I’ve been collecting china for some time now. I especially love florals. When I spoted these pretty plates in a cardboard box at our local Flea Market, I knew I had to have them. This very large collection of “IRIS” patterned plates from the EPP China Company (later W.S. George) are from around 1910, making them nearly 100 years old. I paid $4 for the lot.

These plates were definitely loved by a former owner - they’re crazed and chipped and altogether charming. I know that there is a lady looking down from Heaven, pleased that someone is once again loving this pretty collection of china.

Please join me in praying for the people of the Gulf Coast region. It’s just about unbelievable that they could be facing another Category 5 Hurricane after the devastation of Katrina and Rita, just 3 years ago.

Cay has posted a beautiful prayer on her weblog, even as she and her family are preparing to evacuate. People all over the country will gather tomorrow for worship, no doubt praying fervently for the safety of those in Gustav’s path. I hope you will join me again on Monday afternoon at 3PM EST for a Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Please, God, protect the people in the Gulf Coast and preserve their belongings and livelihoods. AMEN.

I’ve been busily knitting for The Pea. You can see in the top photograph, the little cap I’ve nearly finished - I’ve decided to make a chin strap instead of ties. To the left is a pair of longie soakers (pattern here), and I was rummaging through one of my sewing wardrobes and uncovered a long-sleeved tee I’d started for Louis. I guess I like that oatmeal colour. It’s just as well I’d never finished it - Louis never would have fit into it at 10lb! If this little chap turns out to be as big as his brother, there is a very lucky dolly waiting to own it.

In the bottom photo, you can see the moon and stars motif I had begun to duplicate stitch onto the front of the tee. I haven’t decided whether or not I’m going to keep going. I may pick it out and go for something like ferns and clovers… Decisions, decisions.

I’ve been knitting like crazy this week - making a cuddly oatmeal-coloured layette for the baby. Since The Pea is due in the middle of January, I’m making long soakers and long-sleeved jumpers (pull-over sweaters). And because I have a busy household, I needed a quick-to-knit pattern. This one is a pattern that I developed as a hybrid of several different patterns I’ve used over the last 4 years. I think you will agree that it’s really easy and quick. I have given instructions for the newborn size. You can get a lot of variation by switching yarns, and adding duplicate stitch, or simply by choosing a different stitch for the cuff. These longies are slightly tapered to fit more snugly around baby’s calves and ankles, though you could just as easily choose to work even all the way down.

I prefer working in the round whenever possible because I despise making up.

Nissa’s Newborn Longies Pattern

Worsted Weight yarn (preferably natural fibre) 4 oz. *I used some Ella Rae from my stash, 100% wool*
size 7 (US) circular and DPNs

With circular needle, CO 60. Work ribbing for 2 in. Switch to stockinette stitch and work even until the piece measures 7 in. Divide stitches in half, placing first 30 on DPNs and leaving rem sts. on the circ. Work leg even for 3 inches. Decrease 1st at the inside seam every 3rd row until the leg measures 6 in. Work even 1 in., switch to ribbing, garter, moss or seed stitch for the last 4 rnd. Bind off.

Transfer second leg sts to DPNs and work as with the first leg.

These make a nice cozy gift for a new babe, along with perhaps a hand-embroidered long-sleeved onesie.

The Pea and I have made it safely to the halfway point. Only 20 more weeks until he arrives!

Still need to get some knitting done. Which has just given me a brainwave. I’ve only ever had one baby shower in a grand total of 10 pregnancies, so I don’t know if this is an original idea… Wouldn’t it be wonderful to gather a group of knitting friends and have a knitting shower? I suppose it would be a little like a quilting bee, each person working on a small item for the baby, or a piece of a pattern to be put together - like and afghan or a longie suit…

I’m off to the midwife shortly to listen to the thumpity thump of his little heart. He’s been kicking and stretching away in there. Good thing his older siblings made him plenty of room!

I fell in love with knitting about 15 years ago. I still feel like a newbie. You see, I fell in love with crochet first. And I still love to crochet. I just love yarn. I needed hobbies to support my love of yarn. I use a LOT of yarn. My baskets overflow - just ask my husband.

The nice thing is that I know I’m not alone. There are a lot of other yarn addicts out there. I see you when I’m out - lovingly fondling a skein of the latest yarn, ogling bamboo needles… Well, have I got something for you! What do you say to almost half off your yarns? All you have to do is join the Simple Gifts list, where I post co-op orders for yarns and wool top (and fabrics, and books, too!). You can buy a any amount you need - large or small.

If you’re going to knit like a crazy lady, you might as well be thrifty, no?

I thought you’d like a peek at what is to come. I’ve been planning for some time to film tutorials. I’m a very visual learner and really enjoy watching an instructional video when I want to learn how to do anything. I’ve heard the same from lots of other folks. This is the raw cut of a tutorial I’m working on that will show you how to make lavender wands. You’ll hear plenty of background noise and chatter, there are no fancy transitions yet, and no verbal instruction. We (Brian and I) hope to be able to polish the final product up with music and voice over instructions. But for now, I thought I’d share what we’ve done so far. Enjoy!

Are you getting ready to do some Christmas sewing? I’m going to be making some pretty things for the gals and myself to wear. Ball skirts for Cate and me, and little dresses for Carrie and Sophie. I might even do matching waistcoats for all the boys. I’m LOVING the Princess Mary tartan above, which is normally $65/yd. I managed to find it for $14.75 (!!!). It’s a gorgeous crispy silk dupioni - one of my favourite fabrics to work with.

If you like a bargain, too, come on along to the Simple Gifts Email List. The Princess Mary Tartan and several other beautiful silk dupionis and cotton velvets are available on the current co-op order. Co-op prices are at least HALF off regular prices! Get your sewing machine tuned up - you’re going to be busy.

OK, I know. It’s only Tuesday. But I couldn’t wait that long, I’m not a patient person.

The Simple Gifts list now has a Book Co-op in addition to our Fabric co-op. The co-op allows members to buy books at wholesale prices, hopefully saving everyone quite a bit (20-30%). Just another way to help you be thrifty!

Oooh, and we have a special order open until 2 September. Catholic homeschoolers have really been enthusiastic about the “Faith and Life” catechism series and the “Didache” series. Simple Gifts list members can order these books through the co-op, at cost - but only until September 2nd - and you have to be a listmember to order.

…the score stands thus:

Girls: 3
Boys: 4

Our newest little slugger should be making an appearance around the middle of January. He was none too happy about the scan today, and just would not keep still. The probe was kicked, he did his best to get himself out of camera range, but in the end co-operated enough to have all his parts identified and measured.

I’ll be expecting my awards from Little League Baseball and Boy Scouts anytime. Roses are nice, too.

Now, about the tricky task of knitting and sewing for a little chap… And choosing a name. I’ve been told by my husband once again that Napoleon Dupre is absolutely OFF the list. Alas, I’ll have to save those names for another time.

Thank you for all of your prayers, and your understanding while I’ve been away. I’ll be back again in a few weeks. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the new look of Simple Gifts!