Our Next KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room Starts November 16th!

Go next door to find out more :o)

Friday's Freebies & Finds!

(Friday, November 06, 2009)
~ ~ ~ ~
Freebie Pattern Links!
~ ~ ~ ~
Rachel's Knit & Crochet Finds!

(Spunknit’s Knitted Snowman & Lavander Baby Booties!)
~ ~ ~ ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------

PATTERNS THAT CHANGE DAILY
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Free Knit.com **
http://www.free-knitpatterns.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Free Crochet.com **
http://www.free-crochet.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Daily Knitter's Freebie **
http://www.dailyknitter.com/day.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Daily Crocheter's Freebie **
http://www.dailycrocheter.com/day.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** JPF Crochet Club **
http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/featured/index.shtml
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Morehouse Farm: Pattern du Jour **
Free Pattern of the Day » Scroll Down Under "Knitting Essentials"
http://www.morehousefarm.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Crochet Me.com **
http://www.crochetme.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Martha Stewart.com **
Craft of the Day

http://www.marthastewart.com/craft-of-the-day?rsc=wn_Homepage_Homepage
---------------------------------------------------------------------

PATTERNS THAT CHANGE WEEKLY
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Classic Elite Yarns Web Letter **
Web-Letter, Issue 112 – Fall 2009
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/112/Issue112.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Red Heart ~ 12 Weeks of Christmas **
http://www.redheart.com/tabid/251/Default.aspx

Week Five: Jingle Bell Family Hats

Week Four: Trio of Scarves

Week Three: Comfy Knit Wristers

Week Two: Pinwheel Place Setting

Week One: Granny’s Noel Throw
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Lion Brand ~ Weekly Newsletter **
Friday, November 06, 2009
http://cache.lionbrand.com/Newsletters/55352.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** KnitBits® Free E-newsletter **
Friday, November 06, 2009 » Go behind the scenes at our fall photo shoot.
http://www.berroco.com/e-news.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Knitting Pattern Central - Newly Added Free Knitting Patterns
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/new_patterns.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** Crochet Pattern Central - Newly Added Free Crochet Patterns
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/new_patterns.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** VogueKnitting.com ~ Free Featured Patterns **
http://www.vogueknitting.com/?q=node/406
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Knit Simple Magazine ~ Carla’s birthday blanket **
http://www.knitsimplemag.com/node/133
ALL Squares are up now! Be sure to save them!
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Kathleen Taylor's Dakota Dreams:
http://kathleen-dakotadreams.blogspot.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Free Knit Patterns From K1,P1 Keeping You in Stitches Studio™
http://freepatterns.k1p1keepingyouinstitchesstudio.com/index.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** f.peas's blog **
free pattern friday » bumpy jacket
http://fpea.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-pattern-fridaybumpy-jacket-hat.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** Crochet World **
Featured Pattern » Holiday Best: Cheery Christmas Gift Bags
http://www.crochet-world.com/featured_pattern.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------

PATTERNS THAT CHANGE MONTHLY
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Free Pattern of the Month from Debbie Macomber **
AUTUMN AFGHANS
http://www.debbiemacomber.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=knitting&pageID=2
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Rowans's Monthly Tutorial and Rummage **
Tutorial & Monthly Rummage:
Cable 4 Back & Sparkly Hat
http://www.knitrowan.com/how-to.aspx
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** Sew-Funky Free Cloth of The Month **
Cloth of the Month ~ May 2009: Pretty Frill Cloth
http://sew-funky.blogspot.com/2009/05/cloth-of-month-may-2009.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** bitstobuy FREE PATTERN **
MINIATURE KNITTING PATTERNS for the dolls house by Helen Cox
This Month's Free Pattern » FURRY RUG
http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/freepattern.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** Vickie Howell's Blog **
http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** Crochet! Magazine **
Jute Bag
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/featured_pattern.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------

** SweaterBabe.com **
http://www.sweaterbabe.com/monthly-free-knitting-crochet-pattern2254.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** AOK Corral ~ Assorted Crafts **
http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2projects.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------

** Monika Free Patterns **
http://monika-freepatterns.blogspot.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*** Rachel's Knit & Crochet Finds! ***
~ Friday, November 06, 2009 ~
Spunknit’s Knitted Snowman & Lavander Baby Booties!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
--------------------------------------------------------------------

*** Rachel's Knit Find ~ Spunknit’s Knitted Snowman

http://www.freewebs.com/spunknit1/knittedsnowman.htm

From the Designer's Notes:

"These little folks came to me one Christmas. They were so quick and fun to make, I made more. The accessories were the most fun. I didn’t stick with traditional colors either, as seen in the snow-woman.
They were so cute, I showed them to the ladies at work. Big mistake, because I came home with orders for them! They only took a few hours knitting time.
The hats are all improvised as I went along, adding hat bands or trim where I wanted. The scarves were I-cord, braided, garter stitch, whatever I felt like making at the time. The hardest thing for me was making the facial details, because trying to match the eyes was a pain. The rest was really lots of fun and used up some small scraps, too."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

*** Rachel's Crochet Find ~ Lavander Baby Booties

http://monpetitviolon.blogspot.com/2009/03/lets-begin-with-gifts.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------

** Previous Picks! **
Sullivan Street Bolero & Floral Mary Janes!
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sullivan Street Bolero
http://www.purlbee.com/sullivan-street-bolero/

More great pics of this cute bolero vest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96803050@N00/2375838022
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96803050@N00/2375836742
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Floral Mary Janes
http://mytreasuredheirlooms.com/freepatterns/freefloralmaryjanes.pdf

You can see all of Annastasia's other great patterns here...just scroll down to the bottom to find all her freebies:
http://mytreasuredheirlooms.com/knitncrochetpatterns.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy and Have a Great Weekend!

