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Monday 25 February 2013

The Siberian Baby Blanket





This was a blanket that has been in my mind for some time now. I wanted something simple, for beginners that only involed the knit stitch and the purl stitch. You can easily memorize the pattern, which makes it a great portable project. I love the cotton I used. It really enhanced the textured look I was going for.  Hard to believe it is the inexpensive Handicrafters in natural. It knit up beautifully. I had a jumbo ball I wasn't sure what I was going to do with. The pattern can now be found in my shop (www.grizzlie.etsy.com) and on Raverly.

Sunday 24 February 2013

Cleaning Done Right





Now I wish I could knit all day...don't we all? But there is a little thing such as "cleaning" that eats up some of my precious knitting time. Having a hubby, a six year old, a pre teen boy, a teen boy, and my seven year old pup this house can get messy and dirty. I have struggled for years with how to fit cleaning into my busy daily scheduale. Besides driving the kids to and from school and their sports activities, grocery shopping, cooking, walking pup, and running an Etsy shop, it left very little time for cleaning. If I left it all to one day, then I wouldn't get it all done or something would come along and hurt the plan (a sick kid....a yarn sale ;)  In the fall all this changed. I found www.cleanmama.etsy.com .  Becky sells things to help you organize your life, but the best part is her e-book about cleaning routines. Her idea is everyday you do one or two things. At first I thought "Everyday!!!!" is she crazy???  But I am telling you it works. My house has never been so clean and organized. ALL THE TIME. People can come over anytime and I have no worries at what they see or what they will find. And this has given me more KNITTING time. Yes...you read that right. I following along with Becky's blog which is full of great cleaning info.

Here is my scheduale:

Monday: Clean all bathrooms, 2 loads of laundry (wash, fold, put away), usually tidy from the weekend chaos.

Tuesday: Dust (everything), 2 loads of laundry

Wednesday: Vacum, 2 loads of laundry

Thursday: Mop, 2 loads of laundry

Friday: Catch-up (on something I missed) or give myself a little project such as cleaning out a closet, or a messy cabinet or "hotspot", 2 loads of laundry

Saturday: Wash sheets and towels

Sunday: 1 load of laundry

Everynight you sweep your floors(might have to do this a couple of times a day if you have small kids and no dog to lick your crumbs), wipe your kitchen counters and put away anything that is out of place.

I usually do my chores when I have come home from dropping everyone off at school. By lunch time all laundry is done and my cleaning chore. Trust me....your house will run so smoothly. Now one trick is to declutter your home. You can't do this if you spend half your time tripping over toys on the floor or dusting countertops you can't even see. Some other great books on this topic are : "It's all too much by Peter Walsh" and "Organized Simplicity" by Tsh Oxenreider. These books help you live a clutter-free life.

Try Becky's routine....you won't be sorry.....



Friday 22 February 2013

Meet "Jewels"

One of the projects I completed (insert clapping) was a bunny. I woke up one day and thought today I would like to knit a bunny. I hope these moments happen to other people....I would hate to think I am alone in these crazy knitting thoughts. So after going on the web searching for the perfect bunny pattern I came across www.lovefibres.etsy.com  and found Julies's Robert and Rosie Rabbit pattern. I went into the stash and found three balls of Martha Stewart Craft's Alpaca Blend in Buttermilk. Even saying the name Buttermilk makes my heart beat a little faster in excitement. My sweet bunny only took a few days to make while I sat next to my little girl suffering from a bad cold, who was going to be her new mama. When she was done, my little one named her Jewels. She choose the colours of her soon to be dress and a star was born. This pattern was easy to follow and so much fun to do. The details of my changes and progress are on my Raverly page (Grizzlieknits)



And here she is in all her glory....


Such a sweet face.....



You might like Lovefibres blog MackandMabel.blogspot.ca. Julie is busy using up her stash for charities....she is making some really cute things.

Thursday 21 February 2013

This and That

Life sure is cold here. You can't go out without a shiver and a sniff. Crazy! My poor doggie hates this weather. Speaking of my cute 7 year old pup.....


I love this guy. I also love the guy next to him....but doggie love is very special. I could stare at this picture all day.

What do Canadians do in the depths of winter you ask? Ski. What do I do in the depths of winter you ask? Knit. (Also do that in the heat of the summer)

I have finished these adorable pants for a newborn. The design was quick and everything just came together without any bother. Love when that happens. The best news is I used yarn from my stash. I am trying so hard to do that.....
This is now in my Etsy shop (www.grizzlie.etsy.com). 

I am trying to finish some projects that I have abandoned. Three blankets (yes...you read that right). One is going to be a pattern for sale and I think it may just be up a beginner knitters alley. Simple, clean, easy blanket that has visual interest. And I am using cotton!


               I wasn't here for Valentines day but hope you shared it with someone special....