Handmade Goods

Hi Knitters,

I've got the goods to share today. Above is my newly finished embroidered pillow fresh off my sewing machine. I bought the kit from someone you know. Her shop is up top on the sidebar of her blog. If you look at the pillow you can most likely guess who designed it. It looks like something she would have on the couch in her farmhouse. This was a quick, fun and simple project. BTW, I got the last one of this particular kit but there are others.
Here are some more fresh goods to share. This is my swap hat that came in the mail last week. I love the subdued, heathery colors, the sweet embroidery and the swirly, curly squiggles on top. Speattle (ravelry name) is the maker of my gorgeous gift. She organized the entire swap and did a wonderful job.
Speattle also knitted me this potholder. I love it. No one ever knits for me so when I get a rare knitted gift I get pretty excited. I appreciate all of the effort. Thank you.
Last but certainly not least, my nephew celebrated his 6th birthday and we hosted a family party for him. He's so much fun and he keeps me entertained plus he's pretty cute. He's our youngest cousin and he's getting old. That really stinks. What can you do?

Oh no, that wasn't the last, last thing. I have to tell you that I adore this blog so much and I have never really expressed this adoration. This woman is wonderful and talented. I don't hop on her blog often but every time I do visit I stay for a long time. When my time is done I always leave feeling better for it. I don't have her book and she has a new book coming soon but I will be getting both. She has definitely got the goods.

Take care, Knitters. Wednesday has come and almost gone. Let's make the rest of this short week filled with your own handmade goods.

best, susie

p.s. Okay, I have one more thing I keep forgetting to share. Look at the second version of this hat, it's even cuter than the first which I shared awhile ago. Triple love it. Talk about a winner!

Aftermath

Hi Knitters,

Today I am swirling around in the aftermath of a busy, busy friend and family-filled weekend. The laundry is out of control, the kitchen is beyond repair, the house is in disarray from lots of family and friends passing through all weekend. This is all a minor precursor to what the summers are like around here. With the kids getting older there is just more of everything, in and out, friends, cars, bikes on the lawn, wet towels from swimming, work schedules, eating, eating and more eating... 

Even with the craziness, it just gets better and better every year with these kids. They are funnier, more independent, busier and more interesting as time goes by. It is more work now than when they were babies for sure. You think when your kids are babies that things will get easier but let me warn you, there is no reprieve. It is simply different and often more worry-filled. Things aren't so simple any longer. I am on my toes!

On to knitting business, all 3 of the winners of the Spud and Chloe yarn and Sweet Pea Hat pattern have contacted me. The yarn and patterns will go out in the mail this week. Congratulations again and thanks to everyone who participated.
I finished up my hat for the first Hat Swap in the Itty-Bitty Knits group on Ravelry. This one has already been sent off to Canada where my swap partner lives.
I threw in the rest of the yarn and a little ornament string of candy in the package. All of the yarn was brand-new and wound just for this project so she could get a couple more striped hats out of the lot. I hope she enjoys it. I received my hat from Washington late last week. It is a wonderful version of the Rainbow Marley hat, quite different looking. I love it and will take a photo to share when I get a chance. My swap partner also sent me a knitted potholder to boot. It's so sweet. What a fun experience this has been.

I have already signed up to participate in the next hat swap. The group is using the Ribbons hat from Itty-Bitty Hats as the next pattern (the pattern for the Rainbow Marley hat is in this book, too). I can't wait to see the variety of hats people come up with. Please join in if you are interested, it's easy and fun. Here is the link!
I have to share one of The Collector's recent art pieces that she made at school in art class. This is so cool. She took a brown paper grocery sack and wrinkled it up until the paper became soft. Next she ironed the paper flat. She used crayons to color the picture and pressed really hard with the crayons while coloring. The color is so vibrant. She outlined her drawing with a black marker. I love the leathery looking background against the bright red cardinal and leaves. This one's a keeper.
The Collector also had a square of fleece and had used part of it to sew a little purse. She kept asking if we could make a bunting out of the leftovers for one of her baby dolls. In fact, for a couple of days she kept holding up her baby to me while she whispered, "Bunting. Bunting. Bunting." It was pretty funny and she was relentless. Eventually, I found a minute to help her cause.

