Weeee

Nothing like a wee pair o'socks knit in great yarn to lift your sock knitting mojo.


well finished sock mojo that is. I have 1 sock to finish then sock 2 to start, another pair has only one sock, another pair has about 3/4" knit of sock 1, and then on the 1st I plan on starting another..eeek..4 sock wips..um..er.. I need to finish some, that'll be my 2009 goal.


Owen's Socks
Claudia Handpainted Sport Shorts, leftovers from these and still enough for another pair of wee socks too!
Ooops! Colorway
US 2 32" circular, Magic looped

My last entry this year for SAM 6 and a gift for a new baby. These were a fast knit and my first weeny short row heel! Boy do those go fast on 16 stitches LOL! I love knitting with this yarn. Soft and sproingy.

Whew...in pictures

Well, it has been a busy last few days!! As usual I don't get as much accomplished as I would like, but I can live with it!

I've been baking...oops, 1 batch of cookies is missing as well as the dump cake and eclair cake, but still a few of these around. Baklava, Sugar cookies, Russian Teacakes, and Peanut butter fudge.

Cookie baking part deux to arrive maybe tonite or tomorrow...I'm a bit burned out, but want to use up my ingredients I just got for them...


This batch will last hubby a little while...no more til' next year ;)
(no the polident is not for me...works awesomely on DD's retainers!)


A bit of decorating....


Some hanging around in unladylike poses!



Trying to make spaghetti sauce like MIL's...not that I have to, but DD thinks I should try, so I am. I usually make mine in the crockpot to cook while I'm at work. We'll see how it goes...I did find the secret ingredient though...


My new point/shoot! Well, not new but was DD's. She got a new Nikon we got at a steal (hey, buy 2 laptops in a few months from a certain place and get quite the credit) so I'm learning...the food photos are from it. Now to get better software to upload them easier...she says it's in a box in her room...ahem..what box!


See, some people just like paper for presents...hehe..she knew when I threw this in the trash can, she kept whining and crying for it. So now it's in her basket. I think she smells the dogs from in-laws on it or something.


See...she found a new sleeping spot.

I did finish something in time...yeah me, who wasn't going to do any gift knitting. I give up, next year I'm planning and then we'll see..

Super Basic Hat Pattern only Ravelry link
Doubled Red..heart in Gray
US 10's
She's allergic to wool and really didn't have anything suitable for her in the stash...so there you go. Didn't enjoy knitting doubled...have no clue why I did, guess I just wanted it to be thick and warm...

Hmmm what didn't get done...

Hedgehog, which was the only present planned, armwarmer to match SIL's hat (need to unbindoff and frog 3 rows cause it's too long, and knit the mate) teeny, tiny sock for SAM 6...yeah, I've got 4 days to finish..., and my felted Christmas trees...this is tree 2...hmmm maybe by next year.

Lots of lazing around, shopping still (son is a clothes horse LOL), and 1 more day off, then work 2 days, and 4 days off...now if the pager would take a vow of silence, it could be perfect ;)

Happy 23rd....

(oh so young and *cough* fit!)

It's our 23rd on the 23rd! Still sometimes hard for me to believe, that yes, this close to Christmas I tied the knot. I'm not a gushy, lovey dovey person, so I don't have this great big speech planned, but hey, I'll give you a clue to what my wedding was like.

We decided to forgoe the May wedding the following year and decided to get married before our Christmas vacation to NC..yeah, back when we still lived in Maine. We got married by a justice of the peace, just the two of us. Wished I would have thought it out better and had a friend or even a bouquet, but hey, we just wanted something simple.

I kept telling Jim to keep on driving past the JOP, I was a bit nervous. You see when I'm nervous I tend to giggle...and um..yeah, I did let him finally drive in and we got married despite the chill in the room (no heating) and my giggling..hey I was trying to keep myself warm!

We then started on our trip to NC to visit his parents, our dinner consisted of KFC's chicken nuggets and fries. We often get that dinner on our anniversary to remind us how we first started out. hehe hubby forgot to get it tonite, we had homemade tacos, tamales (SIL brought them) and to die for guacamole...fresh that she made...

Oh, back to then. A few days after arrival in NC, his parent's had given us a wedding shower, and when we returned to Maine, my parents did the same. Boy..were we a bit nervous telling my parents we already got married. My Mom kinda figured it out when I didn't have my engagement ring, and she was ok with it. My step-father didn't kill Jim, so that was a good sign. My only regret about doing this instead of a wedding was not having my Mom there. If I could have turned back time I would have. She really understood, but I still felt a little bad about it.

In April 1996 we renewed our vows and again..I giggled...in front of an entire church...geesh! Oh well, I am if not consistent. Thank you honey for 23 interesting years and two beautiful kids!


Christmas 2007

But hey, you guys wanna know who won huh!!

Well the Calender goes toooooooo

BEZZIE--whom I'm sure could use a extra calendar in the house about now :)


ANGELA--hehe a Mainer getting Maine Alpaca! Fitting I say!


