Merry Christmas

One of the first things I hear this morning was the glorious sound of "water spurts" as my new cat, Don Corleone, marked his territory on my basement stairway carpet. Nice. Maybe he was making sure that Santa knows this is his house? He offered no explanation when I asked him.

Christmas knitting exhaustion

It is 10:04 a.m. on Friday. I haven't slept more than 1.5 hours since Wednesday at 5 a.m. I've been knitting Christmas gifts. Namely teacher gifts. I spent 5 hours last night lining and putting handles and buttons on two purses. I am running on Caribou Ho Ho and Cheerios.

Here are my babies:




A smooshy scarf for my friend Jenni. Misti Alpaca is so soft and luxurious.



A purse for Garrett's math teacher.



A purse for Garrett's teacher.



Fingerless mittens for me cuz they turned out so crappy (see the flower embellishment to distract from the mistakes) that I didn't want to give them to anyone. Warm tho.


A smooshy scarf for Wendy. Seed stitch is my favorite.


Knit washcloths and homemade soap for Garrett's Sunday school teachers and Club 45 teachers.


Purse for surprise gift for Angela. Huge hit at the party and I was commissioned to make another on for another friend.

Baby hat (and matching leg warmers, not shown) for Peyton for Xmas.



Baby bunny blanket for Peyton for her 1st Birthday.

A bit overworked and overextended, but the results are so worth it!

Gift Tags

I got it in my head to make custom gift tags after seeing a comment on Ravelry Tips section. My boyfriend is a very talented graphic artist and photographer, but he is so busy working as the Creative Art Director on his latest film that I decided not to bother him with my frivolous whims. I set up my camera on timer and started snapping away. After about 200 failed shots, the winner emerged:

20 projects in 2 months

20 projects in about 2 months. That is more than all of the projects that I did in 1.5 years! The Christmas knitting projects are killing me, but I need the therapy more than I need the gift giving. Stress caused by my ex drives my knitting projects. I am also working double time thru June 1. I need the money, so I am not complaining.

My 2 socks on 1 circular are my latest challenging project. I haven't had time to upload photos, but I will make time soon. I hate the size 2 needles, and the stockingnet stitch is boring, but the concept is a lot of fun and I plan on using it to make sleeves, pant legs, etc.

I hope you all had a happy thanksgiving. My tummy is full of leftovers and I look forward to a brighter next year.

Where did all of this stash come from??!!!

As my Booty Skirt project slowly died, I realized that I need to start a new project. I have a few in mind, but I needed to organize my studio and find out exactly what stash I had. WOW!! I know that I bought a few skeins in NYC (etc), but geesh! they must be doing naughty things in that bin because I don't remember having THIS MUCH stash!! I always said that I would never get to the scrapcrapbooking level where I am embarrassed to show anyone the amount of stuff I own and will never, even if I live to be 2000 years old, get to the end of the supplies. Well, it appears that I am well on my way to that point. Granted, I did inherit a lot of stash from family and friends who attempted to knit and failed, but I know those handpainted yarns did not come from beginners. ;)

I am heading out to a knitting retreat held by All About Yarn soon. The stash has been logged and categorized and I am determined to diminish that pile.

After reading a few frustrating posts from the Lelah top, I've decided to knit the Inspired to Knit halter top, Ribbed Halter by Michele Rose Orne with that yarn instead. I am in love with halter tops right now. I also have enough yarn to knit the Knitty Shetland Shorty. I am excited to try, try again!

Flat Rat Cat Scarf

Well, I redeemed myself and gained back my knitting confidence. I am 99% complete with the Flat Rat Cat Scarf for Puddy, my bf's cat. I only need to attach a button so it stays on when he streaks across the studio floor to rid himself of the evil human clothing. I want to make sure it is loose enough so he can easily slip out of it if he wants to, but still able to keep it on in order to stay warm. The poor rat looks like road kill -- which was totally my goal. :)

Damn that Skirt

My tears have finally dried. I finished the knitting on the Booty Skirt - Intolerable Cruelty. It *is* cruel!! My decreases look more like bat wings on the side of my thighs. I am not sure what went wrong -- well, first of all I knitted a size Medium and I shoulda went with an XS. My guage was dead on, so not sure what happened. :( I need to talk to my mom, a recovering obsessed knitter. She might know if I can steek it. It is balled up in the corner of the living room, tear stained and full of dog hair. It is enough to make a girl wanna quit. But I won't the obsession must move forward. At least it is 99% complete. I only had to knit the loops for the ribbon and place the elastic. I will finish it, even if it isn't perfect

