Serenity Garden

Not in a long while...

2007-04-28T09:49:00.000-05:00

I know, I know. Not much happening here in the last few weeks or months for that matter. Life interrupts again but what would life be without these interruptions? Anyway, I have not had the time to knit much at all (read none). But I wanted to share there love goodies that my dear Knitty SP8 SP (The Garden Gnome or Gnomey and I call her) sent to me in the 2nd package. Insert an little embarrassed emoticon here because we are at the end of the round and any day now the final package should be arriving and I am not only getting to gush about package 2. Many apologies Gnomey!

Here are all the goodies she very caringly sent to me: (the chocolate is missing because I ate it in the car while driving on one of my many recent road trips! Yum!)

1. Tofutsies sock yarn! Love it!
2. Sweater soap - awesome because I do not have any
3. a little felted mouse - not in the picture because the kitties have taken to it and I could not find it to include in the picture.
4. Cotton washcloth in the most gorgeous stitch!
5. Aloe Vera Soap, hand lotion and a little round of another soap inside the washcloth. Very clever!
6. Another magic loop tutorial.
7. And my favorite...a little note with a picture of my SP in her Gnomey hat. That cracked me up no end!

Thanks again for a wonderful surprise!

Nope, not dead...and I have presents!

2007-02-27T22:22:00.000-05:00

It has been a l.o.n.g time since I posted. Life is hectic with new things, more recently business ventures that took me in a direction I didn't expect just yet. I guess life is like that. But it is a good thing :)

SPeaking of good things, I joined Knittyboard's SP8 and am blown have such lovely SPs, both upstream and downstream. My upstream SP is amazing....just look what came in the mail recently! I'm very spoiled and grateful. I call her Gnomey as she has designated herself as The Garden Gnome of the Serenity Garden blog. She likes it! Check it out! (Yes, I mean every one of these !!!!!s) Click to make larger.

Lovely note from my SP detailing the spoils within
Elbac pattern from Knitty...I live reversible patterns and I had this one earmarked.
Free Sock pattern from the recent IK...(free on their site)
zip lock bags for my yarn...smart because my critters love string things, so I protect all from paws and hair...I'm a bit OCD about it.
Yarn bras! Must support the balls! (that does not sound right...)
Tip protectors! (I've learned my lesson in the line above, so I'm not going there with these...)
Nail file from her LYS with yarn background...don't you hate it when you have that little chip in your nail that manages to snag everything like your neat and tidy stitches? Yeah, me too. I've tucked this immediately in my knitting bag. Genious!
Inox Express l.o.n.g. circulars to do Magic Loop! I am over ready to tame this technique!
Do you see the yarny goodness attached to my needles?! *pant, pant, pant* It is AMAZING, SINFULLY SOFT, THE PERFECT COLOR...graduated reds...deep rich reds! *gasp* Opal Gems, 2 skeins....I promtly told her I give her permission to got get some for herself it is that yummy!
Speaking of yummy...what you are not seeing in the picture is the Mexican Hot Chocolate (has cinnamon in it) she sent along. It has been cold here and this has been keeping me warm. There was also a packet of another chocolate but I think I prepared it wrong.
Can you see that instruction sheet behind the presents? SHE MADE ME MAGIC LOOP INSTRUCTIONS HERSELF...OF HER OWN HANDS! Tell me I do not have the best SP, I dare you. And, sent me the started ML swatch (that's the loveliness attached to my new needles)
Best of all, she sent herself. A little Gnomey to sit with me while I knit and silently root me on through the ML.

Thank you SP. You have done so well and I appreciate all the effort and thoughtfulness. I really do :) I think SP really means Special Pal.

End Rant...Let's start fresh, eh?

2006-12-04T00:57:00.000-05:00

Okay, I think I have successfully exercised the bad freecycle voodoo out of my system enough that I can snap back and move on...to this. It is the beginning of Tater's Cardi by Marie Grace Smith and is a free pattern on The Garter Belt site.

I had put aside this Plymouth Stone Cotton in bright red for something for my niece and considered a few patterns finally settling on this one. I'm hoping she'll wear it for the upcoming holidays and for knock around days when my sister dresses her in her little jeans with the tartan-colored trim at the cuffs.

I am hoping to have this done by the end of the week and also settle on what yarn to use to make Fantine, a French Girl pattern that I purchased from Yarntopia (you know, Amylovie's and Sheryl's great LYS in TX). I want to make three in total. Me, mom (I'm thinking alpaca), and my sister.

I have to put the finishing touches on my nephew's scarf from last year. Yes, bad aunt had a few finishing issues last year so he'll get it this year. He'll get a matching hat and maybe a rolled neck sweater if I can find a semi bulky pattern that can go rather quickly. I may also knit my niece a hat and scarf set also.

Yes, I am nuts. But two of the little ones that I knit for are moving to Dallas from PA. Do they really need scarves? Maybe some Knitpicks Crayon (cotton) scarves would be better. I'll have to ask and then ship after they get settled in TX. The other, other little ones I knit for live in FL. I'm cursed with warm weather friends. Good thing I live in a cold, damp, 8-months-a year snow belt and can appreciate a warmer weather vacation every now and then ;)

I do complain about the weather, but look where I drove around all day on Wednesday...I'll be doing more lake hoping with a friend this wednesday, weather permitting. I will find my little slice of heaven yet. I'll post more progress on Tater tomorrow.

The Not-So-Warm-and-Fuzzy of Freecycle

2006-12-03T21:47:00.000-05:00

I have been on freecycle for months hoping someone would post this very type of computer desk, an armoire style that closes into a cabinet. So yesterday, there it was and only 10 miles from me. I emailed my interest and the owner sent me the dimensions and seemed like all was set. I sent her one final email telling her when I'd be there. I get home and there is an email saying is has been taken. TAKEN! So, I basically have to call back 3 friends who set aside time to help me with this (the owner knew this) and I gave my other desk away this morning to make room. What is wrong with people??? So, here I sit with my computer sprawled on my kitchen table because I no longer have a desk.

/rant

Baby Bolero and booties - FO

2006-12-02T11:07:00.000-05:00

I've been back home for a while, but busy with other things to post about knitting. This will be a short post and this weekend is designated to cleaning and reorganising. I'll have more soon.

I'll borrow an FO post format from Laura, so here goes:

Pattern: Baby Bolero from One Skein
Yarn Specs: Mission Falls 1834 Cotton in Maize #209, 100% Cotton, 85yds, 50g skein - I used about 1.5 skeins. Machine Wash & Tumble Dry on Low.
Gauge: I was just off, but the recipient baby is already 2 months old and and growing like a weed. So, I was not ultra concerned about the gauge being a hair off.
Needles: Addi Turbo circs US8 and US9 various lengths. Bamboo was too grabby and made my hands ache.
Size: Only one size given for the pattern and I followed it. Should fit 0-3mos.
Model: Top of my washer.
Things I learned: How to pick up stitches, how to seam properly from Theresa via her wonderful instructions on Knitty. (scroll to the bottom to see all the tutorials)
Comment: Okay, you can laugh. This was challenging and frustrating because I fumbled and had to wait for a friend or two to give me the nod that I was doing it correctly. Such a tiny thing was taking FOREVER. Sheesh! But it got done and I have another in the works but this time I want to do the sleeves in the round. Overall, it came out rather cute and not too terrible for a first sweater-type item. Nothing very wonky, but perhaps that's because the nubby quality of the yarn can hide a multitude of sins. The next will be a non-knubby type yarn.

Pattern: Dreambaby Booties - free online pattern from Fabulous Yarns.
Yarn Specs: Same as above.
Gauge: 3-4 stitches per in in garter.
Needles: Clover bamboo circs US 7 - grabby was good here.
Size: 0-9 months
Model: Same washer.
Things I learned: Having faith that this was actually going to successfully form a bootie. But it did!
Comments: I modified the pattern slightly, by accident really. So, on the 2nd one I tried to follow the original oops and, well, you guessed it, opps again only slightly differently. My solution? Knit a 3rd and match a pair that was the same (stop snickering, Beannie). It was frustrating but I had to laugh at myself *snort*. I will get around to knitting a 4th in the hopes of making a match to the now orphan. One day, I promise.

