Constant Accomplishment

I was rocking Mary back to sleep and looking at the laundry basket full of clean laundry waiting to be folded, when I thought of this... Doing the laundry is like a constant accomplishment.  There always seems to be this wonderful feeling when the laundry is done.  And yes, it does get done.  I've been doing it more often, so I don't get overwhelmed, and I have to tell you that it feels great every time I put those two white baskets back in the laundry room empty.  So, I guess I'm in a glass-half-full kind of mood these days.  

Mary Avis has arrived

Forgive the lateness of this post, but our baby girl was born Monday, October 6th at 7:01 am.  She was 8 lb. 2.5 oz. and 20 3/4" long.  Her name is Mary Avis, (not pronounced like the car company, but with an a like in cat.)  She's named after 2 of her great grandmothers on Peter's side.  After 5 1/2 hours of labor, she was born in the birth tub in our living room. Charlie was there and promptly jumped in the tub in his pajamas, ready to meet his new sister. Our friend Crystal took care of Charlie and us for the day and was even asked if she was a post-pardum doula.  (New career perhaps?)  As with our first homebirth, our amazing midwives made all the difference in our wonderful and successful experience.  Maryl Smith of and Madrona Bordoux are truly my birthing angels.  I couldn't have done it without them.  And I certainly couldn't have done it without my husband, who supported me (literally) through the whole process.  Mary was born into his waiting hands and was instantly in love with her daddy.  Enjoy the pics.  Thanks for the love... 

Um, yeah, still pregnant

What else can I say.  I'm 40 weeks 4 days today... Woopdedoo...

Still Pregnant... Hopefully Not For Long

Hey there people.  I just thought I'd post and say that I'm due to have a baby on Monday.  That's right 3 days from now.  I'm big as a house, highly uncomfortable and wishing I was posting baby pictures for all of you.  I don't even know if anyone is reading this nonsense.  If you are, Hi.  I can't believe I'm still pregnant.  I was expecting to have this baby early like with Charlie.  But alas, no such luck!  I love that my baby will be big and healthy, but I don't love that I am big and well, big.  Okay, will post next with pics of a little one.  Really, really soon.

More Hats and Booties...

Yes, I seem to be hat and bootie crazy these days.  It's really only because I'm teaching my hat at both Close Knit and Knitting Bee this Summer.  The booties are the inspiration for the hat, so they must be made as well.  Again, Charlie looks like a stunning little girl, much to Peter's chagrin.  The class listing for Close Knit is out and Knitting Bee should be close behind.  I'm teaching several classes this Summer, but there a couple of overlaps.  I figured I might as well teach as much baby stuff as possible since I'm going to be undeniably huge at that point.  I'll try to post more class project photos as they become available!  

Intarsia Cable Hat... A cute and funny success

I just finished this sample for a class I'm teaching at Close Knit this summer.  It's made to compliment the Saartje's Booties from the post below.  The cable is knit in using Intarsia with the three little "legs"  knit first and then added into the knitting.  I'm so happy with the way it turned out even though it kind of looks like a three eyed monster.  Charlie looks like a cute little girl with his long hair peeking out the bottom of it.  I'm working on a second sample in the new Rowan Pure Life for the Knitting Bee.  I can't wait to get the pattern written for everyone to try!

Booties!

Hi there.  I'm re-energized about blogging again.  I guess that means that I have a little bit of time on my hands.  That's nice.  Anyway, I made these booties from a pattern that I found on Ravlery.  I'm going to be teaching a class on them at Close Knit this summer.  I'm so excited about them then I'm in the process of designing a hat that matches. Cool.

An Ode to Mary Bata

So I saw miss Mary Bata for possibly the last time this past Tuesday.  Some of the Lint girls and I got together for a knit night and chat-fest.  I'm so bad at saying what I want to say when the timing is appropriate.  I guess I just didn't want to seem like a blubbering idiot.  So, instead I'll tell all of you.  In the form of a letter to Mary.

Dear Mary,

You are wise beyond your years.  And often beyond mine.  What a pleasure it has been to be your employer, your friend.  I know you're leaving some well-made friends behind and you venture on to the next thing.  Please know that I will always be here for you.  And I mean that with all my heart.  You, my dear, will never be rid of me.  You see, I'm the kind of gal that keeps my friends for life.  So, whether you like it or not, whether we speak, email or other wise communicate, or not, I will ALWAYS be here for you.  

I wish you would be here to hold my second baby while it sleeps.  For hours if necessary.  You make the best cradle I've ever seen.  And your gifts of knitting and love will forever grace our household and will also forever remind us of you.  

Thank you my dear Mary.  There is no one even remotely like you.  And I feel blessed and lucky to have known, and to know you.  I will eat many Chocolate Fudge Brownie Sundaes and Raspberry Fools and think of you.  And probably get a little too fat.  (It's for the baby.)  

Be well, love, and always know that you were part of something really special.  A high point of my life for sure.  

All my love and gratitude,

Millie

Close Knit Class Schedule is up

Check out their website to see my 4 classes!  (2 are crochet.)  Then, sign up, sign up, sign up!!!  I'd love to see a familiar face or two...

Classes and More

Hello friends... Today I taught the first of two sessions of a class called fearless fingerless gloves at the Knitting Bee. All of my students were well on their way to Fair Isle masterpieces at the end of just 2 hours!  It was totally awesome. This is the second class I've taught at the Bee and I'm very happy.  I love to teach and these classes are giving me all kinds of design ideas.  So thanks class!

And now, the rest of the story.  I joined a little thing online called Ravelry. Maybe you've heard of it?  It's absolutely incredible.  I can't believe it.  I don't have nearly enough time to take full advantage of such an amazing resource, but it sure is fun.  If you're looking for me, my ravelry name is Squishymillie.  Hopefully I'll even add some more cool stuff for others to look at.If you're on it, I'd sure like some more friends.  I feel slighly lame with my one (really great) friend.  Although I feel shamed by all of the truly talented knitters out there.  (Where do they find the time?)  Maybe they don't have kids.  Anyhoo, it's a fun little place to kill some time.  

And until next time...

I didn't fall off the face... if that's what you're wondering

I've been perusing some blogs and looking at what other people have been doing with their lives and I realized. Hey~ I have one of those too! So, If you're interested (and you must be if you're actually reading this) here is the haps.

I'm now working mostly from home, being a mom to now 16 1/2 month old Charlie. (I'll try to find a pic.) I'm learning all kinds of crazy computer skills. I'm also continuing to teach classes at Knitting Bee and Close Knit. I'm excited about a few coming up in January and February.

At Close Knit I'm teaching an intro to intarsia class using a project I designed. It's a cute little shoulder bag with a patch pocket. I designed a little bird that lives there and people seem to really like it. Check out the listing for it at www.closeknitportland.com.

At the Knitting Bee I'll be teaching a fair isle fingerless mitt class, an adventures in entrelac class and a tips and tricks class. All three of these should be great fun. (Especially the tips class.) I figured I'd gather up all I've learned in the last 9 years of working in knit shops and share it with you lovely people. Fun.

So, want to know anything else? My sister's getting married...