Knitting a Cat Scarf

My boyfriend and I were joking about growing old. I said I would become the crazy old lady, sitting in her rocking chair, knitting at all hours of the day and night, and watching the neighbors come and go out the window. He said, “Hey! I want you to knit a scarf for Puddy (his cat).” It gets cold in his studio during the winter. My personal belief is that his cat is way too cool to wear a human item, but now I am obsessed with thinking about knitting a cat scarf. I had a great idea to knit a mouse head on one end and a tail on the other. Ravelry has some good ideas to put to good use.

The UFO Olympics has really lit a fire under my behind. I am just a few inches away from knitting the ruffles on my Booty Skirt! Once I finished the decreases, then the stockingnet stitch went by lighting fast. Why is it that I am always in a rush to finish a project when I am swamped at work?! Oh yea...I am always swamped and on deadline at work, that’s why…

My co-addicted friend and I signed up for a knitting retreat in early September through All About Yarn. We are staying in a cabin in the woods!!! Three days of knitting and eating and drinking. Nice! It doesn’t get much better than that, my friends. I need to organize my projects so I have a lot of variety during the retreat—especially things that I can knit while tipsy. My A.D.D. will be tested to the limits if I don't have a lot of projects to work on.

I have two Stitch n Bitches planned at my house over the next week. A chance to visit with the girls and a reason to clean my house. We hope the weather will be nice to sit on my huge deck and enjoy the remainder of the summer.

Black Yarn Swap Package!

My camera died, so I was unable to upload my pictures until today. I received a WONDERFUL package from Morgan in Calgary. She sent 4 skeins of Euroflax black linen for the Corinne pattern. I can't wait to knit with this yarn. It looks great. She also gave me a skein of superwash handgefarbte sockenwolle. :) It sounds fun, huh? It is a beautiful fushia and black yarn. She also sent a Calgary mug, tea and chocolate which lasted about 5 seconds!! THANK YOU so much, Morgan. You ROCK!!

Other finished projects

I finally got around to taking some photos off of my camera. I had problems with my computer not acknowledging the camera for some reason. Finally got it to work. Here's a few more FOs.

Temptress

I'm posting a picture of the finished Key West Brooklyn Temptress sweater. I am very happy with it. The dye job on the yarn was horrible and I would not choose that brand again, altho I did enjoy knitting with the silk mixture. It did tend to stretch a bit after wearing so I may put it in the washer and dryer and see what happens....

Temptress is done!

Finally, a project complete! With spring here I've been so busy with other projects that I barely had time to finish Tempting. Other than the fact that the yarn was improperly dyed, I love the outcome!!! I will definitely make this sweater again. I saw someone decreased the shoulders and finished the edge using cables. How brilliant! I may do that. The fit is amazing and I am very happy with the length (I increased the length significantly).

I finished the project while on vacation in Vegas. I laid the UFO on the bed and went to lunch intending to finish it when I returned. When I came back into the room the maid had moved it to the table and all I could see were yards and yards of loose yarn!!!! I panicked because I hadn't set my project up for moving or storage. After closer inspection she must have dropped the ball and it rolled. The stitches were still on the needle. Whew!

Pictures to come soon. It was raining outside at the end of completion.

My sweater photo featured for pattern

I opened my email this morning and recieved quite a shock. I was asked to have my sweater featured on the pattern page for Knit Simple's cabled hoodie sweater on Ravelry! What an honor! The picture isn't the best of me, but it does show the sweater off quite well.

Please, please, hold the applause and have your people call my people for any public appearances. ;)

Spring Coffee Swap Gifts!

I received a Spring Coffee Swap gift package from Natalie T. She included two flavored coffees, gorgeous mushy gooshy yarns, wonderful homemade stitch markers (cute green leaves) that I've already used, and lots of girly stuff -- powder, perfumes, and lotions!!! I feel pampered and spoiled and wonderful. THANK YOU so much Natalie. You rock!

Shepherd's Harvest Festival

The good son and I went to the Shepherd's Harvest Festival this past weekend. It was a bit drizzly, but it didn't dampen our spirits as we weaved our way around llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, and angora bunnies. He had a blast and I had a chance to use my useless animal science degree to explain where we get wool n stuff.

