On my "to-do" list for today it says, "new blog post". So even though I pretty much don't have anything to say the list says that I must do a new blog post. Thus, I must.

I finally finished this sweater:

It's a good thing, too. It was made for one of my Aprils and my goal was to finish it before she had that baby. Well, I pretty much finished sewing on those blasted snaps the night before she went into labor. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. (True confession, I offered Greg $1,000 if he would sew the snaps on for me - he did but I'm not going to really pay him - the joke's on him. And maybe on the baby - the snaps are awkward - sorry Adrienne!)

I've decided that "the toddcat" is taking his nickname a little too seriously. He recently got a cat and worse - he recently dressed-up said cat:

Since "the fish incident" I have not talked to the missionaries. However, Greg (who is a much better person than I am) performed the cleaning inspections on Monday night (they passed!). He did find out that they only cooked up 1/2 of their 1/2 of a fish. He "strongly counseled" them that it wouldn't be a good idea to cook up the rest of it in the house because I can't handle the stench. Of course, it makes me seem like the mean one in the house - but Greg told me that really since I'm the only girl in the house I pretty much am already blamed for all the rules - so what's one more?

A friend sent me a blog where this girl/student documents every outfit and where she purchased it and then provides fashion tips. I'm thinking of starting a new blog where I do the exact same thing. I could probably get sponsors.

love is in the air

Greg and I work at a university where a lot of life is pretty much centered around dating . . .  or the lack thereof. Just Monday there was a front page article about what to do if you graduate from college gasp! SINGLE gasp! So I decided that as we lead up to Valentine's Day this year I wanted to make sure that while walking around on campus everyone knows that we are together. You know, that our love knows no bounds - even when and if it is negative a jillion degrees outside we are going to hold hands and shout it from the rooftops!

This smitten makes all that possible:

This morning was our first morning of trying it out. And sure, we felt a little stupid, but I think there were a lot of envious eyes checking out our love while walking into work. At least that is what I'm telling myself.


And don't worry - I've done my best to talk it up with the Rosscat so we don't have a repeat of this FAIL! 

ramblings

Yesterday, while I was complaining about our roommates to my father-in-law. . . the look on his face said it all. It was the look of, "you volunteered for this so you shouldn't be complaining." He is right. But I'll tell you this - the do's and don'ts list we gave to the missionaries is getting longer everyday.

In other news - I neglected to thank Greg for his help on working the dye cut machine so that I could make the FAIL! bulletin board.

The whole time he was dye cutting out letters he was singing the 16 tons song. Apparently, it was very taxing.

And even more other news - I'm upgrading my wallet. I've been using these fancy jcrew wallets for the past six(?) years. Because of their size - they often can get swallowed up in my purse and they are starting to look a little less than nice. So tj maxx to the rescue - I think I like it - but it seems a little old lady-ish - but classy. At least that is what I'm telling myself.

And finally, my goal this year (as it was last year) is to hand out all my knitting prizes - but this year I am serious. Two are finished - Tracy and Kristal - be on the lookout for one of these beauties!

a christmas miracle

With it being the first day of December I thought I would post a little hallelujah - I finally finished this sucker. Sure, it only took me six months. And sure, I don't know why I thought it was so important for me to make a giraffe. Nevertheless, it is finished. Let the dust gathering begin on this thing.

gratitude #4

I'm grateful I finally finished this thing - just in time for Charlotte's birthday. Here's Anna trying on the hat to make sure it will fit Charlotte. You have to admit it - it's pretty awesome. And just in time for the Rapunzel movie - it's like I planned it.

pound puppies making a comeback

When my brother (the bus driver/surgeon) was little he was in LOVE with his pound puppy. In love with it. Recently I saw a pattern to make one and I thought I would give it a go.

I started working on it and half-way through - the future puppy looked much more like a poop than a pup.

But I persevered.


I think I may have to give this to the bus driver/surgeon's son.

Although with his mustache - he may be too old for something like this.

not by the hair of my chinny chin chin

I am working on actually finishing up a bunch of knitting projects that I started forever ago and sure, this isn't quite finished but it's close enough and we needed a new blog post. The best part of this is that the pigs and the wolf are finger puppets. I'm the awesomest aunt ever.

P.S. I don't have any hair on my chinny chin chin thanks to nair

P.P.S. Check out Greg's 4th of July header - we are very patriotic in our house. Very.

a few items to note

Today Greg left to go participate in the Ragnar Relay. I was supposed to do it with him - but the sunburn catastrophe of 2010 has left me a little under the running weather. Praise be that my brother was willing to step in and take my place. Because Greg will be running all sorts of legs at all different times of day - last night he decided to practice running with his headlamp on. Check it:

Also - we have decided that this giraffe that I am working on needs to go on a diet.

saving the world one swiffer cloth at a time

Just fyi - we in the Carlklef household are very environmentally awesome. As evidenced . . . we are constantly thinking of ways to decrease our carbon footprint . . . so check this out:

That's right - it is made out of ugly Christmas yarn - but I look at it and think "we are so green and amazing - we truly care about the earth" unlike those Gore's that think that after 40 years of marriage they just grew apart - lame. But I digress.

packer extroadinaire

I found it to be imperative that I take this with me to Chicago. Imperative.

