{hands full of happiness}

Rhymes with Shawl - A Knitting Pattern

2013-03-27T14:16:00.000-06:00

Well, while I haven't been blogging much, I have been knitting. This month I released a new pattern, Rhymes with Shawl. I think this is one of my favourites!

It is knit in worsted weight yarn and sized from 6 months to 10 years. My favourite part of it is the endless possibilities of color combinations. Talk about major stash buster!

I am incredibly indebted to the 13 wonderful women from across the globe who test knit this pattern for me. Check out their projects, and others that are being created, here:

You can buy this pattern directly by clicking here: , or heading over to Ravelry and purchasing it there.

The Women in my Life

2013-03-26T12:35:00.002-06:00

Lately I've been stressed. Really stressed. I feel like I need to find reasons to be grateful, because I know I have a wonderful life, but through the piles of paperwork to go through, and the houses we need to sell, and all the other stuff that we are going through right now that we can't do anything about, sometimes it's hard to remember to enjoy the moments.

So, today I am going to remember the women in my life; the women who have shaped me to be the person I am; the women who I know have gone through moments just like I'm going through now where they felt that things couldn't get much worse; women whom I look up to more than they will ever know. In no particular order, and for a myriad of reasons each, these are the women that I am grateful for today;

My mom and sisters, Cheryl Evans, Alice, Megan, Shannon, Joan, Holly, Chloe and Phoebe. Love them more than life.

My grandmas, Edythe Jackson, whom we lost in 2010, and Betty Evans, who has blessed my life in so many ways.

The list isn't long, but my BFFs, the girls who are truly my kindred spirits: Adrienne, Cheryl, Sarah and Nicole. I know that no matter how many miles and years may be put between us, these girls will always be my besties!

My sister-in-law Renee, who supports me in ways no one will ever understand.

My mother-in-law Barbara Wiebe, and the example of kindness, obedience and love that she is to me. And her mother, Granny Hudson. I don't know if other people love their grandma-in-laws as much as I do, but I do!

The women who for whatever reason have influenced and helped me along the way: Carmen Pearson, Marilyn Bennion, Diane Ryman, Lizzie Ryman, Mindy Gallup, Irina Jamieson, Jewel Govern, Erin Wallace, Janine Zuk.

The list can go on and on. I am so grateful to be surrounded by women of character and strength. I am so grateful to know that I'm not alone in my struggles. I love all these women and feel lifted by them today.

Love Day

2013-02-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

I know Valentines Day is over, but I did want to share my cute wreath before I take it down and put it away for another year. I had my Christmas wreath still up at the beginning of February, so I decided I had better replace it before Valentine's Day. I went on Pinterest to find a brilliant idea and headed to Michael's with a vision of the greatest Valentine's wreath EVER. The problem with having your heart set on something you see on Pinterest is that somehow other people have access to materials that no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find. I had three wreaths in mind and I couldn't find anything to make them with. So, mustering all my creativity (not really), I bought a pre-made heart wreath and a wooden dowel and headed for home. At least I'd get something up before Valentine's Day was gone. I painted the dowel white and while it dried I made the heart arrow and feather out of felt. I cut out the heart, hand stitched with embroidery floss all around it, except for where the dowel would go in, stuffed in a little bit of polyfill, and squeezed in some white glue to stick it to the dowel. Then I popped it on the end of the dowel and jabbed the dowel through the wreath. To finish it off I glued the "feather" onto the other end of it. Perhaps not the masterpeice I had envisioned, but I promise that it was better than leaving the Christmas wreath on for another month!

Okay, this picture is only wonderful because of my sweet Silas hiding in the window. Love that boy!

I'm not good at this growing up stuff

2013-02-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Eli lost his first baby tooth on Sunday, and I somehow felt like I lost a bit of something, too. There goes a bit more of my baby, you know? It was exciting though. It happened just as we were trying to rush out the door like mad men, because Jared was speaking in church; but, you can't rush a moment like that. So, we stopped for a minute to celebrate, we carefully put the tooth in a safe place, took a quick picture of his new gaping smile, and then rushed like raging lunatics to get to church. Jared walked up to the pulpit just as the meeting began.

Seeing as this is my first child's first tooth, we don't have a lot of knowledge of the comings and goings of tooth fairies. We didn't want the tooth to get lost under his pillow, or for the tooth fairy to wake Silas up, whom Eli shares a bed with, so we put the tooth in a jar on the bedside table. Then Eli decided he had better write her a letter to leave with the tooth, just so she knew who's it was and how appreciative he was that she would give him money.