Spring Coffee Swap topic #6

I had so much fun creating the little chicken for beccalou for the Spring Fling Coffee Swap. I had seen a similar guy at the 3 Kittens yarn shop and I knew that I wanted to make him. I had some fuzzy maribou that was intended for the hood of the Simple Knit Cabled Hoodie, but I knew that the hood was too wackadoo for it to look good. It made perfect hair for him. I used some of the mistake felt from the first attempt at the Loopy Purse.

I am currently working on The Key West Tempting Sweater. I will do the three-needle sleeves this weekend. I picked up some silk/rayon at 3 Kittens. It is a varigated (yes, I am working with varigated yarn) in lime, pink, and purple. I think it was the combination of those 3 colors that swung me to the dark side. It is only a matter of time before I am knitting those darn stinking socks that everyone is doing.

I cast on using bamboo needles (acceptable TSA-approved non-weapons). I got three rows into it and was just about ready to stab myself in the jugular with them. I LOVE my Addi Turbos and the bamboos are just too sticky for me to enjoy. I swung into Knit Wits to pick up some Addis and I was on my way. Knit Wits was a very charming, clean shop with colorful yarns, but not much variety. They certainly saved me many hours of frustration on what was supposed to be a chill vacation. The staff was very pleasant and could not relate to my my hatred for the bamboo. :)

Since I also needed a single stitch marker, she pointed me next door to the bead store, Beads of Distinction. Altho the worker there assisted me in what I needed, she b**ched and moaned and complained the entire time. I thought to myself, "Lady, I am taking up 2 minutes of your time today, don't sweat the small stuff." I think I was taking time away from her personal beading fun and she couldn't be bothered with a $1.50 purchase.

Back from Key West and Topic #5

Hi all, I just returned from a 10 day both relaxing and insane vacation in Key West and South Beach. I wouldn't trade the memories for anything. I am 3/4 of the way through Tempting sweater. I love it! I am lax in posting knitting photos... To the left is my typical knitting position for 10 days!

Spring Coffee Swap Topic #5

You know with Spring the famous saying goes "April Showers, bring May flowers", please tell us what you like to do when those April Showers are pouring down on you. Do you like to curl up with your knitting, take in a movie or crawl back in bed?

I like to do all of those things, and sometimes walk in it. Spring showers in Minnesota definately mean warmer weather so they make me very happy, especially if combined with thunder. I love to sit and listen to the rain in the spring.

Scarf

I finished a Plymouth Baby Alpaca Chunky seed stitch scarf for a gift. It is soft and gooshy and so luxurious. I will post a picture after I block it.

Spring Coffee Swap Question #4

Let’s pretend for a minute we all live in the home of our dreams, have land, and don’t have to work so time is unlimited! It’s Spring planting season! What would you grow? A little veggie garden? A bed of bright spring blooms? Or is your thumb so far from green that the only thing you’d be planting is your tushy into a nice chair on the porch to get some knitting or crocheting done in the nice breeze?

My parents had a huge vegetable garden when I was a child. Altho I hated the weeding aspect of it, I really grew to appreciate fresh food. I used to have a large garden with tons of herbs and vegetables. I even canned my own tomatoes several times. I joined the local garden club and was just a test away from becoming a master gardener.

Since then I've had a child and I don't have the time to devote to the luxury of gardening. I now live in a townhome and miss the ability to plant perennials. My very large deck is my little oasis where I plant oodles of containers full of herbs and flowers and a few tomato plants. I just started knitting last October, so I really look forward to spending many hours sitting on my deck, knitting, and enjoying my plants.