Be back after...

2006-11-21T12:57:00.000-05:00

...the Thanksgiving holiday!

Enjoy your and remember to knit :)

Figures it would end this way...

2006-11-17T02:16:00.000-05:00

No knitting to show for today but I will post it once it is blocked and lovely. Promise. For now I'll leave you with the Amazing Death Predictor that I saw on Kathy's blog. It will go like this:

At age 75 a group of children will text message you continuously for three years, eventually distracting you while driving and causing a fatal wreck; your fatal wreck.

...I'm cancelling my cell phone so they can't get through! :P

When I was more specific with my info, I got this:

At age 77 you will start sleeping more and more. After six months of this you will be sleeping 19 hours a day. By month seven, you do not wake up anymore. You cease breathing during month nine.

I was amused so I continued to hit PREDICT! and got:

At age 46 a large monkey will beat you to death, using the antiquated art of fisticuffs.

Don't get any ideas, Ms. Rodent. I know how your mind works.

At age 91 you will die from wounds delivered by a blender after trying to make your sixteenth magarita of the day. (And it's on 3:00pm, shame on you!)

At age 45 a tiger will maul you. Don't ask why, but you will be in a Burmese jungle.

So I'm thinking Burma is off the vacation list.

At age 57 you will die while partaking in a particularly intense meditation session.

Well, they say everything in moderate, right?

Almost there...

2006-11-13T02:04:00.000-05:00

So, I have attempted many types of knits only to get stuck and not be able to work through it without the help of an actual person. LYSs are too far and my schedule just didn't allow for it. Now I had the help pf two friends and things are coming together. I wanted to take a little something for a friend's new baby. I started something and stopped. Then came across the sweetest little pattern in the One Skein book. Baby Bolero. Here it is, needing some finishing work that should get done tomorrow evening. I'll post details when it is all done.

What became of your first FO?

2006-11-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

That was the question seen on the Knitty board. I still have mine. A 2x2 rib scarf made with Debbie Bliss alpaca silk in teal with an eyelash yarn...because I wanted 1 fuzzy scarf. Friends call it my snufalopagous scarf and I love the feel and warmth of it. Keeps the cold winter wind and chill off my neck and chest. The colors are gorgeous and not as drab as the pics portray. I am at the mercy of my finicky camera.

So, maybe the Universe is not quite so bad afterall...

2006-11-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

A friend called me this Thursday evening and as we chatted about different topics, it became clear to me that the funk I had been feeling all day was a little worse than I thought. I've been dealing with a few things, mostly health and $$. I'll admit that there are days where staying positive is a chore, but I do try to keep things light and happy. Not always successful. Not on Thursday night, certainly. I choked on my words a few times and my friend was helpful in trying to be supportive.
I told her of an important appointment that I was only able to get in early December. I explained to the appointment lady that I would make myself available if she had any cancellations. They are rare. In any case, my friend and I closed the conversation with her suggestion. Go to bed and meditate on quieting my mind and let the powers that be know that I would love to get a call moving my appointment up.

I did just that and woke up leaving most of yesterday's funk on the pillow. It was about 11 when I got morning's chores and calls completed and I hoped in the shower. Through the shower water and the closed bathroom door I heard the familiar sound of my cell phone vibrating. Yes, I'm one of those...a vibrator, so sue me. It comes from being in classes 6 days a week for 4 years and not wanting the phone to ring in the middle of lecture and getting the look.
Anyway, it was the appointment lady asking if I could fill a cancellation for next week! (insert little bug-eyed smiley here). Yes! Definitely! And thanked her no end. I jumped in the shower feeling so jubilant. Finally, the universe cutting me a break. I'll take it.

I headed up to campus to check my mail box and bumped into an ex-professor of mine. I filled him in on the appointment thing and chuckled. I went back to his office and he showed me a DVD he wanted me to watch and promptly leant it to me. It is something I had wanted to see for a while and it was so appropriate to things going on with me lately.

I finally got home and focused on the mailbox contents. How did I miss this? There was a good-sized envelope with an address and name I didn't recognize. I sat a comfy chair and tucked my legs under me. Yes, bad posture. *slaps her own hand* I opened the packed still not understanding who, what, why. Examining the wrapped contents, a dreaded feeling washed over me. OMG! Did I join an SP round and FORGET?! OMG! Did I flake on someone?! I was panicked at the thought of potentially making another person feel icky and flaked upon. Then there was the note with the best handwriting I've seen in a while. It said TESORO. I opened it and nearly cried.

A RAK! A RAK from the lovely Carrieknits all the way from California! So many lovely things. I was practicall yteary-eyed as I opened each one. Yes, I'm enjoying hormonal moments lately too. Wonderful. Isn't life grand? Not Wanna see inside? Me took, let's...

Carrie wrote me a sweet note on a pretty card and sent me more of the same blank plus others she picked up at an art museum in Oregon. Next were two movies - Girl With A Pearl Earring and The Business of Strangers. Awesome! Movie night! Them there was a pretty green sport weight alpaca yarn. A.L.P.A.C.A...*sigh* Then Carrie sent me some Chasing Rainbows mohair boucle in grays, blues and plum with a note tucked inside for a suggestion of a 3x2 rib scarf. My first boucle! I'll have to see if there is enough for a skinny scarf. And lastly is a ball of Lorna's Laces yarn she had leftover from making One Skein's cable footies (I have that book). My first Lorna's Laces! Enough to make a sweet baby hat in prescious muted colors of blue, plum and rose. The Boo wrapping paper contained yummy chocolate treats that help ease my funk away. No picture of the chocolate...I ate it while unwrapping the other goodies. I'm not dumb! :D
Thank you, Carrie, for your tremendous and timely generosity!
Maybe the Universe isn't so bad afterall? *smile*

Shoe Pr0n...Dansko on parade....and cheap!

2006-11-04T12:32:00.000-05:00

I've known her for 18 years. We celebrated my 21st birthday together and she was one of my first official roommates in college. Her daughter's middle name is a version of mine, in my honor. We wanted to live closer to each other FOREVER but I was in NY and she in CO. Then she came to PA and it was only 6 hours away. We were thrilled. That was 2.5 years ago and now she is moving to Dallas where hubby found his dream job and I'm so happy for them. She knows that I will visit yearly at least. But why, oh why did she not mention that the ONLY DANSKO OUTLET was only 15 minutes from her PA home? They sell half off their retail price. I just found this out 2 weeks ago. I could have been hoarding shoes for 2.5 years! Oh, and I am a champion shoe hoarder. Blue ribbon and everything. I get it from my mom. Not purses though. I don't hoard purses. They just don't get me all giddy.

When I moved to the beautiful Finger Lakes region in Upstate NY over 4 years ago, my friends helped me load the moving truck. I can still hear my friend Anthony in my memory to this day. He carried out a dresser drawer. While walking he looked down in the drawer at the contents and exclaimed, "How the @#$% many black shoes do you have?!!!!" "Wha?!" I replied. "They are all different for different outfits...etc." This from a guy that had exactly one pair of brown shoes, one black and a pair sneakers. That's it. No way could he have understood the difference between flats and heels, smooth leather and suede, casual and dressy. Forget wrapping his brain around boots. The bottom of his bachelor closet was pathetic. Thank goodness he is married now and his lovely wife has remedied his lack of shoe choices. Don't get me wrong. I don't have tons of frivolous shoes, but I do hoard when shoes that I like and are good for me are on sale. SO I decided to invest some grad gift $$ on shoes that I could wear for years.
On to the SHOE PRON...woot!

Front row: Brown oiled box clog, Black oiled box clog. Each were $60.
Back row: Olivey-tan shoe $45, Dress pump in black leather and a deep rich gorgeous red/wine. Each $68.

