A Sweater for Bella

My sister makes beautiful things out of beautiful yarn. She sent this to Bella a few months ago. It's so very cute and I guess it's better late than never to post something like this. So if anyone is still popping in to see what we do here, we do a lot, we've just been lax in the telling. 

The skirt is the swing set skirt by Oliver & S.  I used a brown gauze for both the skirt and the lining. My sister also sent the boots my youngest son wore 23 years ago, and my nephew wore after that. Unfortunately, they didn't fit Micah but Bella thought they were great. They are too big for her right now but she can have fun with them later.

Bella came over a couple of days later and we were able to get some cute pictures of her and the sweater in action.

I don't know about you but I want to squeeze this girl all the time. 

Wedding gift

I made these for a very sweet girl who got married a couple of months ago. (Yes, I am that slow posting things.) I found out she liked these colors and made her a simple bag. She is going to be a teacher and I think teachers always need some sort of bag or another... right?

I had to add a pocket for small things of course. It hangs free from the casing at the top so a zipper seemed in order. I couldn't resist the opportunity to mix it up with color.

Next up are washcloths. I believe you can never have enough. 

I had fun knitting these and playing with the stripes. I had no plan to make them this way. I think that's part of my problem when it comes to knitting. No plan. I can read all sorts of other patterns but knitting patterns can make me cross eyed.

I love the cream and red together. I might have to make some like this for myself. 

Welcome spring, how about a giveaway?

Here in Northern California, it is definitely spring weather, it shouldn't be, but it is.  Things are popping out of the ground, blue tulips I cant wait to see, and the trees are getting teeny tiny leaf buds.  It's just a tease but it feels so good.  I asked my sister Corinnea, how 'bout a giveaway on the blog and she said yes! (Corinnea here - I also said I wanted to keep it for myself) So here you go, spring reminds me of purple pansies, and purple tulips, my most favorite flower, and purple iris which remind me of my Mema, and this Holden Shawlette.  Made from Malabrigo sock yarn, the color and feel of it is just so right.

Its just such a "wearable" pretty thing.  Since all of us here at Created Blissfully love all of you out there who follow, we are giving it away to one of you. If you don't follow us yet, would you like to? Either way, just leave a comment on this post about what you love about spring, and my lovely sis will use her magic winner picker generator to see who gets it! Comments will be left open until Saturday morning February 16th and announced on Monday. Please, please make sure you are not a "no reply blogger".

For any knitters out there, you MUST make this, it's the Central Park Hoodie and it is hands down my most fav thing I've made. Such a great pattern, it seriously gets worn all the time.  There is just nothing like a really cool cable sweater....

It has a hood.  Major love.  This one is made from Ella Rae Camelsoft yarn which is super warm and surprisingly soft.  There may be yarn on its way here to make another one for my sis,(Corinnea here - Acck! I can't wait!)(Jess here- AHEM, me too??) and more yarn on my desk for another one for me. My daughter wants one too. She never wants any of my knits, so I know its a keeper.

Now, to wrap up this all yarny post, is this guy, its pretty, but Oh. So. Not. Practical.  Its made from pure alpaca, the center is made of a cria alpaca yarn that I attempted to dye in a range of green, dying yarn is very fun but is also harder than expected, the purple is a pure alpaca that contrasts so well with the green.

It's a crib sized crocheted granny square, and would be so cuddly to wrap a little boo in, you just have to be willing to hand wash and dry flat, which is where the not really practical part comes in. It also reminds me of everything lovely about spring, the colors and the coolness of the air which just begs for a blanket like this.  Now, its time to go see if my tulips leaves have gotten any taller today!

Much Love,

Things to remember..... Comments open until Saturday morning February 16th. One entry per person (any duplicate entry will be removed.) We would love, love, love it if you followed us (click the join this site button on the right side bar) but this is not a requirement. Make sure we have a way to contact you! And PLEASE spread the love and let others know about our giveaway.

