Five Things

5 Ways to Learn to Knit

Even if I put down my needles for months, there comes a point when I just HAVE to knit. Now is that time! Maybe because I have absolutely nothing else to do (Hahahahahhahahahah!). Right now I have a baby blanket, a "lovey" (a small cuddly blanket for my daughter), and a few items I'm test knitting on the needles.

I learned to knit when I was pregnant with Callie, so that's about 6 years ago. I took a one-evening class at a local yarn shop with two other women, and we got plenty of hands-on attention to make sure we were starting off on the right foot (right needle?) After that initial class, I went on to read book after book and teach myself more advanced techniques. I taught my two older children to knit, and also taught my son's entire 4th grade class (yes, I am nuts - but you already knew that!).

While I still think that person-to-person is the best way to learn how to turn string into fabric using two sticks, there are plenty of resources online and off for those with the itch. Here's a roundup of where I send people:

 

1. Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook. This book really started the knitting revolution. While the patterns may be a little avant garde for the mainstream soccer mom, the basic instructions are the same whether you're applying them to a knit mohair bikini or a baby blanket. Debbie Stoller, the author, walks the line between respect for the ancient craft and modern feminism. A tough balance to strike, but she does it!

2. Ravelry. Ravelry is an online community for yarn lovers of all stripes (and argyles and entrelac and...) It really is a one-stop social media site for knitters, weavers, and crocheters. Online forums, a pattern and yarn library, links to yarn shops, and more... if you want to learn to knit, you'll find tons of resources here. Oh yeah, and it's free! (I'm knitandpurlgrrl there, so friend me if you join!)

3. Knittinghelp.com. If you are a visual learner, hit knittinghelp.com for tons of videos on everything from casting on to picking up stitches to...! It's the next best thing to having someone sitting there teaching you.

 

4. The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch. Once you've learned the basics, you can do just about anything. You don't even need to learn how to purl to create garments and more! This book will show you the versatility of the knit stitch. Some of the garments are a bit dated in style (even though the book isn't that old), but I love the way the author presents them in a graduated fashion, teaching you a new skill with each new pattern. And once you've mastered that, move on to Book 2... you guessed it, The Knitting Experience: Book 2: The Purl Stitch!

5. Knitty. This is the grandmother of all online knitting magazines - often imitated, never equaled! It comes out quarterly, I think, with lots of great articles and patterns. And it's free. :) Aren't those knitters generous?

In a future post, I'll link you to some of my favorite knitting books (I've got tons!). Are you a knitter? Crocheter? Want to learn? Tell me!

5 Reasons to Buy This Book

Ella's latest eBook, "Vintage Hip Christmas Crafts," is chockful of festive fun! Here's why you need to pick up a copy today:

 

1. It's written by Margie Romney-Aslett, who has more creativity in her left eyebrow than most people have in BOTH eyebrows. And their toenails, too.

2. Nine step-by-step tutorials (layouts, decor, more!) with plenty of pictures!

3. Different "intensities" of crafting, so there's something for everyone -- and every time "budget."

4.It's only $5.99!

5. You can get 25% off the cover price through this weekend by using code CRAFTY09 at checkout!

Seriously, this is a rockin' fun eBook, perfect for a lazy (or frenzied) winter's evening. And if you want a chance to win your very own copy for free, all you have to do is leave me a comment,telling me your favorite crafty Christmas activity! Contest closes Thursday 12/10 at midnight-ish.

The First Week in December

 

For the amount of time I spent on this layout, it should look better than it does! I am definitely hitting my limitations as a digital scrapbooker. This is when I miss paper. :( 

Weekly Goals Update

It's only the 5th, but I'm working this on a calendar week basis, if you catch my drift. So...

1. Gym. Five for five. And my arms are sore! (that sounds like the punchline to a bad joke.)

2. Reading with Cal. Uyuh, as they say Down East. She sort of put up a fight the first couple times, but we're falling into a routine. I won't read to HER until she reads to ME.

3. Destashing. I have a big box getting ready to wing its way to Jamaica for a little spreadin' of the scrappy love!

4. Reading.

The Millionaire Next Door DONE

The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything FINISHED TWO MORE CHAPTERS

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Inkheart

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

Organizing for the Spirit: Making the Details of Your Life Meaningful and Manageable

Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times DONE

5. A photo a day. You'll have to tune in tomorrow for the results!

How are your goals doing? If you post an update on your blog, use the MckLinky thingy to link us over to your blog!

5 Fun Photo Gifties

Here are five fun items for the photographer on your gift list -- or maybe for your own wish list???

1. Lensbaby! These little cuties will allow you to do AMAZING things with your DSLR. Check these out:

 

Lots more from the Lensbaby gallery! Check out the gallery to see what effects you like and match them up with a lens. This is the one I want:
 

2. The Fuji Instax Instant Camera. If you're missing your old Polaroid, this should tide you over:

Look how cute the pictures are!

Image from Photojojo.

