7 Quick Takes

I love dollar stores!  (I might have mentioned that before....)

Did you know that Craigslist has a free section?  Well, they do.  A lot of it is junk, but there are some real "steals" too!

There are a lot of beautiful up-cycle projects in the blog world that take an old worn out piece of furniture and turn it into something beautiful with some sanding, a couple of coats of paint, and new pulls. I just love the finished turquoise dresser that Home Jelly shared.  This pink dresser would be adorable in Catherine's room--someday when we don't have a tiny apartment.

Whenever "someday" comes around I think that #2 will help me be able to try #3.  These drawer pulls would be awesome on something like this . . .

Have you ever completely botched making Rice Krispie treats?  I did the other night and I don't really know where it wrong.  I'm wondering if I was trying to rush it too much and burnt the marshmallows.  Also, I used Apple Cinnamon Chex, but I don't think that should have changed things too much. 

My Etsy shop now has Rose Stud Earrings.  These are super cute for all ages--seriously, I've seen toddlers, teens, brides, and grandmas all drooling over these!  Mine are also very reasonably priced--less than six bucks after shipping.  (I can't believe some places charge $58 for practically the same resin roses!)

My wonderful hubby gave me roses this week!

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen!

New Winner for Fangrrl Fiber Arts Giveaway

Sadly, the orginal winner for this giveaway never responded so we had to 

pick a new winner via Rafflecopter.  

This is good news for

Bekah!

Congratulations!  You just won a custom dyed skein of socket yarn from 

Fangrrl Fiber Arts!

Kate will be in touch with you shortly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WIP

Works In Progress

While going through some of my yarn bins I realized that there are a couple of projects stashed away that never quite got completed.  So, what did I do?  I started yet another project!  Yesterday my darling daughter and I took a trip to a local thrift store and I scored some awesome deals on yarn!  (Even better, the yarn was secured in plastic bags, so it doesn't even smell like a thrift store!)

I am really loving how my Neon Flamingo scarf is turning out!

 This is the beginning of a bulky wave scarf.  This one I am freestyling--I am making up the pattern as I go, so we'll see how it turns out.  

Don't forget to enter to win a $20 credit to Sunrise Fiber Co.!  

Click {here} to go to the giveaway!

I will be sharing today's WIPS at the following:

Yarn Along with Ginny

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

What You Doing Wednesday with Sue

Tuesday's Tallies with Carole

Crocheted Rose with Sunrise Fiber Co. Yarn

Along with my truly fabulous Neon Flamingo yarn, Wren, from Sunrise Fiber Co., sent me a sample of Beach!  I decided that this yarn would be perfect for making a rose brooch.  

I used my pattern that I shared {here}.

If you love this yarn, you should {this} giveaway.  It's for a $20 shop credit at Sunrise Fiber Co.! ENDED -- Sorry.

But I do have a great crochet pattern giveaway happening until 3/22/15!
And, I'd love you to link up to my weekly Yarn Fanatic Party!

I love sharing my projects at Link Parties, on Facebook, and Pinterest.  

Here are some text links if you'd like to join the fun!

Mix it Up Monday, A Round Tuit, Just Something I Whipped Up, Made by You Mondays, Make it Great, Tasteful Tuesdays, Tip Toe Thru Tuesday, Show Me What You Got, Cowgirl Up, One Creative Weekend, Fall into Fall, It's a Party!, Inspiring Creativity, Time for a Party, Hookin on Hump Day, Bloom Link Party, 

7 Quick Takes

ONE 

Parks are wonderful things.  

Especially when you live in an apartment.

TWO

I made biscuit donuts this week and I have a post drafted to share with you, dear readers, but I can't get the pictures off my phone for some reason!  I suppose I could share the post without the pictures, but what fun would that be? 

THREE

And while you're wondering why I took pictures with my phone instead of our super-awesome camera or my it's-pretty-good camera ALL the batteries were charging and I knew the donuts wouldn't be around long!

FOUR

My beautiful girl.

FIVE

Did you see my latest yarn giveaway?  I'm still working on my review--I want to finish my project first--but I must say that the yarn I have from Sunrise Fiber Co is awesome!  

SIX

Now that I've finished the Hunger Games, I am curious, are there any other awesome series out there that I haven't read yet?  Please tell me!

SEVEN

This e-card cracked me up. 

 

For more Quick Takes visit Jen!

$200 Have it YOUR Way Giveaway

Welcome to The Awesome Have It Your Way Bloggy Giveaway!

This wonderful event is brought to you by:

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, Dishin' With Rebelle, and Contest 4 That,who will proudly be launching Pink Ninja Media in the next few weeks.

