Eckenrode Family

All in a Day

They have arrived and they are the source of so much amusement. We got the call from the post office before the sun came up and as soon as the kids woke up we went to get the chirping box and bring it home. We have an assortment of breeds chosen for the variety of egg colors. We have 15 laying chicks, 5 cornish hens that will serve as food for us and 1 proud and doted on rooster.

I finally finished the short sleeved cardigan that caused me some grief but in the end I love it.


The pattern was easy and meditative to follow but since I was using yarn from another project that I abandoned I didn't account for the amount I would need to finish the sweater and was more than once sent to the computer to order just one more ball of yarn. The pattern is Brassiere Caresse La Droguerie that was translated from French and the yarn I used was Karabella Aurora 8 in russet. The yarn is so cozy to wear.

We also got into the woods and the creek this afternoon and we've begun to find yummy morels out there.
We plan on having them for dinner tonight. Miles began finding them last year and Ben proudly found his first today.

The Stress Will Be Forgotten

Two projects I’d been working on were both coming close to getting finished when they simultaneously ran into problems. The yarn I’d been using to knit a cardigan had a previous life as a wantabe sweater that got frogged several times and then finally frogged and forgotten about. Then, I found the perfect project for this yarn to become a short sleeved cardigan and after twice ordering one or two more balls of yarn online I was finally rounding the finish line when the last row was being knitted and the yarn was becoming impossibly short. I have to wait on the last ball of yarn to make its way to me through the mail before this project sees it end.

Then I was working on a table runner. I liked the way the Easter runner that tim’s mom made brightened up the kitchen and added a homey feel to the room. After seeing Salt & Chocolate’s version of the table runner, I was inspired to make my own using log cabin squares. Log cabin squares are so easy and addictive. This project was getting its finishing touches when I decided the quilting was too busy to appreciate the fabrics I’d chosen and so I ripped out thousands of stitches. In the end I’m happy with the simple design.
 Its funny how crafting, which usually brings me peace and appreciation can also cause me such grief and stress. In the end the stress will be forgotten.

The Blue Hat

The boy likes blue and he’s been very vocal about that fact since right after he began using words. One day at the yarn shop he picked up this yarn and insisted that from it, he would like for me to make him a hat. Uh, ok. He really didn’t have to twist my arm at all. He picked Mountain Colors hand-painted yarns and although this yarn isn’t cheap, the colors are beautiful.




I used the Kim’s Hats pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. This is a great pattern and I’m using it again to make Miles a hat. You didn’t think I’d get away with making just one did you? Next one up must be red.

Exploring and Making

The last couple of days we’ve spent trying to slow down after the bustle of the holiday. We spent time at home exploring the woods and creating and making. Yesterday we took a walk in the woods while the sun shined and warmed all of the leftover snow into slush and mud. The creek was flowing and the boys got to walk through it and get as muddy as they desired.



Later in the day we received about 4 inches of snow that once again covered everything in a white blanket of crisp snow and ice.
Before the snow came Tim built one of the biggest bird feeders I’ve ever seen. As soon as he built it and walked away the birds came and fed from it as if they’d been watching him build it.
I got the chance to finish a hat for myself. This pattern is Jane by Jane Richmond and was so much fun to knit.

Once I knit it up it didn’t have as much slouch as I’d hoped for so I think I’m going to give her Autumn pattern a go and see how that turns out.

It's All About the Bow

When I found out I was getting a new niece I immediately thought of all of the things I could make her with ruffles and bows. I really think the only thing I’m missing right now about not having a daughter are all of the embellishments on girls clothing. So, I knitted her a few hats and added a bow to one of them. Once I got a hang of knitting short rows they were a breeze. I found both patterns here.
I also had some pink chenille dot fabric on my shelves along with some simple yellow flower fabric from the clearance rack at Joann’s and together I think they look pretty sweet. The blanket is also lined with some bamboo batting which makes it really soft and warm.
The boys and I really enjoyed meeting our new niece and cousin. She was truly beautiful and feminine and I can’t wait to be the aunt to a girl again! Welcome baby Leah, we are so happy you are here.

This Weekend

Tim worked in the garden with some help.

We ate from the garden - arugula in our salad and herbs used with some oil on toasted baguette slices - mmmm. . . It was a good eating weekend for sure.

After a short break I'm feeling the urge to knit and sew again.

I'm working on a picnic blanket which I should be finishing up in the next day or two so I'll be able to share photos soon.

Bunny

I finally finished the bunny for Ben that I promised him after knitting Miles a bear. So far he is showing it a lot of love which makes me melt. This is a project from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.


 

Teddy the Bear and Pajama Pants

I finished the bear I was knitting Miles. It was my first knitted stuffed animal and it was more difficult than I thought it'd be. It was fun to make though, seeing it all come together at the end. It was a pattern from Joelle Hoverson and Anna Williams, Last Minute Knitted Gifts.
It was also my first time embroidering a face. It seems simple enough but the tough part is figuring out how to hide the knots. I googled it and found the answer right away. Honestly, what did we do before Google?
Miles went with me to the yarn shop and was very particular about the color of the scarf.

Also, for Easter I made the boys pajama pants out of Michael Miller's organic flannel. This flannel is so soft it is perfect for pajama pants. I think I might have to make some for myself.

Hello March

  

  

I made myself another one of these bags. It's the Pleated Handbag from The Bend the Rules Sewing Book by Amy Karol. I used leftover fabric from the bags I made my sister and sister-in-law.

  

I also made myself a diaper/ baby wipe pouch like the one I made my sister. It's been in use for a few weeks now so that's why it looks wrinkled. I love the way this functions - no more squished diapers floating around in my bag. 

  

On another random note, here is a picture of Ben rockin the guitar. He really throws is heart into his performances. I love how he plays his daddy's guitar like it's a bass.     

Catching Up

I've been reluctant to post recently because I've been longing for a new camera and to post pictures from my current camera is a bit painful to me. But, I have some things to post about so here goes.

First, I recently made a few baby shower gifts - one for my husband's co-worker and one for my sister. My husband's co-worker doesn't know what she's having.

The pants are a from a pattern I bought at Sew to Speak, the shoes are from a free pattern I found online, and the bibs are from a pattern in Bend the Rules Sewing. 

For my sis:

 

The bag she'll use as a diaper bag. It's an Amy Butler pattern called the Birdie Sling. The small pouch I fashioned roughly from the Artsy Clutch in The Bend the Rules Sewing book but eliminated the fold-over and changed the dimensions. She can use it to hold baby wipes and diapers.

  

This loot if for her little one soon to be born. The pants legs look uneven but the really aren't...

  

As for my two little ones - Ben has been getting so much bigger, so much more independent and so much cuter.

  

He does love gaining more and more independence lately but at the same time he LOVES to be babied by his mama. He loves it as much as I love doing it. It's funny how a mother's mind works - I see another child that is his age and I'm always amazed that Ben is as big as they are. It my mind he's still a baby.

Miles has gotten so much more fun and entertaining. He was looking at a toy catalog that came in the mail yesterday and was pining for everything in it. Finally he said to me, "I just want to jump in there." He laid the catalog on the kitchen floor and jumped right on it. Don't you just love the way a child's mind works? I began to think about all of the catalogs that I receive in the mail that I'd like to jump right into too. Anthropologie, hmmm... the possiblities.