Knitting And Meeting My Goal

Way back, a long time ago, I decided to try and learn to knit. My Sis knits beautifully. She has knit us many beautiful and useful things. Some of those things were washcloths. Have you ever used a knit washcloth? It's one of those things that makes cleaning fun. They are pretty and they work well. I felt bad asking her to make more. So when I decided to try and learn to knit, it was with this one specific goal in mind. Now, about twenty thirty tries later I have actually been able to make something that resembles a washcloth! These don't come close to my sister's, she uses a gorgeous hemp yarn. Oh, and she never drops stitches or knits instead of purls or makes rectangles instead of squares. I'm using a cotton yarn and I frequently loose my way and make mistakes, there is a difference. They are all loosely based (if only I could pay attention) on the Purlbee's wedding washcloths. In the end though, it doesn't really matter, I use them all. Wonky or square, each are beautiful in their own way. Well except this really long narrow grey one. It's special.....

An Invite!



I received the funnest of invites the other day, to be a guest blogger on my sister's and niece's beautiful blog, but seriously they are so talented along with their spouses that the thought of what to post was a LITTLE intimidating.  I didn't know whether to show a  sweater for a bitty who will be coming along very soon, its very soft and my own design, easy, simple, hope she likes it. 



Maybe the stamps that are so fun to carve, could make these all day long, just have to figure out what they are good for...



Or to show my favorite thing from Christmas, it may still be up.



Could show some of the scribbles that have been going on....

Or what about my two favorite girls, Soffe has a sprain because she think she has great dane legs, but not really, and Slips just hides from the world.



Perhaps the most beautiful spot in Tahoe, Falling Leaf Lake, we escape here for a afternoon whenever we can, which is not enough.



Most of all wanted to show this, he has to be one of my most favorite possessions, made by my brother in law a really long time ago.  I love him.  He is cast in bronze and is tiny and lovely.  See how hard it is to come up with anything that matches that?  But it sure is fun to try....



I'm So Very Behind

I really don't know where the time goes, but it does. I've done lots. Really. 

I've also received lovely gifts. These gifts came last week and I have yet to say thank you to the givers. 

So to these two wonderful women I hope the adage better late than never stands.....

Dee made this mini as a part of pay it forward. I. Love. It! Thanks Dee, it brightened my day!

My Sister sent these slippers. She knitted and felted them. I cannot express how comfy they are.

I've hardly taken them off since they got here.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH!

I Knitted My Bit

Knitting has always intrigued and yet eluded me. I've tried hard to understand it but until my sister came and showed me I just wasn't getting it. Poor Sherie, I don't know how many times she asked if I was really sure I wanted to knit. I got to between round 9 - 13 six times and tore it out. I know I will never be a knitter but at least I know can say I have knitted. 

This yarn is gorgeous. Thank you Mary for giving me such loveliness. I've been saving it for something special. The pattern is called Candle Flame Cowl from here. 

 My real goal is to be able to make wash cloths. This pattern is from Purl Bee . Sherie has made a couple of these for me and I want more. I keep thinking I should be able to make them myself instead of bugging her. The knitting needles below were made by a friend. Yes Joan, I still love purple! 

Gratuitous grandchild shot. I love this boy.

My Sis Has an Etsy Shop!

I am very excited that Sherie has finally taken the plunge. Go see her awesome creations, you won't be sorry. Where did she get her logo? Jessica of course!

Think cozy

A snuggley cuddle and flannel blanket.

My first knit anything in well over 20 or so much more so many years ago. I ran out of yarn, can't get more, I'm over it.

Just before You Know Who took these for me I was having a playful moment with Brink. Then he got crazy and messed up my hair. So I chewed him out.

Someone thought that was funny.

Sisterly gifts

My sister, my BFF, keeps threatening not to make me anymore knitted things. For some reason she thinks I might be sick of the lovelies she sends. Why oh why oh why could she ever think that? I cannot tell you how soft these are but I might let you touch them. The stitch is awesome.

Please excuse my worn out hands and equally worn out table

She also made me this jewelry bag. How cute, how practical. I wish I'd had it for my last trip!

I tried to finish up some projects of my own over the last few days and nothing is going quite right. What to do? Start another of course! I came across this free pattern  by Elizabeth Hartman for Sew Mama Sew. If you haven't checked out the website, you must be living in the dark ages. Just sayin.

It takes two fat quaters, heavy interfacing, fusible interfacing, thread and a purse snap. I spent about two and a half hours start to finish. The only modification I made was a longer strap. I used some Bleeker Street and Kaufman Chambray I had in my stash. Great gifts? I think so!