Hugs,

:o)

Rachel

Where you can find me:

Knits by Rachel:

http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/

Rachel's Knitting Corner:

http://rachelsknittingcorner.blogspot.com/

Ravelry(KnitsByRachel):

http://www.ravelry.com/people/KnitsByRachel

Rachel's Knitting Room:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rachels_Knitting_Room/

KAL Info: http://rachelsknittingroom.blogspot.com/

Best Witches©

Designed by Marilyn Wallace Sept. 05, 2009

marilynw@rogers.com

.

.

Here is our Finished October 2009 Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along, Best Witches! Big Thank Yous go out to our Marilyn for creating such a clever cloth! This is the photo of her finished cloth...I love the colours she chose as well as the creative photo editing she has done with it! Too cute!

.
I've created a photo album on our group for our finished KALS...here is the link:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rachels_Knitting_Room/photos/album/1383197043/pic/list

.

You can also find the pattern posted in our Files Section under Our Group Knit Alongs.

.

Hope you all enjoyed this one. Thanks so much for knitting along with us!

.

Our next Group Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along will start on November 16th. I'll have more details about it later on. I can tell you that it is a very unique and pretty design. I can also tell you that it involves doing some cables...but don't fret...as always there are a ton of helpful people on our group with lots of advice, encouragement and motivation to give, so jump in and knit right along with us!

.

Thanks again to our Marilyn!

You can visit Marilyn's website here:

http://marilynsknittingheavenonearth.blogspot.com/

If you loved her play on words for our October Cloth, you'll have to check out her Brand New Christmas Pattern for sale called, Santa "Cloths"! Too cute!

.

Hugs & Smiles,

Rachel

Rachel's Knitting Room

Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along

October 25, 2009

~ Day 7 ~

Last day of our October kal! I'm still pretty ticked at myself for screwing up the stripe pattern at the top...oh well, live and learn!

.

You'll have to check out our Marilyn's kal here on our group homepage...she did a really nice job with the orange and black...now I wish I would have used those two colours instead of green and purple...

.

Thanks so much Marilyn for creating such a cute kal for our group!

.

More info and details for this kal will be posted tomorrow :o)

Rachel's Knitting Room
Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along
October 24, 2009
~ Day 6 ~

Okay, here is day 6 posted...if you look close you'll see that I made a little boo-boo...there is supposed to be 2 rows (not just 1) at the top there in my contrasting colour starting a row below where I actually have it started...not sure how I did that but I didn't catch it until I casted off...I hate making mistakes!

Rachel's Knitting Room

Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along

October 23, 2009

~ Day 5 ~

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)

.

Hugs,

Rachel

Rachel's Knitting Room
Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along
October 22, 2009
~ Day 4 ~

.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)
.
Hugs,
Rachel

Rachel's Knitting Room

Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along

October 21, 2009

~ Day 3 ~

.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)

.

Hugs,

Rachel

Rachel's Knitting Room
Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along
October 20, 2009
~ Day 2 ~

.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)
.
Hugs,
Rachel

Rachel's Knitting Room

Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along

October 19, 2009

~ Day 1 ~

.

I am using 4mm knitting needles for this pattern with a dark olive green and a deep purple cotton.

.

It isn't necessary to use two colours for this pattern...it is just a suggestion from the designer for something fun and a little different...a single solid colour would work just as well.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)

.

Hugs,

Rachel

The 2010 Calendar of Hope is here!!!

.

Cindy has outdone herself again with this year's Calendar of Hope!

.

Once again, I had the honor of photographing all these beautiful designs!

.

Everyone involved in this Calendar has done such an amazing and outstanding job!

Everyone should be real proud of themselves for creating yet another wonderful calendar to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer Research!

.

"The 2010 Calendar of hope contains 14 never-before-published patterns for knitted dishcloths that are just too nice and clever to do the dishes. Several incorporate the pink ribbon in a unique way while other cloths are interesting lace patterns, pictures and a combination of both. Even though the patterns are copyrighted, the designers are generously allowing the purchasers of this calendar to use them to knit for the charity of their choice."

.

Here is the design I submitted for the 2010 Calendar of Hope called, "A Mother's Love".
.
All the designs in this calendar are really, really good, but if I had to choose a handful of my very favourite designs they would have to be.........

.

. Aunt Kathy's beautiful "From My Heart to Yours".....
.
.
Amy-Lynne's adorable "Oh Deer".....
.
.
Cindy's elegant "Vintage Shells".....
.
.
and Debbie's gorgeous "Hope Springs Eternal".
.
If you like what you see and are interested in supporting a very good cause, please consider purchasing The 2010 Calendar of Hope.
.
ALL proceeds go towards Breast Cancer Research!
.
You can find this Calendar for sale on KnitPink.com
.
It is being offered as an Instant PDF download for $15.
.
.
Click the photo above to visit KnitPink.com for all the details!
.
Thanks to all for supporting such a good cause!
.
Hugs and Smiles,
~ Rachel ~

Not what I wanted to see out my window this morning....

.

.

