Neecie's Knits

I've moved...

2007-04-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

My blog that is. Just wanted to start fresh, so check it out.

Sock Fanatic

Undulating Ribs...Done

2007-04-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

I just finished & i have to say that I really like these. Now to figure out what pattern to do next.

Sock Madness "Loser" socks

2007-04-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

So, let's be honest here...I hated the pattern for the recent round of sock madness. I just don't do cuffed ankle socks, sorry. Anyway, due to that & the fact that i have a nerve pinched that makes my thumb & index finger tingle, i decided to sit out this round and let my competitor win. I was joined by another competitor in the boycotting of the pattern. So, we decided to do our own pattern for this round. We decided on the Undulating Ribs pattern from "Favorite Socks". I'm a couple hours away from having both socks done, but here's what the first one looks like...

I have to say that I'm realling liking the pattern & how it looks. I was hoping to have them done in time to wear for Easter, today. They're pastel, so they seemed perfect. oh well!

A few of us also hit a few yarn stores on Saturday. One of them was having a sale and I did a bit of damage there. I'll go over that tomorrow & post some pic's of what i got. Must...finish...sock...

I'm Baaack

2007-04-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

Yup, that's right...after over a year's absence I've decided to give this another try. I've now got a couple of friends that are blogging, so I wanted to join the cool kids.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to recently...
This is the Mad Cow pattern from the first round of Sock Madness I used Lornas Laces in Denim & Sand Ridge
I finished these in an amazing amount of time...Started them on a Saturday & finished at 10am that Sunday! Manged to move into the 2nd round with them, too!

Round 2: Mad-tini socks
Yarn is Trekking 161.
Started on a Thursday afternoon & finished on Friday night...14-15 hours of knitting time. I have to say that I really like these socks & they fit me pretty well. I'd definitely make the pattern again. PLUS, these are my first completed pair of cuff-down socks ever!!! Normally all of my socks are toe-up.

Round 3 starts sometime tomorrow morning & there's a lot of buzz about what this pattern will be...lace? cables? I'm ready for anything, although I'm back-and-forth about how much effort I'm going to put into trying to win this round. I have a pinched nerve in my left arm that's affecting my thumb & ring finger at odd times. Nothing I can't work with, but it is starting to wear on me.

Well, I'm going to start slowly on keeping the blog updated for now. At least until I figure out what changes I might want to make to it. I'm off to download some music, later!

Knitter Down! Knitter Down!

2006-02-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Well! The Olympics haven't even started yet & I've been side lined by an injury.

This is what happens when you work at a computer all day AND knit almost every night...No, it isn't a cool knitted arm warm that I'm wearing. That's an icy hot sleeve for my poor abused wrist. It started acting up today, so the trainers are having me ice it & rest it before the competition begins tomorrow. The hope is that with some good rest & the help of a wrist brace (still to be located) this athelete will be in tip-top shape by casting-on time tomorrow.

And, just to prove that I have done some training....here are my 2, yes 2, swatches. I'm going to be making Rogue & since I want this to be not only my first completed sweater, but one that fits, I'm following directions & swatching for knitting flat & knitting in the round. Good thing too...I had to go down 2 needle sizes in order to get gauge for knitting flat. I don't think the picture does the color any justice, but it's a gorgeous purple color with a darker purple mixed in...kind of a pseudo-tweed. Anyway, I think it'll be gorgeous & I can't wait to see how the cables start to look in it.

In sadder news, Mom called last night to tell me her Aunt passed away on Monday. She had been sick for a while & on dialysis. She finally just decided she didn't want to do the dialysis anymore as her quality of life was horrible, so she stopped last week. At least she had lived a full life. BUT, now I'll be going to a funeral on Saturday morning. It's still up in the air whether or not I make it to the Madrona Fiber Arts Fair in Tacoma this weekend. I read on her blog, that the Yarn Harlot is there & it would be fun to see the free demo/talk she's giving...oh, and there's the marketplace besides. =)

I'll post pictures tomorrow night of the beginning of the competition. Ciao!

Here we go again

2006-02-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been, what, 6 months since I've updated the 'ol blog? Bad! Bad Neecie! That's what happens when life interrupts. I won't bore anyone with the details, if there's even anyone left out there to bore. Suffice it to say, I've moved in with a new roomate and it took forever to get decent internet service.

Now, on to the good stuff. Some FO's, but more UFO's, some of which I don't even have pictures of right now. *I'm totally rushing this post, just so i can get one done & get back to the baby blanket I have to finish!*

The above 2 pictures are of the wedding present/1st anniversary present for my brother & sister-in-law. Yeah, they eloped in June, hence the 1st anniversary goal. It's the lace tablecloth pattern that's in Handknit Holiday's. I LOVE it! I can't wait to see it when i've finished.

Here we have the Shoal Water Shawl that I finished a few months ago. I really like it. I used a couple of huge skeins of hand dyed merino that I got at a fiber arts festival.

I've seen a lot of people posting pictures of their knitting space in the last few months. So, here's a quick look at where me and my knitting call home. I love this chair. I got it in the As Is section of Dania. See the little Foo Dog guarding the chair? I just got him from Target & i really like him. He's now my knitting guardian!

Here we have a picture of Quinlan (the cat) and one of my recent pairs of completed socks. It's a lovely striped combo from Opal and it's the first pair that I did a tubular cast-off on. I have to say that i'm totally hooked on the tubular cast-off. if you do socks toe-up then you have to give this a try. I used to have tight cast-offs no matter what i did, but doing it this way, i have just enough give to get them over my foot while still being tight enough to stay on.

Another completed pair. This is using Trekking Stretch Boot, or something like that. I really like how the stripes turned out. They're so subtle when knitting them...

Knitted Flowers that I made for the girls at my SnB, for Christmas. I was working on them until the last minute...literally. BUT, they were a hit with the group!

Last but not least we have my Astrodome hat, from Knitty. I did this hat for a hat knitting contest at the local Knit Out in the fall. All of the hats were going to be donated to the homeless when the day was over. Anyway, I won 1st place with this!!!! It was my very first attempt at any kind of colorwork & I will definitely be doing more. I don't have a picture, but I did the matching scarf for our gift exchange at the December SnB. I hear it has a very good home with Shelly, and her girls love it. Apparently one of them plays jump rope with it! =)

Next post will be before the Olympics. I have swatch pictures to post & I'll let everyone know what my plan is for my Olympic project.

CHEERS!

I've had to do it

2005-10-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

OK...i know i haven't posted in WAY too long a time, and this isn't really a post I'm just putting this note up to all of the damn blog comment spammers...YOU SUCK!

Stop spamming my blog with your crapppy comments!

*sigh* OK. I'm done now. From now on, though, anyone wishing to comment here...there may be 1 or 2 of you...you'll have to enter the high-tech code on the comments page. Thanks

BTW...if you are a blog spammer...you rate right up there with telemarketers, and I really don't like them. So, take me off of whatever list or search you're finding me on or I will track you down & do something bad to you. I don't know what, I'm not even sure how I'd track you down, but mark my words...I'll do it. *insert crazed laugh here*

Thanks...knitting blogging will commence...soon...work has been more than i can handle right now, but i do have some FO's to post

later

Please Help

2005-08-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

If you haven't done so, please go to one of the charities supplying much needed aid to the victims of Hurrican Katrina and pledge some money. It doesn't take a lot and now days you can do it all very securely online, even. Instead of buying that yarn that you saw and wanted, "just 'cause" or in place of your weekly night out or that new CD you've been waiting for...take that money and go someplace like here, or here. and let that money do some real good for people that really need it.

