Shout out....

TEST KNIT:

I'm looking for some test knitters to knit with 9 sts per inch yarn on 2.5mm (or whatever you get gauge with), or with Madelinetosh Tosh Sock yarn. I am looking 2 different knitters to knit these sizes:

Size Small: 52 sts cast on
Size Large: 72 sts cast on

Skills required: You must be able to knit a sock from the cuff down, know lace, heel gussets and how to graft the toe shut.

I will need pictures of your finished item and feedback on any errors in the pattern. You will not be able to post the pictures on Ravelry or anywhere else until the pattern is released to the club members, once that is done, I will give you the okay to do so.

For your time, I’m willing to give you some of my already published sock designs.

Please message me if you are interested, or have any further questions. You can email me knitpurlmama at gmail dot com.

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GRAPHIC WORK:

I am also looking for someone who does graphic work, who works in Illustrator who will work (design) in exchange for yarn. I have some work that needs to be done, but I don't have the time right now to do it. I am looking to barter, so please let me know as soon as possible!

Please message me if you are interested, or have any further questions. You can email me knitpurlmama at gmail dot com.

THANKS!

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BOYS CLOTHING WANTED (SIZE 5):

Do you live in Montreal and have a boy or boys, who are getting out of size 5 clothing? I'm looking for some extra pieces of clothing, that you no longer need, for Sean. I sometimes wish we had family with boys older so that we could get hand-me-downs. Sean is the eldest from all his cousins (except one 8 year old who does not live nearby and whose clothing goes to his younger brother who is younger than Sean). Let me know if this is you, and maybe we can work something out if you want something for the clothes, or if you just want to get them out of your house, we'll gladly give those clothes a new home.

Please message me if you have size 5 (toddler) clothes, or have any further questions. You can email me knitpurlmama at gmail dot com.

Weekend Round-Up.

Friday we played in the park with some out of town friends from Calgary.

Saturday was Easter Dinner at my step-sister-in-law's house.

Sunday we went to a friend's house for an Egg Hunt.

The boys had a great time searching for Eggs.

Some even took a nap. Lots of eggs were found bearing candies & toys.

Sunday afternoon we played in the park.
Sean got to ride his new bike (4th birthday present)

I even burned some energy playing soccer with Sean.

Monday I taught the boys how to Yo-yo.

Hope you all had a fantastic Easter weekend!

The week of Passover 2011

On Tuesday April 19th, Quentin turned 20 weeks old.
On Tuesday April 19th, Sean turned 224 weeks old.
On Thursday April 21st, Mack turned 148 weeks old.

This week we went on the 2nd night of Passover to my parents house for dinner. Quentin got dressed up all snazzy in a cute onesie with a collar which he wore under his jean overalls (my fave pants for him right now, he's almost outgrown them too - they're 0-3 months size). At Passover at my parents, we got to sit at the kids table with Jenn & her entourage. The cousins had a great time together.

The boys are so cute together. They love each other and are so good with each other.

Some babies suck their thumbs, Quentin discovered his index finger.

I did some knitting this week too.
Stuff was pushed aside so I could sit back, relax & knit.

SPECS:

Pattern: Pea Pod by Dulce Knits (My Ravelry Link)
For: Photography Prop
Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in Green Apple

Needle: US 13 - 9.0 mm
Size: Preemie
Timeline: April 20, 2011 (A couple of hours).
Modifications & Notes: Held yarn quadruple stranded. Total weight of the finished POD is 138 grams. I used 34.5 g of each 100g skein. It’s rather small. I plan to re-knit it, adding to it. I’ll have to figure it out on my own, because the pattern only has one size. A really tiny newborn will probably fit into the pod, but I am not sure an average sized newborn will. I have never held yarn quadruple stranded before. There is a first for everything. I needed to get 2 stitches per inch and I swatched double stranded and then triple stranded but only got gauge on quadruple stranded with US13 needles. I like the thickness that the Cascade 220 gives held together. I wanted to use this particular color hence why I used as much as I needed to get gauge. It’s a stunning color. Now I just need a newborn to photograph in it…!

Quentin is such a joy to hang out with every day. He's got a great personality and he's always got smiles to share. This week Quentin got to try out the exercauser, but he still needs to gain a little bit of weight before he could really enjoy it. He's still a little too tiny.

This morning I took Quentin to the CLSC to weigh in. He's fully on the regular (non-high calorie) formula and I wanted to make sure that he was still on track with his weight gain. Quentin is now 12 and a half lbs (12 lbs 8.5 oz). And I'm officially down 25 lbs. So I've officially lost 2 Quentins! I feel great.

