Really, there isn’t any more gratifying feeling than making something for someone and they absolutely Love It! This adorable baby is wearing a hat for her 1st birthday portraits and her mom gushed all over it. Quite a good feeling, I have to say.
You can see more images at my facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/punkinheadhats.
Yay, babies! Always love it when I get new babies into the studio to photograph. Of course, we always think they’ll sleep when they’re supposed to, and they don’t. And of course, as soon as we take the diaper off, we almost always have a problem (I do a lot of laundry). But, I still love holding these little creatures.
I was so fortunate to have the cutest little girls come in recently. This is the Autumn hat – reworked, as I wrote about before. I love, love, love it now.
The two hats below are organic cotton, perfect lighter weight for spring and summer. The pink/purple is actually the ‘Chip’ pattern, done in spring colors, I am so desperate to see some pink, lilac, colors of spring!
Because as I look out my window this sunny March day , I see the same snow we got in January, when a snowstorm shut down our city. Which was just a few days after we had an ice storm that knocked out power for days. Over Christmas. And it has been cold, for months. Really cold. School’s closed cold. The Great Lakes are almost completely
covered in ice cold. Insane heating bills cold.
So no, we didn’t think spring would ever come. But yesterday we actually had some melting with a temp in the 40s. And the sun was out. Bonus! Who would ever be excited to see yucky, brown grass? We would. And are.
Someday spring will come. And we’ll be able to open our windows. See our grass. Visit with neighbors that we haven’t seen in months. And after that maybe we’ll even get to plant our gardens and get out our hammocks. Really. It could happen.
Please visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1
“Starr”
We all love Dory from “Finding Nemo”, right? The great Ellen Degeneres never fails to make us laugh – even in animated form. Thinking of her speaking Whale – and doing it myself – never fails to crack me up. I think it’s one of the funniest things ever.
So what did Dory teach me? Besides how to speak Whale? I use her line “Just keep swimming” a lot, especially at the studio, where life can just get overwhelmingly hectic. And when things are just too much to handle – I ‘just keep swimming’ and somehow I’ll get through it all.
Well, that’s what I was thinking of the aqua colored hat right here. This is actually the 3rd hat I made- in a row – trying to get the shape and size just right. I try to come up with all of my own patterns, so it’s often trial and error before I get it right. And when I finally got it – woo hoo! I had to put down the needles for a couple of days to let my elbow and wrist recover. I loved the idea of huge poms on the sides – I think it will be so cute for everyday – as well as professional portraits. I’ve name it “Starr” – after my older sister – I don’t know why I picked this particular hat for the name. It just makes me happy, and made me think of her.
“Autumn” – new
Now….speaking of ‘swimming’ – I decided to remake the “Autumn” design to the left. I wasn’t happy with the way the roll brim turned out on the original – and well…I just wanted to change it up. So here is a new Autumn. This yarn is the thickest I’ve ever seen – and I had to special order the needles for it. So, this is a one of a kind (size: 0-3 months) – and will be available in other sizes by custom order, but it may take a couple of weeks. I love the way the texture of the ribbing looks now. It just felt right to redo it. Kind of like Dory knew it felt right to go through the trench when Marlin wants to go around.
Sometimes you just need to go with your gut.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/94398367/hand-knit-baby-girl-hat-knit-newborn-0-3?
One of my greatest sadnesses is life is that I never met two of my older siblings. David and Starr. Both were born and passed long before I was even thought of – but I’ve often wondered what my life would have been like if I had those two as a guiding force. I was lucky enough to have an older sister, though, and I’m so thankful. I have 5 siblings in total – so I wasn’t lacking for sisters or brothers, but I still miss David and Starr. Even though I never knew life with them. I wonder what they would be like, funny like my older sister or artsy like my younger? Would he be tall like my uncle and have my Grandpa’s great jaw line? Or would she be petite like my mom and laugh just like her, too?
I wonder.
One of my favorite movies of all time is “Secrets and Lies”. It’s a British film (I’m a huge fan of British cinema and tv – I long to be Dame Maggie Smith someday). In this great work (well, I t
hink it’s great), an infertile couple is having a conversation about someone never knowing their father, and the wife says “You can’t miss what you never had”, but as soon as she says it, she realizes, as her husband does, that yes, you can. They miss what they never had. And I do, too.
So, to that point, one of my most popular hats is the one shown to the right – with a pom pom added. I’ve sold more of these than any other (without the pom) but I now have a photo of it with a pom for added variety. I’ve also done it in the gnome style, below. On etsy – and previously on here somewhere, it’s listed as the “Seaside”. I wasn’t feeling particularly imaginative that day (it’s the name of the yarn color!) But now I think it should be named “David” in honor of the coolest older brother anyone could ever have had, as I’m sure he would have been.
Ahhh….the longest winter ever finally seems to be over! The snow 2 weeks ago is becoming a distant memory, and we are finally able to enjoy spring. Really enjoy a Real Spring – with mid 70’s and sun and breeze. I was afraid we would go from being too cold to too hot, w
hich has happened so many times before.
But, it’s been gorgeous out – time to plant our vegetables, split our perennials, and relish in the sunshine that has eluded us all winter.