Yes, it's snow! We got snow this morning! I couldn't believe my eyes!

.

I thought perhaps I was having a bad dream but that wasn't the case at all :o(

.

I knew winter was approaching from the temperatures we've been having lately, but I never expected to see it so soon!
.

It was so dark and dreary out and very windy...it was just nasty I tell ya. Not nice at all. It didn't stop the fox though...he was still out there gallivanting with his little partner in crime...it seems one of them had a little squirrel dangling from his chops. I know it doesn't sound all that nice but that's how it goes out there...everyone's gotta eat, right?
.

But then something wonderful happened...the sun decided to come out! Everything looked so pretty all lit up. So I guess it's not as bad as I thought it was afterall. I know this snow isn't here to stay...it'll soon be gone with the sun but gosh, it sure gave me a scare there for a while :oP

.

Off to go knit now...nothing like a little snowy weather to put you in the mood for knitting!

.

Take care. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

.

Hugs and Smiles,

Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pics ~
(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Last day of our September KAL...all done, and what a little beauty this one is! I'll have my finished blocked washcloth photo posted tomorrow with the pattern and designer info.

.

I'm so happy with the way this one turned out!
.
Please feel free to join our next knit along in October for a HALLOWEEN theme cloth! I'll have more info about that kal later on about what we'll need and when it will start.
.
Thanks to all for knitting along with us...hope you enjoyed it!
.
Hugs and Smiles,
Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Almost done...one more day to go...I sure like the look of this one! So many different textures!

.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)
.
Hugs,
:o)
Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pics ~
(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)

.

Hugs,

:o)

Rachel

Beautiful Weather, Gorgeous Colours, & Friendly Creatures...

.

We have been having such beautiful weather these days...very sunny and very warm!

.

I took advantage of the sunshine and got outside with my camera yesterday afternoon to capture the beautiful colour of our backyard Maple Tree...these red leaves won't last long at all...before we know it our Fall breeze will sweep them off their branches and they'll lay like a carpet on the ground all around here.

.
It's hard to imagine the trees will all be bare soon...sad.
.

Look who decided to FINALLY pop around for a morning visit...

.

Yup, Mr. Fox. He was hungry and obviously very thirsty as he was licking all the rain from the night before, off our deck chairs...yup, he hopped right up into the chair as if it was his. And because the chair was nice and wet it was pretty darn dirty after his muddy paws were all over it!

.

What a nut bar!

.

After he got down from the chair, I followed him all over the backyard as he was eating all the little raspberries along the way...he had the sneezes too so perhaps that's what's been keeping him away...maybe he was home sick with a cold...lol!

.

I followed him with the camera all the way to the back of our yard and into the bush...before he got in the thick of the bush he turned to me as if to say, "see ya later"....he's such a cute little fella...I've really grown to like him...I'll miss him if he goes away...I wonder if he'll visit in the Winter?

.

And then there was this little guy...mad as heck with me...not sure why but he sat on this branch for a good 10 minutes making the biggest and loudest racket directed at me! For cute little creatures they sure can be annoying!

.

Today is picture day at the school so I knew I would have a lot to do with the kids this morning. Kailey's hair needed to be straightened which takes forever because it's so long...we had all the clothes picked out the night before so that was good. Usually Luke is the easiest one to get ready for things like this but for some reason today he was having so many issues...he accidentally squirted sun screen on the front of his good shirt, then got wet on the front of his shirt from brushing his teeth, and then while I was helping Kailey with something down the hall I heard a big, "OH NO!" from the other bathroom...it was Luke...he got his shirt soaked after he squeezed the cloth to ring it out from washing his face...instead of the water going in the sink, it went all over his shirt! This is all 5 minutes before they have to be outside for the bus, so I was frantically trying to dry him off and reapplying sunscreen to his face because for some reason he decided to wash his face AFTER he put sunscreen on! Good Grief!

.

So here I am sitting, still in my jammies, feeling like a need another cup of coffee cuz I can't even remember drinking my first cup...I must have inhaled it in between getting the kids ready and hubby out the door for work...I don't even want to look around cuz it feels like a tornado whipped through here and it probably looks like it did too! Oh well, I've got the whole day to get things cleaned up.

.

I hope everyone is well...take care and have a great day!

.

Hugs and Smiles,

Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)
.
Hugs,
:o)
Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pics ~
(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Day 3 of our September 2009 Knit Along!
.
The third colour that I've added is Geranium...

.
I think I like just the Shrimp and Persimmon together better though...oh well...I can always do another one up if I want...
.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)

.

Hugs,

:o)

Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Day 2 of our September 2009 Knit Along!

.

Some of us are choosing to use more than one colour for this one...my second colour added is Persimmon...

.
I love how those two colours look together!
.
Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)
.
Hugs,
:o)
Rachel

~ September 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pic ~
(photo is clickable for a larger view)

Day one complete! I'm using size 4mm needles. I'm choosing to use 3 different colours of cotton...this first colour is "Shrimp".

.

Please feel free to join and knit along with us :o)

.

Hugs,

:o)
Rachel

What do you say to your kids when they ask, "Mom, what are those 2 squirrels doing up in the tree?".....

.

Well, this is what we saw out the window this morning...

.

I've got my little guy home sick today...had my girl home sick yesterday too...guess that means I'm next?...I sure hope not...I've already had a nasty summer cold...but with the kids back in school now, it's really easy for them to pick up any and all bugs out there!