Today's Link Love:
- Stuff in our greenhouse are growing! Sean got super excited when he saw the plants.
- Kiki & Coco in Paris.
- This paper record player is quite neat.
- This photobooth video is quite impressive.
- This afghan pattern is quite pretty.
- I ♥ this bokeh filter tutorial.
- Love this Rendition of Cecilia.
- Love this Travel Toy Tutorial.
- 10 free Pampers Gifts to Grow points: JRYHAFFCR6WDPHY (expires 4/25/11)
- Huggies Enjoy the Ride Reward Points: 25 free points! BKWHDMMLPCXCPGB.
- LOVE this crochet hat. Anyone know where I can find a pattern to make one?
- I love this tutorial for seed starters from newspaper.
- These crochet nesting cups tutorial.
- This photograph for Earth day tomorrow.
- This happy spring yarn giveaway.
- The Blater blog - For Bloggers who barter.
- This camera bag (in Rose - Pewter) is on my birthday wishlist.
- This cute pattern for crochet Pacifier Straps.
- I’m selling a Heart-to-Heart Baby sling. I paid 60$ for it, and I’m selling it for 30$. It’s navy blue with tiny white dots on it. It’s for an average sized mom, though it is adjustable. Let me know if you’re interested. It’s a great sling for nursing, as well as wearing your baby. I have numerous slings, so I’ve decided to sell some of them. (There is absolutely nothing wrong with it at all and it’s in excellent condition).
- A year ago this week (April 19th, 2010), I found out I was pregnant with baby #3. It feels like that was just yesterday... I swear.
- Last night I finished reading the book Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. It was a quick & enjoyable read, but took me forever because I had a baby 20 weeks ago, otherwise I'd have finished it a lot sooner. (I started it the day before I went into labor or something like that).

Stuff that's Fascinating this week:
- Spring flowers that were here on April 20, 2011 are not yet here this year. Where are they?
- Have you read this article about the knitting needle stabbing? The comments are even funnier.

Spring has Sprung

On Sunday, April 17, 2011 Mack turned 34 months old.
2 more months until his 3rd birthday.
(Which means 2 more months (less a day) until my 30th. Silently.freaking.out)

On Friday I walked to pick up the boys from daycare (joined by my mom & Bosco)

It happened to be a nice spring day. I'm trying to get out and walk as much as possible now that the weather is nicer. The walk on the way there was easy, but on the way home, adding in an almost 30 lb Mackenzie into the double stroller, was quite the workout. I was beat upon returning home.

On Saturday we did a bit of gardening in the house, we planted our seeds for our vegetable garden. Both boys helped, and Sean was really into it. I can't wait to actually plant everything outside. We planted different kinds of cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, red & green peppers, lettuces, spaghetti squash, you name it. I can smell the fresh vegetables already.

Last night we had Jamie's side of the family over for Passover for the first Seder. I believe this is my 2nd time doing a seder at our house (maybe 3rd, but I think just 2nd). It's a LOT of work. I did a lot of prep work on Sunday (as well as some of the cooking beforehand over the last few weeks) and then didn't sit down for one second from the time I got up yesterday (early too) until our guests left after 10 pm last night.(11,503 steps walked today - which is considered very active, thank you pedometer!) Then we had to get the kids to bed, then there was a freak-out over a missing Brobee - whom was later found under the couch in the playroom after Mack finally fell asleep without him - which I then snuck into his room and placed Brobee on his pillow so he'd be there in the morning for him. So I didn't get to bed until about midnight last night. Oh what a day. Thankfully Passover is just once a year. And luckily we just just fit all 17 of us (18 with Quentin) at the tables (I picked up 2 extra folding tables, which are handy to own). The kids had a fantastic time with their cousin (who is 5 months younger than Mack almost to the day) who came in from Ottawa. It was nice to see family, but what a mess there is to clean up now (slowly been doing dishwasher loads and hand washing my fine china). Tonight, the seder is at my parent's house, and I will get to sit back and enjoy myself this time. Quentin didn't want anyone but me last night (and I was serving all night) so I'm going to assume he's going to cling to me tonight too.

Happy Passover to those of you whom celebrate.

Today's Link & Other Love:
- These teacher appreciation ideas.
- Knitting your own nuptials and other souvenirs.
- This cute shirt idea for boys.
- Losing 24.4 lbs since January 1st.
- These adorable knit legwarmers.
- My new neighbors whom I finally got to meet have a daughter 10 days younger than Quentin. It's nice to have new friends within feet.
- This photo scavenger hunt idea for kids.

Bubbles, Spiders & Meatballs

This week Quentin turned 19 weeks old (Tuesday, April 12th)
Sean turned 223 weeks old (Tuesday, April 12th)
and Mackenzie 147 weeks old (today, Thurs, April 14th)

This week, we've played with bubbles.

We've attended our final mini session music class (and tried on the famous spider hat that I have pictures of both Sean & Mackenzie wearing from when they took this class too).

There were times with friends, and quiet time with naps.
(Mackie finally went back to daycare on Wednesday once he was fever free).