I have learned to use my sewing machine over the last couple of weeks thanks to my sister. I will share my sewing accomplishments so far later in the week. I pulled out my pins and scissors and used the baby to measure the fabric. I whipped up the easiest baby bunting ever within a matter of minutes.
The results? Baby in a Bunting. That's what we're calling this design.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. I have to get this week going right now. It has to happen but I am dragging.

best, susie

Spud & Chloe Winners!

Hi Knitters,

Phew. That was unbelievable. I could hardly keep up these past couple of days. I am going to be short and sweet because I have a tennis potluck to run off to in a couple of minutes. However, I do have some very exciting news. The founder of Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud and Chloe was so touched by your outpouring of excitement that she raised the roof just for you. I am so excited about this.

Instead of 1 winner, I got to select 3 winners!!! I used a random number generator I found on this site to come up with the three numbers for the winners. I also included the 31 email entries I received in the drawing (not everyone is able to leave a comment for various reasons:). The first winner will get the 3 skeins of Spud and Chloe yarn and the printed out Sweet Pea Pattern. The second and third selected winners will each get the same 3 skeins of yarn and an emailed pdf of the Sweet Pea pattern. This is because the printed out pattern is my last copy so I don't have any more to send. The pdf patterns will have to do instead.

You all have until Tuesday, May 26th (extended due to the holiday weekend) to email me your mailing address. If I don't hear from you by Tuesday by noon central time, I will select a new winner in your place. My email is always on the sidebar.

So here it goes!

Winner #1 is Linda in Maine!!! 

Winner #2 is Nancy in Carmel!!! 

Winner #3 is Heather L. at BlackBerryRambles!!!

Congratulations!!!

Now, if you are really disappointed that you didn't win let me point you to another Spud & Chloe yarn giveaway that is going on through the weekend. Take a look here and enter away!! You never know what may happen. Good luck.

Here's a behind the scenes peek at some of my antics earlier today for my new blog. I won't show my feet on the new blog that's just for home. Be sure to sign up to subscribe.

Oy, I need a nap after all of that. It was fun, fun, fun under the sun. It was real, it was cool, it was real cool. I hope and know that you will love your new yarn. You are the most awesome crowd I could ever hope to hang with. Thank you, dear Knitters, you made my week. Totally.

Have a super-duper weekend filled with family and love. I'm out like a light.

best, susie

Meet Spud & Chloe in Person

Hi Knitters,

I mentioned last week or so that I have a new job. I am now working for Blue Sky Alpacas, specifically for their new yarn and pattern line called, Spud and Chloe. My new job is just perfect for me. I have been hired to write and create the Spud and Chloe blog! Plus, I have been hired to design and write free patterns for the blog, new and fresh free patterns every month! Basically, the new blog for the Spud and Chloe website is my new baby. I have so much fun stuff planned I can hardly contain myself. Please hop over to the site and sign up for the newsletter (which will be my blog posts packed with fun stuff and free patterns and shop spotlights and then even more fun stuff) if you are interested, of course. The site is here.

The owner of Blue Sky named the line after her friend's sheep after they were introduced to her as Spud and Chloe. Those names stuck with her and in turn she has created Spud and Chloe, the most spectacular, comprehensive yarn line and support line I have ever seen. The key is that it is simple, 3 different weights of yarn, the best colorways ever and beautiful, fun pattern support. Blue Sky been a longtime favorite of mine but Spud and Chloe has shown such a fresh and original take on yarn and knitting that I am blown away. I hope you will join me in this new adventure, it's going to be a good one. 

Spud and Chloe is striving to be inclusive of all types of knitters, young, old, in between, new, experienced and intermediate. Everyone! Kids, too! The yarn is exquisitely made from all natural materials (superwash wool and organic cotton) and it has that wow factor that is indescribable. You have to witness the yarn in person. You just have to squish, smell, smoosh in your fingers, rub on your cheek, well, you get the picture.