.
So my little guy asks me if they are hugging or wrestling...lol! What would you say? Whatever they were "doing", the boy squirrel was OBVIOUSLY NOT taking the hint...lol! He wasn't going to let her go for nothing...he was NOT taking No for an answer! How rude!
.

Just when I was starting to feel sorry for the little lady, she and her little boyfriend flashed me a look as if to say, "Hey Lady, do you mind...some privacy please...". They were actually getting mad at me for being out there taking their pictures! You should have heard them squacking at me! Good Gosh! Who knew they were so sensitive!
.

Then she decides to play "hard to get"...quite funny actually.

.

.

I managed to get some designing and knitting done yesterday which I was really happy about...I sort of took the whole summer off cuz of everything we had going on so it really feels good to get back at it!

.

I haven't seen the fox in days now...getting a little worried about him...hope he's okay.

.

I couldn't wait to sit down last night and watch the first episode of this season's Survivor! Just finished watching Big Brother so I needed my reality tv fix! Looks like it's going to be another great season!

.

So now I'm off to go fix me some brekkie and start my day...

.

Have a wonderful weekend guys!

.

Hugs and Smiles,

Rachel

~ Tomato Love ~

.

.

I L-O-V-E love Tomatoes! Raw or cooked, I love them! I eat so many tomatoes I'm shocked that I haven't turned into one!

.

.

When I was pregnant both times I had such deep cravings for tomatoes, I just starting eating them with everything! When I didn't have fresh ones on hand I ate them right out of the can! Still to this day I crave and love a giant heap of pasta smothered with a can of stewed tomatoes...mmmmm....yum!

.

.

This year Hubby decided to build us a greenhouse to grow our own tomatoes and lettuce and such, but mostly tomatoes. I have been thouroughly enjoying being able to go out there in the mornings to pick my own tomatoes to eat for breakfast! My very favourite way to eat a beautiful fresh tomato is on toast with margarine, lots of mayo, sea salt and cracked peppercorns...Holy Hannah is it ever yummy! I grew up eating them with my Mom....she's going to be so jealous when she reads this post! If you look below, you can find the Super Stacked Toasted Tomato Sandwich I made for myself yesterday...I managed to fit that whole tomato in between two slices of toast and boy was it good!
.
.
You don't need anything on the side to dress it up...though it may look just like a plain and boring tomato sandwich, it just explodes with so much flavour and juices when you bite into it!
.
.

So on that note...it's 9:00am here, time for some breakfast so I'm off to go pick myself some juicy sweetness for another yummy Toasted Tomato Sandwich!

.

Hugs,

Rachel

Signs of Fall in the Air.....

.

Even with all our beautiful warm sunny temperatures we've been experiencing lately, looking around at all the changing colours of leaves, it's inevitable that Fall will be here soon...

.

I don't mind Fall time one bit...in fact it is a gorgeous time of the year with all the beautiful reds, golds, and yellows....

.
It's what comes after Fall that I really don't care for...the long and cold Winter...
.

Winter can be beautiful too, don't get me wrong, but it's hard not to completely lose your mind when the cold seems to last forever! That's why we have to enjoy these nice temperatures and beautiful colours while they last, cuz you never know when Mother Nature will decide to flick that switch...

.

I love Bulrushes...always have. I can remember when I was a little girl begging my Mother if I could go and pluck one whenever I seen one...I just couldn't wait to break it open and shake it all over and make it snow fluff everywhere! Perhaps that's why Mom wasn't too keen on the idea...
.

Well, I've got the house all to myself once again...Hubby at work and Kiddies at school. My mornings seems to be getting a little better...some mornings I thank the Good Lord that I only have 2 children to get ready for school...you'd think that it wouldn't be that difficult to get two children ready but around here it is...I have been finding though that the key to a good morning is getting organized the night before...laying out clothes and figuring out what they will be taking for lunch and gathering up homework...I've also come to the conclusion that they are a little bit lazy in the morning and I do believe that's my fault as I have always gotten everything together and ready for them each morning and reminded them over and over to do the things that they need to do, so I think they really rely on me to that every morning...I should really be trying to break them (and me) of this.

.

Well, I'm off to go whip up a delicious toasted, "home-grown tomato" sandwich for my breakfast with lots of mayo and then I need to finish blocking dishlcoths...I'll keep you posted.

.

Hugs & Smiles,

Rachel

Look What I got in the Mail....

.

.

.

Cindy has organized another Calendar of Hope for 2010 which will be up for sale real quick (you can click here to read about the 2009 Calendar of Hope) I have been doing the blocking and photographing again this year for it and I have to say the designs are outstanding this time 'round...I'm finding it really hard to choose a favourite cuz they're all just so gorgeous! I'll be sure to keep you all posted when it's released...Cindy has done another spectacular job on the layout of the calendar on top of taking on a new full time job! I can't wait for you all to see it!

.

.

.

Anyway, my friend Kathleen did some test knitting for last year's calendar as well as this year's and she happens to be a big stamp collector so she's asked that I save all the stamps from the envelopes with the Breast Cancer Awareness Dishcloths for our Calendar to be photographed. So that's what I've been doing. She also asked for me to send her tested cloths back to her and in return for doing this she decided to bless me with a whole bunch of really yummy cotton! She really did go all out...I couldn't believe how many balls just kept coming out of the box that she sent me! They were all beautifully wound and wrapped in individual plastic bags. So a huge thank you to her for being so thoughtful and generous! I surely do appreciate it! I can't wait to start using some of these up...my daughter has already put dibs on the ones she would like to use!

