Where Clickin' on the Severn is a way of Life

July!

2008-07-19T15:29:00.010-04:00

July already. I've been so busy with this past semester of school that I've hardly even been on the computer except to do homework. Hayden is now 8 months old! And is crawling all over the place, and has the whole family charmed. No surprise there, after all he is my grandson! And as you can see, he has two teeth!

These were taken on my birthday (the 16th). We had a grand time, with lots of ice creams, pops, and my fav key lime pie!

Tank and Roscoe (two of the puppy kats) have become quite tolerant of Hayden as well. Here he is with Tank.

Hayden has Tank's back paw in his mouth, but I had to interject. It just wouldn't be right for Hayden to bite Tank, when we don't let Tank bite him. Sock thought she might get a good belly rub, but ran when Hayden got closer.

Knitting photos? Nope! You'll have to settle for Hayden pics this time. Here's another, for good measure.....

Kozo vs. Vending Machine

2008-04-29T21:36:00.001-04:00

ever have one of those days?

Cuteness!!

2008-03-11T22:54:00.002-04:00

My newest sidekick is now 4 months old! Man time really does fly when you're having fun. And boy am I having fun!!

We think he may be working on some teeth. Cause he's really interested in his fave blanket, and his thumb.

And the newest happening? He's starting to giggle. Too fun folks, and this Gigi is having a great time!

January 12 and 13th

2008-01-22T20:16:00.001-05:00

January 13th is my dad's birthday. He turned 70 this year. The oldest McGhee male ever!

Jay and two of his friends came up from South Carolina to spend the weekend with us, and for Jay to meet his nephew Hayden, and to wrap up (or rather unwrap) Christmas 2007. The Planck Zoo made an appearance as well. And Myla and Hayden came too.

Here's some really cute photos that Jay's friend Ben took. There will be more pics as I get them. But for now, these should keep you.

My gosh!! Are they just the cutest!! I really really love this pic, and yes I am quite aware of what they are doing. Hayden is totally innocent here. He's no idea what flightless, wingless bird is.

I think the two of them are to be getting along just fine!

Here's Nathan and Jay riding old skool style on a scooter. The beautiful view in the back ground is Rag Mountain. A view from my brother's house. I can't wait for next Autumn. The changing of the leaves is going to be a sight from here.

So, if you happen to see my dad wish a happy birthday. Sure it may be belated, but when you're 70 you can celebrate as long as you like!

Chullos for a try

2008-01-08T20:37:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been requested that I knit a chullo for my son's friend. Of course begged off, but being the mom that I am I felt guilty afterwards. So a chullo it shall be. Want to knit along? Hey, this is a freebie and all I ask of you is ......

nothing.

That's right, not a thing. Though it would be nice to know your thoughts on my construction.

So here goes. I'll be putting up photos as I go along.

I have two skeins of Reynolds Lopi - regular not Lite.
- skein 1 - tan
- skein 2 - varigated browns and tan
One set of double pointed size 6 needles.
One set of size 8 needles (actually I'm using a circular)
One stitch marker

1st ear flap:
Using smaller kneedles, cast on 3 stitches.
Knit one row.
row 2: k1, m1, p1, m1, k1 (we'll be keeping a garter stitch border on the flaps)
* All increases are done on either side of the center stitch on a purl row.
row 3: knit - all odd rows knit across
row 4: k1, p1, m1, p1, m1, p1, k1
row 6: k1, p2, m1, p1, m1, p2, k1

Continue in this manner until ear flap has 17 stitches. Knit 3 more rows (remember purling on the wrong side, knit on the public side) Break yarn and knit the second flap. Once you've accomplished 17 stitches on the second flap, do not break the yarn.

Knit across the 2nd flap using the larger needle. Cable cast on 20 stitches. Knit across the first flap, cable cast on 18 stitches (total of 72 stitches). Join and place a marker.

K2, p2 for 3 rounds.

*** Now, you know you 72 stitches. Sorry, I don't have a gauge for you as yet. I've now got 72 stitches and three rounds of k2, p2 ribbing as well. You also have two skeins of Lopi in difference colors. What you need now is some sort of pattern using these two colors. I'm going to end this post for the evening and go in search of some design for this cap. If you find something, let me know.

I'll be back later. With photos even!

WOW! 2008

2008-01-05T09:35:00.000-05:00

A New Year. And to kick it off, a finished project. Myla said Hayden was in need of mittens. Of course being just a little guy, he doesn't really need mittens with thumbs so they go really quick. And what does one do with the left over yarn?

Really cute hats of course. WOW, totally forgot to fix the redeye on that one!
More soon!

A posting, a posting!!

2007-11-11T21:19:00.000-05:00

Uncle Nathan (aka thee Wydeman) meeting Hayden for the first time.

Hayden delegating his authority...... loudly!

Meeting Uncle Nik for the first time. Nik hung around holding Hayden and cooing at him for quite a while. Nik was also really good when Nathan was little. They'll have a good bond together.
He really is just perfectly beautiful!

And I don't think this one needs any explanation.

Introducing....

2007-11-09T18:34:00.000-05:00

Allow me to introduce Hayden Joseph
DOB: November 9, 2007
TOB: 2:55pm
A strapping 7lbs, 11ozs and 21 inches long.
And just about the most perfect and beautiful baby ever!!

I'm knitting

2007-10-28T17:45:00.000-04:00

And knitting and knitting cause Myla's gonna hatch soon!

Well not too soon. November 12th is the tentative due date, for those of you keeping track. Last weekend, Linda gave her a lovely baby shower and she got lots of goodies for the baby (a boy in fact)

In other Planck news, the cats are bigger, and lazier. Eric is convinced that Roscoe thinks he's a person and tries to push him out of bed.

Here's proof:

Don't quite get it? Here's another, without the blanket on. This is also supposed to be Eric's side of the bed.

These photos of Roscoe were taken by Nathan. This past month has also been a monumental in our little home. The Scooby Doo shirt has been formally retired and given away to be loved by another little boy or girl. But in parting, we took this one last photo.

You can see where the bottom of the shirt does not meet the top of his shorts. And the look on Nathan's face is not too pleased that it's time to give up the shirt. So if any of you out there cyber space know of where I can find another Scooby-Doo shirt please let me know.

Back to my kneedles folks!

Sally O'Malley at the Bing

2007-10-17T17:57:00.001-04:00

I love this! Hope you all get a laugh too!

Life on the River

2007-06-16T16:33:00.000-04:00

Well, once again I've no knitting to show you. But this is something really great happening on our River.
This is one of the many female mallards that have taken up residence in our little cove. I sort of woke her from a nap. Also, it was a bit chilly Friday afternoon. Usually is for the last day of school. But mainly I woke her to show Nathan something:

Okay, a few somethings. Actually she has six or seven ducklings or peeps. And because they are just so cute, here's another picture for you.

And they all fit very neatly underneath her! She even seems to be a good mommy too!

So, now back to a paper that I've been avoiding. More soon.

Really.

Go on!

Fibery type adventures

2007-06-05T19:14:00.001-04:00

Before:

After:

mysterious mose

2007-05-22T18:51:00.001-04:00

A little amusement for a summery type day. This is really pretty brilliant and work quite amazing!

Happy Feet - Pump It trailer

2007-04-17T21:12:00.001-04:00

I can't wait to see this movie! I know I'm late but I'll get it on video.

A meme to amuse you

2007-03-19T09:15:00.000-04:00

I got this from Judith Brodnicki. And she says this "It’s been alleged that if you’ve seen over 85 movies you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 239 films on this list." Sorry I don't know who she got the list from. I did add to the list. If you drop down, you'll see where I added to the 239 already listed. Guess I don't have a life, however since I watch movies with my family I see it as a rather full life.

(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(X) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(X) Airplane
(X) The Princess Bride
( ) AnchorMan
(X) Napoleon Dynamite
(X) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(X) The Princess Diaries
(X) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
( ) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
( ) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(X) Lilo & Stitch
(X) Finding Nemo
(X) Finding Neverland
(X) Signs
(X) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
(X) 13 Going on 30
(X) I, Robot
(X) Robots
( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(X) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
( ) Meet The Parents
( ) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
(X) King Kong
( ) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
(X) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving Christmas
(X) Flubber
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(X) Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(X) Hellboy
(X) Secret Window
(X) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
(X) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(X) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(X) Ocean’s Eleven
( ) Ocean’s Twelve
( ) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(X) Ice Age
(X) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(X) Curious George
( ) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(X) E.T.
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds
(X) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
( ) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She’s All That
(X) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(X) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
(X) Big Trouble in Little China
(X) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
(X) X-Men
(X) X-2
(X) X3
(X) Spider-Man
(X) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
( ) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
( ) Swimfan
(X) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old Virgin
(X) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Base-ketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
( ) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
(X) Willard
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(X) Hook
( ) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(X) Waterworld
( ) Kill Bill Vol. 1
( ) Kill Bill Vol. 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
(X) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks: Caravan Of Courage
(X) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor
( ) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix: Reloaded
( ) The Matrix: Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
( ) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal

***My addons:
(X) Men In Black
(X) Men In Black II
(X) Snow White and the Seven Draves
(X) Lady and the Tramp
(X) Robin Hood (Disney cartoon)
(X) Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves
(X) Dances with Wolves
(X) All James Bond except newest, and In Her Majesty's Service
(X) Hook
(X) Peter Pan (with Kathy Rigby)
(X) Peter Pan (with Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan)
(X) Mary Poppins
(X) Pocahontas
(X) Mulan
(X) Holes
(X) Hoot
(X) Howl's Moving Castle
(X) Spirited Away
(X) Totoro
(X) Castle in the Sky
(X) Signs
(X) 3 Ninjas
(X) Dr. Doolittle
(X) Dr. Doolittle II
(X) My Fair Lady
(X) My Best Friend's Wedding
(X) Silkwood
(X) Moonstruck
(X) The Mexican
(X) Mission to Mars
(X) Big Trouble in Little China
(X) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

I can keep going you know. What movies can you add?

The coolest NEWS ever!!!

2007-03-15T08:38:00.000-04:00

News Flash!!!

Sorry folks, this week I have no life beyond "Introduction to Paralegal Studies" next week is Spring Break so I may have a bit of time to write a post. Not that there's been much knitting in my life (except for Amiee) But in the meantime, I fully expect you all to keep your kneedles and hooks to yourselves, play nicely, share, enjoy the day!

Early teaser for upcoming PLANET B-BOY movie (documentary)

2007-03-06T14:56:00.001-05:00

This is amazing! Hope you all dig it too!

I really HATE tests!

2007-02-18T11:04:00.001-05:00

You Failed 8th Grade Geography

Sorry, you only got 5/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Geography?

freeeeeeezing!!!!

2007-02-15T09:26:00.000-05:00

I'm writing this from work so it shall be short. It's f*%king freezing outside and there's no electric at my house. Had to poke the ice on my fishtank.

Nuff said. Tune in later, like after the house warms up a bit.

just stuff

2007-02-07T14:27:00.000-05:00

I should be studying for my test tomorrow night. But I really really needed a break so I took a little test.

You scored as Dragon. You are a dragon. You very, VERY easily angered and are extremely protective. Take a chill pill and stop running around breathing fire on people. Chances are they're only trying to help you...

Elf

100%

Dragon

100%

Faerie

92%

Goddess

83%

Wolf

75%

Sorceress

67%

Shadow Spirit

58%

Zombie

50%

Drow

33%

Vampyre

25%

What ancient breed are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

It was intersting. Today I'm a dragon, I'm also operating under just a few hours of sleep. We had our kitty boyz "fixed" yesterday and they literally bounced off the walls and me and my DH most of the night. "Hey Mom, we need more food - NOW" "Hey Mom, why can't we go outside? NOW?" "Hey Mom, can't you take this goofy collar thing offa me? NOW?" "Hey Mom." Finally sometime around 4:30am I gave in and let Roscoe outside. As of 7:00am he still hadn't come in, and it snowed last night. As of 7:30am he popped in for a drink of water and back out he went. I think he waw worried I was gonna box him and take for a ride again.

Cute kitty pics soon. Guji is getting so big, and insists on sleepling on my chest!

SHhhhhhhh!

2007-02-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

I'm really doing my homework.

You know that little yarn shop I told you about? I finally got to go to it last night, and it's really wonderful! This new delightful shop is called A Tangled Skein. It's in an old bank building (think thick walls, wooden floors) and is right in front of the Hyattsville Municiple Building on Baltimore Street.

They're planning on having a Sit-n-Knit every Wednesday -- everyone is invited -- and (are you sitting down??) they're keeping the register open for shopping!

I got a tour of the shop from Pat. A very knowledgeable knitter. The shop is laid out well, with easy access to all the shelves of goodies. The lighting in the evening leaves much to be desired but there is a good light at the knitting table to see some true color. They're carrying a large selection of Lamb's Pride, and a line that I've never heard of before called Ella Rae (100% wool, 219 yds, $5.00) and it's knitting up very nicely! And of course they have Noro, Debbie Bliss, and Filatura Di Crosa to name a few.
So while I don't think I'll be going every week, I do think it's worth the trip once or twice a month.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Now before I go back to my homework (gotta study, I have a test next week) here's a pic of my little guy. He's dressed to go to the BSO with his class today.

