A milestone birthday...

I've been fairly absent here on the blog, on Facebook, and Instagram lately. Rest assured, I'm alive and doing well... March is just a CRAZY month - it's still the "busy" season at Firefly Fibers (yay!), classes and knitalongs need to be planned and launched, Mr. Yarnista and I vended at Madison Knitters Guild (it's a ton of fun AND a ton of prep), we have several birthdays (including mine) to celebrate, the pesky taxes need to be done (are you groaning at this one, too?), and then Life decides to rear its (sometimes) ugly head at the most inconvenient times (you know, just to keep things interesting).

With all that had to be done in March, I set a deadline. Yesterday. I made it to the finish line (mostly) not exhausted - although our boys probably thought I ran away from home and hubby has been a bachelor for the last 2 weeks - and I'm pretty much caught up and even worked a bit ahead on some things. Whew! 

Why yesterday as a deadline? Well, today is my birthday and not just any birthday, it's a milestone - at 12:50PM CST, I'll be 40. There. I said it. 40. I remember thinking 40 was SO old, and maybe it is, but I think I'm feeling okay. So far.

 
 

I had a lovely trip to Door County last month with one of my most amazing gals and we had a fabulous time - a million thank you's to hubby for "manning" the shop so I could get away and not work for a couple days. My gal took this photo of me and it makes my heart smile so big. 

And, just because I love this photo from our Door County trip (I promise I will share all the details soon), I feel like sharing it, too... 

Getting away for a bit, made me realize that I need to make more time for "time off" and what better day for that, than my birthday?! 

With that.... let fabulous 40 begin! Today will be full of food, family (hopefully all of my boys remember me), relaxing, and maybe even some knitting (I hope I remember how to knit). I'm off to open birthday cards and a special birthday package from my dear cousin before we start our day. Hope you have a lovely day and relax a bit, too!

CHEERS!

Simply Handmade-along | Maximus March

March is here and I can't believe how fast the month is going! Are you ready for our new Simply Handmade-along project? I fell in love with this hat the second Libby released it and I've been itching to get in on my needles... Maximus by Truly Myrtle !

MARCH | MAXIMUS BY TRULY MYRTLE | THROUGH APRIL 4TH

© Truly Myrtle

© Truly Myrtle

"Maximus is a stylish hat for the men in your life.

Featuring a cable panel reminiscent of strong iron helmets worn during misty battles, Maximus appeals to the smallest of boys, the largest of men and all the warriors in between."

© Truly Myrtle

© Truly Myrtle

Maximus is indeed a handsome hat and will be perfect for my handsome Mr. Yarnista as a small "thank you" for all he does for me and our family. You see, it's busy at Firefly Fibers year-round, but the cooler months are exceptionally busy and this year has been even more so. Yes, it's fabulous and it makes me so very happy, but it means that I ask for more help with shop tasks and I have less time to contribute at home - Mr. Yarnista to the rescue! 

As if he doesn't do enough for me, this past month he tended the shop on a Saturday so I could spend a (much needed) weekend away with a friend in Door County, WI. It was a wonderful weekend and I have photos and details to share on that, but back to the task at hand... this hat!

© Truly Myrtle

© Truly Myrtle

Do you have a special guy or gal in your life than you want to say "thank you" to? As handsome as Maximus is, it's equally suited for us ladies and I may just have to knit one for myself, as well - wouldn't it be fun in a bright pink? Using a 100gr skein of worsted weight yarn, this is a great project to whip up before the weather warms too much (in our hemisphere, that is) or for getting ahead on holiday gifts. 

So, as always, for our 'along' you are welcome to stashbust or get some fresh new yarn - Malabrigo Rios or Tosh Vintage would be lovely (special offer on Rios below). I'll be using Rios for my hat in Coco (after all, it is Malabrigo March) - my yarn is all wound and I can't wait to cast on! 

AND... through Saturday, March 19th....

  • PATTERN :: Libby is very generously giving us 15% OFF Maximus - enter coupon code 'MAXIMUSKAL' before you check out on Ravelry.
  • YARN :: Firefly Fibers is offering 15% OFF one skein of Rios - use code 'HandmadeMarch' when you check out (or just mention the Handmade-along to us at the shop). 

Want more Truly Myrtle? You can find Libby here... 

WEBSITE :: FACEBOOK :: INSTAGRAM :: RAVELRY DESIGNS

I hope you'll join in this month - if you haven't signed up officially to be eligible for the giveaways (one is coming up very soon), you can do that right here! Many thanks to Libby for (again) offering our knitalong-ers a discount on one of her gorgeous designs!

CHEERS!