A Valentine from my Girly~

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

Isn't she just the sweetest little thing??? :)

Just goes to show that Valentines are for more than just Sweethearts.   I just love my girls to pieces…they’re both kind, beautiful, funny, and compassionate souls.  This sweet work of art from my Megan was actually created as a special “pick-me-up” surprise when I was having a particularly stressful time.  She knew just what to do to make me feel better.  What a Doll, right? <3

It would be simply scintillating to know that you all are brewing up deliciously romantic plans for this very loverly day…but if not, I hope that you are able to just simply show those ones around you how much you care about them and that life just wouldn’t be the same without them.  I’m not too much of a traditional die-hard Valentine’s Day participant, but I do love any day that gives a reason for sharing how we feel about our loved ones.  Make the time to spread caring wishes and pass out a few hugs today. :)  I’m sure you’ll be well rewarded!

Speaking of Valentine’s Day…have you gone to google.com yet?  Oh, you should definitely!  There’s an adorable little cartoon with a classic tune that will put a smile on your mugs.  Then it takes you automatically to a search all about Valentine’s Day, including links that give you a run down of it’s history.  Did you know that although it didn’t start with the romantic connotations that we link it with today (I wouldn’t call torture or martyrdom too terribly romantic), those traditions actually began clear back in the 14th century??  Wow!  I didn’t realize it has been that long that we have used this holiday to send Sweet Nothings…or awesome SOMEthings, lol…to the ones we love.  It has more history behind it than I knew.  I’ve always joked that it was just one of those made-up holidays that give the retail industry something to sell to the masses, lol. ;)

If you’re looking for something darling to whip up on your looms today, in celebration of the holiday, here are a few quickly completed projects that would make great little last minute gifts for someone special:

Cabled Mug Hug…learn to whip up cables quickly with this pattern and video tutorial series!

Itty Bitty Bags…super easy and very useful as a little goody bag!

Scrubby-O’s …these are really quick to make, but long on use!  This one also comes with a video tutorial series.

Little Loom Knit Hearts by Brenda Myers!  This is a hot off the loom project and is sooo cute…you could make a whole bunch in no time flat! :)

Hot Lips Tawashi, also by Brenda Myers…shower those you love in “kisses”,  heehee!

Here’s My Heart….couldn’t resist another by Brenda, as she’s got the market on loom knit hearts cornered, lol!  Read the entire post, because she’s included links to other hearts she’s created over time. :)

You must stop by Jenny Stark’s site to visit all her fun little freebies…there are so many that could definitely be whipped up in a hurry for someone you love today!  To name just a few, there are Mini Cream Cones, beaded earrings and bracelets, Blooming Bookmarks, Kissie Fishes, and adorable little Ladybugs and Turtles…such wonderful loomy sweetness!

What kind of plans are you all making for today?  Anything worth sharing with us all?

Happy Sweetheart’s Day!

Bethany~

Posted in Crafting, Dailey Occurrances, Family Fun, Free Loom Patterns, Holidays, Just Because, Kids, Loom Knitting, Looming Patterns, Marriage, My Favorites | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Loom Along, loom along, would you like to loom along?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

Reblogged from Guppygirl:

  • Click to visit the original post

We’re already a week into February!  It’s time to talk about all of the wonderful loom alongs we’ve got going on this month :) In the Loom Along group, we are finishing up on the Loom Knit Bee Bopper Bags that we started in January.  Hopefully you’re a little farther along than I am.  I have half of a bag so far, haha. In the Loom Knitter’s Circle Magazine group, our archive pick for February is the 25th Street Stole pattern from the Winter 2010 issue of Loom Knitter’s Circle.  Since that issue has …

Jenny Stark has been nice enough to wrangle up a lot of loomin’ fun happening around the web currently…She’s gathered a list of loom-alongs at her bloggie for your convenience! :D The only thing I would add to that list is a really terrific class happening right now on making simple slippers at the Yahoo Loom Class Group! :) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoomClass/ Head on over to join in on the fun!
Posted in Loom Knitting | 1 Comment

I’m still here! ;)

Posted on February 7, 2012 by

I just wanted pop on here and let you know that I AM still alive, lol!  Just super busy-busy.  I’ve been bitten by the pre-spring cleaning bug and have been spending most of my time in the “real” world, facing the messes that my time spend in the cyber world have let build up. :P  This includes a ton of paperwork to file, shred, sort, shovel…you get the idea.