We saw more friends, and even went for an hour & a half walk today.

Sean helped me make 112 meatballs (double recipe) for our guests coming for Passover next week. Sean made me promise that I'd wait for him to come home from school to make them, so I did. He was an awesome helper. He's really quite good at rolling meatballs.

Happiness is....
♥ No longer having to go back to the Children's Hospital for follow-ups. We were cleared yesterday from having to go back to see Respirology and we're also weaning Quentin off the Zantac. Quentin's also 12 lbs 1.5 oz now (he gained over half a pound last week, my little piggy!)
♥ Finding a handbag you thought you no longer had.
♥ Having healthy snacks a friend.
♥ Baking with my son.
♥ The Habs winning Game 1 of the 1st round of the playoffs tonight.
♥ Spring Cleaning.
♥ Catching up on some magazine reading.
♥ Being almost done the book I'm currently reading.
♥ De-cluttering my home. (Will be updating my De-Clutter Blog in the next few days, I've been keeping a list).
♥ Seeing the numbers drop on the scale each week.
♥ Pulling out my beloved wardrobe. Bye-bye everything maternity. Hello clothes!
♥ Bedtime cuddles.
♥ Bedtime stories.
♥ A clean house!
♥ My son telling me I'm the best chef.
♥ Finally having the strength to let go of baby clothes and donate them to someone else who can use them, love them & cherish them as I did.

Today's Link Love:
- Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards points: BKKJSJHSWMZWPGB
- 50 free Pampers Gifts to Grow Points: happybdaypamprs (Valid today only)!
- This person's home library is so cheerful!
- This retro wristband pincushion tutorial.
- This stuffed animal tutorial is adorable.
- Booster Seat Cushion tutorial.

Happenings.

Mack turned 146 weeks old on Thursday, April 7th.

On Thursday, Quentin also helped me by modeling in a new set up I got for my home studio. I wanted to check it all out before our afternoon appointment came over. Quentin was a good sport about helping me out. I can't wait to get more newborns in studio. I'm taking a workshop in May with a newborn photographer in another province, so I'll start to advertise and stuff after I finish the workshop. Until then, I'll be getting myself organized.

Our afternoon appointment was absolutely adorable Baby K.
However... she wasn't in a good mood and didn't want to cooperate one bit.
They'll be coming back to the studio soon to finish up what we started.
Isn't she adorable?
The handmade tutu I have in my prop collection, and it's made by a friend of mine.

SPECS:

Pattern: Fringe Throw Photography Prop by Kristi Simpson (My Ravelry Link)
For: Photography Prop
Yarn: What yarn isn't in there? Seriously, all leftover bits I could find.

Hook: I used a random hook to pull the yarn through to knot them. Size wasn't important.
Size: 3 feet wide x 2 feet long (approximately).
Timeline: April 1 - April 7, 2011.
Modifications & Notes: This was a time consuming project. Cutting 3 feet strips in hundreds of yarn pieces was a lot of work. And piecing it all together was time consuming as well. I just need to use it in my next newborn photography session, so that I can get better photos without my son’s Caillou doll! I had seen this on ETSY and decided that I could totally make one myself, instead of buying one for 55$ (especially since it's made with Acrylic & fun fur and crappy yarns - the one on Etsy). So that's when I started doing research and came across this pattern on Ravelry. I actually need a round basket for this prop, but don't have one I like yet. I used my square one to show what it is as a finished object.

Sean has gotten very good at writing his alphabet. He's pretty darn good at the entire set.
My boys enjoy spending time together, whether it be coloring (we pulled out the erase board) or whether it be cuddling on the couch. (Sean loves to hold Quentin in his lap).

Mack's been sick all weekend. He's had fever since he woke up Saturday (low grade, 100.3 - 101.3/101.5) and he's not really hearing what we say and kept asking for the tv louder, when it was perfectly normal at the level they usually watch at, so I took him to the doctor yesterday and he has an ear infection in his left ear. He's on antibiotics. His doctor said that once he's fever free (daycare requires 24 hours fever free) he can go back to daycare. He hasn't had fever since Monday lunch, so he'll be going to daycare tomorrow.

Quentin decided to take a nap in his Bébé Pod chair (above) while I was doing the bottle washing today. One minute he was awake, the next, out cold. Such a cutie. He will sleep anywhere.

Today's Link Love:
- These pieces of jewelry (especially the pink bracelet).
- These embroidery floss holders.
- This Dooce post made me laugh out loud.
- This image.
- This image. Especially the one with the lollypop (bottom left hand image).
- This Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Dispenser. And thank you to my friend Robyn in Arizona for sending it for Quentin. Best invention ever. I make enough formula for the entire day in it, and just warm up each bottle in the bottle warmer that we have when Quentin's hungry. Saves so much time!
- I love this photo of someone's something blue. What a cute idea.