Still Here...

Yes, I know it's been quite a while, but I'm still here. But not much knitting has been done since I finished the XO Cardigan from Vogue Knitting Winter '09/'10. I've been spending most of my days working and then the nights on a baseball/softball field.
But I'm planning on some baby stuff (no, not for me), for my oldest teacher is having a baby in the summer and if I don't start now, I'll never get anything done! Besides, baby knitting is very portable and shouldn't really take me all that long (I would hope)!
So...until I check back in, hope everything is well with everyone and I'll be back soon!

Update

Ella sleeping on the couch in the sun. {January 2010}

Well, it seems like the days have just been flying by. Both my little-ones are fully immersed in their respective spring sports (ie: softball and baseball), which means I'm spending at least three days a week on separate fields, and varying times, too, of course. And because it's still cool at night here, I'm able to wear my hats! Yeah! I'm very proud of my older one who is on a team of 11/12 year olds, with his coach from the fall and a bunch of the boys from that team too. He loves to play and it's fun to watch them at this age. They all are so young, but yet hitting that age where they desperately want to be independent. The LittleOne's softball team has a lot of girls she know, which rarely happens in her league, but makes it fun for her (and me, 'cause there's other moms to talk to!).
I'm still trying to finish my x0 cardi. I'm almost done with the sleeves and then it's the seaming and the small collar. So, not too much more left to do. The end is in sight. But, of course, I have another project lined up to start as soon as it's done. (I just picked up the yarn on Thursday.)

Wait...It's Still February!

The mountains behind my house in the clouds!

Wow! Time really flies! I mean, I know that it does when you're busy, but, Wow, it's really flown this month (seems like I say that all the time, now, doesn't it?). Anyways...I've been working on my XO Cardi (from Vogue Knitting) and am at the sleeves. My goal is to finish the sleeves, doing both at once, today, block tomorrow, and seam by Wednesday/Thursday. I also made an armando hat--check this one out! I like it a lot better than it's sister the amanda hat!
This week is Rodeo week here, so the kids don't have school at the end of the week. Out here the Rodeo is a big thing! It's 85 years of tradition! Also, we've got our spring sports starting this week, both mine play baseball/softball, and true practices start this week. But wait...you say...winter's still here. Yes, but out here we rarely get snow, more rain this week, and the kids can play with sweatshirts on and they're fine 'cause they're running around; I, however, freeze, but wear my lovely collection of hats (armando, owl hat, beanpole beanie, utopia, and stella's hat) to name a few! So...if I don't check-in in the next couple of weeks, it's because the Cactushousehold is back living on sports fields! {I'll try to post my fo when I get there!}

Two Knits and a BobCat

This bobcat and baby were right outside the fence the other day! Ella was very curious. The link here: bobcat, shows a better picture of one. These two roam the wash behind the house and sometimes are where I walk Ella in the morning. Quite scary up close! Not too bad with a fence in between!

The Oldest's new Winter hat. He picked out the yarn himself. {sorry it's sideways, didn't realize until ituploaded} I did follow the pattern as written, but when he tried it on, it was way too big, as it lenght-wise. So...I did what any knitter would do, I ripped back to where it would fit him, and re-did the decreases for the top. Fits him better and works great under his bike helmet in the mornings when he rides to school.

And my Owl sweater! I love this. It looks more pink here, but it's actually red. I did make the s/m size, I wanted it not as fitted and the sleeves, of course, are longer. I tried to put a hood on it, but didn't like the way it was looking, so I made it per the pattern.
More pictures to follow (most likely tomorrow)!

February Already!

Oh, my! It's February already! What happened to January? It went by like the flash!
I have finished some things, but haven't uploaded the picts yet (you know me, it takes me a while to do that), but I should have pictures of my red owl sweater later today, and a hat that I made for my friend and the knotty but nice hat and the hat I made for the oldest to wear under his bike helmet. I also started the xo cardi from Vogue Knitting Winter 2010. It was too cute to pass up. And acutally a quick knit. (and yes, I'm going to do the 3/4 sleeves as written)
Life's been busy. The oldest has projects upon projects from Jan and due in February. Also, the spring sports start this week. The youngest has softball, oldest baseball, so I'll be running for the next five months!
So...hopefully later today, there will be some pictures for you!
{sorry about all the links, but I wanted you all to have an idea of what these things look like--all ravelry links, too}

Cowl Update.

Yes. It works, no unwinding! And it's warm! And it's pink!

Not-So Dark Cowl

Finished this Darkside Cowl yesterday. It was a great and quick project. I think it only took about four days. What prompted a cowl, you ask? Last Friday morning I was walking Ella and the wind was so bitterly cold (yes, for the AZ desert is was--your blood thins out, you know), and I said to myself, you need a cowl. I do have a scarf that I wear, but...hmmm...how do I put this...you doggie moms will know what I'm talking about here...when you have to pick up the doggie poop (they all do it) the scarf seems to unwind and, well, you know....so, anyways, hopefully problem solved here.

Pattern: Darkside Cowl.
Yarn: Cascade 220 wool in pale pink (had in stash and have about 1/4 of a skein left).
Modifications: None. I did do three reps and then rows 1 and 2 of the pattern.
Now these are, of course, two more dumpling bags. I made them for my mom and MIL for Christmas, and just now (sorry) uploaded the picture. The blue one is for my mom and the pink my MIL. Both use Cascade 220, the blue is a heather which felted differently than the non-heathered, but came out just as nice.

Hope everyone has a great second week of the new year! {Going to get a new mouse and keyboard today, this one is sticking quite badly.}

1:35pm AZ time: got new keyboard and mouse---much, much, much better!