i want to give something away too

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home today and as I was walking in carrying my reusable grocery bags I noticed a sign on the door saying "Did you remember your recyclable bags?" As I was walking out another shopper leaving congratulated me for remembering my bags. It is becoming so much more chic to be green and it gladdens my heart. As I was trying to think of what to make for my PIF gifts I wanted to do something that was environmentally friendly. While I was sewing I thought it would be fun to do additional giveaways for people who didn't sign up for my pay it forward and spread useful earth saving items. I have a number of ideas for "green" products that I will give away periodically.
I have a knit dishcloth, cotton dishtowel and some cloth napkins for this time around. Leave a comment and I will draw a random name after I return from my business trip next week. Feel free to share a "green" idea of your own and please pass along word of my giveaway so everyone can play.

cupcakes

I received my package from Sharon's cupcake swap. Sandra sent me this lovely package from Portugal. She apologized for her workmanship, but I think she did a great job. Her gift has been sent off, but I, of course, didn't get mine ready until the last day. I start out with the best of intentions. I swear. I'll post a picture when she has received it.

My knitting needle gluing didn't work. :*( It stayed together, but it had a rough burr that I couldn't seem to sand out. I had an order from knitpicks somewhere between the distribution center and my home when I had my little incident. I'm working up another order so I can replace my needle. I did use this time to finish up some swaps and other sewing that was owed.

My knitpicks order did arrive and guess who thought it was here just for them. Misty thinks packing paper is so much fun to shred and Dusky had fun putting his toys in the box and getting in with them. As you can see it's a little bit of a tight fit. They are so funny.

it was the best of days it was the worst of days

It was my birthday this week. Due to work, vacation schedules and such I sort of celebrated it all week long. On Tuesday April took me to lunch and gave me this really cool present. That is sock yarn that she dyed herself with a drawstring bag and a little case to hold my needles. I just love it. I give away most of what I make, but this pair of socks is going to be for me.

DH made dinner for me on Thursday, my actual birthday, and wrote in my card that he was taking me here this weekend. We always went when we lived in the area before and hadn't been in years. I had forgotten how much I missed it. We didn't buy much, but I just like to look at what people are making and get inspiration. DH bought me a present. This cute little bear. He came home and climbed right up on my mantle between the silhouettes of my children, under my teddy bear picture and made himself at home. The lady who made him had a sign up saying she is offering a class at one of the local high schools in October. I'm going to take it to learn how to make my own bears. I've made bears before, but only small ones with button joints. This class is going to teach me real joints.

After we got home I was making a yummy stir fry for dinner and laid my knitting aside on the couch. I was chatting away with DH and not paying attention to what I was doing. As I levered myself off the couch I heard a crack. Oh no! My 47" circular needle that I had just gotten to learn 2 at a time socks. Snapped! I was heartsick. I am only about 3 inches away from being finished and I can't continue. DH tried to glue them, but the first try didn't work. They are clamped now and I am not to try again for 24 hours DH's orders. He was so sweet. He felt so bad for me. If this gluing doesn't work I'm just going to have to work on something else until I can replace my needle. Maybe it's a message to finish some of my other projects.

sign of the times

I guess my life is going to get more hectic from now on. Due to the slow economy my work had to lay off 8 of our staff members last week. We are a small company so we all know each other and are sad seeing our friends leave. What this means is that those of us who are left now have even more responsibilities than we did. Time has become a premium for me and I'm not sure how any quilting is going to get done for a while.

I have been doing more knitting instead. I really like the idea of being done with a pair of socks all at once with no tension variation so I am learning toe up socks 2 at a time. I find knitting easier to do in small bits of time.

On a much happier note my friend Kingsley and his girlfriend had their baby last Friday. Mother and son are both doing fine. Here are Kingsley and Katie at the baby shower we had for them at work and here is baby Zion shortly after being born. They brought him into work today and I got to hold him. He is such a cutie and I have been so anxious for him to be born. I offered to be first in line to babysit. :cD