Black Yarn Swap

1. Do you knit, crochet, or both? knit
2. What do you prefer to knit or crochet? (socks? sweaters? cables?) What would you like to try to knit or crochet? I knit anything that interests me, but mostly sweaters, skirts, or tops for myself. I also like to make gifts for friends. Since I am still a beginner knitter, I would like to learn how to substitute one size of yarn for a different size of yarn called for in a specific pattern.
3. What are your hobbies outside of knitting or crocheting? Music, traveling, dancing, eating, hanging out with friends, meeting new people.
4. Do you have any fiber allergies? Fiber preferances? No allergies, but get itchy with 100% wool. I’d like to try bamboo. I prefer natural fibers. Soft and smooshy is best.
5. Do you have any favourite books, music, or tv shows? If so, what are they? I read New York magazine and Buget Travel. I watch Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, Top Chef, Project Runway. I am addicted to BBC Radio 1’s Chris Moyles. I love techno, electronic, Europop, World, New Age.
6. Do you have any pets? Nope. Just one 9-year-old son.
7. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks? Buttered movie popcorn is the best. It’s hard for me to pass up pasta, bread, nuts, and fried food. I love chocolate candy bars, especially if it has caramel inside. I don't like cake, pie, or ice cream...
8. Do you prefer coffee or tea? Ground mocha java from Caribou.
9. Aside black, which colours do you like/dislike? I like turquoise, peach, terra cotta, purple, brown. Mostly dark, rich colors. I am not a fan of royal blue.
10. What is your favourite time of the year? (season-wise or holiday-wise) I love the fall colors, but living in Minnesota makes Spring my favorite time of year.
11. What is your favourite scent? Men. :) I love most scents—lavendar, coffee, food. I also like the smell of baking bread and puppy kisses. For perfume I wear Wicked Wahini, Angel, or Euphoria.
12. What do you collect? Memories!! I live life to the fullest. Other than having a ridiculously large shoe “collection”, I really don’t collect anything.
13. If there's anything else you'd like your swappee to know, list them here: I am a girly girl. I have a weakenss for big, flashy, gaudy, sparkly, size-adjustable costume jewelry rings. I am a sucker for an intelligent man with an accent who can dance. Pack one in the box if you can, ok? ;)

Progress made on skirt

I've been knitting as much as I can. I sat in the Hearings office for the City of Minneapolis, hoping to argue my speeding ticket--the result was a lot of progress on my skirt.

Spring Coffee Swap Topic #3

Tell us how you started drinking coffee. Were you in high school or college and making it through all nighters? Did you get it from a family member? What drives your love of the bean?

My Mom made homemade chocolate chip cookies on a weekly basis. My Dad would sit at the kitchen table, read the newspaper, and dip those cookies into a cup of black coffee. Once in a while he would let me have a bite. I think it started around 10 years old. That is the #1 way I enjoy my coffee and I started doing that on a regular basis in college. It quickly grew to a caffeine-need more than a cookie swimming hole, but there is no better way than that to savor a cup of coffee.

Coffee Swap Topic #2

Because I wasted an entire month working 100+ hours per week for The Man, I was unable to knit on my project. I am still working with Alpaca yarn on my Intolerable Cruelty skirt.

I did order some turquoise cotton yarn to make a Lelah Top. It was posted on knittingforboozehags.com/freebirds/lelah-top but the site appears to be down.

My "Look at My Booty" Skirt

I just buttoned up my work project and can actually start working on my Intolerable Cruelty Skirt again. I can't wait!! :)

First Sock

When I was dragging out the Easter decorations I found my first sock!! Actually, my only sock. I had one-sockitis. It isn't very comfortable, and I couldn't imagine wasting time knitting another one. I made this sock 14 years ago when I learned how to knit. I thought I had thrown it away. I am happy that I didn't.

I also made mittens, hat, and a headband, all of which were worn out and tossed out years ago.

Spring Fling Coffee Swap Topic #1

I found that Cetta enjoys drinking her coffee from a big travel mug and so do I! She just bought tickets to see Eddie Izzard, and she posted a the cutest darn YouTube video ever of her new puppy. Go watch it!

Overtime, Vacation Booked

It keeps snowing here in Minnesota and I've been working 100+ hours a week to meet a deadline, so knitting on my Intolerable Cruelty Skirt has been put aside for a while. I did book a vacation to South Beach and Key West, so my knitting will be the first thing to get packed, then the bathing suit goes in next, and then clothes--but only if there is room next to the knitting!! hee hee!

It's been a few years since I've been in Miami and I am really looking forward to it. I will stay at Eden House Inn in Key West and The Richmond Hotel in SoBe. I stayed at the Eden House before and it is so relaxing. The hammock area is calling me and I can't wait to take at least 3 naps a day in it! This will be my first time staying at The Richmond, but I've stayed a few doors down from there before and it is in a great location. It has a pool and it is on the beach, so how bad can it be?!

Going loopy in Chinese

Here she is lined with the Chinese silk. mmmmmmmmmmmm

Loopiness

Here is the purse that is going to make Lisa go Loooopy! Even with all of the forced modifications -- the loops would not stand up erect over the rim of the purse, so I sewed them on going down -- I am so happy with it. If I have time I will line it with some red Chinese silk that I have somewhere in my house.