As an animal lover, I'd also like to remind other animal lovers to not forget all of the furry creatures that have been affected by this tragedy. If we don't help them, no one will and they'll all just fall through the cracks. I'm sure lots of people will say that the most important thing is to get help for the people, and i completely agree with that, but I wouldn't be the person I am if the plight of all of the stranded, abandoned & hurt animals didn't move me to help them too.

So, enough preaching from me. Make a donation or don't...you'll be the only one that knows, but just think how good you'll feel knowing that you did something that can really make a difference.

My thoughts are with everyone that has been affected by this horrific event, both directly and indirectly. God Bless!

Also, check out The Truth Laid Bear for some info on BLOG FOR RELIEF DAY...Sept. 1st. Add yourself to the list if you've already donated, or make a donation, then add yourself. I donated to The Red Cross & The Humane Society

Road Trip

2005-08-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

WARNING! This is a LONG post with a lot of pictures...read on...

So, a couple of weeks ago I was faced with 3 days off from work with no plans & nothing to do. I spent 1 day running around with my Mom spending some quality time. She's been laid off for a couple of months, now. Anyway, at the last minute I decided I wanted to get out of town for a couple of days & thought heading to the San Juan Islands would be good...yeah, in the middle of summer...HUGE tourist stop, and I wanted to spend a night there. Riiiiiight. Luckily, I found a hotel that had a last minute cancellation & I was able to sneak in. Sooooo, bright & early on a day off, there I am getting my butt out of bed, loading up the car & heading north. Had to drive up to Anacortes to catch the ferry out to the islands. Thank GOD Anacortes had a Starbucks. After the detour for much needed caffeine I was at the ferry terminal waiting to leave. I think I ended up waiting a bit more than an hour for the next one.

Anyway, we got loaded up and on our way. Meanwhile, i made myself comfy with my Manos scarf & passed the hour long ride knitting away & listening to the KnitCast with Amy from Knitty.

Here's a pic from my car

Pretty, huh?

Here's some of the lovely scenery we passed on the way

And this is the view out of the back of the ferry

So, finally got to

WAY too early to check into the hotel, so off I headed to do some exploring. I found Lime Kiln State Park & wasted some time there

The clapotis had a lovely time, too. She really enjoyed getting to see the sights & even relaxed a bit on the rocks.

After not seeing any whales I decided to try to find the lavendar farm on the island. I'd heard it was a great place

Bee-u-tiful. Speaking of bee's...all you could hear around the field was the buzz-buzz-buzzing of said bees. Then I hit the gift shop & bought some lavendar loveliness.

After that I drove around for a bit then headed into town for some window shopping...of course, I also managed to find a really great yarn store during my wanderings. A place called Island Wool. It was a really great store. They had a great selection of yarns that I just can't seem to find locally. Yes, I did buy some yarn, but i don't have any pics right now. Anyway, after working up an appetite I hit one of the restaurants for some food. I did some more driving around & exploring, then headed to the hotel for the night & did some knitting.

Had another EARLY morning the next day. I decided that I was going to take one of the first ferries off the island, then drive down Whidbey Island & hit Langley on the way home.

Here's a pic of how tight they pack us in on the ferries

The drive down through Whidbey Island was really nice. I've always liked the drive, going over Deception pass...no pics of that, though. Everything was socked in with fog.

Speaking of fog, it did make for some really great pics

This was at Deception Pass State Park...

Decided to stop at another state park on the way...Cherry or Strawberry Lake...or something like that...yeah, I suck at remembering the names of places. Anyway, more pics of fog on the water...

I hit Langley right around midday. The sun was shining by that time and it was great! I had really high hopes of finding some great things in Langley. It's a touristy little place with some cute artsy shops. Was trying to find a B-day gift for mom & wedding gift for my brother & his new wife. Anyway, no luck for anything for them....I, on the other hand hit the mother load. I found this little boutique that had great jewelry/purses/clothes. So, i got some earings, a cute little bedside box for my rings & then i got this

I don't think the picture does it justice...this has got to be the most beautiful purse that I have ever personally seen, let alone owned. It's like a work of art.

Anyway, got done shopping & made the final push for home..
Yup, that's right, one more ferry ride. This one only 20 minutes or so.

All in all, it was a good trip. Next time I'll check out Orcas Island & see what that's like.

Lots of FO's, WIPs & a Yarn crawl with some friends to Bainbridge Island & Poulsbo to talk about, but that will have to wait for another day.

Hello...hello...hello

2005-08-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say "HI" to Corrina. I was her Secret Pal for the Knitty SP4 and had such fun shopping for her gifts! Everytime I sent a box to her I totally stalked her blog to see how she liked it. Check out her blog, btw. She's doing some fab things & from the looks of it, learning some valuable lessons on pattern differences in the process...**see chickami posts**

Anyway, Corrina, I'm really glad you liked everything. I have TONS of pictures of FO's, WIP's & even pics of my trip to Friday Harbor a couple of weeks ago, to post. So, I'm really going to try to get that done tonight, now that I've got the virus killed from my laptop at home.

Show And Tell

2005-07-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

So, I meant to post this last night, but was having problems with my photo host, so....

Here is my most recent Ebay purchase

and the other side

and the way cute fabric that is the inside pocket

Yes, it's a Kate Spade. I LOVE IT!!! I will love it for years to come. It's really just the perfect summer purse, AND....I got it for under $100!!!!!

This is my current project

closeup

It's the Viennese Shrug from the Summer 05 Interweave Knits. I'm making it to go with this

which I've had for a while now, but due to arm issues, can't wear without some kind of cardigan or something to go over it. I tried making Spring Fling to go over it, but really wasn't happy with how that was turning out and retired it. So the shirt has been sitting in the closet waiting for a friend so it could see the world. The pictures above are just before it was joined in the round to finish the sleeves. I'm about 1/2 done with the first sleeve which I should finish tonight or tomorrow night. Then I pick up stitches & get working on the second 1/2.

Last but certainly not least, I came home on Tuesday to find this waiting for me...

Yup, that's my last package from my Secret Pal. Check out the goodies that I found inside

There's an Anarchist Knitter book, goodies to eat, lavendar stress ball, black sheep tape measure, ginger soap and the most interesting *yarn* I've yet to run across. It's a linen that's been treated with viscose. When i first saw it, i thought that I had gotten a great big bundle of raffia. hehehe...I was like, Ok, that's cool...why is my pal sending me raffia? However, once I got to the bottom of the basket I found the pattern for the water bottle holder which used said *yarn*. Very cool indeed. Definitely going to have to share that with the Yarn Yoga ladies.

The craziest thing, though, is that my Pal is local. She works at Main Street Yarns???? in Mill Creek. I've even talked to her before on a previous trip. So tricky!!! Marcia, Thanks again. I'll definitely be stopping by sometime to personally say Thanks & see what's going on. You really know how to treat a fellow knitter.

I've still only got 1 thing for the final package for my Secret Pal. I really need to get working on that so I can get it sent off by the end of the month. I just need to figure out what I want to get for her...

Having said all of this, and having had such a great Pal I have to say that I don't think I'll be participating in any more of these Secret Pal exchanges. No bad experiences had, it's just that with school starting at the end of August & moving into the Holiday's, not to mention trying to pay off bills & saving $$ for a house, there's just not much leftover for anything else.