If you are not nearby, you can also buy throught www.danskooutlet.com. They have a few more styles at the store, than listed online. But, as these are factory seconds, the best to do is make a special trip, try them on and hoard away. Go ahead. I give you permission. ;)

My So Called Scarf...the instructions

2006-11-02T16:44:00.000-05:00

This is NOT my pattern. It can be found here: http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000079.html

But I have made a few and folks who are confused with the stitches often ask me to help so here goes...
In this example, I am only casting on 10 stitches (via longtail cast-on) just to show you how this goes.
So go ahead and cast-on. I’ll wait... Oh yeah, click the pictures to make them bigger.

Row 1
Knit the 1st stitch. (Call this stitch 1)
Slip the next stitch from the left-hand needle to the right as if you were purling and leave it there. (Call this stitch 2)

Knit the next stitch. (Call this stitch 3)

Take your left-hand needle (LHN) and from the front put it through stitch 2.

Now take your working yarn from the back and loop it over the right-hand needle (RHN) counter clockwise.

Okay, now take your LHN that is resting under stitch 2 and lift stitch 2 up and over stitch 3 and the yarn you just looped over the RHN.

Now drop it.

Should have 3 stitches on the RHN now, yes? I know its a lot of words but once you do it you’ll understand what I describing.

Let's repeat this sequence with the next stitches...
slip stitch 4 purl wise, knit stitch 5, stick you LHN under stitch 4 from the front, loop your yarn around your RHN, lift stitch 4 up and over stitch 5 and the looped yarn and drop. Now you’ve done this stitch process twice. Keep going until you are at the last stitch on the left-hand needle and knit it. You'll notice that the stitches bunch together in 2s. That's what it is supposed to look like:

You have completed row 1, so flip your work and let’s tackle row 2.

ROW 2
Bring your yarn to the front because we are purling. Purl two stitches together by slipping your RHN under stitches 1 and 2 on the LHN.

BEFORE you drop the stitches, I want you to poke your RHN between stitches 1 and 2 so that you can purl stitch 1 again.

Now drop the stitches. Still with me? If yes, you now know how to knit the entire purl row. It is exactly the same all the way across. So when you are done with row 2, flip your work and tackle row 3, which is the exact same as row 1. Then you get this...the lovely cross-hatch, herringbone-like pattern!

That’s all there is to it. Easy, once you are not confused by the stitches. I wish I could make a little video for you, but I’m not that equipped. Let me know how you do :)

I'm back!

2006-11-02T16:43:00.000-05:00

More on this later...have to answer a few burning questions first...see next post above.

On a delay...

2006-10-12T16:23:00.000-05:00

So. Here I sit. Sitting and waiting for it to be 2pm. Why you ask? Small but annoying car issue delay and because I am not fond of NYC traffic or the way it spills over and on to LI roads fo hours before and after rush hour. 495/LIE to be exact. I don't miss traffic. Life is so much better without it.

Gah! *taps fingers and looks around for the 10th time to make sure apt is clean and orderly before departure*

On a happy note, I decided to pack some knitting to do at night after a long day. My Petal Bib and Baby Bolero from the One Skein book.
And I think I will try my hand at *gulp* Clapotis again. I have some lovely Malabrigo Boutone in the Cuatro colorway of mostly browns, golds, purples, wines and greens. Lovely.

Handpaintedyarns also has a yarn with my sister's name and I recently found an old novel in a used bookstore for $1 with her name as the title. Maybe I'll send her an "It's all about you!" package in the mail with a Clapotis and the book. Not that I think this will bury the hatchet in anyway but... *sigh*

Moving on...maybe I can do the same for my mother. I already know Vittadini discontinued a yarn with my name, mispelled slightly but that is a commom occurance with my name. Only 1 "L" kids! Sheesh..is it really that difficult? *sigh* Annnnnyway, I am (my yarn) described as "a scrumptious merino/cashmere that gives good stitch def and really makes the cables POP." Hehehe. I thinkI'm on to the perfect holiday presents for us three...books with our name as the title and a Clapotis made with same name. Thoughts? Go ahead, you know you want to ;P

More later...time to drive.

Serenity Garden

2006-10-12T16:22:00.000-05:00

On a delay...

2006-10-12T15:09:00.000-05:00

I thinkI'm on to the perfect holiday presents for us three...books with our name as the title and a Clapotis made with same name. Thoughts? Go ahead, you know you want to ;P

More later...time to drive.

test post

2006-10-10T18:51:00.000-05:00

just trying out a few things...

So far so good...

2006-10-10T05:01:00.000-05:00

with the cedar litter, that is. I think I may possibly have found a solution. I just put a more plush rug remnant down after the outdoor mat thingy. This seems to catch almost all of the cedar so vacuuming has decreased. I'll be out of town for conferences, so we'll see how the kitties do with the tracking. Cross your fingers. I'll report on it when I get back at the end of the month.

The litter experiment...can you do better?

2006-10-05T17:24:00.000-05:00

So. Yes, I am going to vent, complain, kvetch (sp?), and generally roll my eyes while I type about litter. Litter. I had to say it again. * sigh *

The problem: tracking - all the time, everywhere. I hate scooping too, but that's another issue. TRACKING is the monkey on my back.

Solutions I have tried:
1. Covered top on the litter pan
2. Remnant rug under the covered litter pan so they step on that when entering/exiting
3. Special cat litter mat (think outdoor mat with those plastic finger-like projections) on the remnant rug, etc.
4. Clay litter with larger granules (all brands)
5. Clay litter with smaller granules (all brands)
6. Scoopable (every imaginable brand, old version, new and improved, etc.)
7. Crystal absorbent pearl-like stuff
8. Feline Pine – weird odor and yup, tracks
9. Cedar – light weight and cheap, but the worst tracing of all
10. YOUR SUGGESTION HERE

I spend WAY too much time vacuuming and this issue makes me nutty.

Help?! Yes there are bigger problems in the world. But, but, but...*sigh*

...and no I’m not giving them away and they must be indoor cats...too many strays out there, busy neighborhood, have always been indoor cats, nasty evil neighborhood cat is not allowed to terrorize my kitties.

Back to the Fair and step on it!

2006-09-18T12:45:00.000-05:00

Another friend wanted to go to the fair and twisted (not) my arm. Weeee! This was a chance for me to pick up missed business cards, see things I missed during yesterday’s sensory overload and chat with more folks.

I followed along while today’s friend and fiber enthusiast wandered through the vending barns. We stopped at Just My Yarn to see the Turnstyles spindles a friend purchased yesterday. Dianne was just as great and patient with today’s friend and soon she was coming home with two Turnstyles spindles. I have my mind set on getting one as soon as I can afford to...I'm now a huge fan :)

In an attempt to get yesterday’s friend a few things she missed, I got into a conversation with the super friendly and helpful owner of Golden Oak Alpaca Farm. I believe her name was Barb Green. See yesterdays’ post to about needle felting we did at their booth. Fun! In chatting we came to find out we both know the same person. She promptly invited us to their open house in October and to participate in their “name the alpaca” contest. I’m SO there!

Also met the absolutely fabulous owner, Elizabeth McLelland of Yorkshire Meadows, a shop in Mansfield, PA. We chatted and she taught me a simple way to do I-cord. I thought it was this terrible thing that everyone hated and took forever.

And there was Dianna of Hand Crafted Heirlooms, also in PA, who had a gorgeous silk wool stole in mahogany tones that I wish, wish, wish I could have taken home with me. It wanted to, but the wallet was not willing. Some day...

