Baby Blanket, Play Rug or Lapghan

Newest release from Cranberry Ocean Knits:

This versatile little blanket can be used as a Baby Blanket, a Play Rug or a Lap-ghan — or adapt the pattern to make a full size afghan.

Adult Hat

Bonus: a hat pattern included sized from infant to adult!

Child's Hat

Pdf downloadable pattern available through Ravelry for $3.95USD

See the Pattern Page for full details.

ROLE OF HYDROLOGY AND GRAVITY

Pure water doesn’t conduct electricity. Normal water too is a poor conductor of heat. Exchange of heat takes place almost entirely by convection. Molecules carrying heat travel within the system and spread heat uniformly.

Ice and snow being solid, molecules have no freedom of movement. Unlike a rod of iron, heat is not passed on from one end to the other if the rod is made of ice. This is the reason why the igloo (hutment made of ice blocks) retains warmth inside it, even when the temperature outside falls much below the freezing point. A human being may remain alive for some days, if he sleeps in the arctic region. The snow deposited on his body forms a blanket which will not allow the heat of the body to escape outside and also protects from the cold wind blowing from the Poles. Such cases have been reported. At the same time beggars sleeping outside in the cold season in north India die as reported in newspapers, as they lose their body heat easily in the absence of warm cloths.

 This unique quality of frozen water plays a very important role in preventing heat of the earth from escaping into outer space by radiation. The Polar regions, and a considerable part of temperate regions in winter, remain covered with ice and snow. This is true of the mountainous regions and the plateaus of higher altitude also. In the seas the thermal insulation provided by the snow cover allows life to flourish throughout the year but prevents escape of heat and makes considerable contribution to global warming.

 There is continuous evaporation of water from the seas (not covered by ice) and land. Each molecule of vapor carries considerable quantity of latent heat as additional calorie. When they rise in altitude, the molecules form clouds and then descend towards the earth as rain, snow, dew and mist. This circulation of water results in cyclic movement of heat. Only the latent heat released at the time of formation of clouds results in escape of heat by radiation. In areas where humidity is minimum the heat lost by radiation will be considerable. Ironically deserts help to ‘fight Global Warming’ and greenery works in the reverse direction!

 If the earth were devoid of water, transfer of heat from the earth by radiation to outer space would have been easy and enormous in quantity as in the case of  the Moon.

 GRAVITY

What is the source of geo-thermal energy?

 A stack of lignite will catch fire if left in the open. Obviously this is because of the pressure developed inside, raising the temperature to ignition point of lignite which is comparatively low. Such rise in temperature takes place inside a stack of coal, iron ore, sand etc also. The pressure is caused by gravity of the earth which continuously pulls the stack down and the surface of the earth opposing this force, causing pressure. Therefore we may say that gravity generates heat. A hill is also a stack of great dimension. As the crust of the earth is not falling down due to gravity; it is obviously subjected to pressure caused by opposing forces of gravity and forces supporting the crust to remain in position. When the pressure at a point, say 10km inside the earth, is multiplied by the area of the globe at this point, we will get a mind boggling figure of the thrust, capable of generating heat, comparable to that produced by thousands of hydrogen bombs.

 Well, this may be the source of geo thermal energy and not radiation as maintained by geologists. The above theory is borne out by the fact that as we go deeper into the earth the temperature rises. In depressions like the Grand Canyon in America and the Dead Sea it is very hot.

 “Hence, omitting all reference to the active volcanoes, and to thermal springs at all temperatures below that of boiling water, found in all parts of the world, it is well-known fact, that in descending into deep mines the temperature is greatly above that of the mean of the exterior air, and increases progressively with the depth. This was first remarked by Gensanne, about the year 1740, in the lead mines of Giromagny, near Beport. Saussure afterwards observed the same fact in the salt mines at Bex, in Switzerland; but the attention of naturalists was not generally directed to the temperature of the lower strata, till Humboldt has executed an extensive and interesting series of experiments in the mines of Freyburg, in 1791. The best set of observations we possess on the temperature of deep places, is that which has been uninterruptedly continued for more than half a century in the caves under the observatory of Paris. In 1783 the Count de Cassini, in concert with Lavoisier, placed a very delicate thermometer in one of these excavations for the purpose of observing the curious phenomenon of an invariable temperature, which had been noticed to exist in the same place, by the first Cassini, in 1671, and by La Hire, in 1730. The thermometer is placed at the depth of rather more than thirty yards under the surface, in a bed of fine sand, and has indicated no change of temperature, or at least its oscillations have not exceeded the 1/33 of centesimal degree. The constant temperature exceeds at that depth, by 2.16 degree Fahrenheit’s scale, the mean tempreture at the surface: and supposing a uniform increase at the same rate, we would arrive at the temperature of boiling water at the depth of 2542 yards under the city of Paris. We may quote a few other results of observation. In the coal mines of the north of England the temperature is 70° at the depth of 800 or 900 feet, when the air at the surface is only 48° or 49°; and in the mines of Valenciana in Mexico, it is 92° when the surface-air is at 60°. The following are additional examples:-. In a copper mine at Dolcoath, in Cornwall, a thermometer was kept eighteen months buried in the rock to the depth of a yard. The depth of the mine was 1377 feet. The temperature indicated was 75.5°, while that of the country is 50°; and consequently the increase of heat there is at the rate of 1° for every 54 feet.

