Little Blue Riding Hood Cape

Knitting with big needles (size 13) and big yarn (Lambs Pride Bulky) makes for a quick knit. Love how this cape turned out. Knitted using a little modification on the free pattern found on Ravelry Link.

The cape has a closure of an knit I-cord and wooden toggle. Easy on little hands and just enough to keep the cape closed.

Remember my hand-dye blog post from last week? I used Immersion Dyeing and dyed four hanks of seconds Lambs Pride Bulky yarn purchased from Sheep Shed Studio. Jon did the mixing of the dye. I told him, "I want it to match the pretty princess blue in Jesse's princess costume.". The man has an eye for color because the color is pretty spot on for the shade of blue I wanted.

I love every aspect of this cape. Beautiful blue makes it plenty versatile to be a Dorothy of Wizard of Oz or Pretty Princess or Little Blue for little ones to pretend play. It is sophisticated enough to wear out and about at hay rides and fun fall festivities.

I made Jesse a black one and this blue one lives up to the expectations I had for myself to create a fun, knit that would be happily worn by a little/big one.

James is a 5T/6T and I'm almost certain this cape will fit up to a 7T because there is plenty of room to grow. It is a 100% wool/mohair blend cape, so Hand Wash is required. Pretty sure, though, if it did accidentally get washed it would fit a 3T/4T because I've felted Lambs Pride extensively and it typically felts 3 inches in height and about an inch in width in the garter stitch (which is what the cape is knitted in).

This cape will be featured in my Etsy shop opening on September 1st if you have a hankering to have it. :)

Peace and Off to Hook And Dye Some More!!!

James' First Day of School

James first day of school was today. They started the kindergarteners on a Friday. Not sure why, but it works out because James came home and said "My teacher gave me 2 whole days off!".

Bus 18 showed up to get him, but his tag said he was to ride Bus 2. There was some good talking to some important people to make sure we got James back in the afternoon. Isn't the bus driver so nice?! He was a posing dude.

Does James look like he's lost? Some people thrive on chaos or rather organized, controlled chaos. Me? I wanted to grab him and tell him he could have another year playing with dinosaurs and cars.

"Really, Mommy, Daddy and Sissy, I've got this school thing down. Get lost. Bye NOW!"

Of course this was after he told his teacher "Ms. Franz, I don't color so good."

I got him back!!!! Momma was so happy to see him.

So, what kind of thank you gift do you give a nurse for cleaning up after your son's wet fart?

Peace and Only My Kid.

Three Thing Thursday

James teaches me to stop and smell the roses.

Jesse teaches me how to use scissors and paint my nails.

And Jon has been canning tomatoes like a fool. Ohio weather teased us and all the sudden we have a bumper crop of tomatoes. Lots of tomato sauce for us to cook our roasts with.

Peace and James "Last Day of FREEDOM"!

Dear Sister,

My sister, Janne, and I are starting an on-going letter between the two of us. She lives in Texas and I live in Ohio. Please join us as we connect via blog letters, sharing tidbits about our daily lives.



Roberto says hi! He mentions you at random intervals. It is funny to me, that if I say my sister, he KNOWS exactly who I am talking about. Maybe not so funny. Roberto recently farted in the pool, now that was funny. Especially since the bubbles were HUGE! We scampered out of that end of the pool as fast as we could. Did I mention James farted Sunday and well, it was a wet fart. I made him clean out his underwear in the shower. Was that mean of me?

Remember my stalker, Ms. Reader in McKinney, Texas? She has visited again. *WAVES*

So, Janne, how you been? Liking your new truck? Thank GOD, you walked away from the horrific accident. I'd have been there in two licks of a cows hind end if you hadn't been okay. Seriously, two licks. It would have had to be a BIG cow ass but I'd been there all up in your business bossing people around making sure you were taken care of.

Janne, you are about the only ho I save these days. My cape flying saving sister days are over.

Zach got off to basic training okay, I guess. How weird is it that we finally have a family member in the military?

OH! That reminded me of our BIL telling me he had a Dave Ramsey envelope labeled "Beka's stupid family fund" or some funny crap like that. He told me that as he stood in my kitchen, eating the meal I'd prepared, in the home I'd bought, with the money I'd worked so hard for...Man, I laughed my ass off over that.

Speaking of ass, my son has been grabbing mine lately. I think Roberto has been demonstrating these ass grabbing moves and James will randomly say "Squeeze the BUTT!" and honk my butt.

So, you need to watch WipeOut on Tuesdays and Thursdays. HYSTERICAL!!! J&J love it.