We have been going full steam ahead with hatching our very own Mr. Wobbles Penguins in the Loom Alongs happening in a couple places around the web, which has been how the majority of the allowance of my time spent online the last couple weeks has been spent.  It’s been great fun interacting with other loomers in creating these super cute little guys, and I wanted to let you know that there’s still plenty of time to join in on the fun, if you so desire. ;)  I’m hoping to have a bit of show ‘n tell at the end of it with a Mr. Wobbles Penguin Family Gallery, to show off everybody’s own versions of the pattern…won’t that be a blast?

I have been contemplating that in this new year of 2012, I will be trying to spend more time living in that before-mentioned “real” world, rather than always facing a computer screen.  I think I’ll actually end up seeing some fabulous results from this resolution:

  • better health (as I’ll get more fresh air and exercise)
  • happier attitude (as I’ll not be so pressured and so narrowly focused…and I’ll actually use my voice to speak and my ears to hear people respond right back in real time, lol…I will see them smile and I will smile right back…exercising my happy muscle!)
  • more satisfaction with life in general (see all of the above).

It will be good for me.  It is a must.  I will begin on a new adventure, actually living in my “real” life. ;)  It sounds so weird to say it that way, but it’s actually oh-so-true!

As a result of this, you may see just a little bit less of me each week via actual posts.  But, I will definitely try to at least pop in once a week. If I have something extra to say, then you’ll see me a little bit more than that. On the other hand, if you don’t hear from me in a week…there’s probably no need to worry.  I’m most likely still here.  Just living, trying the best way I can to be the most that I can.

So, on that happy note, I’m going to go enjoy the rest of my day.  I think you should try a little bit of that too…don’t you? :D

Bethany~

Posted in Blogging, Classes, Goals, Life, Loom Alongs, Loom Knitter's Chat Clique, Loom Knitting, Trying to be Good ;) | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Mr. Wobbles Penguin wants to come live with you!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

I’m fairly positive that you’ve heard the news by now that the Loom Knitter’s Circle E-zine has made an official re-launch for its Winter 2012 issue…can we hear a collective “Yay!”?  This very informative, entertaining, project-filled publication has been sorely missed over the last year that it has not been in circulation.  Well…it’s now back and better than ever! :D  There are some amazing projects included, involving lace and mitts and sweaters, oh my!  Even a brand new comic strip feature by my very own girlie, Megan!  I’m so thrilled and bursting with pride for her rapidly expanding artistic abilities, as well as her quirky sense of humor, which shines in all the expressive faces and situations in which her funny little characters find themselves. :)  You truly must check it out and leave a comment to help encourage her to keep ‘em coming, lol!

One of the projects included in this issue is my very own Mr. Wobbles Penguin.  Isn’t he just the cutest thing?  I simply love him!  I find that I have been having a terrific time lately bringing fun amigurumi-type personalities to life.  :)  First we had Koby the Striped Kitty, the Silly Sidewinder Snake, and the Crazy Caterpillar (all featured in Loom Knitting for Little People)…now we’ll be having fun with this cold weather companion…this sweet little fuzzy-flippered guy.

Mr. Wobbles was created using the new Luxe Fur Yarn by Lion Brand.  This is a type of chenille yarn, but let me tell you, it’s much easier to work with than the usual variety.  This yarn seems stronger than most chenille yarns (but still be careful, as it will break if pulled on too hard!), and it doesn’t have the usual shedding issues that normally happens when working with chenille.  Both off these are big pluses in my book! :)  The fur itself is not quite as velvety as a chenille, most likely from it’s 48% wool content (which is awesome!), but is just the perfect thing for making the body of our penguin and is still oh-so soft and pet-able.

The flippers, beak and feet of Mr. Wobbles were created with one of my favorite go-to crafting yarns, Vanna’s Choice.  Just a little FYI: if you’d like to make the flippers in the fuzzy Luxe Fur Yarn, you’ll actually need to purchase 2 skeins of the darker color, as there just isn’t enough in one skein to squeak out the two flippers as well as the body. ;)

Exciting News!  We’re going to be hosting some loom-alongs around the web during the month of February to help you make your own Mr. Wobbles…he’s just dying to come and live with you!  Here are the places you can join in and loom along with us:

Gettin’ It Pegged Yahoo Chat Clique

Ravelry Loom Knitter’s Circle Group

Facebook Loom Knitter’s Circle Group

The complete pattern for Mr. Wobbles Penguin can be found at the Loom Knitter’s Circle, which will be posted online until the new issue is released in the Spring.  Be sure to purchase the PDF version, so that you’ll have all that great information all for your very own…it’s perfect for printing out the patterns you’ll be currently working on, as well.