 At Giromagny, in the Vosges, the annual temperature at the surface is 49°; at 330 feet depth it is 53.6°; at 1008 feet, 65.8°; at 1416 feet 74.6°. in four of the deepest mines of Saxony the annual tempreture at the surface is 46.4degree at from 510 to 600 feet depth it is 54.5 degree; at 840 feet, 58 degree; at 1080 feet, 62.6°.

 In the deepest British coal mine, that of Killingworth, the annual temperature at the surface is 48°; at 900 feet depth it is 70°; at 1200 feet, 77°. A similar gradation is found in many of the deeper mines at home and abroad.

 There is thus in the Vosges an increase of temperature in descent below the surface amounting to about 1° in every 60 feet; in Saxony 1° in every 66 feet; and in Britain 1 degreein every 45 feet. After the ratio observed in the Vosges, the tempreture of the hot springs at Bath, 113°, will be found at three-quarters of a mile in the interior of the earth, and that of boiling water at a depth of nearly two miles. “The facts strongly support three conclusions:- First, that the heat of an interior shell of the earth is greater than the superficial shell. Second, that this heat augments progressively as we descend towards this region, in a ratio bearing some relations to the depth. Third, that, even at moderate depth, this heat is greater than the mean heat of the globe ought to be, if entirely derived from the sun. The heat of such an interior mass must be constantly diffusing itself towards the surface; and at the surface it may be kept down, so as to affect the temperature derived from the solar action very feebly, by the greater or less rapidity of its dissipation. But as it is very improbable that it should be diffused with perfect equality round the whole exterior shell of the globe, it may be the true source of some of those anomalies of climate, such as the discrepancy in the annual heat under the same parallel, which cannot be easily referred to other known causes”. If the heat of the globe were entirely derived from the sun, Pekin, at an inconsiderable elevation above the sea, ought to have the same mean annual temperature as Naples, being under the same parallel of latitude; but instead of that being the case, the temperature falls short of that at Naples by nearly 9°. Other causes may contribute to produce this discrepancy; yet it is not unreasonable to suppose that the mean heat at Naples is raised by its proximity to a focus of internal heat which smokes and flashes through the chimney of Vesuvius”.

 It is amazing that pioneers like Humboldt, Lavoisier etc had done path breaking observations regarding geo thermal energy and deserve all praise. Had this line of research continued, the conclusions now reached by me would have automatically been revealed much earlier. That the scientists, especially geologists, have not cared to  study physical geography is a big loss. I have only filled up the spaces left void by the pioneers.

 To conclude: global warming is caused by the earth itself and cooling is retarded by water – our father and mother. Shall we blame our parents or thank them for giving precious life enabling us a few year’s visit to this wonderful earth to enjoy it’s beauty and sublimity?

Well, away, of course. Both literally, and I guess, figuratively. See, I’ve been very busy with Stuff. And Things. And even with Activities. Which is usually quite unlike me – I’m a bit more slothful, generally, but for once in my life, I can be one of those people who says “You know the last month has been just hectic” and it’s kind of true.

Let’s see what I did in the last month:

I finally finished the huge, beautiful crocheted blankie for my dear sister who lives all the way in Japan and suffers terribly from the cold. To call it a labour of love would be an understatement – I’m not sure how many balls of wool went into it, or the final cost in South African Rands, but I can tell you that an entire box-set of the West Wing was consumed in the making of this blanket:

I’d never actually crocheted anything before but somehow the spirit just moved me. After spending most of this winter knitting, and trying very hard to be a responsible lady and live with the delayed gratification that knitting expects, I just thought that something a bit more immediate was needed. So crochet it was. Plus, I just love the cosy, retro, heirloom feel that you get with crocheted things.
And, lucky for me, the online craft revolution, which I consider to be the most wonderful collision of the digital and analogue worlds, came to my rescue. Thanks to YouTube videos, and the wonderful, talented, generous Lucy over at Attic24, I managed to figure it our quite quickly, and was hooking away in a couple of days.

