Knitting needles aren't just for knitting anymore...

Dad and Mike-Dave went to Mexico for a fishing trip.

Dad (front), Mom and Mike-Dave

Just a funny thing...

This was the back of one of the Betty Crocker Complete Meals we had for dinner one night. See step 4. As Stu said, "Where's the part when we eat it?!"

My perfect fried egg. I didn't even break the yolk! Since I don't cook much and am still learning, this feat made me very proud.

Michelle (from my knitting group) made this and let me pick it out of a box of headbands and Lego jewelry she made. It's so fun!

She also let me pick out a headband. I picked one knit from black cotton yarn and black ribbon held together throughout, so I can wear it to work. =)

Speaking of Michelle, she will love what we found in Walmart today...

A life-size Indiana Jones made of Legos! (The picture is clickable for a larger view.) [Edited to add a better quality picture. We went back a couple days later, it was still there AND I had my digital camera this time, not just my poopy cell phone camera.]

In needlework news...

A while ago, I participated in the making of an afghan for a fellow Raveler who lost her husband. I'm excited to finally post pics since she has now recieved the afghan!

Here's my square (as taken by the assembler of the afghan).

The finished afghan (as taken by the assembler).

This was a truly satisfying project, it inspired me to join another group on Ravelry that makes afghans to bring comfort to other Ravelers who might be grieving a loss, recovering from injury or being dealt a tough hand in general.

I also knitted this cute little bunny for Michelle's (from my knit group) daughter. She had surgery for gall stones (last week?). I have recieved reports that she loves it!

My group, the Salt Lake City Stitchers are also coming into some charity work. Since we all (myself included) have a lot on our "yarn plates", as a group, we're doing a scarf (or maybe a little more) for the Red Scarf Project. That way all it takes for one to contribute is one square... or as many as they'd like. Should be fun!

Still working on Polly's afghan as well. I pulled it out the other day to attach the squares I've whipped up since the last square joining and I'm futher along than I remember, yay!

And finally...

Last Sunday, Stu dropped the toothpaste cap in the sink and it was too far down to reach with tweezers. So, I grabbed one of my size 7 needles, with the button-style cap end. The "button" was just the right shape and size to grab the cap under one of the threads. Luckily, the cap was facing open end up. I was then able to pull it up enough to grab with the tweezers. When I pulled the cap out, Stu exclaimed, "You're brilliant!"

I beamed, wiping the toothpaste from my needle and replied, "Knitting needles aren't just for knitting anymore, they're tools for life."

Now Playing:
Ghostbusters II

Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAN!

Stu and I were first in line to be seated for The Dark Night Wednesday (July 23rd). What a rad movie! (That description really doesn't do it justice, but it's the best I have.) Heath Ledger rocked!

Stu was eating his popcorn before we were even seated. I also can admit to usually eating most of my popcorn during the previews.

Eye pillow, anyone?

I had bought some cookie and muffin mixes from a girl selling them from Lehi Mill. They come in some really cute fabric bags. I washed this bag ages ago and it's been sitting in my dresser waiting for me.

I just cut the little bag in half, folded that in half (inside out), then sewed it up on two of the three open sides (Would you believe with yarn and a yarn needle? I don't own actual sewing supplies, haha. Had to sew really close together so the filling doesn't come out). I then turned it right side out, filled it about 3/4 full with uncooked, white rice, then sewed up the last end with an overhand stitch. Pop it in the freezer for a few hours and voila! Instant eye relief... well after the hours in the freezer of course. Ahhhhhh.

I whipped up this crochet blanket for a co-worker's baby. It only took me about a week and I loved the pattern! This was SO fun to make. I may make more for other baby showers in the future. But, I think I'll double the strands of yarn and up the hook size to make it go even faster.

I'm still working on Polly's blanket as well. I've now joined a group on Ravelry called Procraftination for those of us who can't seem to refrain from starting projects without finishing any others. They have monthly challenges to get as many works in progress done as you can... hope it helps me. ~blush~

Also, Ryn is coming home from her Grandmother's in Oregon next weekend. I'm excited! She told me that she got the new Miley Cyrus CD. I told her that we'd have to hang out and listen to it. I've heard a couple songs from it and really like them.