.
.
Thanks again Kathleen for being such a sweetheart! Your generosity is most appreciated!
.
Hugs,
Rachel

Making Friends...

.

.

My little Fox Friend has been visiting everyday...

.
.

Each time, he gets a little more comfortable and a little more friendlier...
.

.
I'm beginning to think he thinks that he owns the place lol....
.
.
We've discovered that he loves to play and he loves to chew anything we happen to leave lying around the yard...
.
.

We had a case of a missing flip flop at one time and found out later that it was in fact the fox that carried it off to play with...
.
.

You'd think that we would have learned our lesson about the flip flops but somehow another pair was left out only to be found the next morning all chewed and totally destroyed...little devil!
.
.

It's hard to be mad at someone this adorable though, don't you think?
.
.

He has started coming right up to me now...I'm sure if I had a piece of food I could have him eating out of my hand but that's something I'm not comfortable with...I don't agree with feeding wild animals...we couldn't figure out why we were getting so many Bear visitors this summer until we found out the other day that our neighbour has been actually feeding them in his back yard! Good Grief! What are these people thinking? Bears remember year after year where they got food and they go back for more...I am soooo not okay with that!
.
.

I have some videos from this little fella the other night...I'll have to see if I can upload them here one of these days...he plays real cute with you...gives you the sweetest looks...he really knows how to get your attention and your love!
.
.

So now I'm off to go start my day...bit of a late start...somedays I wish I could just stay in my jammies the whole day!

.

On the knitting front, I've just finished test knitting the next pattern we will be doing for our mystery dishcloth knit along in Rachel's Knitting Room which will start next week...real pretty one too...it's going to be a good one! If you're not a member of our group please feel free to join and knit along with us!

.

I'm also working on reknitting a couple of my halloween patterns...something I've always been meaning to do cuz they were originally done in black cotton and while I love the black cotton especially for Halloween, the black cotton does not like the camera, or perhaps the other way around? Anyway, they are done and now I just have to block them and I've also decided to redesign my Spooky Pumpkin Face Cloth with a garter stitch version...the original one is a seed stitch version and I love it, in fact it's one of my favourite designs but I have come to the conclusion that not all knitters love doing all that seed stitch, so this next one is for them! I'll keep you posted!

.

Okay, I think I've babbled on long enough now...it'll be noon before I know it and hubby will be home for lunch and wonder why I'm still not dressed :oP

.

Hugs & Smiles,

.

Rachel

"Grandpa"
Designed by Danielle Côté
.
.
A Big Thank You To Danielle Côté for allowing our group to use her pattern for our August 2009 KAL!
.

This pattern is called, "Grandpa" and can be found here on Danielle's website which now has a new home.

.
I have created a photo album for us to post our finished kals into...here is the link.
.
If you go to the group homepage you can see the photo of my finished kal.

Thanks to everyone for participating with us on this one...hope you all enjoyed it. Also a really big thank you to everyone for filling in the KAL Questionaire on the group that I posted last week! I have been reading through all the answers and I am finding them extremely helpful.
.
Hope all is well with everyone...take care, and thanks again!
.
NEXT KAL BEGINS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st!
.
Hugs,
:o)
Rachel

Where you can find me:

Knits by Rachel:
http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/

Rachel's Knitting Corner:
http://rachelsknittingcorner.blogspot.com/

Ravelry(KnitsByRachel):
http://www.ravelry.com/people/KnitsByRachel

Rachel's Knitting Room:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rachels_Knitting_Room/
KAL Info: http://rachelsknittingroom.blogspot.com/

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pic ~
(photo is clickable for a larger view)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pics ~
(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pic ~

(photo is clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pics ~
(photos are clickable for a larger view)

.

Just past halfway now...

.

Isn't it pretty?...I really like this one!
.

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~
.
~ Daily Progress Pics ~
(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pics ~

(photos are clickable for a larger view)

Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

~ August 2009 KAL in Rachel's Knitting Room ~

.

~ Daily Progress Pic ~

(photo is clickable for a larger view)

. Feel Free to Join & Knit Along with Us :o)

.

Would you like to join our Monthly Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along?

.

Our August KAL starts Monday, August 17th!

.

You can click here or on the picture above to find out more ;o)

Well, the fox was back today...such a cute little fella!

He was rather itchy today...I'm sure it's bug bites...between the mosquitos, black flies, deer flies, and horse flies, you're bound to get one or two bites :op.

Something has caught his attention and he's off to go investigate...

.

Uh, one more scratch first...

.

He's having a hard time finding the itch.....until......

.

Ahhhh, there it is!

.

What a character! I made my Bolognese Pasta Sauce last night for dinner and I was heating up the leftovers for our lunch today and I just happened to have the kitchen window open and so I'm sure that's the reason for his visit today...he had his little black velvety nose up in the air trying to get a little whiff through the window ;o)

~ Family of Raccoons ~

(photo is "clickable" for a larger view)

.

