Two RAD clutches up for grabs

Hello there bloggies.
I've been patterning a new clutch design.
Would you like to win one of my very first clutches?





Y'all deserve a lil somn' somn' for being so RAD.
And not just one person will win, but two.
Because I have TWO pretty [awesome] clutches.





So...all you have to do is
**leave a comment telling me what your favorite thing is in my shop. This is my shop page: www.ahandmadeprincess.etsy.com
**For an additional entry, like my facebook page and leave another comment here telling me you did so.
This is my facebook page: www.facebook.com/AHandmadePrincess

I'll randomly choose TWO winners and post it next Wednesday, February 22, 2012. So make sure to come back then.

This is my very first give away, so make it a real good one and I'll do 'em more.

In the meantime, I'll be posting more about what I'm knitting (and designing) and random life stuff. Like, for yarn along (a weekly link up to show what you are knitting/reading), I'm knitting more clutches (see above) and I'm STILL reading Cutting for Stone. (I think I'll be reading this one for a loooonnng time!)

sickies, reading, knitting, and doing lots o cleaning...

Oh my goodness.
What a weekend.

Now, what you must know about me is that I am a self diagnosed hypochondriac. When I was younger, I used to spend hours looking into my mother's Medical Book, which was about 500 years old and 2000 pages and falling apart. Every time I looked into that book, I could diagnose myself with whatever ailment I thought I matched the symptoms. A cramp in the leg? I needed an amputation! Thirst? I had diabetes. And on and on. Thankfully, I do not have that book to look upon when I feel the need. Unfortunately, I have the internet. Anyway...

On Friday, my husband drove to Canada. So, the two kids and I planned to make a weekend party of it. Friday night, we watched Kung Fu Panda 2 and ate pizza.
Friday night, my son got sick. All night.
Saturday, we all rested from the night before.
Saturday night, we had pizza again, but this time watched Judy Moody.
Saturday night, my daughter got sick.
Sunday, we all rested from the night before.
Sunday night, I got sick.
Thank goodness my husband finally came home from Canada so he could tend to the kids.
Monday, I rested.

So, you can see how I have spent the weekend considering all of the possibilities of how this had happened. We could have had food poisoning. Or the NoroVirus, which apparently is going around. We should have gone to the ER. I am surprised we did not go to the ER. We could have died.

Just when I had it pin pointed to the pizza as the culprit, who gets it? No one other than my dear husband.

Today, he is resting.

Time to break out the disinfectants. And do laundry up the wazoooo. Bleach, here we come....

So, needless to say, I have not done much knitting. Nor have I wanted to. But since I was feeling better yesterday, I did throw something on the needles:

Just some mossy stitch mitts.

I should have just cast on with with some chunky yarn. I need some quick gratification.

(Please email me if you have a source link for this img so I can give credit. thx.)

Oh and I finally bought Cutting for Stone for my Nook. (Thank you to all who recommended it) I have a feeling I am gonna be a cryin''


whew, now, on to preparing for my daughter's 6th birthday party this weekend.

*tulle - check
*mounting for tulle - check
*handmade bunting - check
*tissue paper for handmade flowers - check
*princess music - check

Linking up to one of my favorite bogs these days:

Monopoly and taco boats

I have been reading The Five Love languages of Children. Well, I've more or less been skimming it. But it's interesting to ponder; how does your child gauge how you love them? I have come to the conclusion that for both of my kids, it is quality time. Honestly, we spend a lot of time in the same house, but not 'together.' So, this weekend, we played Monopoly.



Let me interrupt my short and sweet family anecdotes by admitting that board games make me realize how competitive I am. I feel so go-with-the-flow. UNTIL I play board games. Oh, I am just horrible. I get so determined. I want to win, win, win! AND! When I win, I am a loud and obnoxious winner, flaunting it every which way I can. When I lose, I'm a sore loser. These are not things I want to teach my kids, I know, but I cannot help it. I just can't.

So, I did not win Monopoly, per say. We had to put it away, because we ran out of time. Luckily, my kids did not have to bear witness to my childishness - this time.

But, a-ha. Look who else is a silly willy:



Is that a cute headband on my cute husband? Why, yes, it is. (he is going to KILL me!! mwahahahahah (evil laugh))

Anyway, we've been spending more quality time together. AND I have taken over dinner duty (that cute man in the headband used to make dinner every night. yes. I know! He rocks. But I decided to take over...) So, I have been trying to introduce fun, yet super nutritious meals. Last night, we made our very own taco-less tacos (they thought this name was uber funny. They're really called taco boats). Instead of using tacos or tortillas, you use lettuce leaves as the holder of all of your taco fillings. We had avocado, onion, tomato, meat, black olives, and shredded cheese.



And I thought it would be funny to document just how much everyone loved their taco-less tacos:





:D

And knitting.....

Do you think it is funny that I alternate watching Downton Abbey and Breaking Bad while I knit? I should look to see if it affects my tension.

Anyway, presently, I am working on a special newborn valentine hat.





I think I like making special baby items best. I also just whipped up a pink pixie hat and a cotton heirloom dress, all soon to be put up in the shop.

Knitters block

I can't believe I am saying this, but I am having knitter's block. It's like all of a sudden, bam, I can't knit. Oh sure, I have been at the needles almost 24/7, but anything I start, I rip right back out. What is going on with me? Did I pressure myself too much with the chevron?



My husband says it's because I am getting bored with the smaller accessories and I need to challenge myself more. And maybe he's right. Actually, I know he's right. It's just that I was trying to find my niche, my brand, ya know. But that didn't work. I just need to knit to knit. And be excited about the projects I am working on. I don't want it to become mundane. Well, then, I would rather have a knitting machine, now wouldn't I?

(boring, boring fingerless mitt!)

So...I have something I am thinking about doing. It's going to take a little sketching and measuring and calculating. And I was thinking, hrm, would you like me to show you my process for designing something? Well, then, cheerio, come back tomorrow then.

Anyway, here's my reading list this week:



and

(except it's the nook edition and not the kindle edition. Thought I'd clear that up, because, well, I love my nook ;))

linking up to the yarn along.

See you tomorrow!!!

xxoo, G

I lurve chevron

Now that we have the Christmukkah tree put away, our house feels so much more feng shui. And now that I added a few more stars to my collection, well, life is good. Good enough to knit and knit. And so, here is where I sit and knit:

I've been working on some fingerless chevron mitts. I love chevron, don't you?

But now that I've knit just ONE mitt, I'm thinking it's a toughie for knitting.

Chevron is more of a crochet thing, no? Or am I just being a slacker? But, but, look at all of these strands of yarn:

That looks like alllottta work, right? Oh no. It's true, I'm a knitting simpleton. I like quick, but pleasurable and soft on my hands kind of knits. And I'm cool with that, yo.
So, I am abandoning this project. I only have one mitt, but the little one likes it, so I'll give it to her.

Who knows, maybe I'll go back to it tomorrow, but probably not.
xxoo, G

Edited to add: I am link up to a yarn along. Want to join? Here's the link: http://www.gsheller.com/2011/12/yarn-along-58.html