Special thanks to our wonderful co-hosts Zoes Printable Coupons, PrewChatterly Everything Girly, Capri's Coupons, Simply Shawn & Jenn, Moms Vacation Spots, and Pink Ninja Blogger.

Since this is the "Have it Your Way" event, what have you been coveting lately?  A Kindle? A kitchen table?  A playhouse for the kids?

If you win you choose your prize (costing up to $200--including shipping if applicable).  It could even be cash via PayPal!  So, tell me, what do YOU want?

Details:

• Giveaway is open Worldwide.
• Giveaway will start on September 20, 2012 at 12:01am EST and end on October 20, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
• One Lucky Person Will Win ANYTHING THEY WANT, valued up to $200 with shipping.
• Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
• We realize there's a lot of bloggers, so we added extra entries! Earn an additional 25 entries for completing certain tasks on the Rafflecopter. Remember you only have to complete mandatory entries to enter the giveaway, the rest are extra entries. Giveaway runs an entire month so you don't have to finish it in one sitting, remember to come back for daily tasks to earn more. You'll also be introduced to some AMAZING Bloggers, each blogger in this event is awesome and brings something special and unique.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The Philosopher's Wife is not responsible for shipment of prize, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog will be responsible for shipping prize to winner. I did not accept any form of payment to help promote this giveaway.

WIP

Work In Progress

Today I am sharing the beginning of a scarf.  I am using yarn I received from Sunrise Fiber Co.  The color is "Neon Flamingo".  This beautiful fingering weight yarn is made from 100% Superwash Merino Wool.

I am also very happy to announce that Wren, from Sunrise Fiber Co. has generously offered a $20 credit to be used at her shop to one lucky winner!  So make sure that you go {here} to enter the giveaway!

I will be sharing this WIP at the following places:

Yarn Along with Ginny

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

What You Doing Wednesday with Sue

Tuesday's Tallies with Carole

Sunrise Fiber $20 Shop Credit Giveaway

Sorbet

Sunrise Fiber Co. is an Etsy shop that has gorgeous high quality Merino (and blended) yarns.  All the yarns are carefully hand dyed in Wren's home studio.  

Dragonfly

This shop has various yarn weights--from lace to bulky--so you are sure to find the perfect yarn for your project!  (Or your next ten projects . . . )

Fresh Mint

 I think one of the greatest things about this particular shop is Wren's understanding, and love, of color!  The colors are simply brilliant.   

Citrus

I received a beautiful skein of yarn from Sunrise Fiber Co. to review.
Check out the project that I started {here}.

Entries will be verified.  
Store credit will need to be used in this calendar year.  
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Philosopher's Wife is not responsible for prize shipment.

Goodbye, Awesome Pool!

Water.

Chlorine.

Buckets.

Goggles.

Towels.

The swimming pool.


While the calendar might not say fall just yet summertime has come to an end; the pool is closed.  This summer Catherine and I joined a local pool--the PG Pool.  (Which, to my chagrin, Catherine affectionately termed the PP Pool.)  While it wasn't an incredibly cheap decision, it was some of the best money I've ever spent.



Since the pool first opened we've had our pool bag packed, and I kept my driver's license in there instead of my purse because that's where we'd go most during the week!  In the three months it was open I gave my member number well over a hundred times.  (And two weeks of the summer we spent at the beach!)  I am proud to say that I made it to morning lap swim almost every Monday through Friday.  The water wasn't always immediately welcoming at 6:30 am, but by the time I started my second lap I never had a second thought.  Catherine just turned two in July, so Toddler Swim Time was her favorite activity!  As soon as Daddy left for work she'd ask, "Pool?  Pool?"  By the time 10 am finally rolled around we were more than ready to jump in the baby pool!

Being members at the pool was great for Catherine because it gave her a place become comfortable in the water and a place to run around and play outside.  Apartment living doesn't include having a backyard, and the grassy area and the giant baby pool  more than made up for that disadvantage.  It also was great because it would tire her out before nap-time!

For me, I loved being able to swim morning laps.  Even though it can be hard to get up so early, it is so rewarding to come home at 7:30 in the morning and have a decent work out under your belt.  I also loved the "me time" that swimming provided--a calm and tranquil place where I wasn't being asked to fill a milk sippy, get more water, or read "Are You a Cow?" TWO more times.  ("Are You a Cow?" really is an awesome book, I do highly recommend it as far as toddler books go, but like any great kid's book, there really is a limit to how many times a mom can enthusiastically read a book!)  The health benefits of being active also can't be forgotten! I lost a little over fifteen pounds this summer, so that's not too bad.