Works calls. I have so much overtime this week. Thank goodness I get paid for it. I owe the IRS some money this year, so it will come in handy. Hopefully I will have enough to go to South Beach for a short weekend vacation.

Cruel cruel skirt

Hand cramps. Today is 9 knit rows, 1/2 purl row later. A bajillion more to go. If I wasn't so in love with this skirt, I would've quit a long time ago. After casting on (220) and starting my first knit row, I realized that I had twisted it and I had to rip back to the beginning of the knit row. URGH! Then I c.a.r.e.f.u.l.l.y knit the row. It looks great now.

New Swap: Spring Coffee n Yarn Swap and Questionnaire

I had so much fun in the last swap that I decided to join another one. The Spring Coffee and Yarn Swap can be found at http://coffeenyarnswap.blogspot.com/ . Sign up soon!

Questionnaire:

Coffee
1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
Ground for a flat wire basket.

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Anything leaded and strong enough to grow hair on my chest.

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
I love Mocha Java from Caribou.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
BOTH! I drink it for the joy it gives me preventing a pounding headache if I don't drink it. I love to sit at a sidewalk cafe (preferably in Europe), sip on a cup of coffee and people watch. When I get a chance to just sit and do nothing but enjoy my cup of coffee, it makes me realize how truly blessed I am and how lucky I am to be living the life I live. Usually I am multi-tasking while drinking coffee, but when those times happen it makes me soooo happy!

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
I love chocolate flavored coffees only. I add chocolate flavored creamers. If those aren't available, then just plain creamers. If those aren't available, then black. I also like those cool pictured sugar cubes that you get in the coffee shops in Europe.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
I use lots of insulated travel mugs for my commute into Minneapolis. I could never have enough.

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
A large mocha java from Caribou, skim, no whipped cream (altho I love it, my thighs don't).

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee?
Dark chocolate, rich brownie, soup, chips, sandwich, pie, pretzels, cookies, nuts, mints, yogurt, pasta salad, ...you get the idea. I love chocolate and also salty snacks.


Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet?
I attempt to knit.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
Debbie Bliss (cashmerino is my favorite), alpaca, anything soft and gooshy.

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
Intolerable Cruelty skirt http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTcruelty.html Yes, I am a self abuser.

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I love purple, blue, brown, bronze, gold, red, terra cotta, black, pink. Jewel tones mostly.I am not a huge fan of variegated yarns. Other than that, I pretty much find a reason to love all colors.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I want to try bamboo. I usually use Addi Turbo or the needles that my mom used in the 60s and 70s.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
Nope. I am a newbie, so I am still spending big bucks on this stuff. I need blocking materials and a circular needle holder.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
I am not a big fan of variegated yarn, so I would choose a solid color. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in brown, bronze, terra cotta, or pink.

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
Um, sort of. It is 40 degrees. I didn't even wear a jacket today!! It is very warm compared to the below zero winter we've been having. Minneapolis has been unseasonably cold this year. Is that an oxymoron?

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
Lilac, Hyacinth, and tulip.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
The smell of dirt. Cute pedicure. Toes in the grass. Thunderstorms. Birds singing so loudly that they wake you up in the morning.

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I would take my son for a walk around Lake Calhoun. We would people watch, look at ducks, skip rocks across the water, complain about the 2.5 mile walk, pet the dogs. We'd stop off at the playground so he can play and I can sit and knit. Then we'd go for our first ice cream cone habit of the summer, or the fish tacos at the outdoor stand. Once we got home, I'd sit on my deck with a big glass of red wine and knit some more.

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
I really enjoy the rain!! It makes me so happy, especially if there is some thunder in the distance. I open the windows just a little bit and listen. The smell is incredible! And I knit.

Odds n Ends
1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
Shoes!!! :)
My house is fairly simple and streamlined.
I mostly collect memories from my many travels.

I am a girly girl, so I like lotions, soaps, lip gloss, perfume, high heels, ruffles n lace, candles, costume jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets) from stores like Target... all that fru-fru stuff.