He's getting so good at writing, and is always excited for an excuse to write anything.

On the inside he wrote: "I wish I could see you." So sweet.

And, when he woke up in the morning, not only did the Tooth Fairy leave him money ($5!!!) but she also left behind something magical blue and sparkly in the tooth jar, and a tiny note, just for Eli. We knew she came in through the window, because there were sparkles all over the window sill with tiny foot prints in them.

On the back of the note it said that loosing your first tooth is a special thing, and that's why this time he got five dollars. What a lucky, toothless boy!

Seven Months - A Knitting Pattern

2013-01-25T17:48:00.001-07:00

I've had this little gem ready for quite a while, but just haven't had the chance to publish the pattern. This tunic was knit as a direct response to the years of stuffing huge fluffy dresses into snowpants, as a child. It never turned out well. And, with at least seven months of snowpants weather in Canada, there were a lot of opportunities to crumple my favourite party dress long before I got to the party. With this tunic, any little girl can look darling, without having to worry about being cold or under-dressed.

The pattern is written for girls 18 months to 10 years of age. It has options for sleeveless, 3/4 length and full length sleeves, and for tunic or dress length. It was test knit by 11 amazing women across the globe.

As usual, it can be purchased from Ravelry, or you can purchase it right her, right now, but clicking this little button: You can also check out all the other projects made from this pattern right here:

Catching Up

2013-01-20T15:03:00.001-07:00

I started blogging almost three years ago. We were living in Spokane, Washington, in a dirty little duplex, for only four months. We drove home to Calgary almost every weekend while we were there (because compared to Michigan, an eight hour drive to make Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's was nothing). We didn't unpack anything. We lived out of boxes, with our mattress on the floor, and folding chairs and a plastic table to eat upon. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. Spokane is really a lovely place. I met some incredible women and we had a lot of fun while we were there. Still, I did find myself with a bit of time on my hands, and so this blog was born in my boredom.

Last night the boys and I spent an hour or so checking out those early posts, gooing over how cute Silas was as a baby, and how much Eli has grown. It's no secret that I don't handle my kids aging with much grace, so it was actually a little sad for me. Still, while I've become one of those annoying bloggers who never updates, I sure am grateful that I have documented what I have, because my journal writing and scrapbooking and any other memory keeping skills are even worse than my blog skills these days.

It did make me think about all the moments that have passed in the last few months that I have not documented anywhere, that, if I don't get down somewhere, will be lost forever. Like, for instance, the rest of our Summer Adventure Journal. Adventure we did! I even took pictures to prove it. I need to write it down so in three more years we can look back and enjoy it all over again. Or, when Jared was called to The Bar and became a real lawyer. Or, when the Calgary Temple was completed and I got to take so many of my friends through the open house to learn a little more about what I believe, and when I got to go through with my boys and Jared and sit together there and get a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Or when Jared's parents left on their mission in Halifax, and how exciting it is for us to talk about them, and pray for them, and learn from their great example. I can go on and on, but instead I'm going to try really hard to catch up on some of these important events, the things I want to remember, the things I want to be able to look at down the road and enjoy. So bear with me for the next bit while I play catch up. It won't take long, and it might not entertain much, but get over it, this is my blog!

On the First Month of Christmas...

2013-01-15T20:52:00.001-07:00

What? Christmas is over?!? But did you know what? It's now only 12 months away. Did you hear me people? 12 months!!!

Every year I hit November and realize how much I want to get done for Christmas and don't ever have enough time to do it.

2013 is going to be different. This year I am going to think ahead, prepare, do things differently.

So, for the next 12 months I am going to finish at least one thing for Christmas every single month. I have more than enough unfinished, untouched crafts in my basement to fill all 12 months, but more than that, I am going to try to get presents finished, planning done, and even a little money saved so that when Christmas comes around again I will be ready!

So, on this, the first month of Christmas, I competed one lovely Christmas decoration which will so beautifully deck my halls next Christmas season:

Here's to the next 12 months of merriment and joy. I've got plans for a beautiful season next year, and a whole lot more room in my craft room as I clear out all the half finished and broken decorations.

Merry Christmas to all in 2013!

Merry Christmas from the Wiebes

2012-12-20T21:04:00.003-07:00

I can hardly believe it's almost Christmas! I really meant to send out an actual Christmas card this year, but despite having all my presents bought before December, and a pretty lax calendar, somehow I have been too busy yet again. I did, however, convince my darling sister Chloe to take pictures of my family, so I didn't completely fail in the matter.

In any case, let me tell you about what a wonderful year it's been, and how blessed we are going into this Christmas season!