With that being said, I am so proud to give you a sneak peek and a chance to win some Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn, 3 skeins. The Sweater yarn is worsted weight, washable 55% wool, 45% organic cotton. It is the squishiest, softest, most fantastic yarn and you are going to love it.
I selected these colors for you because I am also throwing in a special printed version of my pattern, the Sweet Pea Hat. This is my top selling pattern. The pink, blue and green are perfect for this hat. Each skein has 160 yards, that's generous. You don't have to knit the hat, there is plenty of yardage for other things, too.
The tags are so cute that you'll want to hang on to them (or maybe that's just me). To enter the contest just leave a comment and only one comment. Please leave some sort of identifying something in your comment (name, location, blog name, etc.). I will randomly select a winner on Friday, May 22nd. This contest is going to go on for only a few days so enter right away. I will post the winner on the blog this Friday and then the winner will have two days (through Sunday) to contact me with a mailing address. Easy-peasy, right?

It is exciting because this yarn is not even being launched until June 12th at TNNA. You will be getting a jump on your Spud & Chloe knitting before the shops even get the yarn.

Good luck to you all. I know you are going to love Spud & Chloe as much as I do. I hope you join me, I'll miss you if you don't. By the way, I will continue on here, at Susan B. Anderson, just the same as same can be. I have things to say and tell you here and I can't leave this spot. 

Okay, enter away!

best, susie

My Kind of Knitting Circle

Hi Knitters,

Last Friday I had some of the Girl Scouts over after school for a bit of knitting time together. They had me laughing the entire time. What a group. We were sitting just like you see above and all of a sudden one of the girls said, "Are we having a knitting circle?" The girls looked around, made a few adjustments and we became a literal knitting circle. They made everyone touching in the circle somehow. See my foot on the table is touching the girl's yarn on the bench? And be sure to note the last girl on the couch, her toe is touching the girl's toe on the love seat. They were so happy about the fact that we actually were a knitting circle. It really made me laugh. My son got home from school as we were completing our circle and I made him take a picture to commemorate. 

Too good for words. I loved it. I don't know if they knew that you don't have to be in an actual circle or not, it just happened. Believe me, I will never tell them the truth. It was so much fun.
Then The Collector starting playing some Jack Johnson music (her favorite) and the girls just loved it. The Collector threw down a blanket and yelled out, "Blanket knitting!" They all jumped up from our circle and squeezed onto a tiny blanket with their knitting. Dancing was included. They continued knitting the entire time.

See the little blonde, she's my "smart cookie" from last time. She got up and along with dramatic movements quoted, "If at first you don't fricassee, fry, fry a hen." It was so funny. She told me it was from Caddie Woodlawn. She also told me it was a direct take on, "If you don't succeed, try, try again." Loved that. I love that saying, it's all true.

Too good for words, again.
Even with all of the silliness we got one more hat completed for donation and a lot of knitting done by the others. The finished hat is another beauty. This little sweetheart finished her hat right up and donated it to charity. Doesn't she look proud? That's hat number seven for the group. I am sending off three hats this week for charity from our troop.

This has all been so incredibly cool and fun. I hope to keep them going. I think I enjoy it more than the girls. Aren't they cute?

What a week I have scheduled ahead. Why does May get so crazy every year? When I look at my calendar there is so much stuff written in that it makes my head spin. There isn't a blank day in the month. Yes, I keep an old-fashioned calendar in my kitchen where we actually hand write things in. I am not a good calendar person at all. I write things down and then I forget to look. I'm afraid it will never change for me.

Oh well, off into Monday I go. Hope you are all in for a good and busy week, too.

best, susie

p.s. Hey, I'm going to Tnna! I just found out last week. I'll tell you more about what I am doing there soon. I am so excited to go and I hope to see some of you in O-hi-o.

How to Weave in Ends Tutorial

Hi Knitters,

I had my son video me as I wove in the ends on a Rainbow Marley hat from Itty-Bitty Hats. You will see how quickly and easily this can be done!

best, susie

The Collector & Me

Hi Knitters,

This isn't a knitterly post but rather a springtime post. The Collector and I ventured out earlier this week with the camera in tow to the nature conservation park only a few blocks from our house. We love it there. 

