Lacey Baby Beenie

Pattern: Lace Baby Beenie

Yarn: Jo-Ann Sensations Tesoro, 1 skein Pink

Needles: Lantern Moon, Ebony DPN size 5

Notes: quick and easy!! This yarn blocked beautifully!

Christmas lights, Snowfalls, and Fairies

Finally put my Christmas lights out earlier this week. Just took me a little bit to post the pictures. As you can see on the normal camera setting you can't see a whole lot.



So, I put the camera on "Night" setting and realized that my hands shake like crazy! *laugh* But hey, you can see the lights a little better!




We had our first snowfall of the season on Wednesday. What a day that was! It snowed on and off all day long and of course the county that I worked for did NOT call in for a delay, or a closing, and even after everyone understood how slick the roads were, they didn't close school early! What normally takes me about 25 minutes to get to work took me 1 hour and 45 minutes that morning!! And my poor little Honda was all over the road!

Look how pretty it looks!!




I have finally finished knitting all the squares the my nieces blanket!! Now I'm just trying to lay out the squares so that no row has double the color or double the fairy pattern. It's not working out so well. It seems that I can either do one of the other, but now both.

I'm thinking of framing each square in black with single crochet and then sewing the squares together. Once the squares are sewn together I will either knit or crochet the rest until it's sized for a twin bed. Would it look funny if black was used to frame the squares and no where else in the blanket?? Or should I just frame them all in the royal purple and forget about the black completely?? I really would like suggestions!!

Crochet! Knit! Crochet! Knit! What season is it??

OK, with a title like that I just couldn't resist finding this :)

So, now onto some updates. As you can tell by my trackers it has been 29 days since my last cigarette! *How awesome is that!* On that same day, I started my walking routine. There is a lake behind my house and the path around the lake is a 2 mile lap. I walk 2 laps pretty much daily. A nice 4 mile walk each evening. Wednesdays are tough since I have therapy right after work and I don't get home till about 6:15 PM and then I have knitting group at the local Borders that starts at 7PM. But hey! Four miles/six days a week is pretty darn good! *for me at least* I call this my "Me Time." I walk and think, and plot and scheme *just kidding.... maybe* and talk to God and even say a prayer to a few relatives up there to watch over friends and family down here. Heck, I have even asked Mr. X's father to watch over him and help him maintain his sanity during this rough period in his life. *Color me a fool who's still in love - PARAMEDICS WE NEED A STRAIGHT JACKET FOR THIS ONE!*

Here's the baby blanket I am working on. Believe it or not, it has been somewhat calming for me to be working on this blanket. Not sure why, since when I'm working on, THAT situation is always on my mind. Several people have called me crazy for putting this much effort into a blanket for his baby, but in my mind, the child is the innocent in all this. It certainly isn't her fault that her daddy was a dumb ass in that situation.

Moving on.... here is the Soft Waves Ripple that I am working on for my sister's Christmas gift. I have to add a stripe of the Denim color yarn and I will have one repeat of colors done!! That will be 25% complete! A nice start for the month of September for a December gift :)

Lastly, is an update on my Mom afghan. I think this is about 25-30% completed as well. Again, a nice start for a Christmas gift! Unfortunately, you can't really see the pattern very clearly in photos, but the color will go beautifully with the family room decor at Mom's house.

Just had to add this picture.... How can you resist a face like that one??

July Goals Met!

I know I haven't been around much this week. Had a lot going through my head. I did get a lot done while I was mulling over everything. I can't believe it, I truly can't, but I managed to complete all my goals for this month!

July Goal Updates:

* Knit the Monthly Dishcloth KALs (I have such a HUGE dishcloth stash. They knit up 2 dishcloths a month starting on the 1st and the 16th. I don't usually knit the 1st cloth of the month because I'm not big on "picture" cloth, so instead I find an older pattern off the site to knit for the 1st and then I follow their 2nd one) - FINISHED!!

2nd dishcloth completed!

* Knit the Monica Tank for my niece - FINISHED!!

* Finish knitting that same tank for her younger sister. (I needed to make some minor adjustments on the straps and weave in some elastic around the top) FINISHED!!
* Knit a bag for my Secret Pal - FINISHED!!
* Crochet 20% of an afghan for my parents for their Christmas gift - FINISHED!!

* Knit a square for Rebuilding Greensburg - Block by Block FINISHED!!
* Crochet 5 squares for the Stained Glass Afghan. The afghan required 357 squares! - FINISHED!! (23 squares complete! - 334 more to go *faint*)

Finally a free weekend!