Well, here is what we woke up to yesterday morning minus 2(they are on the other side of the tree)...hubby heard a funny noise coming from outside so we all went to look and saw 1 little raccoon race by down the driveway and into the bush...then out came a single file line of 7 more stripey tails and masked faces! 1 Mama Raccoon and 7 Baby Raccoons all in a row! We couldn't believe it...Mama was pretty cautious and obviously extremely protective...she made sure all the babies were with her wherever they went...we watched them for about 5 minutes going in and out of the bush and down the driveway all together...expect that last little fella..he kept trying to go off on his own but Mama made sure to keep an eye on him...I wonder if they'll make another appearance today? We had a Bear Cub in the yard the other day...came right up on our front deck...I'm not too happy about that. We have our 3 Foxes that visit multiple times a day, and now the big family of Raccoons! What's next? I'm almost afraid to ask...

Our July 2009 KAL ~ BE SAFE

.

Be Safe©

Designed by Marilyn Wallace

marilynw@rogers.com
.
.
Here is our Monthly Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along that we did in Rachel's Knitting Room for July, called "Be Safe".
.
This pattern was created by our Group Moderator Marilyn Wallace.
.
You can find this pattern for free in her "TWILIGHT CLOTH SERIES".
.
Thank you so much Marilyn for designing another great kal for us this month! We ALL appreciate everything you do for us and our group!

.

Marilyn designs and sells Name Cloth Patterns...you can find hundreds of names on her website on her right-hand sidebar all in alphabetical order...if you don't see the names you're looking for, feel free to email her as she is always more than happy to take personal requests :o)

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 10 ~

Last day! All done! I'll be sure to post pics of I get it blocked!

.

Thank you Marilyn for doing this one for us!

.

Much Appreciated ;o)

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room
.
~ Day 9 ~

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 8 ~

~ Miss Molly ~

.

I haven't posted any Molly pics in a while so here she is peering out her little window wishing she was on the other side.....

.

Hugs,

:o)
Rachel

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room
.
~ Day 7 ~

Day 7.....almost there :o)

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 6 ~

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room
.
~ Day 5 ~

Day 5 of our kal...halfway there...5 more to go :o)

Remember Boots?

.

Well, here's the other little fox that's been hanging around...

.

~ Boots Jr. ~

At first we thought it was the same fox but then we noticed this little fella is quite a bit smaller and a whole lot darker than Boots! I'm wondering now if Boots is actually a Mama and this is her little one? Not sure...but this little guy is pretty darn cute...he looks like he's all dirty underneath and up his legs but that's actually the colour of his fur.

.

Here in this photo he's eating something from the ground...all that's there are rocks and dirt so that must be what he's eating...silly fox!

.

Hope everyone's been having a good week!

.

Hugs,

:o)
Rachel

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 4 ~

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room
.
~ Day 3 ~

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 2 ~

Day 2 of our mystery dishcloth knit along!

.

I'm using Bernat Handicrafter Cotton ~ Hot Green and Size 4mm needles :o)

July 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room
.
~ Day 1 ~

Here's Day 1 of our mystery dishcloth knit along for July!

.

Thanks to Marilyn Wallace for creating this one for us :o)

~ Meet Boots ~

.

This is Boots! I gave him that name because he appears to be wearing tall dark coloured boots.

.

He's quite the little character...he's been visiting our yard on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times a day!

.

You'll have to click on the photos to see how beautiful he is...his eyes are just gorgeous!

.

.

He's always so busy...looking for his next meal I suppose.

.

He's obviously quite the little hunter...the one day he had a little squirrel hanging out of his mouth and the next day he had a cute brown bunny...that was hard to explain to the kids because they love our little neighbourhood bunnies and think they are adorable...so to see one dangling from the Fox's mouth wasn't all that nice...but that's how nature goes I guess.
.
.

I think he's just so pretty...the colour of his fur & the colour of his eyes are just beautiful!

.

.

Hope all is well with everyone these days! Take care and have yourselves a great weekend!

.

.

I'm off to go feed the children, then take care of the dishes, and then I think I'll park my butt on the couch and do some knitting...I'm working on a really special project for a friend...I'll post more about that when I get it completed.

.

.

Hugs,

:o)
Rachel

.

Our next Group Mystery Dishcloth Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room Starts July 20th!

.

Please feel free to join us!

.

You can go next door to find out more about our KALS :o)

~ Pretty Pink Wild Roses from The Backyard ~

.

These pretty wild roses fill the air with such a sweet smell...I love them! It's a shame they don't last longer though :o(

.

.

.

.

.
.
.
.

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Finished ~

Seed Stitch Owl Dishcloth
by Janelle Schlossman
.
.
Thanks to everyone for knitting this one with us! I hope it took some of your fears away about cables.
.

Thanks so much to Janelle Scholossman for allowing us to use her pattern, "Seed Stitch Owl" for our KAL...it was most appreciated!

.

I have created a photo album in our photos section of the group for our finished June 2009 KAL photos...here is the link for you:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rachels_Knitting_Room/photos/album/419490393/pic/list
.

Janelle's website (Designs by Janelle) has been shut down due to AOL® Hometown being shut down permanently, but I do know that she is trying to get another one up and running.
.

Please be aware of Janelle's copyright information below that she has provided with this pattern:
.

"My patterns are for personal use and charity only; no commercial use whatsoever - including the selling of the finished product".
.

I hope you've all enjoyed this one as much as I have. Thanks again for knitting along!
.

Hugs for a great day,

:o)
Rachel

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 8 ~

All finished and I love it! I'm so impressed with this design! I will post all the details of this kal later...I've gotto be outa here in minutes for a field trip with the school! Thanks to all for knitting along with us! Hope you enjoyed it!

