Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair!

We all let our hair down this weekend to celebrate Paulina's 5th birthday.

All of the little ones were dressed in their best Renaissance regalia. They had a great time playing games such as dancing around the maypole and decorating their crown scepters.






I knitted a ballet warming up-kit for Paulina which is a cozy kimono sweater and legwarmers. I used Lion Brand, Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in Oatmeal and added hot pink accents with left-over yarn.



I have a few orders for these (hooray!) , so I better get to work.

Here is Paulina in her warm-up outfit. Perfect fit.






I also want to share a couple of things that my mom has made. She made this adorable Valentine's Day wreath for her front door. She crocheted heart pillows that she attached to this twig wreath. I heart hearts!

And she made these beautiful aprons for me, Cari and Viviana. She was inspired by some that we saw at my favorite store, Anthropology. She did a fantastic job. I love them!

Easy Weekend Projects

If you want quick and easy knitting or crochet projects, I have some for you:

Creamy Oatmeal Crocheted Scarf

The inspiration for this scarf was found on Ana Maria Horner's blog.





Yarn: 1 Skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman and 1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Oatmeal

Hook: US Size H/8

Instructions:
With Fisherman color, CH-153 stitches, turn.
Row 1: In 3rd chain from the hook, DC all the way across, turn.
Row 2: CH-3, DC all the way across, turn.
Row3: CH-1, SC all the way across, turn.
Row 4: Change color to Oatmeal and SL ST on top of first stitch *SL ST to next stitch, in same stitch: 2 DC, 2 TC, 2 DC, 1SC (this creates the little puffs), SL ST in next 2 stitches* Repeat between * * to the end, ending in a slip stitch. If you end in a puff, that's okay too. :-)

For the border: 2 SC in corner stitch, then on the short end of the scarf, you will crochet 2 SC on the sides of each stitch, 2 SC in next corner, then on the long end, you will crochet 1 SC in each stitch, 2 SC in next corner, 2 SC in sides of each stitch. SL ST to join the border and fasten off.

Weave in all loose ends with a yarn needle.


Coffee Mug Knitted Coaster

I found this pattern on Raverly but it was in Japanese! So I just winged it. I made this for my coffee mug at work. The end result was a little big (4" X 3.5") so if you want a smaller one, make the adjustments according to your yarn weight and needle size.


Instructions:
Small amount of left over medium weight yarn.
The size of your needles will depend on the yarn that you use.

I knitted this pattern in a garter stitch, bottom to top. To create the angled corners at the bottom of the mug, I made a bar increase at the beginning and ending of each row for the first 3 rows.

Cast on 15 ST, turn.
Row 1: Kfb, K13, Kfb, turn. Repeat for next two rows.
Continue knitting rows until you've reached desired height.
Cast off and weave in ends.

The mug handle was crocheted:
CH 19, turn.
DC in 3rd stitch from hook, then all the way across. Fasten and weave in ends then attach to mug.




Did you notice the dish the cookies are on? I found this dish at the cabin we stayed in on our trip to Big Bear. It was a stray dish among the other mismatched ones that were there. I couldn't believe it had the initial "S" on it. It is so beautiful. Luckily, the owner of the cabin lives downstairs and I was able to make her an offer for it. Two bucks later, the dish came home with me. I still have not figured out where to put it but it is going to go on one of my walls.



Swifer Sock

Say What? Yes, Swifer Sock. Cari sent this little project to me and I just knew I had to make one. If you are so inclined, the directions can be found here.

I'm so tempted to make other household utility items to match.





Happy Friday!
SC
xoxo

Good Morning, Day!

The other morning as we were getting ready for the day, Mateo pointed out the most beautiful sunrise peering out from our backyard. It was orange and purple and was just beautiful.

In a previous post, I wrote about being grateful for mornings because no matter how bad the day before was, the next morning always makes it seem better and is an opportunity to start afresh.

Each new day brings a new opportunity to make things good; to make peace with the world, and those you love; to work hard and be thankful that you can; to pray.

Each new day may also bring new sorrows that weren't there the day before.

And so it is with wonder and awe that I greet each day and what that day may bring.

But glorious sunrises like these can only mean good things.

I hope your sunrises are beautiful too!

Love,
SC
xoxo

Epiphany

Epiphany is the celebration of God the Son revealing himself as a human being in the Child Jesus Christ and it also celebrates the the Three Wise Men's visit to the Baby Jesus on January 6th.

On this day, we get together and enjoy a bread called King's Cake or Rosca de Reyes. The cake is a dense cake that is not too sweet and it goes really well with coffee or tea. Baked inside the cake are little plastic babies, which symbolize Baby Jesus.

Once the cake is sliced and served, the guests that get a slice with the baby in it must take the baby to church on Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day) on February 2nd to symbolize the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, then they must host a celebration and gather the guests again.

It is also tradition to have children leave a shoe outside and The Three Kings will bring gifts.

Speaking of shoes, can you guess who is in the red Converse Club?

Here they are:



I hope the Three Wise Men were good to you.

Sara
xoxo