Guess I should get to work, now. Ta-ta

2005-07-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post a quick message, for now. I'd like to let everyone in the UK know that my thoughts & prayers are going out to them in this very difficult time. There really aren't words to convey the thoughts & feelings that are racing through us all at this time. To all of my UK friends here in the US, I hope your family & friends are safe and you've been able to chat with them to know all is well. Just like the world supported us on September 11th, we're all here for you now. Blessed be.

Major Yarn POrn!!!!!

2005-07-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

So, before I show off everything that I got this weekend, I just want to ask all of you to keep your fingers crossed for my Mom. Apparently she went in to work this morning & they told her she was being laid off. No warning...nothing. So, now she has to start looking for a job. I'm very upset for her.

So, not to make light of that, but this weekend, a friend, Devon, and I went to check out the going out of business/new owners SALE at Skeins, Ltd....Soon to be Hilltop-East. So, I have to say, I wasn't really expecting much. Maybe a few really good sales and them some 20 & 30% off stuff....Oh my ever loving GOD was I wrong!!!!!!! EVERYTHING in the store was on sale. And not just on sale, but on clearance. Like everything I got was at least 40% off and some was even 50% off!!!!!! WOHOOOOOOO!!!!

Devon and I met up at 9:30 and headed straight for the shop. Lord am i glad we didn't go any later. When we got there, there was a good size crowd. Still manageable, but not much space to walk around the really popular yarn. ***NOTE TO SELF*** Next time you go to a LYS sale, take a small purse, or just your card & license. The purse I had was just WAY too big.

Anyway, we walked in the store & were met by a table packed with yarn. Even the space under the table was packed...all the yarn was 50% off! Oh yeah, baby!!! Picked up a great orange-ish yarn. Moved on to the next area and actually managed to find a linen blend that I needed for THIS. The Fern lace twin set.

Now, by this time, and we hadn't been there long, the shop was really starting to fill up and it was getting harder to move around. Anyway, I made a bee-line for the back wall when i saw the sign announcing that ALL needles were 40% off. So, I got 4 more sizes of Addi's, all 47" long, for about $9, each...not total!!!!

Then I hit the *wool* area...found some great scarf makings. At this point, the shop is absolutely, insanely packed. Women running into each other, etc. BUT, i do have to say that I'm so proud of the ladies that showed up for the sale. There were no altercations, that I could see. Everyone seemed to be on their best behavior and there was much please/thank you, excuse me being passed around. I mention this, because I made the 45 minute wait in line to pay, that much more bearable. Mind you, I heard that at one point on Saturday they had a line of something like 3 hours, with people waiting to get into the store.....!!!!! So glad I missed that. I think I would have had to leave.

Anyway, enough chatter, let's get on to the pOrn!!!!!!!!!!

'Scuse the dog butt...This is what I came home with.

20 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed...got it for 50% off!!! This is what i want to make this sweater.

This is some luscious Adrienne Vittadini Allegra in just the most gorgeous bright silvery blue.

Manos del Uruguay wool, color #42

Rowan biggy print, shade 246

More Manos...color #62

Rowan dk tweed in a heathery black

2 gorgeous rag yarns by Maggi knits Irisk MK collection...I just couldn't pass them up

More Rowan dk tweed, heathery pink

Cotton/linen blend by Maggi knits. A gorgeous dark electric blue

And the last of it...more linen/cotton. This is one lone skein of a turquoise. I just couldn't leave him there all alone. And, the silvery blue linen I got to make THIS with.

So, um, yeah. There was much shopping, I also got a really great lace shawl pattern. Devon and i then went to a local Starbucks & had iced coffees & knit/crochetted for a couple of hours to regain our energy. It was great fun, i must say!!!! I'm also really pleased with myself, because almost everything i got was for specific projects in mind. Not just mindless must have this must have that shopping. Now i just have to find the time to work on it all...hehehehehe

CHEERS!

Happy 4th of July

2005-07-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a safe 4th. I have lots of yarn goodies to share, but that will wait for 1 more day, I think. Anyway, I hope everyone had a great long weekend. Later

2005-06-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I couldn't for the life of me come up with a stupid title for this post, since it has so much in it. *shrug* What can you do?

Anyway, I've been meaning to post for ages & I just haven't gotten around to it until now. So, beware! There is going to be a lot here...

I guess we'll start with the cute animal pic's first. I love my "kids", really I do. BUT, I love them the bestest at times like these....

Yes, that's Darby under the blanket, with Quinlan laying on top & Paris right next to them, looking out the window.

Isn't this just the CUTEST!!!
Just a little tired...

It just doesn't get much better than this. Although, it would be nice if the couch were a little bigger.

That same day I got a much anticipated package from my SP...I know, I know! That was a week and 1/2 ago...I sent her a Thank You...but now everyone can spy the FABULOUS LOVELIES that I received. THANK YOU AGAIN MY SUPER DUPER SECRET PAL!!!!!!!!

oh my! what ever could be inside of here?!

*GASP* Manos del Uruguay cotton stria!!!!! I LOVE this stuff. and just look at the lush colors
I definitely need some ideas of what to make with this!!! anyone...anyone?

And last but definitely not least...the basket of goodies. there is a tower of magnetic monkey's (those immediately went to work), a gorgeous bookmark, and my favorite gift of all...tortuise shell knitting needles. OK, so they aren't real tortuise shell, but i've been wanting some of these FOREVER, so i was quite stoked when i saw them in my package. They've been well loved to...some of them are warped, which makes me like them even better!

Are you tired yet? Well, don't give up on me yet. There's still more to be seen & talked about.

I told you this was a long one.

So, I finally finished baby present #1. This is the entrelac baby blanket I did using Red Heart Kids in HAPPY. I just have to decide whether or not I want to add tassels or something else to it.

After finishing baby present #1 & while i'm waiting to hear what baby #2 will be, I decided to cast-on for my friend's Charlotte's Web shawl. She bought all of the yarn & the pattern and I offered to make it for her. It's my first go at lace.

This is my progress, so far....I had to rip it out A LOT before I finally got it.

Here's a closer look at the colors.

This past weekend, I just had to get out of the house, so I headed to Great Yarns to try to find some Koigu for myself. I've been wanting to make Branching Out, but i'm so not into mohair/kidsilk haze, so I decided Koigu should work well. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything that i LOVED, but i found a nice pink, so I got 2 skeins of it to use.

I also got some INOX needles to use with it, after reading someone's review about them being similar to Addis, but not as slippery. I do like them, but they haven't gotten much use. I cast on for Branching Out, but had to rip it out after I made some mistake with the 2nd pattern repeat. Trust me, it was just easier to rip it out.

Well, that's it. Congratulations on making it to the end. I know there was a lot this time. I'm really hoping to be better at posting. Although, we'll see how long that lasts. I'm going back to school at the end of August, so I don't think there will be much knitting after that. BUT, more on that later.

I'm Back.....

2005-06-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

So, a while back i said i would post a pic of my progress on the x-stitch picture. Well, this is the only pic I have right now, but i've actually gotten more done on it than this shows.

And now we have some knitting content. That's right. I've released myself from my self imposed exile from knitting to work on a couple of things.

