Macbook Covers!

About a month ago I came across this pin, showing how to cover a macbook with contact paper. I was hooked! For only $2, I could cover our computers with contact paper that would not only look pretty nice, but protect them as well. I mean, hello! We have two littles that are a bit destructive and our macs were definitely showing some wear on them. 

The next time I made it to the dollar store, I grabbed two rolls of contact paper, one in the wood grain and another in a green floral print.  I somewhat followed the directions linked above, but ended up cutting out the apple and the mousepad afterwards. I used an exacto knife and just followed the lines that I could faintly see to do so. It worked great and there wasn't a whole lot of lining up.  I have so much contact paper left, so if this stuff starts peeling off or one of the girls pick any off, I can just redo it if I need to. Talk about a thrifty project! The stickers online for macbooks started around $30. Um, no thank you! 

So far, it's been about two weeks since I did them and they are holding up really well. I don't have any corners peeling up or anything. Have a look: 

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

"The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below." -Frontier Dreams

When I stumbled upon the blog Frontier Dreams, (linked above!) and found this thread of crafting on, I thought I was finally in the right place! Oh, how many times a day do I find myself just making something instead of doing the dishes. I would rather knit than fold laundry. I would rather sew than pick up toys! And I thought I found the right little place to share that with. 

 This past week, I've finished a giant pair of longies for Christmas for A. Not an easy feat! This being only my second pair I've ever made, I didn't realize what I'd gotten into. No, they weren't a hard knit, but long!! Like, 18 inches long for each leg!! But, they are done and are getting ready to be tucked away for December. She loves them and has already seen them, but the fact that she is just as excited and had a say in them is wonderful! It all started a few weeks ago when she saw the pair I had made for her brother. Then, she asked for one for her. So, I got the bright idea to make her and her sister their own pair to open up on Christmas Eve, instead of flannel pants. (I still might make some matching flannel pjs.) So, now, with two pairs done, I have E's left to cast on, which I will probably wait a while to do. I need a break from longies. Just a small one! Luckily, I have about a million other projects to keep me busy.  

 Aren't these ruffles fun? I am SO kicking myself for being too intimidated to knit some up for E while she was still in diapers. At least there are a few little girls I can make some for that I know! 

Then, on Sunday night, A and I started looking through Ravelry patterns for Amigurumi dolls. Then she saw the cat pattern and begged me to start one for her! So, we dug through my (small) stash and found about 3/4 of a skein of bright red yarn left of from J's grampie sweater. Before I even started this cat, I said a prayer that I hoped I would have enough yarn to finish. After some major tweaking to the pattern- it called for fingering weight yarn and I do not do fingering! I used bulky for this! A little kitty cat, (bear?) was born. I had to ask A for every detail to make it just right. And she's in love! Here is Sally the red cat: 

Also, I ended up with inches left of red yarn! She's perfect! 

Also, Ravelry notes are found here and here for anyone who is interested! 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining Soulemama today. Happy weekend!! 

He's going to be fancy:

I made another pebble, starting well before I knew (saw) he was a he. But, like I've been telling my husband and friends, I just knew he was a he.  This was made in tiny size on #5 needles, following the pattern otherwise.  It was a very thrifty project, as it used less than a full skein of Cascade 220, which I had on hand.  The buttons I found at JoAnn's.
I think he might need some bow ties to go with this sweater vest. Also, a grampie cardigan? Oh yes! That's to be shown soon :)  He's going to be a fancy dressed guy :)

Baby BOY!!

Earlier this month, we found out that we are expecting a little boy!! We could not be more excited with that news!!  I think I knew before hand, as everything I had made before finding out for this baby was all blues, teals, and greens. I kept telling myself that even if we had another girl, she would look great in blues.  Low and behold, mama intuition was right. He's a he.  And apparently, with my ever moving hands, he will be a very well dressed he at that. 

I bought Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings a few months ago with plans to sew some clothes up for this little one. Little did I know how addicting the little Quick Change Trouser pattern would be!  So, our little guy now has 5 pairs of reversible pants that are waiting patiently until December to be worn. They are teeny tiny and I can't stand how cute the patterns are on them! 

I'm sure there will be more sewing out of this book for our guy.  I think he might need a spring time jacket, yes? 

Mama Blessing:

Here are a few photos of a mama blessing I had the honor of hosting last week. It was an amazing night filled with beautiful women, yummy food, and lots of love. 

Knitting:

It's 100* and I'm knitting again. I love knitting in the summer. Maybe it's because I'm anticipating the colder months ahead. Maybe it's because I just want to keep busy. Lord knows I'm busy! I just wanted to show a few projects off: 

These baby booties are addictive to make. I'm making another pair today in alpaca! yum! 

This is a pattern from the Purl Bee. It's their Chevron Baby Blanket and I love how it's turning out! I also love the yarn I'm working with. I recently purchased a huge bag of yarn at the thrift store for $3. I think it has enough to make the entire blanket! 

This sweater was finally finished last night! I started it back in February and finished all but the holes under the sleeves about a week later. Then it took me 5 months to just graft the sleeves together. Why!!!?! Anyway, A loves it and I'm so glad. I don't know how well it will fit her in another couple of months, but I'm sure she will wear it nonetheless. 

Any I whipped this hat up yesterday for my sister-in-law who lives in Alaska and who's birthday is in a few days. Even though it's summer here, I'm sure she will be able to get some use out of it before long. Also, it's the same yarn as A's sweater^.  It was on sale, too, so I'm trying to use it up!

That's all for now. I'm going to be sewing in the next few days, so maybe a post on that?