Ahhhh, what a day!

Saturday was one of those days that just worked out. Maya and my mother in law went into the American Girl Store in Manhattan and Maya was in HEAVEN! She got a doll, had her hair done, ears pierced and lunch with her Grandma Rose. She cannot stop talking about it and both of them were glowing with happiness afterwards!

I got to spend the day with my little brother who lives in the city. He and I have definitely become closer as adults (I went to college when he was eleven and was married when he was seventeen) and it was fun to hang out with him as siblings (aka without kids!). We even had wine...we were super sophisticated... On a side note, if you find yourself looking for a wine bar in Manhattan check out Cork Buzz and, if you're adventurous, order the chicken liver mousse with lemon-thyme doughnuts. Sounds crazy but it was unbelievably delicious!

On the way into the city I did get some knitting done. I cast on the collar of my nephew's Baby Sophisticate and got some rows done. I'm seeing him next weekend for Maya's recital, I'm hoping I can finish it by then!

Rembember there is still time to order your Jamberry Nails!

http://ckrog.jamberrynails.net

At checkout choose "MammaGranate Online Party" from the drop down box beside "is this order associated with a party?"

Right now it's buy three get one free!

Party ends June 14th

It's a Joke!

I admit that I haven't had the time to knit in the past few days. I've been cleaning, having playdates for the kids and trying not to melt in this crazy weather! I did venture out for a run yesterday morning and I thought I might dissolve into the pavement! I'm looking forward to Sunday when it's cooler out.

Hopefully I'll have more to post knitting wise soon! On another note let me tell you a story...

So I have this friend, Alan. He's one of those people who will go for a challenge, especially if its funny. One of his friends found a strange picture, one that has been circulating facebook. Chances are you might have seen it but if not, here it is:

Alan's friend joked with him that he needed to take a picture of him with his cat, Emily, and have it posed similarly. When we were all together one time he mentioned it and how funny it would be to do that picture but he certainly wasn't going to pay for that! Since Mandi and I have started blogging I've been learning a lot about Photoshop and I decided to offer up my services. I figured that it was good trial and error and an opportunity to learn more about photo editing and, if it didn't turn out right it was okay. So here is what I came up with: 

New business for me? Creepy cat pictures? I find it amusing and had fun learning new things about Photoshop. For all my hard work I need to make sure that Alan hangs it up in his living room. To be fair I think I need to do one of our friend (and Alan's wife) Kristen posing with EmilyCat. I wouldn't want her to feel left out...

(Story reposted from my other blog, MammaGranate)

Manicures for Knitters!

I am usually a nighttime knitter. Night is also the only time I really have to do my nails. I have to make the choice nail or knitting and, if I choose nails how early can do I have to start them in order for them to dry in time? Oh the problems... :)

I have tried the Sally Hansen nail polish stickers and have had wonderful results, however, I very much dislike taking nail polish off. I feel like I spend all night with a cotton ball in hand stinking like acetone. Well enter Jamberry Nail Shields, they are my new answer!!

Here's what attracted me to these particular nail shields: they are NOT nail polish! These are easy on, easy off! They go on with a heat source (hair dryer) and off the same way. (You can also soak them in acetone for a "gentler" removal.)

My suggestion, if you decide to try them, is to watch some YouTube videos on tips for applying them. I read some reviews where people had some difficulty so I researched, learned their tricks and they went on pretty easily. I can see how it might be quicker with practice but definitely worth it!

They were on for a week and not only did the stay on but they look adorable! I got antsy and changed it up last night, I'm loving them!

I am hosting an online "party"! Feel free to click on the link below and have fun with hassle free nails. Let us know which patterns you choose. I think my next order will include the lollipop chevron...

Feel free to click on the link:
Http://ckrog.jamberrynails.net
At check out, they will choose "MammaGranate online party" from the drop down box beside "is this order associated with a party?"
Right now it's buy 3 get one free!!
Party ends June 14

D to the O-N-E

So today I brought the sweater with me to Maya's gymnastics and finished that darned thing!!! All I need is buttons, my niece and some cold weather!

For real?

So yesterday I was determined to finish the Baby Sophisticate. Even I'm tired of hearing that! I did a few rows with Maya as we were watching a show on North American animals during Simon's nap. I helped her a bit and then NEVER FINISHED my project! It is SO close. 

On the other hand I did have Maya and Simon clean our finds from Goodwill. We set them up with their water table, sponges and a hose and let them go, mission accomplished! I also got in a good run,  had tea with the kids and breakfast for dinner - I would say that this day was a success! Maybe I'll finish it tomorrow...

Getting there!

Yesterday we went to the Goodwill Outlet. You heard me correctly, outlet. I believe that they sell the stuff that the Goodwill stores haven't sold and when they try to switch up the inventory they send it to the outlet. We did find some treasures but we had to sift through a lot of stuff to find them. There was definitely yarn there, however, nothing I was really interested in using...

I did get some knitting done on the way. I have about four rows left to finish my niece's Baby Sophisticate! I'm determined to finish it tomorrow and start on my nephew's sweater!

Found It!

So yesterday I tore apart my closet looking for the project I'll never finish with the extra yarn to finish my nieces sweater. I recently went through my house and donated tons of things and then it hit me - I  probably got rid of it. I must have figured that I would never finish it so I got rid of it. I was so incredibly frustrated and was scheming how I could get enough yarn to finish the project but not have to buy the entire pound of yarn! I was trying to figure out if I could change to another color, just end it there when I decided to take one more look. I FOUND IT!! It was in my yarn stash hiding under a bag of yarn scraps. I'm so relieved, I can finally finish it.

On a funny note, Maya saw my yarn and asked if she could go to the store and get a box of yarn just like I have! She has also planned out her next few projects; first a hat, then an ankle bracelet. I love it, she is hooked!