Dishcloth Swap Stuff

Do you ever feel like you have to be in the mood to blog? I know that I have needed to post these pictures for a couple of days, but I haven't been able to write the words properly. So, here I am finally. First things first.

There is a new topic for the Dishcloth Swap. Now that summer is here, how do I keep cooled off? It gets warm here, but not as hot as other parts of the state. So, most of the houses in our area don't have air conditioning. There are a lot of fans placed around the house. We have a very old air conditioning box in one of our windows. It won't cool an entire room if it's too warm, but it makes the couch the most comfortable seat in the house. This is great for knitting or playing the Wii for an afternoon.

When we sneak outdoors, keeping cool things with you is key. We have a kiddie pool filled with 5 inches of water. Then lots of OtterPops, shaved ice, bottles of cold water. Also, time is spent at my parents or in-laws. Both have air conditioning and swimming pools. This is by far Haley's favorite way to keep cool.

Heidi Jo received her package in the mail. So, here it is to share with the rest of you. I spent a little over the $20, but I had a ton of fun putting it together. It's designed to be more of a bath set then a kitchen set.In it is the Angels cloth that I made up. Heidi is a big Angels Baseball fan, so I figured it would be the perfect design. I also got the yarn, a cotton/silk blend, on sale.

Pattern: Angels Washcloth
From: My own design.
Yarn: Loop D Loop by Teva Durham Birch 90% cotton 10% silk.

This is a scrubby/loofah. It's the Natalie stitch from before. I wanted to make a loofah, but have it be softer. So I blended cotton with Aloo. It's from the nettle family and pretty much like knitting dried grass. There are a lot more of these in the works.

Pattern: Natalie Scrubbycloth/Loofah
From: From the Right Side of My Brain.
Yarns: Sugar n' Cream Cotton and Himalaya Yarns 100% Aloo.

Finally there was a small chocolate recipe book, Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom products and a ball of Sugar N' Cream. The dark chocolates were the only items not on sale or out of the markdown bin.

Perks

There are a few perks for living in and around our world. For example you can act like this and it is totally acceptable.There are also perks to being friends with my husband. For example, if you are having a baby. My husband will get online and pick out really funny onesies for you little guy. Then I will knit a matching hat for him. I kinda like the boobs shirt, but the gray is my favorite.

Pattern: Rib-Brim Baby Hat

By: The Right-Side of my Brain

Yarn: Some Mystery Alpaca that was given to me because it matches the PUNK shirt.

There are also perks to working in a dental office. A lot of perks actually. I also have a fresh toothbrush every three months, other offices send us food to "Thank us for the referrals," I never worry about getting a toothache because I have the doctor's home phone number, and there is alway floss near by when you need it. The perk I am loving today is the boxes. We get lots of boxes in various sizes and shapes. I think my favorite is the toothbrush box. It is the most perfect sized box and so far anything I have put in it fits just right. Plus the top is a flip lid. This box is perfect for shipping stuff. Just wrap it in some brown packaging paper and let the Sharpies handle the rest. Inside this particular box is my Dishcloth Swap gift. It's off and should be arriving tomorrow, which also happens to be Heidi Jo's birthday. Perks of being my swap pal? Someone is getting a really cool gift!

Big Heap Trouble

So, I just got in trouble, just a little trouble, with the Dishcloth Swap. I was confused and modern technology had a little to play with it. And I did make an effort to get it right.

What did I do? I failed to contact my giftee. I had it in my head that we were suppose to be all secret and stuff.

I got the email telling me that I was gifting to Heidi Jo. She is really cool and fun. In the email there were great big, bold letters saying to contact your giftee. Then it said it again in all caps and bold. Somehow, I just skipped over the whole email and went right to the link to the blog.

I did try to confirm what I was doing. I thought that Heidi and I would be trading with each other, but was confused by the not knowing you gifter thing. I emailed the organizer and she said that I was giving to her and she was giving to someone else. Then she said that Heidi would know who I was when she received the package, so be sure to include a note that said who I was.