One defining moment came when I took my friend into the smaller building to show her the silk worms. She wasn’t into it but when we turned around, something caught my eye. There were three spinners working on wheels and one woman had the exact same roving braid on her lap that I bought yesterday. Great! Now is my chance to see what this will look like spun up in the hands of someone more expert than I. The ladies were all helping at the fair and were part of the Genesee Valley Guild. They talked about their spinning and their experiences, preferences of wheels and even gave me a good place to search out a less expensive option. See, they knew that I was destined to spin. One of the ladies named pat let us pet her handspun, hand knit, cashmere capelet. I said cashmere...need i say more. It melted in my hand. She told me that we were destined to meet and I agree. I love the universe...*sigh*
It was a great weekend and I’m so glad that I had the chance to spend time with my friends and share the fair.

Fiber frolic! Finger Lakes Fiber Festival 2006

2006-09-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

I have wanted to go for AGES. Studies now complete and it was time to have a bit of well-deserved fun so off a friend and I went to the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival in Hemlock, NY. It was an easy drive and only took a little over an hour. We both vowed that we would not enable each other (yeah right). But soon we were breaking into our stowed away money that the other did not realize we brought. It was officially on! This is photo intensive so hang in there!

First, we hit this lovely vendor who I can't recall the name of (have to let you know in another post. I would recommend them...so friendly! My friend bought a gorgeous fleece determined to learn to spin today. She's a knitting goddess so I'm confident she did not waste $$. Having never spun anything, I thought I would just head home with three little bags of very sheepy fleece in lovely variegated shades. I wonder if carding this with the cat's brush will work. Yes? We will see. I managed to not pick up any wool wash the entire day. Brilliant...I can still feel the lanolin on my fingertips.

We passed or more correctly this passed us on the way into one of the big tents to see the llama and the great folks who took the time to chat with us about llama wool, guard hair, etc. It's true, guard hair content is very much dependent on the animal. Some had almost none were others had more than I cared for. I tried to collect business cards and names along the way, but I think a few were misplaced. Sorry!

We made our way to the Oak Meadow Alpaca Farm and I bought this from owner Nancy... lovely puff of alpaca roving. SO soft! I had to go back and get a baggie of it to try. Spinning is starting to call to me, scream actually.

An then there was the lovely green scarf at Winterhaven Fiber Farm called a Nuno scarf. I'm not mush of a wrap person, but this I just could not ignore. (scarf on left) The owner, Jenny, was a just a fantastic gal. Chatted with us about spinning, felted flower making, etc. I had my heart set on making a few of the scarves so I cam away with the instructions plus some pretty rovings and some flashy stuff to add in to jazz it up a bit. All I have to get is the silk backing material which I have at home. I have to remember to email her to order the green fiber to make the green scarf. Must write a note....

Next we moved on to the fabulous gals at Just Our Yarn, Diane and Cathie. They have amazing cashmere yarn spun so finely and in such defined colors. It made me wish I were a better knitter. Some day... they also sold the most beautiful drop spindles made by Bill Hardy of Turnstyles. These were by far my favorites of the show hands down. Diane was very patient and talked my friend and I threw all our questions and was a very patient and encouraging demonstrator/teacher. Here is my friend giving it a whorl...she bought one and couldn't peel the smile from her face. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Then across the way we went as the fine ladies at Gold Oak Farm waved us over to try out needle felting. I can't tell you how fun and cathartic it was to stab that little needle into the roving. And soon we had something, well, my friend did at least. Mine is on the right (laugh) Can I help it if the kids at the table used all the cool colors and imagination?

With out new found love of spinning and needle felting off we went in search of fiber and found Steam Valley Fiber Farm and it's amazing owner, Phylleri.. She had the most amazing display of fiber and sweet little goats (I think goats, at least) I asked her if she minded me taking a pic of her stuff and she gave a big smile and the okay so feast your eyes. Keep in mind that there is a second side to that yarn rack. The colors were amazing. The booth was beautiful.

Needing water badly, we headed to the food vendors and saw sheep shearing.

After water and a snack, we sidetracked and entered a smaller building. Inside we found a fantastic display of any and everything you ever wanted to know about silk and silk worms. Here you can see the owner keeping the water hot as the fine filaments from 10 silk cocoons were gently wound around a wheel. Look closely to see the fine filaments. She also had live worms munching on mulberry leaves. The worms were so soft to pet too. Then I tried my hand at bobbin weaving with the ladies of the Genesee Valley Guild. Fun! i love being exposed to new things.

Next and final was the main and largest barn. Here I got in a little more trouble because I found Joan Berner and Cloverleaf Farms. Her color sense and colorways were reasonably priced and WOW! They were my favorite of the show....I loved the combinations. I have been dreading the coming of winter because it lasts SO long here and the sky is persistently overcast. Doom and gloom. It is the price you pay for living here in the gorgeous lake region. But I seem to find my mood changing enough to welcome autumn and it palette of colors. With that in mind I bought these two colorways. The first is a merino superwash and the braid is a merino silk blend. I had to lighten the first pic to show the colors of the darker superwash. The second pic represents the truer colors of the silk merino blend.

Further in the main barn we found Golding. Their display of gold-ringed spindles, zodiac spindles, amazing looms and a spinning wheel and chair were so finely done. A true craftsman and a nice guy to chat with as well. I have my eye on a spindle from these folks for the future. Any picture that I could manage would not do his work justice. Thankfully he is easy to find on the web and I encourage you to go browse.

I also came across other lovely folks like Lisa Ann who owns The Spinners Hill Shop. Lisa was so nice and tried to locate some silk/wool blend roving. Fortunately for her she was practically cleaned out. Rats! She was so accommodating and told me to email her about colorways she be happy to make for me. *smile*

There were also the kind folks at Ancient Textiles. Their booth was chock full of ikat clothing and textiles. They allowed me to take a pic if a gorgeous sweater but the owner was quick to point out that it was the work of a well known designer whose name I promptly forgot. So, I feel bad about posting the pic until I can identify the talented designer.

Maggie's Farm was there too and we had a chance to chat with the friendly owner about spinning and other fiber loving things. The hook rug and wheels both displayed at a nearby booth were a great final thing to see as we exited the show. Yes, I want to learn about this too...and weaving as i found myself VERY drawn to woven scarves and such all day. That goes on my wish list. Now, if I could just find that rich Vet I can marry and help me take care if the herd I want! Yes, I like to dream...

Ahh, fiber fest virgin no more. The day was good. Life is better :)

Goings on

2006-09-08T14:45:00.000-05:00

I woke up early this morning (3AM) to a huge commotion. Seems that the hated neighborhood cat hopped up on the bay window bump out just below my AC and began hissing and growling. There was a scuffle and a crash which sounded like it was directly next to me in bed. My two cats were terrified/curious huddled next to me and peering out from under the sheets while wimpering. Next thing I hear is desperate scratching, clawing and a few thuds at the livingroom window just a few feet from the bedroom. I tend to leave the windows cracked open a bit at the top to let air in for the warmer weather. Naturally, this hated neighborhood cat was trying to get in! I ran to the window to shut it and he jumped right up at me. I thought he'd break right through the screen. I love all animals, but this cat is just mean. I had to warn my new neighbors not to leave their caged cockatiel outside on the porch unattended because of this tyrant. I won't be sad to see him go...vicious little fur ball *grumbles*

Well wfter that little adventure, I managed to wake up all stiff and achy with my glands swollen and painful. I sneezed a few times yesterday so I knew something was happening. So, what's a gal to do? Chicken soup! Brewing as we speak. Hope it works ;)

Today was another home day. I managed to snag a friend's laptop for a week and so here I sit surfing the web and finally getting things done. So much to do now that the degrees are finished. God and the paperwork for licensing, credentialing, blah, blah, blah. Seems endless and what a s-l-o-w process. And the search for where to live still carries on. I have another month or so of travelling and attending this meeting and that conference and the other seminars. I love it but I'd really like to be closer to being settled. Have to remember to be nice to myself and breath. Doesn't help when a certificate program I want to take will be $500. * eyes roll*

On a brighter note, I made these stitch markers for Karen (cooknknit) for a swap. The camera was less bratty this morning so the pic is blurry but decent. New camera? I wish. Not yet. Not for a while. So if you have gotten aby from me and can take a better pic, by all means go ahead and send it to me. I'd love it :)

More surfing...