Other than that, life is life. I'm gonna open up my Etsy shop next week. Been working really really hard on items all year. My goal is to earn $500 for J&J's Christmas and Roberto's Halloween. Think people will donate money to the Castle Fund? He needs about 20 more pieces of plywood. Those suckers are expensive at $8 a sheet.

Keep trucking, sister mine.

Love always, Sara


Howdy! I was thinking about my letter to you and I have so many things I would like to share. I was thinking about my accident and the close call that has just given me a new perspective. I have found myself thinking more about life and what is precious to me. I want to thank you for being the best sister anyone can ever have! I am truly blessed that Mom and Dad decided to give me a partner in crime.

The other day I was looking at childhood photos of me and in almost every picture you were right behind me. It is so funny to see me in those pictures with you peeking out from behind me. I know that it seemed at times that I shined with you in the shadows but no one would have ever seen me shine if I didn't have the sun reflecting on me. You are my sun and even though we are far apart physically, you are the best friend I have ever had.

With that being said I have to say with this blog, I have laughed hard and cried hard with each new insight into your daily life. I have to say that you are very talented! Your crafts and photos are wonderful. I think you should write a book of these blogs! I love the daily snippets on J&J and their hilarious adventures. They are a hoot and I laughed til I cried over James farting! A friend at work suggested those handy wipes may help break him of the "MOMMY come wipe my butt!" I enjoy the "talks" your kids have with me over the phone. I was sad to leave when I visited and James being worried that no one will watch them if I left got to me. I love them so much and always look forward to hearing from them! Maybe when you visit you can help plaster my wall with more pictures of you guys!

Roberto is entertaining as always. I watch his texts just to make sure its him as he always gives himself away by his spelling ;) I will never forget how you got me when I thought Roberto was texting me and it was YOU!! I should have known cause his spelling improved ;) I am glad Roberto told me to get my truck! I can not believe it took totaling my car to get a 2010 truck!

Anyways I have not heard from any of the siblings. Except I saw that Zach went into the military and Ben is doing better. I will be praying for Zach and hope he is safe wherever he goes. I heard of your visitor from McKinney and hope she is enjoying your blog. Ben wrote me and said hello and that he is doing well. I find it sad that with my accident I didn't get one call but from you. Of course I was strapped to the backboard in the emergency room and insisted on dialing the phone to call you. I didn't want dad to call you and you not be able to talk to me. I know you would have done the save a ho thing and been here in a heartbeat if there was something wrong with me. I am glad I have you babe.

Well I don't have anything funny happening in my life except the daily ribbing I get at work from my boss and coworkers. Every time I get off work I have someone saying not to wreck on my way home. I feel like that time I sprained my ankle in softball and they called me Hopalong the rest of the summer. I am not going to live the wreck down for a while :D At work they get my sarcastic dry sense of humor 70% of the time. That is why I appreciate that I have a sister that has the same sense of humor and gets it. I mentioned today to my coworkers that I was told I was an odd person. My boss told me that I am not odd, I am unique. I think I like his spin on things.

So my cats have joined me on the couch while I am typing this letter and Simba keeps looking at me like "ok mom, when ya gonna be done?" He even sighed! Simba, Nala and Pumpkin say hellow! This letter is longer than I anticipated but hope it was somewhat entertaining! I love you, J&J and heck even Roberto!

Thank you for being my sister and friend,

Love always, Janne

How to Change The Oil-Girl Style

First, bring supplies: Sweet Tea for the little ones. It is hot, dirty work changing oil. Isn't her grubby black hands and arms the most adorable thing?!

Round up helpers and give them jobs. Jesse's job was to talk to Daddy and get his tools.

James job was to inspect Jon's work.

Get the tools. Um, you are gonna need a ratchet, a couple of sockets, oil filter changing socket, oil catcher thingamajob, new oil, new filter and time.

Basically, find the place under the engine that caps the oil holding place, loosen the bolt holding the cap in place using your ratchet and socket, slide the oil catcher thingie under the hole, pull the plug and drain the oil. Now before you replace the oil, change the filter. It will be located near the oil plug and be around 3" around. Loosen it with the oil filter changing socket (yep, they make sockets for oil filters), slide the oil catcher under and pull the filter out.

Recap and replace the filter THEN add new oil. Don't forget to add new oil. You will kill your engine forever and ever, amen.

Or just take it to Penzoil and let those nice boys do it for you. :D

Peace and You Are Welcome! Two tutorials in one week!

Yarn Dyeing with Pro Chemical Acid Washfast Dyes

From Handy Hooker

Um, So I ordered a lot of bare yarn.