We started out the year living in a new home, pregnant with our third child, and Jared deep into his articling year. In April we were blessed with our third boy! Atticus Booth was born at home on April 11, 2012. It took us almost five weeks to name him! He has been such a joy in our family, and we are grateful for him every day. In his eight months he has mastered breastfeeding, rolling over, sitting up, and in the last month has become completely mobile, crawling all over the home, wreaking havoc as he goes. His brothers love him completely and he is never short for entertainment.

Silas is three years old now, and has really blossomed in the few months since his birthday. He was wearing 18-24 month clothes in the summer, and now he's wearing size 4. He is his own little man who insists on the whole world slowing down just a little, as nothing and nobody can seem to hurry him. He is very independent, happy to go on any adventure he can find. He went to his first art class this fall, and loved it. He also loves his nursery class at church and playing lego with Eli. He is honestly the sweetest boy on earth.

And my darling Eli: he continues to amaze us with how clever and charming he is. He mastered his bicycle this spring, well before his 5th birthday, and his world opened up. We spent hours and hours this summer following him around on his bike as he explored the neighbourhood. He has taught me that as the mother of boys I may as well get rid of everything in my home but Lego, because Lego is all there is! We are homeschooling the boys, and so Eli is, in theory, in kindergarten. We spend our days doing art projects and engaging in a lot of creative play. He is learning his letters and how to write. I am so lucky to spend my days with him!

As for Jared and I, we are often surprised when we sit back and look at our lives and realize that we are not young marrieds any more. We've got three children, two mortgages, one dog and all sorts of responsibilities. Not that I'm complaining, I'm just often surprised by the fact.

Jared is a lawyer, not a law student, not a student-at-law, a lawyer. After a year of articling, in October he was admitted to The Bar and is now a full fledged lawyer, the real McCoy! After 8 years of marriage to a student, we are glad to be where we are at. He is working as an associate at a firm in Calgary, and enjoying what he does. He still enjoys music and is determined to spend more time pursuing it this year. He works with the young men at church in the Scouting program, and loves it.

Life as a mom of three boys is far busier than I ever dreamed it would be. Don't get me wrong, I love it, I'm just exhausted most of the time, no big deal. I'm homeschooling the boys, teaching a language arts class, knitting up a storm and pretending to be a horseback rider, although I don't often get out to visit my horses. I have put my Doula business on hold, as I can't leave Atticus any longer than his next meal, but I still am immersed in the natural birth world. I am dreaming of moving from our tiny condo to a home, and eventually to some land where I can have chickens and goats and horses and lots of room!

And there you have it. The life of the Wiebe family in 2012. We have had a fantastic year and expect the same for 2013. We know we have been blessed immensely by our Heavenly Father and are mindful at this time of year of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. May all who read this feel his love as we have felt it, and be blessed by it in the year to come.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

All photos taken by Chloe Taylor Photography, 2012.

Thankful November 30

2012-11-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

And, after a month (and then some) of "Thankfuls," today I can't help but be thankful for the opportunity to be grateful. If I could find the time, it would be easy to come up with something I'm thankful for each and every day of my life. The list would go on and on and on. I remember once in a freshman religion class at BYU my professor challenged us to ONLY give thanks in our prayers for an entire week. While humbly asking for blessings from God is certainly not a bad thing, for one week we were to only look for the things which we were thankful for. I still remember, after a few days of struggling to give meaningful prayers full of thanks, walking to school and seeing a tiny pink bud peaking out of an otherwise brown bush; the beauty of it did not escape me, and I thought, "Wow, what a blessing Heavenly Father has given me in that little bud." And, as I continued on the blessings around me just flooded to my mind: the cheerful chirping of the birds, the friendly smiles from unknown students, the young men who held doors open for me... That night I had no trouble filling my prayer with gratitude. And, after a month of thinking of things I am grateful for, I feel the same way, like I could go on forever about all the things I have been blessed with. As I am so close to Christmas, I hope I can carry those feelings of gratitude into the season and share my blessings with others.

Thankful November 29

2012-11-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for kind strangers, the ones who remind me what it means to be good. I went shopping with my sweet nieces, and a woman totally unknown to me walked up and gave us a bear from Build-A-Bear. We weren't looking particularly dejected or poor. We were happy to be out on a Christmas shopping date, in fact. But, this kind woman was looking for a good deed to do, and so gave us a teddy bear. Moments like that remind me to be just a little more generous, a little kinder, and a keep my eyes a little more open for opportunities to serve. If you haven't read my letter to strangers just like her, check out this post, as it expresses what I'm thinking today much more eloquently.

