and leave one comment telling us what you did. At the end of the contest, each of us will pull one name.

Here's the bonus:  If you tell both of us what you did, you double your chances of winning.

Don't forget we'll need your email to contact you and send your file. Each of the two winners will receive an email from downloads[at]ravelry[dot]com with Laurie Laliberte Designs in the subject line.

The contest begins at 8:00 a.m. GMT on Sunday, January 29, 2012. (That's 3:00 a.m. on the east coast and midnight on the west coast.) It ends at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 5. (That's Superbowl Sunday in case you're keeping track.)


Happy Crocheting!

Thanks for giving us this pattern, Laurie! Now go on and leave some comments and hopefully you can win!

Basket Case

I finished up this scubby this weekend... aptly called the Basket Case Scrubby. Since I'm feeling a bit like a basket case right now (Matt's Fire Academy has begun), it made perfect sense to finish this.

As always, I love how Laurie's patterns turn out. And want to know something better? You can win your own copy of this pattern later this week! Make sure you come back on Sunday (or all of next week) to get the details!

[Don't you love the bandaid on my finger? The cat got a little piece of me when I picked him up. Little booger!]

Recent Finishes

So I have gotten a few fun things off of my hook recently. Check it out..

April 21: Fruit and Veggie Basket

September 29: Granny Skull Hat

January 20: Gryffindor Hat

So happy to get some things finished -- great way to start 2012! I really love that green + brown color combo for the hat. So cute!

Home Improvement List

Awhile back, I saw John and Sherry's massive home to do list. Needless to say, I was inspired and Matthew and I spent out six hour drive to my parents (before Christmas) coming up with this list. We went room by room and created this MASSIVE list! This is more for me to reference, but feel free to read it over! :)

Buy your own here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89503497/magnetic-note-pad-honey-do-list

Master Bedroom

• Caulk and Paint (casing, shelves, base)
• Trim around Closet
• Bathroom Door Trim
• Closet Curtain
• Window Curtains & Valence
• New Comforter
• Replace Ceiling Fan
• Wall Stickers
• New Door
• Matching Dresser Set
• Transition Strips
• Repair Termite Damage

Master Bathroom

• New Door
• Bleach Clean Shower
• New Tub or Walk in Shower
• Different Sink / Configuration
• Shower Head / Faucet Matching
• Linen Storage
• Paint Ceiling White
• Storage above Sink
• Repaint Walls
• Touch up Mirror Paint

Guest Bedroom

• Replace Ceiling Fan
• New Door
• Electrical (fix switch to fan)
• Closet Doors (repair or new)
• Clean Dresser / Desk
• Fix Dresser Drawers (eventual changing table?)
• Cover Plate

Guest Bathroom

• New Door
• Solar Tube
• Tile Shower
• Grout Shower
• Transition Strip
• Base Trim
• Drywall Mud
• Sink / Faucet / Stand / Cabinet
• Linen Storage
• Re-Texture & Paint
• Tile Front of Tub
• Repair Tub Surface Scratches
• Finish Hardibacker
• Red Guard Hardibacker
• Move Toilet
• New Art

Craft Room

• Replace Ceiling Fan
• New Door
• Base Trim

Hallway

• Bullnose Cornerbead
• Solar Tubes
• Gallery Walls (City, Wedding, B & W)
• New Quilt?
• Paint Egg Shell

Living Room

• Fake Beams
• Carpet
• Entertainment Area
• Fireplace Tools
• Mantle
• Above Fireplace Lighting
• New Couch Pillow Covers
• Christmas Lighting Plugs around Mantle
• Stocking Hooks
• Sconce Lighting
• Curtain
• Curtain Rod / Valence
• Bullnose
• Art

Entryway

• Bullnose Cornerbead
• New Door
• Gallery Wall (frames, mats, photos)
• Landing / Ledge Storage
• Tile?
• Artwork
• Cabinetry around Desk
• Plotter Space
• Window Seat / Plotter in Drawer
• Narrow Upper Cabinets
• Corner Desk Area
• Arch Hallway Entry
• Floor to Ceiling Cabinets
• Remove Hallway Closet & Replace with New Closet in Mud Room
• Vacuum in outside Mudroom Closet
• Replace Fixture
• Hall Light Fixtures to Entryway & Dining Room
• New Verse over Door

Outside

• Replace fan blades in patio fan with outdoor blades
• New Doors in Garage
• Mount Rear Hose Bib / Trellis
• Rear Walkway
• Grass Border
• Grass in front yard
• West Fence
• Grape Vines
• Front drip line
• Plants in front yard
• Rain gutters
• Front Bark
• Side Fence
• Rear Fence
• Rear Dripline / Bubblers
• RR ties for Border
• Wood or Trex Post for Mailbox
• Paint stucco and trim Outside
• Repair Beam (Back Porch)
• BBQ
• Fire Pit
• Shed
• Repair Fascia
• Front Walkway
• Front Patio Wall
• Front Patio Cover
• Rear / Side Patio Cover
• Paint Garage Door
• Film on Garage Windows
• Paint Roof Tiles
• Fix HUDCO PVC (Roof)
• Redo / Fix / Hide HUDCO Chase & Move Condensor
• Backyard Planters (Bark?)
• Replant Front Herbs
• Fix PVC Pipe in Back Soffitt

 Kitchen (complete remodel)

• Frame Back 2 Walls
• Run Plumbing
• Mount Spice Rack
• Electrical
• Plumbing In
• Cabinets
• Floor
• Counter
• Backsplash
• New Ranch
• Mountable Toaster Oven
• French Doors
• Back Door
• Header
• Window
• Stools
• Enclose Current Kitchen for Mud Room / Laundry Room / Corner Closet
• Shelving in Mud Room (cabinets, shoe rack)
• Cork Table 

Misc. and Whole House

• Double Pane Windows (bedrooms, living room, entryway)
• Ceiling Texture & Paint
• Wall Texture (hall, entryway, guest room, living room)
• New Wood Floor
• Electrical Panel (replace original, sub panel garage, Christmas plugs, living room sconces, garage plugs, outdoor landscape, backyard, attic light)
• Teapot (for Matthew to make tea with)
• New Pictures in Frames
• Organize Spices (50 jars, label jars)
• Etch Pyrex
• Fewer Magnets on Fridge
• Cushions for Kitchen Chairs
• Large Wedding Photo
• Frame with Three Wedding Pics
• New Pillows on Couch
• Chore list in Vinyl on White Board
• Organize DVDs / Front Shelves
• Plants in Kitchen Pots
• Vinyl Labels on Kitchen Pots
• Print Large Photos for Gallery