3. The Gorillapod SLR Tripod. This thing just LOOKS fun! You can bend it into all sorts of contortions for use on any terrain. And it comes in different colors. (Told you it was fun!)

4. Decal Photo Frames. It looks like Tia Bennett designed these! I'd love to add a ton to my entryway. They're reusable, too!

Available from Photojojo. An eight-pack is $20!

5. A Superior, Safe, Sleek Camera Bag. This is the one I have, and I adore it! (Yes, it would have been better in fuchsia with white polka dots... but you can't be too picky, can you?)  It is light, small, and it has this really cool hammock thing inside to cradle the camera. And it has orange accents (which sort of makes up for the fact that it's plain black.)
 

A little wee note... if I link to something on Amazon and you purchase it, I will get the smallest of kickbacks from them... something along the line of enough to buy a cup of coffee (NOT venti, NOT flavored). I'm telling you this under orders of the FTC or the FCC or the FAA (I get them all confused, except I think the FAA is the airplane one and they don't really care what I do on my blog as long as I'm not interfering with flight patterns). Consider yourself apprised.

Now, back to business at hand... what cool photo-related prezzies have you seen out there?

A Weekend in 5 Photos

 

Clockwise from top left:

1. John getting a manicure from Cal.
2. Ben being camera-shy.
3. My darling niece, Alexis, joined us for Thanksgiving. It made the day that much more special!
4. An impromptu puppet show became the Thanksgiving dinner entertainment.
5. I'm sick of leftovers, how about you? (Yes, that's homemade bread! Haha!)

Next month, I'll be documenting my December in daily photos placed on a weekly layout. Want to join me? Stay tuned for Wednesday when I announce my December goals (this project is one of them!)

Weekly Goals Update

1. Gym. Five for five again, INCLUDING Thanksgiving!

2. Soup. Yup. We had Cream of Spinach soup. Everyone liked it (or at least the kids did until they found out it was spinach).

3. Thank-you notes. DONE AND MAILED!

4. Clothes consignment. Appointment is Monday!

5. Christmas presents. I bought some on Black Friday, and I ordered a photo book that I 'made' myself. Does that count?

I'll be announcing my five December goals next week. Want to join me?

5 Things to Do Thanksgiving Afternoon

You're replete with turkey and stuffing (I just like the stuffing!). Your hubby's doing the dishes (or watching football). You've been through all the Black Friday ads (you ARE going out, aren't you?). So now what? Here are five fun activities you can partake of (or you can just take a nap. I'm down with that!)

1. Go on a walk. Can you believe we don't have snow here in New England yet? This may be my last chance to get some fresh air before I am in self-imposed hibernation through the winter. I'm going for a trek in the woods across the street.

2. Play a board game. Our current family favorite is Apples to Apples Junior - The Game of Crazy Comparisons! . It's hilarious! Even our non-reading (well, kind-of reading) little one can play. She just picks any random card and tosses it in the pile. She wins more than half the time!

3. Scrapbook. Remember that? (Can you believe I haven't done a paper-based page in a L-O-N-G time?? I'm getting a little worried about my mental health.)

4. Read! My current fave is The Hunger Games. This book will keep you up all night reading it! Better yet, my 11-year-old loved it as much as I did. We already devoured number two in the series and are anxiously awaiting #3.

5. Make an advent calendar! This is the perfect time to pull out the scrapbooking supplies and get to work on a calendar for December. Need some ideas? Check out this post.

Okay, what are you doing after you eat? (Besides napping, of course)

5 Easy Placecard Ideas

We're still not quite sure what we're doing for Thanksgiving, but I like to have the details wrapped up! Here are some adorable, easy placecard ideas I came across while trolling the web:

1. Ribbon Ovals.

  

I saw this on Our Wedding, but from the photo it appears it was taken from Martha Stewart (as so many good things are!) These would be adorable in harvest colors and several different ribbons.

2. Papertrey Christmas Placecard.

This is simply too cute! I found this on Maria's Craft Room. It starts with patterned paper, stamped with the Christmas tree and finished with vellum and a button. Click on over to get a little more step-by-step.

3. Vintage Photos.

The images on these cards are taken from vintage children's books. This one is for a wedding, but I think you could easily adapt it for holidays. Think about fun cartoons (Betty and Veronica!) or Dick and Jane. Originally posted on Intimate Weddings.

4. Screen Prints.

You can buy these cuties from Pixelimpress at Etsy. Or you could probably make your own using rub-ons from Hambly on some graphic or holiday-themed patterned paper.

5. Indian Corn.

How fun! A placecard and dessert in one. Step-by-step instructions on Holiday Crafts and Creations.

What about you? What special things do you do for your holiday table? Which of these is your fave?
 

5 Reasons to Check Out Doxzen!

Breaking news: You need to check out Doxzen Pet Photos for awesome pet photography!

1. Great photography - even if you don't adore pets.

2. Paula is really cool.

3. Pets deerve some love, too!

4. It'll make you smile.

5. I said so. ;)