Actually, last summer they added three large ponds to the park and I have a feeling that we will end up spending a lot of time by these ponds this summer. The Collector wanted to make a beeline for the ponds the minute we walked into the park. I hope you're up for lots of photos because that's what I have for you today.
Rambling open paths...
footprints under the water that tell a story....
secret entryways...
reflections of fluffy clouds painted on a pure blue sky...
never take the easy path...
tiny black tadpoles swimming under the water...
big trees bursting with buds...
dandelion heaven...
bumpy old bark...
twisty little vines waiting to be untwisted...
a smattering of violets, white and purple...
rules to be read...
a hidden ancient park...
with the best old rusty teeter-totter (complete with a car tire bumper)...
dried out wheat grass blowing in the wind...
and a fairy ballroom waiting to come to life.

The Collector in her glory.

Happy spring!

best, susie

Hat Fest

Hi Knitters,

Elizabeth (ChickWithSticks on ravelry) posted this picture of her granddaughters wearing Bunny Tail hats (the pattern is in Itty-Bitty Hats) that she knitted for them this spring. They are in California. I wrote her that I need some of those for my lawn! How incredibly cute. Thanks, Elizabeth, for sharing your family and knitting.
I have two more hats from my Girl Scout knitters. This girl scout is a fast and furious knitter and completed her hat in an instant. She donated her hat to charity along with one more from The Collector.
The Collector finished this hat and I helped her with the point on top. Doesn't it look like an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen? She loved the subtle, heathery stripes. This yarn is Encore Colorspun #7333 and it is really nice. 

These two hats (we have donated 6 hats so far) are being sent to Indiana to an organization that helps and supports mothers by offering activities and classes. When the moms attend and participate they earn coupons for free stuff, like diapers for example. I learned about this charity through the Itty-Bitty Knits group monthly charity knitalong. I have to get these sent off to Indiana within the next couple of days.
Here is my Rainbow Marley hat that now just needs the marley topper. I made this one for the Hat Swap I signed up for. You can still sign up through May 16th if you are interested in joining. After you sign up you have until June 16th to make your hat so there is no rush.

Here is one more cute girl in a knitted hat. This one is the Baby Slouch made for an older child. I think it turned out great. I get so many photos and links from knitters sharing their projects and babies and children. I wish I could post them all but do know that I love to see what you are doing with your needles. Keep it coming.

Okay, Knitters, I have a lot on my plate today as I am sure you all do, too. Seize the day!

best, susie

What's New?

Hi Knitters,

My son and I have been working on setting up a new shop for my blog patterns. I am getting so many patterns on my sidebar that it is starting to get a bit jumbled. I have a bunch of new patterns on the horizon so now is the time to make the jump. 

We took some of my original watercolor paintings that I had made for Itty-Bitty Hats. As you may have noticed, they didn't get used in the book. I love these tiny watercolor paintings and have always wanted to find a place for them. I had a painting for each hat so I have books of paintings.
I decided to put them in the logo for the new Susan B. Anderson shop.
You'll recognize the hats in the paintings from the book. The ladybug hat was supposed to be in Itty-Bitty Hats but didn't make it in the end.
The watercolors were scanned and dropped into a collage-type header.
Here is the new logo and here is the link to the new shop. It features all of the patterns from my sidebar and an add to cart feature. Now you can order as many patterns as you'd like all in one order plus it is easier to view all of the patterns at once. It's way better all-around. I am going to be adding a few new items and a new pattern in the upcoming week as well. I will be cleaning up my sidebar and putting a permanent link to the new shop on the sidebar.
And now I am unveiling my newest washcloth pattern, Sweet Pea. Wouldn't this be cute with a matching Sweet Pea Hat for a new baby? You could make in the lighter green and blue or pink peas to go with the hat. The Sweet Pea washcloth is textured which is extra good for scrubbing power. As soon as I get the pattern typed up I will get it in the new shop, hopefully in a few days.

The best part is that I can have sales and special offers now on the shop. With that being said, this week I am having a 20% off sale on all of my patterns to celebrate this new addition to my blog. All you have to do is type in: GRANDOPENING (all one word and all caps) in the code box and 20% will be discounted from your total. The sale will end next Sunday, May 17th. I am still personally emailing out all of the patterns (they are attached pdf files to the email) so please be a bit patient in receiving your order. It is not automated. The shop is still run through Paypal. 