I just love the way this project grew, from little teeny squares that took me ages when I started, but, by the time I was nearly done were just flying off the hook:

As you can see from the yellow one, in the bottom row, I was a bit wobbly at first, and things looked a little odd. But you can see the pretty flower pattern emerging quite nicely, and by the time I was joining them into groups of four, I was feeling a bit more confident:

I didn’t really use any logic in the planning of the colour combinations – I just kind of put things that looked nice together. But I did make sure that the groups of four had matching outer colours – otherwise, with some of those oranges and purples, it would have been a bit much. All in all, I’m very chuffed with how it all turned out. And, most importantly of all, Baby Sister seems to love it, and has said that she would rather leave her passport in Japan than leave the blankie there when she packs her bags to come home. So that’s a happy thought.

I’ve also just realised that as I’ve been sitting here, putting this post together and digging through my photos, I’ve found the source that inspired the colour choices I used. Remember a couple of months ago, when I uploaded the picture of the amazing ranunculi?

Well, looking back, I think this is where it must have all begun – these three little flowers. Which makes me very happy – I love the idea that, in deep, cold Japanese winter, my dear sister will have a little splash of South African summer sunshine.

Sjoe, but this post is long. You’ll have to read the next one, to see where else I’ve been.

Why is it that the days you wake up most tired, have the most to do, with no nap in between, and wind up staying up the latest, you’re not tired at night; but then you wake up the next morning and are unable to function and the cycle begins again?  I am so ridiculously awake right now, but wild horses could not drag me out of bed this morning, and if I know myself as well as I claim to, this will be my problem tomorrow as well.  Why is that?  Did my body and brain just adjust to being awake and now that they are, they don’t want to sleep?  I feel like I am reverting back to my childhood.  The days where I would make up any excuse not to go to sleep.  I would fight sleep.  I would hop out of bed to get a drink of water; get up and say “I never kissed mommy goodnight.”  I would do everything short of whipping out a sword Peter Pan style and literally fighting sleep – and I mean, trust me, if I could have made that happen, I would have.  But in the end, sleep always won out.  It still does.  Except now I don’t mind because I love sleep.  Well, save right now of course…

So what is it about kids that makes them want to fight sleep so badly?  Sleep and dreams are my two favorite concepts about which to learn.  I sit in class in my sleep deprived state wishing that I could be napping, wondering why kids these days fight off nap time, often to the dismay of babysitters everywhere.  I constantly think about how I wish I had racked up the hours of sleep back in the day, because I feel I never get it anymore, and how if I were a baby all I would do is sleep.  It’s almost as if kids have something to prove, no?  As if to say that they’re cool for not needing a nap and staying up past their bed time.  When I had a bed time, I know I thought I was the coolest thing going when I was up ten, twenty, thirty minutes past EIGHT.  Now I’m in college and I’m probably more of a child than ever before.  I curl up with a blanket and I take naps with my stuffed animal giraffe and I think that’s okay.  It’s perfectly acceptable, and kind of cool too.  So why didn’t I think it was cool when I was five?

All I know is, college has taken my sleep schedule, crumpled it into a tiny little ball, and thrown it out a ten story window.  College laughs in the face of my former sleep schedule.  College is causing me to sleep less, and drink caffeine more.  But don’t worry, I never drink coffee before nap time…because that would just be stupid.

Crack open a Red Bull, kids, it’s going to be a long one.  Love always, RJ.

I took family photos for some people I’ve babysat for with Dillon. I was really just tagging along. Dillon and his mom were the real photographers there.