Back at it

2006-09-07T18:32:00.000-05:00

Sooooooooo, I have been away for a while (and couldn't recall my password!) Not much knitting occurred in the last 10 months and I've been wanting to get back to it badly. But, there just was no time to be had.

I've been slowly getting back to favorite crafty things including making beaded stitch markers. I've made some for friends and made others for trade. So far, I've only received glowing compliments. Here are examples of previous sets. I'm toying with selling them so I'd love to hear what you think especially if you have received any...love for you to share what you think :)

My appologies for the spaces and picture formatting. I just couldn't fight with Blogger any longer. *sigh*

Previous sets: Yes, sadly this is the same camera :( It is SO fickle! Can't afford a new one :(

Lost but not forgotten...SP gushing

2005-12-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

Serenity Garden

I had a perfectly lovely post about my non-Knitty SP and her final package and everything and poof, it's gone. What the heck? *sigh* I hate blogger some days.

Anyway, I have had a superfantastic non-Knitty SP from California. You'll have to peek back into the archieves and see the lovely things she (and the BF) found to send to me. Bucket loads of amazing things. I'm very fortunate to have had such lovely SPs :) This SP is a student like me and with the same time and deadline contraints that always seem to get in the way of knitting...imagine! Well, she is such a sweetie. She sent me my very first Addi Turbos! Yup, I love, love, love them. If that were not enough, she also sent along a buck of lovely dark chocolate....even organic! It was sinfully good. Thank you, Leina for all the very special and lovely things you picked out for me. I appreciate them all and especially your time and thoughts. :D

Yikers!

2005-12-05T18:28:00.000-05:00

Just came back from long drive #2 in as many weeks and am e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d. I got a message that I had a package in the mailroom and asked forit to be sent to our secuity office so I could get it after hours...so glad I did! There waiting for me after my 6 hours trip was dun-dun-daaaaaaaaaaaa...another hermetically sealed box. It could only be from my Canadian SP super duo of Strain & Strain (two aptly named individuals....see why under comments from package two). With quasi-fresh camera batteries and some changes to the settings *fingers crossed* I took this pictures of the goodies...while chewing on an Oh Henry!
Sandra and hubby are too sweet...look what they sent me...
1. Handmade spindle by the tape-tastic dude himself (at least I think so based on a comment my SP made in a previous communication). Who knew this guy was s otalented and handy? Yes, I have documented his triumps with the sticky-backed stuff but, but this is not even remotely adherent! LOL

2. Roving! Not sure of the type but ROVING! nonetheless. Wonderfully soft and mushy and I'm going to bring it to a friends who knows show to spin (I hope)....did I mentyion she sent along instructions AND more Udderly Smooth cream for my hands? She thinks of everything.

3. Now, I know that Canada is a fairly largish country but MY God! do they believe in hand soup....hand, the operative word. I recieved a GARGANTUAN bar of Scottish Violet and Sugar soap that I have to hold in two hands. You'd have to be a basketball player to be able to palm this thing. Guess the neighbors downstairs will have to get used to the crash! and resultant slippery slide of the slick soap as it ejects from my hand every morning at 6:30am. (Think if Julia Roberts and the snails at dinner in Pretty Woman) The soap is quite lovely, in fact. Thank you!

4. Byrspun US size 17 straight needles....awesome, I dont have this size! Woot!

5. Kroy sock yarn....2, one for each foot. Uncanny...I just commented that I liked the new Knitty sock patterns for the Winter 2005 edition. This comes in handy :)

6. Stitch markers! Happy pretty, colorful ones that make you just smile like this -----> :D

7. More free pattern flyers! Thanks, because I never have time to do this and now I have a bunch for my bindr I'm starting to put together.

8. Yarn kit of pretty purples! Interesting textured yarn, kind of a boucle but not. I'll have to think of something for this...hat and glovies for the baby niece (saw her this weekend againa dnshe's just a cutie...no, I am not biased....I swear!)

9. CANDY, CANDY, CANDY! Oh Henry, Reese's cups, lollipops, and tons for stuff. As usual, my fellow students thank you and my PMS alter ego does too!

10. Hot apple cider! SHe must have known I like it and sent more in this package...yummy on a cold night like tonight.

11. Note from my SP (the most special part of the gift). Sandra (and her hubby) has been such a great and fun SP. Thank you for all your lovely gifts, Customs-proof boxes and smiles. ANd special thanks to MaryMac for a great paring! Off to contemplate knitting....

IOUs

2005-11-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

I had a BUSY Thanksgiving. The drive back to the family Wednesday was a misery and I didn't get in until almost 4am. Drivers of the larger trucks were throwing themselves onto guardrails to decelerate in the hopes of not slamming into the stopped vehicles in front of them. Scary stuff especially since I was one of the stopped cars. Thankfully, I managed not to add myself to the 15 car pile up (thanks Dad for teaching me how to drive safely in bad weather when I was a teen). I kissed my mom hello when I finally got in and went straight to sleep. THe rest of the weekend was a blurr and I still need to recover from it. So much for a relaxing weekend. *sigh*

Never did get a chance to koolaid dye with the kiddies. Oh well, best laid plans and all that. I did only a small amount of knitting and managed to take a picture of the stitch markers I made in trade who are on their way to their new owners. Hope you all like them! :)

That's all for now. I have to rest tonight and plan the cleaning, reorganization and rearrangement of my little home. It's driving me a wee bit batty and it needs to fast become a little sanctuary...ahh sanctuary *sigh*

Off to the post office and errands before heading back to "work". Knitting will be accomplished in the next few days and pictures will be included....just need to fiddle with this camera a bit to get it to focus correctly.

Sunday KNIT IN!

2005-11-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

Okay, this an open invite all day knitting day right from your own cozy chair. The point? Get those WIPs into FOs and enjoy knitting with others. Here is a little car clicker cozy I am making for a friend. Hope to see a few pictures of your WIPs and FOs posted to your blogs too. Be back later with more updates!

All quiet....

2005-11-07T23:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it will be quiet here at the ranch for a bit while I dig my heels in for the sake of education. All my concentration and focus will be directed toward a singular goal that will occur this weekend. I have waited a long time and it is final "go" time. Keep any and all fingers, appendages, etc., crossed and send good thoughts and vibes this Friday and Saturday.

I have promised myself an entire day of just resting and knitting...and I have enlisted a few accomplices to make sure that's all I do. Ahhhh...wish it was Sunday already....

2005-10-26T09:09:00.001-05:00

and these...

2005-10-26T09:09:00.000-05:00

Borrowed a pair of pliers from a friend after mine went missing mysteriously from the hall closet. So off these go in trade to their new owner in trade for some mags. I hope she likes them....22 in all....that'll keep her going for a long while. Hope you like them, Barb!

My So Called Scarf....an FO!

2005-10-09T14:19:00.000-05:00

I always liked this pattern and although I had the wrong needles (grabby bamboo) and only one ball of the yarn, I think it came out great. I love the Treandsetter Dune and would love to used more of it in the future if I ever see it on sale and I'm no longer grad school poor...I'm thinking in 3 plus years or so? lol Enjoy!

Safe SEX....a yarn story

2005-10-08T19:04:00.000-05:00

Is it possible to love your Knitty SP and her husband? Answer is a resounding yes! This dynamic duo managed to send me an intriguing box in and out.

It all started when the wonderful mail lady handed me the box. I was SO excited because it was here and it was heavy! (insert greedy smile here). I no sooner get in the car with said box that I think to myself This must be what hell is like... You see, the box, much like the 1st was sealed very ummmm, completely! It kind of had the "vacuum-sealed" feeling to it, you know, dense like a brick of coffee and no prayer of getting it opened fast.

