Friday.  Yeah!  I am so happy.

This week has been crazy - the birthday, work, volunteer at school type of crazy.  The kind of crazy that leaves me with little time to myself and very cranky.  I started the week with nothing on the calendar for today, but have already volunteered at school and am going back in about an hour to have lunch with my kindergartener.  (Why do they eat so early?)  I am going to squeeze some sewing time in there somewhere.  Yes, I am.

The most frequently asked question on the blog:  Where are the labels from?  So, let me tell you.  I bought these labels from Namemaker.  I like them a lot.  They come in sew on or iron on and in many different sizes and colors.  The downside is that they take about 4 weeks to arrive.  Linda just got hers and she wasn't very happy.  Go read what she has to say.  But, for me, they work well and when these are gone, I will most likely re-order.

There is so much good inspiration out in blog land and on flickr.  I want to make:

Lounge pants out of vintage sheets - that brilliant Amanda has done it again.

The gum drop pillow - I love the fabric Blair chose.

A patchwork blanket out of old sweaters like Leslie's - got any discards to give me, Dad?

P.J. pants for the girls and matching appliqued shirts like the ones Jen made.

Gnomes - maybe for the nephews?  Any thoughts Heather, Georgia, Rosanna?

Quilt squares with Amanda Jean

Christmas cards on my print gocco (which kind of scares me).  Did you see Jen's?

How is that for a random post?  Off to sew....later, folks!

This is the prettiest fall we've had in years.  Really pretty.  The colors are rich and stunning, especially against gray skies.  I am trying to take pictures because I want to remember.

Enjoy your Thursday.

I have been sewing when I have big blocks of time at home

and knitting when there are just a few minutes or when I am on the go.

Barnyard waffles for breakfast

The birthday shirt

Favors for the pool party - my sewing machine has an embroidery unit.

And birthday cake, of course.

Has it really been another year?  Truly?  It is so hard to believe.  It really doesn't seem possible that she is already six.

She makes me laugh and sometimes cry.  She is sweet and stubborn and funny and kind.  She can be a bit sassy, too.  Five was good to her - so much better than four.  I love the little person she has become.  It makes me want to squeeze her and not let go, but that just wouldn't be fair.  She wouldn't stand for it either.  No, it just wouldn't do.

So fare thee well five....and hello six.  I think it's going to be a good year.  Happy Birthday Kate.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

I have been tidying the studio, starting new projects, knitting at break-neck speed and taking some outdoor coffee breaks.  I love this feeling of accomplishment - I just hope I can keep it up with the busy times ahead.  We have three birthdays coming up in this house and the holidays to boot.  Things may be quiet here on the blog.  Photo posts, probably.  Maybe some words.  We'll see what develops.

Happy Thursday!

Thanks for all the great knitting advice yesterday.  I appreciate it so much.  I do knit pretty big gauge swatches and normally measure over 4 inches.   I took Sarah's advice and measured what I had already knit over 6 inches and came up with 4.67 stitches per inch.  (Thank you, Sarah!)  We (that is Sarah and me) think I can continue on and get to 4.5 with some blocking.  Phew.

Last night was my local craft swap.  This time there were 8 of us so we each made 7 things.  I have spent the last month or so of carpool/soccer/volleyball practice knitting fingerless mitts.  I did one pair of Fetching (remember this?).  I used that pattern as a template of sorts and came up with some other rib, cable and lace versions.  They were a hit with the crafty ladies and I had fun making them.

Time for a new carpool project.   What crafts are you doing on the go?