First, we have a baby blanket that I'm working on for a friend who's having her second baby in November. Luckily she doesn't read this, so no spoiling the surprise. It's an entrelac blanket. I decided to use Red Heart Kids for it. I wanted it to be washable & durable for many years to come. I decided on entrelac, 1) because I really like doing it & 2) because it will be a really unique gift. even if others make her baby stuff, what are the chances she'll get another entrelac blankie? I found out yesterday that another friend is pregnant, so guess what she'll be getting for her shower? That's right! Another entrelac blankie. I'm also going to make both babies some kind of clothing...a sweater or hat & booties

The color is called Happy, and i have to say that it does make me feel that way when i look at it. Not sure if the pictures are doing it justice, but it's this great, vibrant orange, red, yellow & magenta-ish color. I would have gotten it to make a throw for myself if the store had had enough.

Instead, I ended up getting this for myself....

Same Red Heart Kids, but this color is called Dream Girl. It's pink, purple, periwinkle & lavendar. I'm also doing it in entrelac...the hope is that will keep me involved enough to actually finish it, since it's not just stockinette or garter stitch. This one is going to be HUGE...I've only finished the first row of full "squares" and it's mighty big. I'm not worried, though. I've got tons of yarn & if it gets too out of hand, i'll just make it into a blanket for my bed. You can NEVER have too many blankets or throws.

So, anyway, that's all i've been up to on the knitting front...well, I actually sat down & started Spring Fling...got the back done, looked at it & decided i really did not want to be working on it. so, that's been set aside. maybe i'll pick it back up again...someday.

Other than that, work has been lousy. My manager is giving me fits. It's gotten so bad that I've started looking for a new job. not sure what i really want to be doing, but at this point I really just want to get out of where I am. preferable something closer to home, since i hate the commute from Edmonds to Redmond so bad.

2005-05-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

So, since there isn't much news on the knitting front I thought I would post a pic of my current project.

This is what it WILL look like when complete. It's "Le Nouveau Sampler" by Nora Corbett/Mirabilia. I'll post a progress picture tonight when i get home.

2005-05-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

You Are A Lime Tree

You are intelligent, hard working, and innately successful.

You try to change what you can in life - and you accept what you can't change.

Tough on the outside, you are actually soft and relenting.

Jealous at times, you are extremely loyal and giving to those you love.

You have many talents, but you don't have enough time to use them.

What is Your Celtic Horoscope?

2005-05-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

Well...I'm not sure if words can describe the shitiness of the day I've had today, but I guess I'll give it a shot. At least part of it...

So, I had today off from work and thought I would check out the HUGE sale at Great Yarns. Got up, got myself and the dog ready, 'cause I thought she would enjoy the ride and just getting out of the house. Left the house, stopped at Starbucks, which by the way was packed with people...Got coffee, headed north. Got to the shop....well, drove past the shop. Now, this place has crappy parking, to begin with. Actually the only parking they have is on the street, which is a busy main road. I digres...drive past the store, no parking, turn the corner, no parking...find a parking lot, that happens to only be for the doctor's office there...continue to the residential street behind the store. AHA! Parking. So, park, get the dog settled for while I'm gone & walk back up to the store. Lots of yarn on the front porch...baby yarn & a bunch of other stuff that I have no interest in. So, in I go. The place is packed with women. Now, this is a pretty small place to begin with, and was made all the smaller by the 20 or so women crammed mainly in one part of the shop. So, I start in the front room...sock yarn, Koigu, mercerized cottons. Great, but none of that is on sale, and the little bit I found that was on sale didn't interest me. Strike 2. While I'm in this room looking around, I see a woman go to the front counter and ask the 2 women, who by the way are just standing there doing nothing...anyway, she asks them if they can help her with something, and one of the ladies has the utter gall to tell her that they don't really have time to answer many questions, since they have the sale going on...WHAT?!!!!! OK, had this been me, I would have immediately set down the big basket FULL of stuff that she was holding told them where they could stick their sale & walked out of there. Really, they're too busy to answer questions? They are sales associates at a yarn store in the middle of a sale. Two...2 women standing at 1 cash register not doing a damn thing!!! *deep breathe* Anyway, I found a cute yarn that i thought i could make some socks out of, even though it wasn't "sock" yarn. Anyway, I couldn't find the yardage and went to ask them about it. Walked up to the cash register & said "I have a question..." OH NO SHE'S NOT GOING TO INTERRUPT ME AND TELL ME THEY CAN'T ANSWER QUESTIONS 'CAUSE THEY'RE TOO BUSY WITH THIS SALE....but, no, before she has time to utter a word, I plow ahead with my question. So, I continue looking through the store. Brave the worst of the crowds...all the while keeping my cool. I only muttered about wanting to get out of there, once...So, long story short...Here is what I came away with from the HUGE sale

That's right, there isn't a malfunction, you aren't missing anything. I didn't find a damn thing in that entire place that I was willing to get. They had a ton of stuff I didn't want on sale, and not a single thing I wanted on sale. Ain't that just a bitch?! I have to say, like usual when I get my hopes up and get excited about something, those hopes are quickly dashed. And, I have to admit I was really kind of upset that I had wasted my time on it.

So, now we come to a hard decision that I'm making for myself. I'm giving up on knitting. Maybe not forever...probably not forever, but definitely for a while. I think this has been coming on for a while. I'm just tired of not being able to find patterns that fit, or having to get enormous amounts of yarn for a pattern I want to make. I'm sick to death of scarves and wraps and other accessories...So, I'm just going to stop for a while. I'll keep collecting fun stuff for my Secret Pal, I would never just quit in the middle of that, but I personally just need a break from it all.

Guess I'll use the time to catch up on some reading and start doing my cross stitch again. I'm going to look through my patterns this weekend for one I want to start, or finish. Also, I guess if I'm going to start knitting again, I'll ultimately have to put some hard work into losing weight this summer. Otherwise there really won't be any reason to pick it back up again in the fall. At Yarn Yoga I'll just have to start an afghan or something and work on that while I'm there.

So, I don't think I'll give up on the blog, but if you read it, and you do so for the knitting content, you might want to check back in a few months. I'll try to keep updates on the progress of other things that are going on in my life.

So, if you've made it this far, you are really a glutton for punishment. I told you I had had a shitty day, today.

Good Bye.

Stupid Day!!!

2005-05-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

So, i totally screwed up on my Spring Fling and i don't even want to rip it back to fix it, right now...guess i'll have to waste my time with other things tonight. I'm so bummed. I was going to go to a knitting group. last night, that Amy was nice enough to invite me to. BUT...apparently i was REALLY tired, 'cause when i got home from work i totally fell asleep and missed it. Bummer. Anyway....

Work totally sucked, today. I was not only putting out fires all day, but they were stupid ones at that. Then i got this message from some guy, and of course he can't even leave a normal message, like, "hi, my name is..., with...agency. I have this problem and i've been given the run around and now i'm calling you about it. here's my phone #, please call me so we can figure this out." NOOOOOO. I get a message that sounds more like this..."Joe Schmo, Joe Schmo agency. I have a client with a problem...blah, blah, blah...something about making calls to everyone & now he's calling me (i kind of lose the whole message here)...5555555...blah, blah, blah...need someone from your company to call them and apologize so i can pay them. Joe Schmo, Joe Schmo agency, 555-555-5555. Call me so we can get this straightened out."

Ahhhh...OK...first of all, let me explain that I work for an insurance company as an admin assistant for one of the regional managers. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ACTUAL CLAIMS OR MAKING DECISIONS OF ANY KIND! I do reports & help with mindless problems. SOOOOOO, where in the world did this guy get my name and what in god's name does he expect me to do about anything?! did he listen to my voice mail message when it said "You've reached Denise with claims SUPPORT?!" *sigh* now i have to go in and deal with this first thing tomorrow. OI!

ok. sorry about that rant, but that was just the last of what was a day of supreme stupidness.