Miracle Blanket Gift Set – Pink with Happiest Baby On The Block CD Review

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Miracle Blanket Gift Set – Pink with Happiest Baby On The Block CD Feature

• Earned the “thumbs up” from the Good Housekeeping Institute
• Made with the highest quality materials available and is stitched with great attention to detail
• Helps reduce SIDS concerns and clinical studies prove that proper swaddling can often eliminate colic symptoms
• Easy to use and keeps baby snug
• Pediatrician recommended

Miracle Blanket Gift Set – Pink with Happiest Baby On The Block CD Overview

Miracle Blanket: At last, the perfect swaddle made easy! Miracle Blanket earned the “thumbs up” from the Good Housekeeping Institute. Uses no velcro, zippers or other confusing adjustments that can scratch baby and one size fits all. New research shows the benefits of swaddling to calm baby and help ensure longer sleep, but the Miracle Blanket makes it easy. It truly is amazing. The Miracle Blanket is made of the highest quality (and cozy) materials available and is stitched with great attention to detail. The Miracle Blanket helps baby sleep on his back to reduce SIDS concerns and clinical studies prove that proper swaddling can often eliminate colic symptoms. Yet most blankets do not provide for a secure swaddle and baby often manages to squirm loose. The Miracle Blanket is easy to use and keeps baby snug. Pediatrician recommended. What are parents saying? “I love this blanket! It has saved me countless hours of sleep and crying. Happiest Baby On The Block: Harvey Karp, M.D., has appeared on Good Morning America, ABC News’ “World News Tonight,” CNN, and a number of national radio programs. In addition, his work has been featured in the LA Times, People Magazine, USA Today and dozens of newspapers across the country as well as being mentioned in Time, Newsweek, Parenting and many other national magazines. Dr. Karp was trained by some of America’s top pediatricians, including Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, and in 1981, he received the prestigious Ehrmann Fellowship to study crying and colic. An assistant professor of pediatrics at UCLA School of Medicine, with a private practice in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Karp is also a nationally renowned expert on children’s health and the environment, and an authority on breastfeeding. Product Description Five white noise sounds used to sooth babies

Miracle Blanket Gift Set – Pink with Happiest Baby On The Block CD Specifications

Miracle Blanket

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 24, 2009 13:40:06

HP MediaSmart Server EX495

Nun hatte ich endlich mal wieder Zeit, um ein bisschen zu nähen.

Eine neue Wohnung braucht natürlich neue Kissen…

Und da das Baby, von dem ich hier schrieb, nun vielleicht doch ein Junge wird, ist auch eine Babydecke in Blautönen auf den besten Wege fertig zu werden.
Mit persönlich ists ja egal ob ein Junge auf einer roten oder blauen Decke liegt (hauptsache schön und kuschelig) aber es ist halt ein Geschenk…

Sobald sie fertig ist, gibts natürlich auch Bilder von dem guten Stück.

Und obwohl eigentlich noch viele andere Projekte beendet werden müssten, habe ich einen Pullover aus einem wunderbar weichen Leinengarn angefangen (musste einfach sein.)

Noch siehts ja nach nicht allzuviel aus…
Die Anleitung ist Buttercup und bei Ravelry zu haben.

The kindergarten class of ‘09 is responsible for making a prayer blanket. Each student brings home the blanket for one weekend and is responsible for one “cloth” on the blanket. The theme is “helping hands”. I was at a complete loss for an idea so I posted it on Facebook. Low and behold, and old friend, Michelle (who I just so happened to go to catholic grammar school with) gave me the idea of “Life is Fragile, Handle with Prayer”. It fit in perfectly with the theme. Off to AC Moore we went and here is the result. Not too bad! Thanks Michelle!!!

I completed this blanket a few weeks ago for my bosses nephew. I actually really like the material, it’s Silke Alpaca from Scandinavian Knitting Design, and while it was quite thick , it was incredibly soft.

Compared to my other baby blankets that I make this was easier and quicker to knit, as it was knitted in four separate parts. Also, the fact that it was so soft made it a real pleasure to work with. The colours were well chosen, especially as it was for a little boy.

I’ve got quite a few more things to add on here, but keep forgetting to do so during the week. At the same time I also have a whole lot more things to finish, especially some more blankets. So, look out for them here.

There is a little boy that has captured my heart.  I read about him on International Friends of Compassion Blog.  He lives in Indonesia and has burns over 40% of his body.  He is now 9 years old and IFCUS is helping him get medical help and it looks like he’ll be coming here to Fairbanks for his surgeries.  I want so desperately to be able to see him and to give him a Project Linus blanket.  I’ve been trying to think of what type of blanket would be right for him and I just read that he’ll be coming very soon!  My heart is bursting at the thought.  This little boy will be coming from a very hot climate to a very very cold one and even if he only used that blanket while he was here it would enough.  He will be here for 1 year!  Well, I am going to get in touch with someone at the hospital where I work and see if I can find out more information.  Please keep this little one in your prayers.

The Earth turns, the sun recedes and the blanket of night descends

like the closing of a coffin lid.