Isn't he handsome!

Newsflash!!

2007-01-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

Contributed by Lola. You can read her exploits here. And, she has pictures too!
Run along now. Check out this new store!!

Just opened a few days ago:

A Tangled Skein
Cheryl W. Hoffman
5200 Baltimore Ave (rt. 1)
Hyattsville, MD
301-779-3399

Yes, my fellow fiber hounds A NEW YARN STORE!!!

To get there, go south on Rt. 50, take exit to 410 W (stay on the left
lane - that lane turns 90 degree to the left at the 2nd traffic light),
then turn left onto Baltimore Ave. Turn right at Baltimore Ave -
Gallatin St. You'll see a sign for public parking - it's on the left.
25 cents per hour, I believe. The store is in a building that looks
like it used to be a bank and has "Professional Building" chiseled in at
the top. you won't see the yarn store until you've turned right into
that intersection. I have some pictures and will be blogging about this
place later tonite. They have a website but it's under construction.

Hideehoo!!

2007-01-26T16:56:00.000-05:00

I gotta be honest, homework is seriously kicking my butt! There I said butt, let's see what demons Google unleashes on me this week! HA bring it on!!

I've started taking classes in order to obtain my degree from AACC here in Annapolis. I'm studying to be a certified paralegal. Yes I do already work for District Court. Yes, I've already worked as a legal secretary. This is different. Plus I'll have a degree.

I go to class once a week. Class is three hours long, and that after working all day is taking a toll. And I need to get my brain back into learning school type mode. Any suggestions are most welcome!

I have been knitting, just not much and only on certain projects of which I don't feel I can disclose at this time. So you'll haveta wait.

But to get some knitting goodies you can go here: www.knitmittens.blogspot.com

The ladies in my knit group have been turning out some more beautiful work.

Here's a pic of my "granddog" Tantum. Yes, he's named after a firetruck. And he's a good dog!

It really makes one CRANKY!

2007-01-15T12:09:00.000-05:00

Running out of yarn that is. The class that Marseille gave on knitting entralac was really quite good. So I used the yarn that I had purchased from JoAnn's (see previous post) to start knitting a scarf/shawl. Just like eating good potato chips, you can't stop at just one block you need to go on to the next.

The changing of the colors was great! It really looks lovely if I do say so myself. Here's a shot for ya.

You'll notice the stitch holder on the one end? That's because I've RUN OUT OF YARN!!! I really hoped that wouldn't happen, that the four balls I had would be plenty (come on folk, it was over 350 yards that I had) but alas no. Not enough. So back to JoAnn's in Annapolis I go. Nope, they still have the kits but not the right color.

I go to the JoAnn's in Warrenton, Virginia. Yep, they have the kits too. Nope, not the right color. So I bought two kits in this color:

See, I've already started another scarf/shawl. I'm looking at the colors and they could possibly swing to either being for a gentleman or lady. What do you think? Hey folks, yes this means I've started knitting for the holidays!!

This past weekend was my dad's birthday. So we drove out to help him celebrate. While out there we also went to Washington, Virginia. There are lots of lovely little shops on Main Street, including a 5-Star restaurant/hotel called The Inn at Little Washington. One of the shops we stopped at was the Geneva Welsh Gallery. She's an artist and it turns out a vendor at the MDS&W Festival. There I bought these:

They're note cards - yes, even so I blog and write email to friends and family I still write letters and notes using pen, ink, and paper. Aren't these lovely! Here's her shop. She also does really sheep. And chickens.

You can see some more of her work and read about the Artist Studio & Gallery Tour of Rappahannock County here.

Well, gotta fly! I need to get those needles a clickin cause not only did I buy the two kits from JoAnn's this past weekend but I had also purchased and received this from Laurie.

This is a whole tub full of Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. Which by the way is now back on the shelves in new colors and still just a lovely as ever! What am I planning to do with a whole tub of Cotton-Ease? Stay tuned to find out.

By the way, the next meeting of Annapolis Knits & Crochets at Borders is January 24th! Come join us!

By the way, anyone interested in a trade? I have two packets from the yarn kits that I bought from JoAnn's that has the knitting needles (circular size 10-1/2 (6.5mm) 24 inches long, crochet hook size J (6mm) And I have two of each. Contact me if you'd like to trade or know of anyone in the need.

Amazing Thing!

2007-01-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

I was at JoAnn's today with thee Wyldman and there was a lot of things that had been marked down being as Christmas is over. We were in search of some sort of sewing kit that he could have to sew something him self. Of course we couldn't find anything suitable for a little boy or anything that wasn't Christmas'y. We settled for some camo fleece for him to make a couple of scarves and a bear.

Myself was in search of some variegated yarn to use in a scarf project that one of my knitting groups is going to start soon. I found the perfect yarn and got a bit of a bonus and a great surprise!

See in the photo there's four skeins of 100% wool yarn; a crochet hook, a circular knitting kneedle; a little knitted flower broach with pin attached; flower sequins; matching beads; a spool of thread; with a sewing needle; pattern for a felted either knit or crocheted bag and this very cool little plastic box with Velcro closure and handle to carry it all in. This is without a doubt the most complete kit I've ever come across. The only item missing would be snips to cut the thread. And the price (are you sitting down?) was $9.00. Yes, I said nine dollars.

I think I'll go pick up more tomorrow. Here's another more complete photo.

OH Right, the bear Camo:

He did a pretty good job!

Happy New Year!

2006-12-31T19:59:00.000-05:00

Well, we made it through the madness sometime known as Christmas. I was given something that I shall cherish for a very long time to come!!

ALL my kiddies were home for Christmas this year! I LOVE IT!!

And we all want to wish you and yours a Happy and Safe Holiday and New Year to come. May all your fibery wishes come true!!

It's Christmas Time

2006-12-18T21:51:00.001-05:00

Add in a bit of knitting by the fire and sharing a cuppa with your honey and that pretty much sums it all up!

I grew up with those wonderful Christmas time specials. And still really enjoy them when they come on TV. So finding this one was really a treat. Hope you all like it too.

Artists Studio Tour

2006-12-14T15:40:00.000-05:00

This year Alana, Kari (her friend from Seattle, Washington) and myself went on the Artists Studio Tour. You can read more about it in my previous post. Here you can drool (or not) over some of the goodies I got. As well as Debra's goodies. She didn't take the tour with us but she did have a grand time.

These lovely beauties are from Kiparoo Farms! Destined to be mittens cause we all know how I just love to mitt knittens!

Great yarny goodies from Dancing Leaf - and I got two of them. To be something for me.
How exciting! Dalis also had some great bag lunches. She called them Shepard's Bag Lunches - good bit of bread, great selection of cheeses, carrots, sweet peas, bottle of water and a chocolate! Kept us going all day. And it was a good thing too, there really wasn't anyplace out there to stop for lunch -- much less coffee or gas!

Debra's goodies from the Studio Tour! Also from Kiparoo Farms.

I also purchased some lovely alpaca from Rainbowpaca's while at the Lahara Studios. It's quite wonderful and will soon meet up with needles to become something wonderful. I just can't tell you what yet.

A Great Weekend

2006-12-10T21:26:00.000-05:00

A Jacob from Dancing Leaf Farms

I spent Saturday doing the Countryside Artists Studio Tour here in Maryland. Some 14 artists open up their studios for tours, goodies, hot cider, and shopping fun. You do the driving and go to whichever studio suits your purpose. They only open their studios a couple times a year and it's just for the weekend but the countryside is beautiful and I was in good company! Here are the studios we went to:

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard (yes, vineyard as in wine tasting! and chocolate too!!) I bought a very lovely bottle of Chardonnay there. They also make red. All very good. New vineyard too!

Seneca Creek Joinery = beautiful hand turned wood items. And lovely little mini long haired dachshund named Kitty. They served a wonderful cuppa cider too!

PlumStuff - They were a unique furniture place done in tiles with iron legs. Also she had some lovely glass bead jewelry. And a young lady who's information I didn't get who greeted you outside the studio with very happy looking dinnerware.

Morningstar Studio - Tina Brown is brilliant with a paint brush! You've got to go see her work.!

Morningstar Studio isn't it lovely!

Lahara Textile Gallery - Another brilliant place. This is a small shop that leases out space to work your fibery wares. They also have classes. And of course sell their wares. I scored some beautiful alpaca (Rainbow Pacas) Sport weight-2ply 320 yards at a price that would you make you wish you were with me!

Lindenwood Farmgoods - Beautiful setting.

Kiparoo Farm - No, I didn't get enough of Annie during the MDS&W Festival. And yes, I bought more yarn there and some lovely soap. And no I don't have any pictures to post cause it was really really really dark by the time we got to her studio. And I'll post pic of my goodies later this week.

Dancing Pig Pottery - Really nice pottery! If it weren't quite so heavy I would now have the coolest looking coffee mug with a dragon most gracefully wrapped around it. And the art work was really unique.

Dancing Leaf Farm - Yes, I know I can see her work at the MDS&W but her studio has always been spoken of fondly by fellow knitters so I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to see it and Tasman.
These are my traveling companions for the day. Kari (from Seattle, Wa) and Alana. This was taken at Dancing Leaf Farms. There besides scoring some lovely yarns, cards and jewelry we also got a Shepard's Bag Lunch. Very yummy and perfect for being on the go!

Here's the three of us with the famed Tasman. He was really more interested in our lunch.

The Blacksmith Shop - You know a true blacksmith is rapidly becoming an art of the past but this one still has a forge. And it was HOT! Truly worth the drive to see it. Bill Allen was also sharing his studio with two neighbors; one who had some beautiful wooden cutting boards and boasts that all his work is done from trees that already fallen (No trees harmed) and a lady who wove baskets using old saddle parts and bridle bits. Very neat to see.

Art of Fire - Was a HUGE glass workshop. And possibly the warmest stop of the whole day. They also give classes. I've always thought about taking a glass working class. Now I know where to go!

Alden Farms - Very unique type lawn ornaments and garden items. They also have a garden shop that's open in the spring. I look forward to a return visit there.

Most all of the studios were converted barns or sheds. And all were filled with curious shoppers and fiberholics of all walks. The weather was absolutely beautiful which was really good cause driving for the first time on some of those country roads can be tricky business! Pics of my goodies will come later this week. But I leave you with Tasman's buddy. We never did get his name but he was a very sweet guy!

It's December

2006-12-07T18:13:00.000-05:00

The Two 'N's Nik and Nathan

And it's almost Christmas! But before the Zoo and really start celebrating Christmas we've got a few birthdays to get out of the way. One is the Wyldman's. Here's a pic of him with his bigger brother and best friend, Evan. This was taken just before he ate two plates of fried calamari -- by hisself.

Thee Wyldman is the one in the middle. I think hunger was propelling their goofy faces or it could be that I was the one taking the picture.

Too cute for words? Here's another one for ya.

Here's the Divine Miss M and her beau, Dan

For the record, he informed me (not that long ago) that he was not a knitted sweater kinda boy. This has been denied as he has seen a couple of designs that can only be knit onto a sweater -- such as a skull and crossbones. Looks like there will be a bit of Wyldman sweater designing in my future! WHAOO! Not to start happening until after the holidays thank you very much!

Okay, I've gotten some knitterly type pics up on the mitten blog. For you new folks (HA! the ones that found this blog totally by accident) the mitten blog is one I've put together for my friends who have no blog. There are is a handful of people out there who don't blog believe it or not. But people like me who maintain 5 certainly make up for those who do not. I've put some of my holiday knitting there too.

Speaking of mitten knitting, Annapolis Knit and Crochet will be meeting at the Seattle's Best Cafe in the Westfield Annapolis Borders on Monday at 7:00pm. Grab your project bag and come join us! Or just come and join us for the chat. We have plenty of that!

And speaking of holidays and gifts and the like (yes, I like getting gifts.) A totally awesome friend sent us a brand spanking new computer printer/scanner/copier for Christmas. And it even works with my camera.....once I figure out how to. But the kids know how to use it already and that just makes my work even easier.

Point is, Awesome Friend -- Thank you very much!! You know who you are.

BTW: I really like my new job but it's kicking my butt mentally. We all need a good butt-kicking every so often.

Yes, I'm knitting

2006-11-24T09:06:00.000-05:00

as fast as I can. Have you seen just how many more days there are until ..... gulp ..... Christmas? And even closer is thee Wyldman's birthday, and then there's my favorite SIL's birthday, and then there's the Tall One's birthday too!

But in the mean time, I did get two stockings completed for my friend. She's giving them another friend who's helping to decorate some of the homes in downtown Annapolis for the walking tours. Here's what I've done:
Don't look at the mess on my deck. It's passable to get to the door. Here's a foot photo:

They were really really quick and done in two balls/skeins of Lion Brand Woolease.

Things you CAN'T do when you're NOT in a pool

2006-11-22T14:53:00.001-05:00

A little funny for your holidays!

Severn River Madness

2006-11-20T13:48:00.000-05:00

For those of you coming to check for photos of two dopes jumping into the River please be informed that the Jump was called off (jump would have this past Saturday 11/19). This mom just couldn't allow such madness to occur.