With our schedule we didn't really go to the pool on weekends, that was family time and Daddy didn't have a membership, so we did miss out on meeting a lot of the "regulars" and grilling out.  But that's alright, we did meet some very nice people at the morning lap swim and toddler swim times.    Hopefully we will see them around.




If we're local again next year you know where we'll be--the PG Pool!


Oh, and of course, another benefit of being pool members?  Nice tans!

7 Quick Takes

ONE I was sick pretty much all of last week, so I didn't post any quick takes.  Being sick is never any fun, but neither is the aftermath.  All the dishes, laundry, cleaning, and everything else that has been abandoned are quite a bit overwhelming once you feel well enough to do more than simply exist.

TWO This article is fantastic.  

THREE Has anyone ever done any Kindle book lending?  When looking for an inexpensive way to get my hands on a book earlier this week I came across a couple of Facebook groups for such sharing and was very curious about it.

FOUR Earlier this week I picked up the Hunger Games.  Finally!  I had been waiting to get my hands on a copy for a while.  It was a super quick read and by Wednesday I couldn't wait to get the second book. (Hence my curiousness about Kindle lending!)  My library totally came through and I was able to pick up both Catching Fire and Mockingjay yesterday at the library.  I'm already more than three fourths of the way through Catching fire . . .

FIVE Here's a little shameless self-promotion!  I added some note cards to my Etsy shop this week.  I am going to add some Christmas cards shortly as well.  I'm also hoping to add a variety of crochet projects that are in my craft fair boxes.

I am open to custom orders!  Wouldn't you rather your money go to support a SAHM than some giant faceless corporation?

Set of 3 Paisley Embossed Note Cards

Set of 3 Flower Embossed Note Cards

SIX I'm all signed up for another craft fair!  This one is the local one that I did pretty well at last year.  Hopefully it will be another good experience and not a bust like that other one.  

SEVEN Play Doh is fantastic, it gives Mommy more time to read!  

For more quick takes visit Jen!

WIP

Work In Progress

Right now I am working on another cloche hat.  This time I am hoping that it will be the right size!  

You can read more about my first cloche hat {here}.

I am using the same type of yarn, Caron Simply Soft, but this time I am using a hook two sizes larger. 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Custom Dyed Skein of Yarn!

I will be sharing this at the following:

Yarn Along with Ginny

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

"Elegant Hat"--A Crocheted Cloche

While browsing through Ravelry I stumbled across this super cute cloche hat that I just simply love!  The pattern is called Elegant Hat and it can be found on Caron's website.

(I suppose one could say that I am on a hat kick at the moment, since last week I shared a different hat.)

I dug out some of my brown Simply Soft yarn and actually followed the directions for this pattern without adaptation!  Well, at least for the hat itself I did--the decorative band and bow that the original pattern calls for I did differently.  I opted for slip stitches and a flower.

I did not do a gauge swatch, which did prove to be a semi-mistake.  I'm calling it only a "semi-mistake" because while the hat is much too small for me it looks adorable on my toddler!

Since I do think that this is a cute hat, and the pattern was well written and easy to follow, I will be making another Elegant Hat only this time I will use a larger hook.  It is worth noting, especially if you're interested in using this patter, reading through the various project notes on Ravelry I am not the only one who was surprised how small the hat turned out.  Some posit that those of us who like to crochet amigurumi projects, like my Elephant, tend to have a tighter single crochet stitch than average.

Do you know where the name "cloche" comes from?  It's a derivative of the French word meaning "bell".  Literally, the cloche is a bell-shaped hat.  The Queen of Milliners, Caroline Reboux, first designed the cloche hat in Paris.

While you're visiting my little blog {check out this post} and enter to win a skein of custom dyed yarn!

I love linking up my projects at various parties.  

The buttons can be found on this page and text links can be found below.
Just Something I Whipped Up, Made By You Monday, M.M.M., A Round Tuit, Make it Yourself Monday, I Made it Monday, Craftastic Link Party, CraftOManiac Party,  What's in the Gunny Sack?, Make it Great Monday, Take a Look Tuesday, Craft & Tell, Tip Toe Thru, Show Me What You Got, Terrific Tuesdays, One Project at a Time, Too Cute Tuesday, Hookin On Hump Day, What Kids Wore, Your Whims Wednesday, We Did it!, What We Wore, Read, and Made, Show & Share, Made by Me, What I Whipped Up Wednesday, The Creative Spark, Wow Me Wednesday, Will See it Wednesday, Inspiring Creativity, Whatever Goes Wednesday,  It's a Party, Wow Us Wednesday, Time for a Party, A Crafty Soiree, Hookin Up with HoH, Creative Juice Thursday, Blog Link Party,     Catch a Glimpse Party, Chic & Crafty, Happy Hour Friday, Fantabulous Friday, Super Link Party, Friday Fun Party, I {Heart} Fridays, Do Something Crafty,  

Mommy Bear Media Giveaway

Welcome to the $100 Mommy Bear Media Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Sponsored by Mommy Bear Media.