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and comments over Mr. X. Somewhere inside of me *probably in my feet since the thought seems to get squashed whenever I'm walking around* I know that eventually it will get better and hurt less, but right now all those feeling are so close to the surface that it just doesn't seem possible. Anyhoo, enough about him, I want to enjoy my free weekend and not think about him again all weekend *fat chance, but I can try*

Wow, it's been so long since I have had a completely free weekend that I just don't know what to do! For so many months my weekends have been consumed with working on my National Board certification. I had spend months working on the four entries that were required for the portfolio portion and then spent the last two months studying for the assessment test. Almost every Saturday for the last two months I met with the other four media specialists that were also working on the boards to study for the test. This is the first Saturday I was able to actually sleep in till 10AM! That was N-I-C-E!

Now, I am just chillin' on my back deck with a latte, my laptop, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's new book Casts Off (I finished reading her other book, Knitting Rules, a last weekend) and contemplating what I should do today. I received an email from my LYS yesterday that included a discount coupon (I think it was for 25% off, but can't remember right now) so I might go and drool over some yarn a little later. I do need to go and get some Cascade 220 for a felted bag that I need to make for my ITE IV pal. I'm thinking of knitting her a nice size tote to carry around her knitting. *well, what else would a knitter carry around* She pretty much likes the same colors I do, so it might be a little hard to part with the finished piece *laugh* I think I'll call my gf KozyKitty and see if she wants to join me!

I might also make a stop over at JoAnn's Fabric. I saw in this weeks circular that their purse handles are on sale. *I can't resist a sale, then again what woman can* Then later this afternoon I really need to take stock of all the UFOs I have around my house! Last weekend while I was trying to straighten up before my sister and her family came over for dinner, I noticed I had bags of UFOs all over my house! *as any addictive knitter/crocheter would* Some of those projects I hadn't touched in months *some, I'm ashamed to say may even have been years* Once I have all my UFOs gathered together I will need to decide which ones I really think I will finish and which ones I will probably never touch again *if that's even possible*

Afterwards, I need to go through and take stock of my stash, for several reasons.

1. New colors for Project Spectrum started June 1st. I need to see what red,black and metallic yarns I have in my stash and figure out what I'm going to make with them. Off hand, I do know that I purchased a handpainted wool/silk yarn from Mystical Creations a while back in a colorway of red and black. I want to make a shawl with it. So I have one spectrum project on the ever growing "To Knit" list.

2. I want to start thinking about Christmas gifts for family and friends. *I know, I know - June just started and I'm already thinking of December* I just know me, if I don't get started now I'll be in some department store or mall on Christmas Eve looking for something to buy the person who's gift I never got around to. *I detest shopping malls and department stores between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I try my hardest NOT to have to go unless absolutely necessary - like for toilet paper*

I might be going out to dinner at Don Pablo's with my gf Tracey tonight. She's working till 4:30PM and said she'd call me afterwards. I haven't been to Don Pablo's in quite a while *my mouth is already salivating over the cheese quesadilla and a beer. Have to have a beer. It would be unthinkable not to have a beer, or two, or three with Mexican food*

Then, of course, there are the normal weekend ho-hum things that need to be done around the house - the laundry, the grocery shopping and the vacuuming *Domestic Goddess I am not*

My coffee swap partner got her package yesterday. I had so much fun shopping for her. You can see all the goodies on her blog. I seemed to have turned into a swap ho, but it's so much fun finding goodies and treats for people who have the same love of yarn and crafting as I do.

Well, for someone who didn't know what to do with her free Saturday, I sure as shit filled it up pretty quickly! Well, time to head off the to the LYS and squeeze some yarn! I might have more to say later :)

Monica Tank

YEAH!

I finally finished the Monica Tank for my niece tonight. Too tired to take pictures right now, not to mention that Frisco would not be a good model for this top and the teddybear is upstairs and I'm too lazy to go get him. So pictures will have to wait. I will post some soon!

Happy Mother's Day and other ramblings

The Weekend
Well, Mom & Dad came down for the weekend. It was nice to see them again. My nieces' birthdays are around this time as well, which is mainly why Mom and Dad came down. I have to remember to invite them down next year for MDS&W. My parents grew up around animals back in Italy, so they would get a real kick out of seeing all of them. My younger sister(Stefania) and her husband (Eric) came down for the weekend as well. Sunday afternoon, while my Mom went to Gabriella's soccer game, my sister, hubby and Dad came over to my place. While they were over, Eric took a look at the lawn mover for me and got it working. Now I can cut what little grass that grows in my yard! Of course dad started in on the fact that I need to cut the trees down in my back yard. I have tiny backyard, but I have 6 freakin' trees back there. Six! Six tall ass trees that drop enough leaves in the fall that it looks like I have a brown blanket covering my backyard! I don't know what moron decided to plan 6 trees back there, but they did - and poorly!