However, to the two young ladies we met in Ram's Head Road House....Yes, I had a great time. And we had no problems finding the car once you pointed the way.

Thanks. And maybe we'll meet again.

New Job

2006-11-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

New job has been started! And I made it through the first week without any mishaps. So I'm officially an employee of the State of Maryland.

And since I'm now working in an office I'm in need of clothes for work! Hmmmm, seems I've said this before. Probably. So I've started working on some sweaters. Natch, because winter is just around the corner. And because while searching through the stash for something for mittens I came across a forgotten stash of (are you sitting down?) Cottage Craft! In a color Lobster, and enough to knit a cardigan for moi!

So using my trusty size 8 circular I've cast on the body (142 stitches thank you very much) and have started knitting. I figure about 13 inches to the arms, then I'll cast on some dpns the sleeves, add a bit of fair isle and finish the top of the cardi knitting in the sleeves as I go. Then add a button band and I just may be sporting a new sweater next week. WHEEEEEEE!!

And in case you've already written up a score card, the fair isle parts will done with Cottage Craft 1ply and some lovely varigated mohair -- also found awaiting it's turn in the stash.

Do you think that by knitting a sweater only from the stash that that would entitle me to a yarn store trip for some more yarn? Seems fair. What do you think?

Here's a couple pics of Guji. These are pre-pounce....the pouncee being me coming up the steps.

He's growing so fast!

WOW!!

2006-10-30T15:02:00.000-05:00

A month has just about past. November is just about here and I start a new job on the 1st. Folks I haven't worked in an office environment in over 7 years. That's a long time! I'm a nervous wreck! Truly! And it's a job where jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are not really accepted. I need to do some shopping! I need to dig through the stash and pull out some yarns I know I have to knit some tops. I need to pull myself together! Really, now.

Well, we could just meet at

2006-10-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

Barnes & Noble! LOL!!

The Borders Cafe in the Annapolis Mall is "revamping" the cafe. It's being taken over by Seattle's Best. hmmmmmm, I wonder if this means the coffee will be better? Anyway, when I asked where they would be able to put "Annapolis Knit & Crochet Group" they said "Well, what about out in the Mall?" and I said "What about just moving to Barnes & Noble." There will be chairs set up for us over by the Childrens' DVDs and exercise books/videos. Same time, second Monday errr tonight at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there.

Anyway, I've got some knitting to show you. A neighbor has a niece due sometime this month as asked me to knit a sweater for the wee one. Something not too cutesy, or gender specfic and not newborn sized. So out came my favorite book Beth Brown Reinsel's Knitting Ganseys. Done in Cestari cotton/wool blend 3 Ply DK lightweight in green heather. Not bad to work with. Took just about 2 skeins. I think I have enough to knit up a quick hat to match.

The mittens are on the other blog now. Here's a preview, it needs a thumb.

I'll have more stuff later. Right now, I need to write a note to go with the sweater and get started on the hat.

Sorry, Guji is basking in the last of the Autumn sun and refuses to pose today.

The Knit-Geek Questionnaire

2006-09-15T09:18:00.000-04:00

1. What's your worst habit relating to your knitting?
Startitis. I’ve so many projects screaming about in my head all wanting to be done first. And then there are those skeins of yarn not patiently awaiting their turn to be knit yelling at me!!

2. In what specific ways does your knitting make you a better person?
I’m sure most knitters will say that it’s given them more time to things over, to be patient.

3. How might you or your life be different if you were suddenly unable to knit?
*****speechless*****

4. If money were no object, what one yarn, and what one tool or gadget would you run out and buy first?
ALL of Lobster Pot Cashmere. What Carol does with color just pleases my senses to no end! Gadget? First? Ball winder. No question.

5. What knitting technique or project type are you most afraid of (if any)? What, specifically, do you fear will happen when you try it?
Entralac. No question. The idea of all those bobbins and then having to weave in all those ends. What would happen if I tried it? Insanity, just forward all my mail to St. Elizabeth’s.

6. Who is/are your knitting hero(es), and why?
Elizabeth Zimmermann, for saying just do it and be proud of what you’ve done. Beth Brown Reinsel – come’on. Sweaters without seams and making it easy to understand.

7. Do you consider knitting, for you personally, a mostly social activity, or a mostly solitary activity?
It’s something I do every free moment of the day/evening/night. I always have something with me. I’ve been told that I’m distracted and difficult to talk with if I don’t have any knitting with me, whether I am actually knitting or not.

8. Is there a particular regional tradition in knitting that you feel strongly drawn toward (e.g., Fair Isle, Scandinavian, Celtic, Orenburg lace)? Any theories as to why it calls to you?
Ganseys. I suppose it could be the wee bit of the Irish in me. Or the desire to go to the Isles. But mostly I would have to say that it’s the patterning and mechanics of knits, purls, and cabling that draws me in

9. If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Sorry, can’t even fathom this one. I’m so damned ticklish that just idea of someone handling me sends me into fits.

10. Some statistics:

(a) How many years have passed since you FIRST learned to knit?
Do we have people actually admitting to this one?!

(b) How many total years have you been actively, regularly knitting (i.e., they don't have to have been in a row)?
Geez, just come out and ask me how old I am! LOL (can you tell that age can be a bit touchy with me???)

(c) how many people have you taught to knit? Lots - really!

(d) Roughly what percentage of your FOs do you give away (to anyone besides yourself, i.e., including your immediate family)
98%

11. How often do you KIP (knit in public)? i.e., once a week, once a month, etc. Where do you do it?
I’m truly never without my knitting. I knit at stop lights, in traffic, in backups, waiting for people to get off work/out of school; walking the neighbors’ dogs; just walking in the neighborhood, around town. So the answer is probably daily where ever I happen to be.

12. If a genie granted you one hour to stitch-n-bitch with any one knitter, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

Eleanor Roosevelt. I would love to have a sit down and hear her talk about what was going and the ways that she thought things should go. She was at the helm of our nation for quite a while when her husband was the President. I think it would be a total blast to get into one of those hot political discussions with her.

13. What aspect or task in knitting makes you most impatient?
Seaming, putting all those pieces together.

14. What is it about knitting that never lets you get bored with it?
How just the process of creating a few stitches can calm me and allow me to again think rationally, even if just for a few minutes before the crisis.

15. Describe how and where you most often do your knitting - where do you sit, what is going on around you, what tools do you use and how are they (dis)organized?
Our house is rather small for the amount of people living in it. There are 5 of us and only one bedroom. The bedroom is where the kids sleep, homework, do their reading, talk on the phone (you get the picture.) The living room is my “bedroom” though it is also the living room. So where I knit is on the bed. Usually watching TV/movie; keeping an eye on the kids using the computer (also in the living room); knitting in my lap; pattern to the right; necessary tools to the side of the pattern; book of choice also in my lap. To the left, glass of water or cup of coffee.

16. Which one person is the recipient of more of your knitting than any other?
My niece.

17. What's the oddest thing about your knitting, or yourself as a knitter?
ummmmmmmmmmm....that would imply that I was not a odd person to begin with.

18. What do you see yourself knitting - if anything - twenty years from now?
Hopefully, delightful little sweater sets and socks for the grans.

19. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could have only ONE SKEIN of yarn, which yarn would it be and what would you do with it?
Desert Island, something cotton. Cascade. Lots of yardage, beautiful colors to choose from. A towel/face cloth. A grrl’s gotta be clean!

20. If you were allowed to own only one knitting-related book, which would it be? (you'd be free to browse others, but you couldn't keep them)
Beth Brown Reinsel’s Knitting Gansey’s. I have it in my collection and is probably THE most referred to book I own. Though I’ll admit that I’ve recently checked The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe from the local library.

21. Is knitting the new yoga? Why or why not?
Well, now this is a tough question. Knitting could possibly be almost as old as yoga. It’s just a matter of people finding what works for them in relieving stress, tension, mind invading chatter (yarn screaming from the attic.)

22. What important thing are you trying to put off doing whenever you knit?
Talking on the phone. I really hate talking on the phone and I’ve friends (bless them really, I love them all) who like nothing better then to call and talk, talk, talk, talk.

Okay, so much for the questionnaire. Now that I've completely bored you sillier then silly.....in knitting news

First commerical (just kidding!!) Here's a photo taken somewhere out West taken by my newly graduated son while traveling from here to Atlantic City, Nevada. It's for Sandy who is always sharing and inspiring others to share "Sky Shots." By the way, WARM HANDS is back!!!! Go check out Sandy's blog.

I've finally finished a pair of mittens for our friend, Alex. She's a grrl who works with my DH and has most graciously bailed us out of a couple of tight spots. I thought a neat pair of mittens would be in order (you know, warm hands, warm heart.) I did not manage to get a pic of them. I will however get DH to take the camera with him to work to possibly get a photo.

The gansey that I've been working for a neighbor will be taken out of the knitting bag today and worked on possibly finished. That reminds me, I need to call the Yarn Gardne and see if I can get that last skein of Cestari.

And now a shot of above mentioned son (also called The Tall One) with his grrlfriend.

And two life shaking events have happened....

1) I have a JOB INTERVIEW!! OMG! What am I going to wear? What shoes should I wear? OMG my hair!!! I need a shot! JIM!! JACK!! JOHNNY?!?! Jose!!!

2) ---> You might want to sit down for this one..... Thee Wyldman informed me the other day that he is no longer a knitted sweater kinda guy.

nuff said.

Something different

2006-09-10T18:51:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of pics taken of two of Baltimore's finest. DH and I took these while shopping in Fells Point this past Friday.

And of course one cannot visit Fells Point and not stop in at A Good Yarn. Lorraine is carrying a fine line of sock yarns now. One that has really caught my eye and that I do believe once I have some free size 1 needles (or decide I can't wait and just go out and buy more) is Austermann from Skacel. It's called "Step" and is a LARGE ball (you can get a rather long pair of socks from it.) Each ball is 75% new wool, 25% nylon; 420 meters; and has aloe vera and jojoba oils in it that will last for at least 40 washings!

She's also carrying one of my favorite sock yarn Trekking XXL in lots of great colors with more on the way!

I have been knitting. Really. Tomorrow night is Annapolis Knits & Crochets at the Borders Cafe in the Annapolis Mall. I've volunteered to teach a two-color mitten class so I've been putting together notes, gathering graphs, and supplies to make this a good class. Wanna see?

What you see here (besides it being a bit blurry) is:
a book of graph paper - the blocks are two sizes!;
4 sets of spare needles;
little sock needle holders
stitch markers
colored paper
pencil
pencil sharpener
more needles (from my own collection)
bright green cotton yarn for thumb marking
bobbins and sticky notes
Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush
Sweaters from New England Sheep Farms by
Candance Eisner Strick

Also I've knit two little mitts sans the thumbs using some the technics that I'll be helping my friends with. One of the things I'm trying to stress with this class is to be creative and design something on the mitten that you like.

So, that's it for tonite. Oh, would you like to join us? Monday night, 7:00pm - until we're thrown out; Annapolis Mall Borders Cafe. Upstairs. Wave your knitting and the people in Borders will point you in the right direction.

Get on with yer bad knitterly self!!

Real Life Knitting!!`

2006-09-05T10:30:00.000-04:00

This is a "knit blog" after all. But first, here's a photo of what we've been dealing with for the past couple of days.

So last week we had these really incredibly hot days (my kitchen was 93 degrees F) then Friday it decides to rain. The weatherperson called it a tropical depression -- Ernesto to be exact. Came to visit from the Florida area. With the storm we lost all power. So what does any sane knitter (hmmm, is there such a thing as a sane knitter?) do when power is lost? Cast on socks. Hold on to yours, here's some proof that I have been knitting.

These are Regia 4Fadig in all their stripy goodness. Done on size 0 needles with a cast on of 72 stitches and traditional type heel flap. These will go to Socks for Soldiers.

These are the official start of holiday knitting and intended for a special young lady in my family. They are done with Fortissima Colori 1000 on size 1 needles with a provisional cast on (with crocheted chain) with 64 stitches and again traditional heel flap, just not as deep. These girls don't have much of an arch to their feet.

I'll finish off both socks with a star toe down to 8 stitches and then kitchener the rest. Myla has said that the socks are more comfortable that way.

Also, I was asked to knit a sweater for friend. So here's a pic of the progress as of last Thursday. I can knit socks in the dark, but not ganseys.

This is being done in a cotton wool blend from Cestari (spelled?) Farms. The pattern is partly my own, learned from the fabulous Beth Brown Reinsel and her book Knitting Ganseys. It's a green heather color and the size is probably between 12 and 18 months. I've put a button placket on the shoulder just to make dressing a bit easier. Also, I love buttons and am always looking for ways to use them.

So folks, I'm off to finish a sock and cast on for it's mate. Speaking of mates, I for one am going to miss "The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin."

And because it is after all my blog, here's a pic of the rapidly growing Guji. Though it's really a pic for Miri. You can check her out here.

Some Quizzes are GOOD!

2006-08-30T15:41:00.000-04:00

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!

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Little Dee

2006-08-26T09:54:00.000-04:00

This is a fairly new comic and available only on the web. It has a knitting vulture named Vachel. Go check it out. Oh and have a great weekend!