So I bit my lip for a moment and pulled the good ole car keys out of the ignition....yeah, you know what's coming...but wait, something is different about this box. Not only is it taped, it was first wrapped in plastic wrapping first! There was not a blessed place I could poke the key through. Seriously, drug dogs couldn't possibly deduce the contents....it was air tight, nay waterproof! (it was a rainy day)

By now I was completely resigned to getting this sucker open even if I had to resort to pinata busting methods...plenty of trees nearby, rope in the trunk and enough SP package angst that it would be a spectacle for sure! Needless to say I became rather deft at working the serrated edge of the car key until....ahhhhh, success!

WAIT! No, no, I take that back. Even though I managed to rip (read stretch the plastic wrap to beyond the manufacturer's recommendation) with a huff and a puff (and a few really bad words that would make a sailor blush) I finally birthed that box from its unyielding sheath.

And guess what? THE BOX WAS STILL TAPED! A silent scream escaped my throat...!#$@*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But then all was well...check out the loot!

1. A butt load of free patterns...lets say that again Free Patterns....sounds lovely together, yes?
2. A little woody dolly that I can either make into my board exam security dolly or a voodoo doll...especially handy if one of the test proctors tweaks me the wrong way on expensive test day (evil smile)
3. Tape measure...now this is so funny to me. each of my SPs has sent me one of these...what hint am I not getting, hmmm?
4. A fuzz buster sweater depiller thingy-do...excellent, excellent.
5. Unidentifiable pink do-dad-clippy thingies...I have no idea...what are they? lol
6. Stitch markers! Love the red ones, especially :)
7. Loofah/soap combo...now just this very morning I was having the toughest time getting up and going. I was in the middle of showering when I remembered my lovely Knitty SP sent me invigorating citrus bath stuff. I hoped out of the shower and rummaged around the gift box but no soap. Oh well, I'll just use the citrus lotion after I shower. But soap came today...and later I anm having my apartment (bath especially) swept for spying devices...that's uncanny! How did she know!
8. Yummy Hot Apple cider and Hot Chocolate...it dropped 30 degrees on friday so fall/winter has officially begun and I need warm drinks for my cockels (sp?...whatever).
9. Phantom chocolate...already devoured by classmates...they say thank you!
10. Cute postcard from my SP!
11. Mission falls cotton...yup, 5 count 'em. Lovely to make my niece something for Easter. She was not blessed with my uneven olive complexion thankfully *sigh*
11. Safe Sex yarn box....courtesy of her no-way-anyone's-getting-that-box-open-without-devine-intervention package wrapping fool of a hubby...we love him...lol

Mini update, tiny really...

2005-10-02T10:37:00.000-05:00

Life has been chaotic. Seems the end of summer/beginning of Fall is student unfriendly. Even my lovely SP (nonKnitty) wrote me recently about the demands of classes. I know this too well. Mine occur 6 days a week...and I get one to rest/clean then back to the "grind" I enjoy what I do, but yes, life is chaotic. No worries SP, I know you'll get the last gift out to me when you can. I myself am delayed with my nonKnitty downstream SP. I am waiting to hear from them before sending on the next box. We haven't chatted in a while and I want to make sure the address I have is still correct. She gets a little extra spoiling due to my delay.

On the knitting front, there have been a few posts on the Knitty board about the "My So Called Scarf" pattern and some really cute results. What the heck, I'll give it a try. Try 1 needs to be frogged and tried on larger needles. I do not have larger metal circs so that is on hold. I had forgotten about the gorgeous ball of Trendsetter Dune grass & sky colorway I picked up in August while out of town. Just one as the budget is in the redish zone so...that's another story just insert a HUGE Grad school sigh here.

ANYWAY, I grabbed the US13 clover bamboo circs ( I prefer to knit on circs even for flat) and gave Try 2 a go. Naturally the bamboo is the wrong choice for mohair but that's all I had. I knit (read struggled) here and there in class yesterday and managed to complete 10 inches. Yes, yes I am a slow knitter AND I have to look at what I am doing AND I'm a thrower. It's a wonder why I continue to knit...just kidding. Oddly, I function better when multitasking.

In other news, I hate Dell. More accurately, I hate the fact that Dell has done away with their deeper discounts just as I was decided on ordering a laptop. Honestly, the type I need to do the things i need to do is about $1200 - $1400. Dell used to run specials of $750 off $1400, etc. Well, they didn't hit their forcasted revenue for last quarter and have rethought their pricing. They are gambling that higher prices will = higher revenue for Dell. Time will tell, but for now I an SOL on a laptop. Here's a little WIP and yarn p0rn. Enjoy.

Lookie!

2005-09-08T14:08:00.000-05:00

This is the first package I received from my Canadian (yes, I know you are!) SP from Knitty's SP6. My SP had this in the mail the day after the matched member names were sent out! My SP and I have many other things in common and they have a great ability to know what I like and will make me smile. Though, i am very easy going and just love getting things in the mail. Since starting my degrees 6 hours or more away from family and friends, it is so much fun to get little care packages in the mail! I'm such a sucker for a thoughtful gift :)

Although my SP sent my package out in record speed, I was heading home to see family and take a short side trip to North Carolina and would miss getting the package till I returned. Turns out it took a little longer to get home. I was delayed in NC due to Hurricane Katrina moving north after ravaging the Gulf Coast. (My thoughts, prayers and whatever finalcial support I can send are with you folks). After arriving back to my family in NY, I decided to delay my return and spend a bit more time with my mother. I don't get to see her more than once every 3 months or so. Love student life. Thankfully, I have less than a year to go. I have not started the official countdown but I'm sure I will at some point soon.

Back to the lovely gift. I was able to FINALLY retrieve it from the mailroom on Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday. I sat in my car and pondered the box a moment. Do I have something to open this? I thought to myself. I turned it and flipped it over searching for a vulnerable spot, but none was found. Why you ask? Because it was hermetically sealed with clear packaging tape! The box had a thin but amazingly impenetrible sheath that encased every last bit of the cardboard container. Hope nothing requires air in there. Certainly nothing is getting in OR OUT! I'm sure my SP did this to ensure it got to me intact. Well it did, and it may have very well stayed intact if I didn't locate tools to get in. I looked around and found I ball point pen. I punctured the seal along the center seam. I then took my keys out of the ignition, and with the toothiest one I cound find on the key ring, proceeded to saw through the now perforated tape. Once the center seam was opened, I tried to pull the flaps open. Yeah, right. I tugged and pulled and the tape just stretched and stretched. Arrrrrrrrgh! Yup, you know it. I got the trusty pen and keys out again and with a little frustration and shear desire to see what was IN the box, I got that sucker open. Have to love MacGuyver moments...lol. And see what was IN the box?

Immediately, the bright and energetic colors did their job. I had been blue lately because of many things happening lately on a personal level as well as National so these colors cheered my up! The lovely silver organza lined basket held a bright orange bath scrubber, citris smelling lotion and salt scrub. I LOVE salt scrub, sugar scrub, you name it. It does wonders for my uber dry skin. Yes, this italian has dry skin. Blame my thyroid, I do. When your African Americam friends tell you, "Girl, your elbows are ashy!", you listen.

Next came the pretty irredescent/pealrized gift bag. Inside were secret things wrapped in baby pink tissue paper. The secret things were:

A small container of Udderly Smooth cream....my SP know me. Maybe my dry skin in legendary? No there's a thought!
A lovely decorative fish that made me laugh... have I mentioned I love Nemo?
A Friendship Crystal candle that contains a hidden crystal that revels itself after the candle is burned...okay, this is embarassing, but I sort of forgot to mail my payment to the eletric company and ...poof! Lights out. So, umm yeah I used the candle already...LOL
Tootsie Roll Lip Balm...ahhhhh, all the taste and none of the calories AND it means I can smell/taste chocolate ALL DAY...genius!
Small orange tote with sunny yellow trim....what a happy little bag! It's just perfect to tote arounf a small lace project or whatever. Love it!