Brought to you today by The Philosopher's Wife.

What is Mommy Bear Media?  Mommy Bear Media offers fast, free shipping on top-rated, family-friendly DVDs.   Mommy Bear Media carefully examines all movies and TV shows and chooses to only sell the best family-friendly movies. They have a fantastic selection of DVDs and Blu-Rays including The Lorax, Tangled, The Hunger Games, Twilight and many more.

By the way, if you're a blogger, you'll want to check out the new blogger program Mommy Bear Media has just unveiled. As a Mommy Bear Media Premier Blogger, you'll be able to earn a commission for clicks and sales, be entered into their weekly giveaway pool plus more.

Enter to win a $100 Mommy Bear Media Gift Certificate.

Open in the United States.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on September 23, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

While you're here, you should enter to win Diapers for a Year and a Custom Dyed Skein of Yarn!

Bloggers, join a group giveaway event like this one! Sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by Giveaway Promote.

If you'd like to hear about all group giveaway and hop events open for blogger sign-ups, subscribe to Giveaway Promote's weekly group giveaway events and hops newsletter.

The Philosopher's Wife received no monetary compensation for this post 

and is not responsible for prize shipment. 

WIPS

Read more about last week's WIP--it's finished!

Work In Progress

I am a bit under the weather right now, but I still wanted to share what I've been working on.  I still had some yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts left, so I decided to make a scarf to match the hat.

Also, don't forget, I am hosting a giveaway for a Custom Dyed Skein of Yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts.

I will be sharing this at the following:

Yarn Along with Ginny

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

What You Doing Wednesday with Sue

Tuesday's Tallies with Carole

My Crocheted Hat Using Fangrrl Fiber Arts Yarn (and a Review)

I must say, working with this yarn has proven to be an adventure!  I love the yarn, I really do, but this overall project has been fraught with difficulties.

This crochet adventure began in the ball winding stage--a delicate stage as anyone who works with yarn could tell you!  In the midst of winding the ball I had to leave it, half-done, on my desk for a little while.  When I returned to the yarn it was tangled.  REALLY tangled.  I didn't get it untangled for over two days.  (I believe an adorable and curious toddler might have had something to do with this...)

Then I couldn't find the pattern that I had mentally set aside for this particular skein.  I thought that I had it bookmarked in my browser, or in my Favorites on Ravelry, but I never did find it.  

I eventually settled on a hat pattern, but ultimately wasn't satisfied with how it was turning out.

So I unraveled it.  (This was the one that I shared on my WIPS post.)

Two more started and then unraveled projected followed.

Finally, I found a pattern that worked and I am very happy with the result!  

Despite some setbacks I must say that I really enjoyed working with this yarn.  In the beginning, when I was spending lots of time untangling it there was a small amount of excess dye that came off onto my fingers, but that washed off easily.

This yarn has a great feel to it, and it is not scratchy at all (like many wool yarns are).  This is a superwashed yarn, which basically means that you can machine wash it and it won't felt even though it is wool.  Of course, you do need to make sure to wash it gently and on cold.  Don't put it in the dyer, as heat can damage the superwash finish.

Kate, the shop owner and self-proclaimed geek, is super friendly and certainly has a fun personality.  You can see some of her personality shine through in the names of her yarns.  All of the yarns in the shop have awesome names!  Toxic Avenger, Goblin, and Left Hand Green are just three of the yarns you could purchase!  I just have to add that I love that these yarns are all hand-dyed--this means that each skein is unique.  

Basic Yarn Information

Color Name: Tim Burton 

Content: 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon

Weight: Fingering

Yardage: 462*

Where you can purchase: Fangrrl Fiber Arts

Giveaway to win a Custom Dyed Skein of Yarn: Click Here

*A note about the yardage, even after finishing the hat (which I would say is roughly a woman's medium) there is quite a bit of yarn remaining!  Certainly enough for a matching scarf, so be on the lookout for this yarn in a future project.

I was very happy to be able to crochet with this yarn, and working with Kate from Fangrrl Fiber Arts was a pleasure!

Enter to win your very own Custom Dyed Skein of Yarn 

from Fangrrl Fiber Arts.

I will be linking up to many of these fabulous parties! 

Disclosure: I received one skein of Tim Burton yarn from Fangrrl Fiber Arts in exchange for reviewing purposes.  

All opinions are my own; and of course, these are my honest opinions.