Light and dark, night and day, black and white, right and wrong, alive, dead, pretending.

It’s all relative, isn’t it?

Done.

Wrapping things up feels so good. I feel so accomplished. I should be received a Gold Medal any day now.

I’ve made some adjustments in my life.

• Spend less time on the computer. Check.
• Watch less television. Check.
• Spend more time reading the books in my library queue. Check.
• Stick to my Slim Fast diet. Check.
• Go outside more often. Check.
• Write in my journal more often. Check.
• Finish up all those WIP’s. Almost check.

Yes. Almost.

Project #1: Slow going. (No pun intended.)

Sheldon the Turtle

Yarn: KnitPicks Green Apple and Grass

Needles: US 3’s and 4’s, Crochet Hook US C

Notions: 8mm black safety eyes

Project #2: The stashbuster.

Feather Cable Cowl

Yarn: Karabella Margrite, I only had one skein of this but wanted to use it for something. I ended up doing 6 repeats of the pattern instead of 8 repeats.

Project #3: A gift.

Pattern: Baby Chalice Blanket

Yarn: Red Heart Eco Ways in Aquarium, took about three skeins to get a blanket that measures approximately 34 x 38.

Now I can get back to my regularly sheduled program. Cause I am done.

A few months ago, I like many people, was bed driven with the Swine Flu.

I spent most of my 48 hours of hell confined to my recliner watching endless amounts of television. Everything was pretty much a blur; I had trouble differing between my dreams and reality. At one moment I could have sworn I was sleeping, but I wasn’t.

I saw an infomercial for the Snuggie, a product so dumb I thought my subconscious was playing a trick on me. Tragically this wasn’t the truth.

The snuggie is a blanket (wait for it)…with sleeves. My life has changed forever. No longer shall I be confined to the troubles of ordinary blankets. Welcome to a world with sleeves.

An old man seen here rubbing one off to Glenn Beck.

Anyone who has seen the commercial might have an idea for my sarcasm. The commercial starts out stating that blankets are too much trouble, as they slip and slide and you can often feel trapped inside of one.

Never in my life have I ever felt trapped inside of a blanket. If I ever do, I simply remove it, end of entrapment.

The commercial explains that wearing the snuggie can allow you to partake in other activities. If you can’t function while wearing a blanket, you mine as well give up, because your lack of coordination is hurting the country.

It boasts that it is made with ultra soft thick luxurious fleece. If that many adjectives need to be used, than it’s probably not that “Luxurious.”

But wait, there’s more! You can even use your snuggie to walk around and at local sporting events, because nothing says, “I’m a tool” than wearing a backwards robe to your son’s AYSO game.

When I watch the commercial and I see the parents at the soccer game wearing their Snuggies, they somehow look like they’re in a cult. A cult whose main objectives include traveling in mini-vans and sacrificing those who forgot to bring the oranges for the half-time snack.

The goofy style of the Snuggie also reminds me of a Thneed. Anyone who doesn’t know what a Thneed is obviously hasn’t read Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. In the book, the Thneed is an odd-looking garment and versatile garment that “everyone needs.

Absofuckinglutely Pointless

The product turns out to be responsible for the destruction of a forest. The same could be said for the Snuggie, but instead of the destruction of a forest, instead it represents the destruction of our dignity.

If this isn’t enough to make you buy the Snuggie, than you are presented with a free gift if with your order. You get your very own book light.

A book light…let me explain to you what a book light basically is. Back in elementary school, when we had a fundraiser, there was a level of prizes for those who sold the most. The top level was always a 13” color TV, and at the bottom level, a book light. The book light is the loser among fundraiser prizes, which is pretty much the lowest of consumer goods.

A few months later, I was forced to see something that yet again made me cry again.

We're all doomed.

That is a snuggie for dogs. So that coat of fur that is suppose to keep your dog warm all year round. Fuck that shit! He needs a blanket, just look at how cold he looks!

Just what you need, another excuse to torture your dog.

This $75 value package can be yours today for only $14.95. So far 4 million snuggies have been sold. Multiply 4 million with 14.95 and the answer is $59,800,000.

That alone is the true sign of good ole’ American consumerism. As our economy tumbles into the dirt, I look at the $59,800,000 revenue produced by a sleeveless blanket and I think, “you know what, everything is going to be okay.”

We know you love our sacs, but here are some pictures to get you excited about the other comfy stuff here at Lovesac!

Throw Blankets in new silver Mink Phur and black Crock Phur! 