Knitting, knitting, and yes more knitting

2006-08-25T21:02:00.000-04:00

but alas, no photos of knitting. I shall however amuse you with a photo of Guji Guji. Do not let that innocent face fool you. Right after snapping this photo, the lil tike pounced on my knees.

I've been tagged:

1. One book that changed your life: Zen and the Art of Knitting, Bernadette Murphy

2. One book that you've read more than once: I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven

3. One book you'd want on a desert island: Bar and Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to the World's Drinks and How to Mix and Serve Them, by Michael Jackson (not THAT Michael Jackson)

4. One book that made you laugh: The Katurran Odyssey, by Terryl Whitlatch & David Michael Weiger (read it with thee Wyldman, the art work is amazing!)

5. One book that made you cry: Angela's Ashes: A Memoir, by Frank McCourt

6. One book that you wish had been written: hmmmm I need to think on this one.

7. One book you wish had never been written: Mein Kampf, by Adolf Hitler

8. One book you're currently reading: The Looking Glass Wars, by Frank Beddor

9. One book you've been meaning to read: The Road to Wealth: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Money--Everything You Need to Know in Good and Bad Times, by Suze Orman

10. Tag 6 people: Alana, Lola, Elspeth, Dr. Michelle (I'll have to look around for two more.....feel free to tag yourself)

Knitting stuff to come soon. Now it's time for bed. and reading a book.....what's on your nightstand?

A New Week

2006-08-14T11:24:00.000-04:00

Sorry no intriguing titles today. After a glorious week of nice weather (felt like September/October here) we are now back to our normal August temps with all the added condiments -- haze, humidity.

So, next door I go to get some knitting done. There's lots (aka too many) projects on the needles but all are things that I really want to get done. And because I feel like I've been negligent in the photo department here's one of our smiling Felix taken just last night by Thee Wyldman.

p.s. Hey G1 if you see this.... Guji said to say hello to Miri. He would like to be cyber friends.

AGHHHHHHHHHH!!!

2006-08-09T18:27:00.000-04:00

Declaring war on teenagers! All our telephones are DEAD! In need of recharging. Most bothersome.

So, to fix my newest predictament I'm going to install a phone with a long cord that is connected to the wall. Then ban the teens from the portables. At least I'll be able to follow the cord to find them.

More soon.

16+ Inches

2006-07-20T21:06:00.000-04:00

Whoa!! Now if that title doesn't give Google a run for the money nothing will! As some people know I've just celebrated a birthday -- my 25th.....again. My mom and dad came to visit and have dinner with us; as did some other family members. My mom made a totally awesome cake. Since I can't share a piece with you here's a photo.

It's from one of the Martha Stewart Living magazines. A hazelnut torte. Those are layers of crepes - some 30 odd layers. The cream between layers is hazel nut oil with heavy cream whipped. And then topped with chocolate ganache. Truly sinful!!

The 16+ inches is what I did today.

Cut and donated to Locks of Love. The cut was done at Fantastics Sam's. It was really odd and quite a relief not to have that weight on my head. But it was pretty scary too. Let's face it, I've had it for quite a while now. But the gal did a really nice job and I can still pull it back and it doesn't take as long to wash it or dry it.

Big difference huh! The kids now want my husband to get his hair cut. It's now longer then mine. Next will be new glasses.

Knitting? Don't look for any here. Not that much going on that I can tell you about. But perhaps some news soon. Plus it's too blasted hot, hazy and humid to even think about knitting. We're thinking about swimming around here. And time spent in the River floating along with the tides.........

BTW, did you know that you can donate you empty ink cartridges from your printers to Locks of Love? Turns out that that is a main source of income for them. You can pick up pre-paid envelopes at hair salons that support LOL.

Terror Reigns here on the Severn

2006-07-11T11:56:00.000-04:00

and his name is Guji Guji. Thee Wyldman and I walked up to the neighbor's and picked him up this morning. He's already run Nathan onto the bed after trying to climb his legs (bare legs); tried attacking Roscoe (his dad); and has totalled endeared himself to me. I've tried to pic of his face to share but terror holds still for no camera. Myla is going to be a bit upset when she returns from Hawaii to find that I've already brought him home but she'll get over it when she sees just how sweet he really is.

And yes, being totally white he does have one yellowish eye and one blue eye. And we're not sure yet as to the degree of his hearing. He has run and hid with the sounds of the trucks outside, likes the sound of beads in the plastic Easter eggs. So we shall have to see. I understand that there is a group for people with white deaf cats so I shall have to find it. If only for an informational tool.

My knitting is coming right along! I've gotten a "new wind" and have been writing and knitting like mad. Even with the weather I've still been able to get quite a number of hours in. I've also stopped knitting after 10:00 pm to give my hands and shoulders a rest. That's when I read. I've gotten lots read -- actually turning pages kind of reading!

So, off to the kneedles I go. Stay cool! And remember to drink lots of water in this heat.

By the way, mums the word. We haven't told DH about our new little treasure yet.

A New meme

2006-07-04T11:14:00.000-04:00

Got this one from Gina who got it from Jacqs.

Bold the ones you've done.. Add one of your own.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it -- frequently!
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can -- and it felt really really good!
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
42. Had amazing friends -- still do!
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone -- only if this includes having 1 bathroom and 2 teenagers
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived.
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school -- no, but I am planning on it
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating -- does this include fish?
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life
151. Swam in the nude in the moonlight

Orgami Crane Earrings

2006-06-26T14:30:00.000-04:00

Rebekah from Knit-Knack is collecting dog/cat blankets for an animal shelter. And in true knitters fashion is making it fun and will be giving out prizes! Myla and I made a pair of orgami Crane Earrings as a prize. Here's a photo of the pair I'm sending.

Neat huh! So I guess if you want to win these little beauties, you better get those needles a clickin' and send in some goodies for the doggies and kitties. And yes, there is a possibility that we have more.....

Not much knitting

2006-06-23T11:52:00.000-04:00

but lots of gardening! Here's the start of the second planting of green beans. I love how you can practically watch them grow from day to day! I share a garden with two other families too. Makes gardening so much more fun. Like knitting, I enjoy the zen of weeding and transplanting and watching things grow. Here's the first planting of the green beans. I love fresh green beans! And hopefully I'll be able to freeze some for this winter.

Here's the tomatoes that I didn't start, they just volunteered. All of them. Really. And they're doing fine even. My aunt planted hot peppers so we should have plenty of tomatoes for salsa!

This is the herb garden. There's lots of lemon thyme, two rosemary, oregano, Mother of Thyme (no I don't know why it's called that, I just like it), and there are two types of basil. Mixed in with the oregano are more volunteer tomatoes. I left them there cause it just seemed natural.

The brilliant green in front of the herbs are the 4 O'clocks. It's too early in the day to give you a photo of them but when they bloom it's quite the sight to see. I was told that people walk down our street in the evenings to see them. What a nice pat on the back!

By the way, if any of you want your own 4 O'clocks send me your address. When they go to seed later in September I'll send you some. But beware, even so they are annuals they re-seed themselves all over the lawn! I get to spend hours during the summer moving them back to the flower beds. And they seem to double every year!

Well, back to the needles. Later!

Fun fun fun!

2006-06-21T13:34:00.000-04:00

Got this from Bonne Marie

More shortly, gotta go pull weeds outta the garden. OHHHHH! I'll post a pic of the garden for you too.

Speaking of High School......

2006-06-11T21:21:00.000-04:00

This weekend was graduation ceremony of Old Mill High School. The Fighting Patriots. The Red, White and Blue. And my son, Nik; my cousin, Chris; and their buddy, Casey. The Three Muskateers have made it through high school and even with all their differences are still fast friends. Somewhere in this vast sea of blue gowns and caps are the boys. The white side are the grrls. This graduation has struck me in a weird way and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Seems like not that long ago we were reading R.L.Stein books and making paper mache dinosaurs.

Here's a rare photo I'm hugging my boy! and he's letting me and even rarer a photo of me. ugh!

So, do you remember me mentioning that my puppy kat, Roscoe made it with the neighbor's kitty, Katrina and is now the father of really really beautiful 3 little boy kitties? Here's a pic of them with their mommy. I got to see and hold them and play with them for the first time today. I'm in kitty love!!

And because it is June and the Spectrum project color for June is blue, here's a little beauty for you..... now back to those kneedles and I'll have some knit content for later this week and some more kitty pictures to show off to you too. Really. Now go on.

Nothing Says Hell Like High School

2006-06-07T10:21:00.000-04:00

Got hooked up to this one from Cara. Sorry, I don't have a pic to post. I'll ask my mom but don't go holding your breath. LOL!!!!

Fill in the blanks about your senior year. The longer ago it was the better.

1. Who was your best friend? Mary Ball and Julie Rausch in Germany and Mary Barber and Denise Horn in Texas

2. What sports did you play? Cross Country, track, basketball, softball, gymnastics

3. What kind of car did you drive? I didn't get to drive until the very latter part of my Senior year. It was a family car -- AMC Hornet. I totally believe that if anyone went to the car graveyard put key in the ignition it would still run today!

4. It's Friday night, where were you at? Football game, baseball game. Or sitting on a roof watching movies. There was a drive-in not far from my house. The houses were being built but gave the best view. Church's Fried Chicken, 6-pack of Coke, Lays potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies! Those were good times.

5. Were you a party animal? No.

6. Were you considered a flirt? Not really, I was more of a prankster. Filled the Capt of the Football Teams little VW with Rice Krispies. He left his sunroof open and it just seemed like a fun thing to do!

7. Ever skip school? Yes, but I had to call my mom to warn her first.

8. Ever smoke? Yes.

9. Were you a nerd? No, I was a jock and an artist.

10. Did you get suspended/expelled? No.

11. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Can't really sing at all!

12. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Reilly, he was also the CC and Track coach. Looked like a lepracun. Miss McKee, English and English Lit. She made writing papers interesting and loved lemon drops.

13. Favorite class? English first, and Humanities.

14. What was your school's full name? Austin High School. If you're ever in El Paso you can see a giant "A" on the mountain. We used to carry bell jars up the mountain with oil and light them for home games. Quite a sight to see.

15. School mascot? Panther

16. Did you go to Prom? Yes I went to my junior and senior proms. Didn't have a date for the Senior Prom until 2 days before. And then I even made my dress.

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? NO!

18. What do you remember most about graduation? When the ceremony was over and everyone was tossing their hats in the air I remember seeing my dad's face way up in the seats. He shook his head and I kept my hat in my hand.

19. Favorite memory of your senior year? Our class trip was to DisneyLand in California. I was terrified of falling asleep on the bus and stayed awake the whole drive there and back....but fell asleep on the "Small World" ride.

20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? huh?

21. Did you have a job your senior year? Just babysitting and lawn work.

22. Who did you date? Didn't.

23. Where did you go most often for lunch? My senior year I hung out in the Art Room. I always had a project going on, or was helping out someone else with theirs. Unless it was track season, then you could find me on the track running laps.

24. Have you gained weight since then? Yes.

25. What did you do after graduation? I was a cook at the Golf Club on the base. I had the dinner and early morning shifts to pay for college. Then I was transferred to waitress at the NCO Club.

26. When did you graduate? 1979.

Library

2006-06-01T11:40:00.000-04:00

Okay, back from the library and here is how the reading list is going to look for the next two weeks or so:

James D. Doss
The Shaman Sings
Grandmother Spider

Ngaio Marsh
Artists in Crime

Max Allen Collins
Majic Man
Damned in Paradise

Carole Nelson Douglas
Irene's Last Waltz

Gregory Maguire
Wicked
Son of a Witch

Okay, so Wicked and Son of a Witch are not mysteries but I've been wanting to read them for a while and now just seems like the right time. How is your reading list shaping up?

Back to the kneedles.

p.s. Yes, some of the books I picked up are on tape. It makes it easier to knit at the same time. Also, we got our photoless problem worked out! YEA!!

Man of Steel

2006-06-01T09:08:00.000-04:00

Okay with a title like that it should really get the ol' Google a rolling today! Actually the point of the title is a bit of trivia. On this very day (June 1st)in 1938 the first Superman comic was published. And he doesn't look a day over 28!

Today is also the start of the Summer Reading Challenge. So I'll be off to the Library to pick up some mysteries to give today a proper kick off! My challenge is two mysteries a week and all my reading materials will mainly be from the Public Library cause those guys need to stay in business too. It's important to support your PL. I will put up a list of reading/listening materials when I return.

Knitting? Yes! Loads! I'm surrounded by baby bonnets, baby socks, and mitts. I've had a lot of fun designing these little gems.

Lets not talk about photos. Sore subject.....

Later tater.

Summer Reading Challenge

2006-05-23T08:37:00.000-04:00

Amanda is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge. Sounded like fun so I thought I would join up too. Sometimes someone challenging me to do something is just the kick in the butt that I need. Go here to get the 411 on the challenge, sign in and pick up your button.

My challenge is two mysteries a week. And I'm counting audio books as part of my reading. If you like mysteries here's a GREAT site to get more information on writers and the books that they've written. It's called Books n Bytes and is pretty current. There's also information on other book catagories too (SciFi, non-fiction, etc.)

