ToKnitorKnot

Swapiness Received!!!

2009-08-17T21:46:00.005-03:00

I arrived home from work today with a lovely owl perched on the stoop. Gave her some fresh water and owl treats and off she went leaving me a parcel to open.

and this is what I found when I opened my parcel:

From my Summer Camp Friend Antonio, I have Werthers Original, old fashioined lemon drops(absoulutly love them!!) biscuits, and a Hershey Cocoa bar (hidden from the kidlet) A lovely tote bag with some scrumptous hand painted yarn.

A gorgeous felted bag, just right for my circs!4 gorgeous patterns, a scarf from Ann Hanson(which will probably get the sunshiney yarn :p) and 3 of Mario Knits patterns, which I am absoulutly delighted about, as I love his work!!

Thank you so much for a great parcel Antoinio!!

Bleh

2009-08-14T23:20:00.003-03:00

Gahh need to post this week!

Violet says: Bernadette's owl will fly tomorrow, had to wait for payday as I did not have a single spare knut to my name. Had fun putting this together and really hope she enjoys her summer suprise!! Summer camp has been fun this year!!

In the muggle world, we have 11 green bell peppers going with a bunch more looking ready to pop. tomotoes are taking their sweet time to ripen, I think it is all the overcast damp weather we have had this summer. they seem to make growth spurts when it is hot and sunny out! have some beef steak and some reg round ones all nice and green and getting big!

I have signed up for Socks for Soldiers. yahoo link and Rav link. Had been thinking about this for a while, then a sudden urge to do it struck after, well, these details are still mostly in the works will update the general population later! Will probably end up doing some beanies and gators as well by winter.

Signing off as I am dragging tired. night!

summer game #6

2009-08-02T22:17:00.002-03:00

1. Draught of Peace
2. Mandrake Draught
3. Babbling Beverage
4. Murtlap Essence
5. Polyjuice
6. Skelegro
7. Veritaserum Truth Potion

Think I was a little late inposting, sorry :o(

Erumpents take 1st in Game 5!!!!

2009-07-28T21:39:00.003-03:00

To the Erumpents with 120 pts!!!! Congrats to my cabinmates!!!! Especially since I had such a poor showing this round :p . violet

In other news my muggle friend Jen, she can haz tomatoez!!!!

and one sleepy Bink

and one beautiful daughter!!

Game #5

2009-07-20T19:07:00.002-03:00

Game 5 is ready. Are you? Get your thinking caps and cameras ready.

Part I:
Fill in the answers to the clues by using all the syllables in the Syllable list. The number of syllables to be used in each answer is shown in parenthese. There may be more than one word in an answer. The number of leters in each answer is indicated by the dashes. Each syllable will be used only once. ONE (1) point will be awarded for each correct answer posted to your blog.

SYLLABLE LIST
A / AL / AN / BID / BLE / BOW / CA / CHER / CREE / DAI / DE / DEN / DEN / EAR / EAR / ED / EST / ET / EX / FOR / FOR / GOL / GUS / HIGH / I / IN / ISH / LE / LY / MA / PROPH / QUI / RAD / RINGS / SI / TEND / THES / TION / TOR / TRAL / TRUCK / U / UB

1. Man or mouse? (4) ANIMAGUS
2. Start spreading the news (4) DAILY PROPHET
3. Stick Tree Guardian (3) BOWTRUCKLE
4. Telescoping eavesdropper (5) EXTENDABLE EAR
5. Brassicaceae danglers (4) RADISH EARRINGS
6. Prohibited Growth of trees (5) FORBIDDEN FOREST
7. Metallic rosy-faced child with wings (4) GOLDEN CHERUB
8. Fleshless black-winged skeleton (2) THESTRAL
9. Lofty philosopher (5) HIGH INQUISITOR
10. Instructive Order (7) EDUCATIONAL DECREE

Dreaming

2009-07-18T20:49:00.003-03:00

Random thoughts and a dream.....If i had the money, investors, won the lottery....I would like to open a yarn store/cafe.
One or two bits of importance for NJ, adequate parking(the real dream, lol) and within walking distance to a train station I think. Hours to reflect my knitters; Mon - closed, Tues/thurs 12-8 Wed/Fri 10-5. alternating weekends Sat/sun 10-5 or 12-6.

Metuchen (a bit expensive maybe0 or new Brunswick (not as bad as you would think)

Free Wi-fi, computer for Knitty and Rav look ups. Tables that are not to wide and not to narrow with chairs, a couple of loveseats, not to deep, but comfy. Walls of yarn of course, samples galore, books, needles, hooks, tchokes every knitter can't live without.

and a shop kitty(short haired of course) ;p.

ahhhh to dream.....

2009-07-17T20:30:00.003-03:00

My daisies. year 5 for them

Bell Pepper plants. These are growing slow, Seeds started the same day as the Tomato family.

The Tomoto family. Have flowers, will stake them tomorrow.

Joe and Jess in the pool(duh right, lol)
In other news....

have knitting blahhs right now, working on this that and everything, thinking about Xmas projects/gifts for this year which proably isn't helping. finishing up, 1 more shoudler to seam, a BSJ for a cousin's kidlet. Like it so much that I think I will spring for the new version with the adult and child sizes.Really cool pattern!!! Love the Zimmerman!!

Summer chillen'!

Long Week

2009-07-10T23:47:00.002-03:00

This has been a long week. Had a good 4th of july with the family and cousins. Joey really enjoyed the fireworks this year or as he calls the fire boomers, LOL.

Jess will be coming out next week, lots of ups and downs with that, but finally settled out.

Long week at work, lots accomplished and a couple of new projects on my horizon.

Violet has just about finished her swap package the last item came by owl this week and a productive trip to Diagon Alley finished up the items. Can't find the good camera, so the old digital it will have to be. Muggle item stayed where we left it. the good one(picked up on holiday 2 years ago) has developed legs again and wandered off. Maybe leave some fresh batteries out and it will come out of hiding, lol.

Very tired and heading for bed. Have a good weekend all!

Summer Camp Games #2 Part 2

2009-07-03T21:09:00.004-03:00

and the answer is:

When in doubt, go to the library , said byRon Weasley

and I will be gone from camp this weekend, as the folks sent a portakey(really cool one too!! looks like a old dented teapot!!) and we will be visiting the relatives in the Americas for one of their holidays. See you Sunday night!!

Violet

Macrame Pegs Mums #2

2009-06-30T12:07:00.004-03:00

In the second volume of the HP books by JK Rowling, The (#1)Chrome Cab Festers, we continue to learn the incredible adventures of Hogwarts student (#2) Parry He Trot and his friends (#3) Oral Weensy and (#4) Angering Her More. Belonging to the house of (#5) Dry Off Grin, they attend Defense Against the (#6) Ark Darts taught by Wizarding celebrity (#7) Oracle Dorky Light, a none-too-bright fellow who cannot even handle pixies!
In The (#8) Chrome Cab Festers, we also meet Dobby a (#9)See Flu Oh for the first time. Determined Dobby seeks to sabotage the return of (#10) Parry He Trot to Hogwarts and is pretty persistent but is unsuccessful. After a few weeks at school, the deceased Ravenclaw student who haunts the girls lavatory, also known as (#11) My Molten Grain, shows (#12) Parry He Trot and (#13) Oral Weensy an old empty diary that dropped through her ghostly form out of thin air!
Many nifty things continue to happen for the next several months… we won’t go into all the juicy details right now… however, the ending is prime reading indeed!! (#14) Parry He Trot finally kills Tom Riddle’s (a.k.a #15 Mold Voter) sneaky diary (which we now know is a #16 Crux Rho) and saves the sister of (#17) Oral Weensy, (#18) Gayly Nine Sew!!!
Oh! Of course, we must mention that the thickheaded (#19) Oracle Dorky Light unintentionally erased his own memory, so he won’t be back for book three, The (#20) Snob In A Froze Parka…

1) Chamber of Secrets
2) Harry Potter
3) Ron Weasley
4) Hermione Granger
5) Gryffindor
6) Dark Arts
7) Gilderoy Lockhart
8) Chamber of Secrets
9) House Elf
10) Harry Potter
11) Moaning Myrtle
12) Harry Potter
13) Ron Weasley
14) Harry Potter
15) Voldemort
16) Horcrux
17) Ron Weasley
18) Ginny Weasley
19) Gilderoy Lockhart
20) Prisoner of Azkaban

title anagram: Summer Camp Game #2 :o)

Letters from Camp

2009-06-29T15:28:00.002-03:00

Hello from Camp!!!

Having a great time my first summer here. Lots to see and do!

We went fishing yesterday, we wanted to see what the muggles liked about it so much. Didn't work out to well, though. The monsterin the lake got mad at us for putting sharp hooks where her kids were swimming and then we spent the rest of the afternoon throwing the worms out to the baby lake monsters to catch.

We've had a couple of camp fires, lots of fun, singing, roasting marshmellows and the like.

Some practical stuff. Herbology is going well,learning lots about catnip, roses and seaweed and what to do with them.

Audited Care of Magical Creatures with a friend and that was really neat. She is learning so much about critters that change. Maybe next summer, sigh.

Well enough for know, got to go and practice for Charms! TTYL!!!

Violet

found a new yarn!!

2009-06-25T11:02:00.002-03:00

updated the wishlist a bit!!

Read the new issue of Knitters Review on the new Spud and Chloe line of yarn from Blue Sky Alpaca and it looks and sounds scrumptious!!!

Wednsday and Summer Camp

2009-06-24T22:07:00.002-03:00

Did the HSKS Summer Camp Wishlist. Over there to the right, on the top. Not much really, I tend to like anything sent to me :o). And I realy don't remember what I signed up for class wise so, LOL!

Puttering along, finished up some baby stuff for my GF who had a little boy beginning of June. Got a little ADD on the projects and made a few things and have even more to make, small things knit quick and satisfying to say the least to have something done in 4 hours!!

Catching up on my own projects. The Pi Shawl in Malabrigo lace weight (first Embrace the Lace shipment)

EZ Pi Shawl (July) about 3/4 through the first skein of Malabrigo and 576 stitches, winging the pattern now as I did the three patterns in the book already and will be improvising a lot, I think, to keep working it through the 2 skeins!!

Been working on my Camper Swap, made some definitive progress on her class(es), one or two more stops and should be all ready to go!! Ohh and another idea just hit me!!!

Updates

2009-06-19T10:39:00.003-03:00

When we left out intrepid blogger back in April....

I was in the midst of madness, Sock Madness that is.

I made it to round 4 this year, 1 round more than last year!!

ROund 3 - Talia's Wings by Yarn Yenta aka Heatherly Walker

Done in BMFA Rare Gems. Pattern is hard to see in the pics but is gorgeous and I love wearing them!!

Round 4 Lucky Diamond by Melissa Goodale aka Stick Chick

Done in Cascade Heritage in Jade and All THings Heather Merino Tencel in Heliotrope. I was working on the toe for sock 2 when tantej finished and I called it a night! Still have 3 more pairs from this year queued up and will hopefully get around to knitting soon, lol.

The we move onto Sock Wars IV. Never posted about it this year. A quick round indeed. Mutual kills again and believe it or not it makes me happy.
I sent off Air Raid in Chameleon Colorworks Bamboo Merino in pink StaceyanNH

And died by Barcelona by Stacey aka skylark80 by ex-sanguination(aka Sanguine Gryphon Edios yarn!!!)

That is about it for now. New Joey pics in my flikr. Growing strawberries , tomatoes and peppers this year or at least trying they have sprouted(peppers and tomatoes) and been transplanted. Strawberries have produced 2 red ripes so far, very tasty too!!!

Planted some lavender seeds, see if they take this year, fingers crossed!!

What's in Your Trunk , Wingo and Part III and Wingo information

2009-06-16T15:33:00.007-03:00

From: Violet
Week #1: New to Camp!
Part 1: "What's in your trunk?"List 10 items beginning with the same letter as your first name that you brought with you to camp.

1 - Vegetable tray (crunchy munchies to share ;o)
2 - Vicuna (minature pet) still working on the enlarging spell for... well you know
3 - Valerian plant
4 - Viola (have to keep in practice)
5 - Valkryie's (picture) up and coming minor Quidditch team all girls
6 - Voodoo doll (again practice makes perfect)
7 - V-neck sweater vest (Fair-isle WIP)
8 - Volcano rocks
9 - Vitriol (bottled)
10 - vitamins

Part II
WINGO
G1 Draco Firewalker
G2 Hermione Bagnold 440 to my 349
G3 Luna Starlette
G4 Intarsia Bindoff - dragon "Bobbles"
G5 Fleur Dolhov - Spanish

Part III

For my Spoilee - Brandy aka OlliesMom - I can't wait to see the Funky Sock Monkey - looks like a really cool kit and fun colors!!!

For my spoiler - Vince aka Yarnguy - I am liking the beer Cozies!!

Wingo facts that may help others:

Live in Piscataway, NJ

In Ravenclaw

Patronus: Stag

in HSKS #3

born in November

Been on a train from Sacramento to LA

Like chocolate, gummie bears M&M's

I have been known to make stitch markers

Collect chopsticks and amber Depression glass

3 truths and a lie

2009-06-16T11:55:00.005-03:00

From: Violet
Summer session has begun!!
I am at camp for the HSKS8 Summer Camp this year!! Cabin Erumpets!! go RUMPS!!! LOL!

First bit fun is: 3 truths and a lie.... can you pick out the lie???

1 - I like to shop.
2 - I have never had a hangover.
3 - I lived at 11 different addresses by the age of 18.
4 - I love chocolate frogs.

To the muggle world, Jen will try to update tonight with pics of socks, graduations and life in general

Hello!!

2009-04-08T19:41:00.003-03:00

Tokena's are done:

Cascade Heritage in Butter and Plum using 2.75mm Signature arts needles.
Cast on 937am on Sat April 4, 2009 Cast off 616pm April 8, 2009. Wheww, relax a bit before Round 3 of Sock Madness launches.

Ordered the some parts for the wheel. Sadly this wheel is no longer in production and only one vendor I have found, Detta's Spindles, has any spares for it and even she reports supplies are getting lean. The owner of the company is no longer making anything for the wheels, but is slowly cleaning out existing inventory. Fortunatley offers to repair existing wheels and pieces though.

Ordered some basics, drive bands(string), oil bottle with the fancy tip, some of the leather bits, instruction manual for the care of my Country Craftsman adn 3 bobbins and a standard whorl(10:1) which are backordered.

Detta was wonderful to talk to. Very helpful and informative about my wheel and what I would need and could do without as well as the over all status of future parts. I may stock up a bit on the available stuff just to be safe and order a few more bobbin in the future as my wheel will only accomadate the 2 ounce version with the flyer I have and the 4 oz flyer is no longer available. THough if any knows of anyone willing to part or finds one, huhhmmm, hint hint, lol.

We interrupt.....

2009-04-05T17:46:00.004-03:00

This sock -

Notes Sock Madness III Round 2 - Tokena using Cascade Heritage in Butter and Plum.

For This!!!!

A spinning wheel for me!!! A gracious and wonderful gift from my mother in laws friend Linda!!

The Makers Mark is there on the bottom: The country Craftsman Littleton, MA J Rooney.

Needs a little cleaning up and drive bands, and a new piece of leather string for the treatd and will have to find more bobbins, but can't wait!!. It is near perfect condition!!!

thank you Linda!!!!

