update

I strayed from my list, but finished a few items on it. It's so easy to become side tracked. Does that happen to anyone else?

1. Almost finished Tea Leaves Cardigan
2. One pair of Easy Peasy Mitts
3. Holiday Traditions Exchange items
4. Baking and candy making
plus
5. Etched 4 sets of glasses
6. Completed a new photography series

And no, I didn't remember to photograph anything that I made before giving them away.

better late than never

I have a piece in the member show at the Berkeley Art Center Show. Come on by and check it out.

21 Days To Go...

To keep myself accountable, here is a list of projects to complete in the next 21 days.

1. Finish Tea Leaves Cardigan
2. Two pairs of Easy Peasy Mitts
3. Two Eleanor's Slouch Hat
4. Intersection Playmat
5. 15 Cloaks
6. Two pairs of pj bottoms
7. Holiday Traditions Exchange items

I know there is more, but I can't think of what at the moment. Maybe some brittle, fudge, or other yummy goodie

Like, Oh My God!

Like, Oh My God!, originally uploaded by jennifer noland.

It's a little late but I wanted to share how the 80's zombie costume came out. Trick-or-treating was a blast. They came home with brimming sacks and sugar highs.

I've been working on finishing up the Tea Leaves Cardigan that I started over Spring Break. Just one and a half sleeves and the center fronts to finish. If I can find time to work on it I should have it finished by the end of the week.

I joined the Holiday Traditions Exchange. Anie over at Sweetbug Farm has graciously taken over hosting the swap this year whileMeg, at Sew Liberated, attends to her pregnancy. I've received my partner and am filled with ideas to make. I'll narrow it down while I finish the cardigan.

for August

I just finished this costume for an almost 2 year old I know. He loves vehicles and what better way to show it than to be a road. I was reminded of a costume I saw a few years ago and then I came across others online, so I decided to make my own version. Not only does he get to wear cars, but they are attached with velcro so he can play with them all night.

what are the odds

friends, originally uploaded by jennifer noland.

I am starting to think that cats and deer really are friends. This is the second pair I've seen in a month. They just hang around together. I'm going to keep my eyes open, maybe I'll see them together all over the place. Let me know if you come across scenes like this.

Lassen Decompression

cinder cone, originally uploaded by jennifer noland.

The trip to Mt. Lassen was great. That said we encountered so much that caused us to rethink our expectations and chosen path.

It was beautiful when we arrived, but by the time we got into bed it had become cold. The sprinkles began sometime in the night. By the time we woke up the cold had settled and the wet weather decided to stay. We persevered and went on our hikes anyway. Cinder Cone was crazy. A mile and a half of black sand out to the base and then sand and pebbles all the way up. One step forward and two steps back. It's a wonder anyone made it at all. It hailed most of the hike back. We returned to camp to puddles, rain and some sleet. One of the parents took all of the wet sleeping bags to the laundromat.

The next day cleared up and was beautiful, but cold. Hiked to Bumpass Hell, played Capture the Flag, and then dealt with a broken arm. The ranger/paramedic came and splinted her arm, then a parent drove her to the ER in Redding. The rest of the kids had s'mores and we tried to bring back some normalcy to the trip.



The next morning we packed up, had a picnic at a lake and headed home. Forgot to mention it was 28 degrees that morning. All in all, a very successful trip. And as the teacher put it last night in our parent meeting, it is a good start for the coming year, a year that will be filled with the change of puberty. We have an idea of what we're in for, but in the end we need to stay open for all possibilities, because really, who knows what's coming for sure?

Off to Mt. Lassen

My girl saw this while she was away at camp. She wrote about it in one of her letters, and I laughed, but didn't quite believe it until I saw the photo. Guess it gets hot out there.

We saw this the other day. What could they be talking about? Do they hang out regularly? Have deer always done this, or are these new behaviors? Maybe I'll find out on this week's camping trip.

two down, one or two to go

Just finished these for a friend's impending baby. Now I just have to wait for the shower. That's not exactly true, I plan on making some more things, time permitting. Both of these patterns were found on Ravelry. The Stella Pixie Hat and the Top Down Bonnet with Anime Character.

Maybe a quilt or a soft book with pictures. Time to spend a day or two mulling it over. Besides, I have other things in the queue.

Sketchbook Project: 2011

My sketchbook came a couple of weeks ago. My theme is, Science project gone wrong. I've been contemplating. There are a few ideas forming that I've been trying out. We'll see how it all ends up. I'm sure it will be somewhere completely different than I originally thought.

This is a great project that is put on by the Brooklyn Art Library. I encourage everyone to check it out and participate, if you dare.

the package is in the mail

I just mailed off my package for the Flirty Apron Swap 11. Besides the apron, I added buttons from the 50's, ribbon barrettes for the 80's and re-usable snack bags for the future. I used a tutorial from Amy at angry chicken. Everything is handmade except the buttons.
On a completely different subject, we discovered a beautiful hiking spot in Sonoma County, Foothill Regional Park. This park is the quintessential Northern California landscape. Rolling hills covered with golden grass and dotted with old oaks. The hiking is easy to moderate and average about 3 miles.

finished

I hope my partner likes this. Now to figure out the extras.

I'll miss the little bugger

Two days to go until she's off to camp. Everything that's not from the garage has been compiled and labeled and is just waiting for the duffel bag from the garage. I'm putting off getting the bags and camping gear. It just seems too real and near that she'll be leaving for two weeks. What a great time though, going with three friends to backpacking camp. Tonight we'll finish packing and have tomorrow together.

not quite fishtail lace

The fishtail lace pattern is eluding me. I'm following the chart, but it doesn't look like it's supposed to and I'm not sure why. I can't imagine it will change much after a light blocking. I'm thinking the chart may be too narrow. Time for a swatch test.

new swap

Just joined Shawnee's Flirty Apron Swap. The theme this time is Back To The Future. I can't wait to see what comes out of this one. It should be a blast.

time flies...

abutalon and pansy, originally uploaded by jennifer noland.

I can't believe it's almost been a whole year. A lot has happened, but then again not so much. The year has been filled with work, some trips, school, friends, family and many projects.

My daughter wants to show off her latest drawing. It's amazing. She's adding to her list of talents; sewing, knitting, gardening, baking, crocheting, jewelry making and story telling.

I've been craving cupcakes all day. Tomorrow, I think I'll make my aunt's macadamia nut cake recipe into cupcakes. That cake is so delicious. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

I'm also going to start a hat for a friend's upcoming arrival. I found a really soft bamboo and wool blend. I'm using the Summer Chills Hat pattern over at Ravelry. If I don't get distracted I should have it finished by next week.