It's also Spirit Day, so all the kids were encouraged to wear green. So, Calvin got a green faux hawk too. :)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Happy Leap Day!
Besides being Leap Day, today is also Calvin's half-birthday! We made snickerdoodle cookies last night for a half-birthday treat in class today.
It's also Spirit Day, so all the kids were encouraged to wear green. So, Calvin got a green faux hawk too. :)
It's also Spirit Day, so all the kids were encouraged to wear green. So, Calvin got a green faux hawk too. :)
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lunar Eclipse Tomorrow Night
There is going to be a total lunar eclipse tomorrow night! It is supposed to be visible from South America, most of North America, and Western Europe and Asia, as well as Africa. Click HERE for more information with times, etc.
The viewing time is perfect for us, with totality happening around 9 pm. Last time, it happened around 5 am, and even though I got up, I couldn't see anything. Hopefully it will be clear tomorrow night!
The viewing time is perfect for us, with totality happening around 9 pm. Last time, it happened around 5 am, and even though I got up, I couldn't see anything. Hopefully it will be clear tomorrow night!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentines
Happy Valentine's Day!
You know what that means, don't you? We've been working on making valentine's for the last 2 weeks. Last year we made these, this year we made woven heart baskets. These ended up being a bit more involved and difficult -- I did most of the work. Still, they are really cute, and most importantly, we had fun doing them. (I am thankful that we only had to do cards for Calvin's class. I guess in middle school you don't pass valentine's out anymore.)
I made a Flickr tutorial so that you can make your own sometime. (I also added the pix from last year's cards)
Now I have to go run to the grocery store to get a treat for the Valentine party, since my cupcakes are a failure (they are all sunken in the middle. weird).
You know what that means, don't you? We've been working on making valentine's for the last 2 weeks. Last year we made these, this year we made woven heart baskets. These ended up being a bit more involved and difficult -- I did most of the work. Still, they are really cute, and most importantly, we had fun doing them. (I am thankful that we only had to do cards for Calvin's class. I guess in middle school you don't pass valentine's out anymore.) 
I made a Flickr tutorial so that you can make your own sometime. (I also added the pix from last year's cards)Now I have to go run to the grocery store to get a treat for the Valentine party, since my cupcakes are a failure (they are all sunken in the middle. weird).
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Halfdome Hat
This past weekend my LYS had a sale. I went, to spend a gift certificate that my mom gave me, and ended up with the yarn to make Notre Dame De Grace, a sweater designed by Véronik Avery. (want to see my swatch? it's here)
Before starting yet another knitting project, I promised I would finish one. So, I finished up a Halfdome Hat for David. I started this in October, and decided to use the project to learn how to do Magic Loop. I learned I HATE magic loop. It sat, untouched, for about 3 months, because I didn't have size 5 dpns. Finally I bought some and have now finished the hat!
For you Ravelry members, my project page is here.
David loves it. He put it on right away, and didn't take it off until bedtime. Then, he put it on right when he got home after work last night, and didn't take it off until bedtime. I think we have a winner! I used Sublime Yarn's Cashmere Silk Merino DK, and knit the pattern in the round, like these instructions. This yarn is divine. It is so so soft, and David says it is very warm too. I eliminated the rolled edge and did ribbing instead. The hat itself is too tall (I started shaping at 4.5", and should have started at around 3-3.5"), but David just rolls the edge twice now. I really like the look of the raglan style decreases, and will definitely make this again. I needed to use just a bit of a 2nd ball of yarn, but if I had made the hat with the right depth, one ball would have been enough.
(we keep our heat fairly low, and David is bald, hence, he wears a hat in the house)
Before starting yet another knitting project, I promised I would finish one. So, I finished up a Halfdome Hat for David. I started this in October, and decided to use the project to learn how to do Magic Loop. I learned I HATE magic loop. It sat, untouched, for about 3 months, because I didn't have size 5 dpns. Finally I bought some and have now finished the hat!
For you Ravelry members, my project page is here.
David loves it. He put it on right away, and didn't take it off until bedtime. Then, he put it on right when he got home after work last night, and didn't take it off until bedtime. I think we have a winner! I used Sublime Yarn's Cashmere Silk Merino DK, and knit the pattern in the round, like these instructions. This yarn is divine. It is so so soft, and David says it is very warm too. I eliminated the rolled edge and did ribbing instead. The hat itself is too tall (I started shaping at 4.5", and should have started at around 3-3.5"), but David just rolls the edge twice now. I really like the look of the raglan style decreases, and will definitely make this again. I needed to use just a bit of a 2nd ball of yarn, but if I had made the hat with the right depth, one ball would have been enough.(we keep our heat fairly low, and David is bald, hence, he wears a hat in the house)
Monday, February 04, 2008
Superheroes!
Yesterday was the annual Music for Munchkins concert given by the high school orchestra. The theme this year was Superheroes.
I made this costume for the orchestra teacher. She was WonderWand Woman, and loved it! Not pictured are the gold vambraces I made. I also made a purple tunic and hat for The Green Goblin. The concert was wonderful, with evil villans (Green Goblin, Metroid, Mr. Freeze, and Syndrome) fighting with heroes (Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Elastigirl, Violet, and the orchestra's very own superhero: Stringman). Beautiful music was played, suspense, and action made for a great afternoon!
Calvin got to try out the instrument petting zoo. He wants to play the viola.
The boys did the crafts (masks, capes, face painting). Connor wanted to do them all, but didn't want to wear any of them. He insisted that Caleb wear whatever he created, and then was just distraught that Caleb wouldn't fly with the cape on. :)
I made this costume for the orchestra teacher. She was WonderWand Woman, and loved it! Not pictured are the gold vambraces I made. I also made a purple tunic and hat for The Green Goblin. The concert was wonderful, with evil villans (Green Goblin, Metroid, Mr. Freeze, and Syndrome) fighting with heroes (Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Elastigirl, Violet, and the orchestra's very own superhero: Stringman). Beautiful music was played, suspense, and action made for a great afternoon!
Calvin got to try out the instrument petting zoo. He wants to play the viola. 
The boys did the crafts (masks, capes, face painting). Connor wanted to do them all, but didn't want to wear any of them. He insisted that Caleb wear whatever he created, and then was just distraught that Caleb wouldn't fly with the cape on. :)