Of Spring and Madness

2009-03-20T11:54:00.005-03:00

Upon waking this morning, my lovely kidley, runs into the room, yelling "It's snowing Mommy, it's snowing!!" Not quite awake and there not even being rain in the forcast from my vague recollection, and half of mind maybe the satellite box wasn't turned on for his morning toons, I pull back the curtain, and danged if he wasn't right!! Spring being 21 minutes away when the pics where shot.

This was the gooood snow we had been waiting for all winter. Heavy, wet, perfect for packing. Unfortunately I don't think it will still be around when we get home :o(

Of Sock Madness....

It is that time of year again, when the squeaks of sneakers fill the courts, basketballs flying and March Madness overtakes the airwaves (No Survivor last night to watch, dang it!!) And for others, 199 to be exact the Divisions have been set (For Whom the Ball Rolls, Great Knitspectations, Purl and Prejudice and the House of Seven Cables) we're a literate bunch aren't we!!
Round 1 has begun with Mer-tini by Ronni Smith aka raspberry of Rav.

My progress as of 9ish this morning. Learning new things. A new cast on(Twisted German), an afterthought heel with flap(coming soon to a sock near you) and an e wrap cast on. Not progressing as fast as I want, taking breaks more frequantly and icing down the thumb and wrist. Icy hot is my friend, thankfully Andy likes the smell, lol.

News of other Importance...

Joseph turned 4

James turned 18(sorry no new pics of him :o(

Baby passed of lung cancer Feb 9. It was sudden, she suddenly was sick and we went to the vet and we didn't have any options, it was to far advanced, she passed peacefully.

We are heading out on vacation, sometime tomorrow. Driving to Tennessee, to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, coming home via North Carolina and the BlueRidge Parkway. Will hopefully post a bit of the trip.

Take care ttyl !!

Recovery

2008-12-18T11:59:00.003-04:00

Well it has been done. My hand surgery was yesterday afternoon. Ligament and tendon repair of the right thumb. See pics below.

Needless to say I am done knitting or crocheting for a while, as a functional leftie I am not, LOL.

Other updates, way behind in updating. Had awonderful Thanksgiving up at my Mom's in No-Cal. ended up with a total of 9 for dinner, with the family and guest(Danny wonderful new friend visitng from England). We all had a great week visiting. Sunset shot from Mom's backyard.

ok i am done, one hand and vicodin, is about done me in....will try to update more later. Have some wonderful family pics from Thanksgiving, souviner yarn....

Happy Holidays

Love jen

Travel and updates

2008-11-22T10:02:00.003-04:00

Been over a month since the last update and
I have had a bit going on :P.

Lets see.....

Day tripped to Rhinebeck on
October 18 with some lovely ladies from my knitting group, Twisted Stichters, Holly, Karen and Carol, meet up with Ann later that morning. I had a wonderful time!!! Meet Diane from Creatively Dyed Yarns, had a scrumptious chicken pot pie and delicious mini apple crumb pie.

So much to see and do there!! Hit Autumn House Farms as one of my first must see and shop booths, and spent most of my budget there as intended for this:

First is Sagamore in Crabshack (shades of an olivey green blended with white). This is a cotton, rayon, linen DK weight.

Next is Summer Ice, rayon/silk blend, in Spruce:

and last Sea Island Tweed, a cotton/silk blend in Barnaget Bay:

I went by The Fold to check out the BMFA offerings as they would not be at Stitches East this year. Found three skeins of Rare Gems that needed a new home and just as
I reached the register saw a mill end in a lovely light blue/white color that wanted to come home with me as well.

Picked up some Icelandic Roving in a natual gray color and a new SPindle by Jesh:

I had a wonderful day, the weather was just chilly enough to be happy in the crocheted sweater I had. Some back ground on this sweater. This was my first "real" wool project. The wool came from Ireland, picked up by my Mother in law on her trip to said place several years ago(thinking around 1996-7) I didn't know how to knit then, I was a basic crocheter and found a pattern I liked and hooked away, pieced it together and was very unhappy. It was stiff, itchy, did not fit well at all. So into the closet it went. It cs since out a few time since, again not really thrilled so back into storage it went. As the years passed, I learned to knit and expanded my horizons beyond acrylic into more natural fibers, but still the sweater was, meh.

Then, epiphany, the Friday before I was to leave for Rhinebeck, I thought, what would happen if I took that sweater washed it and blocked it!!! Well duh!

Then we had Halloween.

Joey went as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

The Haul:

Updates and stuff

2008-10-16T19:54:00.006-03:00

Updates and the like...

Secret Pal 12 went really well. Received my final box from Lindsey of Tennessee:

Another box of wonderful goodies, with wooden stitch markers and a great pair of yarn ball earrings with lots of great smellies and candies! thank you so much Lindsey!!

Joey and I went to the Alma Park for National Alpaca Farm Day

Had a great time, Meeting Rose and her family and learning a bit about spinning from LauraKathleen.

Handspun alpaca in a lovely color from alpaca at Alma Park, going into a cowl for moi!

Died in Hat Attack II. Took a while almost 4 weeks and 2 assasins. Died in pink and blue with some tasty chocolate and a hank of yarn to soften the death blow.

Finished a Clapotis, wonderfully easily and turned out great. pics up on my Rav projects page. Started a second using some Brooks farm Willow i picked up at Maryland Sheep and Wool this spring and it is coming along nicely. Stitch marker handmade courtsey of Lindsey!!

In a bit of a sock rut lately. Havent been in the mood and made a major booboo and the Raven pair I am working on currently. I think those will rest until I get some of the mojo back for socks.

Putting some time in on my Wolmeise shawl about 75% finished and coming along great as well, just time consuming the purl row back.

Getting ready for some trips. Day trip to Rhinebeck on Saturday with my knit group, mostly window shopping, checking out the spinning wheels(Christmas hint hint check with A for more details hint hint) in reverse order of preference:

The Hitchhiker

The Schact Ladybug

and a Kromski Minstrel

Next trip will be an overnighter for Stitches in MD. Taking one sock design class on Saturday and check out some favorite vendors, before heading home.

Big trip for Thanksgiving 7 days in NoCal with the Mom and family (sis, kids, Glen, etc).

Somebody Loves Me!!!

2008-08-27T12:17:00.004-03:00

We are on vacation this week. Went to the beach on Monday.
Mom(me) and Joe

Dad and joe

Cutie!!

Tuesday my Dear Sweet Loving Husband was feeling crafty!! And this come out of the workshop!!

I has me a swift!!!! First wind was with StormMoonKnits Twilight Sock in 30 Days if Night.

Then play time with the Geo Trax.
The Dragon of Traxville!!!

In other news, knitting a little slow the past few days, thumb is bothering me agian. Hate to whine and complain, saw the orthopedist, had another steriod injection into the base of the thumb, uh ouch! MRI shows arthritis and partial tears of two of the tendons. If the steroid injection doesn't help, next will be surgery. oh yeah.

Ah well life goes on, hopefully be in form for Hat Attack in 2 weeks.

Ravalympics, Secret Pal question and swapiness!!!

2008-08-15T22:37:00.009-03:00

In no particular order....

For this years Summer olympics, I joined the Ravalympics and decided to Tri-athalon. My chosen events were the Sock Put, the Hat Dash and the Cowl Jump.

I have to date medaled in the:

Cowl Jump with Ilean, using Celestial Worsted in Concerning the Hobbits by StormMoonKnits

<-----My medal !!

The Hat Dash The Amanda Hat in Berreco Peruvia

<----------My other Medal!!!

Onto wonderful swappiness!!!

Thursday arrived home with a package from my super wonderful Secret Pal!!

Theme BLUE

Overall picture click to flickr for notes. But A wonderful knitting journal, A lamenated pocket knitting guide, A to do list note pad(on the fridge!) a beautiful skein of Regia in shades of blue, some Soak, Absoulutely positively gorgeous cobalt flower stitch markers and earrings(close up below), the cutest knitter socks!!(close up below), garment labels, a notion bag, new tape measure(needed that!) DPN holders(just got some more orginazition is good!) a little note book for my notions bag. All lovely stuff!! Thank You Secret Pal I love it all!!!111!!

Secret Pal Question #10: What Olympic event would best describe you knitting/knitting style?

I have been thinking about this one. Not really sure what event. My knitting style, slow and steady most of the time with an occasional project at a sprint. don't know what event that would be, any one knows please let me know, lol.

And another Secret pal update, have a package or two on there way to my pal this week. Hope she likes...

Secret Pal question catch up and Life Catch Up

2008-08-10T18:05:00.003-03:00

Been a little behind in my posting, haven't been feeling very chatty the last two weeks. but thanks to my Secret Pal :0)(Thank you) I am catching a up a bit tonight!

Week #8

What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening? Anything grilled. Usually a nice steak, occasionally chicken or pork chops. Up until this summer was using this wonderful bbq sauce left over from my family re-union in Arkansas. Great little bbq place just down the hill from the B&B we stay in may be in Winslow, not sure though. Pit BBQ. Sauce is truely the best I have ever had, mild with a nice bite of flavors, finally used up the last of the quart in June, sigh.

Week #9
In many communities, "the fair" is a great place to visit and spend
time with your family. It's also where many have entered one product
or another (jams, cakes, even knitting)...

Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair?
Would you ever consider it? Nope never entered and never really considered, I guess I don't consider myself "good" enough yet.

I do enjoy going to the fairs, state and county , local events, and looking at the art exhibits and seeing the entries.

A little more update. I am entered into the Ravelympics for the Summer games. I am competing in the Hat Dash, The Amanda Hat. The Sock Put with Fruit Loops and The Cowl Jump with Ilean. All projects are posted on my projects page and I will post to the blog when completed.
Summer of socks goes on, Completed 3 pairs so far for that and a total of 7 pairs for 52 pair plunge and have 2 pairs currently on the needles, the fruit loops in appletini(Yarntini) and Reina(WoolGirl pattern yarn by Mama Llama).
Been lagging behind on the knitting a bit, getting the pain back in my right thumb and wrist. will be calling the orthopedist tomorrow for an appointment and see what he has to say this time. Hopefully can get by with just another steroid shot, fingers arthritically crossed, lol., IsMas knitting is falling behind.
2 more weeks and I have the week off with Joey. Hoping for a beach trip, he had been asking all summer to go and this will be the week if the weather cooperates!

Will be sending out my 2nd and final Secret Pal 12 package tomorrow as well. I enjoyed finding what I hope will be the right specials for her. Hope I didn't go overboard on the sweets though, I did put a couple of things back in the end, lol.

Hmmm. OH!! Official note, effective 2 weeks ago Joey is officially Potty Trained!!! No more diapers/pull ups!!! Still working on not flushing all 50 KanDoo wipes at the same visit though *frown*, LOL!

yarn diet is holding fairly well, 2 skeins gifted to me(swap and Mom) Mom sent me some Sock Ease from Oklahoma, now back burnered to decide which pattern to knit. and I did buy 1 skein of KP Essential in Jester to make Joey some socks, I havent decided whether to rip back the toes on the first couple of pair from this year that he has already outgrown. Kid is wearing a 10.5 kid shoe already, eek. that is 2 shoe sizes since spring. Clothes are holding, buying large 4-5T just to make sure we make through to winter at least. Pant shopping in a couple of weeks when the back to school sales start.

Question of the Week #7

2008-07-23T12:07:00.002-03:00

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit? Right now the glider rocker next to the front window and fireplace. I just set this up this past summer and have enjoyed it immensely. When Fall/Winter comes and we start using the fireplace more, I think it will be even more perfect. Kind of a dream kind of thing. knitting in the chair next to the fireplace and (maybe) watch it snow outside, sigh....

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting? something to drink, tea(hot or iced), water, maybe a nibbley snack that wont stain the yarn to bad, ie no nacho doritos, but kettle corn popcorn works well, lol. I keep my kit with me(spare needles, tape measure, scissors, stitch markers etc....) Occasionaly my ipod, sometimes the TV othertimes(after Joe is in bed) enjoy the quiet.

Week 6 question

2008-07-18T13:35:00.003-03:00

Questions #6 What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?
If you’d like to share a story…Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting.

Hmmm, last vacation type trip I took, was to Maryland Sheep and Wool, so I wasn't worried about getting caught without enough to do, lol. What did go with me was 2 pairs of SIP's(Monkeys and Shady's) and an easy shawl I am still working on. It worked out fairly well as I wasnt driving so was able to get a lot of work done on the socks, 1 of which actually turned into a fingerless glove. SIP's talk you know..... and these said thumb gusset when the time came to turn for the heel, I really tried to talk her/it out of it, but the glove/sock was insistant and so a glove they became(these would be the Shady's in my Rav Project folder).

I don't know if it is possible to pack to much knitting. I am sure though, there are signficant others out there who would disagree quite voraciously diasagree with this. Mine has. You know the comments, so do you really need the extra bag of...... stuff(being polite in my pharasing, lol). I have learned to pack light over the years. I hate checking bags on those quick 1-2 day business trips, and after I started to knit it has become harder. You never know what you will be in the mood to work on, right? And have to bring at least one project in cast the urge to cast on wont pass and the other project(s) just aren't working and who knows if there will be a LYS convinient to where you are staying to help solve the dilema.....
Well now I pre-check for LYS's before the trip and take at least 2 projects, a sock and something else and maybe a skein of yarn for another pair of socks........in case you just can't wait, lol....

SEcret PaL package today!!

2008-07-15T14:47:00.011-03:00

It all started with a box and a lovely card with a pink knitted scarf and a theme.

My dearest son hepled Mommy open each wrapped item, Lot's of lovely goodies, some Tasty Cherry tic Tacs, a needle threader some cute sock point protecters(red), a gorgeously soft skein of Cascade Heritage in Red

A set of red and silver handmade stitch markers and a very pretty pair of red agate earrings

A sock knit book Knit Socks! that has been on my wish list for a while, already have a couple earmarked . A notebook and pen in red!! Set of 2 DPN WIP tubes!!! already in use with the hello Kitty socks with no more needles poking out of the bag adn worry about snapping with transport is down!! and all wrapped up in red tissue paper!!

Here is Joe with the haul!!!

Thank you so much Secret Pal!!! I love my superbly wonderful Red package!!!!

Secret Pal Question Week #5

2008-07-09T10:43:00.002-03:00

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday? anywhere quiet where I can sit and relax and be with family. Favorite locations to date. B&B in Winslow, AR and visiting my Mom and family in Northern California.

2) Where is one place you’d like to go? Ireland

sECRET pAL Question of the Week #4 and an update

2008-07-02T13:25:00.005-03:00

1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”? Probably a good all purpose stock yarn like Cascade 220.

2) What yarn do you never want to be without? Right now at this moment, what could/would be termed as sock yarn. That is my passion at the moment. I collect it when I can, knit it, may even try crochet with it someday.....and the indie dyers and the colors and so many patterns to try....oh my!

In other news I sent out a package to my secret pal!!! Just a small one I really hope she likes it. My main concern is I sent it from a preferred on line retailer that didn't have a gift ship option so I left it in the comments, eek, they are usually super good about any customer preferences and requests and I didn't get any questions back, so..... I cross my fingers and wait to see if and when she gets.