Of course I've been knitting! Lots of baby bonnets, booties and socks. A friend thinks she can sell them so I've been stocking up. They're quicker to knit them adult sized socks!

Sorry about no photos. Still trying to figure out this blasted program!

btw.....Roscoe is a daddy! Katrina had 3 kittens all just beautiful! They are about 3 weeks old now and their eyes are open. I can't wait to see them.

Makes perfect sense to me!

2006-05-17T12:35:00.000-04:00

You Belong in Dublin

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions.You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

Nope, still no photos

2006-04-18T14:02:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I'm working on the photo department of my brain. It's just not wrapping itself around the program enough to enable me to post any photos. So my totally adorable photos of DC Zoo's panda sleeping in a tree; a majestic tiger taking a swim; the Bald eagle couple posing; and a rather comical photo of Miss Bonnie O crossing the "O Line" will have to wait. BTW, Miss Bonnie is an orangutan and the O Line is a series of heavy wire running across part of the Zoo which allows the orangutan to cross above the crowds.

June 2 Finally got it figured out!! FINALLY!! This is a photo of Miss Bonnie making her crossing. Pretty neat huh!

But I did come across an intresting meme to pass on to the rest of you. I got it from Brooke at Drunken Monkey Knits who got it from Cara at January One. First you go to Wikipedia.com and look up your birthday without the year. This is a really cool site! Easy to get lost here! Great for kids needing to write papers but don't know what to write about.

Anyway, I digress.....

Look up your birthday on Wikipedia then:

post three interesting events
three people who were born on that day
three people who died on that day

Events:

1661 - The first banknotes in Europe are issued by the Bank of Stockholm.
1782 - First performance of Mozart's opera The Abduction from the Seraglio.
1790 - The signing of the Residence Bill establishes a site along the Potomac River as the District of Columbia (seat of government).
1880 - Dr. Emily Howard Stowe becomes the first woman licenced to practice medicine in Canada. (okay, I know this makes 4, but I thought it was rather interesting!)

Births:

1821 - Mary Baker Eddy, American religious leader (d. 1910)
1889 - Shoeless Joe Jackson, American baseball player (d. 1951)
1967 - Christopher Rocancourt, French impostor and con artist (now there's a story!!)
1968 - Larry Sanger, American co-founder of Wikipedia

Deaths:

1882 - Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States (b. 1818)
1996 - John Panozzo, Drummer of STYX (b. 1948)
1999 - John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette are killed in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. The Piper Saratoga aircraft was piloted by Kennedy Jr.

Okay, it's your turn now. Go try it.

I've noticed that since I'm not working I've had the WORST case of startitis. And we're talking really really bad case of this. And of course nothing is getting completed. But there is lots of stuff on the needles. I have a lovely sweater of unknown yarn in a pretty mint color that I've been working on for the Hurricane Princess. It's from a Debbie Bliss book but can't remember the name of it at the moment, it's a kimono style knit mainly in one piece from back to front (increases make up the sleeves) then a ribbed collar that is picked up and knit. I've also got two cotton spring/summer type tops on the needles but they're screaming at me that I'm not doing them right. Things that scream at me get put in "time out" so there they sit.

More again soon! Back to the kneedles.

WOW!! It's April!

2006-04-03T11:10:00.000-04:00

I've joined Project Spectrum! It just sounded like way much fun and I love color, and I really love the challenge of finding color to "fit the bill" so to speak. This month's colors are orange and yellow!

In all the fun (NOT) of not blogging last month I did finish the projects I was commissioned to do. And they came out very nice if I do say so myself. And our computer crashed and needed a new hard drive installed -- but all is well now. I just need to learn the new stuff again -- we now have Windows XP as opposed to 98 and they are different.

There was a HUGE personnel change at the Yarn Shop and I was not included (I'm out of a job -- anyone hiring?) So I'm healing my broken heart and getting on with my knitting! I've decided that I need to free some of my yarn that has been patiently waiting for my attention but isn't going to get it. I will be making it available to all interested. A link will be provided soon.

Also I'm going to start making some of my own patterns available. gasp!! This is an even larger step for me and even just the thought of being checked over makes me hyperventilate.

Also, it looks like I'm going to be a puppykat gran as my Roscoe fell hook line and sinker for a lovely little vixen up the street. In all fairness we will help find new homes for said pupkits and probable adopt one ourselves. Needless to say, when the "check" comes in the boyz will have a visit to the Doc <<>>

So that's it for now. I'll be a better blogger now. I'm off to learn how to make photos available.

Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines

2006-02-23T09:51:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not posting. But I've decided with the pending deadlines it's best this way. I'll be back in March to perhaps WOW you all!

For now, back to the kneedles!!

NOW!

The Wrap that Genia built

2006-02-01T13:17:00.000-05:00

Here's a photo of the Ribbed Wrap Jacket that I've been knitting for the past week. Yesterday I sat with it to figure out how much yarn I had left, and dove into the stash to find yarn for the collar.

First thing I found out was my gauge was way off. And I mean really off. So I ripped out the whole thing, swatched two other needle sizes, and have cast on once again. This was hard as I had knit the whole back and 3/4's of both sleeves. OUCH! But it is back in the works again and I'm quite happy with the gauge.

Second thing I found out was the yarn that I thought I had, I really didn't. Blast! It's still the same yarn, only same weight. Supposed to be body knit in an Aran weight yarn, collar knit inan DK weight. Collar will not be knit in DK but in Aran.

Third thing I've noticed with this knit piece is I really like what is supposed to be the wrong side better then right side. So I'm reconstructing the directions and making it suit me and my purposes and hopeing for the best. So it will be the same only quite different.

Also, I think since I'll be using the reverse side of the wrap I'll knit the collar as a lace rib. This could get interesting! Stick around and see. For those of you who have color blind monitors (like mine) the main body of the wrap is a tweed grey, the collar will be a maroon/red shade. Both yarns are Cottage Craft which is a real favorite and quite lovely to knit with.

Also for a diversion from my own stupid mistakes, I've been knitting some Jaywalkers. I'm using Reiga 4fadig which is a great sock yarn. They should be complete soon so I can cast on some red ones!

Back to the needles! Big big project on the way.

Socks

2006-01-31T09:14:00.000-05:00

I have been knitting, that's why I haven't been blogging! I've got a Ribbed Jacket from Jo Sharp on the kneedles (currently basking on Sleeve Island) and socks are on the kneedles too. The current socks are a lovely shade of maroon/red in Heilo by Dalegarn. I'm turning the heel on the first sock. Then lurking in the side lines is another yarn waiting to become Jaywalkers! In some totally fun shades to include red. February is for knitting in RED! Winter is for knitting in RED!

Feeling down? Knit something RED!!!

Go ahead. Knit something.

Knitting Olympics

2006-01-19T11:40:00.000-05:00

I love watching the Olympics. And of course I knit while watching the games well, except when things start to get close or tight. Then my knitting tends to end up on the floor but that neither here nor there.

Stephanie is starting the knitting worlds own version of Olympics by sponsoring the Knitting Olympics in which the "athlete" casts on their choosen project on the opening day and completing it by the end of the games 16 days later. There's even a button. Well, of course there's a button how can we have a knitalong with one no?

So go on over the Yarnharlot and sign up. The idea behind this knitalong is to knit something that would otherwise be a challenge for you. I'm still deciding what to knit. I'm trying to choose between a Rowan cardigan -- sorry I can't remember the name of it, and a pattern from MagKnits called Alice.

New Meme of the New Year

2006-01-18T07:58:00.001-05:00

You know, a nice thing about being tagged for a meme is it forces you to update your blog. My friend Lola tagged me with this one. Go visit her blog, she has some interesting answers (where mine are a bit vanilla).

Meme x 4

There's a meme, multiplied by 4 times going around.

Four jobs you have had in your life:

Waitress/bartender, NCO Club Bar in El Paso, Texas
Receptionist/data entry for an insurance company who adjusted claims
Legal Secretary
Personal Assistant

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:

Snow White and the 7 Dwarves
The Triplets of Belleville
Chaplin (Richard Attenborough's film with Robert Downey, Jr)
Porco Rosso (actually anything by Hayao Miyazaki)

4 Places You Have Lived:

Germany
El Paso, Texas
Newport News, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia

4 TV Shows You Love To Watch:

CSI
NCIS
Last of the Summer Wine
Mystery (PBS)

4 Places You Have Been On Vacation:

New York City
Boston, MA
Disney Land
Buxton, NC (my absolute favorite!!)

4 Websites You Visit Daily:

Google
AACo Public Library
KnitCast
Crazy Aunt Purl

4 Of Your Favorite Foods:

Blue Crabs
Dark Chocolate
Pastas with cream sauce
Roast Pork

4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:

At work (A Good Yarn in Fells, Point)
Any yarn shop
Library
In bed with my husband

4 Bloggers You Are Tagging:

You
You
You too
And You

So, I have been knitting. The CTS seems to have calmed down some. I've picked out some of that elasticyish sock yarn from Cascade called Fixation and have cast on and knit about 4 inches of Tempting II from Knitty.com. The yarn is a cotton so this should knit up to a rather nice spring/summer top. Who knows it might even fit me! There's enough give in the fabric for sure. Pics coming soon.

Knit on and be safe!

Cuz it's my blog!!

2006-01-10T22:47:00.000-05:00

Tho there is a little bit of knitting content here. I did knit the "puppybear" hat a couple of years ago.

Have You Ever?

2006-01-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

The Year's first Meme. I picked this one up from Gina. I still can't believe she's never made a snow angel or caught a snowflake on her tongue! And she used to live in NYC!!

Have you ever...?
Smoked a cigar: Yes -- I like'em with a good cognac VSOP or XO baby!
Crashed a friend's car: No
Stolen a car: No
Been in love: Everyday since 1983
Been dumped: Thankfully
Dumped someone: Yep!
Taken shots of alcohol: Yes.
Been fired: Yes
Been in a fist fight: Yes (redfaced shame)
Snuck out of a/your house: Yes, please don't tell my Mom
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back: Yes
Been arrested: Yes
Made out with a stranger: Yes
Gone on a blind date: No
Lied to a friend: Yes
Had a crush on a teacher: Yes
Seen someone die: Sorta
Been on a plane: Yes
Thrown up in a bar: No
Miss someone right now: Yes
Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by: Yes
Made a snow angel: Yes
Played dress up: Yes
Cheated while playing a game: Yes
Been lonely: Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school: Often at school
Used a fake id: No
Felt an earthquake: Yes
Touched a snake: Are you nutz?
Run a red light: Yes. :)
Had detention: Yes, best place to take a nap!
Been in a car accident: Yes
Hated the way you look: Yes
Been lost: Every chance I get
Been to the opposite side of the country: Yes
Felt like dying: Yes
Cried yourself to sleep: Yes
Played cops and robbers: Yes
Karaoke: No
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't: Yes
Laughed till some kind of beverage came out of your nose: Yes, milk really smarts!
Caught a snowflake on your tongue: Yes
Kissed in the rain: Yes
Sang in the shower: Yes
Made love in a park: No, but close
Had a dream that you married someone: Yes
Glued your hand to something: Yes
Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole: No
Worn the opposite sex's clothes: Yes
Been a cheerleader: Yes (surprised?)
Sat on a roof top: Yes
Talked on the phone all night: No
Ever too scared to watch scary movies alone: Yes
Played chicken fight: No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on: Yes
Been told you're hot by a complete stranger: Yes
Broken a bone: Yes
Dipped snuff: No! YUCK!
Lived overseas: Yes
Ever passed out/fainted: No. I'm no lightweight!

And now I tag ...... YOU!
Back to the kneedles! The Jaywalkers are calling!

Socks, Socks, Socks

2006-01-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

and yes, more socks. Amie over at Rose By Any is seeing if as bloggers we can knit 2000 socks by the end of the year. And she's made a cute button. And yes, I'm being a joiner and will add my sock count to her ticker. Not that I knit many socks, but I've decided this year that I'm tired of cold feet and cotton socks just aren't going to work any longer. It's woolies for me all the way!

I think I'll join Lola and knit a pair of Jaywalkers to see just what all the HOOPLA is about. Cara over at January One has knit 6 pairs of these socks since October 20th. SIX!! So there must be something really good about this pattern. I've some lovely Opal and think I'll start my Jaywalkers with that.

I'm also thinking that I really loved the Branching Out pattern from Knitty. I've knit two now. My mom's birthday is just around the corner (January 29th) and would like to knit one in red for her. Then I believe I'll knit one for myself. After I finish the scarf for my dad, and my spare mittens. Oh and the shawl for the shop. And then I really should knit a top for my niece.

Good golly! What am I doing here? I need to get clickin!

Oh, someone asked what I look like. Here's a photo taken my daughter at our family Christmas Party. I'm sitting with my cousin's wife Kelley. Isn't she lovely!

Oh and Happy New Year!

New Year's

2005-12-29T16:36:00.000-05:00

So, I've made it thru most of Christmas....at least that's what I'm told. This weekend is the BIG Family Christmas at my folks' house (and I mean really big like 60+ people in the past.) We'll have to wait and see how long I last that one.