Here are the materials you will need for the project:

Knitting Loom: 

The Martha Stewart Crafts Knit and Weave Loom was used for the sample. The sections which create a “D” shape of 26 large gauge pegs were used, while skipping every other hole.

To create this penguin on a similar loom, you would need a large gauge loom of at least 26 pegs. The Knifty Knitter pink or yellow long looms, with added loom clips, are recommended as alternatives.

Yarn: 

44 yards each of Super Bulky #6 in two penguin colors; Luxe Fur by Lion Brand in charcoal and ivory were used in sample.

Approx 75 yards of Worsted Weight #4 in feet/beak color; approx 1/2 skein of Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand in mustard was used in sample.

Approx 20 yards of Worsted Weight #4 in flipper color; approx 1/8th skein of Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand in dark grey heather was used in sample.

Notions: 

Tapestry Needle, Knitting Tool, Crochet Hook, Knitting Marking Pins, Fiberfill Stuffing, Queen Size Pantyhose/Stockings, Two ½” Button Eyes.

Hope you can join us!

Bethany~

Posted in Amigurumi, Classes, Crafting, Dailey Occurrances, Free Loom Patterns, Knitting, Loom Alongs, Loom Knitter's Chat Clique, Loom Knitting, Loom Knitting for Little People, Looming Patterns, My Favorites, New Projects, Pets, Ravelry | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Bitten by Jack Frost~

Posted on January 20, 2012 by

We’ve been having some pretty impressive weather systems come through the Pacific Northwest this week.  First we had 7-24″ of snow across the Puget Sound and areas further south.  Then Mr. Frost decided to top that off with a nice crusting layer of ice across the whole thing, by means of a day of frozen rain.  Needless to say, because we’re not used to dealing with these kinds of conditions around here, it’s left everyone scrambling (and sliding, lol!) to try to get back to everyday life.  Megan has been out of school the entire week for a vacation in Winter Wonderland. :)  I have to say that for myself, it’s been a pretty cool deal!  We snuggled in tight, luckily kept our electricity going (as so many had theirs cut off due to ice and branches on the power lines), started some knitting projects, and mainly felt a little bit like it was a second Christmas break. :)

I wanted to show you the photos I was able to capture of this event…some of of the pure and absolute beauty of the ice coated…well…everything!  Others are of us just having fun. I hope you enjoy!

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Posted in Family Fun, Holidays, Life, Loom Knitting, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Our “Usher in the New Year” celebration results!

Posted on January 15, 2012 by

Every year we have a little bit of fun in our Gettin’ It Pegged! Yahoo Chat Group, where we celebrate the closing of the previous year’s accomplishments and look forward with anticipation to the New Year.  We have a few categories to that our members participate in to earn drawing entries for prizes.  We also play a couple of games and just plain enjoy each others’ company.  :)

This year’s prize categories included:

Loomy To-Do Progress List: This is a place for listing all those projects that we have hanging around on our looms and just can’t find their way to being completed…yes, UFOs! (Un-Finished Objects)  For each UFO that was completed during 2011, the loomer receives an entry into the drawing.

Let me tell you a little more about this category…

These items on this list are the forgotten ones, the difficult ones to master, the ones we just don’t want to get around to doing, lol.  So to be able to mark these items as completed is an amazing accomplishment.  We had listed in the group TWENTY SIX completed items in the UFO database for 2011!  Great job,  Gettin’ It Pegged Loomers! :D

The winning randomly drawn name in this category is:

Kelly Jones!

Kelly completed 4 UFO’s this year!  Yay for Kelly!!! I need to also mention that she complete the top number of loom knitting Christmas gifties for 2011 (described in the below category), at the grand total of THIRTY SEVEN!  Her friends and family are so lucky to have her as their loomy Santa!  :D

Countdown to Christmas at the Clique 2011: This is where we get to plan our loom knitting projects that we intend for holiday gifts.  It helps to see them all in one place, organized and easily refreshed with our progress.  For each completed gift in 2011, the loomer received a drawing entry.

