Plum Stitches

close, I think

I was trying to figure out this morning how much Phoebe looks like Chloe did at the same age. Chloe had much more hair, but they do look quite a bit alike (not sure why I never cut all that hair on top, but I didn't).  I'm an only child, so I have no point of reference for this.  Or for what it must feel like to have someone that looks like you in your life (aside from parents). 

A friend of my Mother's knit Phoebe the adorable sweater that she's wearing.  So nice to receive hand knit gifts from people!  Seems sometimes people are hesitant to give us hand knit gifts.  I guess they assume since I knit, why would they give us something? 

Phoebe's teething and Chloe seems to be going through a night terror phase, which has left us with many sleepless nights.  I'm beginning to really appreciate that morning cup of coffee.  Hopefully, this passes soon.  And as soon as this passes we'll be faced with some other challenge I'm sure.

Have a great weekend!

it still works!

Not that I thought it wouldn't, but it's been awhile since I've fired up my sewing machine.  I've had this material for awhile now and finally cut out a skirt for Chloe and a pair of pants for Phoebe.  I managed to finish the skirt this afternoon, probably more appropriate for the fall, but hopefully I've made it with enough room for her to grow into it.  The pants are still a work in progress.

The pattern I used is from Heather Ross' baby clothing class that I took at Purl Patchwork long ago.  Speaking of which, her book is about to come out!  Funny, I was just thinking about it the other day.  When I took the class she was in the process of writing the book and then out of the blue I received an e-mail from Purl saying that she would be doing a book signing this Saturday at the shop from 12-2pm for Weekend Sewing.  Check out her blog.  She's so fun AND she's from Vermont.  Great combination!

Another gift I'm slowly approaching completion on.  Key word is slowly.  I just love this yarn.  It's soft and squishy, a Suri Merino from Plymouth Yarn.


I've been experimenting, attempting to knit the Debbie Bliss patterns with minimal seaming.  There's been a good amount of frogging, but overall, I think I may have figured it out!!

Pattern is from Essential Baby, by Debbie Bliss.  It's the First Coat.

Oh, and check out Sue's Daisy Swing Coat.  Mine was a disaster, but her's is fabulous!

she can ski!

We spent the weekend in Vermont.  Not much snow, but we did manage to get Chloe out on skis and she really seemed to enjoy it!  These were starter Karhu cross country skis, that have the expandable binding and she can use a regular ski boot with them.  She should be able to use them another season or two and then they'll get passed on to Phoebe.  If we ever get a real snow storm again in New York, she could easily use them in the park around the corner.

I think I'm officially obsessed with the Orla Kiely for Target goods.  None of the Targets I've been to seem to have any of it!  Guess I'm a case study in how limited quantities turn someone into a maniac.  I love these tumblers  for outside in the summer,
and this tray.

I've been knitting like crazy, but also doing a good deal of frogging.  Trying to catch up on a few gifts.  Hopefully, I'll have something to show in the next few days.

On Saturday afternoon, as part of the Middlebury College Winter Carnival, there was a Chili Fest in downtown Middlebury.  I don't think I've ever seen it so crowded - looked like half the state of Vermont had shown up!  We bundled up and trekked out, although we didn't sample any of the chili.  We thought chili + a five hour car ride home that night wouldn't have been the greatest idea.

I've really been trying to limit Chloe's TV watching.  It's been a bit of a challenge with winter and Phoebe, but I do I find that the more she watches, the more she wants to watch. 

If I can make it until just before dinner and us e watching Curious George as a bit of reward at the end of the day, it seems to work best. 

Some days I'd love to push the TV into a closet and make it disappear for a bit.  I think I'd feel like I had a whole lot more time on my hands.  Maybe that's just wishful thinking!

dreaming of cherry bark

One day a week I get six hours to myself without small children.  Today, I helped a good friend with her wedding registry, kind of like shopping, but you don't spend any money.  You just get to dream about what you might buy... 

While we were in Bloomingdale's today, we wandered into the Michael Aram 'shop.'  When we lived in Hoboken his studio/warehouse was right across the street from our house.  We never realized who/what it was until they had a warehouse sale right before the relocated to somewhere in Bergen County.

I love this, something about it, that I can't put my finger on.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but it's made from oxidized copper that's supposed to evoke cherry bark.

After my dreamy six hours to myself, I came home to Sadie throwing up all over the house.  The poor dog!  You could tell she felt terrible about it as slunk over to the corner near the door.  I took her around the block, and without going into the gory details, she had some major issues.  Hopefully, it's over.

orla kiely for target

I read about this a few weeks ago in the New York Times.  Orla Kiely launched a collection of home products for Target, but I think in just a limited number of stores.  They do have a small selection on their Web site, but it seems to be mostly plates, etc.  I think what's left in the store is quickly vanishing!

I love the coaster and the apron/potholder.  Although, I'm not crazy about the apron/potholder color and am considering returning tme.  Check out the picture of the collection at Apartment Therapy.

Last week, I was very sad to hear about the demise of Domino magazine last week.   I was a HUGE fan!

More on the home front - I think this little Acorn Bird Apartment is adorable.  Every summer I say I'm going to make a gord bird house.  One year I even had the gords, but it didn't happen.

On the baby front - we've been 'trying' to get Phoebe on more of schedule.  I thought we might be able to stop the 10pm feeding.  That was a disaster.  We tried for three nights and it just hasn't worked, so we're attempting to get back on the old schedule of a 10pm feeding and then hopefully a 3-4am feeding.  Of course, if we ever do nail this down, she'll be on to another phase and we'll have to start all over again.  I suppose that's the beauty of being a parent, right?

Happy Friday!

another one!

Pattern:  February Sweater on Two Needles, Knitters Almanac, By Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn:  Berocco Ultra Alpaca, just one hank, purchase on our last trip to VT
Needles:  Size 7 circular for the yoke, size 8 circular for the body and edgings
Size:  3-6 months
Notes:  Again, I skipped the gulls lace pattern for this one.  I think it is pretty true to size for 3-6 month average baby.  Super quick to knit up too!

The beginnings of a Garter Stitch Matinee Jacket for Phoebe.

my little top chef

I took Chloe to a kid's cookie and cake decorating class at Made with Love.  Not surprisingly, she loved it!  She's been babbling on about the class and when she can go back again to cook some more food.

The cake was delicious.  'Was' is the key word here, it didn't last very long in our house.

February Sweater Modified

Pattern:  February Sweater on Two Needles, Knitters Almanac, By Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn:  Berocco Ultra Alpaca from my stash!  Just one hank
Needles:  Size 5 circular for the yoke, size 6 circular for the body and edgings
Size:  newborn
Notes:  I skipped the gulls lace pattern for this one.  This was my successful attempt  to make a newborn sweater, the others I've made have probably been for a 1-2 year old.  The only thing I wasn't happy about was the sleeve widths.  If I make it again with the same yarn, I would bump up the overall needle size to make it a bit bigger so the baby could grow into it.

It's cold, cold in these parts today.  I did manage to bundle both kids up and head over to my new favorite place in Jersey City, Made with Love to meet some friends.  This is a another great addition to our neighborhood, I'm especially fond of the apple cheddar scones.  I could sit in there and eat them all day!