I have pair #4 d one for 52 Pair plunge and the first pair for Summer of Soks 2008. A Christmas Story by White Oak Studios in TV Sock. Colorway is based on the movie, think bunny suit and lamps,lol... these were a toe up pattern with a short row heel and turned out pretty good for the first complete toe up pair. Have the next toe up pair ONT as we speak, Summer 2008 Sock (rav link) by Wendy Knits designed for Summer of Socks 2008 and is being knit in Irish Dreams colorway from Spunky Ecletic via WoolGirl 2007 Sock club.

I have also cast on for the February Lady Sweater(Rav Link) based on the Elizabeth Zimmerman baby sweater pattern of similar name, but a kind soul went a did the math for us and posted it to Rav!!. Cast on in Ultra Alpaca in Forest Heather.

Happy Canda Day to all those Canadians who celebrated yesterday!! and if I don't post before Friday Happy 4th of July!!!!

SP 12 Question of the week #3

2008-06-25T17:14:00.002-03:00

What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

This is a difficult one. As you can see from my post below I have more than an adequate amount of sock yarn by most standards. Probably more than some LYS carry, but I know, I know I don't have the most sock yarn out there..... and of course sock yarn really doesn't count as stash, LOL. The remainder of my yarn stores is actually a little on the light side. I do have a fair amount of cotton for dishclothes and the like and some acrylic various stuff/colors from my early crochet days and for baby blankets. The balance after that though really only fills up 1 small plastic container about 16" deep and 14" wide. Other than sock yarn I pretty much only buy larger amounts (sweater and blanket etc...) for intended projects to work on. Can never seem to justify spending that much money without knowing what I will use it for. Sock yarn don't have that problem *grin*

in spinning news

2008-06-25T17:08:00.003-03:00

I have decided to post up my first drop spindle efforts, Laura's is much better looking than mine on her pretty new wheel....

This is a little of my very first attempts before i completely figured out drafting and the park method.

then this still a spin in progress on my Bosworth after I starting to figure out drafting a little more consistantly....

should of done the penny thing, but hindsite being what it is, next batch I take pics of I will.

Still have over a pound of roving to work with so.... Trying to do at least 15-20mins a day to keep up practice and get better.

Sock Stash

2008-06-21T14:32:00.003-03:00

Well I finally did it, counted it all up and took one big picture....not as bad as I thought actually... I am still going to keep my self imposed diet though for personal and financial reasons. But here is the pic of it all laid out -

If I used it all for socks, ie its fingerweight or sport, superwash and/or with a nylon blend, meant for socks, I have enough for 84 pairs. Take out what is earmarked and wsa purchased specifically for shawls or scarves and I go down to 72. Still a tad daunting, but I will persevere and it will grow a bit, I still have Wool Girl Sock club and Deadly spins that may add to it, but not more than 2-3 skeins before summer is over I believe.

My self imposed goal - no buying for me, sock yarn that is, until I am down to at least half or roughly 35. Gifting of yarn to me of course doesn't count towards this, lol. Seems daunting, I have a game plan. 52 Pair Plunge will help and so will Summer of Socks (buttons on the bar) contest to get the most socks done in a summer and try to do 52 pair in a year.

I have cast-on my first pair(midnight last night) with some of the ladies from SOS08 on a chat group last night. A Christmas Story, yarn by White Oak Studios, pattern by WoolGirl. toe up, this will be my third sock and hopefully complete toe up pair, fairly easy pattern so should go quick.

Secret Pal 12 Week 2 question

2008-06-18T10:23:00.003-03:00

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

Not setting the alarm and having to get up at 7is am to go to school. Never been a morning person, so getting up and getting ready for school was always the hardest thing to do. Summer hit and sleep, blessed sleep, waking up when my body was ready to get up, that made for great summers.

Secret Pal Question of the Week #1

2008-06-12T16:06:00.004-03:00

What is your favorite summertime drink?

Thinking about this, when it is hot and icky, sticky out, ice water is my all time favorite, with plain iced tea(no sugar) coming in next.

SP12 Questionaire

2008-05-29T17:57:00.005-03:00

Yeap I got invited by a friend, thank you Laura aka KnittinKitties....... for Secret Pal 12 Swap. I have actually never done this one, though it has passed by me a few times since I joined the knitting/swapping/blogging world.

So here is the questionaire and answers....

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Merino and Bamboo. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? none really except for Wool Ease

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? depends, I do have a wonderful DPN/knitting organizer that I received from my Monkey 3 Pal that I use, but I also have a wonderful little pottery vase that sits on my desk with DPN's and a glass vase for my straights and fixed circs are hanging on a hook over my desk

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? knitting for about 3 years now. Self taught from a teach yourself to knit kit and Knitting for Dummies. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?Intermediate

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yeap

5. What's your favorite scent? vanilla and cinammon

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? yeap Favorite candy? Twix bars, chocolate and caramel

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? hmmm, scrapbooking, sewing, bead work, lots of other stuff. Do you spin? I am trying!

8. What kind of music do you like? all sorts, C&W, hard rock, jazz.... no Rap or Hip hop though. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? yes and I have and Ipod

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Red, Blues and natural shades. Any colors you just can't stand? most of the neon or eye searing candy like colors(though I do go outside the color box on occasion)

10. What is your family situation? Married 3 kids(17,15,3). Do you have any pets?2 dogs, 6cats and 1 Guenia Pig

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? uhhh yes, sometimes, yes and not yet

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks

13. What are you knitting right now? couple a pair of socks OTN and a shawl

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? yeap

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? depends, usually circulars except for small enround items like socks and hats then DPN's Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? overall preffered are the Knitpicks options and harmonies

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? have a yarn winder, waiting for a swift

17. How old is your oldest UFO? knitting 3 years, crocheting 12 years

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving for the family time

19. Is there anything that you collect?ummmm, sock yarn, chopsticks and casino chips

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? I would like to see the new Eclectic Sole by Janel Laidman or Cat Bhordi's New Pathways. Patterns hmmm Cookie A and the Autumn leaves shawl. Yarn - Dream in Color and the new Sock Ease from Lion Brand. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?None

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?hmmm not currently, that I can think of, but then I am always learning something new as I knit along and try different patterns

22. Are you a sock knitter? Yeap! What are your foot measurements? hmmmm US womens 8.5, 91/2" length(measure on the heavy side) circ 8 1/4"-1/2"

23. When is your birthday? Nov 7

24. Are you on Ravelry? Yeap. If so, what's your ID?JenDuzS0ks

The War is over and other things

2008-05-27T13:02:00.002-03:00

Well Sock Wars III ended on May 14 for me. Good news was it was a mutual kill. I died with a lovely pair of Detonators, that arrived in a plain brown wrapper, quite unassuming...... even got a kitty sniff for my death socks......

and I killed off my target within the same day. Took me 3 days to knit up this pair, using Tofutsies. Pattern is a little hard to see with the pics, but I liked it none the less, learned how hard it is to count by three's, hmmmmm

In other combative news. Sock Madness ended a while ago for me after 3 rounds, Zombie, Reversai and Slippin'Stripin. Round 4 was Shady, which I started, but around the time of the heel turn, my "sock" started whispering to me. What was it whispering you say....."Glove" it was saying, but your a sock I said, "I need a thumb gussett" it says back. So I listened to the WIP and gussetted and thumbed and 1 fingerless glove latter: FIrst pic would have been the front of the sock and the palm side would have been the back of the leg.

In other sock news, I am a glutton for punishment or just really not quite right in the head.... I signed up for SOS08 (Summer of Socks 2008) or how many pairs can you knit between 6/21 and 9/1. And if that wasn't bad enough I signed up for the 52 Pair plunge II or see if you can knit 52 pairs of socks in a year, which starts 6/1......

Onto other events....

Had a great time at Maryland Sheep and Wool with my Mom and Sis. We got lost following the directions to the fairgrounds, but ended up there anyway with a minimal not real circle detour, the right and left thing ya know...LOL. The few pics I took are up in my flickr stream. Had a wonderful dinner Saturday night at a place called Pasta Plus in Laurel. Unassumming from the outside, wait was almost 45 mins, but Oh my stars was the food worth it!!!! and the prices!!! The three of us, with entrees, 2 desserts and sodas, just under $60!!! Defenitely worth the wait and would go back again next time I am in the area, just get there a little earlier....

Missed the Rav Party, by the time dinner was done and the sunshiney day caught up with me, I was wiped and it was late. Maybe next year or there will be something at Stitches this fall.

But MDS&W, if I go next year will need a definite plan. Missed more than I saw this time wandering the way I did. Had a good time and did get what I planned on (to be shown later), but the place is HUGE and packed with vendors and people. The bathroom line was as looonnnggggg on Saturday, not to bad on Sunday though.

As to the shopping, I stayed on budget and bought what I intended, what I needed to learn to spin the drop spindle way!

Two Spindles, the one on the left a Jim Childs from Hatchett Farms and the one on the right a Bosworth. Both were on my to eval list and very happy with my purchases. Did go by Goldings booth, very nice, very pretty, but not on budget this year. The roving in the middle pic is Corriedale, picked up at the Coopworth Registry Booth. The end pic is some MErino Roving in Forest from Cloverleaf Farms and the green orange purple is from the Coopworth Registry as well. Not shown here is some lovely BFL(Blue Faced Leicester) in a natural grey and cream, that Mom picked up for me at Mystic Farms on the way out. All in all walked out with a little over a pound of roving.

Spinning is going, not to bad so far, lots of videos on You tube I have bookmarked, helped some and some bolstering and encourgement from Kathrine from my Twisted Stichers knit group helped a lot more, when she confirmed I was doing it right and not to shabby for my first go around.

Let's see what else. After MDS&W, went to to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with the Mom and Sis. A great time was had by all. Mych different trip this time, wasn't sure how I would handle it. Background the last time and the first time I went there was 2 days before 9/11. Didn't know at that time that I would be in the city again so soon and for such tragedy as an EMT. I took skyline shots from the boat again, someday may compare them to the first set.....

Spent some quiet, reflective time on the bow of the boat going back to Liberty State Park, thinking about how things change and stay the same, trying to find some new peace or acceptance about that day and still can't.

The last day of Mom and Sis's trip we went South. South NJ that is, heading for Millville and Wheaton Village. Watched a glass blowing demonstration, purused the shops. Will go back again. You can make appointments to do a glass workshop, make a paperwieght, vase or beads. Really cool, lot of other stuff to do when the are fully open, very artsy craftsy type of place. Learned a lot about the glass industry in NJ too.

Then off to AC (Atlantic City) since we were so close. Went to the Trump Taj Majhal, had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, pretty good actually..... saw the last of the sun on the beach... a few hands of black jack (I broke even) and Sis hit the Pai Gao tables (I am happy I can count to 21 without trying to hard).

Well I will close out the post with this......

puddle jumping in the rain, he had a blast and was soaked to the knees....

The War Has Begun

2008-05-09T22:16:00.002-03:00

Sock Wars III that is. I have armed my weapons (2 circs 3.25mm) with my ammo (Tofutsies#736).

I have a large DD cup of coffee and a hubby willing to entertain a toddler tomorrow. I love that man!!!

Great pattern from Julie Gardner again!!!! Detonation, kewl!!!

Knit 'til I die!!!!

off to MSW

2008-05-02T14:26:00.002-03:00

Well, it is about that time almost have the car packed and ready to go for a fun weeekend at the festival!! Will try to update as I go.If not Sunday night when I get home.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Here We Come!!

Andy will have Joey for the weekend whoile, Me. Mom and Sis plunder the wool.....

Talk to everyone soon!!

Say Hi if you see me!!

Sock Madness Ends, Injuries incurred, WoolGirl and other stuff maybe

2008-04-16T16:05:00.004-03:00

First thing at the very, very bottom will be the Wool Girl '08 April offering, if you don't want to know, I will give a heads up and screen scroll before the post, k?

Well Sock Madness has ended for me. Knocked out in Round 3 with a foot to go(literally had the foot of sock #2 left). Kind of sad and relieved at the same time. I was really starting to feel burned out by the constant knitting and guilty about not focusing attention on the family and job. Andy was great though supported me up to the end. With the end in sight for Pair 3, it took me 6.5days for the Zombies, roughly 6 days for the Reversai and would have taken about 4 days for the Slippin's if i hadn't stopped when the final contestent made it and I took a break! Not to bad 3 pairs in 3 weeks. So the Slippins will end up as 7 days only because I took a much needed break after Sunday Morning.

Here is a pic of the sock in question

Called Slippin' Strippin' Socks. Worked in doubled lace weight. I chose Malabrigo(ummm soft numminess, I understand now) in Pagoda and Pearl Ten. Almost done with the second working on the toe now.

I was actually all set for the Creative portion of the contest as well, idea popped in as soon as I saw the name of the pattern. I took the pics anyway.

Title: Slippin' Injuries -

Took advantage of the lovely spring days and caught up on the yard work(well Andy did the most, me and Joey kind of helped ;0)

and part of the advantage of sunlight, I updated some more of my Rav Stash, adding pictures mostly now that there is sunlight when I wanted to get the pics. Joey helped some:

Now for the new stuff. WoolGirl pr0n. I stalked the postman today, heard him pull up, but he paused, didn't haul off to the next box like he usually does, so I opened the front door and there he was at the end of the drive holding a priority mail box. I controlled myself, walked with much self control to gracefully receive my package. He had a knowing look on his face and said "Waiting for this were you?" and I said " Yes thank you" and was very good and didnt snatch and slowly walked back to the house and immediately ripped it open to find this:

Keep Scrolling

are we there yet??

Almost

and the winner is!!!!!!!!!!!!! WoolGIrl Happiness!! A great clear vinyl zipper bag just right to hold a projed, n stitch marker, Note cards a new PEN!!! and lovely squishy purpleness with a pattern. Joey thought it was soft and squishy to!!!

And because I almost forgot, a Extra Special Thanks to Sara of SaraKnits over on Rav for graciously selling me some Wollmeise to complete the shawl I am seriously knitting away on for MSW in May.

Oh Did forget that too.... Just about 2 weeks will be heading out to Maryland for the Sheep and Wool festival with my Mom and Sis for the weekend. Hoping to figure out the spinning thing and play with woolly stuff!!! Talk to soon!!!

Round 2 Sock Madness Fini!!!!!

2008-04-05T17:25:00.003-03:00

Round 2 of Sock madness is finished!!!! took 6 days just about. Great pattern Reversai (link for Rav) by Janine Le Cras. I used BMFA STR light weight in Azurite. Some stash busting going on with this Madness, didnt buy yarn for either round used from my stash yeah!!!

Saving up for MSW. I want to try/learn spinning and saving up to get some basics, no wheel yet, keeping it to drop spindle to see if I like it, then maybe for Christmas(hint, hint) look into getting a small one.

Mom and Steph will be out for that weekend as well, can't wait to see them.... they will be out for a week..

Oh, previous picture post, was checking out the blog this from flickr and posted up the pic of joey and Bull. Still need to post up pics from the 3rd Birthday party. here is one to tide over until

then....

Mr Mopey face, cause he couldnt touch the cake yet...

Opening presents....

2008-03-24T11:35:00.000-03:00

Pictureruck 019
Originally uploaded by JenC1871

Sock Madness Round 1 - Zombies!!!