So for those of you who may possibly be interested I am not making any New Year's Resolutions this year. Yes, I have in the past. You can come over and read them in my knitting diaries....call first so I can clean the house. This year I will not make any because it's always a total bummer to look back and see what I've failed to do. So this year I'm going to make New Year's Intentions. And I plan on keeping the list short, updating it from month to month rather then once or twice a year. Some of my intentions are:

Push DH to find a new (and better paying) job.
Rip out all UFO's that show no chance in hell of being completed.
Weed out the stash.
Find another part-time job (no I'm not leaving the yarn shop!)
Re-organize the storage space.

I expect the first to be the most difficult.

Sorry for not having any real knit knews here for you. The CTS in my left hand/wrist/elbow is so enflamed right now that even writing and typing is a bit of a pain. Though I have given in to a guilt pang and have been knitting a scarf for my dad. I'll post a photo of it tomorrow. For now, it's banana bread and tea!

I leave you with the other puppykat, Felix anxiously awaiting his share of the catnip that the Jolly ol'Elf left them for being.... well, for being kats.

Almost Christmas

2005-12-21T09:56:00.000-05:00

And what has this knitter been doing? Not that much knitting! Though I have gotten some wrapping done, the tree is up and decorated, Miss M baked the first batch of cookies last night. After reading the new Knitty I decided the Mrs Beeton's wrist warmers were too hard to resist and knit myself one.... just to try out the pattern of course. Note that I only knit one, after all there is still gift knitting to be completed!

See? Aren't they cute? I'll knit it's mate after the New Year. Unless I decide I have to have it for the New Year then if all else is done I'll knit it. This is done in Kid Seta (the yellow mohair -- most wonderful yarn to work with!, the blue is a superwash Rowan something or other that I've since lost the band for) By the way, if you need a quick gift, these are the ticket! It was completed in just over an hour..... that is once I did the necessary stash dive to find the yarn.

Also I've knit some wrist warmers for certain family members to be gifted this evening. Wanna see? Of course you do!! For those interested, I've written out the patterns for each for the asking. This is Roscoe doing his Vanna White impression. He decided the photo needed a bit of cat appeal.

These are a sage color in Catalina Alpaca silk blend. Very soft yarn and warm to boot. I've some left over, perhaps for another pair for moi?

These are a rich plum color in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (yummy!!) There is some of this left over as well. I think for a pair for my DSIL. She suffers from cold hands too.

These are done in Elspeth Lavold Silky Wool in a bright yellow/gold color. It belongs to thee Wyldman who successfully laid a guilt trip on me once again while I was knitting a pair similar to it in deep purple. The mate to this (as it is repeated daily) will be knit after Christmas when the rest of the Holiday knitting is done. He uses the different colored beads as buttons while acting out his favorite super hero scenes.

Thee Wyldman is my Super Hero and calls himself The Green Flame.

Meow Baby!

What? No Mittens?!

2005-12-06T08:10:00.000-05:00

No folks, no mittens this week. Sorry. This stuff clogging my head hasn't allowed for much knitting at all. Though my very dear SIL will be celebrating her birthday this month so I do go stash diving and came up with two balls of Debbie Bliss Merino DK in a lovely plum sort of color. It was telling me it wanted to be this. So in two days it was done, so outside it goes for it's first foray out into the snow. Of course now it's sitting in a luke warm bath to be blocked. So here I present to you DB Branching Out. Sorry, it's not much to look at just yet. Take my word for it, it really is quite lovely.

This morning we woke to the first "Snow Event" of the 2005 Winter Season. I think our weather people much stay up late thinking of new ways to call storms. It may not have been a huge storm, we only got about 3-1/2 inches of snow but it was still a storm. For Sandy, I donned the Tall One's shoes and trudged out to get this of our early morning sky.

Say, have you checked out the new Knitty? No? Run, don't walk. There's many a things just begging to cast on and gifted this Holiday Season!

So go already!

Another Tagged by a Crazy Aunt

2005-12-02T10:28:00.000-05:00

Crazy Aunt Purl that is. Wicked person tagged everyone who reads her blog and I do believe that probably everyone does. So here goes (mind, I've been on meds for an ear infection all week so my brain is more addled then the usual.)

TEN random things you might not know about me:
1. I have two brothers, one who hasn't spoken to me in 6 years.
2. I have an older son who is now 24 years old.
3. I grew up an "Army Brat"
4. I broke my uncle's nose for calling me an army brat.
5. I had to buy a prostitutes license to get out of jail in Mexico. (what a tale that one is!!)
6. I'm not that sure of myself.
7. I can sell most anything except my own work. (I've got a bridge....)
8. I can be rather gullible.
9. I talk to my cats like I would my children (and sometimes they listen)
10.

NINE places I've visited:
1. West & East Berlin (when there was such a place)
2. Oktoberfest in Munich
3. White Sands, New Mexico (and learned to surf there)
4. Tombstone, Arizona
5. the basement storage of the Natural History Museum
6. Dachau
7. Ratzkeller in Nuremburg
8. Austria via the Alps
9. Wildflecken

EIGHT ways to win my heart:
1. Bring me lovely fibers to knit with.
2. Bring me chocolate.
3. Make an effort to understand me.
4. Request knitted gifts.
5. Spend time with me.
6. Don't judge me wrongly.
7. Be a friend
8. Dark chocolate

SEVEN things I want to do before I die:
1. Go on a whale watch.
2. Own a house on the Severn.
3. Visit San Francisco
4. Learn to be more positive about myself
5. Visit all the major ballparks in the US and Canada
6. See the aurora borelis (sp?)
7. Go to Carnival in Venice

SIX things I'm afraid of:
1. Spiders in the house.
2. SNAKES!! (actually I'm terrified of snakes)
3. Losing my family
4. Being homeless
5. Not seeing my children grow up
6. did I mention snakes?

FIVE things I don't like:
1. Liars
2. Liver and onions
3. Turning your back on me.
4. Aggressive drivers
5. Being preached at

FOUR ways to turn me off:
1. Showing off
2. Jumping to conclusions
3. Silent treatments
4.

THREE things I do everyday:
1. Greet the morning.
2. Brush my teeth
3. Say a prayer of thanks

TWO things that make me happy:
1. My family
2. Babies

ONE thing on my mind right now:
1. What to get my dad for Christmas. (any suggestions?)

GADS!! This is like opening up ones soul and laying it bear on the table for all to examine. And since I have no worries about tagging so many people (face it, Auntie did that for us) I just tag my friends.

Back to the kneedles boyz.....

oh yes, a bit of fun I've found along the way (you can get yours here):

Puttin' on the Mitts

2005-11-28T08:25:00.000-05:00

So things have really been flying around here this weekend! Saturday I worked (this is a relative term as I work in a wonderful little yarn shop in Fells Point) and we had a great group of people in for Morning Coffee. Then the yarn just sorta started flying off the shelves. A lot of lucky people out there are getting some pretty wonderful scarves, caps, gloves, ponchos, and of course mittens for Christmas.

Here on the Severn, things have been flying off the needles. Here's a hat and fingerless mitt set I whipped for a special person in the family. I hope she likes them and puts them to good use.

Actually I love knitting for the person these are intended for as she's always a grateful receipent and really does wear what I make. And I even get hugs in return!

Here's a little better pic of the mitts. I used chunky yarns (both yarns are Lion Brand, one is

Wool Ease Chunky, the other is Boucle) so they would knit up nice and quick and these will be easy care. The Boucle was fun to work with, it had lots of shine and the colors are very vibrant.

So today I start the Super Secret Projects that will go under our tree here. And sorry I can't tell you right now cause there are those that read this blog who will be getting the goods.

ps. No, my fingers aren't magical. The flash just made them glow like that. Pretty eerie huh!

Flip Mitts

2005-11-25T18:12:00.000-05:00

We're flipping for mitts here on the Severn! This pair is for thee Wyldman. He's the one wearing the "giant lobster claws" in an earlier entry. After seeing the pair for my nephew, he sorta guilted me into yet another pair of mittens. These are hand/wrist warmers with a flip top to keep little fingers warm as needed.

And you can see what's really making us flip around here of late (of course it's really a fun way to keep warm!) The Brian Setzer Orchestra, the CD is Dig That Crazy Christmas! It's totally swinging!

The Mitten

2005-11-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite authors is Jan Brett. Not only does she write (and translate) great childrens stories but the art in her books is absolutely wonderful! A favorite book is The Mitten. It's about a little boy who requests white mittens from his grandmother. Not only does she knit the mittens for him, but she also spun the wool for them. The little boy (in the ways of little boys) loses one of his mittens while outside playing. From there a great adventure begins for the mitten.

Anyway....

I had this idea. Yes, this can be a rather dangerous thing for me but it does happen that I get ideas quite often. See my SIL and her family are moving to Kansas City, Kansas in a couple of weeks and my nephew who is just 6 years old is a bit anxious about this move. After all it is getting really close to Christmas!

So the idea (yes, I'm getting to it!!) is to knit a pair of mittens and send them with the book to him at his new address in KC. In the package I'll include a note from one of Santa's head elves saying that we're aware of the address change and for him not to fret that we always look out for good boys and girls. So, the book is on order because our Borders just happens to be out of stock on this one. I even have some holiday stationary that I haven't used so it can't be connected to me. And the mittens are fini! See. The green bow is yarn I use to tie them together so they don't get seperated. I just love surprises!!

Now I need to do a bit of research so the package won't be postmarked here. Any ideas out there? Anyone?

Oh and for those of you keeping track, the handwarmers do have thumbs and have been given away. New mittens are now on the needles.

Finishing Weekend

2005-11-21T09:02:00.000-05:00

It's been a finishing kinda weekend! The Log Cabin Socks are finished! The Irish Hiking Scarf is finished! This one is done in Lion Brand Wool-Ease. It was a great pattern to knit and really looks great. It feels good to cross a gift off the Christmas List.

The handwarmers (in need of a name) are almost finished. These are done in Homespun. This is a yarn raised and spun in Bemidji, Wisconsin. No dyes have used in this yarn. It's a wonderful yarn -- 100% wool. On the label it says it's from the wool of "sturdy northern-grown sheep"; 225 yards (but we've put a couple on the yardage counter and it's more like 250 yards a hank!)

They are in need of thumbs. And the mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia are coming along very nicely. You can just see the color of the Kristi Mitten. Because of the shades being used for that one, I can only knit on it during the day and only if there's good light. The other pair; Marko's Mittens I can knit in the evenings. All of us here at home have really liked watching the pattern appear.

Gee, with all these finished projects I think maybe I can put another project on the needles! Oh and Adrianne, be on the lookout for your prize! It'll be posted and headed your way this afternoon. Hope you like it!

No school this week, though I do have a conference with my lil guy's teacher tomorrow. And it's looking like I'll have an empty house for Thanksgiving. Makes for all knitting, all day! YIPPEEE!

p.s. Hi, Jon!!

Quickie

2005-11-17T09:23:00.001-05:00

This is a quick post. Hopefully, the next one will be good cause the batteries for my camera will have been recharged! I really need to get a second set.

I'm still working on the Kristi Mittens, the Silk/wool wrap, the Irish Hiking Scarf, the second of a pair of hand warmers (and writing the pattern for this pair), the second of the Log Cabin Socks, and to complete this round of startitis another pair of mittens! Just writing it makes me swoon with exhaustion!

So, I'm back to my needles. It's a beautiful sunny but cold day. So I shall stick in a movie, grab a cuppa something or other find a sunny spot in the house and work on my knitting.

And what are you doing?

A Winner!!! and more Stuff

2005-11-11T10:01:00.000-05:00

And the Winner is.......
Adrienne from the Bellybutton of California is the winner. She guessed!

But she didn't leave me with any kind of contact information. Please email with your address so I can send you a prize. Hey, this was my first contest it's my right to send out a prize!!

Also, for your amusement is another ornament I did using perl cotton in a deep maroon color. This one I'll keep for myself!

In other news and such, DH (by the way, have I mentioned he works in Special Orders at the Borders?) brought home a new knit book for me to review. It's called Handknit Holidays by the ever fabulous Melanie Falick. Beautiful photographs and a couple really neat projects that may just jump into my knitting bag. This book features designs by 30 great designers with items for home decor; keeping bodies warm; and more.

Log Cabin Socks by Anne Woodbury

This sock pattern is one that is just trying very hard to jump on the kneedles! And I just happen to have a couple hanks of Sophia to do them for a certain lil Miss for the Holidays. And possibly a pair using the wonderful llama I received as a gift this pair would indeed be for me.

If you happen to see it on your local bookshelf, it's definately worth a look -- if only for the beautiful photography!

This is a hank of some totally wonderful sock yarn that a friend of mine turned me onto (Happy Birthday, Lola and thanks very much for the tip on the yarn!!) This is 325 yards of Socks that Rock! by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. This colorway is called Stonewash -- sort of a washed out denium. I haven't decided what to do with it yet. I am taking it to work with me to show the shop owner cause I think it would make a wonderful addition to our yarn offerings.

You can check out the colorways this yarn comes in at their website. Then run don't walk to your nearest to order up a hank or three.

No affaliation yada yada yada!

Nothing else today folks. I'm still plugging away on the Kristi Mittens, the silk/wool wrap, Irish Hiking Scarf, the second of a pair of handwarmers and writing up some patterns. Too much fun and not enough time.

