Top-Down Sample Socks - The Match!

Here are the matches to the Sample Socks posted HERE:

Here are the two completed pairs for Miss Teagan!

After completing two pairs of top-down socks, I must say that both ways are just as easy.  I'm glad that I learned both ways so I can make any sock pattern now! :)  Now I am ready to make a top-down pair for myself.

Supplies:
Pattern: Sample Socks from 2-At-A-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice #146 - Purple and #101 - Pink
Needles: US 4 on 47" Cables

Abigail's New Hope (Wayne County #1) by Mary Ellis

Summary from Good Reads: As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some of the hardest choices she has ever had to make. Despite all her efforts, the young mother dies'but the baby is saved.

A heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail as the investigation begins, and the possibility of prison and separation from her husband, Daniel, and young children looms. Abigail's younger sister, Catherine, comes to care for the home and kinner while Daniel works in the barn and fields. Catherine makes a difference in all their lives, but in return her life is completely changed. She meets Daniel's cousin Isaiah, and an unexpected birth of another sort takes place in Wayne County.

A deeply moving look at some of life's most tender and rewarding moments from beloved author Mary Ellis.

Abigail is a midwife in Wayne County.  One night she gets a phone call that will change her life.  She did everything she could to save Ruth Fischer but to no avail.  Nathan Fischer is now left to raise little Abraham on his own without a mother for his son.  But the local sherriff believed that Abby was responsible and ends up in jail for several months.

During her time in jail, Abby's sister Catherine moves in to help Daniel with the children and the household chores.  Although Catherine is not Abby, after some time, the family adjusts to living with her including Daniel's cousin who lives in a cabin in the woods.  Cat, as Isaiah calls her, yearns to help him since he is secluded from the Amish community because he deaf and never learned to read, write or talk.  They build a unique friendship that helps both of the become stronger people in the long run.

This is the first book that I read from Mary Ellis and I really enjoyed it!  She is a wonderful writer who develops her characters thoroughly.  They are all easy to love!  I will be reading more from her in the future including the next book in this series, A Marriage for Meghan, which is coming out later this year.

My First Monster

Okay, I finished one of my two pairs of socks so I thought I would take a break and make my first monster!  Here it is:

Here he is getting some sun while sitting on a rock in our front yard on Sunday afternoon!

He is also getting along well with the animals in my house.  He is taking a break with Simba on the front deck!

I'm so glad that I finally got to make a monster!  I have been wanting to since I bought the book last month.  It took great restraint to not make one until now.  There will be many more of these in the future!!!

Supplies:
Pattern: Monster Chunks by Rebecca Danger (Ravelry Free Pattern)
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Cream #01740 - Hot Pink & #19739 - Over the Rainbow
Needles: US 5 on 40" Cables
Accessories: 6 mm Black Safey Eyes, White Embroidery Floss

Paprika Socks #2

I finally completed my second pair of paprika socks!

I made these a little bit shorter.  I did 6 more rows of knit stitches after finishing the heel before I added the 2x2 ribbing.

Supplies:
Pattern:  Beginner Toe Up Socks for Magic Loop by Liat Gat from KNITFreedom
Yarn: Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Weight #1389246 - Paprika
Needles: US 2 (2.75mm) with 47" Cables

Candle in the Darkness - Lynn Austin

Summary from Good Reads: Book 1 in the Refiner’s Fire series. The daughter of a wealthy slave-holding family from Richmond, Virginia, Caroline Fletcher is raised in a culture that believes slavery is God-ordained and biblically acceptable. But upon awakening to the cruelty and injustice it encompasses, Caroline’s eyes are opened for the first time to the men and women who have cared tirelessly for her. Her journey of maturity and faith will draw her into the abolitionist movement, where she is confronted with the risks and sacrifices her beliefs entail.

Caroline Fletcher and her family have always had slaves.  When her mother passes away and her father sends her to live with some relatives in Philadephia for a couple of years, she learns abolition.  She became very involved with abolitionists and when she returned to Richmond, it was hard to discuss her beliefs with anyone from the South.  Then after meeting her fiance, Robert, he goes to war as a Confederate to defend the abolition.  He is at war for four long years.  Caroline has to learn to live in constant worry about Robert while battling her personal feelings.

I read this book after reading Fire By Night.  Although I read them out of order, all three books could easily be read separately.  I thought Caroline was a very strong woman.  She stood by her beliefs amongst a community that did not agree with her.  Her family's slaves were more than slaves to her, they were her family with feelings too.  When times got rough during the war, Caroline had her slaves to protect her and help her through a difficult time.  I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the War and life during those times.

Chemo Cap #4

Here is another Chemo Cap using striped yarn:

I started this on Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend.  I wanted a project that I could easily knit without referring to a pattern while hanging out at camp.  Then I finished it last Thursday when I was home with no power after the tornados.

Supplies:
Pattern: Knit One Chemo Cap
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Cream Stripes - #21143 Ocean Tides
Needles: US 9 with 40" Cables

Jake's Birthday Card

Here is a birthday card that I made for a co-worker:

Since the wedding card from yesterday used the envelope from the wedding invitation, I thought I would recycle some pieces from Jake's birthday invitation.  She was very pleased with my creative border and words on this one!

Supplies:

Stamps: Unity Stamps - Distressing Dots Background (Retired), Papertrey Ink - Big Birthday Wishes (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White, PTI Summer Sunrise, PTI Dark Chocolate, Border & Words Recycled from Birthday Invitation

Ink: PTI Burnt Umber

Accessories: Cuttlebug, PTI Numbers Die

Wedding Card

Here is a wedding card that I made for a co-worker:

The background for this card was the tri-fold envelope that the wedding invitation came in.  I just hope the bride will notice it right away because you know the groom won't!  LOL!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up - All Year Cheer III, JustRite Times Roman Letters
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, SU Wild Wasabi, Background Paper - Recycled from Wedding Invitation
Ink: PTI Burnt Umber
Accessories: Cuttlebug, PTI Notebook Die, Distresser

Tornado Destruction

On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, Western Massachusetts was hit with several EF3 tornadoes.  Thankfully, our town was saved but the two surrounding ones, Monson and Brimfield were destroyed.  Here are some pictures:

These things aren't supposed to happen in New England.  Please keep the families affected by this disaster in your thoughts and prayers as they rebuild their lives!

Top-Down Sample Socks

Here is my first pair of top-down socks:

I made these following the directions from the book listed below.  I am glad that I had some sock knitting experience before attempting to knit these.  I have a feeling that if I tried this way first that I would have been confused and possibly frustrated.  I am very happy with how these came out!

Now I'm off to make the matches for them!

Supplies:
Pattern: Sample Sock by Melissa Morgan-Oakes from 2-At-A-Socks
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids #64020 - Pink & #63901 - Purple
Needles: US 4 on 47" Cables