WIPS

I have too many works in progress right now.  And so many projects that I'm itching to start!

I am loving my String Theory Yarn.  (The $60 giveaway ends soon -- hurry!)  My shawl is coming along nicely.  Like I mentioned last week I'm still pretty nervous about the decorative pattern.  I'm convinced I'm going to make a mistake and it's going to be all wonky.  I guess we learn from our mistakes, right?  A fear of missed perfection isn't a good reason to stop . . . but it would be awesome if it all worked out perfectly the first time.  (Pattern is Traveling Woman -- free version.)

I've just started a "In Threes Cardigan".  I'm planning on giving this to Catherine.  I've seen this darling little sweater pop up all over the place, so I thought it was time to give it a try.  I love the utter simplicity of the pattern thus far.  And oh the yarn!  It's Tinker Island Fingering and it works up divinely and the color is stunning!  (I might have had a difficult time deciding to make something for someone else or doing more selfish knitting.)

Here's a sneak peak of my latest crochet creation.  Can I just say how much I love this pattern?  It's from Glow Creek Patterns on Etsy and it is fantastic!  I've made a couple of bracelets and will be sharing them with you very soon!

How about you?  What have you been creating lately?  Have you used any of the above patterns?  What is your favorite shawl pattern?  Or kid's cardi pattern?  Or jewelry pattern?

By the way, I apologize for the slightly blurry photos today.  My sweet helper was quite insistent on pulling either me, the yarn, or both.  But, isn't he cute?

Linking up at the usual places!

I'd love to have you link up at my weekly

Yarn Fanatic Party!

Yarn Fanatic Party #38

Welcome to the 38th Yarn Fanatic Party!  This is going to be a quick blog post because I simply don't have much time and it's already TUESDAY.  Yikes!  I'll be sharing a lot of my favorite links from last week's Yarn Fanatic Party on Facebook this week, so be sure to stop by.  Also, this amazing String Theory Yarn Giveaway is in the final stretch!  Make sure you enter now.

{Website}

{Ravelry Group}

{Facebook}

{Pinterest}

{Twitter}

One lucky winner will receive a $60 Gift Certificate to use at String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc.

Details and Important Information: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.  A quick note to my international friends: I know many of you are disappointed that these giveaways are limited to US only.  The problem is that there are hundreds of rules and laws regarding how giveaways are run.  It can be very easy to accidentally break the law when international policy comes into play.  I simply wish to keep everything as legal as possible, and for now at least that means limiting these giveaways to US entrants.  I do hope that you still participate in these Yarn Fanatic Parties and that someday there might be a giveaway that you can enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

7 Quick Takes

1.  Let's start today's Quick Takes with some cuteness.  We just visited the North Carolina Arboretum, which was simply beautiful.  I'm going to share an entire blog post with you later, but I just couldn't wait to share this photo.

2.  I am loving my String Theory Yarn.  (Don't forget to enter the $60 giveaway!)  My shawl is coming along nicely.  I've started the decorative rows along the edge -- this is my first project with such details and I'm a little nervous I'm going to mess it up.  Oh well, I can always frog it . . . but I'd rather not!  

3.  This was picture week for Catherine's ballet class.  All of the little girls were simply adorable.  

4.  This no bake cheesecake bites recipe sound amazing.  I think I will be making them soon . . . maybe today?  Do you have any favorite no bake desserts?

5.  I've recently discovered Candy Crush.  Has anyone else been sucked into that black hole?

6.  If you're looking for an online shop to buy knit fabric give Girl Charlee a try!  If you use my link I might get a few bucks off my next order.  (Which would be totally awesome.)  While I'm promoting affiliates, Craftsy is having a big sale this week, you might want to check it out.  (While you're there check out this American Flag knitting pattern!)  Do you shop the holiday sales? 

7.  Have a great Memorial Day weekend, just don't forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Source

Linking up here.

I really appreciate it when you shop at Amazon after clicking through one of my links.  

It doesn't cost you anything extra, and I receive a couple of pennies for every dollar that you spend.  

Yarn Fanatic Party #37

It's time for another Yarn Fanatic Party!  How are you doing this week?  Our community pool opened last week, and we've already been down to enjoy it quite a few times.  I love that they don't wait for the holiday weekend if the weather warrants a pool opening.  I've also been busy knitting this past week.  I can't wait to show you everything that I've been working on and I can't wait to see your projects!

Features From Last Week

This Stitch Sampler Blanket by Darlene caught my eye.  What a cool crochet project! I'm sure her daughter will love it.  (And it looks like a great stash buster -- especially for all of those "leftovers"!)