Well, I'm off to get a shower before our Saturday trip to the grocery store. I'm making taco soup for Stu tonight. =) He says I've never made it for him before... I can't believe I haven't! Taco soup is like my go to food creation.

Now Playing:
The Best of Most Haunted - Season 1

Finger Sweater - Free Knit Pattern

Sick of yarn burn?

Try a finger sweater!

(Variation for this finger sweater can be found at the bottom of this post.)

I got some pretty bad yarn burn while working with some rough yarn today. So, I plopped down and made myself a finger sweater!

It covers just the area that comes in contact with the yarn, so it doesn't limit mobility. It also doesn't make your finger sweaty like finger cots (like a latex glove for your finger). And, most of all, they're cute and fun!

I like mine so much, I'll wear it around the house for a little while after I'm done knitting or crocheting. It's like a tiny wristband for my finger! Punk rock! =P

Note: The pattern is for the finger sweater I made for my own finger, adjustments are really quite simple and don't take long to figure out since it's so small. I finished mine in probably 15-20 minutes (and I'm a beginning knitter). You can easily adjust this pattern to work with a different yarn weight, needle size and your finger size.

Size: approx. 1" L x 1.25" W (laid flat)
(The purple and red one I made is quite snug on my ring size 9 finger)

Materials:
Small bits of worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver)
4 - US 3 DPNS
yarn needle

CO 12 with two needles
distribute all stitches evenly across 3 needles (4 sts per needle)

Rnd 1-10 - K all sts, changing colors as desired (working in stockingnette st entire piece).

Bind Off.

Turn piece inside out and weave all loose ends through back of stitches. Right side out again and you have a new knitting/crocheting buddy!

I made another variation and posted it here to show you.

This one was cast on with 20 sts and knit about 13 rows. I used size 1 needles and Lion Brand Baby Soft. I think that's equivalent to sock yarn, but don't quote me on it. I don't know for sure. It's listed on the Lion Brand website as "Light: DK, Light Worsted Yarn". This one fits much more comfortably than the first.

Just another finger sweater. Actually made this one for a more classy design photo, but now I realize that it looks like a finger bandage! Now I have to do another one, lol.

A baby, a bike and a CD

I love that Danika is really starting to do some funny things!



For more Danika videos visit my youtube page!

Stu bought me this CD with his personal spending money... and he doesn't even like R.E.M.! I'm so loved. *smile*

That Baby is growing up...

...and starting to hold her own bottle. So awesome, huh?!

A Pink VROOOM!

Isn't this the raddest thing you've ever seen?! It's even got skulls on it!!! We saw this outside the Taylorsville Rec Center and Ashley was sqwaking about it and saying I had to get a picture as soon as we pulled in the parking lot... she didn't stop until I did.

The dance room at the Taylorsville Recreation Center.

This is being considered for our ceremony. I love the high ceilings, mirrors and the North facing wall of windows! Lots of daylight but no scorching sun!

This last SLC Stitchers meeting was another fun one!

(left to right) Ashley (& Danika), Raechel (Peachy) and Michelle

The Salt Lake City Stitchers group on Ravelry currently has 47 members, but there are only four, including myself, who attend every week. Jennifer is traveling over the summer and Ashley is a non-knitter/crocheter... So, it's just three of us this time. The number of regular attendees is growing slowly, which is enough to make me giddy beyong belief, I am grateful. And you couldn't ask for a more fun, more sweet handful of ladies!

Just me... crocheting a star shaped baby blanket for a co-worker... I'm so psyched about it, it's adorable, fast and fun!

Michelle knitted me my very own coffee cozy! Isn't she sweet!

The following is a funny video from the meeting the week previous...

Purple with white flowers and dots.

My nails are all grown out now from my shaving accident! My pointer fingernail still has a tiny, tiny part the tip that isn't attached to the nail bed, but it looks like it might after my nails grow out a little more!

Here is a peak at what they looked like 6 days after the accident, in case you missed it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilmizzc00kie/2580719193/in/set-72157604880706669/

I took Stu to the Games & Electronics Expo (GEEX) today. Not sure why he's covering his mouth with his wristband... I don't think he knows either.

He talked to a guy and got some information about interning for a company who is developing a game right now. We'll have to keep these conventions in mind for the future... they could prove to be a good networking tool!

