6KCBWDAY4-Bags, bags, bags

I have a love for project bags....I also have a love of owls. Owls are magical! I think more than half of my project bags have an owl pattern on them.

The bag on the left is a bag from Stitched by JessaLu, the other two bags were lovingly made for me by swap partners.

Of course every Harry Potter can also needs some bags...especially one to show off their house pride! 

The Slytherin bag is from Starknits, the Harry Potter bag was made by a local friend.

My latest bag purchase I had to buy. Because my love of knitting and crochet came from my Mema, I had to buy this cardinal bag. My Mema and Papa always  loved bird watching. Their favorite bird was the cardinal. When I saw this cardinal bag...I knew it was mine

The cardinal bag is from Kitchen Counter Crafter

6KCBWDAY2-It's All About You

This post is all about me!!! Here are 10 things that I thought I would share!

1. I have been married for almost 18 years and am mom to 3 kids. My username online (momofpeg) is for the first letters of their names Parker, Emma and Gabi.
2. I first learned to crochet after the death of my Mema. She could knit and crochet and I was the family member that received all of her hooks and needles. After learning the basics, I then taught myself to knit because I couldnt read crochet patterns at the time. With the help of some online friends, I have learned how to crochet using a pattern. Two years ago I bought a spinning wheel (a Kromski Fantasia that I named Luna)
3. I love many nerdy things that my husband and kids dont understand. My biggest love is Harry Potter. I even play a Ravelry version of Hogwarts called the Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup. Come join us if you are also a fan!
4. My other hobbies include reading, cross stitch and baking
5. My degree in college was Child and Family Services. After having my first child, I decided to stay at home and do childcare. I have been doing this for the past 15 years. The best part of my job is nap time that I get about 2 hours to myself that I can craft. Most jobs wouldnt have this benefit!
6. About a year ago I joined a wonderful gym and go to kickboxing 3 times a week. I love it so much (I would have to in order to get up at 4 am) I think it is the best thing that I have done for myself
7. I drink more coffee than water on most given days
8. My favorite color is green
9. My goal for this year is to learn how to use a sewing machine. I also received my Memas sewing machine when she died. It has been my goal for years to use it and give it the love it deserves
10. My dream would be to live on a farm and have a few alpaca

6KCBWDAY1-If I Was a Yarn

While on Facebook, I noticed that this week is the 6th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week by Eskimimi Makes. I decided this was the perfect time to start working on my blog again. It has been awhile since I have posted anything, so here we go!!

The topic for Day 1 (which was really yesterday) was "If I was a yarn." This was really hard for me because I have been lucky to knit and crochet with some really nice yarn. Before I learned about all of the Indie Dyers, my first love was Malabrigo worsted. Malabrigo was the first yarn that I used that wasn't acrylic from Hobby Lobby. Some of my favorite things I have crafted have been out of Malabrigo. Their colors are kettle dyed and are to die for! I love how soft the yarn is!!  The only down side to their worsted is that it is not superwash. I do love their Rios superwash, but not in the same way that I love the worsted.

After thinking about this topic some more, I thought about handspun. I bought a wheel (named Luna) a couple of years ago and love the process of spinning. Most of my yarns have been 2 ply, but I am excited to try some new techniques. I love the process of turning a braid of fiber into a skein of yarn that will not be the same as any other skein. My favorite finished object out of my handspun so far is a pair of mitts that I spun the fiber that I purchased at Nerd Girl Yarns.  Christa is a true artist when it comes to color. It warms my nerdy heart that her colorways express so many fandoms that I love. These mitts were her panda base (60% superwash merino, 30% bamboo, 10% nylon) It is so wonderful to spin.
I will try and add a picture later because my computer is not playing nicely now

We have a new driver in the house

Parker now has his learning permit. It i a bit scary. For one I don't feel like I'm old enough to have a child that can drive. It's also scary sitting and watching him learn to drive. He does ok but really needs to work on turning. Luckily he can't drive by himself for 2 more years

Happy birthday Gabi!!!

I can't believe that Gabi just turned 8 years old! It seems like just yesterday she was born. Now she is a high spirited 2nd grader. She has made so much progress in the past couple of years and I am so proud of her.  For those that don't know, Gabi was diagnosed at age 3 with Selective Mutism.

"Selective mutism is a little understood condition in which a person who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in given situations or to specific people. Selective mutism usually co-exists with shyness or social anxiety."

When she started preschool she would not talk at all. She started whispering in class to the teachers, but never to class mates. Last year she started speaking in class in a regular speaking voice to both teachers and class mates. It has been amazing watching her grow socially since this happened.

What's on the needles....

Oh my I can't believe it has been forever since I have posted. I decided to give my blog a new look and a new post today.

Currently on the needles I have:
1. Hermione's Everyday socks-I am on the first one and have just turned the heel. I am using Socks that Rock in  Gingerbread Dude 
 2. Strathcona by Jane Richmond. I am making this in the Doom Goat colorway from Softnshiny
I won Jane Richmond's ISLAND book from a podcast and I decided I finally needed to make something out of it. I am loving this pattern
3. Hitchhiker by Martina Behm....yes I am still working on this. I think I am up to 24 out of the 42 teeth

What I have coming up:
1. the parseltongue hat by tiny owl knits. I will be making this out of Malabrigo worsted for the Malabrigo Stockpile event in October
2. Practically by Kelly Herdrich. I will be making this out of Malabrigo Rios
3. Guernsey Wrap by Jared Flood. I will be making this for my mom for Christmas

What I've been up to.....

I havent done much crafting because of my busy summer with the kids. I am up to 24 out of 42 points on my Hitchhiker

Then I made a blanket square that will be sent off to one of the Slytherin moms who are having babies

Finally I have crocheted some baby booties for one of my favorite podcasters-Carin from Round the Twist