The point of the email was to see how much I could put up on the blog. But since Heidi would have no way of figuring me out, then I posted the yarn and prototype for the scrubby.

Now I have contacted Heidi. I had trouble getting an email to her. I had to sign out of one gmail and into the other. Then the first email came back to me as failed delivery. So, I had to sign back in and send it to her other email (provided becaue I hadn't emailed her yet.) But I misspelled the address. When I noticed, I had to sign in AGAIN. I finally decided to just use my regular email that all the others get forwarded to. -Heidi, you're welcomed to read the blog, cause you aren't getting anymore sneak peaks.-

What does technology play in all of this? You are suppose to use a "secert" email so your giftee won't know who you are. My gifter emailed me. Her email shows as coming from "B B." Then on the swap page, everyone is list. There is only one girl with BB initials. That narrows my gifter down to Bridget B. She was kinda bummed that I was able to figure out who she was.

So, in the end, my efforts to stay super secret failed. Next time, I just won't post anything about what I am making. Oh, and make sure I send all the emails I am suppose to send.

Swap Topics

As a part of the Dishcloth Swap there are weekly questions to help the maker of my cloth to get to know me and what I would like a little bit better.

Topic #1 What are my favorite patterns?

I suppose I like pretty stitch repeats. YO's are always cool, makes it a little lacey. I've only ever made the Dishcloths from the Heart. They were the first patterns that I made when I learned to knit and I'm not sure I will ever make them again. There are about 16 of them floating around my relatives' houses.

I did go through and queue a tons of designs (sorry to all of my Ravelry friends). I plan on making a bunch of butterflies with some of the bright colors of cotton that I picked up. I think that it would be fun to make cloths out of sock designs. Monkey cloths, Jaywalker cloths. That would be funny.

Topic #2 How do you know when summer has "arrived"?

I would have to say when it gets crowded. Living so close to the beach the high stays within 25 degrees of itself all year long. Inland, it can get really hot. So, everyone comes to the beach to cool off. The parking gets worst, waits at our favorites restaurants get longer, and there are more cars on the road.

I also end up throwing the swim bag in the back of my car permanently. I didn't enjoy being the mommy that forgot all the swim stuff when we visited Grandma and her pool.

I hope that helps a little swap partner.

Dishcloth Swap and New Yarns

I've joined the Dishcloth Summer Swap. I had to put up a questionnaire. Got assigned a person. Now I am busy with dish/bath cloth knitting. It's actually a little nice for the summer and they are quick. I accidently made you a stitch pattern because I don't know how to listen. Natalie was making a Yarn Harlot scarf and told me it was K2, Ktbl, P and I heard K2, YO, K2tog tbl. So, I call it the Natalie stitch. I've used it for a couple of projects in the past, but thought it would make a good washcloth pattern, too. Here is a prototype. It is currently in the dryer from a wash to see how much it will shrink. It's Sugars n' Cream and they like to shrink a lot. Now the gift cloth will not be made out of Sn'C, but it is going to be a part of the gift. I'll be mixing it with some Aloo and it will be like a scrubby cloth.

I have had fun picking up some new yarns. Michaels had Sugar n' Cream on sale for a dollar each. Of course I had to buy ten of them. I couldn't help myself and had to cast on one of them as soon as I possibly could.Here is the yarn that I am using for the gift. I don't want to give away too much info about it. I wanted to use Blue Sky Organic Cotton, but my giftee requested a certain type of cotton and they were the same price, so here it is in a nice brown with little blue specks.Finally the Aloo. It is pretty much woven grass. I couldn't help putting this in a tree after I wound it up. Looks like a little bird's nest.

Holy Freakin Crap

Louisa Harding commented on my Daphne Purse today on Ravelry. The Louisa Harding!!! The designer of the yarn and the bag, commented on my purse. She likes my color choices.

