This is why I knit.

Lucky you!

Ammie made me do this, but it's because I can't wait to find out what that something could be. I think it's a great idea, play along if you'd like.

{Lucky you!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!}

I'll make one change, if you don't have a blog you can still enter, just promise you will make a surprise something for 5 special people in you life.




{a little surprise something for my mom's b-day awhile back, just to give you a teaser}

UPDATE:

Okay, I have my five. If I don't have your address please email me so I know where to send your surprise. sarahstarrsmith@gmail.com
1 - Tara (are you NY Tara or TX Tara or another Tara? email me your mailing address)
2 - Suzanne (email me your mailing address)
3 - Annie
4 - Lauren
5 - Sarah P.

love

cut paper
drippy glue
sticky glitter
a way to show a little love

Hi friends

This week started with squirrel and ended with accidentally washing (and drying - that's where it got icky) a yellow crayon in a full load of laundry. Today, Friday, I finally sat myself down to post a little of the "I've been meaning to posts". So enjoy.

I'm getting all razzle-dazzled about Valentines Day. My friend Becky came for a little visit a couple of weeks ago and she said she has a plan for getting through the rest of the winter. "Go all out for the holidays: Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day..." Not a bad idea. I'm pulling out all the pink, red, hearts, candles, love birds, cookie cutters... you get the idea. There is still a lot of winter to go.





Happy weekend to you.

Marmalade

Marmalade's her name. I finally put my Knitted Babes book to good use and knit up this sweet thing for my niece. The thing about making a doll is that the making NEVER ENDS. They must be clothed, oh yes, and have at least a few out-fit options. And then there are the ACCESSORIES!!!, oh my. And just when I thought I was done (enough anyway), I couldn't bear to send her away with out a pillow and blanket. You know, a little comfort and security for her travels. She is now in her new home and loved as much as ever.

jump ropes

Dave drew the name of my nephew, who, how cool is this... is really into jump rope. Dave did all the work here. My favorite thing about this gift was that is was made using things that we already had. Oh, and, it's also my favorite because it's a jump rope. They are getting put to good use, I hear he takes them to school.

barn

It didn't surprise me much to learn that my 2 year old nephew loves barns. He is, after all, the son of my brother (painter of barns). Lucky me, I drew his name for Christmas. Also lucky was finding this lovely barn/dollhouse tutorial. This barn was a lot of fun to put together. Malcolm played with it lots before I shipped it off. Knowing that I had better make a double batch, the pieces are cut out to sew one up for Malcolm. It's just that I haven't gotten out my sewing machine since Christmas. After all those bags and everything else, I needed a little space.

Squirrel follow up:

Here's the squirrel pic. I didn't want to get too close and possibly frighten the poor thing any more.

Yes, it was a sunny day when he left out home and I think he saw his shadow as he scampered up the tree. More winter, I know. But I kind of figured as much. I'm not too heart broken. I just keep telling myself "I love snow." Because really there is a part of me that does.

Yes, Natalie, I remember the mink farm, one got stuck in our window-well once.

Malcolm, he was mostly fine with the whole squirrel thing. I tried to play it really cool for him. Although, Dave made the mistake of telling him the squirrel was going to "eat mommy up". I made him take that back right away and assured Malcolm that squirrels only eat nuts and things like that - not people. (Dave.)

Yes, again, an "All the Way Home" moment.

And yes, I like squirrels. When they are outside, in trees, free.

The end. I hope.

Now we can have a happy Groundhog Day...

The squirrel has been caught and released.

Special thanks to Bruce (next door neighbor) for the squirrel consult, the Waites for lending their super-duper trap, Dave for setting up the trap, my mom for saying lots of squirrel out-of-house prayers, my across the street neighbor who helped release the poor thing, and Sarah G. for offering her home as a getaway this morning.

The sun is shining and it is a BEAUTIFUL day.

Help

There is a squirrel in our house. We he/she...it came in through the chimney yesterday and made quite a mess while we were at church. We borrowed a big trap from a neighbor. But I think the squirrel is hiding out in our dining room ceiling. I saw it scamper up there all in a fright through an easy access hole because "currently" we are "remodeling" our kitchen ceiling. I just hope it doesn't think it can hibernate here. I'll call animal control. The big trap is a little uninviting in the kitchen and I just want the squirrel to be FREE and NOT IN MY HOUSE!