school's out for the summer

It's hard to believe Alena was just starting school just 6 posts ago and yet in those nine months so much has happened. I can hardly keep track of everything that's gone on but at times I had the feeling that my life was being turned inside, outside and upside down. Now that the summer months are here and Alena is no longer in school I may be ready to get back into blogging. That seems a bit backwards but I think it's true [don't hold it against me if I disappear again].



In early January I gave birth to Elliot [who is now 5 months old]. He arrived on the 2nd and has been such a blessing to our family. My birth experience was amazing this time around and I truly believe I was on a high for the first two months. We could not have asked for a better transition for Alena as a big sister to him. She is so attentive to his needs and loves to help him all the time. At times it’s more than is needed.



As for my break I just needed time off not only from the blog, but from documenting/logging our life. The time away has given me time to step back and photograph without thinking of things to post. I have been able to enjoy the moments a bit more. At first it felt strange not taking my camera every place I went. I would go through withdrawals thinking about how I should be taking a photo of a specific something and yet slowly I was able to enjoy that event a little more. This is not to say that we don't have thousands of photos from the past 9 months, no, but I was able to approach this time in a way that was different from more recent years. I think of these past months as a little furlough. I am looking forward to blogging again but will be interested to see how it unfolds.

process::documenting

Documenting a product is all part of the process, a part that I both love and dread. This morning I have spent much of my time photographing a few new items that will be heading off to the shop today and tomorrow.


I really do love photographing the items when I am inspired but there are other times when I continually push that task to the bottom of the list. Maybe its the thought of getting the lighting set up just right or maybe its the time it takes to actually upload and process the images once they have been taken but what ever it is I know it effects my productivity.


I just wish I could find a better way to stream line the whole thing. If only I could make the product and it would just miraculously show up in my Etsy shop or better yet turn themselves into promo packets and be shipped to stores. Oh if only...

If you sell your work what are some of the things you love about the process?
What holds you back or takes up a lot of your time?

shop sale::buy one get one [30% off]

I wanted to let you all know that scissorstitch is having a small sale Friday and Saturday. The deal is this: buy one item and get 30% off [of equal or lesser value] the second item. This sale is in conjunction with other EtsyKids members who are having similar sales. View a list of participating shops here.


I am excited to announce that I have been working on quite a few new items which will be making their way to the shop throughout next week and the following. You can expect to see quite a few more Giraffes, tissue holders, and bibs along with some new items I have been working on. Just in time for the holidays I will have many great stocking stuffers such as eye pillows, tissue holders, coffee sleeves and more.

complete

after a month and a half of work the sweater it's complete. just in time to accommodate the ever growing belly. this project was so great to work on. I will admit that at first the lace pattern was a bit hard to remember but about 4inches into it the pattern it stuck and I was able to get quite a few videos watched at the same time.


the project would have actually been completed about two weeks earlier if it were not for my running low on yarn. it actually worked out perfectly, a friend had about 3/4 skein left of the same yarn and I was able to take it off her hands. it was just the right amount, that is once I decided to actually get back to the project. I am still amazed that it took so long for me to complete the remaining three inches. funny how it works that way.

the pattern for this great February Lady Sweater can be found here along with some great photos for inspiration.

knitting season...

It feels so nice to really be knitting again. Sure I always have something going and will take it with me to our weekly knit night but now I am really getting into some projects and seeing results.

In part it helped to have recently purged/organized my yarn selection. I now know what I have and need. It also helped to finally join Ravelry. It has been a great way for me to get organized and actually document the process of the projects I am working on. So much inspiration on that site I really have to keep an eye on the time or I could hunt around for hours.



I also had a lot of time to knit waiting through Daniel's physical therapy appointments. Those have now come to an end for me since he is now able to drive but there is always the time between dropping Alena off at school and working out. Every little bit of time feels great to just sit and knit. With the change in season and coming rain there is nothing better then getting a bit of time to sit down with some needles and make something beautiful.



Now if only I could finish up these two baby sweaters before the little guy gets here. They are so small I am sure he will be wearing them only a few times before he grows out of them. Maybe that's why I never knit anything bigger then a hat for Alena...

dear baby brother

This week while Alena and I were playing around in my studio I over heard her writing a note to her brother. It was such a sweet sentiment I had to write it down before I forgot. I guess despite her verbal acceptance of having a brother at times she still longs for that little sister.

It seems like there are so many situations throughout the days that quotes like this come up. I always think I need to write it down right away and yet the moment passes and I forget. I hope to challenge myself to be more aware of these times and write them down as they come.

What great moments or conversations have you observed this week? Do you find yourself documenting them, if so how?

no looking back

Yesterday was Alena's first day of pre-school and it went off without a hitch. We were actually a little surprised when she confidently and without hesitation crossed the threshold into the classroom and did not look back. Both Daniel and I walked away a bit stunned.



These past few weeks have been a bit of a blur as we wound down from summer and tried to get prepared as best we could for the things to come. A week ago Daniel and I took a long weekend away just before his knee surgery. The following week was filled with doctor appointments and a day of surgery which again went well. Just one week post-opp he is feeling great and already back working hard. It has been a bit of a circus around here at times. The first day home from the hospital was a bit hard as I am sure Alena sensed my need to help Daniel and that only increased her need for my help/attention as well. Things have calmed down a bit and she is now quite helpful. But it is quite entertaining to see how funny a pregnant lady and gimp try to run a house these days. The good news is that the bigger I get the healthier he will be. So maybe by the time the baby gets here he will be able to walk.


I am really looking forward to this time that I will have off during Alena's school day before the baby gets here. Now if I could only get my studio cleaned I will be able to get back into the production mode and make a few things that have been on my mind. For now I have been enjoying knitting in the evenings.