If you’re looking for a little larger blanket action, we have King Blankets in these fabrics as well. 

While you’re at it, check out the sweet stitching!

If you’ve ever sat on a phurry sac and thought to yourself, “I could wear this on my feet…” 

Now you can, because we have Slippers!  Also in silver Mink (see the tails??) and blac Crock.  Can’t wait!

Want to know more?  Check this out…

Evan Chandler, padre de Jordan, el niño que acusó a Michael Jackson de abuso sexual, se suicido en Nueva Jersey el hombre de 65 años de edad, fue encontrado muerto en su apartamento después de haberse disparado en la cabeza y no dejo de suicidio.

En 1993, Evan Chandler, demandó a Michael Jackson en representación de su hijo de quien presuntamente el cantante había abusado sexualmente. Tras una negociación Jackson acordó pagar una indemnización de  20 millones de dólares para cerrar el caso.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/640671.html

Glad to see that they’re coping well and continuing life as “regular” kids! They have grown up so much!

______________________________________________________

WHAT  IS  JIVAMUKTI  YOGA?

The Jivamukti Yoga method is a style of Yoga created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984. It is a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating practice leading to spiritual awareness. “We promote the educational aspect of the practice and give students access to where these ideas have come from. Each class focuses on a theme, which is supported by Sanskrit chanting, readings, references to scriptural texts, music (from the Beatles to Moby), spoken word, asana sequencing and yogic breathing practices. The average Jivamukti student is more educated about the philosophy of yoga than most yoga teachers.” – from jivamuktiyoga.com

WHAT  yogitoes PROPS CAN I USE IN MY JIVAMUKTI YOGA CLASS?

Because the Jivamukti practice encompasses all aspects of yoga, you can literally use ANY of the yogitoes props.  SKIDLESS towels can be used during a sweaty asana portion, our restorative props (i.e. BLANKET, BOLSTER, CYLINDER) can be used during restorative portions, and the mSEAT is perfect for satsang, kirtan or meditation.

Jivamukti School Video

www.jivamuktiyoga.com

for  further  awareness  on  yogitoes  props,  click  the  image  thumbnails  below:

What is Blanket Time?

Blanket time is an allotted amount of time in the day when you instruct your child to remain on a small blanket (3×3 or 4×4) and play with a select few toys that you have chosen for him/ her to play with. Blanket time can be started as early as you want with your infant and continued into toddlerhood.

What is the purpose of Blanket Time?

“Blanket time provides an opportunity to teach a child to play in a limited area without a physical parameter.” (pre-toddlerwise p.142) It also teaches “sitting skills or what we call parameter skills (the ability to stay put within a boundary).” (Toddlerwise p. 45) This skill comes in handy when you need your child to obey you and stay put. For instance if you are in the kitchen and you need to open the oven, you would want you child to stay away from the oven. You could tell you child to sit and remain still until you allow him or her to get up. Or perhaps you are out in public and you need your child to stay in one spot for a short period of time, that is when this skill really comes in handy. Ultimately, blanket time teaches your child at a young age to obey you. Blanket time also helps with mental focus by only allowing them a few toys that they must play with while on the blanket.

How long should blanket time last?

Start with 3-5 minutes once a day. Once your child demonstrates he can stay on the blanket and play without fussing or crawling or walking off, you can slowly increase the time up to 30 minutes a day. Use a timer to set a designated time. The loud noise of the time going off will signal to your child that blanket time is over.

What if he crawls or walks off the blanket?

The first couple of times he does blanket time, you will want to remain close to him. When he does move off the blanket, quickly return him to the blanket and give clear instructions to stay put and play with his toys. I typically say to Cooper, “Cooper, it is blanket time, we stay on the blanket.” I then direct him toward a toy on the blanket.

How many toys should I place on the blanket?

Just a few toys is enough. Remember your blanket is not that large. I have been placing 2-3 small board books, one lights/sounds toys, 2 toy cars, and one other small manipulative toy.  Keep these toys special and do not allow your child to play with them frequently during the day. The novelty of the toys will help them to remain on the blanket. You might want to have 3-4 small bins of toys that you rotate especially for blanket time so that your child does not tier of the toys.

Make them help you clean up!

When the timer goes off and blanket time is over, make sure to praise their efforts for staying on the blanket. Then ask them to help you clean up. I usually say, “It is clean up time.” Young children will obviously not clean everything up on their own, but you can assist them and teach them how to clean up. My son is 13 months old and I expect him to help put away just a few toys into the bin when we are done. For instance, he has some toy food. He will usually help put away 3-4 pieces of the toys food. As they get older, you might have high expectations for how they clean up. Make sure you give your child clean directions as to what you want cleaned up. For instance, if there are cars on the blanket, you could tell you child, “Mark, put your cars in the bin.”