I'm soooo glad tomorrow is my last day of work this week. I'm totally going to need that day of retail therapy & knitting planned for Friday.

Now, i guess i'll see if i can't get some things updated on here. i've been meaning to add some more links & clean things up for a while. Bon Soir!!!

Should i feel old, now?

2005-05-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Had some...ok, a TON of free time at work today, and ran across this on another blog. so, i figured, why not? I guess i did pretty good.

>

Not much goin' on...

2005-05-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

So, not much going on on the knitting front. So, i took a picture of this...

My orchid is looking soooo pretty!!

I did manage to finish my sister-in-law's birthday present...

That's right. It's everyone's favorite clapotis. I used 9 skeins of Artyarns Supermerino in color #126. This picture definitely DOESN'T do it justice. Just have to get the ends woven in & get it shipped out.

So, since that was all the knitting i've done for the last week or so, I'll show off my most recent acquisition.

I just couldn't resist, I had to have it!!! And, I love so many of the patterns in it. This is just the push i need to really get working out & losing weight!!!

Here are some of my favorites....

and one that i really just don't understand.

It's not just the weird-ness of the pattern, but the fact that they have a guy modeling it in this picture is too much!!! Definitely WON"T be making this one.

Oh! One last thing...Amy tagged me with a book/reading meme. I'll be getting that up here in the next couple of days. Right now, i'm off to do some Me, knitting & I'm going to start going through patterns so i can make my shopping list for the ...Great Yarns HUMONGO sale that starts on Friday. I have the day off and I'm SO going to be there when they open. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I find loads of good deals. Later!

Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!

2005-05-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

Okay. Not sure what's up, but I just got the biggest craving for some of these....

Yes, Mary Jane's. I can't ever seem to find them when i really want them, like now. Mmmmm Mary Jane's...must have them....yummy, yummy! I must have them. Will have to go searching after work, tonight.

Stuff, Stuff & more stuff

2005-04-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

So, since it's been so long since anyone has seen the "kids" i thought i would take some pic's & show them off.

Here we have the "smiling" Paris Frances. She was having a blast chewing the living daylights out of the poor frog!

I call this her "Super Dog" pose. She hasn't been told yet that she's no longer going to be spying on my Secret Pal for me. There was an incident with a shallow hole and a failed mission that she's still trying to deal with and I just haven't been able to break it to her, yet. =) Luckily Quinlan & Darby, a.k.a Frick and Frack, where able to find her & rescue her from certain death due to extreme embarassment.

Quinlan, a.k.a Frick. She's got a really mean look on her face here...I think it was just the flash that caused it.

Darby, a.k.a. Frack. He's a master at spying due in large part to his ability to make everyone believe he's sleeping. In reality, he's so finely tuned to his surroundings that he doesn't even waste his time with "looking around"...although, maybe he is really asleep? *shrug*

And now...May i have a drum roll please?!

That's right ladies and gentleman! Feast your eyes on the magical alure of the one, the only, the most gorgeous specimen of knitting greatness ever to be seen by man...

LADY ELEANOR!!!!!!!!!!!

TA DA....

Yup, I finally finished it & even got the fringe put on. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get any decent pictures of it on my person, but i'm hoping to get a good one sometime this weekend. Stay tuned.

And here we have the obligatory yarn pOrn shot. Yes, that's right. Here we have the lovely Classic Elite Premiere. A yummy Pima/Tencel yarn in a beautiful shade of pale pink. Premiere is "deliciously soft", offers great stitch definition and is equally suited for either the office or any of those special occasions. Premiere's Tencel heritage has helped make it the environmentally friendly fiber that it is today. And as we all know, Pima is the world's finest cotton. Premiere also enjoys long walks on the beach & snuggling with dogs and cats. =)

Ok, sorry for that. I just couldn't help myself. Seriously, though, this is some of the softest yarn, which is why i got it to make Spring Fling out of.

What's that? A package...for me?

2005-04-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

That's right! I got my very first package from my SP, today. First of all, i have to say how much i LOVED the e-card that she sent me. It was hi-larious!!

So, this is what was in the kitty litter box that came for me...that's right. a kitty litter box.

A lovely basket with as yet unknow goodies waiting to be freed.

<GASP> Look at my precious-es!!! A travel magazine, some cute heart post-its, hand cream, votives & wool wash...Oh, yeah. Did i forget to mention those 2 skeins of Manos del Uruguay in a really gorgeous purple? I think it's looking more blue in this pic, but it's a purple for sure.

Here it all is in the great basket it came in. I'll be using that in my bathroom, i think. It'll hold all of my "stuff" wonderfully.

And her of course, we have a close-up of the yummy yarn. I can't wait to find a pattern to use it on.

So, thank you, thank you my SP. You hit a home run with this package.

100 Things about me...I'm workin on it

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

100 Things about me, in no particular order:

1. I am 29 & single
2. I have 2 cats, Darby O’Gill & Quinlan
3. I have a dog, Paris Frances. She’s a Corgi & a bit of a monster, although lovable.

4. I have 1 brother. He’s 3 years older.
5. I’ve lived in the Puget Sound area for 11 years in June.
6. I moved here with my parents the day after my high school graduation…seriously, the day after.

7. In order, I’ve lived in Minnesota, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, Kentucky, Utah and Washington.

8. I’ve always wanted to live on the East Coast
9. I would LOVE to spend time in New York
10.I love the idea of living “in” the city, but I also like having a yard & my very own space.

11.I hate living in apartments
12.I’m trying to pay off my bills & get $$ saved up for my first house
13.I’m currently applying to WASU to get my BA.
14.I’m really unhappy at my current job, even though I make decent money.
15.My favorite job I’ve had so far? Working at a book store.
16.I love the ocean & all it’s creatures.
17.I’m a Pisces & a Fire Dragon
18.I completely relate with my Irish ancestry.
19.I’M A DAYDREAMER!!!!!
20.Places I want to go before i die: Ireland
21.England
22.Italy
23.India
24.Australia
25.Egypt
26.France (again)
27.Russia
28.Thailand
29.Languages I’d like to learn to speak: Italian
30.Irish Gaelic
31.Farsi
32.Arabic
33.Hindi
34.I love thunderstorms
35.Blue is my all time favorite color
36.it brings out my eyes
37.I love color, in general…pinks, greens, purples, blues
38.I hate being wrong
39.I don’t like not knowing things
40.I’m a perfectionist
41.I like Reese’s Peanut Butter cups
42.I love orchids
43.I’ve been attacked by birds 2 or 3 times
44.I don’t like birds
45.I would love to live in Hawaii
46.I want to move back to Minnesota
47.I miss the winters there
48.I wish I was the kind of person that took more chances
49.I hate working in an office, but don’t know what else to do
50.My favorite radio station is 107.7 The End
51.My Favorite Movie…Well, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, actually
52.Favorite Author – currently...Laurel K. Hamilton (Mary Gentry series)
OK, I’m finding it very hard to come up with 100 things to share…=(

53.My TV guilty pleasures?...Stargate Sg-1 & Battlestar Galactica
54.Music I like: Norah Jones
55.Harry Conick Jr.
56.U2
57.The Postal Service
58.Modest Mouse
59.Death Cab for Cutie
60.Garbage
61.Tegan & Sarah
62.Green Day
63.White Stripes
64.Nirvana…of course!
65.I love coffee…although I’m not drinking much right now
66.Current coffee drink of choice…Iced Venti Non-Fat Vanilla Latte
67.I LOVE knitting in public
68.I’m only in 1 SnB, but would love to find another closer to home
69.I love doing cross-stitch, but haven’t done any in a couple of years
70.I’ve only been knitting, for real for real, since last November
71.I don’t finish nearly enough projects
72.I wish I could find more sweaters/tops that fit me that I wanted to knit
73.I dream of owning/running a LYS/needlework shop
74.I love tennis
75.I really love hockey!
76.If I didn’t have my animals, I would have a job that required me to travel a lot.
77.I knit at work, whenever i can.
78.

