They're done!

The costumes are done and not a moment too soon!! The school parades and parties are all tomorrow.

This is the smallest vest. All the "boys" will be wearing these vests.

This is the belt that was made from the pattern. It was NOT a success. The corners in the front curl something awful and even though I used the tool I was supposed to use, the eyelets kept falling out. These belts were to be worn by the ladies to match the guys. But they looked so bad and fit so poorly they wound up in the trash. AND have been crushed mightily by the trash compactor!! The same can be said for the boot covers that I tried to make - very poor out come for many hours of work. But, moving on......

I made lots of scarves!! Two of each.

You can't tell, but the above trim is purple.

This fabric is quite sheer and was very hard to photograph!

This is a better picture of the fabric.

I love these trims! It's been a very long time since I worked with trim and I had a lot of fun.

One sash was made. Even the boys want scarves.

9 bottoms - 7 pairs of pants and 2 skirts

Sashes/vests with the pants.

Artistic photo layout compliments of my husband. He was having fun!

Youngest with his vest. As soon as I had finished this one earlier this week, he put it on and won't take it off - he even sleeps in it! WHEW!! Boy am I glad these are done! I don't even have to stay up all night tonight to get them done. Instead, I need to stay up to complete all the chores/dishes/laundry that did NOT happen while these costumes were getting made!

Dear Children,

If you would like to have a clean soccer uniform for your 8:00am game on Saturday, please put it in the laundry room before 7:00am of same day.

Also, if you would like your Halloween costumes finished before Thanksgiving, please stop bickering.

Thank you.

Halloween!

Halloween has rolled around once again and we are looking so forward to having so much fun! This year we managed to find a theme that all of us were happy with - PIRATES!! Even the in-laws are going to be getting into it.
This will be the first year in many years that I will make all of the costumes. So very exciting!! When we first starting having kids, I made the costumes each year. But as we had more kids and then we had 3 kids in a little less than 4 years, I was just too tired to take on the task. Now I feel back to normal (whatever normal is! :o) and was chomping at the bit to make the costumes again.

After tossing around lots and lots of ideas, everyone agreed on being pirates. That in and of itself is quite the miracle since the kids range in age from 5 to 15. The best part.......my in-laws also want to be part of the group! What you see above are some of the 9 pairs of pirate pants being cut out. I was planning on sewing them up today, but with all the soccer games and various other things that needed taking care of, it didn't happen. It won't happen tomorrow either - 2 more soccer games and a wedding to attend - so hopefully Monday the pants will be sewn and the vests cut out. I can't wait to see these take shape!!

Granny Square Blanket

I have seen lovely pictures of these blankets all over blogland and have wanted to start one for a very long time. While I have been working on the Granny Stripe blanket, some of the colors just jumped out at me and I thought they made a good combination. Right away I decided to start one of these Granny Square Blankets!! I am using TLC Essentials and Vanna's Choice. Vanna's Choice has become one of my favorite blanket yarns. It is soft and really easy to use. I used it in a blanket I had knit some time ago so I also know that it launders very well - an absolute must around here!
I just love this color combination!!! It represents all my favorite fall colors!

A side view - I just love these types of photos. Although I am not very good at them! I will be putting all these "extra" projects away now in favor of Halloween costumes and holiday gifts. These "other" projects will resurface most likely at the beginning of the year :o) I just always gotta try something new though!

Goonies!!

I seem to be loving this pattern. It makes up very quickly and is quite easy. When I first started this pattern, it was hard to figure out the half double crochet. Now that I have done it a few times, I wonder what was so confusing. The first time I crocheted this pattern, I couldn't wrap my head around how it would "make up". It's pretty neat and has now become my favorite hat pattern.

Started: 9/17/2010

Finished: 9/22/2010

Hook: K

Yarn: Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky Weight

Color: 06 Chocolate Lot: S4631

Chained 25 to start

Started: 10/3/2010

Finished: 10/4/2010

Hook: K

Yarn: Sensations - Sumptuous

Color: 2157 Sumptuous Green Dot Pattern

Lot: 182

Chained 18 to start

This one is very dense and stiff. The kids love it, but it still has to grow on me for a bit.

Started: 9/22/2010

Finished: 10/3/2010

Hook: K

Yarn: Sensations - Sumptuouts

Color: 2155 Sumptuous Teal Dot Pattern

Lot: 179

Chained 27 to start.

This is a VERY big, dense hat!!