From Handy Hooker

Then I ordered a lot of dye.

Called into work sick one Wednesday. Took the kids to their childcare.

From Handy Hooker

Ran to the store for Saran Wrap, foil, styrofoam cups and ignored the M&M's on the shelf, telling myself I had homemade brownies at home.

From Handy Hooker

Emptied my laundry bucket full of detergent so I could have a rinse bucket.

Anyway back to dyeing preparation:

Plan one: Call a friend to come over to help/for companionship as I embarked on my first yarn dyeing experiment. Both friends were too busy 1. cleaning 2. spending time in their home. Trust me, girlfriends, bail every time on the cleaning.

From Handy Hooker

Plan two: Call my sister who was driving to Dallas. 2 hours of chitchat and I was good and ready to go. Janne even remembered a large 6 foot section of cardboard I had at the house and when she reminded me, I went and by golly it was exactly where she said it would be.

From Handy Hooker

Could not find gloves...Run to store for gloves.

From Handy Hooker

Whiz was my buddy for the day of yarn dyeing. Isn't he a cutie?!

So, I'm ready:

I played played played. All day.

From Handy Hooker

Hung my yarn in the trees in my front yard and loved every moment. Sniffed the yarn, petted the yarn and admired the yarn.

From Handy Hooker

Rainbow dyeing was by far the most labor intensive.

1. Soak the yarn in solution of synthranpol, vinegar and water for 30 minutes.

2. Lay out sheets of plastic on top of absorbent surface (I used cardboard)

3. Boil water

4. Put one cup of boiling water in each styrofoam cup. (The directions say to use glass. I didn't want to ruin my glasses. At some point I will allot glass jars for each dye color and keep them stored in the glass jars.)

5. Measure out powder dye. (The directions say to use a stainless steel measuring spoon. I used a regular silverspoon from my silverware drawer that had gotten caught in the garbage disposal and had some dings in it.) To measure, I'm not exact. I eyeballed each amount and dropped willy nilly. If you are more exacting, then don't do what I do.

6. Stir mixture really well to dissolve the dye powder. (Clumps will end up as darker spots on your yarn and it bugs me, so I stir really well.)

7. Use some sort of application process: Sponges, paint brushes, pouring, syringes, squirt gun...You get the idea.

8. Dye dye dye and Have FUN FUN FUN!!!

9. Heat set the yarn and dye. The directions say to wrap in saran wrap and bake in the oven for an hour. I used solar heat setting. We had 80/90 degree weather, so I laid the skeins out to hang dry in the sun for 2 days.

10. Skein up yarn and wrap in a pretty bun.

From Handy Hooker

Don't do what I did and dye your driveway blue:

From Handy Hooker

From Handy Hooker

Immersion Dyeing was the easiest:

1. Soak yarn the same as for rainbow dyeing. (in the synthranpol, vinegar and water for 30 minutes)

2. Fill up a stainless steel pan with 3.5 gallons of water.

3. Ad 165 mls of vinegar (12 tablespoons)

4. Toss in 1 tbsp salt.

5. Boil 1 cup of water in microwave.

6. Add dye to boiling water, stirring really really well. (see note above about chunks)

7. Add dye mixture to stainless steel pot.

8. Add soaked yarn, making sure the dye and yarn mix okay. (don't stir vigorously because you'll felt the wool).

9. Turn on stove to about medium (mine is on 5) and cook for an hour. You want the contents to get hot, but never boil.

10. Check on the mixture occassionally and after an hour most of the dye will have been taken up by the yarn. If the mixture is still pretty dye heavy, add 80 mls (6 tblsps) of vinegar and cook for another 10 minutes.

11. Take off heat and let contents cool.

12. Drain and hang to dry.

From Handy Hooker

Peace and BunBun, Spice, died in her sleep last night. Burial tonight at Grandpa's. Rest in Peace, baby girl.

Three Thing Thursday

Whiz is so patient with his little red-headed friend.

Why the frowny face, Guy?! Oh, that is your lip liner.



Saving discarded toilet paper rolls yields lots of fun times for BunBun, Joey!

Peace and I Dyed 18 Skeins of Yarn Yesterday! Woot Woot!

Flying Diamonds Shawl

Simple Knits offers this pattern for sale.

It is a wonderfully quick crochet project and the finished project is just amazing. I used a stiffer wool/nylon blend fingering weight bare yarn. The dye is sitting on my front table and the wheels are in motion to dye this baby deep red. I originally thought purple or maybe some fun stripes, but after considering the intent and possibly the recipient, the shawl would do best using a solid color in natural hues, instead of my preference of bright and bold.

