It’s A Girl! It’s A Boy!
We have had two babies born to church staff in recent weeks. The church put on a baby shower for the two new moms/babies, but since I decided to knit something for them, I didn’t finish in time for the shower. Finally all done and sent off, I proudly show them to you:
For Lauren Grace (Sam’s new sister):
Pattern: Sirdar leaflet #3993
Yarn: KnitPicks Gloss, fingering weight, Bare (70% wool, 30% silk)
Needles: Size 2 (2.75mm) & Size 3 (3.25 mm)
Size: 3-6 months
This turned out so nicely that I’m sure I’ll knit another for my “future grandchild stash.” The drape is wonderful! The only bummer is the hand wash. 
For Hudson Alan:
Pattern: Baby Yours by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: KnitPicks Gloss (fingering weight), Woodland Sage
Needle: Size 4 (3.5mm)
Size: 3-6 months
There are some changes I’d make to the pattern for the next time (and there will likely be a next time, this was a quick knit and looks nice) which includes making the sleeve tops a bit wider, and knitting at a tighter gauge. I still love the sweater, and the buttons were a great find (I found them at 3 Kittens).
I have been concentrating most of my time on getting these two sweaters done, but of course every once in awhile something else pops up for immediate attention.
I test knit the Gansey Gayle Hat for the Yahoo! group Holiday Mystery Knits, and then I “designed” mittens to match so I could use them as a donation for the Knitters’ Guild current charity project (for the Ronald McDonald House).
I started the Tulip Cardigan kit that I purchased on one of the Shop Hops to Coldwater Collaborative:
It will continue to be a UFO until after Christmas, even though it is a quick knit (and a small size).
I finished another sweater, currently destined for the future grandbaby stash:
and a closeup of the “smocking”
I ended up buying 4 sets of buttons for this - 3 of them were “ok” but didn’t really match or compliment the sweater as I’d like, and finally found the 4th set at JoAnn’s! *Love* how they look! 
About the time I finished that sweater, I took some time out with my sister and had my first pedicure and my 2nd manicure (the first was for my sister Anne’s wedding many, many years ago). Here’s a photo of my beeee-u-ti-ful nails (fingers, of course - a picture of *my* toes - even nicely painted - would be yucky):
I’ve also been helping the Knitters’ Guild by becoming a member of their charity project committee. I have set them up with a blog to show off donations knit for the various projects and include info and instructions, etc. We hope it will inspire others to knit more and to make it easier on the webmaster for the guild website, since the changes and entries needed for the charity knitting are so frequent.
Off to work some, and knit a little, too.