Habemus Papam

2005-04-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

So,like that we have a new Pope. And wouldn't you guess it. it's the last man in the world that anyone should want. I truly hoped that the Good Cardinals of the Holy Catholic church would have thought ahead and chosen a progressive, or at least a moderate Pope. But NOOOOOOO. they chose one of the most conservative traditionalists possible. I'm so bummed. I really thought if a moderate was elected and brought some much needed changes to the church, I might go back to the fold, but now that's out of the question. Unless Pope Benedicte the 16th has some big surprises in mind i think the church is about to become even more stuffy & "old". That's just my opinion, of course.

A Weekend of Stash enhancement

2005-04-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

First I just have to say, that i'm really mad, right now. I JUST got done with this entry & had posted it to my blog...well, thought i had anyway, go to my blog to add some links & WHAT THE??? No blog entry. Somehow it got lost along the way. So, if you see this exact entry somewhere will you tell it where it should have gone? Thanks.

Anyway, the shorter version. Here we have some lovely Lamb's Pride Bulky in Kiwi & Tiger Lily. They're meant to join a brighter orange and pink to make the laptop bag from SnB Nation. I swatched for it & I may have to make it with smaller needles & NOT felt it. I really like the herringbone pattern & don't want to lose it in the felting process. Anyway, this goes in the stash as i'm not quite ready for that project yet.

Here we have the wonderful-ness that is my new MP3 player. It's a Zen Micro in a way cute pink. there's a whole story here, but the short version is that i got an iPod Mini, hate the scroll wheel thingy. heard about this one on The End for a couple of weeks, read up on it & decided that i had to have it. Well, i got it on Friday & within minutes i was using it with no problems. Not only will it hold 2500 songs, but I can get FM radio on it AND I can even record the radio on it!!!! Besides that, i got it for $218+shipping from here. Still cheaper than the iPod. Now i just have to find a home for that...Anyone needing/wanting a "like new" iPod Mini in silver?

Here is what i got at the Seattle Fiber Arts Expo on Saturday. Some fabulous handmade rosewood needles for $10!!! Artyarns supermerino in a wonderful purple for a birthday present. and 3 HUGE skeins (650 yds. each) of a hand painted, machine washable merino. i'm thinking a clapotis scarf out of one of the skeins...

Close-up pics...still not very good. The sun was actually streaming through the window!

Yummy, Yummy!!

$10???!!!!!! I know!!! They weren't perfect, somehow, so she only wanted $10 instead of the usual $60 for them. How can you possible pass that up?!

And here we have a progress report on the entrelac wrap. I love this. I truly, truly do. By now, i'm about 1/2 done with it and can't wait for the end. someone at Yarn Yoga on Friday had an interesting idea for the fringe...Ben's has a ribbon yarn(?) that is almost the exact same colors as the Noro I'm using. So, when i'm finished with this, i'm going to have to take it with me & see if i want to do the fringe in that instead of the Noro.

WOW! I really condensed this down from the original version. I still have more to add, but need to get some work done on Mom's Day gift & B-day gift, so that will have to wait.

Later

SP4 has begun!!!!

2005-04-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

YAY!!!!! I found out who I’m going to be surprising, yesterday & I’ve sent her a cute e-card to let her know I’m thinking about her. Still haven’t seen or heard from my Secret Pal, but today is the official day for everyone to find out, so I’m really trying to be patient. =)

Anyway, I think I’ll post a list of things that my SP….and others…might find helpful. Hopefully I’ll get it done & up, tonight.

Later

New Stuff

2005-04-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

This has been one of my crappy weekends. =(

Not sure what set me off, but i've been really bummed most of the weekend. I couldn't even knit! I'm not sure about anyone else, but sometimes i'll get into such a funk that I can't even make myself do anything. It completely SUCKS, but there you go. Anyway, this was one of those weekends. Saturday night, i finally decided that i needed to get out of the house, so i thought i'd head to Pacific Fabric & see if they had any yarn that wanted to come home. I'm also trying to find a purse/bag pattern to use for this way cute fabric i got a while back. anyway, after practically getting kicked out, 'cause they were closing (my fault) i ended up with this...

Muench Touch Me...yeah, it's true. I think i've found the worlds most fabulously soft yarn EVER! It's fabulous! This is destined to become the Vintage Velvet scarf out of Scarf Style, for my Mom. I'm hoping to get it done in time for Mother's Day. I actually started it, today & even though i wasn't very motivated to do anything, again, I've managed to do 2 1/2 repeats. It's looking gorgeous, so far. I'll get a more done, before posting any pic's.

Anyway, i also picked up this...

3 balls of something called Bubbles. It's so fun & cheerful, i just couldn't pass it up. I'm thinking it'll become a hat for next winter...i know...i know. it's spring, but i couldn't pass it up & i really think it's too heavy/bulky for anything this time of year.

Oh! I got this great idea this weekend for a first project for me to try to design, myself. I'm not sure how well it will go, but i have some great cotton stria from Manos del Uruguay, in great spring colors, that i want to use so bad. so, i'm going to try to come up with a great little hat for myself. i haven't really made a lot of hats, or had good luck with them, but i'm inspired, so i'm going to give it my best shot. i'll just have to read up on some basic hat shaping, so i have an idea of what i'm doing, but i can kind of see it in my head. i need to sketch it out, so i have something to work off of. if it works out & i actually get it done, i'll be sure to post pic's.

Anyway, that's it for now, i'm sure i'll be up until about 1, again tonight, since it is a sunday...i can never get to sleep at a decent time on Sunday's.

I give

2005-04-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

<Sigh> Clapotis #2 has not been going very well. As a matter of fact, it's been in time out since Monday or Tuesday, when I discovered this....

That's right! Not sure what happened, but when i dropped this stitch & unraveled it to the end, not only was i, AGAIN, 1 stitch off, but now it's starting to unravel side-to-side, besides!!!! No way to fudge this one, i'm going to have to rip it back. This makes me so mad, This was my 7th dropped stitch...that's right. i was about 1/2 way through. Now, i'm going to just frog the whole damn thing and start over...that is, when i can stand to look at it again. i'm very bitter over it, still, so it'll have to remain in time out for a while longer. Guess that means i have more time for my entrelac project & some others that have been sitting idle during my clapotis obsession.

Hi. My name is Denise....

2005-04-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

...And I'm a Yarnaholic.

See for yourself. I'm flashing my stash for April Fool's Day

Here is a bunch of really nice Colinette for you to puruse...it's the Ab Fab kit in Rhapsody in Blue.

And here is some random yarn that was still in a plastic bag...a little mohair mixed in there.

This is my sock yarn stash...i'm seriously addicted to it...especially that KnitPicks stuff!

