My Big, Fat, Crazy Summer

I know, it's been months since I posted.  MONTHS!  All of a sudden, I get the urge to write something, and it sounds like an incoherent mess.  Which, is basically how I feel lately.  Work is insane; weight is out of control; we've had events almost every weekend since May; I've yet to take a vacation; all the pretty annuals from June are long dead; and things I've learned via the internet world have made my hair curl and uncurl again. 

As chaotic as life feels, there have been a few projects.  Remember that cabinet we started back in January?  Done.

 

Inspiration hit, and I asked Jim to make me the backdrop of a sign I would then distress and add letters to.  Not only did he deliver, but he had saved some old moulding from the door we removed, and he managed to put it together already distressed.  It's so rewarding to have someone who understands the vision and makes it all come together right down to leveling and spacing all the letters for me.  I still need to do some additional distressing of the letters and maybe age it a bit.  Overall, I'm really pleased with the result. 

 

I have a few hangups (no pun intended) about putting holes in the walls unless I am very, very certain that the item will remain there.  I am a huge fan of casually leaning stuff in different places until I am sure.  I know it drives Jim crazy, as we have a mirror that I've moved several times in the last eight years and is still leaning against a wall.   

 

There has been a lot of children's knitting.  First, a sweater for someone at work who adopted a new baby boy.  It's been a long time since I've done boy knitting, but I found some felted tweed in a denim color and loved it.   

 

I had to abort the sweater I was intially going to make, which was a cabled Drops pattern with a yoked top.  After reading the comments others had made on Ravelry, I decided to improvise using similar cables with a very basic sweater.  The hat is the same Drops pattern. 

I must be in a blue mood because in a departure for me, I purchased more blue yarn to make Gianna a little cotton Langston sweater.  You will have to trust me when I tell you it is so much cuter on than off.  But sassy Gianna ripped it off after about 3 seconds of wear and well before I could snap a photo.

 

At a recent family wedding, my cousin's wife paid me the nicest compliment when she asked if I could possibly make her two-year-old daughter the same sweater that I had made her last year in a bigger size.  What knitter could say no to that?

 

Even cuter when paired with a sweet t-shirt and leggings from Baby Gap.

 

I'm not sure what to make next.  The Quinnipiac cowl is in the short queue and then maybe another afghan and definitely some more gnomes...

 

I hope to post a bit more frequently in the Fall (seriously, where did 2011 go???). 

Enjoy the rest of your Summer.  Mossy love to you all...

 

 

Comments

[madmad]

Oh, happy day! I saw the completed cardigan on ravelry, and hoped against hope a blog post might also be coming! So yay! And yay for the beautiful FOs, from that gorgeous cabinet to all the cute baby knits!

[Mr. Puffy]

Your husband is a treasure!!! Mine is so not interested in home decorating and a true minimalist. Love your sign ~ you did such a nice job on the paint/distressing. Knits as always are gorgeous ~ such a sweet little cardi and hat set.

[Rebecca]

Hello there stranger, good to see a post from you pop up. The baby knitting is gorgeous but the sign...wow, so very lovely. I know just what you mean about propping, it takes me a while too (although I am thinking eight years is more like a permanent state...). I have learned some crazy thinks on the internet this summer too. Strange world.

[Claire @ Happy Elastic]

Hello! Ooh i do like your sign. I had a similar idea and saw a potential framed board at a local sale but didn't end up buying it and now I'm really regretting it. Hopefully the same seller will be there next week. I can hope!

Totally loving the baby knits, they are beautiful.

[Mary]

It does seem like time is flying by. I LOVE your sign and wish I could step into the photos and tour your house. I want that sweater and hat outfit too... so cute. Great Knits and glad to hear you'll be posting more in the fall.

[RoseRed]

So much lovely knitting! I think G's cardi is so cute, and the upsized cardi and beret is just tres chic!

Nice work on the sign. We have a lot of pictures leaning on things too. But that's just because we are hopeless at actually making time to hang them!

[jane]

Hi Kim, It sounds like you had a great summer. The knits are fantastic, as always. We are on the homestretch and will be heading back to school in a few weeks. I can't believe how fast it went!

[seashoreknits]

the brown ensemble? dee-vine.
as is all the knitting, truly - that denim baby boys set is marvelous.
great to hear from you - this summer seems to have flown for us all!

[Non-Knitting Coworker]

awesome projects - you rock girl...and that's without an earthquake.

[twistedknitter]

This has been the summer of surprising revelations, has it not?

As usual, your knitting projects are amazing -- love them all. Your house projects are shaping up beautifully and everything looks so peaceful and serene. I can't wait to see more gnomes :-)

[yarnydays]

Oh how cute! I am in love with that brown cardigan. Would love to make one for my daughter....

[Kathy]

I totally get you. It's definitely been a "what happened to it" kind of summer.

[Jackie]

Hi
Yes summer has been busy. Love all the knitting projects and love all the work you and Jim have put into the house.
Glad to hear work is busy for you. I know so many out of work and for such a long time.
I am thinking of the fall this week and what to do with the house.
Enjoy

[Jodi]

So glad to see a new post from you! I can't believe how gorgeous and peaceful your house is.

And the knitting... such lovely treasures. I'm enamored of the Langston sweater, and the brown ensemble looks so cozy and sweet. Autumn's almost here, so the afghan bug is hitting me hard. And the cardigan knitting bug.

[leslie]

i almost (never!) gave up on you!
SO happy to see you light up in my reader!

i was wondering if you were still knitting,.,, and yep. YOU ARE!
love those little treasures. i can not wait to see modeled pics of gianna in those. especially that brown ensemble!

xxoo

btw... when can i move in? i am in love with your home.

[leslie]

p.s. i'm not crazy! promise!!!

[Renee]

You've been busy!
Looove the brown cardi and tam with the Gap ensemble.
I'm been thinking afghan as well, can't wait to see which pattern you chose. I may actually crochette for a change.
Your cabinet and sign are gorgeous!!