I also really like this cute little knitted sweater.  The row of buttons down the side is just adorable!

As always, be sure to check in with my co-host Alexandra to see if you were one of the most clicked projects!

Giveaway time!

I have been loving my yarn from String Theory.  I will have some pictures for you as soon as the camera battery finished charging.  I am working on a Traveling Woman Shawl for me and I think I will use either the blue or green goodness to make an In Threes Cardigan for Catherine.

{Website}

{Ravelry Group}

{Facebook}

{Pinterest}

{Twitter}

One lucky winner will receive a $60 Gift Certificate to use at String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc.

Details and Important Information: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.  A quick note to my international friends: I know many of you are disappointed that these giveaways are limited to US only.  The problem is that there are hundreds of rules and laws regarding how giveaways are run.  It can be very easy to accidentally break the law when international policy comes into play.  I simply wish to keep everything as legal as possible, and for now at least that means limiting these giveaways to US entrants.  I do hope that you still participate in these Yarn Fanatic Parties and that someday there might be a giveaway that you can enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

Wordless Wednesday: Pointless Signage

Source

(Exception.)  Share your own family friendly Wordless Wednesday post!

An InLinkz Link-up

Yarn Fanatic Party #36

Welcome to the Yarn Fanatic Party!  Sorry I'm a little late this week -- we had a very busy past couple of days.  My husband's youngest sibling graduated from college on Mother's Day, and we didn't make it home until Monday afternoon.  In just under 48 hours we managed to drive over 1,000 miles, attend a graduation, enjoy an after party complete with a mini-hike to a waterfall and a cook out, and we were thankful to be able to crash with generous family members during our travels.  Now we're home again.

Did you see all of the fabulous yarn-y projects linked up last week?  I really do hope that you take the time to check out a few of them.  Everyone has so much talent!  I'm in love with this Giraffe that Natalie made.  You simply have to go to her blog and check out all of the details.

Visit Alexandra, my co-host, to see if you had one of the most clicked projects!

Giveaway time!

Have you seen the beautiful yarn from String Theory?  Isn't the name clever?  I have to say that was what attracted me to the shop in the first place.  Tanis, the owner, lives and creates in Maine. She has a decade of yarn dying experience, and draws upon a life long love of the fiber arts when creating new yarns for us to use.

Be sure to connect with String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc. so that you don't miss anything!

{Website}

{Ravelry Group}

{Facebook}

{Pinterest}

{Twitter}

One lucky winner will receive a $60 Gift Certificate to use at String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc.

Details and Important Information: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.  A quick note to my international friends: I know many of you are disappointed that these giveaways are limited to US only.  The problem is that there are hundreds of rules and laws regarding how giveaways are run.  It can be very easy to accidentally break the law when international policy comes into play.  I simply wish to keep everything as legal as possible, and for now at least that means limiting these giveaways to US entrants.  I do hope that you still participate in these Yarn Fanatic Parties and that someday there might be a giveaway that you can enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

A Skort for Catherine: The Monkey Bar Skirt (A Sewing Project)

This post contains affiliate links.

When I first saw the Monkey Bar Skirt by Crafterhours I simply knew that I'd be making it.  The pattern is free on Craftsy and super easy.  While my girl spends many days dressed up as a princess and loves ballet, she also loves adventurous play.  And she plays hard.  I like giving her a wardrobe that can take her anywhere.  This skirt, with its attached shorts, (hence skort) is perfect for anything -- princess heels or mountain climbing.

I'm an advanced beginner when it comes to sewing.  I made this skort in less than two hours.  (That's reading through the pattern, cutting, sewing, and clean up.)  I think the second time will be even faster.  The material is Navy Blue Tonal Stripe Cotton Jersey Knit Fabric from Girl Charlee.  It's the leftovers from the blue stripes dress that I made for myself.

Since I was using remnants from a previous project I didn't bother with matching the stripes.  I also couldn't get a waistband sized piece without making the stripes vertical.  Although, in all honesty, I really like how that turned out.  I made a size 5, and it seems spot on "regular" sizes.  I do think that I will lengthen the shorts part next time.

By the way, I totally recommend Girl Charlee fabrics.  I bought a bunch of fabric from them during one of their big pre-Christmas sales and have been super happy with everything.  If you're new to them I'd greatly appreciate if you'd use my referral link, I get a couple bucks for every new customer I send their way.  There are some pretty summer knits calling my name . . . 

I love linking up at all of these places.

WIPS: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Inc.