Knitting
I am almost done with 1 niece's Monica tank from Knitty. Between finishing up my National Boards portfolio and studying for the test I fell a little behind. The front piece is done and the back is 90% done. I should have it done this week, thank goodness. Then I will take the other niece to the yarn shop with me so that she can pick out what colors she wants her tank in. Here is a photo of the two munchkins with my mother.

Wouldn't you know it, just after I make my pledge to knit from my stash...

While I was hanging out with the folks at my sister's house this weekend I was working on the Monica tank. My younger sister started flipping through my Interweave Crochet magazines and picked out tops she wants me to knit for her. One for her birthday (August) and the others for whatever. Then my older sister joins in and picks out a top she wants me to make her for her birthday (next month!). Here are the patterns she picked out and I think in order of preference:

And of course I don't have any of the yarns called for in the patterns. I might be able to substitute, but I have to take a closer look at my stash. I certainly hope there is something in there that I can sub at least one of those projects! If not, I hope to find a suitable substitute from Knitpicks.

Oddities
I have to wonder what possessed people to create this. I mean, who wakes up and says "Let's knit a Giant Pink Rabbit!" Seriously. Can someone tell me what where they smokin' and why aren't they sharing! *laugh*

Kitty

Of course no post would be complete without Frisco. Sunday morning I went over to my older sister's house... Yes, I am the middle child, and yes, there is definately something special about the middle child - just depends on what your definition of "special" is *laugh*... anyhoo, I went to Mary's for Mother's Day breakfast and afterwards I came home to clean the house and do laundry. I found Frisco on the dinning room table on top of my blocking pad.


I asked him if I should pin him down, spray him with water and shape him up a bit. Something tells me his response was less than favorable...

Or maybe it was his "I'm not listening to you babble at me mom" yawn. What do you think?

Goodies, Yarn Porn and Philadelphia

This was a hectic weekend. It started out (after work of course) with finding several lovely treats at my door when I got home. I had ordered a few items from QVC (I know, I know - that a dangerous channel to watch) I had ordered 3 different kitchen items from them last weekend. The first thing I ordered was an Electric Mandoline Slicer w/Removable Tray. I tend to be accident prone when I am in the kitchen working with knives. I usually enjoy cooking when I actually have the time, so I am hoping that this will help me regain some time and in the end save me a little money in the long run.

The second thing I ordered was a set of Cast Aluminum Lemon and Lime Squeezers! Perfect for Midnight Margaritas!! These things are awesome. They literally squeeze just about every drop of juice out of the lemon or lime. You cut the lemon or lime in half and place a half cut side to the holes. Then you squeeze the handles together to get the juice to come out and the tool literally turns the sliced half inside-out!

Strange how such little things can make life just a little easier to bear :)

The last thing I ordered from QVC is a new FoodSaver Automatic Vacuum Sealer. The one I bought numerous years ago is on it's last leg and I just love that this one is a.) stainless steel and b.) it can stand up so that it takes up less counter space when you don't need to use it!

The goodies didn't stop there! Next up.....

YARN PORN!

In addition to these three treats there was a special envelope in my mailbox as well. I had found some Great Adirondack yarns on eBay for a steal of a price! I mean SERIOUSLY! On the left is Great Adirondack Silk Delight yarn and on the right is Great Adirondack Nassau yarn. The colorway for both is Purplicious, so I'm thinking it might be neat to make something with the yarns together, I'm just not sure what. I just could not pass up those vibrant colors!

Lastly on the knitting frontier....

I have finished one half of the Monica for my niece's birthday gift! Birthday being May3rd and the other niece's birthday is May 13th! I have pinned it down and sprayed it with water to block it. I have the back on my needles now! I'm thinking of modifying the pattern slightly for the 2nd one and knit it on circulars to knit in the round and avoid seems. Hopefully I will have them both done by their party - no idea exactly when that is yet!

Philadelphia!!!!
Most of my weekend was spent in Philadelphia. I am one of two state representatives to my national organization (American Association of School Librarians - AASL) and we had a Region II meeting this weekend to discuss some issues before the meeting at the annual ALA conference in June. There wasn't a whole lot of time for site seeing when you are in a meeting from 9am-4pm on Saturday. We did all go out to dinner Saturday night. We went to the Chart House... mmmMMmmmm. Here are some shots I took when we went to the restaurant.

And of course, no post would be complete without Frisco! I don't know what it is about a laundry basket full of dirty clothes, but he just seems to love hanging out there! This is where I found him when I got home from Philly earlier today!

Project Updates

WARNING: Lots of pictures in this one.