Thankful November 28

2012-11-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for my sister-in-law, Renee. She is one of my best friends. When Jared and I got married she made my dress. At that point I barely knew her and butted heads a bit about the "fruiffy" factor on my dress. Now, I love her fruiffiness, although still glad I didn't let her put any of it on my wedding dress. I talk to her on the phone at least once a day. She is wonderful and I love her so much. I trust her with my children. I use her for her incredible sewing expertise. I am lucky to have her has a sister-in-law.

Thankful November 27

2012-11-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for Christmas. This year we decorated early, because we were having a party with Jared's family to put something together for his parents in Halifax. It is fun to have the reminders in my home about Christmas. My favourite decoration this year is a little nativity set that my friend Cheryl made for me. It is so beautiful, and one of many nativity sets I have that remind us every day that Christ is our Saviour and the reason for this wonderful season.

Thankful November 26

2012-11-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for knitting. I am. It's true. It keeps me sane. It keeps my family warm. It makes me happy. I don't think a few years ago I would have ever thought I'd become the knitting obsessed woman that I am, but I am thankful for it. I get giddy when I get a new ball of yarn, like this one:

And these:

I like to create things, and having a saddle making studio, or even a scrapbook room, is not feasible at this point, but pulling out a knitting project to work on on my lap, sure is. I am thankful for knitting. (And my Grandma Betty would be so proud!)

Thankful November 25

2012-11-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for Primary. Eli spoke in church today all about being a missionary. He was so cute. He bore his testimony about his Granny and Grandpops in Halifax, and recited the song, "I want to be a missionary now." There's a few more years before I have to think about him filling the shoes of a missionary, but I sure am proud of the little man he is now.

Thankful November 24

2012-11-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

It has been almost three years since we left Michigan. I still miss it, almost every day. It was there that we really became a family (Eli was just 10 weeks old when we moved there). Silas was born while we lived there. So much of us as we know it was defined while we were there. I am so thankful for the circumstances that lead us to Michigan and the experiences that we had while we were there.

And, this fall I was sent a little love from Michigan.

My dear friend Sarah, who is a kindred spirit by the very definition, sent this blanket to Atticus, and he loves it. I love it. Every time I wrap him up in it I feel her hugs and it makes me happy.

Thankful November 23

2012-11-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

Atticus started crawling today. CRAWLING!!! He's on the move, and nothing is safe. I love him so much and am so grateful for him in our lives every day.

And I'm also thankful for this picture of him.

Thankful November 22

2012-11-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to finish off my Thankful November en masse today. Let's pretend I wrote all these on the day they occurred, okay?

Strangely, this month, I found myself thankful for jerks. I don't come across them very often, but every once in a while I'll have a run in with a real jerk. While in the moment I can get upset and want to rant and rave, when it's all said and done I usually leave the experience a better person, because I so badly don't want to be THAT person.

Last year is was a neighbor and old colleague, who is a respected teacher in the city I live. One day, after standing listening to him insult myself and my mother in front of my kids, I decided I was going to homeschool my kids lest he one day be responsible for it. I am grateful every day that I have made that decision.

Another time it was a guy at Michael's. I was mad and really wanted to get the last word, but walked away frustrated instead. But, as I walked out of the store, an older lady was walking in, and as I held open the door for her and she thanked me, I was grateful for the contrast.

I don't want to be a jerk, I want to be the kind of person that holds doors for little old ladies. So, instead of being mad, I'm going to be thankful for the jerks in my life.

Thankful November 21

2012-11-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

Today I'm thankful for my membership in the woman's organization of our church: The Relief Society. I haven't said that many times, but today I'm feeling it. One duty of being in The Relief Society is called Visiting Teaching, where, once a month we are assigned to go and visit another sister in our congregation. Tonight one of my new Visiting Teachers came by. I don't know her very well, and we've never had the chance to sit down and talk for long, but we sat together for over an hour and talked and talked and talked. I felt so much love for her in that time, and she left such a sweet spirit in my home. I'm grateful to be part of an organization that supports that kind of love.

Thankful November 20

2012-11-22T14:28:00.002-07:00

Today I'm thankful for my friend Adrienne. I could fill up books about how good she is to me, and have a different post every day for a year all about her. She is wonderful, and giving, and amazing. I've been working on a little something (or a really big something...) for her birthday next week for the last three months, and today as I've been putting on the finishing touches, I'm glad for her in my life. I am lucky to have such good friends.