Two finished projects in one week. What's a girl to do? I finished several other projects over the weekend, too. *SHSHHSH* I also cast on a fun dress for Jesse to wear her first day of preschool. Gotta get to knitting!

Peace and Happy Hookers!

B&P fishing at dusk

B&P fishing at dusk, originally uploaded by saraOH.

Fishing fishing fishing. It's what we have done this summer. J&J&J have seen many a sunset by the lake.

My Brain is Empty

Okay, first off, there is a finished project at the bottom of this post, of which I will be offering for sale in my Etsy shop when I open in September. Pricing makes me nervous, so please take a look and if you have thoughts on pricing, give me a shout out in the comments section.

James, Jesse and Jon went fishing on Friday the 13th. Ten hours of fishing. Of which Jon reported to me that James talked the entire time. Non-stop. If you have a talkative 5 year old then you know. Yes, you know. After 10 hours James declared on the drive home "My brain is empty. I have nothing else to talk about." The silence lasted 5 minutes.

They caught seven catfish in the 10 hours. SEVEN.

She is hardcore. See how she is holding it? It is to keep her from being stuck by the spiny things catfish have.

Now for my finished project. A toddler hat and capelette/poncho made out of Lambs Pride worsted weight Strawberry Smoothie yarn. The black is Red Heart Full O' Sheep worsted weight yarn. Both yarns are wool, with the Lambs Pride having a bit of mohair, that gives it a nice halo.

Jesse is a small 4T and the hat is tall enough to fold over the bottom, to reverse the pink and black look a bit.

The pattern is a free one, of which I'll have to add the link another day, but the hat is a Brownie hat, of which I have made several. Both quick easy patterns and both projects were worked up during one Saturday. Easy, pleasy, instant FO gratification.

It will be a nice warm covering for a little girl, with enough lacy texture to keep her cool while running around.

Peace and Love Motor Mouth Little Boys!

Mommy, Maybe God Will Throw a Baby in Your Tummy

Picture Circa Summer of 2005. My sweet little baby boy was still a gurgling mass of baby blob. Jon and I were attending a rehearsal dinner for our friends wedding. Little did I know, but I was pregnant at the time. Good thing I didn't drink. Or maybe I did. Pretty sure I even went to Kings Island and rode the roller coasters early in my pregnancy with Jesse.

Girlfriend turned out fine. See? Completely normal.

But this morning I got the dreaded question, "Mommy, where do babies come from?". It went down like this:

James: You know that itty bitty baby next door? She is soooooo cute!

Me: Hmmmhmmm (I'm tying his new shoes I got at Walmart for $7).

James: Where do babies come from?

Me: They are blessings from God.

James: Maybe God will throw a baby in your tummy, so we can have one.

Me: I don't think so, buddy. I already got two babies.

James: Maybe He'll throw 100 babies in there and you can have 100 babies!!!!

Me: I think I need more coffee. (Flashing to me having a litter of 100 babies)

Lord, please forgive my son for putting the thought out in the universe like that. He does not knoweth what he speaketh of.

Peace and My Kid is Gonna Screw With My Karma!

The Cape

We've been spending a lot of time at the park riding bikes. They go round and round, up and down the hills. I love it!

James had the tags still on his bike. Yesterday I took them off and he spend 45 minutes crying about me taking the tags off. His reason was that when I took the tags off, we were not able to tell what size bike it was. So I wrote the size on the bike using a Sharpie. After agreeing to it, he was okay, then he layed down for a nap and worked himself up again claiming that Meme would be mad I wrote on the bike.

I was telling Jon this story and I commented "He's so weird. He has to have things just so and in a certain order." To which Jon said, "Ahem." And pointedly looked at me. I guess I do the exact same thing about stuff. Jon says it has just become normal to them to work around my "issues". How is that for love?

And Jon solved James problem....the size is on the tire. Go figure and momma was worn out after all the wailing yesterday.

Jesse got a new hooded cape. The bottom hem is rolled in this picture, but a good washing and blocking and it'll stay down.

Here is the front lapel. (lapel?!) The cape is made using Lion brand Wool. Very easy to work with, great yarn and worked up quickly on a size 8 needle.

The hood with it's three-needle bind off. I love the three-needle bind off. It takes me some trial and error, but once I figure out how to lay the needles in my hands, it is a breeze.

Jesse with her red hair may never be a Little Red Riding hood (Ravelry link to pattern) material girl, but she sure is rocking the black. I've got an order from James to make him a blue one. Think I'll just make him a non-hooded cape.

Peace and Hope Your Weekend Was Wonderful!