Let me tell you a little bit more about this category…

As a group we had a total of ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE projects finished and given as Christmas Gifts in 2011!  Soft fluffy things make great gifts, don’t you think?

There were a total of three winning numbers randomly drawn in this group:

Jennifer Tavernier!

Jennifer worked like a crazy woman this year and managed to complete a total of THIRTY SIX loomy gifts this year!  Isn’t that terrific?!  I so much enjoyed hearing her updates about her wild ride of holiday looming, all accomplished in a very short time frame and squeaked in-between her very hectic daily life schedule. :)

Debbie Gill!

Debbie completed a total of SIX loomy holiday gifts this year…her family and friends are blessed indeed!  Way to go, Debbie! :)

Jenny Stark!

Jenny’s completed number of Christmas loomy goodness this year was TWENTY TWO items! …and these are just her loom knitted goodies, as I know that she also completed quite a few gifts that were created with crochet.  Whew!  That’s a lot of fibery gifted goodies!  :)

These ladies deserve a long and loud round of applause for a job well done!

Here are the five prize choices that you all get to choose from.  I’m going to list them here and whichever of you is the first to claim an item in the comments of this post  gets to keep  it. :)   (a second choice would be nice too, in case the first has already been claimed) (…then of course, I’ll need your addresses emailed to me privately at Bethany@Gettinitpegged.com… thanks!)

1)  a Hard Copy of Loom Knitting for Little People!

2) a Digital PDF Copy of Loom Knitting for Little people!

3) an adorably fun Loomy Coffee Mug!

4) this 2 Cool 4 Stix Tote!

5) a copy of the companion tutorial DVD to the book, LKLP!

ps…if more than one of you would like a digital copy of LKLP, or the DVD as your prize instead of the other items, just let me know…I’m cool with that. ;)

Party Game Winners:

We played a rousing game of LOOMY BINGO this week…so fun! :D  We had three lucky winners:

Kelly Jones was our first winner
June Legault was our second
and Jenny Young was our blackout winner!

Yay for all of these lucky ladies! :D

We also held an exhilarating SHEEP HUNT right here at gettinitpegged.com.  There were three fluffy little sheep hidden in the pages of this site.  I thought I hid them pretty well, but it only took these eagle-eyed gals a total of 17 minutes to find them all, lol!  Leave it to people who loom knit as a hobby to notice the little details.  I bet they’d be terrific at finding a needle (especially a yarn needle, lol) in a hay stack too! ;)

Big Hurrahs for:

1) Stacy Jozwiak!
2) Jenny Stark!
3) and Kim Jones!

You lucky and very observant ladies get to choose from the prizes below.  The same deal applies as with the prizes above.  Be the first to claim a prize in the comments of this post and the prize is yours!  (Please provide a second choice also,  just in case your first has been chosen. ;)  I already have all of your addys, so no worries there.)  

   

1) one full and one only slightly used (lol) skein of sparkly blue Bernat Ping Pong yarn!

2) one full skein of Charisma  Loops & Threads in camouflage yarn!

3) a copy of the companion tutorial DVD to the book, LKLP!

4) your choice of any individual pattern at the Gettin’ It Pegged! Artifire Shop!

4) I will have several sets of really cute peg markers (which unfortunately I don’t have pics of yet ;) )  paired with a laminated Kitchener Stitch Pocket Guide!

ps…if more than one of you would like a  peg marker set, a copy of the LKLP companion DVD, or a choice of a gettinitpegged pattern as your prize instead of the other items, just let me know…I’m cool with that. ;)

Alrighty!  Wasn’t that fun?  Thank you so much to all of you wonderful loomers who have joined me over this last year.  I’ve been so honored to have loomed along with you and am very much looking forward to seeing what kinds of fibery fun we can cook up for 2012!  :D

Happy Looming to you all!

Bethany~

Posted in Contests, Crafting, Goals, Holidays, Loom Knitter's Chat Clique, Loom Knitting, Loom Knitting for Little People | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

…a look back through 2011 at Gettin’ It Pegged~

Posted on January 5, 2012 by

On this first week of the New Year, I thought it would be nice to wrap things up with a little bit of summation of how the year went and what was trending here at the blog. :)  Won’t you join me for a little peek into what went on behind the scenes and what ended up being your favorite loomy things throughout the year of 2011?