Thankful November 19

2012-11-22T14:26:00.001-07:00

I am grateful for my mother and father-in-law who are on their mission for our church in Halifax, Nova Scotia right now. I am grateful that we get to pray for them every single day, and talk about what a sacrifice and wonderful thing it is to serve a mission. They are such a good example to my boys, who one day will serve missions of their own. Tonight we got together with most of Jared's family here in Calgary to put together a little something for Granny and Grandpops in Halifax. We miss them, but are so glad that they are where they are!!!

Thankful November 18

2012-11-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, while the ladies crafted to our hearts' content, the dads all took the kids to the zoo for the day. I'm grateful for a husband and brother and a whole bunch of brother-in-laws who are happy to spend the day with their kids, do it with smiles, and have tons of fun!

I'm also grateful for the zoo, who gave Jared a pass in 1982 that gets unlimited guests in for the rest of his life. I like that.

Thankful November 17

2012-11-22T14:17:00.002-07:00

I spend the day crafting with my sisters - all seven of them. I am thankful to be part of a family where we all like each other and want to be together and can have fun from sun up to sun down. I love my sisters (and sister-in-law) and am grateful for all of them every day!

Thankful November 16

2012-11-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

Although I have no daughters, I sometimes find myself having objections to the whole "princess" culture. If I ever have daughters, I don't want them to base their self worth on an unattainable expectation of beauty, power and wealth, and I especially don't want them to believe that happiness can only be found through a handsome prince (who, according to Disney will very likely be grotesquely muscular and extremely self-centered or completely clueless.) I was raised in a family of 7 girls and 1 boy. We were all taught to be strong and independent, regardless of our gender. Grandma Jackson once, when my darling husband, covered in paint because he was helping my parents build a mini-cabin at our cabin in Sandpoint, asked for a glass of water, said, "Why don't you tell him to get his own damn drink of water?!" Us Evans girls are no princesses!

Still, I can't say I didn't love a little Disney fairy tale action as a kid. And, as much as I wasn't interested in boys and dating as a teenager (horses were way more interesting!) I still had hopeless crushes on boys at the dances and kept an up to date "marriage list" with my friend Annette, and worried about what people would think of my less than perfect skin, or my more than generous body shape. So, if girls are going to feel that way anyway, what's the big deal with fostering the whole "Prince in shining armor" dream?

Today I decided it's the inequality of it (I'm only mostly joking)! Girls spend their lives worried about when their prince will come sweep them off their feet, but not often do you hear of boys concerned with which lovely girl in their lives will be their princess. In fact, in general I don't think much emphasis is put on their eventual princesses, or how they can be prepared the man that girls are dreaming of at all.

Well, I'm breaking the mold... kind of.

For you see, Eli has a Princess, whom he loves and adores and cares for like a princess should be cared for. Sure, she's got 4 legs and weighs 400 lbs, but hey, appearances can be very deceiving, for this little lady is all charm, and Eli is smitten!

This little Princess is a dream. She's and I have known each other for years and years. She has followed me from one farm to the next, just waiting to be some little boy's beautiful Princess, and that she is! Today I am thankful for Princess, not because she is ornery or feisty (which she totally is), but because she is Eli's Princess, and he loves her, and to me THAT is a dream!!!

Thankful November 15

2012-11-15T15:09:00.002-07:00

Today is Threeday. Kind of like Thursday, or Saturday, but just for three-year-olds, and for that I am thankful. If you have never had a Threeday cross your way, it's really unfortunate, for we love Threeday.

Threeday, according to Silas, is the very day that "Grandma get Silas Build-A-Bear" day. Pretty much the best day in the world, if you happen to be Silas. And, today was that day.

Si's Build-A-Bear of choice? Rudolf, of course. His nose glows, just like it should. I guess it's time to decorate for Christmas!

Frippery - A Knitting Pattern

2012-11-15T00:48:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to release my next knitting design. This one took me a little while, as I had to re-knit it before I decided I really loved it. But love it I do!

Introducing Frippery!

My sweet friend, Ruby, was a reluctant, but perfect model for this little sweater. Love her!

According to Mr. Webster, “frippery” describes something both elegant and showy but also frivolous and nonessential. Well, while puffed sleeves and ruffles may be frivolous to some, to me they are a necessity in any girl’s wardrobe. This little sweater is perfect for the elegant girl in your life looking for something just a little bit frivolous!

As always, my patterns are for sale on Ravelry, but if you want it right here right now, you can always ! Who's stopping you?

As always, I am ever thankful for the wonderful women who test knit my patterns for me, making them ready for everyone else!

Here's to a little frippery in all of our lives!