2008-03-21T15:13:00.008-03:00

Well I took on the challange of Sock Madness. I started a little late, pattern was released on Thursday March 13, while I was at work for a 5p-1a shift. And considering I had forgotten all about signing up for it, doh! I perused my Rav stash while on break, trying to figure what of my stash would work, had 5 picked out. Got home crashed, woke up got J ready for school A ready for work myself ready for work, took a minute to find my never used KP Options 3.0mm circulars x2, and the first yarn bin held the Tofutsies #737 Footsteps, one of the five. I took this as a sign, dumped all into my bag(needles and 1 skein of yarn) and left for work.

So to re-cap, cast on Friday March 14(don't ask me what time I was happy to be awake), kitchnered off today Friday March 21 at 146pm EST. My fingers are achy, my hands have a nice fine tremor and I am ready for round 2!!!!

In other news.... I picked up someMMMMMalabrigo laceweight, I know I wasn't supposed to buy any more for a while, but I didn't have any appropriate or not already earmarked lace weight in the stash, and Sock madness one pattern will require lace weight, soooo.... I picked up, Pearl ten( alovely greyish brown and pagoda also lovely in a soft burgandy color, and is it nummy soft or WHAT!! this is snuggle stuff, cuddle along your neck downy chick soft. Delivered with the wonderfully great service from Jen at WoolGirl. With some lovely, sniffable Banana Butter lip balm from naiad soap arts, tastey!. Oop and a great stitch Marker from sinneshine. I will add it to my collection.

I will say, being in multiple swaps and in the truely most excellent sock clubs from Jen, I have amassed a wonderful collection of unique stitich markers. So much so I have displayed them when not in use. Will post pics soon, as photo uploads are a pain in the tushie, I have lost and currently have on order the usb cable for the decent digital camera. In the mean time using the older digital camera which is not vista compliant, guess what I run. So I have to find a systme still wiht XP, which happens to be for work, hmmm. So photos generally get uploaded once a week off the old camera which I need the right lighting to get good yarn shots.... But back to the stitch markers, got a great little jewelers board(black) from Fire Mountain Gems with some silver u hooks for a great price and have them all displayed and sitting on my desk for me to enjoy.

Other than that everything and one is doing great. Getting ready for a great Easter weekend wiht the family, hoping the weather holds for Sunday so we can take J to an Easter Egg Hunt at a local church. And lots of great homemade food!!!! kielbasa, ham, homemade chicken noodle soup, bread, all super nummy!!

Have a Happy Easter All!!!!!

March updates Happy birthdays

2008-03-14T21:19:00.003-03:00

Pics may be a wahile, the usb cord for the good digital camera is missing and the old digital camera wont sync with Vista so will have to get/find something(work) to sync up the old camera and upload stuff, so bear with me a bit. Check flickr for some stuff. Still trying to figure out how to put a flickr feed onto the page....

Let see...... It's still cold and occasionally rainy but no snow. James is now 17(3/7), Joey is 3(3/10) and because I didn't mention before Jessica is now 15(1/10). Cousin JJ turned 2 in January as well. Happy Birthday to Steph as well, cause I really didn't forget.

Hmmmm knitting front, Fininshed up the SITM II package, a little late, but wen't out on thursday, hope she likes everything and finds the socks comfie.

Started my gluttony socks from the Seven Deadly S(p)ins club. Have about 3 inches in and got an email from Sock Madness II, which I forgot I had signed up for. So gluttony is one hold and Zombie are active. Just finished the 2nd repeat for sock one, Startedthis morning on break. My first try with 2 circs as well. Have the Spanishing Christing Shawl on the needles with Knitpicks bare Merino/Silk and pattern and yarn set for another shawl/blanket. Wool laid in for a family piece as well(Mom knows :) )

2 Month update

2008-02-08T12:32:00.000-04:00

I have been a bad blogger. Yes it has been over a month since the last posting, I really could have posted sooner, but, really haven't been in the mood when I thought about doing it. Of course I also have not been keeping up on anyone elses either, Sorry folks.

I have been doing drive by blog reading when I can. But Ravelry I read every day, go figure....

Think I will start subscribing with bloglines or something to make it easier to keep up with the blogging world instead of going through all the fave'd links...

Onward we go...

In family land, had a wonderful Christmas, Joey had a blast opening up and helping others open their gifts. Pics will be forthcoming someday, once I upload them all into flickr or photobucket. J&J had a great trip out for the holidays as well. Spent a lot of quality time with them both.

Plod, plod....

Joey had Strep throat last week with the lovely snadpaper rash that accompanies it. A trip to the ER and antibiotics(3x a day) and he was back to normal in 2 days. He was very upset when his 'polka dots' went away on his tummy. and so thankful that he takes his medicine better than most adults, only had to bribe him for a couple of days with candy to take it.

Hmmm FO land

No pics yet of course, but I have finished off several hats. Found a wonderful top down pattern on Ravelry from Knitting Fiend. I have made 7 so far, 4 adult, 2 toddler and 1 baby with ok to great results once I figured out the gauge and all. Used Reynolds Rapture(blue), Yarn Pirate Merino in killer bees(this one is up on Rav), Wool O(organic 50/50 wool cotton in pink), Berreco Comfort in Red(ohh so soft, loved it/1 toddler and 1 adult hat out of 1 skein), Ultra Alpaca Berreco in eggplant and Valley Yarn (WEBS) in Terrecotta.

2 pairs of fingerless mitts. These went so quick 2 days tops to make a pair(with life going on at the same time) I actually had one done in maybe 4 hours. 1 pair in Noro Kureyon(I think) for my Mom, that I received from swap pal Valerie last summer. And 1 pair in 100% alpaca that I picked up from Wool and Gray at the NJ Sheep and Wool Festival last fall. Mom loves hers and I am ok with mine. The alpaca, 1 was fingering weight and the other a lace/fingering weight, so I doubled them up, they are warm and sooooo soft, but the thumb is a little tight and even with trying them on as I went a touch to long at the fingers. Debating whether a ripping is in order to get it right or just enjoy the soft fuzziness of happiness

WIP

I have about 20 inches of my Cozy Shawl from Knitty done, Lovely forest green in Berreco Ultra Alpaca. Have 6 pairs of socks on the needles, A's work socks in stockinette, another pair of stockinette in blue and gray on #2(not thrilled with the yarn, but darn it I will finish the pair), half a monkey pair done, 1 pair in a mock cable pattern in a navy blue on Harmonies(daylight anyone), and a lace diamond pair toe up in Red offbrand Cashmere Merino blend that I picked up a stiches last year. Pair # 6 will be discussed later.

Sleeping away are 2 lace weight shawls, a top down raglan baby sweater, a Montego bay scarf.... and some other really old stuff that we won't mention right now.

Yarn Pr0n. I have actually been pretty good. I stopped buying randomly in Dec. I have to date only purchased what was an actual intended project that has either been completed or in progress. No sock yarn has been outright purchased since Dec either. Though,, lol, I really can't count the clubs that were paid for in advance right.

I am sooooo behind, 2 skeins of YarnPirate, sit forlornly on my desk, 2 skeins of Wollmeise, 4 kits from Woolgirl, Xmas, Valentines, SPruce and Irish, waiting patiently for me, with another set to arrive(the last of '07) in a week or so. Not counting everything already stashed.

It's the sock yarns, the lovely hand dyed, soft scrumptious colored wool, that is my undoing. I still lurk on the sites, petting my screen.... eeek...

Enabler I am though, I do point everyone to what I can't have so they can buy it *EG* I am really trying to catch up with my own stash of sock yarn though. Just not enough knit time!!

Swap land, I am still only in one, The Sock It To Me Twice(button side bar tired of linking need a Magic links darn it!!) Finally settled on a pattern and yarn(out of my stash thank you) after several false starts 5-6 patterns and 3 different yarns later, have 3 inches into sock #1 and great plans for the rest of the package. Will be trying my hand at dying for this swap, should be interesting(yes I did buy undyed yarn from knitpicks, but it is not going into the stash so...)

Will be starting a blanket/shawl for an upcoming baby shower for a cousin, the Spanish Christening shawl from Folk Shawls in knitpicks bare Merino/Silk. SOme other friends expecting this year to that I will be finding projects for as well, can't say to much they read this blog occasionally.

Let's see family is still around and kicking, will be working more on the house this weekend, electrical, panaling and drywall, maybe painting see how humid it gets this weekend with the cold front.

Started playing COD4 in Jan, lots of fun. Guild Wars putters along, not to much time in, but Canthan New Year is coming so may hang out for a while there.

Really long glad you made it to the end. Will try to keep up more frequantly this month and get some pics up or post a link to flickr or photbucket when I get them up loaded.

Talk to you soon

Jen

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T22:45:00.001-04:00

I have made it. The intentional Christmas knitting off the needles well before tonight, the unintentionals, 1 left to go, but not a real rush to have it done until this weekend. Presents are all wrapped and ready to be sorted. Baking is done.(8 dozen cookies distributed) i really intended more but the urge has gone for tonight.

I am having a knitting crash tonight. I really want to work on my Cozy or the socks. Lots of gorgeous yarn waiting to be cast on. But the urge isn't there. hopefully after a break tomorrow i will be back in the mood. The pressure of even planned holiday knitting is still a lot of pressure. Is it right, did it block out, will anyone notice that weird looking stitch but me or should I rip out the entire thing??? (Actually did that 3 times each on two of the projects...) Will they like it. New to the holiday knit gift giving as a primary gift, really nervous too. ahh well....

Off to put the gifts under the tree, make sure Santa gets his chocolate chip cookies and milk and be forgiven because I forgot the carrots for the reindeer. Think they would like chocolate chip or snickerdoodles instead????

To all my friends out there IRL and in blogging land, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, a inspirational Solstice, had a joyful Diwali, Happy Hannukah, joyous Kwanza(running out of adverbs here) hope you had/have a wonderful day!!!

2007-12-18T21:21:00.000-04:00

Our First Snow Fall

Joey and the Xmas Tree

Joey after setting up Grandpa's trains

Joeys head and half of the finished fireplace and bookshelf

2007-12-18T12:14:00.000-04:00

Another drought in blog land. A little less than a month this time. No pics this round, need to upload still.

this is a dual update and contest posting for SITM Twice.

After my protestations that I was not going to sign up for any swaps this season, I did with Sock it to Me Twice, the kicker and why I did sign up is I have until March to accomplish the major parts, like knitting a pair of socks!!

The Holidays are upon us with a vengence. 6 days to go!! My Holiday knitting is actually almost done. I think. Pics and details on blog after the holidays, though Ravelry will be updated this week most likely. A few ends to weave in on the last official project and it should be. Now the problem is I keep thinking, well I still have to get something for so and so, maybe I should knit something up real quick. Then I go delve into my stash find the miscelaneous skein of whatever and bring it into the house and there it sits on my desk in a forlorn manner waiting for me to cast on for something quick easy and gorgeous, that would be perfectly appropriate for the recepient. Guess how many skeins are arrayed on my desk...... Well other than pets none, I did finally give up on the idea that I would cast on any of the 8 skeins that had previously populated my "Maybe I could" pile. Actually 2/2 skeins of pink and variegated novelty are back on my desk for a quick hat and scarf set for a younger cousin, maybe. Anyone else ever go through this???

But onward. We have had the obligatory first snowfall, pics are pending, received a couple of inches of snow and an inch or so of ice about 2 weeks ago. Last storm brought ice and rain. Looks like it will be a cold and snowless Christmas this year, ahh well, you never know til the day arrives, I can hope.

James and Jessica will be out for a week the day after Christmas. Can't wait to see them. They have reported passing grades for the sememster, YEAH!!

Joey has decided that when he plays, he "Can't Mommy, I am busy" while playing and that is just when I check up on him, you know when they get real quiet and you start to wonder what they are up to, quiet. 3 months shy of 3years and such a stinker. again pics pending. Up to 3-4T now, growing so fast. Teary moment - I so miss that teeny baby stage, when I held him, cuddled and sleeping on my chest for naps, all curled up and warm. We co-sleeped with him until he started to roll around and kick to much, only so much room on a queen size, ya know. But those first 2-3 months such cuddles. Then the rocking to sleep in his room, holding him in my lap while I read stories and he looked at the pics, Goodnight moon, Runaway bunny, Pajama Time. Sometimes 2 or 3 rounds each. Now, he wants to hold the books and sit in his bed to read his truck books and rarely do I get the privlidge of cuddles and books. Ahh well the time goes fast and I will take what I get, he's health and happy and such a little boy.

The tree is up and decorated. Joey is getting a big kick out of 'ismas, as he likes to say. Andy put the lights up outside this year, just for Joey, as he loves the lights on everyone elses house. Next year will be some preplanning and will probably do more than just the gutters.

Ahhh, the fireplace is finished, and fires have been going almost every weekend and occasionally on a weekday and with the decorations and tree up it looks great!!!. Andy did a excellent job with the tile and trim and accents the bookshelves wonderfully.

1 more quick trip and the holiday shopping will be done for me at least.

I have just realized it has been a long and not to much to report month for me. Work putters along with its ups and downs.

Knitting goes on, wonderful additions to the stash from Wollmeise, highly reccomend their yarn, the colors are so rich and beautiful!! Ravelrs can find it in my stash, Very generous sock skeins as well, 575 yards, shipping from Germany really wasnt that bad either, price was decent and only took 2 weeks. Also Club shipments from WoolGirl, Highly reccomend signing up for the 2008 Sock Club and/or for 7 Deadly S(p)ins, if you haven't already. Jen's taste are impeccable to date and these promise to be trully wonderful offerings.

I will admit I am a little (just a little, lol) behind on my own knitting, but I have finished another hat for Andy, have almost 6" done on my Cozy shawl(I love the Ultra Alpaca from Berrecco!!) and I keep trying to magic link and it's not working!!! and only 3 active socks OTN! We won't count the inactives yet, shhhh, they're sleeping....

Other Knitting stuff, ahh my dearest daughter Jessica, is firmly and officially interested in knitting. Her first major project over the summer, a prayer shawl using.... Homespun. She enjoyed it and survived it, without any major trauma and is looking to do a hat over the Holidays!!

Have officially used my Harmony dpns and love them. They have the slick feel of the nickel and the lightness of wood, though the are grabbier than the nickel, but not as grabby as bamboo. And Options, ohhh, much better IMO than Addie's. though I will admit I haven't tried any lace project with them, so that opinion is still in progress. I did have a small crisis with a cord pulling out and Knitpicks Customer Service was excellent, no questions asked, just confirmed who I was, which size, and had the replacement in a week. Cool huh!

That about covers it, I have rambled on enough. I will try to post up pics this weekend.

Happy Winter Holidays to all!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2007-11-22T11:28:00.000-04:00

I try to be thankful every day for the things in my life. My healthy happy family, sons, daughter, Moms, Dads, Sisters, brothers, nephew, those close and not so close. All my cousins also both near and far.

I am spending today with one part of my family. My dear husband Andy, youngest son Joesph, MIL, SIL, BIL, nephew and the grandmother. Enjoying a Thanksgiving feast prepared by the BIL with assorted dishes provided by my MIL and an apple pie and gooey pumpkin cake thing baked by me this morning.

I will miss my oldest kids James and Jessica as they spend the holiday with their father and his family, but still wish them the best Thanksgiving day possible. Love you guys and miss you. My mother is enjoying her Thanksgiving today with her husband and brother(out for a long visit to California) and my sister should be down already as well, to enjoy a weekend at home with Mom.