(Note: all the following numbers may differ slightly from the WordPress Info I released on New Year’s Eve…I think this was because they gathered the info well before the actual end of 2011.)

  • Total site views for 2011: 168,902!  This is up 24% over last year, as compared with a 16% rise in site views from 2009 to 2010…Cool! :D
  • Most looked at page: Freebies with 51,131 views
  • Most looked at post: Mitts for Megan with 3,616 views
  • Most downloaded freebie pattern: Mittens, with 5,766 downloads
  • Most purchased Peggin’ Pages Pattern at Artfire: Bethany’s Booties!
  • Tied for the second highest purchased Pattern at Artfire: ‘lil Tykies & Chunky Slipper Socks!
  • Most frequent commenters at the site: Jolene Utterback Torgler (57!!!), Jenny Stark (26!), Jeannette Pirkle (23!), Linda Jones and Kelly Jones are tied for fourth place (15!).  Thank you so much to all of you for your extra support and encouragement over 2011… I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me in the day-to-day struggles over laziness vs. writing on the bloggie, lol!  You are all so dear to my .

Over the last year, we have walked through many things together…

(Just click on the links to read the original posts about the subjects mentioned.)

You read about our field trip to the Madrona Fiber Festival and my eldest daughter, Emily’s first introduction to spinning.  She has gone on to spin all kinds of different types of yarns, as well as trying her hand at dying them!  She even started her own Etsy shop, TidBit Yarns!

You sent cyber hugs our way when we lost our kitty, Gus, after having him as part of our family for 14 years.  You once again sent condolences after our Chester-Bunny of 8 years, followed our Gus so he wouldn’t be lonely.  You waited with bated breath (lol!) over our pain and series of antibiotics troubles with finding just the right kitty to join our family, and then gave us congratulations and celebrated with us over the addition of the official two new members of our family, kitty siblings adopted from the Humane Society: Penelope & Xander.

You got to see my youngest daughter, Megan’s talent be introduced for the first time on the world wide web… her Dailey Occurrences comic strips have been a big part of her life over the last couple of years.  She has really be working hard to improve her art and ability to bring humor to life through them.  I believe she is gearing towards her own online comic book site! :)   Too Cool!

You’ve seen new projects and crafty pursuits throughout all of 2011:  (just click on the pics to go to the original posts which mention them)

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…and last but definitely not least…

You walked with me, lent your ears and support during the efforts of  designing, writing, editing, more writing, more editing, and finally releasing the book, Loom Knitting for Little People!  From the first announcement of it’s theme, why I loom the way I do, the grand opening of the official Kickstarter Book Launch, the introduction of the involvement of KidKnits in the book, a little chat with me via video about the participation prizes and some of my favorite projects, to the final announcement that the book launch goal had been met!  You waited patiently for your books and prizes to be delivered, despite the few little mishaps along the way.

What I haven’t shared with you yet is that through all of our efforts with the book and patterns at gettintipegged, we were able donate $820 to ShowHope.org to help care for orphans in need for 2011!  That is awesome!  Give yourselves a pat on the back, because YoU DiD GrEaT! :D   It definitely couldn’t have been done without all of you!  I have high hopes that the numbers will only increase for the year 2012.  Keep spreading the word and it will grow. :)

Thank you so much for looking through the past twelve months with me.  Boy, were they full!  I can’t believe all those extra things were created while still knitting the projects for, writing and publishing a BOOK!  This completely and absolutely amazes me!  It took me looking back to see just how much was actually accomplished, and boy does it feel great!  I am so privileged and honored to have walked the last year’s very full days right alongside all of you.  You make me feel very hopeful going into 2012…hopeful that we can be inspired do even more to help others through our loom knitting craft, as well as bless those around us with love in every stitch.

Humbly and gratefully yours,

Bethany~

Posted in Blogging, Book Progress, Charitable Donations, Crafting, Dailey Occurrances, Family Fun, Gettinitpegged Gear, Goals, Holidays, Kids Crafting, Life, Loom Knitter's Chat Clique, Loom Knitting, Loom Knitting for Little People, Looming Patterns, My Favorites, Peggin' Pages, Pets, Reminiscing | 10 Comments