Where should blanket time be done?

Vary the locations of blanket time in your home. One day do it in the kitchen. Another day try your bedroom. The idea is for you child to be able to transfer this sitting still skill to many different situations and locations. If it is a nice day, try doing it outside. You could even try taking your child to the library with the blanket and a few toys and doing blanket time there.

Travel with a blanket and special toys!

You never know when you might need your child to sit in one area for a short duration of time. You might go to a soccer game for one of your older children, and want your younger child to not wonder. Try keeping a bag with a blanket and some special toys. Then in case you should ever need to do an impromptu blanket time, you would have all the materials!

My personal experience with my son

My son is 13 months old. I have only been doing blanket time with him for a week (we started late). But in a weeks time, he is able to stay on his blanket without fussing for about 10 minutes. I have not had to correct him for crawling off the blanket in a few days too. I see how is mental focus is increasing as he is able to play with one specific toy for a longer period of time. He is also learning to mind and obey me rather well. This past weekend, I was out to lunch in a crowded restaurant. I went up front to pay and sat my son on the ground and told him to stay put, he did not move for 5 minutes. He looked around at all the people, but never once moved. I really think that blanket time has helped him to remain still and obey my commands!

Resource: Pre-toddlerwise p. 141- 143

Good eats I’ve recently discovered or made:

Bang bang chicken: for this Chinese dish I cooked a chicken breast and stir-fried some veggies. Then I shredded the chicken in small pieces and mixed it with the veggies.

Meanwhile, I made the star of this dish: the sauce! I mixed 1,5 tablespoon of tahini (you can use peanut butter, but that’s less authentic), 1 tablespoon of (sesame) oil, 2 teaspoons of sweet soy sauce and some grated ginger and garlic. I needed to add a little bit water, to make it ‘drizzable’.

I served the veggies and chicken with some rice and drizzled all the sauce on top. So good!

Roti with chicken massala: I marinated some chopped chicken breast in oil, garlic, salt, pepper and a lot of massala powder(or you can use curry powder and cumin). Then I cooked the chicken in some oil with a chopped onion until the pieces were brown. I added a tablespoon of tomato paste, half a chicken stock cube, some extra massala and enough water to cover the chicken. I brought this to a boil and let it simmer (with a lid) for half an hour. The last minutes, I uncovered the skillet until the sauce reduced a bit. I served this mixture with a roti and beans. Eat with your hands!

Realisation I’ve recently made:

The sweet Hannah tagged me in a food survey, so here I go:

1. Favorite variety of apple? Pink Lady and Jazz

2. Apples dipped in..? sugar, raisins and cinnamon

3. Favorite way to enjoy pumpkin? In a risotto with goat cheese

4. Favorite soup? With crackers or bread? Difficult: pumpkin soup or vegetable soup. With bread (and butter!)

5. Do you eat orange foods all year round? Yes! (Carrots, pumpkin, pepper…)

If you haven’t done this survey: try it! I tag YOU!

To be honest: I prefer the spring and summer over this autumn season. Bring me some sunshine and I’m happy! But thinking about my favorite autumn foods for this survey made me realise there are also ‘good things’ about this season. I say candles, blankets, fires, christmas, hot chocolate…and you?

Recently, I have been feeling the urge to cheat on my knitting…  with crochet!!  Not just any project, mind you.  No; this is the not the kind of urge to be satisfied with a potholder or dishcloth.  Rather, I’ve had this crazy, deep-seeded craving to crochet an afghan.  So, in line with my usual over-the-top personality, I decided it would be a good idea to make two afghans.

The first of these afghans is for Andrew and I.  Currently, Andrew and I use two separate afghans, each inherited from our respective families.  The one that I use is more like a throw – too wide but not long enough to completely cover me; it is made of large granny squares and is blue.  Andrew’s is mostly brown and striped.  This setup kind of drives me a bit insane; so, the motivation for the onset of this crochet craving in the first place was to make a queen-sized afghan for our bed.  After searching through many patterns and projects on Ravelry, I decided on a hexagon blanket using the Hexagon How-To from Attic24, in dark brown, white, blues, greens and purples.