Last but not least...this is my BIG stash. There's a bit of Lamb's Pride. Some Noro...Manos Del Uruguay and then some Lion Brand...I'm really not picky. =)

Well, that's most everything i could find. i do have more, but the rest of my stash is for WIP's, so i have them separate. I took pictures, but i'll have to post them later. I need to get something to eat & then get my stuff together for Yarn Yoga, tonight. Can't wait to check out everyone else's stashes.

Clapotis!!!!

2005-03-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

OK. After my clapotis marathon on Saturday, which ended @ 2:30 Sunday morning. We have 1 completed clapper!!!! Yeah! After the problems i had with this darn thing, i had real doubts as to whether it would get finished..I muffed up on one of my repeats, so i had to tweak one of the drop rows so that it would work...had to rip back 8 rows tofix the mistake, though. Then, I had to do more tweaking when i realized that i wasn't going to get the 12 repeats of the straight rows done. Ended up figuring I could do 10 repeats & still have enough of the last skein...yeah, i had 2 feet of yarn leftover when i finished! Man, was i sweating that last ball...to the bitter end. If i had gotten to the end of the ball & found out i was going to have to rip back to the start of it, i think i would have had to put it down for a good long time...after crying. Luckily that didn't happen. Anyway, here's a picture of the FO...the color sucks, but i'll try again in the daylight...if we ever get any. The Puget Sound is finally getting its winter weather (clouds & rain).

So, before i had even finished the first one, i ordered more Lion & Lamb for Clapotis #2! Here is what i've done so far...the color is Iris Garden & again, it's not showing up very well. I'll try again.

Anyway, i'm not sure if this is going to remain a clapotis. the colors are gorgeous...pink, purple & a lighter pink, almost salmony color. BUT, my fear is that it's going to look too Easter egg-ish. i'm going to work it through the first dropped row & see if that helps, but it may end up being ripped out & become something else. it did occur to me, today, that Koigu would look really nice in this. I'm taking Friday off work, so i may have to make a trip to my LYS & see what they have that inspires me.

I'm planning my Flash a Stash pictures for the Flash Your Stash Along on 4/1! I think i'll take a picture of everything together & then split it up by sock yarn...then colors...blues, greens, pinks, etc. I can't wait to see how big everyone's stashes are. I'm hoping they make me feel better about the size of mine!

In other news, i broke down & got an iPod Mini, tonight. It's a cute little silver one, but doesn't have a name,yet. Any ideas?

So, have to get him filled up with music, although that may have to wait until tomorrow as I want to get some knitting in tonight & all my shows are on...Lost, America's Next Top Model & Alias. I know, Lost & Top Model are on at the same time, so i flip back & forth between the 2.

So, there's the update i've been promising to make, & i'm resolving to be better about posting updates...honest!

nighty night.

What a disappointment

2005-03-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

So, last night I finally got to check out the American version of The Office...yay...can I say how unimpressed I was by it? Me & clapotis were sitting on the couch having some quality time (got to drop another stitch!!) in front of the TV. So, 9:30 rolls around (yeah, I thought it was on @ 8:30) and the Apprentice ends and I'm thinking, "OK. I laughed a couple of times during the commercials for the show, so hopefully that bodes well...NOT. I was so disappointed in it. All I wanted to do was reach into the TV & slap the boss, then turn around & slap the guy who plays his assistant! I don't know, maybe it's my overlapping bitterness with my own job & the fact that some of the characters were a little too real...? Anyway, I don't think I'll be wasting my time with it anymore. Luckily it's moving to Tuesday's, so I'll have something else to watch while its on. I still want to check out the UK version, though. I've heard that that truly is funny. I think I have it in my Netflix queue.

Finally an update!!!

2005-03-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

FINALLY!!! My computer is up and running so i can finally post some updated pictures.

This is my lonely left foot in 1/2 of the pair of socks that i just finished. That's right! I finished my first complete pair of socks! This is some sock yarn from Knit Picks & i love, love love it!!!

And here we have the loverly clapotis! Of course, since i'm addicted to this pattern, this was a couple of days ago, but you get the idea. I'm using Lorna's Laces, Lion & Lamb in Tahoe. It's a gorgeous blend of blue, green & purple. And, while i really like it, i may just give this one to my sister-in-law for her Birthday, so i can make another one for myself. I actually just placed an order for some more yarn, today. =) hehehehehe

Here's a closer look at the color of the yarn...it didn't show up the greatest, though. I think i'll have to try again.

And, last but certainly not least...Lady Eleanor. Ah, yes. She's currently been sitting in the knitting bag, going back & forth to work & Yarn Yoga, but just no real progress has been made. And that's because clapotis is a demanding child. My every knitting minute has been devoted to clapotis...it's a sickness, it's true! =)

So, anyway, more updates to make & i've still got lots that i want to add to my lovely blog in order to make it lovelier. So, it's off to blog-work I go.

2005-03-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

So, I got home from Yarn Yoga, Friday, and decided that i had had enough of Ruffles. It's now been cast off for bigger & better things. I just have TOO many projects that I REALLY want to be working on.

Anyways, since i got my yarn order from Woolneedlework.com on Saturday I figured I'd stop fighting temptation & CO for Lady Eleanor...ah! Lady Eleanor how i love thee. It was a rock start...like mountainous terrain, rocky, with MANY MANY restarts, but i finally have the hang of it & i'm cruising right along. This is how much I got done on Sunday.

I'm a bit farther along, now, but no update pictures. Anyway, I'm liking it so much that i'm planning on making one for my brothers girlfriend for Christmas...just have to find a great yarn for hers, now. OH! Also, i finally got my PR today & it wasn't anything I wasn't expecting. "You're doing great in your job, but you need to work on your attitude. You just don't act the same as you used to & "we" need to get you back to the kind of employee you used to be..." Oh, and by the way, here's your raise & your bonus, keep up the good work! ?????? Honestly, now that i have my bonus I'm so starting to look for a new job. Hopefully closer to home as the commute is completely sucking!!!!!! There's a LYS expedition planned for Saturday, and I'm so looking forward to it. Myself & a friend from work are going to go out & make really big dents in the bonuses that we're getting on Friday. We're going to go find out about this knitting cruise that one of the LYS's is advertising...A knitting cruise through the Baltic for 10 days!!!! More on that after the weekend.

Later!!!!!

Lady Eleanor anyone?

2005-03-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

So, I got home from Yarn Yoga, Friday, and decided that i had had enough of Ruffles. It's now been cast off for bigger & better things. I just have TOO many projects that I REALLY want to be working on.

Anyways, since i got my yarn order from Woolneedlework.com on Saturday I figured I'd stop fighting temptation & CO for Lady Eleanor...ah! Lady Eleanor how i love thee. It was a rock start...like mountainous terrain, rocky, with MANY MANY restarts, but i finally have the hang of it & i'm cruising right along. This is how much I got done on Sunday.

I'm a bit farther along, now, but no update pictures. Anyway, I'm liking it so much that i'm planning on making one for my brothers girlfriend for Christmas...just have to find a great yarn for hers, now.

OH! Also, i finally got my PR today & it wasn't anything I wasn't expecting. "You're doing great in your job, but you need to work on your attitude. You just don't act the same as you used to & "we" need to get you back to the kind of employee you used to be..." Oh, and by the way, here's your raise & your bonus, keep up the good work! ??????

Honestly, now that i have my bonus I'm so starting to look for a new job. Hopefully closer to home as the commute is completely sucking!!!!!!

