I'm Going to Chop It!

You guys decided, by a land slide, that I'm going to chop off my hair!

I'm excited because I've decided to get it cut at a salon, and I have NEVER had my hair professionally cut.

The look I'm going for is collarbone length with soft layers. I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should try bangs again...

Here are some of the inspiration photos I want to show my stylist (whoever it may be):

Image from Box No. 216

This is very pretty. I wish I was brave enough to try a bit of ombre. Maybe I'll have to give lemon juice a whirl this summer.

Image from Alex Crabtree

I really like this one as well. I know my hair wouldn't be this fluffy unless I curled it, but it shows me the potential. :)




Now I just need to find someone willing to watch Helen (I may just go after she's in bed some night) and set up an appointment.


Thank you all for helping me decide!
xoxo
Erica

Cut It or Keep It? YOU Decide!

I have been thinking about getting my hair cut for quite some time. The last time I had an appreciable amount lopped off was a couple of summers ago. The ends are getting split, so I'm definitely due for a trim. 

Here's my dilemma: My hair is at a length right now that is very easy to braid and put into a bun. However, my head starts to hurt if my hair is in a bun for very long. Also, I never curl my hair anymore because there's no point: the curls just fall out of my heavy hair.

So, I've decided to let YOU, dear readers, decide for me!

I would get my hair cut to about the length in the photo to the left - maybe a little longer (I would be going for collarbone length). Right now my hair is almost as long as it is in the photo on the right (maybe a bit shorter). BTW, that photo was taken when I was 17. Woot.

So, just leave a comment saying, "Cut it!" or "Keep it!" You can give me your reasons for chopping it or letting it stick around if you like.

I'll tally up the answers next Tuesday and let you know the results!

My fate is in your hands.

xoxo

Erica

My Project 52: Completed

I forgot to tell you guys that I completed my project 52!

Last year I committed to taking a picture of Helen every week until her first birthday. It's wonderful to look back at the photos and see her change.

Here is a short video compiling all 52 of the photos. Enjoy!

)

A Cowl for Helen (Free Pattern)

Cowl: made by me | Dress: Liberty of London for Target (thrifted) | Sweater: George (hand-me-down)

I had some leftover yarn from my Cowardly Cowl, so I decided to make a matching cowl for Helen. I found a simple cowl pattern to help determine how much to cast on. Then I knitted a seed stitch border and a stockinette middle. 

I wrote up the pattern in case you're interested in making it for yourself:

A Cowl for Helen

based off of the pattern "Kids Cowl"
Ravelry Pattern Page

Materials:

About 60-80 yards of worsted weight yarn (I used Malabrigo Worsted in Pink Frost)

US size 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular needles

Stitch holder

Seed Stitch:

Row 1: *Knit 1, Purl 1* - repeat to end of row

Row 2: *Purl 1, Knit 1* - repeat to end of row

Stockinette Stitch:

Knit every row

Pattern:

Cast on 72 stitches using the German long tail cast on. Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.

Knit one row.

Work in the seed stitch pattern for 4 rows.

Work in stockinette stitch until the cowl is your desired length (I knitted until it measured 4 inches from the cast on edge).

Work in seed stitch pattern for 4 rows.

Knit one row.

Bind off loosely. Weave in any loose ends.

Enjoy!

Tulips

The flowers were on clearance at Wal-Mart the day after Valentine's Day. I couldn't help myself. I was hoping that these tulips would open nicely, and I was not disappointed. 

The first photo was taken with my awesome iPhone 5S, and it's kinda my favorite of these pictures. I should do a post about my favorite editing apps. 

Also, I took the second to last photo at ISO 1000 so I could stop down the shutter and have a larger depth of field. I should remember to not be afraid of a higher ISO when I have good lighting.

What are your favorite kinds of flowers?

She's One

Helen turned one year old on Thursday.

It has been a crazy journey. Very hard and very rewarding. 

Here are a few updates since last month:

• She claps her hands when I start singing patty-cake and puts her fingers together when I sing The Itsy Bitsy Spider.
• She started being able to follow directions. When I tell her to get a book she'll walk over to the bookshelf and pick one out. For a while she would only choose the Pride and Prejudice counting book. She held it up for me to read it to her again and again and again. Then I hid it from her. I'm such a good mom.
• I also taught her to get my nursing cover for me when she's hungry. Very handy.
• Her words have just exploded. She can say dog, cat, cheese, mama, dad, Teddy, up, all done, ball, please, pretty, brrr, and probably more that I can't remember.
• She's learning where her body parts are. Sometimes she'll point to her nose, eye or belly when I ask her.

I put together a short film with highlights of Helen's firsts:

Here's a look back on her first year of life:

Born on February 13, 2013 at 12:03 PM |  6 pounds 14 ounces | 20.5 inches long

You can read her birth story HERE

Rolled over on a hard surface for the first time at 15 weeks old

She was able to sit up on her own at 5 1/2 months

She tried her first food (egg yolks) at about 5 1/2 months

Crawled for the first time a few days after she turned 6 months old

Pulled herself up to standing at a couple weeks shy of 7 months

Started walking at 9 (almost 10) months

She began doing sign language and saying a few words at 10 months

You can read all of Helen's monthly updates HERE

DISCLOSURE: Some links are affiliate. 

Knitting Project: Cowardly Cowl

A while back I purchased some yarn to make my sister a hat (I'll be posting about that sometime, hopefully), and I picked up a ball of Malabrigo Worsted to save on shipping. I had intended to make Helen a hat out of it, but she received so many nice hats as gifts that I didn't need to go to the trouble! Thus I had a lovely ball of yarn just begging to be made into something purdy.

I settled on this pattern. It knit up very quickly and I LOVE the stitch pattern. I'm thinking I'll make Helen a cowl out of the leftover yarn.

Here are the details in case you're interested in making it yourself:

Pattern: Cowardly Cowl

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Pink Frost

Needles: Size Eight 16-inch circular needles

Ravelry Project

The pattern suggested that you knit until the cowl measures 9 inches from the cast on edge. I only knitted until it measured 5 inches until I began the seed-stitch edging. 

What have you been creating/dreaming of creating lately?