I am thankful daily for lots of things, good health, family, friends, a good job and co-workers, a roof over my head, a car that runs, a family that cares for me and I for them.

I am also thankful for the internet and all the friends it has brought to my life. Some I have met IRL(in real life) some I have not and hope to some day.

My gaming friends from DOJ, whom I have been absent for a while, but speaking with more now that fall and winter are moving in and outside is getting chilly. Yes, most of my gaming is done when the weather is crappy or chilly out, lol.

My real life knitting friends over at Twisted Stitchers Happy Thanksgiving and see you next week!!!

And to my online knitting friends, some I meet through KR and some I have not only continued the friendship, but expanded and also made even more friends though Ravelry. I have to give a warm and heartfelt thanks to Jess and Casey with Bob, who came up with a wonderful idea and carried it much further than I think they ever expected and to such massive membership, that I know they didn't expect. Ravelry goers are doing our own Thanksgiving/Holiday Well wishing over there to show our thanks and appreciation for all that they do.

As I sit and type this epic, I began to think of other specific online folks, Bethany, who I hope is continuing to settle into her new home in Alabama after a very rough trial to get there, an having a great day with her family and the Holiday season brings her all the Joy and Happiness that family and holidays can. Silfert who I think would love the Pumpkin Gooey cake so I have attached the link, so she(and everyone else who bakes) can try it.

I have many other online friends, that I think about today, I will not list them, because 1) I will forget someone and hate doing that and 2) if I mention everyone I will miss my dinner, so to all the others out there who's names I haven't mentioned but are out there and i have made/sent Happy Thoughts too, you bring great joy, entertainment, education and happiness to my life by the thoughts you post in the forums and blogs and I wish as well all the Joy and Happiness the today and the rest of the Holidays will bring.

I will close now, pies to finish and need to get ready for dinner, Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy.

Update, Sock it to Me Twice, Fo's

2007-11-20T10:29:00.000-04:00

First an update, it has been a while...

Other than having a vicious cold, that has killed my voice(probably have a good phone career for a couple of days, lol), Joey started the cold cycle and is doing better though still off just a tad, Andy's still hacking away, think if he isn't better by Wed, drag him to work for a CXR and antibiotics.

We woke up to snow on Monday. Big, white, fluffy flakes. If it had been a little colder, probably would have stuck. Ahhh well, turned to rain by afternoon. It was pretty though. Anybody else love the way snow looks while you are driving, the tunnel flying at you thing, I think it's neat anyway.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving. I will be baking an apple pie and a pumpkin custard thing(have to go to Rachel Ray's website for this recipe) that the Dear MIL has requested.

Looking at the Black Friday ads to see if there will be anything on the XMas lists for a good price. I will NOT be getting up at 2am again. Did it last year and not happening this year, unless it is free and I have to have it can't live without at, the world will end if it is not in the house, etc... so yeah...

Had a wonderful delivery yesterday.... what was it you ask.... Yarn Pirate!!! in BFL(blue faced leichester) Never touched BFL before.... ohhh boy, I pulled a L&V when I touched it. Yeap I squeed, LOL!!!! and the colorway is gorgeous, Georgia really did a wonderful dye job. Wound it up then and there and I have a new pet for my desk until I decide what pattern. Thinking maybe a shawlette or scarf.

Will be going to a book signing for Mary Beth Temple - Secret Language of Knitters on Dec 2 in Montclair. I met her at the Ravelry brunch at Stix-n-Stitches early this month, wonderful lady, book promises to be a great read!!

Finished 2 projects this week, the stockinette hat for Andy(only took about 2 weeks of off and on knitting), and my Halloween socks from WoolGirl are done.

I have since cast on 2 more pair for me. The Nov Mystery from Mona at SKA(Ravelry) were re-cast on last night with metal DPN's, I tried with the bamboo #0 and #1 and was too nervous with every bend and uhhggg, thankfully nothing snapped, so #1 nickle and much happier. Also cast on the Rivendal from Chameleon ColorWorks(August), love the evolution yarn, hopefully they will be back on track for next year.

Once my order from Stix-n-Stitches arrives I will be casting on for Holiday Projects. I promise though no one is getting socks from me, maybe.... Really trying not to over commit myself with holiday knitting this year... see how it goes....

My Sock it to Me Twice Questionnaire!! for inquiring minds who really want to know......

1. How long have you been knitting? Do you consider yourself beginner, intermediate, advanced? I have been knitting for about 5 years now off and on, steadily for the past 8 months. I figure I am comfortable intermediate.
2. How long have you been knitting socks? 8 months
3. What are your favorite fibers to work with? right now merino/bamboo blend from Mama Llama has been the best so far, with a close second to a merino/tencel blend I picked up from Cherry Blossom Fibers
4. What is your favorite color? Red
5. What are your current WIPs (works in progress)? actually working 3 socks(2 for me, 1 for DH). Will have a some holiday projects going on the needles after thanksgiving.
6. Name your favorite yarns, (brand, fibers, colors, etc.). see #3 and lets see.... actually Ultra alpaca from Berraco(going to be a Cozy shawl someday) for none sock, Reynolds Rapture I just picked up and really like(that will be a scarf or shawl eventually) Just received some BFL, which I am still petting. Colors, I like jewel tones or natural and willing to try most anything fiber or color wise.
7. What are some yarns/fibers that you stay away from. Lion Brand wool ease(feels nice to touch but working it feels like fiberglass) qualifier, I will use acrylics though Simply soft, Baby stuff etc...
8. What is your family situation? (Married, kids, pets?) Married, 3 kids(2 1/2 year old at home) 6 cats and 2 dogs(Bull mastiff and Shepard/Chow)
9. Name some of your hobbies. obvious first, knitting and crocheting, PC gaming(BF2, DOD, Guild Wars, Hellgate London), reading.
10. Name some of your favorite movies? The Fifth Element, Breakfast Club, Hackers
11. Do you like to read? Yeap, Sci/Fi, Fantasy, limited Romance and Mysteries. Amazon
12. Do you collect anything? Chop sticks(yes the kind you eat with), shot glasses when I go to new places, fuzzy pens.
13. Do you own an iPod or mp3 player? both use the iPod more
14. What are your favorite type of knitting needles? Rosewood and Harmony primary and the KP nickle plated, then birch and bamboo.
15. What knitting notion could you not live without? crochet hook
16. Who are some of your favorite designers? Cookie A, Anne Hanson(Heavens, have you seen her new shawl with thraven!!!)
17. Do you subscribe to any magazines? (Knitting or otherwise.) Parents, Parenting and PC Gamer
18. When is your birthday? Nov 7
19. Do you have a "wishlist", (on Ravelry, Froogle, or Amazon)? Amazon see #11, Ravelry anything in my favs
20. Do you have a Ravelry ID? JenC
21. If you had a sheep, what would you name it? hmmm that is a toughie. I like to name critters/pets based on personality and looks, so have to meet him/her first.

Now for the questions my pal asked me via email bright and early this morning:

The first scarf I will probably cast on for myself will be the Tigers eye or the Dragon scale, just acquired some lovely BFL that seems a waste for socks(though they would be wonderful). I do have plans to cast on for the Butterfly Shawl and or the Kimono Shawl before the end of the year. It will all depend on my mood though.

For socks, average cuff is 6" for me, though I do have a couple of Cookie A's knee high patterns in my pattern file that I like. Haven't done any ankles yet for myself. Patterns/colors, I pretty easy going and love anything that is hand made for me. Colors that I avoid for myself though tend to be the candied colors. I do not mind being pushed out of my color/fiber zone. That's why I joined sock/fiber clubs :-)

This will close out today's episode. Will try to update this weekend on the triptophene(sp?) coma wears off....

Drive By posting STrike that a Real Update instead...

2007-11-05T08:52:00.000-04:00

A quick update. Halloween went great Jeoy had a blast, Will post pics eventually. Still socking along. Almost finished with the last committed pair and it will be all for me. At least until Feb/March.bI (please forgive me) signed up for Sock It to Me Twice. HAve the Sock Stash Eliimination going along as well hopefully to decrease some ot the st

Ok, that was supposed to be a drive by post from last week that I never got back to... Well Halloween was great and Joey did have lots of fun going trick or treating with his cousins. He was polite, said thank you and blew a kiss to almost every house that gave him him a treat. Pics of my lovely dragon, he said RAWR a lot too!!

These are from the school's Halloween party and parade.

In other news, almost finished with Andy's sweater, all pieced together AND IT FITS!!! Just need to weave in a couple of loose ends at the neck and it will be completely done. Also finished off the last pair of committed socks, a pair of eyelet spirals(can be viewed on my flickr or Ravelry)for a very special Ravenclaw. Finished off one of the 'It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown' socks, just in time for the 'Christmas Story' package to arrive from WoolGirl. Jen did her usual excellent packing and presentation. Would have gone under the tree if it was up, it was so Christmasy

AHHH lets see what else, Mon or Tues can't remember which received my Hogwarts Sock Swap package from Ophelia- Love the colors so bright and rich with a lovely diamond pattern... A notebook, Some wonderful smelling lotion and soap, very pretty stitch markers, size #4 dpns in birch(needed those), A Harry Potter puzzle, a couple of great magnets, I loved the card!!! and a tin of knitters mints. The socks are especially special, because Ophelia hand dyed the yarn especially for these socks and so, for me!

Been catching up on podcasts. Lime n Violet are hilarious, listening to them always brightens the day and the looks you get when you laugh hysterically at seemingly nothing, whoooohoo!! And listening while at the voting polls, mmmhhhmmm... those from NJ will understand, after voting for issue #4 regarding "the idiots and insane" this year and not meaning the politicians for once, lol!!

That's about it..... Had a wonderful brunch on Sun in Montclair with fellow Ravelers at Stix n Stitches even made it into their blog!! Got to meet Mary Beth Temple of The Secret Language of Knitters and will be going to her book signing in December. Lots of wonderful people at the brunch, my Friends list tripled after...(sorry if I don't remember your real name, I knd of suck at that) Lynn, Pieheart, Mrs Mattesky, QuirkyKnitter, Sheila, and everyone who's names I can't remember(i do remember faces though... sometimes...)Hopefully they will do this again, talk of making it monthly was going around. It was lots of fun, talking knitting, shopping, munching(the cinnamon pastry was divine, as was the homeade coconut bread!!)

Hmmm Stitches never did post about that, did I..... Had a great, if exhausting time. Barry Klein's class on top down Raglan was the best out of all of them, the others Stashology(not really what I expected but interesting), Cabling class, good learning expierience, I should be able to cable.. (didnt mean to rhyme it though, lol) Sampler was ok, but way too much by Sunday, cut that one short. Inner Harbor was gorgeous, enjoyed walking down from the hotel and having lunch with a friend at Cheesecake factory.

The Market, was HUGE, I was so glad I had a plan when I hit it on Friday. It was so overwhelming. Picked up some great yarn though. From Storm Moon Knits some wonderful colorways in Gaz, Cyndi Lauper, THe Great Pumpkin and I Put a Spell on You and some great stitch markers that I dan't find the pick for, but are on her shop page.....

Went to BlueMoonFiberArts to see and touch to find out what everyone is so hot about. The colors are much better in person!!! and squishy soft as well, walked away with 3 skeins of lightweight in PondScum(MUCH better in person), Atomic 6 and Azurite and I did (shhhhh) sign up for Socks that Rock Club 2008(confirmation came last night).

FOund some wonderful alpaca(no name) in a charcoal grey, wish I had picked up more though. $21 for 650yards and so soft!!!! only got 2 should have bought more :-(.

Lots of touchy feely at all the yarn I could get my little paws one, enjoyed the rich colors as well. Will make it a little easier to shop online for some things, now that I know how it feels and the colors look IRL. With so many shops online now, I didn't have to break the budget, I can now comfortablely go to their respective website and have a good feeling about what I am getting and not the "let's pray shot in the dark" feeling about what will arrive.

On that note, Have made reservations for next year, Nov 6-9, 2008 at Baltimore, again and will sign up as soon as the brochure hits the mailbox or sooner if they open online reg up early agian!!!

If you have made it this far, you really must be bored or way to interested in my life, lol. Hope you enjoyed the reading and weren't to bored.

Have a wonderful day, stop by again real soon....

My First Tag aka 8 Random things about me...

2007-10-26T16:24:00.000-03:00

I have been tagged by Laura

Rules:

Once tagged, you must link to the person who tagged you. Then post the rules before your list, and list 8 random things about yourself. At the end of the post, you must tag and link to 8 other people, visit their sites, and leave a comment letting them know they’ve been tagged.

8 things and 8 people?

Oh boy, uhhh, this is my very first ever tag, so should be interesting to say the least....

1) I dont like to fold laundry, that is why there is still 2 baskets clean clothes sitting by the closet door.

2) I love to read, fiction, non fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, mysteries, knitting books(woohoo) which is why there are 6 books on the nightstand waiting and 8 more on the desk in queue and the new book by Clara, The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using and Enjoying yarn. I also don't like to get rid of books I like, because as soon as Ido, I want to read it again, hence my custom bookshelves that DH built for me, smooches.

3) I have knit 11 pairs of socks since April, 3 have actually been for me. That is why I have declared the Winter of Me Knitting, where I will knit more for me(and catch up on all the sock club yarn I've been ~~hoarding~~ collecting)

4) I play BF2, DOD and GW and I am in a clan and a guild, when time allows respectively. I like to shoot/slash things, *EG*...

5) I will only bake from scratch or not at all, recent scone phase thanks to Knit 1 Tea 2 swap this summer, and halloween cupcakes will be going to school next week.

6) I have spent the most significant portions of my life in Oklahoma, California and New Jersey, decipher that accent, hmmmm....

7) I loose my MAC/ATM card at least once a year, minimum, and always find it again with-in a week after the new one shows up.

8) Love chocolate covered strawberries.

wheeewww, made it to 8, now lets play TAG, Bethany, Valerie, Silfert, Hattie, Hettie, Juliet thats about all I can do for that.... GLHF

Autumn is upon us and Death by Wooly softness

2007-10-25T23:05:00.000-03:00

Start this image laden post with the socks of death. Sock Wars II ended for me on Friday October 19 at 1110am from Colleen. Thank you for the wonderful warm, wool softness!!!!

Then onto Sunday and we went pumpkin picking at a local farm, Giameresse in East Brunswick. Took a hayride, picked some pumpkins and had fun raking the leaves that afternoon.

HUFFLEPUFFS WIN THE HOUSE CUP!!!!

2007-10-22T14:53:00.000-03:00

WE WON THE CUP!!!! HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!

CONGRATS TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED TO THE FULLEST, TO OUR SUPERB PREFECT ADELE FOR ALL HER ENCOURGMENT AND TO OUR VIRTUAL CHEERLEADER VALERIE!!! YOU ALL ARE THE GREATEST!!!!

YARN PIRATE

2007-10-18T23:19:00.000-03:00

Arrived today, not the socks of death I was expecting, but my first shipment from YARn PIRATE!!!!

hot pink aluminum circs in size 1 and 2(now have to figure out magic loop) Killer Bee colorway and a great pin for my knitting bag!!! Gonna love this yarn club...

