A Perfect Afternoon...

That's me and my two eldest boy-men. Ethan, the one on my right in the picture, decided that rather than read a book (like big brother AJ) in the car ride to Uncle Andy's for our Thanksgiving celebration, he wanted to do some knitting on the hat I was working on. Since I was sitting next to him (a rarity - Mama hardly ever sits in the back-back of the van, but Grandma was sitting in my usual front seat) and I was, of course, knitting, I turned it over to him and gave him a refresher on how to work a knit stitch. This is the child that absolutely refused to learn a few years ago when I attempted to teach him on a few rainy days.

I couldn't believe what happened next. He not only *got* my instructions right away, but he proceeded to work on my hat (him doing all the knits, me doing all the purls) for the remainder of our hour-long drive. And then he asked me a few a dozen times through the course of yesterday "when can I knit more?"

This morning, first thing, he again asked if he could knit. I pulled out a pair of short size 10 needles and cast on two dozen stitches for him, and my wild-child, normally bouncing off the walls (literally, he bumps him body into the walls and bounces around the room) boy - he sat on the couch and knit all afternoon. He shouted "gotta finish this row!" when I called him to dinner, and after he inhaled his food, he went right back to the couch and knit some more.

The big brother, not to be outdone, sidled up to the couch and asked for his own needles and some yarn. I gave him a brief rundown of the knit stitch, and he also spent several hours on the couch, knitting the afternoon away.

Snuggling with my boys, each of us engulfed in our crafting, passing the hours chatting and laughing, it did this mama's heart good.

A(nother) Simple Mom Giveaway!

Dangit, Simple Mom's had some rockin' giveaways, but this one might be the best so far! I've been lusting after this printer, wishing I had gone to Blissdom just to get a peek at it. And now we've all got a chance to win one of our very own. Go check Simple Mom today for your chance to win!

I love contests...

Do you love pretty things as much as I do? Look longingly at other people's earrings, wondering where they came from? Perhaps your head gets turned by every beaded bauble that passes you by? Well, then this post's for you!

Wanna chance to win one of Lisa Leonard's exquisite jewelery pieces? Rachel's running a contest over at Small Notebook, so go check it out. (hey, even if you don't like jewelery or winning good stuff, go check out Small Notebook anyway, cause, well, she rocks)

Tip for Today: Reusable Produce Bags

I'm a reusable bag person - I dutifully carry my bags to the market and feel good when I can avoid using plastic bags. So whenever I've reached for one in the produce section, or had one handed to me at the farmer's market, my Green Guilt has kicked in. I've been scheming about the perfect reusable produce bag for quite some time. It had to be cheap *ahem*....frugal, it had to be easily seen through (so the cashier doesn't get annoyed) and it had to be extremely lightweight (So I'm not paying for it every time I buy produce.) Ideas about sewing nylon or cotton mesh bags often crossed my mind, but I just haven't been able to find the right fabric or the time to sew even if I had found it.

Imagine my frugal eureka today when I found the perfect produce bags in Dollar Tree! They’re Tidy Totes from Blink and It’s Done. 4 in a pack, for $1!!! I got 2 packs and figured that 8 produce bags is perfect for what I need each week at the grocery or farmer’s markets. The bags are super lightweight, so I’m not worried about them causing me to pay more, and they are tiny mesh, so the checker can easily read the numbers on the produce. Score one for the frugal team!

June's Sock Club

Now that the postal service has finally delivered all packages to their intended destinations, I think it's safe to reveal June's Club goodies without ruining anyone's surprise. This month's pattern is one I'm especially proud of, so I hope all the clubsters enjoy working on it.

Pemberley, as most of you probably know, is the English country estate of a certain Mr. Darcy. Didn't we all have secret dreams of finding our own Mr. Darcy? My own dear hubby is quite a bit like ol' Darcy - biting observation and quiet admiration and loyalty, minus the grand estate (darn it!)

These silk stockings are what I imagine Elizabeth Bennett might have worn as the Mistress of Pemberley. They are elegant, luxurious and out-of-the-ordinary without being over-the-top. A blend of merino with the silk lends a more practical warmth to these beauties, as well. Of course, if you're a modern woman who isn't living in a drafty estate house and don't require the warmth of knee stockings, there's the (quicker to knit!) crew length option.

June's swag is further proof of my paper obsession lately. Adorable little notecards that I wholly encourage clubsters to use for some old fashioned letter-writing. There's nothing like taking a moment, putting pen to paper, and writing a note of gratitude, love, sympathy or well-wishes to someone else. It's like a little gift every time I get a handwritten note or card in the mail, and one that I love to give to others.

Can't wait till all the July packages arrive so I can reveal this month's rollickin' pattern and yarn!

May's Sock Club

Now that all of May's Sock Club goodies have arrived safely to their new homes, I can finally post about them! This was our first month with the new Sock Club, and I have to admit that I had way too much fun putting it all together - picking out the goodies, developing a new (exclusive) colorway, and finally getting the new (exclusive) sock pattern out in the world at large (where eyes other than my own or the tech editors can oogle it) It's all such a labor of love, and so nice to get lovely comments back about the packages. Marion, a lovely customer-friend from near my hometown in NY, wrote me this week:

Gorgeous yarn, the colors are sensational. The pattern book is terrific, the stitch markers are beautiful and the journaling book sends the whole kit over the top for one fabulous sock knitting club. It is all so nice and I am so happy that I joined the club. You really outdid yourself! Thanks for recommending the May kit. I would be upset to have missed out on this sensational kit.

Wow! I don't know that I deserve all that flattery, but it sure is nice for the ego ;) She also sent along a yummy yarn-in-action shot of some of my 3 ply farm yarn that was a custom-dye. Check out this yarn goodness:

Don't they look all squishy and comfy? I'm wishing I had made some of that yarn for myself and squirrelled it away - I'd totally be pulling it out right now and casting on. (That is, after I finish June's sock sample, of course!)

But, wait! You're just dying to see May's sock, aren't you? There was a bit of a theme this month - the yarn at the top of this post was May's yarn - yummy, squishy sportweight superwash merino in "Japanese Garden." It's a harmonious blend of navy, grass green, lilac, lavender and winter white. Worked up in socks, it is lovely. Worked up in May's sock club pattern "Everyday Zen" it is super, duper fantastic!

It's a short row heel and toe sock, with the ribbing extending down the toe and heel for a truly excellent fit. The sort rows incorporate the ribbing, so that the transitions are pretty and flowing. Multiple sizes from infant to (big, big) man's make it one that's get used over and over. But, It's exclusive to the club until Jan '09 - so if you aren't in the Sock Club you'll have to wait. Of course...if you do join the club, you can back-buy the pattern if you really have to have it. Just one more reason to join now...June's club is an excellent luxury yarn, in a Jane Austen inspired pattern and more handmade club goodies! Last month's extra bonus was a handmade, perfect-bound journal. This month's....well, you'll have to wait and see!

We're having a sale!

Sorry for the post and run, but wanted to let you know that we're having a Two Day Sale at the shop! 25% off all patterns through Wed night, so go shop and stock up now: http://www.littleturtleknits.com.

And I've jsut stocked some fantastic new colorways at the Little Turtle Knits' Hyena Cart, they'll be going live Tuesday at Noon! There's also a gorgeous baby kimono and one of our sweet Trelford Turtles, so be sure to check it out!