I am so excited to be reviewing these yarns from String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn.  In fact, I was downright giddy when I got the mail and saw all these goodies.  Yes, giddy.

I have some projects in mind (see below), and will get started as soon as life allows, but what would you make with these beautiful skeins of yarn?  (Links to patterns are always appreciated!)

Be sure to connect with String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc.!

{Website}

{Ravelry Group}

{Facebook}

{Pinterest}

{Twitter}

Don't miss the $60 String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Giveaway!
(Ends May 31, 2015. US Only.)

For the Bluestocking yarn in Sterling I am going to make a shawl.  It will be my first knitted shawl.  I'm pretty excited about this project!  After much debate I've settled on this pattern.  What is your favorite shawl pattern?

So far I've been extremely happy with how this yarn works up.  The color is such a beautiful soft grey.  It will go so nicely with bright sundresses this summer!  I've talked about how I am a bit nervous tackling the lace part, but I'm up for the challenge!

This stunning yarn, it's Tinker Island Fingering, is going to be a "In Threes Cardigan" for my daughter.  I think this will be a beautiful summer sweater for her.  This color is so incredibly rich.  I love it.

This post is also a "Work In Progress".  

It will be updated as I knit and crochet with these yarns.

Yarn Fanatic Party #35

Welcome to the thirty-fifth Yarn Fanatic Party!  This is a place to share your yarn-y projects, see what others have made, support one another, and enter a yarn giveaway!

Did you see the Hello Kitty Baby Blanket linked up last week?  It's pretty cute!  

You might remember the Hello Kitty Dolls that I made a while ago, but if you don't that's alright too.  Little girls really like this stuff, don't they?

I also really love these spiral coasters!  I need to make something with this spiral technique, it's just too cool!

Have you seen what my Yarn Fanatic Party co-host, Alexandra, posted over the weekend?  A free pattern for a slanted shell afghan.  Doesn't it look cozy?

Giveaway time!

Have you seen the beautiful yarn from String Theory?  Isn't the name clever?  I have to say that was what attracted me to the shop in the first place.  Tanis, the owner, lives and creates in Maine.  (I've traveled through or visited about half of the 50 states, but have yet to make it to Maine.  Someday!)  She has a decade of yarn dying experience, and draws upon a life long love of the fiber arts when creating new yarns for us to use.

Be sure to connect with String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc. so that you don't miss anything!

{Website}

{Ravelry Group}

{Facebook}

{Pinterest}

{Twitter}

I currently have the pleasure of working on a review of this yarn.  Just in case you're wondering, so far I love it!  The colors are beautiful and the yarn is soft.

I know that you're just longing to try this yarn, so I just know that you'll want to enter this giveaway.  If you've already enjoyed creating with this yarn then you know how wonderful it is, so I just know that you need to add more to your stash.  Basically, everyone who knits or crochets would love to enter this giveaway.  (And if you don't knit or crochet, I'm sure you know someone who would love to win this giveaway -- so let them know!)

One lucky winner will receive a $60 Gift Certificate to use at String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Inc.

Details and Important Information: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.  A quick note to my international friends: I know many of you are disappointed that these giveaways are limited to US only.  The problem is that there are hundreds of rules and laws regarding how giveaways are run.  It can be very easy to accidentally break the law when international policy comes into play.  I simply wish to keep everything as legal as possible, and for now at least that means limiting these giveaways to US entrants.  I do hope that you still participate in these Yarn Fanatic Parties and that someday there might be a giveaway that you can enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

7 Quick Takes: Utter Randomness

This post contains affiliate links.

1.  What is a niggly wiggly?  It's a real thing.  Seriously.  (Quick Take #7 has the answer.)
2.  Yep.  This is me.  (Although, ironically, I don't actually own a hot glue gun.  Maybe I should get one.  You know, just in case.)

Source

3.  Well, I suppose this is true!

Source

4.  I came across this meme this week and just about spit out my water.

Source: Buzzfeed 

5.  This one is pretty awesome too.

Source

6.  Speaking of reading, this pillow from Jolie Marche on Etsy is fantastic.  As a kid I was routinely guilty of this.  Admittedly, since having kids (especially when one is actually in bed with us) it often ends up being TV instead of books . . . but not always.

7.  A niggly wiggly is the little strip of paper wrapped with a Hersey's kiss.  Now you know.

The Amazon links in this post are my affiliate links.  

This means that I will receive a few cents for every dollar you spend after clicking through one of my links.  It doesn't cost you anything extra, but does help me out.  

Thank you for your support!

{Linking up here.}