Sock Wars II

2007-10-18T12:54:00.001-03:00

I almost forgot in the excitment of it all....

Sock Wars officially kicked off on Friday Oct 12 aprox 5-6pm EST, dl'd my dossier at aprox 7pm, after a really long day of travel, shopping and classes. I cast on and was off....

This is sock #1 Saturday at lunch....

Then the finished product, photo'd on the hood of the car in the PO parking lot Wed Oct 17 at 4pm before being sent express mail to the wilds of W Virginia. The postal employee, probably thought I was nuts, I was babbling I am quite positive.... really jazzed and energized about getting these babies out the door....

Pattern: Scars by Julie Gardner
Yarn: Spunky Ecletic Super DK
Colorway: BBQ A

I am expecting my package of death any day now as I was listed as dying Tuesday night. We shall see what the mail brings....

Monkey Pics

2007-10-18T12:30:00.000-03:00

Warning this is a picture heavy post!!

First it was a little wet and rainy on the day of delivery and sat on the porch for couple of hours.

Then on opening and a few cups of peanuts later.... cool everything was in ziplock bags, psychic moment!!! Linda must have known it was going to rain!! or else as she commented afraid the chocolate would melt all over the place, either way, dry goodies!!

The socks are in Knitpicks Memories and as soft and comfortable as could be. I lost the blanket and pillow to Joey, there are residing in his nest and he will not share. Thank you again Linda for such a wonderful gift. The book is at his bedside bookshelf as well.

The Barrell of Monkeys is residing in my office currently.

The candy is all gone. The needle organizer full of my DPN's and stitch markers are zippered away with a measuring tape and stuffed in my knitting bag.

The file of patterns is sitting on my desk and as I have been to busy to really have an effective Socktoberfest this year, I will be having the Winter of Socks, where I will do my best to make a dent on the 50+ skeins of sock yarn I have acquired. ps more notes after the pics....

Answer to Bethany's question, How do I manage all my swaps....

I keep file folders. each is labled with the swap, the front has the dates and minimum requirements for each swap and inside are the printouts of the questionaires and emails with addresses and contact info and anything else that may need to filed away, patterns, etc...

Then a Priority mail box is put together and labeled with a sticky as to which swap it is for. As I pull things together, in the box they go and then crossed off the list in/on the folder.

I also have the list on a white board by my computer with the names and dates of each swap. I check mark each as it is mailed and cross/wipe it off when I receive my package.

Side note Sock It to Me is doing another round for all interested. 50 participants, long run, through March to compensate for the holidays. Look forward to seeing everyone.

Will eventually tell the tales of Stitches East, didnt take a lot of pics, but will have some yarn p0rn to post as I did get to visit with Blue Moon Fiber Arts and picked up some STR, and a few skeins from a wonderful indie dyer named Storm Moon Knits. Went to Webs booth... I think I am still in a system overload over the massive quantities of yarn and information I was exposed to at Market. I meet lots of wonderful people, some from Ravelry, some random, wonderful classes....

Will post more after I decompress a bit....

HSKS#3 Quidditch Round 3

2007-10-17T22:29:00.000-03:00

1. What was the name of the book Dumbledore left for Hermione in his will?a. The Tales of Beedle the Bard

2. Whose sign was on Xenophilius Lovegood's chest? d. Grindewald

3. Was October 30, 1980 the night that Lilly and James Potter died? b. No

4. What's another name for the Elder Wand?a. Deathstick

5. Whose Potterwatch code name was 'Rodent'? d. Fred

6. What was so special about the peacocks at the Malfoy Manor? d. They were all white

7. Who does Harry say was "probably the bravest man I knew?"a. Snape

8. What thing was Lockhart giving Hagrid advice about getting out of a well? b. Kelpies

9. What was the occupation of Colin Creevey's father? d. Milkman

10. Which Professor of Hogwarts was a dueling champion when he was young a.Flintwick

Picture Scavenger HuntYou can either post these pictures on your blog or provide a link to where they can be found. Bertie Botts Beans Jelly Slugs Chocolate Frogs Blood Pops

Jenean's first HSKS kit(Bonus Point: Who made the kit?) Ansley

I have been blessed again - Monkey Madness Strikes

2007-10-11T21:31:00.000-03:00

I have been blessed by another generous swapper. out of 8 swaps so far this year I have received wonderfully generous packages from 6 of my upstream partners. Note 2 swaps are still pending shipping and receiving on both sides :-)

I received another wonderful generous package today from Linda and took pictures. Uhhh one small problem. I left the camera cord at work, darn it... I did take pics and will post as soon as i can get the cord. Hopefully tomorrow if I have time before I leave for Baltimore. Stitches East YIPPEEE!!!! If not will all be posted first thing Monday morning. Joey is sleeping with his new monkey blanket(made by Linda) and his monkey book, wouldnt let go, at least he wasnt jumping on the bed all night, lol.

The Reeses Peanut Putter cups with Banana cream(al a Elvis) are gone(side note I read Linda's blog post about these and laughed, wondering why I can't get the neat short run flavors up here) One bannana taffy is gone and the socks fit like a dream. Lot of other candy in the bag too...lemonheads, cherry heads, orange heads, Gummy Krabby patties(confiscated by the hubbie) Boston peanuts.. all great to munch on. Ahh yes and Laffy taffy in banana and Mango.

The pillow, I dont know if Joey will get it or I will, we may share.(Pillow case also made by Linda adn covered with pics of sock monkeys)

And the patterns, Good Lord there are a lot of sock patterns out there and I have a whole expanding file with some of them now. I haven't seen the Monkey sock Monkey pattern one in 20 years(my Grandmother made them for the kids once). It will be fun sorting through them to see which one to do first. The yarns are so soft and squishy. I love the Bannana Chocolate, the yarn too... and the opal I love how it works up glad to have another colorway in such warm colors. Cute magnet monkey too wrapped onto the yarn. And a barrell full of monkeys game, haven't played that in almost 30 years, my grandmother had it in the toy basket for all the grands to play with. Ahhh and last but definetely not least by any shot 4 handmade stitch markers with 2 monkeys and 2 with knitting themes in lovely shades of yellow and a set of 1.5 Brittany birch, I love the birch needles!!!

Thank you so much for a wonderful swap Linda!!!!

HSKS #3 Arrived

2007-10-07T18:56:00.000-03:00

And for a nice round off to the week my HSKS 3 swap package arrived from Hettie on Saturday!!! My what wonderful goodies!!. all started with direction on which end to open...

So much stuff. Will start off with the beautiful sewn project bag with the irridescent butterflies and satin yellow lining, intererior pocket holding a little box of stitch markers, and containing some jelly Belly's in one of my favorite flavors, Dr Pepper, yummm!!! and a skein of Katia hippy in black. Someone had lots of fun looking for patterns, not 1 but 5 FIVE, patterns for socks, using three differant techniques, toe up, cuff down and crochet!! A wonderfully soft skein of Hufflepuff yarn from Spunky Ecletic one of my favorite indie dyers 2 circular bamboo needles(I can now try the 2 circ method, been wanting to for a while) and a set of bamboo dpns for back up(I was needing another set of #3's thanks!). A pair of needle caps, a great post card from California, and as a bonus 3 sets of 14" Bates aluminan in 3 differant sizes, perfect for blankets and sweaters!!! Almost forgot, a jar of strawberry preserves and a box Tazo orange tea!! See the pics below-

Thank you so much Hettie for such a wonderful and generous package. The bag is terrific and you did a terrific job on your first sewing project!!

PS update: Monkey, Hogwarts and HSKS 3 will ship out probably Tuesday as Monday the PO is closed for the holiday....but I still have to go to work and not at holiday rates....

Swap goodies from this Week!!

2007-10-05T23:42:00.000-03:00

Been a long week, work has been hectic, with sick calls and whiny faculty...

But it has also been a very generous week, swap packages from Knit Tea and Fall into Autumn.

First from my wonderful Knit1Tea2 swapper Ruth that I received last week.

In the box was Apple Pecan Biscotti, very tasty, a variety of yummy tea packets that went to work with me. A lovely red note book that went straight into my knitting bag with the lip balm. And the top 2(actually 3) lovely goodies were the adorable yarn ball with needles ornament (I had it in my shadow box above the bed but moved to hang over my computer monitor so I can look at it all the time). Last but most certainly not least, the gorgeous red knit washcloth and soap bag with rose Petal soap, smelled it as soon as I opened the box and still keep sniffing it, rose and spicy, love it. Thank You Ruth for a wonderful Tea Swap.

During the course of the week I have also received, the Halloween kit, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown from Wool Girl...

And today after a long day at work I came home to...

So many goodies, from my dear swapper Betsy. Halloween Note pad with a magnet, black kitty note pad, Some wonderful chocolates, Peaches and cream yarn, a pretty new tape measure, pattern book. Halloween dish cloth with the crocheted top to button onto the fridge or stove and then in the two pretty little chinese boxes, a Halloween dishcloth with a pumpkin candle holder and spicy candle and a candy corn pin, and in the autumn one, another dishtowel with the button top in Autumn colors, a lovely pattern dishcloth, soap in lemon verbana and another candle. Thank you Betsy for a wonderful autumn swap!!!

And I also became a proud member of the Wooly Wool Girl Frequent Shopper club. wonderful gift items, New tote bag, Knitting journal, tape measure and some other wonderful little goodies!!! sorry no pics, between Joey and the cats, it was put away rather quickly, barely saved my washclothes. from marauding wild things...

Well off to bed for me, been a long week and will be and even longer weekend.... 6 DAYS UNTIL STITCHES, YIPEEE... goodnight folks...

HSKS#3 Quidditch Round 2

2007-10-05T11:27:00.000-03:00

1. In Deathly Hallows what does Harry step on when exiting his room to wash his cut?
c. A teacup

2. Which two members of the Order of Phoenix came to escort the Dursley’s to a safe place?
b. Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones

3. In order to throw off the Death Eaters, several of Harry's friends take Polyjuice Potion to resemble him and each Harry goes with a different member of the Order of the Phoenix to a different location. Where do Ron (disguised as Harry) and Tonks go? a. Aunti Muriel's house

4. At Bill and Fleur's wedding, Harry must disguise himself by taking Polyjuice Potion and takes on the appearnce of a redheaded Muggle boy from Ottery St. Catchpol. He was introduced to wedding guests as Cousin . . . c. Barny

5. Kingsley sends a message via Patronus to warn the Weasleys and wedding guests of the coming Death Eaters. What form does his Patronus take? b. A lynx

6. In the Half-Blood Prince what drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry? d. Gillywater

7. What is the name of the person that heads the Holyhead Harpies? a. Gwenog Jones

8. What tatoo is Harry reported to have on his chest? b. Hippogriff

9. What color robes do the staff at Weasley's shop wear? b. Magenta

10. Where do Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle live? D. Devon

Picture Scavenger Hunt
You can either post these pictures on your blog or provide a link to where the pictures are located.

A Gryffindor Quidditch Uniform

A Hufflepuff Quidditch Uniform

A Ravenclaw Quidditch Uniform

A Slytherin Quidditch Uniform

A Picture of the Room of Requirement

Joey on the Mower and FO's

2007-09-29T18:07:00.000-03:00

My finished project for the week, a crocheted baby blanket....

Chilling on the couch Sunday morning, we had to bring all the blankets and stuffed critters out to the couch...

Outside pic playing

Took a video of Joey mowing the lawn(kinda)...

Topic of the Week Fall into Autumn #3

2007-09-24T13:40:00.001-03:00

Autumn has now officially begun here in the States!!

What is your favorite thing about Autumn/Fall? Why?

The most favorite thing is the changing of colors. I have a most gorgeous drive once the leaves start turning, (small point I am describing my drive to work into New Brunswick, NJ, so don't worry if you are lost:-) I drive south on Rt 18 over the Raritan right at Johnson Park, wonderful view of the park, the trees, the bend of the river, makes my morning no mater what the weather, but fall is when it the best, so full of color, the mist off the river in the morning. Best part of going to work.

I also enjoy the cooler weather, but still warm enough to just need a light jacket or sweater. Some day that will be a shawl, which is still a WIP....

Two package Day

2007-09-20T14:30:00.000-03:00

I was stalking the mailperson... I saw them drive down the other side of the street, that means in 10 mins give or take a couple, he will be deliverying to my side of the street. I was expecting a swap package, didn't now which one, Jane Doe emailed me so, knew it would be this week. And I had some new stuff coming in from Jen at Woolgirl for a baby girl present, got this but in the pink, some Shrek for Joey. Don't know if I will do socks or may be a hat scarf, something that will last a while. Socks I worry he may outgrow them, even though I can lengthen them..... Will have to see what patterns grabs me I guess... And then there was this for me, Lime slushy from Zen Garden. Much better in person. The front door was open, I was standing in the kitchen, watching, listening(mail trucks have a distinct sound), waiting. He pulled up and put stuff in the box and I waited, he hadn't pulled away yet... Then he backed up...huh... ahhh cant get out of the truck parked next to the mailbox. I intercepted him before he was even on the porch. Mine!

But the best was the package from my SITM swapper. Thank You so much Kietha, the Baudelaire socks are gorgeous, this was on my some day list, when I was ready for cables. They are made in this wonderful red colorway, dyed by Keitha herself. I dont want to put any shoes on they are so pretty. I almost cryed when I saw them, I love them so much!! Ok here are the pics....

Also in the package were... A KnitPickers Travel Bag with little wrapped goodies. Wonderful smelling red clover hand and Cuticle salve from JR Watkins(I love apothacaries), gorgeous stitch markers and a big bag of Halloween Peanut M&M's(hidden from hubbie and children) and a skein of tofutsies that will make a wonderful pair of Fall socks.

And loaded with a project already...
Thank you so much for a wonderful swap Keitha!!! You are the greatest!!!!

Faal Into Autumn Topic of the Week #2

2007-09-18T12:47:00.000-03:00

When you knit or crochet dishclothes, washclothes or face clothes, what do you use? Right now a lot of Peaches and Cream and Sugar and Cream as it is the easiest available. But I like the Cotlin from Knitpicks and Tahki Classic and Mercerized Cottons.

What size needle or hook? with knitting size 7 straights crochet usually a F or G.

Wood? yeap with knits and what type? Bamboo. Metal? for crochet good old Susan Bates Plastic? have some, the Susan Bates crystals for knitting.

A specific Brand? not really, usually what I have on hand Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Bamboo and woods, because the are lighter and flexible and don't hurt my hands as much. and the crochet hooks I have had for so many years and couldn't use anything else really.

Is there one you are dying to try? Hmmmm, the new Harmony by KnitPick any and all of them.

Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the time for clothes? nope. Though I do like the wool and tencel and wool/nylon blends for socks to date.

What is so special about it? It softier IMO and a little cushier.

Wonderful Tea Swapper!!!

2007-09-17T22:39:00.000-03:00

Someone hid this from me when I got home tonight. Didnt find it until after Joey was in asleep....

I must have the most wonderful, generous Knit 1 Tea 2 swapper in the group, at least I think so....

An absoulutely gorgeous china tea cup from England in St Andrews(guess what DH's name is and isn't saint by a long shot) which makes it even more perfect. Strawberry green tea and strawberry scone mix AND a wonderful skein of louet gems in cardinal, which will work into a wonderful pair of socks for moi....

