Knitiot Savant

Bad Crayons Gone Good

So what do ya do with all those broken crayons?  Or the really cheap ones that you get in restaurants that don't color worth a darn?  We melt them down in to shapes and make our own crazy crayons.  (This is not an original idea, though I wish I could say it was.  I just can't remember where I stole it from!)

Boogied and I chopped up old crayons, sprinkled them into tiny little muffin pans and baked them at the lowest heat possible until the wax was all melty.  Let me cool and presto!  You have funky colors in a new shape.  The hardest part was trying to convince Boogie that all the crayons didn't need to be chopped!

And speaking of Boogie; I've used that nickname for her since I started this blog but I haven't called her Boogie since she was a baby.  She still likes to dance around but, at 4, it's a whole new ballgame.  So, in honor of my beautiful baby growing and changing, I figure it's time to use at least part of her 'whole big name'. (That's what we call it. ) 

Everyone, this is Lili.  Lili, this is everyone.  Uh, wanna come on outta the sandbox and say hi?  hehe

I could use a haircut but.....

nataliedee.com

Bums

That's what we were yesterday.  Bums.  Big B played hookie from work and we went to the pool in the morning, ate fast food for lunch and caught the Tour coverage later in the day.  Summertime and the livin' is easy!

Puffies

I've been doing a little sewing this summer.  Boogie likes the idea of sewing but she's just a little too young to sit at the machine.  So, the compromise has been what we call "Puffies".  Basically, I give her a set of fabric markers and we stuff and sew up whatever she draws.  She's had a great time making these things and has grand plans for a whole stable of Puffies.

We had a very mellow weekend.  Book Club Saturday night and just hanging around the house Sunday.  Good times.

Where I Live

As much as I love finding silly or ignorant comments in the 'Rants & Raves' section of the paper, I really like finding a sweet one.  A comment that shows tenderness, or compassion, or thanks someone for a job well done.  I thought this one fit the bill:

"I got a package of pictures from some 1st graders when I was in Saudi Arabia during the 1st Gulf War.  One was a flag colored on wide lined paper with crayon.  I have it framed on my bedroom wall.  It is still and inspiration."

You never know how a small kindness effects someone....or how long it lasts.  Be good to each other out there.

Finish Line

I hope all of you had a happy and fun-filled Fourth!  We sure did.  We ate too much then jammed on fireworks.  It was great.

I was consumed with the completion of a sewing project.  Specifically, a dolly diaper bag for Boogie's babies.  She has quite a few and they seem to like traveling with us when we run errands.  And, as every mommy knows, a good diaper bag is a must.

I should apologize for the pics first.  Boogie was bouncing all over the kitchen trying to grab the bag.  I still haven't had a chance to get all the basting stitches out.  Anyway, this is the front...two roomy pockets for extra bottles, binks and the odd Barbie dress that finds it's way in there.

The back of the bag features a changing pad that velcroes up nicely when not in use.  Hm...who is that peeking around the bag?

Here's the skinny on the bag:

Pattern: Simplicity 5554

Fabric:  A nice simple cotton for the exterior, polycotton blend for the lining.

Thoughts:  This little bag uses batting and I discovered I loathe batting!   Seriously though, toward the end of the bag it got easier.  Overall it was a quick project and I plan on doing another one as a Christmas gift.

I think I've be given a map...

Thanks to all of you for your advice.  I did what Chris suggested...marked all my blogs as read and I'm declaring it an official do-over.....just in time for a long holiday weekend.  Is that cheating? 

I like re-useable shopping bags.  I don't like taking them from one store and using them at a competitor's store.  Maybe I'm a big weirdo for even wasting time worrying about that but there it is.  So, in order to make my bags useable in any store and brighten them up a bit, I covered the center panel with something pretty.  Now I have pretty bags, inoffensive bags!

Don't get too excited...this idea was not mine.  I saw it on the Sew Mama Sew blog and, for the life of me, couldn't find the post for some linky goodness.  You get the idea though...rectangle. sew it down and you just made pretty and helped the environment!  yeah!

Lost

Somewhere, over the last few months, I seemed to have lost my blog mojo.  I'll blog some, promise to do better, then fall off the wagon and just blow the whole thing off.  I'm not sure where I left my mojo.  Did I drop it on purpose?  Is this the natural progression of blogging...to simply lose interest in it for a time?  Maybe it's because I'm so behind on reading other people's blogs that the thought of trying to catch up is just a little overwhelming...hm..

I'm not sure what it is but I think it's time to make a decision....continue to blog inconsistently or just close up shop. 

Anyone else out there face this?  Months of no interest in all things bloggy?  If so, how did you handle it?  What helped you pull out of it?

Where I Live

I was born in the deep South, moved away, and came back.  There are a lot of things to love about the South; friendly people, deep-fried food, a slower pace of life. 

One of the things that's always annoyed me is the misconceptions that some folks have about Southerners.  The biggest misconception I suppose is that we're a bunch of narrow minded, Bible thumping rednecks.  So, I offer a selection today's Rants & Raves to dispel this myth once and for all.

"Women do have their role in church.  It's to teach the young children and other women.  I Corinthians 14:34 says women are to "be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak."  That is a quote from the Bible, not my words.  So, how do churches that have women leading services and in the pulpit explain that one away?"

Okay, so I could be wrong.

Was I asleep....

'cause this month just seemed to fly by!  Wow.  But knitting was done!  And, after missing an entire month of knitting with my group, I went back last week.  Yeah on me again.  So, here's what I'm working on:

This is Sitcom Chic from Knitty.  Can't remember when I started it, March I think, but I've been in love with the look of this little sweater for awhile.  It's a pretty simple little knit, so far, and I can't wait to finish it.  Let's hope I actually do finish it!

And, the ever popular summer project, socks.  I started these for Boogie in the Fall and the finished one is just a smidge to short.  My plan is to rip out the toe and re-knit the correct length.  I don't think it's that her foot grew that quickly but that her Mom can't measure worth a damn. 

This weekend I celebrate my 23rd wedding anniversary.  Yes, I have been married that long.  Yes, he is my first husband.  Good training for number 2, huh?