Crochet Baby Gifts

The pattern for the sweater is the Cecily Baby Cardigan by Alicia Paulson. I used Rowan Yarn Cashcotton DK in Clear. I loved this yarn and I don't know that they even make it anymore. I found it in the discount bin at Nina's in Chicago and haven't been able to find it on the Rowan Yarn website. It's very soft and the color is my favorite. I'm always drawn to soft blues.

The pattern for the booties was from this Etsy seller.

First Snow Fall of 2009

Joe was being nice daddy and threw a snow ball at Eleanor, but she caught it!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year, my sister Kate, Eleanor and I made a trip down to Ohio to surprise my Grandparents for Thanksgiving. We drove down and spent the first night at the Manchester Inn, the hotel that my grandfather use to manage. They were very surprised to see us and it was nice to be together. They don't get many opportunities to visit with their great granddaughter.

Good Dog Cain

Drawing from Good Dog Carl

Lincoln Park Zoo

My mom, Eleanor and I went downtown last Friday to visit my sister and make a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. The weather could not have been better. Eleanor and I enjoyed our up close and personal encounters with the animals.

Happy Halloween 2009

Girl in a Blue Chair

Was this really only a year ago?

I can't believe this was only a year ago. Wow, how things have changed. I love how Caitlin is smiling while holding her ear in this picture. Everyone tells you they grow up so fast. Since she has been walking I have looked at her and thought, "Where has my baby gone?"

It's a Pirate's Life for Me

I finished Eleanor's Halloween costume this morning. Basically all I made was the vest. The rest is store bought. I found the skull and crossbones pajamas and black skirt at Walmart and the pink scarf is just a strip of Lycra. She has a pirate hat too, but she hasn't seemed to like the idea of wearing that. I didn't follow a pattern for the vest. I kind of just made it up as I went along. I traced the top of one of her summer dresses onto black corduroy to help me get the over all shape. The sleeves and bottom of the vest have metallic gold bias tape sewn to the edges and there is a lace collar. I also sewed two brass buttons to the front of the vest and snaps on the inside, so it is easy to take on and off.

I found an iron-on studded skull and crossbones for the back.

I also made two lace cuffs by cutting the left over lace from the collar to fit her wrists and hot gluing tiny snaps to each end.

Costume in action. Hopefully, I will get some better pictures on Saturday (when Sesame isn't on).

What She's Been Up To

Hanging out with Caitlin

Hanging out with Cain

Reading a few books. (I knew it was too quiet in there)

Reorganizing the kitchen.

More reorganizing.

Looking like such a big girl in her new fall clothes.

Being a ham.

Trying out the pirate hat for Halloween, but moving way to fast for Mommy to get a good picture.

Taking it easy after a long day.

Projects I've Been Up To

Baby Gifts

A crochet wrap sweater for Eleanor. (A little too big)

A crochet dress





Projects to come: Eleanor's pirate costume and a dress for her baby doll that has been naked for about a year now.

What you do for fun when it rains for 2 days straight.

Diagnosis

Strep throat and an ear infection. Guess I'll be in bed for a few days. Haven't had that combo since I was about 8 years old.

HI HO, HI HO...

We'll I am back to work. Temporarily that is. I took a 4 week art substitute position at a junior high near our house. It has been nice to get back in the classroom (and get a paycheck). However, I forgot how germy junior high kids are and have been sick for the past two weeks. Hopefully, by this weekend I'll be healthy again and back to doing what I love while not working; playing with Elle, crocheting a bit (my project list is piling up), and attacking this blog a bit.

Baby Steps

Eleanor has finally made some progress in the walking department. Yes she's nearly 15 months old and still crawls like a mad woman, but this past weekend she kept testing her standing abilities and then yesterday she took a few steps. Whoo Hoo! This is something that Joe and I have been trying to get her interested in for months now, all the while she'd look at us like, "Hey guys, I'll do it when I do it, ALRIGHT?!"
I have her attempts on video and was going to post it, but of course my crazy Vista won't allow me to download from my Sony Handycam. (oh the headaches) So I'm waiting until I get a bit more video of her actually walking and then I'll put it together in a little movie clip.
It's the funniest thing to watch. I don't think she's that interested in walking. I think she'd much rather just start running. She carefully gets herself up off the floor by putting her hands on the floor and her rear in the air. Then she lifts the hands into the air with a big grin on the face, then...blast off! Well, like I said, she's only made it a few steps, but they were quick ones and we are lucky she hasn't gone head first into any furniture yet.

The New House

Family Room Before

Family Room After

This photo is a slightly different view than the one above. We changed the paint color from green to a light blue and painted the faux marble fireplace with a high gloss white.