Happy Spring - Sneak peak at a new pattern

Happy Spring everyone! I finally was able to log into Blogger this morning after many tries yesterday and write this post. Anyone else have trouble with Flickr and Blogger yesterday? Anyhoo, I've been stashing this pattern since August. Now that spring has finally arrived, I can give you a preview of my little flower friends.

Introducing the first of Las Florecitas - Rosa



Florecitas are palm sized flower dolls. Their arms are willowy leaves and their faces are modelled on real flowers. They are designed to sit firmly on surfaces. Suggested yarns include Manos, Malabrigo, Rio de la Plata and other kettle dyed, chunky weight yarns. Rosa is shown with Baby Sweet Pea who will be included as part of an accessories pattern.

(Scroll down for additional photos)

I plan to release several more of the Florecitas throughout the Spring. The pattern will be available through Ravelry but I'm still on the waiting list to add a storefront so it will be a bit longer before you can purchase it. I'd rather give Ravelry the percentage of sales than Lulu or Payloadz so I appreciate your patience. From what I understand, you will not have to be a member of Ravelry to purchase a pattern through them.

I have so many wonderful test knitters to thank for fine tuning this pattern. I'll send them mad props when I post about the pattern going live. In the meantime, enjoy the warmer weather, the longer days and the beauty of the emerging world this wondrous Spring. And Happy Easter, too!

40 Days - Past the halfway point

I'm on Day 26 of Louhi. She had to go into time out the better part of last week because of a challenge I had with one of the charts. Found out that it wasn't me but the chart and after a bit of surgery, I was able to pick it back up and work on it over the weekend. There are a bagillion stitches in each row so progress is slow but steady. I'm not giving up hope but I'll be hard pressed to finish this in 40 days. Here's a quick shot of her Week 3:



Last week was a busy week. It started with a pleasant bang, with a request for me to meet with the Governor as part of a small group of early childhood educators and supporters. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Needless to say, I was in a tizzy all week. And for nothing. Gov. Kaine is the most down-to-earth, laid back public figure I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Here's a shot from the blurb that made it on the news. I'm the one in the shockingly bright green top...



We "chatted" with the Gov. for over 30 minutes. No one ever gets that kind of time with him. What an honor to have been a part of that opportunity. I even got to talk with him afterwards. I'm still shocked that I was asked to join the group.

The day before meeting the Gov., I hosted a Filipino cooking party. Some friends of a friend came over and taught me how to make lumpia and pancit - two of my childhood favorites! Yummmmmmmmmm.





And while Louhi was in timeout, I cast on for a Hokie bird version of Anna's latest creation, "Which Came First?"



and a Baby Kimono using Bernat Cashmere



Yes, indeedy. It was a VERY good week :)