Back to the kneedles! And have a Great Day!

The Hint

2005-11-09T11:34:00.000-05:00

Okay for those of you trying to figure out what the lace from yesterday's entry is for. Here's a hint. This hint took lots of thought because you see, if I'm not careful I could just give it all away.

As you can see, it's a Christmas Stocking. In fact it is the prototype of two stockings knit recently on a consignment. This one was knit quite a while ago, then I found out that the yarn used (Lion Brand Cotton-Ease) was discontinued. So the ones knit for delivery were done in Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton. Not something I will ever do again as the cotton really gave my CTS a run for the pain meds!

What you're not seeing is on the other side of the stocking is the start of "Merry Xmas". Yes, Xmas. However, it's being taken out and will be filled and sent to someone in need for the Holidays. Got anyone in the need? Let me know I have a stocking longing to to be filled.

Also on the stocking is a glass ornament ball this is 83mm. With a gold cap. So, now guess away!

Tomorrow, the completed project.

Now. On to the knitting. Here's the once giant mittens now felted down to a more human size. They'll go to work with me this weekend to be paired up with some lovely Alpaca Silk or Alpaca Cotton or possibly even 100% Alpaca which will be knit into cuffs.

Last night was a time for small projects. I completed 2 Sea Treasures, and a wire sweater. These are destined for an Art Show/Sale in B'more starting in December. I have 7 items ready. Guess I'd best get those kneedles clicking. I think I'll do some little treasure bags for this event as well. When I find out more I'll let you know (of course!)

If you happen to be tooling around the Crownsville/Annapolis area this weekend, there's a fun craft show at the Baldwin Hall in Millersville (just off of I97.) There's even a bit of locks available for those wanting to knit those lovely thrummed mittens/gloves/socks. Oh, and yes the locks are clean and from Maryland.

Nuff said! Get back to yer knittin!

Obsessions

2005-11-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have lots of obsessions. Mostly involving knitting and ways of using knitting. Fresh off the kneedles and a soak and now blocking in the warm Autumn sun is this:

Those are dressmakers pins, and yes that is a regular table toothpick holding the live stitches whilst it blocks. Care to take a guess at what it will soon become? I'll throw in a lovely something or other for the closest guess. I'll give you another clue tomorrow, and pick a winner (if there are any participants) on Friday.

Still plugging along on my Kristie Mittens. And the Silky Wool wrap. And now to add a bit of spice to the pot, an argyle Holiday Stocking.

Back to the kneedles I say!!

New MItts on the Kneedles

2005-11-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

Here's a pic of things to come. The book is Folk Knitting in Estonia which is truly a wonderful book! And Nancy Bush is great writer and teacher. Stay tuned to this station, looks like she'll be making an appearance in the Baltimore area in May for a Sock Class!! Too fabulous fer sure!!

The yarn I'm using is Jamieson's 2 ply Shetland Spindrift the colors are called Midnight (beautiful deep tweedy blue) and Sunrise (shades of reds and maroon also tweedy) and they are being knit on size 0 kneedles. I don't work on these at night. There's just no way I can see what I'm doing so these are knit only during the day. Sorry that the color isn't coming thru, Myla is at school and she seems to be the only one who actually understands my camera.

I'm also already planning another pair from the same book -- same gauge too! The construction of these mittens is just too intriguing!

Okay, get those kneedles a clickin'!!

Oh, one more thing -- not knit related but important all the same. A Woman's Journey presented by Johns Hopkins every year is this weekend in Baltimore. This is a wonderful conference and very insightful. To learn more and sign up go to A Woman's Journey.

Giant Lobster Claws

2005-11-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

And they appear to have eaten my little guys hands!

Well, okay actually they are mittens to be felted. The pattern is from Knit One, Felt Too. This is a very cool book (no affilation yada yada yada) I just really like this book. The ideas are very clever, patterns easy to follow, and better still ..... really quick to knit! Even for me, World's Slowest Knitter.

So, the next pair has officially been started. I'm using Jamieson's 2 play Shetland Spindrift. The pattern is from Folk Knitting in Estomia by Nancy Bush. Another favorite book! More later.

GO MITT those KNITTENS!!

MIttens of the Past

2005-11-04T09:20:00.000-05:00

So I've joined in this Mitten KAL and have already completed two mittens. Of course these two mittens do not match, not even a little bit. One is to be felted the other just needs a mate. I'll post photo of the one to be felted when my camera comes back home. It went to school with my son today to take pictures of his friends (all of whom are Seniors) in their togas at their Senior Breakfast this morning.

So, since I would hate to leave you mitten photoless I'm going to show you one pair of last year's models.

This is one of my own patterns knit in Pastaza by Cascade. Lovely lovely lovely yarn, and very warm too. I love how these match but not exactly.

The pair that I'm currently working on will be felted so the finished on is absolutely HUGE!! Quick knit, now to finish it's mate, photograph them (today is a nice sunny day too) and get them felted. Then I'll need to decide what to knit the cuff in. The pattern is from Knit One, Felt Too. Love this book!

I'm done now. Get back to yer knittin'!

A Farewell

2005-11-01T09:35:00.000-05:00

Allow me to rant a bit here. For those looking for knit content, come back later. I'm really angry about something and just need to rant.

This was Catherine Thomas. Her family laid her to rest yesterday. Yes, Halloween when all thoughts should have been on tricks, treats, dressing up and other such nonsense the community of Herald Harbor was listening to a preacher trying to tell us that Catherine wouldn't have wanted us to cry but would want us to know that her life was full of meaning, and that now she is in a better place. (And no Rev, if Catherine were here watching us she wouldn't say anything, we would not be in the church. We would be at work, school, doing what we do on Monday mornings. )

pftttttt!

Catherine was 17 years old. She was a friend of both my daughter and son. She would have graduated from High School this coming June with my son and cousin. She was a loving daughter, caring sister, hard worker and a great friend -- just ask those who attended the funeral. BUT, her death was avoidable. She was going out with friends and the boy (don't even sit there reading this and try to tell me he was a man just because he was over 18 years) who was driving was going way too fast for the road they were traveling on and wrapped the car around a tree. Some thing that struck me as rather scary was one of her sisters was the car behind them and saw the accident happen.....so she was driving just as fast or as near to as he was.

Now one of the reasons for my rant is this is not the first time this tragedy has happened in our little neighborhood. Not even the first time time this year. It seems the kids in our neighborhood are so angry that once they're given "the keys" they go flying (literally) away never to come back. Our community is small and no there really isn't anything to do here so the kids sit around and complain of boredom. Never thinking of ways to stop the boredom other then by random acts of destruction or crime. And the "elders" in the community sit behind their locked doors wringing their hands fretting over the acts of these kids.

Has our society become so hurried and self-absorbed that instead of giving our kids a way to do for themselves and helping them; we just give them the answers and be done with them?

So, now I'm stepping off my soap box. And no, the tree didn't survive either.

Side note: There were 4 people in the car that was wrapped around the tree that night. One was Catherine's sister. She will going back and forth to the hospital for reconstructive surgery. Another boy in the vehicle is still in hospital but is now out of Intensive Care. The driver, he was treated for minor injuries and released that night.

Halloween Fun!

2005-10-31T08:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our annual Pumpkin Carving Party! Most everyone dresses up for the event and brings a pumpkin or two to carve. Fun was had by all!

note: sorry folks, no knitting on this day! Enjoy the pics and Happy Haunting!!

CJ's Legwarmers

2005-10-25T16:44:00.000-04:00

While having Miss M try on the legwarmers for their photo shot I took a closer look at the insides of these little gems. So I had Miss M turn them and try them on. "Oh too cool" was what she said, and she's right they do look pretty cool on the insides as well. So they are reversible! Here's another shot of them.

Knitting, knitting, and yes folks MORE knitting

2005-10-25T10:58:00.000-04:00

The weather here is cold, windy, and rather wet so what's a grrl to do? Knit of course! A raging case of startitis. But I have finished some things and even recently joined a Knit-a-long. The knit-a-long is for mittens. Check it out over at Sandy's Place. And she's a few very cute buttons as well. Since I love to knit mittens and hand warmers I thought it would be a fun join. Plus I've already finished one mitten!

On the kneedles now are some gifts. One is a helmet liner in hunter's orange for a favorite uncle who has a birthday coming up. This should come in handy as he'll be headed to Montana with his son and my brother for fun in the mountains on horseback (or possibly muleback.) We're also knitting these liners to send to our troops overseas. They're fast, easy, and you'll be helping our people over there. We were told at the shop that the troops were supplied with liners only they were acrylic and red (WHOA!!! wouldn't it have been easier to put a bulleye's on them?) So go to the link, knit up a couple in wool and a nice dark color like black and send them. Or you can bring them around to the shop. We have a customer who will be delivering them personally. Here's another link for the liners as well.

Another gift is the Irish Hiking Scarf. Lots of beautiful cables! I love the Hello Yarn website as well. It's well thought out and very clever! While you're there check out the yarns too. Totally yummy! The scarf is going along quickly so I may just knit up a bunch more for gifts.

Another thing on the kneedles (never to be accused of not having enough projects!!) is one of the skirts from Color by Sally Melville. As it happens I even doing it in the same color as the one in her book using Manos del Uruguay. This yarn is really wonderful to work with.

I've finished the leg warmers for my cousin, CJ. She's taking a ballet class and the class is held in a lovely old church basement. So she requested a pair of leg warmers that would come up over her knees and would be easy to care for (hey!! she's only 13 years old) so I've knit them out of Wool-Ease. So they should stand up to some abuse and still look good. I've written out the pattern so if you're interested, drop me a line and I'll send it along to you. Mind that I'm the only one who's knitted from this pattern so it's not be tested -- you'll be the tester.

This is sorta knit related but not exactly. Sunday here just happened to be a beautiful day. Which was good because it was also the date of the annual Knit Out, Crochet Too in Washington, DC. So being the fiberhound that I am I went. DH and the Wyldman came along as well not to go to the Knit Out but to go to the National Museum of the American Indian. This museum is absolutely beautiful! From the building itself to it's exhibits, everything was really well thought out and presented in a way that everyone could get something from it -- even those who just look and go. I spent some time at the Knit Out, and then ran to meet the guys at the museum. This was my second time at the museum and I still haven't seen everything. I do plan on doing some of my holiday shopping there (there are two gift shops with some totally amazing things!)
So if you're in DC, it really is a good stop to make but plan on spending a lot of time there. Here's a pic of one of our favorite items.

Doesn't everyone want a pair? These are beaded high tops. Beaded as in seed beads (#10's I believe) and the handwork is amazing. The top is a woman/girl holding an umbrella and the bottom is a man in full dress dancing.

Quick update

2005-10-15T08:49:00.000-04:00

Just getting home from work and I'm tired and starved. But wanted to give you all a photo of the mitten completed yesterday. It's mate is underway!

So much yarn so little time

2005-10-14T12:30:00.000-04:00

So we're now carrying Kid Seta in the Shop. OMG!! This yarn is beautiful! I honestly can't put it down. For kicks I'm starting Birch by Rowan and it's in a bright yellow color. If you're lucky I'll even post a photo for you.

On the home front, I've completed one mitten for Nathan. He informed me that it's cold up at the bus stop and he needed his hands ready for writing when he got to school. Now, how can a mom not drop everything and knit her guy a pair of mitts? I used a slip stitch broken rib sort of pattern and when both are off the needles I plan to swish them around a bit in some hot water to see if I can't felt them up a bit. I'm Dalegarn's Sisik. It's a mohair blend so felting may not happen but we won't know for sure until we try!

I wrote the pattern up and will offer it to you folks out there. However be warned that it has not been test knitted so I'll be counting on you to correct me.

For now, I leave you with Roscoe. This is were he waits for me every morning. It's a overhang from the roof over the kitchen. I walk out onto the deck every morning to stretch and drink my coffee. The nasty look on his face is from the screen door slamming as the Wyldman was hot on my heels.

Gifts!

2005-10-07T20:33:00.000-04:00

For me even! A friend of Miss M's (we'll call him B) gifted me with 4 skeins of llama yarn from Homestead Gardens here in the Annapolis area. This is not dyed, still has a bit of guard hairs, looks just beautiful knitted up. Since the yarn was given to me I'm making me some new mittens. He also gave me a large bag of daffodils, a bag of assorted Iris bulbs, and a bag of alliums. I feel very lucky! Of course with Autumn making an appearance -- as you can see from the leaves on the dock, planting bulbs and knittin' mittens is just the right activities to be having right now!

Stop over at Miss Lola's blog! Her nephew, Kai Edward has finally made his entrance into the world. Send him a big welcome and conga ratz to Lola and Bruce the proud new Auntie and Uncle.

Fini

2005-09-16T09:56:00.000-04:00

I've completed the Clapotis. This one is done in Elspeth Lavold Silky Wool in three colors. Never is there a nicer yarn to work with -- honestly. I followed the pattern (now stop your chuckling!!) mostly as written except instead of a knit stitch between the two (k front and back loop) I purled the stitch to be dropped. This eliminated the need for markers. Also, this one is longer then 55 inches being closer to 62 inches (I was watching Die Another Day and got carried away).

