You may have noticed, as Bob did, that I haven't been around much this summer. I'm sure you can guess from the main topic of my blog (kids, I know it was supposed to be knitting but come on, I'm a mom) that summer is a busy place at the house of Sunshine. I haven't been blogging much, but I have been crafting, and I even have proof!
I kicked off the summer by making barrettes for the Girlies' new summer hairdos. As many of you noticed, Miss Bug got a major chop at the beginning of the summer. She had finally gotten enough length to cut off the ten inches needed to donate to Locks of Love and still have enough hair for a ballet bun.

Not too long after Bug got her hair cut, Little Bitty got hers done too.
(Yes, that IS my 5 year old doing the dishes, she begs to do them) Short hair is good for summer and great to be timed with a break from dance classes. In two weeks dance starts back (we've got 6 classes this year!!!) and we'll have to see how well I can handle putting Bit's "little" hair as she calls it, into a bun.
After the hair doo dads I started on a knitting project, can you believe it? Me, knitting! I've stuck with it pretty well, strangely enough and now have a little box full of squares. What kind of squares you ask? Mitered Squares of course!

What could be better than mitered squares? Noro mitered squares!

I've got six and a half and work on them whenever I get a free minute from my kids. I've also been doing a little back to school crafting. The kids at Bug and Bit's school are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school each day which I think is a wonderful thing. As a chronic kidney stone sufferer I think everyone should drink more each day and what better way to learn than early? In order to help my girlies tell their water bottles from those of their friends and to make it more fun to have them and use them I have been making water bottle cozies.
The green is Bug's and is crocheted Patons Classic Merino. The bottom portion was felted to make it more stable. The top strap buttons on the other side so that it can be fed through a backpack for carrying. The blue is Bitty's and isn't quite finished yet, it still needs a bunny or two as decoration.
Speaking of Bunnies, Bug got a new craft book which she bought with her allowance. (How funny is it that my kids buy me craft books with their allowance in order to get me to make things for them out of it?)
This is the book Bug picked out. It's called The Cute Book and is full of patterns for wonderful little felt critters. Meet Kelly and Lily.

Kelly is the larger bunny and was made to Bit's specifications. Lilly is the smaller brown rabbit and was made under the exacting eye of Bug. I have already received requests for the sheep, squirrels, and hippos featured in the book. It's amazing how quick and easy these crafts are. Next I'll have to get the girlies making their own little stuffies.
As another preparation for back to school I have made Bug a skirt and having a matching skirt in the works for Bit. I found the pattern for this skirt at House On Hill Road. Not only does she offer a free pattern, she shows you step by step how to make it. What a wonderful tutorial this is. Trust me when I say, if you or your daughter need a skirt, this is a good place to start.

That's probably enough pictures from me for now, but I promise not to be gone so much this month. School starts soon!!!