~ A Few Neat Ravelry Finds for the Day ~

.

.

Hey Guys!

.

Haven't posted any Ravelry finds in a while but thought I'd share these ones with you...enjoy ;o)

.

.

5 Hour Baby Sweater done with a picot edge:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/seashoreknits/5-hour-baby-sweater-2

Flickr pic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17529520@N07/3253706090

.

~ ~ ~ ~

.

Very simple, functional,and pretty Caplelet:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/abbysitznmomanitz/dreamy-cream-caplet

Flickr pic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29408301@N06/3352895738

.

~ ~ ~ ~

.

Love the stitches used to make this baby blanket:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sallytsb/fun-stitch-baby-blanket

Flickr pic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29915729@N00/534231620

.

.

Hugs,

:o)

Rach

.

KnitsbyRachel on Ravelry :o)

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 7 ~

Almost there...one more day ;o)

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 6 ~

Almost done! Couple more days to go. I'm sure everyone has figured out what it is by now ;o) I love it!

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 5 ~

~ Backyard Snapshots ~

.

(all photos are clickable for a much larger view!)

Spent some time outdoors yesterday as our weather was absolutely beautiful! The smell of sweet flowers and the sound of buzzing and chirping filled the air!

.

.

.
Fluffy dandelions...
.

..
Some soft strawberry flowers...
.

Feathery leaves...
.

.

Not sure what this stuff is...it's growing on top of moss...I thought they all looked like tiny little chilli peppers or sausages...very strange...click to see what I mean...
.

.

Wild Bluebells...
.

Busy little bumble bee...
.

.

Dragonfly getting some sun...
.

If you click on the photo of him you can see all the interesting detail on him...
.

Squirrel up in the tree...
.

And last but not least...hubby took this picture the night before of our not-so-little visitor with the striped tail...

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 4 ~

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 3 ~

Looks a little more interesting today as we started on the cables ;o)

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 2 ~

.

Day 2 of our June KAL! I love the way the colour showed up today in the light...this Shrimp is such a pretty peachy colour :o)

June 2009 Knit Along in Rachel's Knitting Room

.

~ Day 1 ~

Our June 2009 KAL started today! Here are my first 5 rows done for the day. I chose to use the colour Shrimp for this one :o)

It's All About the Colour....

(all photos are clickable for a much larger view).

You definitely know it's Spring time when you see these familiar "flowers". Yesterday was so beautiful outside that I decided to go out for a little nature photo shoot ;o) I know Dandelions are an awful weed that people spend all their time trying to get rid of, but have you ever looked at one real close to see how pretty it actually is?

.

.

Go ahead and click on it...I've left all the photos large so you can see all the wonderuful detail in them! Isn't it pretty...doesn't it look so soft...and what about all those little "twirlies"?...aren't they neat?

.
.
It was so nice to go outside and see COLOUR! Everywhere I looked I saw little bits of yellow, purple, white, and pink popping up...such a nice change from all the boring browns.
.
.

.

I noticed all the new leaves starting on all our trees...doesn't this look just like a baby bird's mouth opening up for food?
.
.

Look at the texture of that leaf...
.
.

I love the reds and greens...look at them all wrinkled up just waiting to stretch out.
.
.

.
.

Such beautiful colours and texture...
.
.

A while back we had to cut one of our trees in the back yard because it was dying...while walking around outside yesterday I seen this new tree shooting up out of the ground right beside the big stump of the old tree we had cut down...I can't tell yet, but I'm assuming that this new tree is a baby from the old one...I sure would hope so because it was such a beautiful tree and I miss it. I kinda thought the new leaf coming out from the top looked just like a pumpkin seed!
.
.

Well, I guess that's it for now...sorry if you found it boring...after all, it's just weeds and leaves! It's just so nice to see signs of new life after our long crumby winter weather though!

.

We've had a big, fat racoon as well as a fox visiting us, but everytime I go to grab my camera they disappear off into the woods...I'll have to be smarter about where I leave the camera...

.

Hope all is well with everyone!

.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

.

Hugs,

:o)
Rachel

May you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!

.

.

This is one of my very favourite photos of me with my Mom and Gramma! We look totally ridiculous but whenever I look at this photo it makes me smile cuz it was such a fun memory...my poor Grandfather was trying to take a nice picture of us three and as usual we got the giggles and couldn't stop! We didn't get one good photo with all of us looking at the camera without a goofy look on our faces...we tried really hard but the harder we tried the funnier it got! Poor Gramps couldn't take it anymore and finally gave up on us!

Happy Mother's Day to you guys!

Lots of Love and Hugs,

Rachel Marie

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I Can See Clearly Now & Signs Of Spring FINALLY!!

.

Well, I'm finally feeling like my old self again...that nasty cold bug has finally left me! I can breath again, I can hear again, and with all our wonderful Spring weather lately I feel sooooo good...so full of life and energy! It's been such a long Winter for us...very long, very cold, and very depressing! I thought it never would end! I've been spending a lot of time outdoors these days, soaking up all that wonderful sunshine and fresh air! It's so nice to finally see some signs of Spring...there's new little buds on all the trees and plants...there's birds singing and squirrels playing...I love it! Here are some outside photos I took the other day...

.

.

These are little leaf blossoms that are just waiting to explode out of there little pockets...they're so neat to look at...they almost look like a flower or a berry or something but it's actually a whole pile of leaves smooshed together waiting to unfold and uncurl...nature is pretty neat...