I decided not to bead it. The idea was a good one just not right for this particular shawl. Could have been the yarn, color of the yarns, or even the beads I choose. But I do think it would be lovely beaded.

I did slip the colored rows. It's added a neat affect almost argyle look to the stripes. The photo really doesn't do it any justice, and no the slip stitching did not mar the drop stitches.

Thank you, Kate Gilbert for a fun pattern!

Previews

2005-09-15T17:49:00.000-04:00

Gotta share this preview with you all. This is my second son, Nikholis. Yes, this is his Graduation photo. I feel old. But isn't he a handsome guy!

As you can see these are the proofs. It'll probably be the closest he ever comes to wearing a tux too (even so this one was just a "pastie")

In other knitting news, the Clapotis is completed. Well, it's off the needles anyway. I'm still weaving in ends. I really liked the slip stitch effect! I haven't woven in those ends as yet as I'm trying to decide whether or not to string on some beads just at this point. I'll get a photo and ask you all (okay all 2 of you) what you think.

OH BOY!!!

2005-08-28T14:45:00.000-04:00

My favorite yarn shop (A Good Yarn) is having Maggie Sefton, author of Knit One, Kill Two for a meet-n-greet on September 24th. Turns out that Maggie -- if I may be so brazen to use her first name -- is really a knitter and loves joining in on SnB's. Somehow she found out about our little Coffee Group that meets every Saturday and is coming to join in on the coffee, chatter, and yarning in general.

Wanna come too? Email me and I'll send you all the information.

80's Style Pop Quiz

2005-08-25T09:16:00.000-04:00

This was fun though I have to admit I really sucked! So give it a try and see how you do! Playback the 80's. Common Ginx, you know you CAN'T resist!!

Real knitting post!

2005-08-24T15:07:00.000-04:00

So here it is, of course it's now much larger then when I took this photo a couple of days aga -- not that you can really see how big it is. But I'm a clapping away on my Clapotis and about finished with my 2nd skein of Silky Wool in the yellow/gold color. This pattern is easy to memorize and quite quick to knit. I'm already planning on who to give these to for the upcoming holidays. Silky Wool comes in this gorgeous shade of red that will just look fabulous on my Aunt.

On my list of future projects is this knitting bag from Berocco. It's a free pattern and really neat looking. I've been doing my math and think it would look really neat done in a few shades of a grey wool like Homespun from Bemidji Woolen Mills (we carry this at A Good Yarn) and then fulled.

I've also gotten back into doing some beaded wire knitting. It's hard on the hands but I so love the results.

Well, it's back to laundry and looking for a mate for the Praying Mantis that has been living in my deck plants this summer. I would hate for her to leave this earth with ensuring that I could look forward to her offspring next year.

Keep'em clickin!

A good life

2005-08-14T18:14:00.000-04:00

You know they say a person can't have too many friends. I happen to agree and the ones I do have I hold most dearly! This incredibly beautiful shawl was given to me to by our own Wry Punster -- yes folks she's back from her Arabic adventures in Egypt. And may I add safely!

In knitterly knews, I've started a Clapotis from Knitty. I'm using Silky Wool and am quite pleased with the results so far. Once I've gotten some length on it (like tomorrow) I'll give ya'll a photo. Prove to you that I really do knit!

For now I'm off. Cause it's hot and humid and too muggy to be anywhere near the heat producing machine!

Keep'em clickin!

Tagged again and other such stuff

2005-08-10T09:18:00.000-04:00

First, here's a pic of Felix. He napped on the bed last night (after a rather stern warning not to touch the winder or my feet) with some of the Wyldman's toys. In fact he actually pulled closer to him for a bit of a cuddle. Too cute!

Ginx tagged me. I love getting tagged, can't explain it. I guess its the not having to think up a post deal that sorta goes hand in hand with memes.

5 CDs in your Player:
1. Dance into the Light -- Phil Collins
2. The Dana Owens Album -- Queen Latifah (totally awesome tunes!! she's amazing)
3. Sugar Ray -- Sugar Ray (cause something gotta get ya moving!!)
4. Get Right with the Man -- Van Zant
5. The Joshua Tree -- U2

5 Movies You've watched Recently:
1. Les Miserables In Concert
2. Monsters Inc. (luv those birds!!)
3. Toy Soldiers
4. Blue Angels - Around the World at the Speed of Sound (this was actually pretty cool!)
5. Destroy All Planets (betcha haven't thought of this one in quite a while!!)

5 Nice Things That Happened To You Lately
1. Got a compliment from The Tall One
2. Found out one of my patterns is being used in teaching a class at the Shop
3. Lorraine bought me lunch
4. Got a hug from the Wyldman without having to tickle him
5. Found a knitalong of one of my patterns (check out the Pinwheel Gallery)

5 MP3s on your playlist -- well, I don't have one of these. But I can give you the next 5 CD's queued up for play:
1. Mojo Box -- Southern Culture on the Skids (also called SCOTS)
2. Golden Road -- Keith Urban
3. Videos -- French Kick
4. Sacred Love -- Sting (he makes me go OOOHHHHHH)
5. Anthology -- The B52's (cause ain't nothin' more fun!!)

5 Friends You're Passing This To: -- ummmm I don't think there are 5 people who read this blog.....
1. Dani -- causes she's really cool and I love her insight
2. The Punster -- and she better update soon or else!!!
3. The other Michelle -- cause she's totally freaked out and needs a distraction (I'm gonna miss her when she moves)
4. -- Okay, I can count just fine! I can't think of who else to add to the list.

Yes, I am a knitter. Yes, I spend more then 5 hours a day knitting. Yes, I do knit while walking around the neighborhood with the Wyldman. Yes, I've always got a knitting project of some sort with me at all times. Yes, I do dream in brightly dyed wools, fine kid mohair, and silky soft cashmere.

No, I'm not going to tell you what I'm currently knitting. But I will tell you that one is really cute and quite yummy to hold and the other is not only going to be a gift but I will share with you all the pattern when it's completed.

Nuff said. Keep'em clickin'!!

hibis

2005-08-01T15:54:00.000-04:00

This little beauty can be seen on the Mall in Washington DC. I was amazed at how white it is. I have the red hibis and a beautiful pink with maroon center hibi. But the white is quite enchanting. I think I may be visiting the nursery next year for a white one.

anger!!

2005-08-01T11:28:00.000-04:00

My DH has me so angry (honest, the real word for it furious) that I don't feel safe saying anything as yet. So hopefully, blogger is being nice today and allowing me to give you all a photo of one of my prized hibis.

keep'em clickin.....

The Beaded Bikini Belt

2005-07-22T14:51:00.000-04:00

I thought maybe someone out there may know of a young person wanting a (IMHO) kicky little belt to wear. So while reading over my Nicky Epstein book I came across this pattern that was just screaming to become just such a belt. So I here by give you:

The Beaded Bikini Belt.

Please note that I did not string enough beads to put a bead on each loop. On the one I knit up I was using too heavy a bead so only did every other loop. Hope you have fun with the pattern and let me know how yours come out.

Materials:
One skein of Silky Wool Yarn
Size 6 needles
Beads (you’ll need approximately 9 beads for each motif) to be strung on your yarn before knitting commences.
Button
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 4.5 sts per inch

** Slip all sts knit wise
***SB1 – Slip one bead

You’re going to need to measure the body in which the belt will be worn. Measure just above the hip level and subtract an inch (or so) for stretch.

Cast on 12 stitches. Follow chart until piece measures desired length ending with Row 32. Belt should rest just on the hips of recipient. Knit the first 7 stitches allowing the remaining stitches (for the fringe) to drop from the needle. On the remaining 7 stitches, knit 3 more rows. Next row – button hole row. Knit two stitches. Bind off middle 3 stitches, knit last two stitches. Turn work, k2, cast on 3 stitches, k2. Knit two more rows and Bind off. Stitch on the button at the other end of the belt; weave in ends; and pull out the stitches for the fringe. At this point you may want to use an iron to straighten out the fringe and make the belt motifs lay down flat.

(Pattern: Imperial bead fringe from Nicky Epstein – Knitting on the Edge)

Row 1 (WS) sl 1, k11, turn
Row 2: SB1, k7, yo, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice.
Row 3: sl1, k3, p1, k8
Row 4: SB1, k7, yo, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 5: sl1, k3, p2, k8
Row 6: SB1, k7, yo, k3, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 7: sl1, k3, p3, k8
Row 8: SB1, k7, yo, k4, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 9: sl1, k3, p4, k8
Row 10: SB1, k7, yo, k5, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 11: sl1, k3, p5, k8
Row 12: SB1, k7, yo, k6, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 13: sl1, k3, p6, k8
Row 14: SB1, k7, yo, k7, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 15: sl1, k3, p7, k8
Row 16: SB1, k7, yo, k8, [yo, k2tog] twice (20 sts)
Row 17: sl1, k3, p8, k8
Row 18: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k7, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 19: Sl1, k3, p6, p2tog, k8
Row 20: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k6, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 21: Sl1, k3, p5, p2tog, k8
Row 22: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k5, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 23: Sl1, k3, p4, p2tog, k8
Row 24: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k4, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 25: Sl1, k3, p3, p2tog, k8
Row 26: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k3, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 27: Sl1, k3, p2, p2tog, k8
Row 28: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 29: Sl1, k3, p1, p2tog, k8
Row 30: SB1, k7, k2tog, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 31: Sl1, k3, p2tog, k7 (12 sts)
Row 32: SB1, k7, k1 [yo, k2tog] twice

BTW: As I was working this pattern out I was thinking of my friend (who's rather far away right now) better known as the Wry Punster. I'll have to wait until she returns from her class abroad to find out if it is as "kicky" as I think it is.

Keep'em clickin!!

Remains to be seen...

2005-07-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

Blogger says I can do this....but can I really post a photo? hmmmm

Meme

2005-07-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

Gina tagged me. This one was a brain twister though I think some of these questions have popped up on other meme(s).

10 years ago: I'm the mom of 3 and living with my MIL; I was super thin (like a size 0); drank like a fish (rum, dark straight); smoked like a chimney (2 packs a day); really watched what I was wearing; was working in the male dominated world of car racing as an “executive assistant”; living in the New England state of Connecticut; and in general not that pleased with myself. But totally digging my family!

5 years ago: I became Home Base Mom for not only my kiddies (of which I now have 4) but my cousins as well. My “uniform” of choice now is jeans, flip flops, and t-shirts or sweaters as the weather permits. Am living in my dream location with the Severn River at my feet; still getting a kick outta being a mom (now with a little guy who’s 1yo); doing odd jobs and knitting to my heart’s content. In a nut shell rather happy with my life.

1 year ago: Working in a great little yarn shop in the very happening town of Fells Point, Maryland; still knitting to my heart’s content and designing bits and such for the shop. Volunteering at the school and still digging being a mom.

Yesterday: Ran the boys to swim practice; worked out graph for a new hat to be knit; washed my hair; and went out to dinner with fam and friends then to the City Dock (Annapolis) to watch a free concert by the Naval Academy Band.

Today: Running boys to swim practice and the tall one to his job; knitting new hat – see above; dosing cats for fleas (see, isn’t my life just to f*&^ing exciting!!); starting sweater for the Wyldman cause he had the nerve to grow outta all his other ones.

Tomorrow: I’m allowed to go swimming again (sinus & ear infections have kept me out) and will be doing laps in the river if I don’t get stung. More knitting and checking out patterns to make sure they read properly.

5 snacks I enjoy: Cheez-Its; dark chocolate; Italian gelato; pb&j sandwiches on killer white bread; pickled jalapeno peppers with cheddar cheese on Triskets.

5 bands/singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs: The Swinging Neckbreakers; The Reducers; U2; Bonnie Raitt; Dixie Chicks; Toby Keith

Things I would do with $100,000,000: Pay off all debts; move my parents closer to me; set my kiddies up for life; invest; support the Parkinsons charity and travel.

5 locations I'd like to run away to: Alaska; Ireland; New Mexico; Spain, and Bali.

5 bad habits I have: Holding a grudge; cussing like a Marine; buying binge when angry; ignoring my housecleaning (I failed Flylady)

5 things I like doing: Mowing the lawn; knitting; gardening; swimming; visiting friends.

5 things I would never wear: a thong (though I am guilty of knitting one); a string bikini (again guilty of knitting one); flowered pants; big floppy hats; poncho.

5 TV shows I like: CSI; CSI Miami; Antique Road Show; anything National Geographic; Red Green Show.

5 movies I like: This is a really hard one! Only 5?! All Harry Potter; Holes; Creature from the Black Lagoon; Moulin Rouge; Snow White and the 7 Dwarves.

5 famous people I'd like to meet: Steven Speilberg; Nicky Epstein; Stephanie Pearl-McPhee; Ella Fitzgerald (I know this one isn’t possible but neither is Steven Speilberg). I know it’s only 4, I’ll think about this one.

5 biggest joys at the moment: My kiddies and family; living on the Severn; knitting. What more could a grrl want? 5 favorite toys: My digital camera and ball winder – hey, I’m a simple kinda grrl.

I'm tagging Lola and the Wry Punster and my SP5.