How adorable is this sweater?

Go see this clever replication of a $112 Anthropologie sweater. You won't believe how cute the recreation is nor what it cost her to make it!!!

And you can enter her contest to win it!!!

Pumpkin Hat

A friend of mine is newly pregnant and I wanted to make her a little something to celebrate but she doesn't know yet whether the baby is a boy or girl. I don't like "unisex" presents so I decided a pumpkin hat was in order and good timing since the baby is due in August. He / she will be ready for a Halloween hat in no time!

There are many free pumpkin hat patterns out there but I used the one from Itty-Bitty Hats by Susan Anderson (awesome book; I highly recommend it). Lion Brand CottonEase for the yarn (of course!); the orange is the old version and the green and taupe are the new version. More details at Ravelry if you're interested.

A Must Read

I just finished a fantastic book. The first book I would rate a 5 out of 5 in several years. I'm never very good at summarizing a book so I will rely on Amazon's description:

" Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. "

The author of this book, Greg Mortenson, is an incredible guy. He is surely a contender to win the Noble Peace Prize someday.

Testing Testing

1...2...3...

(just checking on Blogger)

Friendship Scarf

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I needed a better name for this scarf than simply 2x2 rib scarf as I originally named it on Ravelry. I purchased the yarn while visiting Allison. In fact, she purchased the same yarn in a different color. Every time I wear the scarf, I know I'll think about the nice afternoon we shared so I thought Friendship Scarf would be perfect.

Speaking of friendship AND Allison, look at the cute little thing she sent me last week. By her own admission, she is a wee bit obsessed with making these little stockings and she is trying to convince me to join her. After seeing how cute this is, she might have me hooked!

Cabin Fever - it's a good thing!

We got more snow yesterday. Another 6-10" depending on who you believe. This was the fluffy powdery stuff that is easy to shovel so I was happy! The dogs like running around in it although they get cold fast and run right to the fireplace when they come in.


Due to the weather and family car issues (why do they all have to break at the same time?!) I have worked at home for five of the last eight days, which saved me 1.5-2 hours commuting time each day. Not to mention that I haven't gone anywhere for several snowy evenings. As a result, I have accomplished a lot on various sewing and knitting projects. Not a lot to show yet though; still finishing up several things.

But I did want to post this super easy and adorable project that I made for my brother and SIL's new baby born a week ago. It's a variation of the tied edge fleece blankets but a lot cuter in my opinion. It's round and the edges are "bunny ears." The pattern / directions are in a book called Nancy Cornwell's 90 minute Fleece projects. I bought this book just for this pattern and it really did only take 90 minutes. Maybe less. I used a plain white polar fleece for the back but the front is this so-so-soft "cuddly fleece" from JoAnn's. Thanks for the inspiration, Stacy!