Craftsy Mystery Knit-Along with Angela Tong

I'm thrilled to announce the Mystery Knit-Along for September, featuring a pattern I designed exclusively for Craftsy! Join in for only $19.99 and you'll receive detailed written instructions with step-by-step photographs, plus a hand-picked yarn delivered straight to your door!

The project is a surprise, but I promise you'll adore this all-season accessory. Chic and classic, it also makes a great gift - especially because you can knit it using only one skein of yarn! It's easy to forget about the holidays while we're still basking in the summer sun, but you'll be delighted to have this pretty pattern in your back pocket as your gift list grows.

I'll be there to offer assistance and encouragement as you knit, and you can also exchange insights with your fellow Knit-Along members to achieve a perfect finished product. Join in on the fun and act fast to take advantage of this very special price!

Farewell, Napoleon.

July 7, 2005 - May 21, 2013

One week ago today, we lost our beloved friend, Napoleon, to kidney failure. We were with him the whole time as he passed away peacefully. It was the hardest thing that we have ever had to do, but we wanted us to be the last thing he saw. We wanted him to know that he was loved and will never be forgotten. He was part of our family and now our family went from 5 to 4. Our hearts feel like there is big hole in it and I can't even describe the pain and hurt I feel. My only solace is that I know he is no longer in pain. He was too young. But now he will be forever young sprinting through grass in doggie heaven. Until we meet again my sweet and loyal friend.We will always love you, Napoleon.

Garden State/New Jersey Yarn Crawl

 

The NJ Yarn Crawl is starting tomorrow, April 18, 2013 and will end on April 21, 2013. Yarn Crawls are a great excuse to visit local shops that you have never been to before. It's fun to meet other knitters and each yarn store have raffles, prizes and other unique events going on. On Sunday, April 21, I will be at Trillium Yarns with my rigid heddle loom. Come on by if you ever wanted to learn how to weave or see what it is like. I will have my loom set up for anyone that wants to try weaving.

Spring Sale on Craftsy Online Classes!

 

Spring Sale on classes at Craftsy.com from April 5-8! Each day they will offer a different selection of classes for sale. Maybe it's time to learn to knit, crochet, sew, quilt or maybe weave? Not only do I love being a Craftsy instructor, I also enjoy taking classes there in the comfort of my own home.

Easter Egg Dyeing Class

Over the weekend, our local Williams-Sonoma was offering a Easter Egg Dyeing Class for children. I had seen the sign last week when I was driving by. I knew this would interest my little crafty daughter so I signed her up.

 

Each child received the Williams-Sonoma Egg Decorating Kit and 1 dozen eggs. The kit came with everything you need to decorate eggs.

I think my favorite was the wax crayon which created a resist on the egg when you dip it in the dye. She seemed to like that crayon, too. It was like magic seeing the design reveal itself when you dipped it in the dye.

She had a great time decorating the eggs. The lovely ladies at Williams-Sonoma also baked Easter shaped sugar cookies for all the children to snack on after the class. That made the class even better for the children. She loved the cookies so much, I bought the kit so we can make some at home.

She was very proud of her finished eggs. I also decorated a few eggs because I couldn't hold back my crafty self. :-) It was way too much fun to resist.

We still have plenty of supplies in the kit to decorate more eggs. Williams-Sonoma used their own dyes so that we could go home with the dyes for future use. I told her that she could decorate more eggs when we finished eating all the current eggs. I didn't want to be left with dozens of hard boiled eggs since I am the only one that eats them.

{this moment} The 3 Amigos

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Participating in SouleMama's {this moment}.

Deadlines

Sorry it has been a while since I have checked in. I have a little updating to do. Let's begin where I left off, my darling daughter's birthday.

Melody loves flowers. I surprised her with a bouquet on her birthday when she got home from school. You should have seen the expression of delight on her face. She thanked me every day for a week. :-)

She had a memorable birthday party. Friends and family far and near came to celebrate her special day. She requested a Princess Cake and my local Shop Rite did a fantastic job. The cake is topped with 3 Princess figurines and a Rose Ring that changed color in the sun light. The flavor? It's a vanilla cake with bavarian cream and buttercream frosting.

 

After my darling daughter's birthday party, things got busy. It was one deadline project after the next. Currently, I have 2 more design projects due soon. I am just catching my breath since lots of late nights no longer agree with me any more. I remember the last 2 years staying up all night when I needed to and I could still recover. Now my body is protesting against the abuse and it takes me many days to recover. I am no longer a spring chicken and I am trying to listen to my body more.

Before the new year, I was having some health issues. Since the end of December 2012, I have eliminated gluten and grains from my diet. No more processed foods/products and I am cooking all my meals from scratch. It has been 2 months and I am feeling so much better. My energy level has increased and I no longer have any sugar cravings. I was going to do it for 1 month to see how it would affect me. Since things are going so well, I am going to continue this new way of life.