Thank you so much tea pal of mine... this has been my best swap ever!!!!!

Saturday, What a day... with spoilers and yarn P0rn

2007-09-15T17:29:00.000-03:00

The day started rainy. It really needed to stop that or I would be going to the Garden State Sheep and Wool Festival by myself and I really wanted Andy and Joey to go with. The rain tappered off Andy woke up finally and off we went.

Jacob Sheep or two, dig the horns...

Joey made a new llama friend-

and met a goat...

Then it was time to come home -

and when we got home....

this was between the screen and front door. Ooops, good thing yarn is not fragile cause it took a 8.5Us with a kick and squish.

And Jen is a wonderful, most splendiferous person in the wool world right now... The swag was superb, the yarn is sublime and the stitch marker... I ran out of s's for the moment but really, really pretty... and the journal and pen I LOVE 'EM!!!! This will be a great sock club.

The pics really dont do the yarn justice, the blues, purples all the shades in between are gorgeous, from MissBabs care of Woolgirl.com. I can't wait to cast on.

Oh and some additional yarn p0rn from the fiber festival portion of our journey. Had a wonderful conversation with , I am so sorry I forgot your name, lady from Wool and Gray Alpaca in Flemington, NJ and picked up these lovely skeins of 100% alpaca the cream color is from on of her own Honey-Rose and some from one of her co-op folks, I believe, called Cinnamon. They are so soft and lovely. Then in the back building I found a most lovely renaissance place with baskets of handpainted and spun yarns. Roving in such gorgeous colors and so soft to the touch, really wish I knew how to spin. And the skeins of silk blends, oh my... but my budget was minimal today and I came home with this loveliness
From Dragonfly Fibers in Squishy Sock Yarn color: flame. It is sitting on my desk in front of me for frequent pettings, right next to the Cherry Blossom Fibers skein. This same booth had fibers and yarn from On My Tip Toes and The Sanguine Gryphon (her site is still in progress, but she told me she would be up and running next week). There respective yarns were just as lovely and soft and pettable and definetely on my must try list, once funding is available.

Well Saturday is almost done, well except for dinner, play outside with joey, fire up the grill and have a nice piece of london broil, with mashed potatoes and green beans. Maybe see how I feel later and try the lemon scones recipe.

til later....

HSKS 3 Scavenger Hunt

2007-09-13T00:01:00.001-03:00

Who is the Hogwarts teacher that Voldermort performed the Avada Kedavra curse on in Deathly Hallows?b. Charity Burbage

2. Who replaces the Muggles studies teacher in Deathly Hallows?c. Alecto Carrow

3. When Harry meets Mr. Olivander for the first time, which wand law is introduced?c. The wand chooses the wizard.

4. According to Mr. Ollivander, what is not necessary to take true possession of another wizard's wand?a. to kill the owner

5. If you know anything about Harry Potter, you will know that Harry's Patronus is a stag. But what is his best friend Ron Weasley's Patronus?d. Jack Russell Terrier

6. Now for the third member of the trio. What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?a. Otter

7. What did Mrs. Wealey make to eat the first night that Harry arrived at Grimmauld Place? a. Stew

8. In book 5, at the start of term feast, what is Ron eating when trying to talk to Nearly Headless Nick? c. Roast potato

9. A half-giant called Rubeus Hagrid takes you to Diagon Alley for the first time. To get there, you go into the courtyard of a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. There, Hagrid taps a certain brick on the courtyard wall three times with his pink umbrella, revealing the entrance to Diagon Alley. As he decides which brick to tap, he mutters instructions to himself. What instructions does he mutter? b. ‘Three up... two across

10. The first place you go in Diagon Alley is Gringotts bank, where you can withdraw money from your vault and Hagrid can withdraw a top-secret package from Vault No. 713 on Dumbledore’s orders. On the second set of doors leading into the bank you notice a poem written. These are the first two lines:Enter, stranger, but take heedOf what awaits the sin of greed,What is the next line? d. ‘For those who take, but do not earn

Picture Scavenger - click name for link to pics

Rolanda Hooch -

Firenze

Argus Filch -

Moaning Myrtle -

Colin Creavey -

Its done!!!!! Well almost....

2007-09-12T17:34:00.000-03:00

I received my final grades for my associates degree. I PASSED my last classes, I did it, I did it (Dora's theme BTW is running through my sick little head) yippeee, now all I have to do is finishing paying the bill and I get that lovely piece of paper that says Associates in Science - Management. YEAH!!!

And Joey is back to his 2 1/2 year old self today. Spent the afternoon with Gran, hopefully she will survive. It's been like he's making up for being sick for a day and a half in one day. He's a good little bink though....

2007-09-11T21:15:00.000-03:00

The Pics from my tea swapper, with a note of more to come!! The yorkshire tea, was tested earlier today and very good. The blend Murches #22 will be tomorrow, Going to make buttermilk scones for breakfast... and then there is Girlie checking everything out...

Catch up

2007-09-11T14:53:00.000-03:00

A quick post, Jeoy is sick, viral gastro thing, only throwing up thank heavens. Received a wonderful package from my Knit 1 Tea 2 swapper. will post picks tonight, quick rundown which wont do justice to the package, ceramic teapot in a lovely shade of red with a GORGEOUS red and gold tea cozy with matching hot pad. Cookie crunchies with chocolate filling, yummy. Loose tea that smells delish, german rock sugar(both in these cute little marmalade jars) fillable tea bags for the loose tea and some Yorkshire tea(had with breakfast this morning and lunch) which was very good. Hit the spot as it has been raining all day today.

Two-fer post today, and other stuff plus Joey

2007-09-06T13:33:00.000-03:00

Okay today is going to be a two-fer post as I cheated just a smidge. Yesterday I baked SCONES!! First ones ever.

Scones are made with semi-sweet chocolate chips and I used the football shaped cookie cutter. So now I have snacks for the NO/Colts game tonight. Creativity at it's best you know...

I also tried a "clotted cream" recipe using heavy cream and cream cheese that came out good as well. Will post the recipes on the google group later on. Will be trying gingerbread biscotti today when joey goes down for his nap..

Speaking of Joey...

In knitting news, finished the socks for my hogwarts pal, Ophelia, a few more owls to bring in goodies and that will go out. Started the Monkey socks this monday, almost ready to turn the heel on the first, my they do knit quick. her box is almost packed, a few treats and it will go out as well soon.

Picked up some materials for a couple of sock bags for swaps and stuff, won't tell what materials cause it's a surprise, sshhhhh....

Then there is SOCK WARS. It has a Ravelry group and a Yahoo group. I probably shouldn't have signed up(I say that a lot lately) but it was irresistable - "A place for only the hardiest yarn warriors in the original and bloodiest death-by-sock tourment.There can be only one survivor!"

See why I couldn't resist it. you knit a pair of socks for your assignee as fast as you can. As soon as you are done you mail them off to them and bam... their done/dead. Then they mail their incomplete pair to you, and you finish them and mail them off. Assuming you dont get a pair in the mail in the mean time, knocking you out.

I'm weird I know, we just live with it and adjust...

HSKS #3 questionaire

2007-08-31T10:22:00.000-03:00

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff

2. List your favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Or would you prefer circulars? right now lantern moon sox stix size 2-3 close second though would be the knitpicks 6"

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? wanting to try circs, bamboo, knitpicks or addi turbos sizes 2 or 3. for circs and socks not sure.

4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? not Ravenclaw prefer the book though. Do you have a strong preference?

5. Do you have any allergies?environmental

Fall Into Autumn Dishcloth Exchange Questionaire

2007-08-30T09:56:00.000-03:00

1.Do you knit or crochet? both How long have you been doing it? knitting roughly 1 year crocheting 20+
2. Have you made dischloths before? yeap up to 4 now Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? both
3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? to date the Tahiki cotton classic mercirized and Cotlin. What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ? anything
4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? circs For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? right now overall wooden, but ilove my Knit picks dpns.
5. What are your favorite colors? Natural red blues browns. Any colors you don't like much? neon and candy
6. What do you like best about Autumn? the cool crisp air in the morning, smells so clean adn invigorating.
7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! Apple
8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? couldnt wait to get started, but overslept anyway
9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap) I enjoy halloween, decorate the front of the house a litlte bit, take the kids tric or treating and do little things around the office
10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? honey wheat pretzels, chex mix(traditional), chocolate
11. Do you have any pets? 6cats, 2 dogs, 1 rat and 1 goldfish Kids? 3 Husbands who seem like kids? 1 of those too ;)
12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? variegated
13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? facecloths mostly and shhh that make good potholders in a pinch too.
14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)Halloween. That is the time of the year where we go to the farms and pick apples, choose pumpkins for falldisplay and for Jacolanterns, hot apple cider.
15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? environmental allergies for now. HAte the smell of cigarette smoke on anything.

Yarn diet

2007-08-29T19:45:00.000-03:00

Ok, been feeling real proud of myself. Hadn't bought any yarn for a while. Then I thought, hey how long have I been on my yarn diet really. 1 month to the day. 1 stinking month. Not that I haven't been checking out my favorite haunts looking, drooling over the keyboard, the Cherry Truffle from Cherry Blossom Fibers is currently my fav... But 1 month jeez... really felt like so much longer though at least since beginning of July maybe but no... This really sucks. Another month until Stitches, about 2 weeks to the NJ sheep and fiber thing in Hunterdon. Going to ~~drag~~ bring DH and Joey to it. Joey will love the petting zoo and kiddie stuff, so will DH oddly enough... and I can check out the booths and demonstrations.

But 1 month jeez again....

Hogwarts Sock/Scarf Kit Swap 3 - Dishcloth Exchange

2007-08-24T10:58:00.000-03:00

Hello blogging land. Signed up for another swap. This will be the last, until Xmas, maybe, not making any promises right. Link is on my button bar and here HSK3. Sign ups go on for another 6 days. Look forward to seeing you there.

Edited 8/26/07

Fall into Autumn DishclothSwap!!! Sign Ups start 9/1-9/6. See button on the side or click the link. We had a lot of fun this summer. Look forward to seeing you there!!!

Monkey Swap Three

2007-08-23T13:09:00.000-03:00

Monkey Sock Swap THREE Questionnaire

The basics:
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? I am edging towards intermediate. Simple stockinette have down.Have done 2-3 more complex type patterns.

The measurements:
Shoe Size: 8.5 US
Foot circumference: 9"
Foot length: 9 3/4"

Yarn Preferences:
What colors do you love? anything but candy/neon colors

Do you prefer solids or variegated? either

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn? wool or wool blends (tencel/Silk/seaweed)

What colors would you never wear? candy/neon colors

What are your favorite brands of yarn? Cherry blossom fibers(wool Girl), Chameleon Color Works, Tofutsies(SWTC)

Are there any new brands you would like to try? anything I love trying new stuff

Cookie A. Patterns:
Which of her patterns have you already knit? none

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own? Listed in order of preference: Millicent, Baudelaire, Gothic Spire, Twisted flower, Pomatomus

Other pertinent information:

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US? yes

Do you have any allergies? environmental only

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? cats and dogs, no smoke. I try my best to keep yarns and projects away from the animals, ziplock bagged or in plastic bins when not in use.

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name? YES!! name: JenC

Swapiness and Happiness

2007-08-20T21:11:00.000-03:00

Had a package waiting for me today.... From the Wonderfull Cecily

Thank you so much for a wonderful swap package. With the dishcloth with the musical note reliefed on it. The lavender soap and the yummy peaches and coconut milk soap. The cotlin will be cast on as soon as the dishcloth IP is off the needles. And the blue sky cotton will have to keep an eye out for the right patterns. Knit Pick DPNS!!! those will go on the next pair of socks i cast on!!!. And the Oreo's well with the great new packaging, they are staying in my desk drawer and have been sampled. Thank you, thank you for a great swap Cecily!!

Allergy - Round 2

2007-08-17T16:40:00.000-03:00

Basic foods are clear. No allergy to things like nuts, fruits, wheats, etc... the common food allergies. 4 more days and I start the intra dermal testing, can't you just feel the excitement.

Well big thunder boomers coming through, going to go stand on the back porch and listen to the rain.

Allergy - round 1 and the winner is....

2007-08-15T09:45:00.000-03:00

Trees, grasses and weeds as definite positives for the inhalants catagory. Friday will start round 2 with Foods. Being off the allergy meds is driving me nuts, but can't take anything unless I am dying and then it has to be short acting or I have to reschedule the testing for 3 days after I took the pill, ugghh. the scratch test isn't so bad it just ITCHES!!!! and you can't touch it!!!! ARGGGHH!

Well nothing I can do about for now, except avoid trees, grass and weeds (anybody seen were I live lately????)

~~Oh and found a pic of Joeys fort and play area at the half finished mark~~ nevermind can't find it again, I think something is eating the pics of his fort, hmmmmm. I know I took some....

Been a while, but....

2007-08-14T16:28:00.000-03:00

Been a while since the last update. Lots of things going on. Kids went home couple of weeks ago, miss them a lot, maybe things will change, who knows.

We finished the Endeavor for Joey. He now has his own, swing set, slide, rock wall and fort with picnic bench to play on until he out grows in a few years. Don't know what happen to the pics will have to take more and post them.

Fence is up around a portion of the backyard, just need 2 gates for the front, but as usual Home Depot was out of what we needed. Will have to keep going back until the have them in stock again. The dogs weren't sure what to do when we let them out without their runners, they wont go past the standard length of the leads and now we prod them to out further until they reach the fence.

Other exciting news, I finally received my results for my medical coding, I PASSSED!!! I am now a certified coder for Emergency Medicine. I am also set for my finals for the last of my classed for my associates degree in Medical Management. This has only taken 4years and 6months to complete. I will be so happy when it is done, though the bill will still be there for at least another year :-(

In Knitting News:

Jessica finished her first knitted item. A Prayer shawl using Homespun(no I will not link it)

Then Joey wanted to play with it too...

Finished Joey's ankle socks, using some left over Tofutsies. He calls them his butterfly socks...

Lets see, I finished the sweater for Cubs for Kids and my Football Knitalong....and started my July offering for Chameleon Colorworks Sock of the Month Club, not bad for my first toe up (3 tries) and doing Fair Isle/stranding for the first time. I am a little further along than the picture shows, about 1/3 of the way through the foot pattern. Had to make some adjustments though, mainly to get gauge I would have been knitting on #6 and it just didnt look right. So I stuck with #2 and increased a few more stitches and adjusted the pattern accordingly. I am fairly certain I do not like the funky look of the toe, will have to see what adjustments to make to get rid of the squared look. I do like the toe up though trying on as I go along has been really neat.

That's it for now I think. Will work on the pics of Joeys swing set. Enjoying what is left of my summer and working, knitting and getting ready for the Fall..... Blessings all....

When the dog days of summer get you down.....

2007-08-07T12:33:00.000-03:00

I rounded up the kids, went to Cold Stone Creamery and then to Barnes and Noble. Spent the next couple of hours with excellant icecream and books.