An old friend of Stu's has moved back to Utah. He invited us to a birthday party for another old friend last weekend. We had so much fun and I'm so happy for Stu that he was able to have a good time and see some old friends! It was a good sized party. We made it through without smoking! Yay! We both wanted to, but didn't. I'm so proud of us!

Anyhow, I met a fellow Raveler! Coming out of the restroom at the party, I saw this really odd, but cute blue knitted monster on some shelves. I told the hostess that I liked it and we talked about knitting and stuff and come to find out, she's on Ravelry too! We exchanged info and I've added her to my friends. I had even seen her on there before, but didn't make the connection because she looks so different from her picture now.

Summertime is here!

The wedding planning is now officially under way. The wedding will be next summer. Exciting, huh?! So far, we're scoping out locations and figuring out the guest list. That's all I got for now. But, yeah, I'm excited to get this going!

Mom made some pink lemonade slush for me earlier this week when I was at her house. She got an electric ice shaver and made some homemade syrups and made "snow cones" for Dad, Ash, me and herself. It was so good I asked for seconds.

Little Miss Danika had a special in home baby salon visit. I gave her a "mini pedi" by painting her tiny toe nails hot pink! (Photos on the toe painting start here. Go backwards (left) in the viewer located on the right side of the page.) I tried doing it while she was sleeping, so she would move less, but when Ash and I uncovered her to get at her feet, she woke up.

Stu bought pink lady apples for the fruit salad I made for the 4th of July BBQ at Polly and Dave's. They're pink, I had to take pictures for my Think Pink! photo collection.

When I did my hair for the 4th of July BBQ over at Polly and Dave's, it looked so cute that I just had to take a picture. The body at the crown only lasted about half an hour, as to be expected with my fine, thin hair. Good thing I got the picture right after doing it.

My fingernails are nearly completely grown out (from my shaving accident a month ago). I'm really pleased with how they're coming along!

Now Playing:
Most Haunted - Arreton Manor

Taking a vacation!

I crocheted a rattle and some baby sneakers for an upcoming baby shower for a co-workers wife.



This last week I took a one week vacation!

Sunday, Stu took me to Red Butte Garden to have a picnic lunch of fried chicken, croissants, potato salad, oranges and raspberry tea. It was an awesome surprise. I took tons of pictures. They start here and you can just click the right picture in the little veiwer to the right on each picture page to go through them all. You can even use the little arrow on the viewer to scroll through them if you don't feel like looking at every picture.



Tuesday, Stu and I went to Lagoon. Sorry no pictures, just pure fun on our part! The Wicked (a ride) was the best!

Ryn and I did matching toe nails.





I bought a massaging cushion yesterday... This thing is wonderful. Although, I think it bruised the skin over one of my shoulder blades, maybe I need to just sit against it, instead of reclining (half laying down) on it. Stu hasn't reported any problems with it though.



I dyed my hair again now that the temporary color I did last month is pretty much gone. I went a little more natural than last time. I liked the darker red better. This is permanant, so I'll wait a while and go darker next dye.



Now Playing:
Ghost Hunters - Season 4 Episode 13

"It's been THREE weeks since ya looked at me."

Okay, it's been about three weeks since I've blogged and A LOT of stuff has happened. I won't be posting all photos and writing about everything in this post. For all the pictures and the full story on everything, visit my photos. You'll get a lot more scoop there! =)

There was a free Utah Blaze arena football game.

Catering... in a suite... my boss rocks! Nuff said.

I added a little red to my life.



It was a temporary hair color. Stu was scared for me to do it, but now he admits he likes it. Pretty much everyone liked it but my mom, so I might go permanant now.

I recieved some free yarn in the mail from Stu's mom.



My boss turned 40 and we all grieved by celebrating with food and cake.





I had a shaving accident.



Stu, once again, wrote an amazing computer program.



There was a World Wide Knit in Public Day gathering that Ryn and I went to.



We celebrated Father's Day where Ryn and I made a breakfast pizza for Stu.



This same Father's Day also came with after dinner naps.



I discovered that a monster lemon had taken up residence in mom's fruit bowl.



There are new additions to the That Baby, Think Pink and Artsy Fartsy photo collections.



My sister, Brandi, had one of her tatoos appear in Tattoo magazine!



[center & top right]


Now Playing:
Ghost Hunters - Season 3 Episode 19