Thank you wonderful SP! You and I are going to get along just fine ;)

I have to say that I have been VERY fortunate to have such lovely people gift me in these fun SPs I have participated in. Life is good :)

2005-08-21T22:59:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the blurriness...you know my camera woes at this point. See the little suitcase? :)

2005-08-21T22:58:00.000-05:00

Finally! Batteries in the camera AND it is working correctly....so drumroll for the lovely contents of my Knitty SP4 package from my not-so-annonymous SP, MissJulie! She sent two skeins of KPs Wool of the Andes in a darker rose color, "Mulled Wine". I have been curious about this yarn so I am thrilled to have some to try. Next is an adorable tape measure that she thought would go well with my favorite old French and Italian posters (see Le Chat Noire icon above right). The best part is the little pull tab is in the shape of a suitcase. (see picture 2 for a close up). Now Miss Julie makes stitch markers and has a kick butt tutorial on her blog. She was hesitant to send me a few during the SP for fear that I would figure out her identity so she sent a few in the final package. They currently reside on my WIP (Clapotis) which I sadly forgot in the car. But, just know that the markers are wonderful and I thank her for those. Wait, there's more...some pretty post it notes that are a fav design of hers and naturally a lovely note with a silhouette that I think resembles her (I hope she sees this comment as a compliment because it is!) Awesome job, Miss Julie. It was truly fun to be spoiled by you!

2005-08-10T23:40:00.000-05:00

May I present: Herring Red

2005-07-23T20:21:00.000-05:00

It wants to be a scarf for a friend's hubby, but doesn't quite know what pattern it wants to be...dilemma. Wish I knew colorwork...

Ummmm...no

2005-07-23T19:10:00.000-05:00

I was aiming for a deep, blood red but it came out a little too light. I'll head to the store in a bit to get more Koolaid and re-dye it later after it rests a bit. Last thing I need is felted yarn.

Gobsmacked...

2005-07-19T23:37:00.000-05:00

Yup, I said it. It's my word for today. I mean really, how the heck else can I describe the shear generosity of my SP from SP5 (non knitty).
*silence as I ponder and list all the goodies*...mind you some were shared and eaten immediately upon opening the box.
Let's start...
- the GINORMOUS skein of homespun. It's the size of my cat for goodness sake! I'm in love...ahhhh, cigarette please...
- 2 skeins of Paton's Classic Wool Merino in color 202. My SP knows I'm on the verge of Koolaid dying any day now. How correct she is. I love messy projects that yield pretty things :)
- 2 skeins of ArtYarns Supermerino in what can only be described as every color configuration. Divine....you also left a tag on it that says Commuknity...I'll hold off being a nosy snoop for a few days, but then all bets are off! LOL
- LATHER brand body wash in Yuzu scent I guess is the name. It's my SP's fav scent from this company and I can see why. Very pretty and subtle...perfect choice for me and I get to share one of your fav items with you...awesome!
- Chihuly Over Venice art postcards. One of my favorite art glass artists...you rock, SP!
- Chihuly at the V & A - 32 wonderful postcards....you DOUBLE rock, SP! I LOVE postcards becasue you can frame one or some and put them in small places or use in a pretty series. They will be PERFECT to decorate/personalize my office walls and make it into my own work sanctuary *sighs*
- Lanternmoon sheep tape measure - Now, how cool is it that my SP wrote in her note that her BF picked that out for me? Hug that man...NOW!
- CHOCOLATE!!!!! Not one, but 3 kinds. The FRAN box hide delicious wafer sticks dipped in chocolate...I shared this with my chocoholic "boss" on campus. We both sat in silence for a second and then the "mmmmmm" chorus started! My super SP also sent along Twix and Nestles Crunch in dark chocolate. *Swoons*
- A lovely note from my very special SP explaining my goodies and outing her BF as an SP shopping helper...again, hug this man.

SP, what can I say...You spoil me so and I LIKE it! LOL Thank you in every language!

Bad camera, bad camera!

2005-07-14T23:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry to my wonderful Knitty SP (who deserves extra gushes) for the delay (see why she deserves extra gushes!)in posting pictures of all the pretties they sent a few weeks back.
My cr*ppy digital camera did NOT want to cooperate. I had a friend take a peek at it and seems to be behaving better now. Okay, so this is what I got for my 2nd Knitty SP4 package:

- Araucania Nature Wool
- Some fizzy bath salts that my SP highly recommends (yay!)
- Some bath confetti (1st time I've seen this bath goody)
- A teal and plum sample of chenille
- The cutest little zen garden (LOVE IT!) for my desk,
- A great note

...and it was all wrapped SO nicely in the purple paper and ribbon...couldn't wait for the camera to behave to post a pick of her lovely wrapping, I was WAY to impatient to get to my goodies! Thank you SP!

I was expecting bills...but I got this instead!

2005-06-16T16:41:00.000-05:00

Some very pretty pretties from my SP!

Shamefully, I am participating in two different Secret Pals, one SP5 and Knitty's SP4. I believe this is package 1 from my SP5er. They rock!

Cascade 220...hmmmmm, dilemma....knit or felt? Knit or felt...? What a nice problem to have, eh? LOL

Oh and I have to admit that I generally don't like chenille. But, that was because I had a bad experience with a cheap store bought sweater that shed like crazy. My SP sent me 2 gorgeous skeins of dark teal CP cotton chenille that even I like! No, what am I going to make...hmmmm....

SP5 QUESTIONNAIRE! (non-Knitty)

2005-06-05T14:26:00.000-05:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?I'm a snob, I guess. I just get the willies from most acrylic and its blends. It's like certain fabrics just feel weird to me. Same idea. That being said, I do use blends, but they can't be acrylicic/Squeaky, etc. Not a fan of scratchy or stiff fibers...unless they get very soft and non-scratchy post laundering. Being that I am new, I am still getting to know fiber characteristic and behaviors.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?I don;t do either but I REALLY want to learn to spin and dye. Eventually, I'd like to pick out an alpaca or sheep and start the process from there. But, that is a while away. If I end up in the right climate with adequate time and property, I would love to own my own animals and a few spinning wheels.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)I am allergic to smoke, dairy, lilacs and really dislike bananas. (smell aversion!) LOL

4. How long have you been knitting?Since Jan 2005

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?No, but IÂll make one up and post it to my blog :)

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)Citrus (orange, tangerine)is invigorating and clean. Light and clean scents are best. I don't wear much perfume in case others are sensitive to it.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Well, I occasionaision like to indulge. I like dark chocolate and milk chocolate. No cherry cordials, though. Ugh!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?At the moment I don't have much time so it is limited to knitting and maybe spinning soon. Eventually, I will get into stained glass, glass blowing and pottery. Blown glass/art glass is a big interest of mine :) I'm about 1.5 hours from Corning Museum of glass and will eventually take lessons. Books on art glass from favorite artists like Lino Tagliapietra, Dante Moroni, Dale Chihuly, etc. would be great.
I like interesting and easy ethnic recipes and have an interest in acupuncture and chiropractic.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)I like most music that is not to any extreme. No super twangy country, hardcore rap, head banging heavy metal, or opera. I tend to listen to fusion type music than blends together different things. Like Indie music, Carlos Santana, etc. And yes, homemade CDs are great :)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? ItÂs easier to say what I avoid/hate. I don't like green other than celery or deep, dark green maybe some olives. I also am not a fan of yellow. Both of these shades look TERRIBLE against my olive skin...lol I think if you stay away from yellow, green and yellow-orange, yellowed-toned colors, you should be fine.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?I have two cats in a small apartment at the moment. I will be moving and expanding to a house in the next two years.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)To be able to enjoy all that I have worked so hard to achieve and help as many folks as I can. House on a lake with my hubby and family including a bunch of animals anf lots of travelling the world.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?I'm still new to most fibers so I really don't have a "favorite" yet. But it's safe to say that I like natural fibers and would love to try weird fiber like bamboo, etc. I just donÂt see a need to knit with scratchy fibers or with very bulky either as I'm always running in the hot side.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?See #1 and 7

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?Hmmm...summer light short sleeve tops I can wear this summer. Unfortunately I still need help with sleeves, armholes, etc. I'm a bit of a practical knitter...knit what I need.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?Don't have a favorite one yet.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Summer top, baby cardigan, lace shawl and a scarf.