Knit 1 Tea 2 Swap Queastionaire

2007-07-31T23:49:00.001-03:00

Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap Questionnaire
1. Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try? Never really tried anything beyond bags but would like to.
2. What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)? uhh, lipton, orange pekoe
3. Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up). Ummm any, kind a new to the whole tea thing, so any of them.
4. Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind? Hot water cause that is all I’ve ever had.
5. What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself? Accessories?????
6. How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc). Massage, glass of wine while in a bubble bath listening to Norah Jones or something soothing.
7. If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why? A nice 80/20 stock wool and silk blend fingering wieght. Why? Because I am kind of a natural person easy going , sturdy but with a sheen to me.
8. If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why? Umm, none of them. Blankets over booties they are more useful, fun fur maybe for chemo caps or something but not scarves ever again, and I am not a fair Isle type of person by a long shot.
9. What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?) Once I have accepted and invitation, illness/death in the family.
10. What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?) morning tea-scones and jams, light cookies. Afternoon-those little sandwiches and petit fors for dessert.
11. When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute? Depends on if it is in budget and if I like it how it feels.
12. What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go? Individual projects go in ziplock bags then into a small canvas backpack thingie, the into a denim tote that holds the essentials kit and reading material and pattern.
13. Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting? Hackers
14. Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match? More of a mug I guess ‘cause that is all I have and not really.
15. Favorite childhood birthday party? WonderWoman birthday cake made by an older cousin and family.
16. Favorite type of scone and jam? Scone not really sure, jam would be strawberry
17. If you use candles, what is your favorite scent? Berries
18. If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead). My mother, my best friend Dipali and my internet friend Luci
19. You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)? Skirt(‘tea length’), layered shirt and blouse (formal and casual)
20. Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to? nope
21. Anything we missed that you want your pal to know? I have never really tried tea’s beyond the basic tea bag. Have gone as far as earl grey, chamomile and Lipton honey/lemon. But it has always looked interesting. I am willing to try new avenues and learn more about the tea world.

Ravelry

2007-07-30T12:34:00.000-03:00

Found you!
You signed up on June 13, 2007
You are #8834 on the list.
1601 people are ahead of you in line.
12569 people are behind you in line.
33% of the list has been invited so far

getting closer......

Rainy Sunday

2007-07-29T18:26:00.000-03:00

Rainy Rainy Sunday, all afternoon, boomers and pouring rain, finally tapering off this evening. no flooding thankfully. Played some GW capped some skills, chased Joey around and worked on the laundry.

Contest on Megan's page name the colorway, I am going for Sugar Pixies, though my first thought was Pixies on Acid, yes I am seroius.

from Knitting up a Storm
"NAME THAT COLORWAY" RULES:1. First, come up with the perfect colorway name. Jokesters might gain extra merit, as long as it's to good humor. Post on THIS post's comment page ONLY!! Thanks. :)2. Post these rules on your blog & your colorway idea. That way, no one will use something like it, by mere freak accident. Who ever finds out about this contest on your blog must refer you on this comment page below, before participating in the contest. (This is kind of like Lotus' Knits contest idea. But we will use a poll too...)-->If you see your name (or blog address) on my comment page below, you can add another colorway name idea! The more referals for you, the better! Good luck to you all! 3. The top 3 best names will be put on a poll, so you all can vote!4. Contest ends: Sunday, July 29th @ midnight!So, the sooner you comment, the better chance you have of getting another go. lol.Feel free to copy & paste the rules. No use in typing it all over again.

Answer to comment question about toddler socks I am using Knitting Pure and Simple Basic lightweight infant/toddler Sock from Simply Sock Yarn. Once I have finished the second of the ankle pair in Tofutsies I will post those shots.

Almost all set for the hogwarts SockSwap, have the yarn, the markers, the needles, now I have to decide on a pattern. Have it narrowed down to 3.

Picked up a kitchen scale. A nice Salter from Bed Bath and Beyond. I will definetly have enough to finish my Sock it to Me socks with about 10gms to spare, YEAH!!

I am on a yarn diet. It's official. No yarn until Stitches in October. Small caveat, unless I absolutely do not have anything that will work for a specific project, involving a swap or a gift for someone else. No new KALs if I don't have it in stock. Put the savings into PayPal and I should have a nice chunk for Market.

Friday

2007-07-27T10:22:00.001-03:00

Start this post of with a cutie shot

And now on to other things. Thank you, thank you, thank you Valerie, thank you again for the great SSS box. I love it. Not only was there a great selection of wools in some of my favorite colors with some new Peruvian, I received 2 TWO!!! skeins of Sari Silk yarn. It was all I could do not to cast on something as soon as I saw it. Eyed up the needles, but restrained myself, will be good think about it and cast on the right project. And there were a TON of Knitting 'zines. 2 count 'em TWO patterns to go with enough ribbon yarn to complete a project(Now comes the hard part of decision because they are both beautiful patterns). The Harry pens are mine, I hid the midges from the DH. I love the tins they came in going up next to the WonderWoman tin when Im done(yeah went up last night) and I needed more stickies too. Can never have enough stickie notes.

Thank You so much Valerie for a wonderful swap and the great projects I have to work on.

Ps My DishCloth Swap went out USPS Priority on Thursday.

small edit

2007-07-21T00:40:00.000-03:00

apparently I do not know how to measure my foot circumfrance. Hopefully my swappers will read this. Mine is acutally 9" sorry for any errors or confusion. If you are already at the point of no return, Please do not frog its okay, I love comfie socks. I will know go not knit in a corner as punishment for my poor skills.

Sock and Yarn updates

2007-07-19T11:50:00.000-03:00

Socks for Sock It to Me: using CherryHill birch and Schaefer Anne mock Cable Twist

Yarn P0rn: this is my Harry Potter collection from Wool Girl...

Harry Potter Yarns - Woolgirl

2007-07-17T12:22:00.001-03:00

Well I received my HP yarn from Wool Girl yesterday, Wonderful service again, and a great sample of some handmade soap Jen carries. Took pics too, worked hard on display and light. Cna't find the @#$% jump cable for the camara. As soon as I find it I will post up pics.

On that note, they are all wonderfull, soft a little squishy and gorgeous colors. I am now ready for the Hogwarts Sock Swap 2(see buttons and signup). and the kids will have there HP socks soon.

In other news I have cast on and have 4" on the first sock for my Sock It to Me pal. the pattern is not as bad as I thought, fairly easy in fact Schaeffer - Anne Mock Cable Twist. Only had to frog once for a mistake but it was only 3 rows and it came back real quick. I hope she likes them.

Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 - First Year

2007-07-15T15:51:00.000-03:00

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff. Took all 4 sorting tests and was Hufflepuff hands down

Shoe size? 8.5US

Foot Length? 9 3/4"

Foot Circumference? ~~9 1/2"~~ edit 9"

List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
a. Lantern Moon Sox stix any wood size 2
b. Brittany Birch size 1-2 length 5"
c. Crystal Palace Bamboo size 2 6"

Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? willing to try any, for socks prefer 5"-6" though edit: Knit Picks DPN's thinking about trying.

If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? Hufflepuff, but if I was would prefer the book, blue and bronze

Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? No fiber allergies. Non smoking, but do have cats and dogs that I try to keep away from the yarn. Yarn is kept in their plastic bags and/or in bins when not in use.

Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? Us, would be willing to go international

The Hogwarts Sock Swap Button is to the right. Applications are being accepted as of July 14, 2007, all are welcome to sign up. Look forward to meeting new people and Book 7 comes out in 6 days Yippee, Currently re-reading the series with my kids.

edit 7/17/07 - Sign ups have been extended to 150, If you are interested please sign up.

FO and Joey

2007-07-15T10:57:00.000-03:00

Finished Joeys Catapiller socks yarn from Opal-Rainforest collection. I love making toddler socks, such instant gratification, took maybe 2-3 days of solid work time, even though they have been cast on for over a month. He loves 'em, wanted to wear them today but it's alittle hot and humid today for wool socks.

Stash Away!!!

2007-07-13T17:07:00.000-03:00

Summer Stash is on its way to my swappee, Priority mail, insured with delivery confirmation. I am just a tad paranoid about the package losing its way, ok.... Hope she likes it. Don't have a lot of stuff in my stash, so had to be a little creative.... And I am really nervous as this is my first official swap package to go out.... Really nervous, kept changing my mind about whether I should mail it or not., but I did and it is now in the hands of USPS. God speed and I hope I don't turn out to be "that" swapper, that all they can say is 'om my god what was she thinking'.... Yeah no am not coping with this first very well... I'm going back to my socks now...

Helping Mom

2007-07-12T22:25:00.000-03:00

Was winding up a couple of skeins for my Vanilla Pullover KAL and Joey wanted to help Mama, he came into the office and said 'what you doin' mama' and then 'me help'. He is so cute.

Sock It to Me contest #1 or When I started Knitting

2007-07-08T14:57:00.000-03:00

I am a self taught knitter, started about 4 years ago. I already knew how to crochet and was an avid maker of baby blankets, afghans and one sweater. I had received from my MIL(at my request)skeins of Irish wool from her and my DFIL, from their trip to Ireland that year. I had crocheted a sweater from the first offerings and kinda liked, but was not what I envisioned.

I knew knitting would give me what I wanted. So, I bought one of those Teach yourslef to learn Knitting kits from WalMart I think...hmmm, with a book, 2 pairs of aluminum needles and misc starter items. From there it was the obligatory scarves, mainly from fun fur and various other bulky fluffy yarns, but a lot fun fur. These were widely distributed through the Christmas season.

Then it was Harry Potter season again that fall and I thought wouldnt the kids love a house scarf for Christmas. (side note they live in So Cal) So I went out and purchased skeins of Red heart in the colors for Gryffindor and Slytherin and found a pattern on the 'net and round and round I went for several weeks. The kids loved them. Have a pic of the Gryffindor, Slytherin is AWOL -

Dog Days answers

2007-07-08T14:01:00.000-03:00

Someone who crochets Tammi W
Someone who's never made a dishcloth before -Karen
Someone who has been knitting\crocheting for less than 2 years Diane C
Someone who has been knitting\crocheting for more than 5 years Linda W
Someone who is from a non-US country Barb N

2007-07-07T19:28:00.000-03:00

Well almost set for my three swaps, doesn't that sound like a tv show. Stash is half packed, dont have a lot really so finding all sorts of other things in the house that need a new home that I wont be needing or using, nothing to weird honost....

Sock It to Me, still waiting for Swappe's questionaire to be posted, but have the yarn picked out Cherry Hill in Birch, Have the pattern sort of picked out, leave room for last minute mind changes, yarn is firm though.

Dishcloth is mostly packed as well, just have to finish knitting and pick up a couple of little things. Pics of the yarn for the 2 swaps. My first use of a ball winder, boy that was fun. Followed the advice from KR and wound them twice, definately fluffier the second go around.

Girlie Pearls investigating the shipments

And on the home front sided part of the house as of tonight up to 2/3 done and all but 1 window replaced. Please ignore the mess...

and for those that read to the bottom, yarn p0rn. Shipment from Etsy ashabee in colors carmel apple(4) and Cami(2). They are gorgeous and butter soft, now have to figure out what to make.

Sock It To Me Swap Questionaire

2007-07-05T17:01:00.000-03:00

Sock It to Me
What are your foot measurements? (Please give shoe size, length and circumference.) Shoe size 8.5(US), length 9 3/4", circumfrence ~~91/2"~~ edit 9"
How long have you been knitting? How would you rate your experience? (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced.) Learned to knit 6 years ago, seriously knitting the past 6 months. Experience: Beginning Intermidiate
What is your favorite color? Your least favorite color? favorite color is red, least favorite any candy/neon colors
Do you have a favorite fiber? What type? hmmmm, anything soft
Do you have any allergies to certain fibers? nope
Do you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? (If so, provide the link.)
Jen's Amazon
What techniques, if any, would you like to learn? toe up and cables
Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks? yeap, chocolate. Peanut M&M's, oreos, original chex mix
What is your family situation? (Children, Husband, Pets...etc.) hubby, 3 kids teenage to toddler, 6 cats, 2 dogs, 1 rat and 1 goldfish
Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Metal, plastic or wood? circular, bamboo
Besides socks, what are your favorite items to knit? dont know yet, still working on my first sweater and first lace type scarf
Is there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try? there are so many out there I hadnt really decided. The flame wave from IK, one of the ones from Sock Pixie maybe and a shawl havent decided yet maybe cozy or Candleflame
Do you like to read? What are you reading currently? Love to read, for fun Safe Harbor by C Feehan, for learning Human resource management, for Knitting- Dominknitrix and Mason Dixon Knitting and the new HP as soon as it is delivered
Do you collect music? (On an iPod or MP3 player.) both
What kind of music do you listen to? Country and Western, Hard rock, Oldies, Jazz.
Is there anything you collect? uhhhh, lets' see, yarn, shotglasses, hotel room swipes(when I stay someplace neat), chopsticks
What are your hobbies, aside from knitting? PC gaming, scrapbooking, crocheting, trying jewelry making/beading.
Are you participating in any other swaps or knit alongs? Dog Days of Summer Dishcloth Exchange and Summer Stash Swap
Do you have a favorite scent? Green tea and Raspberry
When is your birthday? (You don't have to add the year if you don't want to, LOL.) Nov 7

anxious, fidgity

2007-07-03T12:32:00.000-03:00

Well it's July 3. I have signed up for 3 swaps for the summer. I have received the infor for the Summer Stash and well on the way of pulling that together. Now I have to wait 2 more days for the other 2 swaps to send me the info. I keep checking my email and pages to see if they perchance did it early. I am so eager/anxious to get this underway, figuring out what to knit or buy is killing me, cause I dont want to do anything until I get the info for the Swapee(? real word, who cares).

ANybody else ever feel like this. The swaps should be so much fun, but the waiting is killing me....

Oh and I talked to my Mom last night, she will be starting her Summer travel adventure to Arkansas via Salt Lake City and Oklahoma and I have nicely requested with a re-imbursement option, that if she sees any Knit/yarn stores that look unique and interesting or have a distinct local flavor to get me something(min 400yds). Her and Glenn(DH) travel the back roads everywhere possible, so should be interesting. Even left it open to what to pick up as far as yarn(natural fibers only though) and after I explained roving to her, and that that would be ok too. Don't know how to spin yet, but its on my list of things to learn.

She will enjoy the shopping and can't wait to see what arrives. Love my Mom and she shops well adn finds the neatest stuff when she has a mission. Thanks in advance Mom.

Still anxious and fidgity want to go to the LYS, but will wait until Thursday and I have my Swap info... 2 days is a long time isn't it.... Help me....

edit PS. Mom looked at my blog and said I have more pics of yarn than my kids, maybe this is a problem... and the yarn porn thing fell short on the explanation.....

Ouch

2007-06-30T22:37:00.000-03:00

That is all i can say. I have a sunburn, chest, arms, back of arms and upper back(that parts not to bad). I took pics but they don't look as bad as it does when I look in the mirror.

Heat is radiating off of me. I have invested in aleo vera gels and one with lidocaine. dug out the silky jamie shirt and will take something before I go to bed. but the garage sale was a success. Got rid of aa bunch of stuff and had enough to pay for dinner out and ice cream from Cold Stone.

Second bonus of the day my yarn from Sock Pixie arrived today in Wisteria and Lavender Garden....

And Friday Knit picks arrived....

and just because, Imoved Simply sock to the top of the bowelcause ilove The Schaeffer Anne in clara Barton..

Andy says I'm done, how much yarn can you buy.... Ummm is that like rhetorical...

In other news Joey had fun playing with James in the sprinkie thingie...