What can I possible say back other than thank you and I love your stuff?

I'm flabbergasted right now.

Oh yeah, and she only commented on my purse. I check all of the other bags. Louisa Harding commented on MY purse.

I feel like I just saw Brad Pitt and he said I was cute.

Okay, I just had to share.

T - Minus 0 ... The Motive

Warning: If you are just beginning to read this story, scroll down to the beginning. It starts with T-Minus 5.

An Interview From Behind Bars
By Krissy O.
Free Range Press
Updated June 7th, 2008 7:24pm

An Exclusive Interview:
I Didn't Do It, But If I Did This Is Why

Emma the Amish Doll had a simple dollyhood. She had been a commissioned gift given to Little Miss Haley.

Originally she was suppose to have a face, but when she arrived she was faceless, she was Amish. Her family was surprised and sent her off the live in an Amish community.

Emma never felt like she fit in with all the other Amish girls. They were so plain and boring. "Those girls would always be churning butter or chopping wood. Always talking latest kid goat that was born."

Then one day Emma accompanied her father into town. It was then that she saw all of the knit toys, with their faces. She could only wish for a face like theirs. They were played with and had their pictures taken. They were given the type of attention Emma could only dream of.

Afterward Emma would add little bits of ribbon or lace to her outfits just to feel prettier. "All I wanted was to feel like and be myself." This came with great criticism from the elders in her community.

Emma often sneak away to hang out in town. Many of the other toys didn't talk to her.

Emma wished there were more to her life. She believed she was talented and was destined to be someone. Emma often ditched rug making class and was found singing and dancing behind the barn. " I had watched Hairspray at the local theatre house. It was then that I decided what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a star. But I had no money to get away and start on my own."

Emma's jealousy of the other toys only grew more with each passing day. Then one morning it all changed. Emma had caught Scottie T. Dog doing Dogroids behind the gym. She had decided to blackmail him.

Scottie was a champion basketball player for Stuffington University. He was being scouted for the NBA draft. Scottie didn't want to risk his changes of becoming a professional basketball player or loss his three championship rings from the NCAA. He is sentenced to be drooled on every night in Haley's bed.

Emma original plan was to have Scottie get rid of the Twin Bears. Then she would flip on Scottie and give police the evidence she had against Scottie. It was a way to get rid of three toys all at once. It was a perfect plan until Scottie read the news about Teddy Z. being found; he then returned to the farm.

When questioned, the Amish Elders simply hoped that Emma would be able to find a place to be happy after she served her time. "She seemed so sad. Always had a blank look on her face." commented one of the leaders.

Emma is serving time on the top shelf of the book case.

The Amish Doll
Sewn by Lee Wilson
This doll was made by a friend of my step mom's. She is suppose to look like a doll that my step mom owns with a very 80's painted face. When the doll showed up in the mail, there was no face. Lee said it was because she wanted to make an Amish doll, because Amish dolls don't have faces. I guess they were the cool thing to make at the time. I just think she is the farthest thing from Amish with all the lace, ribbons, and chenille hair.
She was the first homemade toy in our home, this was before I had learned to knit. All of this seemed to add up to a good story.


Disclaimer
No stuffed animals were hurt in the writing of the story.
Teddy A had not been torn apart, she wasn't even put together yet.
Teddy Z wasn't kidnapped. Though he wish he had been after riding around in my bag for a week.
Scottie would like to say that he does not, nor has he ever done drugs. Drugs are bad. You can't be a cool knit toy or a basketball star if you do drugs.
Emma is not jealous of all the other toys and actually enjoys staying up on the shelf...where it is clean.
Officer Alligator is just glad he got picked to be in the story, since he's not handmade.
You can catch Barbie in her newest movie. It's something about being friends. We own all the darn Barbie movies and I get them mixed up.