I love seeing the colour green! It's so nice after all the blah browns we've been looking at for the longest time!

Here's a Northern Flicker making some noise at the top of one of our dying trees...

If you click on the photos you can see this pretty woodpecker...they make a really nice sound too when they talk to eachother...

In this one you can see the beautiful deep red stripe behind it's head as he's looking over his shoulder...

And here we have a nice plump red Robin!

Uh, and there's another one checking out Little Man's Construction Site...perhaps he's the foreman?

I spy with my little eye...something that is Green...

This poor little fella was having a real bad day...when I was raking up all the piles of leaves the other day, I noticed something fly out from under my rake as I made a swipe along the ground...when I took a closer look this is what I found...A frog! And such a wierd colour he was! I felt sooooo bad for flinging him by accident with the rake...I didn't know if I had killed him or what cuz he wasn't moving...his eyes were open but he didn't look good. My first instinct was to brush him off cuz he looked like a right mess but I just couldn't do it...I chickened out...he still gives me the shivers just looking at him...I mean, look at those fingers and toes! Ewwwww! Go ahead and click on the photos to see him real close up...gives me the heebie jeebies!

Anyway, I decided to just leave him there for a bit...I didn't want to scare him any more than he probably was. A little while later I had noticed that he was facing the other way so I figured he somehow moved all by himself...but he still just sat there for a while...I'm not sure if he was playing dead...perhaps that's their defense mechanism?

Now he's pretending that he's sleeping? Well after watching him for about 20 minutes I was getting bored...it was like waiting for water boil or paint to dry! So I went in the house to grab a drink and when I went back out to check on him...he was gone...and I mean gone! He must have motored out of the area all together cuz I looked all over the place thinking that he couldn't take off that quick...but he did...I imagine he probably ran home to tell his family about his awfully tramatic day with the big old mean lady with the green rake!

.

Hugs for a great weekend guys,

:o)

Rachel

I have to apologize for being so absent these days...I've come down with the nastiest cold/flu bug and it's just sucked the life out of me! No energy at all! It seems that this bug has been going around and around our house for the last few months...it seems one of us is sick at one time or another...have I mentioned that I can't wait for spring? Mother Nature just keeps teasing us...would you believe last weekend we just had another big dump of snow? Will it ever end? Anyway, just wanted to touch base and let you all know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, I'm just sick....sick and tired of being sick and tired...lol!

I hope all is good with everyone else.

.

Hugs for a great weekend ;o)

~ Rachel ~

.

Happy Birthday To You Mom!

.

That's me and Mom more than 30 years ago! Look at the furniture and the colour of the walls and curtains! Oh we've come along way since then haven't we?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Jeepers how time flies! Here's to many more Mom! Hope you enjoy your day! We're thinking of you lots and wishing you a Wonderful Birthday!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I wanted to sing you Happy Birthday but I think you would agree with me that these guys do a much better job!


.

And here's some more of them just in case that wasn't enough for you...enjoy!

.

.

Love,

Rachel Marie

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Okay, I know it's April Fool's Day, but this is just cruel...

.

Nice sense of humor Mother Nature...

.

This is what we woke up to this morning! So much for the birds chirping and the snow melting!

.
It's yet another snow day for the kids...that's gotta be a record for the number of snow days for them! They have missed so much school because of our weather.
.
.
These poor trees are sooooo heavy with snow today...most of them are drooping and hanging off to one side now.
.
.

I can't believe how much snow the tops of these trees can hold.
.

.

.

Check out our roof! Now that's a lot of snow!
.

.

I thought this bare tree looked pretty neat with all that snow on it's branches! You can click on this picture and all the others to get a better look :o)
.

.

.

I don't think the squirrels will be bathing in the tree tops today! Good Grief Charlie Brown! My Grandmother told me yesterday that I jinxed it by putting all the winter clothes away the other day...silly me thinking that Spring was here! What was I thinking?

.

One good thing about today is that the temperature is beautiful and the snow is super duper sticky so I can kick the kids outside for the day and I can stay inside and the knit the day away! Sounds like a great plan to me!

.

Stay safe, stay warm, and have a wonderful Wednesday!

.

Hugs,

:o)

Rach

Happy Little Squirrel :o)

.

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day...the sun was out, the sky was blue, the birds were chirping, and best of all, the snow was melting! I caught one of our many squirrels taking a pit stop way up in the tree. These little guys are really cute but they can also be a real nuisance too! I don't know how many bird feeders they've broken on me...when they see something they want they will try as hard as they can till they get it! The last one figured out that if he knawed on the string that held the bird feeder on the tree then the whole feeder would come crashing to the ground leaving him a very happy and full squirrel!

.

So needless to say, I don't hang feeders out anymore for the birds! Doesn't it look like he's actually posing for me while I take his picture? You gotta click on the photos to see his face close up...he was actually looking right at me the whole time! I love the colour of his tail.
.

We have a huge family of squirrels that have made the inside of one of our very old trees their home. It's a really neat looking tree too cuz it looks all haunted and spooky...It looks like it's dying but every Summer it has a gorgeous top to it...the leaves really make it look beautiful. I'll have to get a pic of it when the snow is all gone and it starts to get leaves. Anyway, that tree houses so many of the squirrels around here and it's such a neat tree cuz they have what looks just like an oval front door down at the bottom of it just like th