Can't Catch a "Brake"

All of this beautiful yarn (and Xena Warrior Princess dvd) was a Valentine's gift from my hubby, but it has been waiting in the wings for me to be able to actually work with it.

I have been busy playing the catch up game since the flu layed me down for over a week and then the hubs and my little girl got sick.  I have been trying to finish up orders now that our house is finally germ free, and working up all the new pattern designs I came up with while sick(I got quite creative while too ill to move).

I missed a lot of work, and was finally getting back on track, when we went out shopping (the whole family) and the brake system failed in our car.  Yikes!  Scary stuff.  Thank goodness my husband was driving as I have a slight tendency to panic.  He somehow managed to get our car to a gas station where we sat with a car full of groceries and my daughter(who was very patient) and waited for his mother to rescue us.

Apparently you can't get a car towed for under $200 these days, but my hubby managed to talk the down to $145!  Of course we were two towns away from our local garage, so that didn't help.  Now we found out that we basically need to replace the whole brake system in front(haven't checked the back yet), and they can't do it till Monday.  Ugh!  Oh, and it is going to cost a small fortune to do it.  Yay! (note the sarcasm)

Fortunately my job outside the home has been very understanding of all my recent issues, and is having someone drive me to and from today, so I don't have to miss work.  They are trading my shift tomorrow, which is great because we are supposed to get hit with a big storm, and I would rather not be out in that anyway.  

I am very thankful that my family and I made it through it ok, and I know "someone" was definitely watching out for us.  I am also incredibly thankful to have a job where they are so compassionate and understanding.  With today's economy, I am lucky to have a job at all, so when I missed this much work I figured I would be let go.  Their first concern was for my family and me.  That meant a lot.

That all being said, I am ready for things to turn around and run smoothly for a while.  That would be a nice change.  I have some big plans for my patterns this year, and I can't wait to share all of these new designs with you all!  I currently have one out to testers, and I have two more waiting in the wings.  I am hoping to get them out this week at some point.  There are several ideas in my design book awaiting my hook and yarn.  I am working as quickly as I can to finish up my current projects and get these new patterns published!

I did manage to get this pattern, for the Ribbed Cuff Fingerless Gloves, released yesterday.  It's a quick pattern to work up and great for beginners!  It is listed on Craftsy for $1.50(it's regular price), but I am currently having a HUGE 50% OFF SALE in my Ravelry shop to help pay for the astronomical auto repair fees.  So if you purchase it there, you will be getting the pattern for just .75 cents!  All 7 patterns in my shop are included in the sale, no coupon necessary, and prices will adjust at checkout.

Here is just a bit of what I have been working on lately:

Here is a sneak peek of a new pattern design I am working on.  I am thinking it will include a link to a tutorial here on the blog.  Stay tuned!

My daughter currently loves everything princess, especially crowns!  So I had to take a break to make this for her:)

When purchasing a pattern, what do you look for most?  Is cost a big concern?  Or is it a matter of yarn selection or stitch technique?  I would love to know if there is something you would like to see created.