18. What do you think about ponchos?I'll probably make one of those rectangular ones but really I wish they would just go away!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circular, please. I'm seriously thinking of changing over to 40-47" circs (Addi, Addi natura, or Inox Express...have not completely decided which)

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?bamboo because I'm a new knitter, but have tried Addi-like inoz express and like them too.

21. Are you a sock knitter?Have not tried yet, but will after this projects are complete.

22. How did you learn to knit?Italian Grandmother when I was 13. I dropped it a few months later. A classmate retaught me in Jan 2005 and have been going strong ever since. IÂm hooked.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?1.5 months

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?Sebastian the crab from the Little Mermaid.

25. What is your favorite holiday?Chrsitmas and Halloween (gets the creative costume juices going)

26. Is there anything that you collect?No, but I will begin collecting art glass as soon as I am settled into a house. I want to buy direct from the artisans.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?IK so far.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?I don't really have time for leisurely reading. Sad, but true. But I generally like books on travel and learning about interesting places I may someday go to.

Under rennovation

2005-06-03T22:31:00.000-05:00

I had to change the colors. Actually, I had planned to do this a month ago, played around with a few things but always changed back to the old familiar. Don't get me wrong, I love the original warmer color scheme, but I wanted to embrace the cooler. crisper tones of spring and summer.

I'll be messing with the template a bit more to get it where I like it. Right now, the colors are a bit "sharp" on the eyes.

More knitting updates and pictures will be posted this weekend.

Branching out...Again

2005-05-30T15:38:00.000-05:00

Such a wonderful pattern, but I needed to keep away from it for a few weeks due to shear frogging frustration. But it has gotten better. I only messed up twice and it took me about two hours. But, just as I was congratulating myself for a job well done, what do you think caught my eye? A little pesky lost stitch about 4 rows down. Not having a needle handy to immediately secure it in place, I put a piece of tape over it to be dealt with later. Very Scarlet O'Hara of me, I know, but why ruin a good knitting groove!

I was going to say when I think I may be done with this project, but every time I estimate, I'm ALWAYS behind schedule. Therefore, this project will be finished Wheneva ;)

The color is not quite right onscreen. It is a more of an olive.

In other news, I also placed an order for some custom handpainted yarn. I'll divulge the details when it gets here...so excited!

Yeah, yeah, I know...better than catnip!

2005-05-28T22:44:00.000-05:00

He loved that old sweater. Maybe I'll find a way to weave it into a Kitty Pi bed for him by Wendy Knits! Yes, the rug IS busy...but it was free so who am I to complain!

Look what showed up at my door!

2005-05-28T22:39:00.000-05:00

Granted, it was a few days ago and the camera couldn't be found but without further chit chat...My 1st SP4 package! :)
3 Skeins of Knitpicks Shine in Turquoise
Angels & Devils book....same author as the DaVinci Code
A sweet little stained glass-esque coloring book (I LOVE art glass)
And a great note from my very own SP :)

Thank you for everything!

What's my line...

2005-04-25T19:44:00.000-05:00

Yup, that's one of the boys, caught at juuuuust the right moment...imagine what I'll do to my kids..."No, honey...I PROMISE I won't bring in THAT picture of YOU when I come talk to your class for Career Day..."

I posted this on the Knitty board to see what creative captions would come to the silly, and generally twisted minds of the members. What's the first thing that comes to your mind?

You can post yours in the comments.

2005-04-25T17:52:00.000-05:00

...and the after, unravelling, that is.

2005-04-25T12:50:00.000-05:00

The before....

We now interrupt your weekend...

2005-04-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

Music is playing, dishwasher, washer and dryer are singing along and I can see my floor! Spring cleaning is well underway here today. The weather is just so gloomy, as usual for this area. I guess I got spoiled with the previous 10 days of sunshine. Weather report says it will rain for the next 10. Time to dust off my "I hate gray weather" face...I need to move. Love the area, hate the weather.

On the relocation front, a few kind souls have given their input on the best location. So far, Oregon, North Carolina and Vancouver are the front runners.

Knitting will resume once the place is officially tidy, the extra has been freecycled and a feeling of inner contentment over my nesting accomplishments washes over me.

And another day passes

2005-04-16T21:48:00.000-05:00

That was it. The last "t" crossed and "I" dotted and I'm glad of it. Short break ahead and I'm itching for a road trip with winding green roads and blue sky.

Frogged Branching out again. For once it would be nice to get through something sans frogging. I tried to tick my way out but, as this was my first lace project, it was a bit hard.
*sigh*
On the bright side....The yarn looked like coiled curling ribbon...Oh yeah, that's not necessarily a good thing...lol

I think I'll take the night off and knit tomorrow.
Mantra...I will knit 5 repeats, I will knit 5 repeats, I will...blah, blah, blah.

PS...Have you seen the new KnitPicks cotton yarns? I want some! I have an order in my head that will have to wait a few weeks as I decide what I want to do with them. Maybe a few baby kimonos, a jumper for my niece and another for my might-as-well-be-my niece. Nephew will get a bright red cotton/wool sweater with his favorite logo du-jour. I think Thomas is passe' and he's on to....hmmm....Have to ask the sis about that.

That Bad Penny is on the chair mocking me...

Movin' on...

2005-04-14T00:38:00.000-05:00

The new Knitty Spring came out and I've been waiting for things to settle down a bit before starting anything. Only three more days and then I can get back to turning these WIPs into FOs. As is stands, I have Bad Penny and Wavy on the needles. These will be completed first as there are already halfway there. Branching out will be next and I'm contemplating two very special things with that patterns...more on that as it happens. Promise. Oops! Sorry, I forgot about I DO. So pretty!

Soleil will be the next top I attempt and Alexandra, the designer, is working on a sleeved version which she will make available for purchase on her site.

So much to do and I'm on the hunt for some great yarns and a few recycling opportunities. I'm thinking of taking apart my favorite sweater in the hopes of knitting it back to life in a similar form. More on it's progress later.

It's that time!

2005-04-01T20:34:00.000-05:00

One of the Knitty Board members had a great idea...flash your stash, yup all of it for one day. My digital decided not to play and so my flash is "delayed" but hoping to get that going this weekend.

So, thank you to Zibibbo for a fabulous way to unite us all for a day of "FIBEROTICA"!

Mark the date
April 1st of next year
......and FLASH YOUR STASH!

1 Skein = 74 rows = 11 inches

2005-03-24T17:44:00.000-05:00

The past few mornings have been busy. Spring is on the way and it has given me a bit more energy. Things are getting done faster and the dreariness of winter is finally starting to fade...even if it did snow 4 inches last night.

I was able to get a full skein finished on WAVY while I waited in between appointments. I went over assignments last night and got a good part done to another one this morning at the coffeeshop in town. I'll start another skein on WAVY tonight.

Early start to Wavy scarf...

2005-03-23T01:06:00.000-05:00

So, I'm about two inches in to Wavy and finally going along smoothly. I'm using Berrocco Uxbridge Tweed in a dark maroon colorway which has bits of burnt orange, olive and white. I got it in the clearance bin from my LYS. I needed something fairly indescructable and manly as this is going to a friend's hubby. I made scarves for all but him so far. He'd better like it! lol

And so it begins

2005-03-18T15:57:00.000-05:00

A few of us on the Knitty Board decided to work on Bad Penny, a great ss top for Spring/Summer designed by Stefanie Japel of Glampyre Knits. Naturally, A Kal page was needed so now we have one.

Testing...and welcome to my blog

2005-03-17T18:36:00.000-05:00

....yeah, even I can't believe it did it either! Yet, it seemed needed somehow :)

I hope to have pictures soon. Thanks for hanging in there with me.