Well, now that I have completed my National Boards portfolio, I thought it was time to catch up on some projects. I decided to take stock after reading PhD Knitting's post on her UFO addiction to see what I had started around my house. First up are the Arm Cozies from Lion Brand that I started a few months back. I used Wool-Ease instead of their cashmere blend yarn simply because I had it in my stash. They are about 50% done. Of course now that warmer weather is coming (if Mother Nature can make up her mind that is) I have no real draw to them except for the fact that I think they will look really neat when finished. After working the pattern for this long though, I am contemplating on frogging them and re-doing them on circulars so that I don't have to deal with the seam. At the same time, I like making them both at the same time this way I know that my decreases are on the same rows and they will be the exact same length and tension. So I'm really undecided as to what to do with them. Any thoughts from you all?

Next up was a recent trip to Cloverhill Yarns were I picked up several skeins of Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece to make the Monica for my nieces. Their birthdays are in May - 10 days apart! For the younger one, I'm using Raging Purple for the body and Wisteria for the top ruffle. For the older one (my sister doesn't think she will like the ruffle) I'm just making the tank in Prairie Lupine minus the ruffle. I pulled out all my size 6 needles that I had to get started. I'm going home this weekend for Easter, all these pieces will be in my knitting bag to take along and work on. The girls will be there too, so it may be a little tricky with them around, but at the same time I might get a better idea as to whether or not the older one likes the ruffle or not. Who knows.

Below is my first sock! I'm using Lana Grossa's Meilenweit Cotton. It's a very simple sock pattern. Of course that won't last long as I already have patterns for socks with pretty patterns. The tricky part for me will be when I get to the foot portion as I am a size 10 and most patterns I have come across are made for a "medium" size foot. I purchased 2 skeins of this yarn on the shop owns recommendation, but I am really hoping that I don't use that second skein. I do like the color variation though.

As you can see, I am building my sock yarn stash. The two skeins of the Louet Gems were purchased to make a Lilac Sock pattern from a sock KAL that I joined. Guess I should probably finish the basic pattern I started above before I start on a more intricate pattern. Maybe? Maybe not? I guess I'll see where the wind takes me :) The other two skeins, well, I liked the colors and I'm sure I can find a pattern for them. I think I might use the On-Line yarn for the Monkey socks from Knitty, but I have to check the pattern to see if it's enough.
I am about 45% complete with My So Called Scarf from Sheep in the City. I made some minor edge adjustments so the edges are a bit smoother. I HEART this Malabrigo yarn!! Of course after working for a few nights on size 2.5 for socks and size 6 for the tank these size 11s feel HUGE in my hands. Takes some getting use to. This picture makes the yarn look really blue, but it's a gorgeous purple color. Those needle point protectors are teddy bears! I just couldn't resist buying them when I found them online. Yes, I have a thing for teddy bears as well as fairies.

OK, next is the Braided Cable Scarf from MimKnits. I purchased two skeins of Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride. I wanted to test out this yarn for possibly using it for the Saffron Cables blanket. I chose the pattern to also see how cables would look in this yarn. I really love the color. Unfortunately this photo doesn't really show off the cable work in this scarf.

Next is a scarf I started for my younger sister. She saw this ticker tape yarn and just fell in love with the colors and bought a few skeins and asked me to make her a scarf out of it. I didn't know what to do with a tape style yarn, so I make a simple stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border. The colors are really nice, but I am bored with the pattern! Not to mention it is not very easy to keep this tape yarn flat while knitting. I have seen swatches of this stuff knitted up in the stores were the yarn is nice and flat and it looks great. I just can't seem to get the yarn to do the same thing when it's in my hands!

Up next are some dish clothes (or bath clothes) that I made. My first FO in a while! *laugh* The pink one is made from a pattern of Smariek Knits blog. The pattern is called Intertwined Dishcloth. I really liked the cable pattern. The green is a simple basket weave.

I have also joined a Monthly Dishcloth KAL and have been following the pattern portioned that are emailed out daily. Can you see the pattern coming along? I'm using Lion Brand Cotton-Ease that I had from my stash. It's the original color of Cotton Ease that came out a couple of years ago, not the more subdued colors they have on their site now.

My last WIP is a crochet blanket that I am making for my parents. They have recently redecorated their family room and mom mentioned that she wanted to make a blanket for the room. That was my mother's subtle way of asking my to make her one, since she hasn't touched a crochet hook since the mid 70's! So, I found the perfect shade of cranberry that matches her curtains! I was so excited. Of course the pattern that I'm trying to follow is incorrect, so I have to work out the kink and then get back to it! It's going to be their Christmas gift this year. Yeah. I'm getting a jump start on gifts :)


Of course this post wouldn't be complete without Frisco. The last two days here we've had temperatures in the high 70's. I had turned off the heat and opened all the windows upstairs as I get a nice cross breeze when the front and back windows are open. Frisco can never resist an open window with sunlight. So there he is soaking up the rays.

And he wasn't moving from there either!