2. Are you allergic to anything?
No, but I don't like the taste of licorice.

3. Do you have pets?
No, but I love dogs.

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I've only particpated in two, but holy cow do they ever suck you in!! It is addicting.
-Hot Cocoa Swap
-Stitch Marker Exchange

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
1. Lime and Violet. podcast, blog, daily chum. Very informative. Very sarcastic and funny.
2. Crazy Aunt Purl. I swear she is stalking me and writing about my life.
3. The Minneapoline http://theminneapoline.blogspot.com/. I pretend that I dress as cool as the kewl cats on there. humpf.
4. Does Ravelry count? I can't go a single day without at least 15 minutes looking at the stuff other people created. So inspiring! So amazing! I am on Ravelry -- kmslange

Too Cruel to be Kewl Skirt

I cast on for the Intolerable Cruelty skirt last night after whipping out a mean gauge. All of this while I sat in the waiting room for one of life's greatest joys: routine mammogram. One of the questions on the multitude of forms was:

Has your weight changed since your last mammogram?

__x__ Yes

_____ No

If so, how much? ___+30___ pounds.

Do you really think you should be casting on for an ultra sexy skirt until you lose those 30 pounds? _x_No

Just kidding.

Yikes.

Yes, it was almost 20 years ago and I was scarecrow thin then, but to see it in actual print was shocking.

It is odd changing from size 17 needle to size 4. It feels like this skirt may take awhile.

Here's to throwing caution to the wind, embracing all of my lovely curves, and shaking what my mama gave me! Cheers! (diet Coke, please)

Hoodie Vest

I wore the hoodie vest from Knit Simple magazine Holiday 2007 out to eat tonight. We went to Fogo de Chao. Soooo good. Damn Good. I blocked it during the day today and didn't have time to put the buttons on, so I used a fance stitch marker to hold it together at the throat. My Mom saw me come out of my house wearing it and said, "Did you make that?!" (She helped me with the cables.) She swore that it was store purchased. I am pretty darn proud of it.

Felted Loopy Purse

Sob.... I felted my loopy purse last night. It FAILED!! It looks like a loooong unusable clutch. :( So, I started knitting a new one using different measurements. I will cut up the felted purse into flowers to embelish the new attempt. My appointment with Lisa is at the end of March. Just in time to use her Winter White purse for about another month before all of the snow melts.

Felting is a very interesting experiment.

Live in the now. I must meditate during knitting to prevent from getting frustrated over this.

Double Ewe and Sideways Sockyarn Sweater

I checked out a dealer today -- Double Ewe Yarn Shop in Circle Pines. It is a cute little shop with some super squishy Misti Alpaca Bulky. Altho I refrained from buying it, I do have it on my drool list. I did buy some items. One was the One Skein book. Another is the Sideways Sockyarn Sweater. Super cute!! I am not a big fan of striping yarn, but this was so cute. Almost had an 80s look to it.

Sport and Mac keep me company. Last night they watched the moon eclipse with me and my sweet son.

Hot Cocoa Swap Package Arrived!! Angela ROCKS!

Just as my sweet son and I drove into the driveway, I saw the package. We ripped it open to partake in the goodness. Angela, a knitting rock star, outdid herself! She 'got me' without even knowing me! First off, we saw the sweet beagle buddy peeking out of the packaging.






Next, I squeezed the 3 skeins of squishy, purple alpaca yarn. NUMMY! She added 2 candy bars, mint chocolate cocoa (which will go perfectly with the new chocolate marshmallows that I just bought at Target) which I plan to sip from my new puppy mug.






Angela did a fantastic job on the Winter Warm Up Buddy, a beagle that was immaculately crocheted. Being a beginner knitter, I am in awe of the craftsmanship and I hope that I can knit something as wonderful as that some day.






The beagle, which my son named Sport after my old German Shorthaired Pointer that I loved so much, is now snuggled up with the mini puppy, which my son named Mac after my old Miniature Cocker Spaniel. It is nice to have dogs in the house again! ;)




An Eiffel tower/Parisian dress tin included sparkly, girly stitch markers that she created and a compact mirror. Very feminine. Very me.


But the kicker was a gorgeous ceramic version of Notre Dame. My son and I oooh'd and aaahhh'd over it and relived our memories in Paris and climbing the Notre Dame. What a thoughtful gift! I really cherish that gift... Merci beaucoup, mon amie. Tu touche ma coeur.





Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Angela. YOU ROCK!

Knit Out @ Mall of America (aka Stalking Vickie Howell)

I just returned from the Knit Out at the Mall of America. Altho the lines were long, I really enjoyed chatting with other knitters. One woman flew from Ontario, CA, just for the Knit Out. She thought our 35 degree weather was cold. I walked a block from the parking lot in my t-shirt because I thought it was so warm! hee hee.