The End

T - Minus 1 .. The Bears

The Teddys Go Home
By Krissy O.
Free Range Press
Updated: June 6th, 2008 6:41 pm

Today the Teddy Bears were at home together for the first time since Monday.

Teddy A. was released from the hospital today after falling victim to a dog attack. She is expected to have a full recovery.

"I'm doing well and glad to be going home," said the Bear. She is preparing for a baby shower tomorrow.

Her brother, Teddy Z. seems to also be doing well after his kidnapping ordeal. The bears have been though a lot, but consider it training for being gifted to infant twins.

"Now we can take on anything," joked Teddy Z.

____________________________________________________________________
Okay, time for a regular post and lots of pictures of the bears. These guys are the cutest thing and I think I'm gong to have to make one or two for myself. They have a very antique look.
Each bear has the initial embroidered on it's paw. The "a" is a little too light in the pictures, but the pink shows up well in person. I like how when I put the paws together, it looks like they are holding hands. I know that every time I go to my SIL's house, I am going to be posing these bears.Teddy A striking a pose int he bushes.Teddy Z has a little more attitude.They turned out to be a lot more fun to make then I thought they would be. When I started all I could think about were all those little pieces I had to sew together, then stuff, then sew to the body. But really, as soon as the first pieces were coming together I was falling in love with them. I got inspired. Then I wrote a whole story about them. (Don't worry, there is one more chapter to come.)

Pattern: Classic Teddy Bear by Mary Ann Gebhardt (Ravelry)
From: Interweave Knits Holiday 2007
Yarns: Twist Organic Cotton Boucle in Toast and Joseph Galler Inca Cotton in Ecru. Both of these are organic, undyed cottons.

I hope you have had as much fun with these bears as I have.

T - Minus 2 .. A Break In The Case

Police Raid Amish Farm
By Krissy O.
Free Range Press
Updated: June 5th, 2008 7:54 pm

Early this afternoon, police raided an Amish farmhouse after following suspect in dog attack.

A plain clothes officer spotted the suspect in the Teddy A. mauling and Teddy Z. kidnapping. Scottie T. Dog was leaving a grocery store and then drove to the local Amish community.

Instead of arresting Scottie, police decided to follow him in hopes of finding the accomplice that assisted in his escape from police custody.

Scottie lead them to the home of Emma the Amish Doll. There was a large white wash barn on the property. Police suspected that this was the barn Teddy Z. was held captive.

Scottie and Emma the Amish Doll were having tea in the yard behind the house. Police found a handcuff key in Emma's possession. It is believed that this is the key used to help Scottie escape from police custody earlier this week.

Both suspects are being interrogated for a motive in the Teddy Bear Case.

Teddy A. was victim to a dog attack Monday of this week. She has been moved out of the ICU and is expected to go home soon. Her brother was kidnapped and held for ransom, but able to escape. He was found yesterday morning wondering a highway 5 miles from the Amish farm.

T - Minus 3.. Teddy Z, Found!!!

Kidnapped Bear Found

By Krissy O.

Free Range Press

Updated: June 4th, 2008 10:32 am

Kidnapped bear has been found by local authorities.

Teddy Z.'s disappearance launched an massive search into the neighboring communities.

Teddy Z. was found on a highway running along side the local Amish community. It is uncertain where Teddy Z. was held captive.

The bear told authorities that he had been kidnapped and left tied up in a barn.

Officer Alligator is releasing few details as investigators worked to piece the story together.

It appears as if Teddy Z. was left unattended in a barn. During the night, he was able to free himself and escape from the property. He then spent most of the night wandering the countryside looking for a road.

The investigation is difficult as the Amish are friendly but tend to mind their own business. It's a rural community with a single main street and homes are spread through out the farmland. Children play freely and doors are often left open.

"I just really want to be with my sister, " Teddy Z. announced in a press conference. Teddy A. was attacked earlier this week by a dog. When the suspect escaped police custody, it was discovered that Teddy Z. had been kidnapped. The two incidences are believed to be connected.