There's a LYS expedition planned for Saturday, and I'm so looking forward to it. Myself & a friend from work are going to go out & make really big dents in the bonuses that we're getting on Friday. We're going to go find out about this knitting cruise that one of the LYS's is advertising...A knitting cruise through the Baltic for 10 days!!!! More on that after the weekend.

Later!!!!!

Angelina Cardigan

2005-03-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

Here's my progress so far for the Angelina Cardigan from White Lies. I'm doing a KAL on it on Knitty & can't wait to see how everyone else is doing. It's very tedious stuff, that 2x2 rib, but it'll be awesome when it's all done. This isn't the greatest picture, but hopefully you can see that i'm to the sleeves, at least. I really need to put some time into working on this or I may never finish!

Yarn, Yarn & more yarn!!!!!

2005-03-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well, this week seems to have been a good week for me...at least so far as getting yarn. Below we have the amazing goodies that were delivered to Moi, throughout the week!!!

Here we have the FABULOUS Noro Silk Garden that I got such a great deal on. And bery quick delivery, too. This is going to become a fabulous Lady Eleanor shawl from Scarf Style. I CO for it today & I've gotten through the 2 tiers once...I'm LOVING it so far. More on that, later, though.

And here is the uber beautiful Lorna's Laces that I got to make clapotis out of. OMG! It's so soft & luxurious...I can't wait to get started!!!!!

Last but certainly not least we have my much anticipated 1st order from Knit Picks!!!! I got Sock Garden in Star Gazer Lily (you can see the start of my sock, in front). I LOVE this sock yarn. I already have another order planned soon. Also, i have 2 lovely skeins of dyeable merino from them. I'm going to try my hand at Kool-Aid coloring soon & can't wait!!!!!

YAY FOR ME

2005-02-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

Well it took me something like 20 minutes, but i've finally figured out how to link websites to words in my blog...AND they work!!!! I'm doing a happy dance, right now!!!!

Whew! Ok. i'm over that...now i think i'll go work on some projects that i want to finish. The rest of my blogging that i had planned for tonight will just have to wait for tomorrow.

Later

2005-02-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

So, now i have 2 scarf's that I'm working on from Scarf Style. This is Backyard Leaves made with a great color of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino...yummy!!!! I had a couple of fits during the first repeat, due to my second guessing the pattern & not counting right. But, now it's going much better & it's turning out to be bee-u-tiful. I'm a combo knitter like the designer is, & she wrote this pattern the way that i knit, so i don't have to make any changes to what i'm doing, so the pattern looks right. Anyway, i've got tons more to go on it before i have the FO to post. This was just one of many things i started over the weekend. more on that in a bit...

Bunny Rabbit Bunny Rabbit

2005-02-28T18:43:00.000-08:00

So, I finally caved in & got the rabbit pattern from here after seeing the ones that amy made. i had the perfect yarn in my stash just begging to be something fun & not another scarf. so, here's my first one. i'm making them for all of my family & friends for Easter. although, Mom is getting a super special Noro rabbit that i have a different pattern for. i can't wait to post a pic of the group when done!!!!!!

Knitting Jewelry

2005-02-28T18:38:00.000-08:00

Well, here are some stitch markers i made a few weeks ago & i'm just getting pictures of them. So much fun to make, all my knitty friends will be getting some this year.

Work in progress

2005-02-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

this is all so confusing...i try to change the color of the font on something & i can't tell what changed, then i try something else & it changed something i didn't want it to!!!! ARG! Well, i got some of the fonts changed & actually got a link to another blog added, so i guess i'll call it good for tonight. i want to finish my bag i'm working on. hurt my neck & shoulder over the weekend, so i'm trying to not knit for the week to give it some healing time. later

New pics

2005-02-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

Here is my go at the Ruffles Scarf from "Scarf Style" I'm doing it in Cascade Pastaza & it's just the nicest shade of wintery blue!!

Yummy! Big Kureyon by Noro. The picture doesn't show it very well, but i'm making a bag out of one of the Debbie Bliss/Noro books. i'll post more pic's when it's done.

Here is a pic of some of the yarn i recently got. Yummy soft Cascade & Fabulously delicious Noro. I have more on the way by mail, can't wait until those packages show up!!! =)

New Template...

2005-02-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not an orchid, but i like it all the same. I got this really nice bamboo template from http://www.ehsany.tk/.

Thanks

The day that went on FOREVER

2005-02-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

Ugh! So, i can't take it anymore...I've been sitting here doing almost nothing, all day! I HATE slow days at work...no...wait...i mean slow days are so refreshing & a joy to have...i LOVE THEM! I'm SO going to regret having said that. I can just here everyone getting up at the same time & starting the long trek over to my desk with their "projects" for me to work on. C'est la vie!!!!

only 1 1/2 hours to go, then i can make a mad dash for some dinner & then home it is. i have a hot date with my pj's, the computer & making some much needed updates to this darn blog. no knitting for me for a few more days. i hurt my neck/shoulder so some time off is what's required. i made the mistake of picking up the needles last night, to finish the bag i'm working on & boy did i pay for that! my shoulder was screaming about it!!! =(

so, tonight i spend quality time with my sweet little blog trying to pretty it up & get some links & other "stuff" added. until then, i'm outy.

Darn Cold Season

2005-02-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

So, ok...enough is enough. Why does every single sick person at work feel the need to come to my desk, hacking & sneezing, spreading their foul germs?!!!! now i'm getting sick! i mean i'm not getting sick...i'm not getting sick...i'm not getting sick. i really hope that helps.

i'm so cranky that i'm beside myself with trying to find something to do. i'm not sleepy, so bed is out, i'm in just a bad enough mood that i don't even want to work on any of my WIP's...how bad is that?! so, i'm doing my first posts on my blog & i can already see a problem which i'm hoping this will fix...i posted some pics & there's this HUGE empty space at the top of my page...

i guess i'll just give it up for the night, waste an hour & then watch my addiction...Celebrity Poker Showdown!!!!!

FO's Christmas style

2005-02-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

Ok. i know it's the middle of February, but i'm just starting my blog & thought i should put up some of the gifts i finished for Christmas, before moving on. So...

This is a lovely drop stitch scarf that i made for a cousin. I really like working on it.

This is an extreme close-up of the wrist warmer that i made from SnB Nation. That pair went to the same cousin as the scarf since this turned out to be WAY too big for my little hands. i'll post pic's of my edited version when i get them finished.

And this is the throw that i made for my brothers girlfriend. i used 2 strands of Homespun & a size S crochet hook. it's really fast & WAY warm. i also made my mom one in Gothic (a gorgeous purple), but i can't find the picture i took of it. =(

As soon as i find the rest of my pic's which are hiding somewhere, i'll post them, too. but for now, that's it.

The newest kid

2005-02-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

And here is the newest addition to the family. Her name is Quinlan & by now she's about 8 months old. She's just too cute for words!!!!!!

My Children

2005-02-15T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well, here are my 2 oldest kids! =) Paris Francis is the dog with the abnormally large ears & Darby O'Gill is the kitty.mally large ears & Darby O'Gill is the kitty

Tah Dah!

2005-02-14T12:59:00.000-08:00

Ok...i set this darn thing up a couple of months ago, so it's about time i did something with it. So, this is my first post with hopefully many more to follow (including pic's). so, this is just kind of a test to make sure everything is working ok. when i get home tonight i'm going to spend some quality time with this to try to pretty it up.