As soon as I arrived to watch the Dog Sweater Fashion Show, I saw Vickie Howell sitting on the floor awaiting her turn to speak. She was watching the show while blindly knitting on her project. I snapped a paparazzi pic. ;) Um, yes, she is as cute as you'd think... except cuter.



Hours later, while approaching the last of the vendor booths, I saw Vickie again attempting to learn machine knitting. I nodded a 'hi' as I took her picture. Now I felt like a stalker.






With my bag full of free knitting goodies and treats, I lugged them out to the car and headed home.

Felted Loopy Tote Bag

I started the felted loopy purse for Lisa. This is the first time felting a project.

Hearts Washcloth

I finished the hearts washcloth. The varigated yarn doesn't let the heart show thru as much as with a solid color, but I like it anyway. This is the first project that I've completed where I didn't have a single error!!! WOOOOO HOOOO!

Love Stinks Voo Doo Doll

Look what was waiting for me at work today! A cutie pie Love Stinks voo doo doll. I think you could easily modify the design for your knit-loving friends next year.

Poncho at knit n batch

I attended a Knit n B*tch last night. My fellow addict was knitting this poncho. The pattern is stunning, but yet appears quite easy. http://www.magknits.com/chilly04/patterns/frida.htm Check it out.

Washcloth

Happy Valentine's Day!

I knitted my first washcloth and it is so addicting. I finished it in under one hour. Brag here:


I am working on my second one:


I will wrap them around hand-made soap and give them to my friend for her birthday. Today, Valentine's Day, is her birthday. She was upset because she doesn't have a man to share it with her and that she is usually on a beach or ship somewhere at this time. I told her to hop a plane, go to South Beach, and cry her eyes out there instead of here in 40 below zero weather. And that is exactly what she did!! YOU GO GIRL! yeah!

I also captured the cool fish bowl full of birthday wishes to me and my dear son. Birthday cards flank it on our mantel. How cool is this?

Blessed with Friends

Last week was my 41st birthday. I had small amounts of large fanfare with dinner, drinks, and dancing several times throughout the week and weekend. I was spoiled rotten. Other than the incredible amounts of food and drink purchased for me from the best friends in the world, two much-needed/desired gifts were given: a nice coffee pot from sweetest mom and a gift certficate to a great LYS from my enabler gf to Depth of Field. This store is housed in an old building that smells so great--like my GG's old apartment. It has creaking wooden floorboards and the feel of total comfort. The other gifts I received were also soooo me--lots of spa and beauty and pampering products, CDs, wine (of course), and a fantastic J. Jill scarf. I am so greatly blessed to have my fabulous family and friends!! xoxo! Another enabler said that she was working on a project for me. I hope it is a knitted item....



I also held a spa party for my girlfriends by The Body Shop At Home. It was a great time and I highly recommend it.



One highlight of the parties was a fishbowl full of birthday wishes for me and my sweetest son. My friends held a dinner for us at a hibatchi and sushi restaurant, Wasabi. My son's birthday is Groundhog's Day and his favorite food is octopus. My friends wrote wishes on pieces of paper and then folded them into origami fish. I have a great idea: I think I will string them into a mobile to remind me of how lucky I am!! In Chinese culture, the fish is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Altho I am poor in finances, I feel that I am wealthy in friends.

Winter Blah Busting Buddy

Since Katie added me as her friend on Ravelry, I am guessing she received her Cocoa Swap package, so I am going to post a picture of my Mood Busting Buddy that I made for her. Since I am new to knitting, the twists and turns and triple lutzes needed to create legs n ears n stuff intimidated me, so I used a ball pattern and created an octopus. I put some hair on her, added shells and other sea creatures. I also used cocktail toothpicks as knitting needles and had her start on a sweater. :) I am proud of her!

Needing A Winter Buster Buddy

Topic of the Week #4

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

I traveled by myself through Europe for 3.5 weeks in 2004. I stayed with several friends, but for the most part I traveled alone. The language barrier, the difficulty in finding a place that sells food in the middle of the afternoon(!), buying clothes, dancing with men who don’t speak English, navigating public transportation, hiking, driving, racing to my plane, learning how sheep cheese is made, being in awe of churches and architecture and food and wine and the wonderful people. It was the most liberating feeling. After that trip I knew that I was capable of doing anything. The word obstacle was erased from my vocabulary.