Now, although this will sound like sacrilege to many of you out there, I decided that I’m going to make this afghan out of…*gasp*…acrylic.  The main reason for this decision is that I simply do not have a suitable place to lay a queen-sized afghan to dry.  This means that wool is simply out of the question.  But more on this project, once I get further into it.  On to the main event…

The second of these afghans is for one of my sisters, or more specifically for my soon-to-be nephew.  Although I don’t know if I’ve completely come to grips with the fact that one of my sisters is pregnant and I will soon be an uncle, I feel an obligation of sorts to make a baby afghan for my future nephew.  If my mother were still around, she certainly would have crocheted one, no questions asked.  Since I’m currently the only one if the family who crochets, besides my maternal grandmother whose arthritis prevents her from crocheting on a regular basis, I feel the responsibility of tradition falls to me.

Given that the baby is due in early February and the baby shower is supposed to take place in January, I don’t have a lot of time.  So, I thought I better get started as soon as possible.  Thus, I introduce to you Baby Bubbles:

Again, I’m using acrylic, this time for ease of care.  My sister isn’t one to handwash anything and, besides, babies are a bit messy so no-fuss washing and drying are essential.  In this case, I’m using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice – soft yet durable, also, ridiculously cheap because of an insane sale at the new A.C. Moore that opened near my house this past weekend.  Seriously, I got 1360 yards for less than $14.

The pattern is The Wool Eater Blanket from Sarah London.  Gorgeous!!

I have to admit that it took a bit of time to decipher the pattern but, once that the hurdle was crossed, it has been smooth sailing.  The pattern is fairly simple, good for a beginner like me, and easy to memorize.  While I know the overall pattern is supposed to resemble diamonds, I can’t help but think “bubbles” when I look at it…

Oh well.  Hopefully it’ll be a hit!!  If it isn’t, I might just have to keep it for myself because I’m in love with the pattern and the color combination.

Yassine’s leaving back to France next week so we decided to show him around DTLA this past Sunday. First we went to Olvera Street and ended up eating some great food and getting a bunch of cool stuff. For those of you that don’t know Olvera Street is in the oldest part of Downtown LA, and is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. It has a bunch of street stands, food spots and is right next to Chinatown and Philippes. Of course Yas got a couple of Lucha Libre masks and we got a blanket and this cool fabric that one of the stores were selling for Dia de los Muertos. I decided to put my Mom’s old sewing machine to use (since I grabbed it from her before she left to the Philippines) and make a pillow case.

I’m hyped, the case turned out so perfect I want to go down there again and get more fabric. If anyone wants one of these pillows let me know and I’ll buy extra material!

i started knitting this blanket for a friend who’s getting married…
and she got married yesterday. doh!

i’ve been knitting it a few rows per sitting and i finally realized why. it takes me about 15 minutes per row! i don’t know how long a more experienced knitter would take to knit 150 stitches but… yikes.

welp, i’m on the 5th ball of yarn and it’s about halfway finished. i’m thinking i can send it to her by our shared birthday time.

happy wedding, asurin! <3

Bright Batik Quilt (c) QuiltowneToo

We will start Etsy, where quilting is making (an albeit small) comeback. Many crafty quilters are giving this tradition a fresh and modern face lift by using surprising fabrics, designs, colors, and more. For starters, check out this colorful quilt from seller QuiltowneToo. It combines an array of stunning batiks to liven up any room — and it certainly doesn’t look like your grandmother’s quilt. From the same seller, this unique quilt has a completely unexpected and modern design. Both quilts come in at under $200 — a steal for such a handmade treasure. Check out Etsy for hundreds of other options.

For even less-expensive (although not handmade) options, check out this super-affordable colorblock quilt from Kohl’s which is on sale now. It combines beautiful earthtone colors and clean lines that will complement any bedroom. Lastly, many other online e-tailers are getting on the bandwagon. Take a look at this great, stylish quilt from beddingsuperstore.com that combines fun colors, stitching, and designs — and is also on sale now!

A colorful quilt is the perfect way to combat the cold and dreary days of winter — and these affordable options will do just that!

I suppose that is why it’s called a work in progress!

I’ve started to sew the pieces together – and so it’s probably about a third of the way to completion.  I’ll work on finishing it off this week, as Marj’s birthday is only a week away now. I’ve found it a little difficult to line everything up, and I’m a bit concerned that the next lot of circles won’t fit evenly around. I’ve laid it all out on the floor, and it looks ok, but only time will tell! Then I’ve got the last lot of circles to attach {the smallest ones – motif D} then all I need to attach are the tassles. I must remember to photograph them next time.