Sure, I haven't used it yet. And sure, it was a big fat pain to carry around but I have no doubt that when I start using it - Greg will take back all those things about it being ridiculous that I pack this. He'll just be jealous of the amazing-ness thing that I make. Totally.

spring has sprung . . . maybe

So after last weekend I'm hoping that spring is on the up and up. This weekend I got so hopeful that I even whipped out this amazing knitted item. And as much as some of you may find my knitted things stupid (like my beloved Dansko's) - you have to admit this reversible "toy" is pretty cool. Here is an "action" shot.

before and after

So it was the Workhorse's birthday this week. I wanted to make her a present but I decided I didn't want to make her a present if she didn't want it. That would just be a waste of time (and yarn) and I am far enough behind on getting out knitted gifts. Anyhoo. So I showed her a picture of this yoga bag thing and asked her (hypothetically, of course) if I made her one would that be a good birthday present? She said yes - and my fingers got busy. The bag requires some serious felting so I took a picture of how huge it was before I was able to shrink it down.

Here is Greg modeling the golf bag size thing (in his leisure suit - a favorite gift of his from the workhorse):

And now here it is after the felting (model courtesy of the workhorse):

My mom is awesome. Her favorite yoga position? Standing on her head. I think it is a Staker trait - being upside down like that is just so comfortable.

i love . . . day 18

I love the fact that we Carlklef's are working so hard to decrease our carbon footprint. Instead of using plastic bags to carry my lunch . . . I made this amazing fisherman's bag sort of thing. It is too big and I look ridiculous when I carry it but I am environmentally friendly.

Please pay no attention to the drawer at home that I have stuffed with plastic grocery bags .

weekend wrap-up

We had quite a weekend. Quite a weekend indeed. Finally, we no longer have to listen to everyone gush at how the BY will be playing for a national championship. My Saturdays will (hopefully) get back to more normalcy now that Greg and I have given up on the idea that a national championship = huge raises. So here is what happened:

We went to home depot (of course - but don't worry - these expenses are in the budget) where Greg had the opportunity to kick for a field goal. He was so so so so close - check out my action shot:

I'm thinking about getting a side job as a sports photographer.

Inspired by my cousin who told me that I totally need to figure out how to make these - I made these cowboy booties (modeled by my old cabbage patch doll that my mom no longer sees fit to store in her garage - we call her Jenny from the Block based on her terry-cloth sweatsuit):

These cowboy boots are for a cousin's wife who is having a girl -I know I need to focus on all those gifts I promised but this was a necessity (otherwise my mom was going to make me go in on the bumbo chair she is giving her and that definitely wasn't in the budget).

Inspired by my friend Qristal (I like to spell her name with a "Q" in honor of her favorite Project Runway candidate) I have been wearing accessories. At Sunday dinner last night - everyone commented on how fancy I was. Especially my two-year old niece. I don't know if that is a compliment or not.

And finally - Saturday was national talk like a pirate day. I don't really like those games but because my nephew, Davin, is obsessed with all things pirate (he named the horse that lives across the street from us Jack Sparrow) I thought I would share with you all his typical Sunday dinner get-up. He isn't allowed to wear his skullcap to church but I have a feeling it is in the car so that he can put it on the second church is over.

one project at a time

So I'm working on making good on my promise to knit/crochet a bunch of fantastic things for those who break the silence and comment. But you know - these things don't happen overnight. Or even over-month. But I'm happy to report that I managed to deliver two projects over the weekend - in person! We had a very, very, very quick trip to Chicago where I managed to hold Senor Eli and even have a baby shoot where I got to see what he looks like in this pretty awesome looking blanket (if I do say so myself). Pretty sweet. As for the other gift - well I forgot to take a picture of Alissa with her requested baby booties.

Our trip to Chicago was perfect - and yet we didn't manage to see everyone or do everything but really that's okay - it just makes us want to go back. A lot.

And for the rest of the projects - I'm working on it. Kind of - but really I should be studying for the bar.

knit couture

For those of you lucky ones who commented - I thought I would post a few knit couture projects I'm thinking about making for you.

I think that Kelli and Alissa would look great in those choke collars and spike bracelets. Sweet. Maybe the hat for Kristal. And the cowl? Well that will be for Tracy. Jill? The cupcake hat. The rest? I'm still figuring it out.




Yes, consider yourself a winner winner chicken dinner.

choices . . .

I ruined a lot of people's days today. I hate choosing - if it were up to me - I wouldn't choose and instead everyone would be President, Cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. I just don't want any person to think it was personal - instead I had to choose - and this is the best I could do.



With that sort of cryptic yet solemn (aka Debbie Downer) paragraph - I just have to say - I can't choose a person to knit for in the contest previously posted - thus EVERYONE WILL GET SOMETHING! Yes, it is like I am Oprah.



Please keep in mind I didn't say you would receive your gift tomorrow - but I'm going to be working on it - so if you have a special request you better e-mail me sooner than later.



I bet this makes some of you wish you would have commented - and others - well you are probably relieved you didn't.

a heart-warming post

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the phrase, "heart of hearts." You know, like "in my heart of hearts I know that I am supposed to marry this person." Or "In my heart of hearts I feel like you are lying to me." Some are concerned - what does "heart of hearts" actually mean? Well duh - "heart of hearts" is your tiny heart inside your regular sized beating heart. It being the week of love I thought I would also provide a visual image. See exhibit.

In my "heart of hearts" I know that these knitted washcloths are crap. But that won't prevent me from giving them away to my nieces with some bubble bath and expecting them to be excited about it.

It's all about the hat

With it almost being the month of love (and we all know what a romantic Ross is) I have been really, really interested in knitting up Valentine's stuff. Sure, maybe it will be stuffed in the closet the second after February 14th - but I saw this pattern and I just couldn't resist. Now if only I can get it in the mail fast enough before my friend's baby girl arrives!

If only Lindy would have had a girl - sure, they come with drama - but they are much more fun to knit for.

WHOOOOOOO thinks this is awesome?

I whipped up this "toy" for a new arrival. Alright, the baby is almost four months old - but I've been busy.

*I apologize for the very, very, very punny title - but let's face it - it's funny.