T - Minus 4... An Arrest is Made... Kinda

Suspect in Dog Attack Arrested
By Krissy
Free Range Press
Updated: June 3, 2008 10:36 am

Law enforcement officers found a dog attack suspect hiding under a bed. He was then charged with trying to eat a knit teddy bear.

Basketball star, Scottie T. Dog, was identified while police were reviewing crime scene photos. They were checking to see if the perpetrator would return to the scene.

Officer Alligator says, "We knew it was him, he still had stuffing hanging on his lip."

Scottie is going to be secured and locked up in the town animal pound. Then authorities can figure out if he has had his recent shots.

Teddy A. was playing hopscotch when she was brutally attacked. After several surgeries, she is in intensive care and listed as stable, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Scottie has no criminal record and a motive is still unknown. He was once a upstanding citizen to the community and well loved by children everywhere. We won the NCAA championship three years running for Stuffington University.


Dangerous Dog Escapes
By Krissy
Free Range Press
Updated: June 3, 2008 2:36 pm

Police are looking for basketball star suspected in dog attack who was able to remove his handcuffs, open a patrol car door, and escape from custody shortly after being arrested.

According to Officer Alligator, Scottie had been placed in the patrol car. When Officer Alligator returned to his vehicle, the suspect was missing. The door had been opened from the outside and the handcuffs removed with a key.

Officers flooded the area and began checking numerous known places that Scottie would frequent.

There is a current investigation for an accomplice.

A note was found left on the back seat. "Bring 1200 yards of cashmere or the other bear gets it."

Officer Alligator immediately went to the residence of the Twin Bears and discovered the Teddy Z. has been bearnapped.

"We also cannot discount the possibility that the incident was perpetrated by Scottie or any other kidnap-for-ransom group," he added.



I am having way too much fun with this.

T - Minus 5 ..Tragedy In The Playgroup

Dog Attack During Playgroup
By Krissy
Free Range Press
Updated: June 2, 2008 6:36 pm

A dog attacked a knit teddy bear today during the Bear's first day in the playroom. The dog has not been found.

Teddy A. was playing hopscotch with Barbie Island Princess around 5pm when a dog ran into the group and started biting Teddy A. in the body.

She turned her back and screamed, but the dog bit anyway.

"(I thought), 'Please stop, I just want to go to the baby shower this Saturday," said Teddy A, before passing out.

The Island Princess started yelling at the dog and hitting it with a jumping rope until it finally ran away. She said it was a black dog with a red ribbon.

The dog left puncture wounds in the body and dismembered all of Teddy A.'s arms and legs. She was rushed to Urgent Care, and surgeons are fighting to save the body. Teddy A. is currently listed in critical condition.

Barbie said she never would of expected such a thing to happen in her neighbor hood. "It's a false sense of security."

Teddy A.'s family is currently preparing for a baby shower on Saturday. She and her twin brother, Teddy Z., are expected to be gifts for the babies.

Officer Alligator would like anyone to come forward if they have any information about the dog. "We take these things seriously and are launching a full investigation."


Okay, in all honesty, if I spent half the time setting up this crime scene actually working on the bear, I could of been done with Teddy A. As for the names Teddy A and Z. The bears are for Addison and Zander. Aren't those cute baby names?

In other notes. I actually got ahead of myself on Saturday and finished ALL of the knitting. That was followed by not working on the bears at all on Sunday. I wasn't looking forward to all of that sewing. Once I started, I couldn't stop though. These bears are so freaking cute.

I did spend Sunday at the Palos Verdes' Street Fair. I got to meet a blogger that I read. Carrie of Sommer Designs. Her bags are beautiful. I just have to figure out which one I want. Definitely one of the Del Cerro Totes. I just have to decide if I want the pretty pink print I saw, or one with a brown base that won't look so dirty. Because trust me, my bag will get dirty with all the use it is going to get.