It’s also time for baby showers! People have babies all year round, but why does it seem like there are so many more showers in the summer months? Perhaps because it’s so nice to have them outside, travel is easy, people are on vacation. I don’t know – but it’s so exciting to see those growing bellies knowing that soon a little one will be joining our crazy, mixed up world. Full of hope and promise and new life.
Ruby, pink with white flower
Life has been incredibly busy for me – the end of the school year always is, so I’m reposting a few of my favorite hats. All are available at my store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1 or use the Store link at the right. Most hats available are for newborns to 3 months, but custom sizing is always available. The Chip and Ruby shown are from 100% organic cotton. The Bobby, shown, is from a super soft acrylic – and is actually modeled by the baby whose mother received it as a gift at her shower!
And as always, any questions, just ask. I’m here. Busy, but here!
Happy Spring!
My daughter is 13. She doesn’t sit on my lap any more. She doesn’t let me cover her in kisses any more. And she certainly doesn’t let me hold her and gaze adoringly at her any more.
That’s why I’m lucky I get to photograph babies. Babies of all sizes. The sleeping ones are super cute, of course, and I could stare at them all day. And the 7 month olds that smile those big toothless grins are so fun (and laugh at all my stupid jokes.) And the toddlers? Hilarious. Like the 2 1/2 year old I had the other day that was full of questions and comments and just cracked me up the whole time. She was a delight and it made me miss my little girl a bit. But, my teenager is a delight as well. Every day she still brings me joy and makes m
e smile. I miss her being little, but I love watching her grow and change, and she’s still more and more fun every day.
This little guy here was just under 3 weeks old and so precious I just wanted to hold him the whole time. He wasn’t very happy at first, and certainly didn’t enjoy being moved around while he was trying to sleep, but he settled down long enough for us to get some beautiful photographs. That’s why they call me the ‘Baby Whisperer’ I guess.
So I don’t have a baby any more. And I’m not going to have another baby. But I do get to hold and play and make them laugh at work. That’s not a bad deal at all.
Hat available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1.
It’s early, too early. Not even done with my 1st cup of coffee, early, but I wanted to get these posted before my day begins. Otherwise they end up on my ‘To Do’ list, and if you saw my ‘To Do’ list, you’d realize it doesn’t need anything else! Of course, I wouldn’t be above putting it on my list this morning, just so I could cross it off. We all do that sometimes, right?
So, I am working on a knitting project for church, but I had to set it aside to make the green gnome hat shown here. I was at a photography seminar and saw some images with a gnome style hat and immediately wanted to make one for that purpose. If it doesn’t sell before Tues
day, I’ll try it out on the newborn boy I have coming in for a session next week. If it does sell, then I guess I’ll be making another one!
The blue hat is a just a cute experiment with this new hand dyed yarn I have. It’s made in the same style as the “Chip”, but shown without the pom. I think the shades of blue are gorgeous! And it’s made of cotton, to be light enough for spring time, but still chunky enough to have great texture. A pom can always be added by request. :)Everything is avaailable at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1.
You’ve ever been to a conference and learned so many new things that your brain actually hurts from all of the information? That’s me. It’s only been 3 days, but it’s been a very long 3 days. 3 days of talking about work, thinking about work, getting new ideas for work, for 12 hours a day. I. Am. Burnt. Out. 
But, learning is growth, right? New ideas are exciting. And change is good. It is all worth the long drive and long days. We are seeing so many cool things, and getting so much feedback, and getting such inspiration, it’s been really, truly, awesome.
Who needs full brain power, anyway?
BTW, no time for knitting, so more stuff will have to wait….Here is a repeat of one of my favorites, the Ruby, on the left. And below, an image from another photographer, featuring the Bobby. Love to see my hats ‘in action’.
Until then, don’t forget the shop is at : http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1
I have been neglecting my Gratitude List that I was so good about doing every day. I’ve slacked – gotten busy- lame excuse. But I just found the label to the skein of yarn I used to make this gnome hat 
, which I absolutely adore. I love the hat, I love the yarn. I’ve been wanting to do more with this yarn, but I could not remember what kind it was. The label was not in my knitting bag, or my other bag, or my other stash, or in another bag…..let’s just say, I need a bigger place to store all my stuff.
Anyway, the itchy back I have been cursed with since I had shingles when I was 17, forced me to do a down on my knees, under the couch search for my back scratcher. And, what do I see right next to it? THE label! I am very happy, indeed! I can’t wait to get some more. Yay!
So, getting to the point, the gratitude list is back on! And you know, the funny thing is, when I made the list of 5 things, I forgot ‘finding the label’. That became # 6. 🙂 It seemed like a stressful day, but I feel better already. The Gratitude List really works. Maybe I can actually do # 3 and sleep in tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
Well, as my previous post mentioned, there are always a million thought going through my head. And not all come to fruition, I’m afraid. But here is one I’ve actually remembered to do! While thinking of the hats available, and if there was something I could make for twins, like I did for the triplets, I realized this. I already have a twin set done. It’s as I told my coworker today – I love it when I have a really great idea, go to implement it, and realized I’d already had that idea. It means I’m doubly smart, not twice as forgetful. 🙂
Ruby, pink with white flower
Ruby, white with pink flower.
punkinhead 