I have so many blog posts lined up and not enough time to get them written up and posted. What's a blogger to do? Actually that just shows me how much I enjoy writing and keeping this blog and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Well, enjoy this beautiful spring Monday, Knitters. I'll be back with more very soon.

best, susie

Springy Bits and Pieces

Hi Knitters,

Wow, it is a beautiful spring day. It couldn't be any closer to perfect outside. I just spent an hour or two on the phone going over some little things for Itty-Bitty Toys. We are scouring it thoroughly and completely. I am in love with this book and I can't wait for it to come out next November, 2009. I have the cover shot and I'll ask the publisher if I can share it soon. It is very sweet.

I pulled out some excellent colors of Tahki Cotton Classic this morning to wind up. Do you recognize the color grouping? It is the good old rainbow, ROY G BIV, for the Rainbow Marley hat in Itty-Bitty Hats. I have joined my first knitting swap on the Itty-Bitty Knits group on ravelry. I am so excited. We are a small group all knitting Rainbow Marley hats in any way you see fit, different colors and a couple different sizes, and then we are swapping them! It is just a fun little springy thing to do. You can still join the Hat Swap if you are interested up until May 16th. Come on along, I hope some of you join in. It is always fun to knit something and give it away and then you'll get something right back in return. I can't wait to see the different takes on the Marley, too.

I was thinking that I might make my Marley in a different colorway like greens and blues. Then I started thinking that I love the rainbow version and I can't really top it. I am doing the rainbow colors and I am excited to start later today. I actually have to look up the pattern because I haven't knitted this hat in about 5 years or so. My memory isn't that good! It'll come back to me, right?
My neighbors have the most beautiful yard. They have tulips  popping up everywhere. I used to have tulips until the rabbits ate them all and now they don't come up anymore. I miss them in my yard but I get to enjoy the tulips next door. Rabbits must not like daffodils because I still have those every year.
Every tree is busting out around here. We love watching and waiting for our flowering trees to bloom. 

This is a change of subject but I have been thinking a lot about knitted sachets lately. I love them and think they make the sweetest gifts. A new free pattern for a lacy sachet just came in my email this morning. You may have gotten this pattern already but I thought I'd share the link just in case. I think I may make a few of these for teachers gifts this year or something like it anyway. They are quick and little and smelly, in a good way. Remember this one, too. I've made some of these tiny pine trees and given them away.
The Collector wanted French braids this morning, not regular braids. We had a few extra minutes so I obliged. She looked so neat and tidy that I thought I'd snap a quick photo of her. Her crafting has reached all new levels lately. I'll have to photograph some of her latest creations and share them soon. The girl really needs her own blog. The fairy obsession is already coming back strong for the warmer weather. There is some serious fairy house planning going on. Can't wait.

Okay, one last silly thing to ask you about. I have been collecting the fortunes out of fortune cookies for several years. I save them every time we eat Chinese for dinner, which is only once every few months. I want to do something creative with my collection but I don't have nearly enough. You know my table I decoupaged luggage labels on? Yeah, something like that only with the fortunes. 

Well, I guess what I am asking is if any of you eat fortune cookies a lot and if you would save your fortunes for me. I would love it if you would! There is no rush in getting them to me at all but if you are interested in starting a little stash for me instead of throwing them out I would appreciate it. It is sort of a little "green" project, recycling a bit. Let me know if you are up for this. I know, silly, right?

Happy Mother's Day to all of you this weekend. Give your moms a hug from me: )

best, susie

p.s. I am hosting two more Girl Scout knitting gatherings today and next week. I'll keep you posted on their progress.

p.p.s. Guess what? My sister is coming over next Thursday (and hopefully more) to help me learn how to use my sewing machine better. We scheduled it right in, Sewing Thursdays! I am so excited about this. I do so much hand sewing and I have this beautiful machine sitting in my studio that I don't know how to use very well. We are going to start a project together. I am getting all of the materials this weekend. I'll keep you posted on my progress.