The Yarntini goes to KNITTYCAT whom I met at SAFF, and I just figured out who you are :)

Angela please email me your address so I can send you your goodies! Bezzie, I know where you live, and Knittycat, I'm emailing you =) hehe it's nice to have detective friends you know.

Thank you everyone for your support, reading, and the most comments ever I think. Made me feel really good.

Onward to a bit of knitting and some baking...so behind this year..but oh well I'm looking forward to 5 days off...well after tomorrow. Happy Holidays everyone!!

It was a mistake...yeah yeah

It was a mistake....hehe..ok, can't remember the rest of the words to the song! Good thing huh ;)

Well, I was about to mail my Aunt's hats and scarves when I thought, geesh...Uncle would love a set too I'm sure. Since they are my only holiday knits, save a couple of other things that don't "need" to get done, go for it. So...one week later..yeah, I'm slow and read on and find out why too ;)


Mistake rib scarf from Urban Urchin Pattern in SnB 2008 Calendar
Wool-ease Thick n' Quick - Charcoal Colorway
US 15's....get outta here...another scarf knit back and forth, 2 in one month...hard to believe from someone who dislikes immensely that process huh! But hey...it knits up really fast!

Close up of the patterning. I love knitting mistake rib!

I used every bit of the skein. Talking about less than 2" left after bind off to weave in! Approximately 40" long.

So..onto the other "mistake"

A close up!


Urban Urchin hat from SnB 2008 Calendar
Lorna's Laces Bulky - Pewter Colorway
US 10 circular

I loved knitting this hat, really, it was done before the scarf that I wasn't going to do but did ;) I was excited. That was until I actually tried it on a person.....

You see...
It was a Mistake....yeah, yeah....


It is now the Hot Head Hat from SnB
Lorna's Laces Bulky- Pewter Colorway
US 10 and 10.5 Circulars --why 2 sizes, I didn't like how the 10.5's fabric, so didn't want another frogging session so I just continued on with 10's and you really can't tell. Plus if he wants to fold it up, it is a bit stretchier.


Haha...tricked ya! When I tried the Urban Urchin hat, it was way too short! You see, it was in bulky yarn so I went up a needle...not sure I needed to either. I also thought it may be too short (I didn't run out of yarn, just thought I was done according to the pattern)..well it was, looked like a beanie on hubby and he said no way would a guy where that...yeah..well looked at it on me and nope, not cutting it. I really loved the decreases in this hat as well, maybe I'll try it in another yarn for me! It was reborn into the hat you see above.

The yarns, well the T&Q is ok, a good scarf yarn as far as I can tell, thick and knits quick. My 2nd scarf with it this year..no jokes about the year being only 11 days left either ;)
The LLaces Bulky is a dream! I love it. Soft and superwash and the NSS (not so solid) colorway is neat in the depths of color. Which you won't see as much cause I had to mail it and well, my hat model was at school...darn ;)

Anyways...they are on their way to their new home! Speaking of home, son is finally home! Was a drama and the reason for no posts the last few days. You see I was tracking his flights, and when the 2nd leg had landed early I was happy. He was a little ways away and home soon...or so I thought. Well, it decided to be foggy that nite. We're talking almost soup-like and the airport here said, nope no way. He called to say first flight home was cancelled, then 10 mins. later no flights at all.

So we regrouped and ditched daughter at Grandma's and gassed up and off for Charlotte, yes 3 hrs away! You know I wanted to see my Charlotte knitting peeps...but I don't think they would have appreciated a phone call at midnight though...it was an adventure in foggy driving and we made it there, picked up this cough..cough, young man and arrived home at 4 am! Hey, we had to stop for breakfast you know ;) Whew...hope his return flight is much easier! Next time I'll reserve with travel agent as getting a refund for the unflight should be interesting!!

Well...off to knit and chill more!
ETA: Someone I read regularly has posted recipes this week! A bunch of them and I can't find you!! Serves me right for over 300 blogline reads...sniff, save me! You had some great ones there! Here they are! Thanks Turtle!

Happy....

3rd Blogiversary to me!! Yes folks, it's been 3 years that I've been boring you with my presence!

I've enjoyed blogging and have met wonderful people all over the world! I'm not often as witty as I'd like to be, but hey, people still stop by and some even leave comments! For those, thank you so much as well!

This year has been a roller coaster ride, and I won't rehash the details, but hey, I'm here and doing fine and that's about all anyone could ask for right!

So, 'cause it's my 3rd one, I'm giving away 3 prizes! So yeah, leave a comment and I'll pick the winners out on the 23rd, my other "anniversary" ETA: Yes...my wedding anniversary :)

First prize is this cool calendar. I saw these prints at SAFF and I'm sure anyone else out there must have seen them at some festival around the US

Sheep Incognito Calendar hey, if you don't want to take a chance, you can get your own ;)

So soft Maine Alpaca in sportweight

hehe..had to have something from my home state in the prize basket huh!

Last, but not least...

Yarntini "last call" - sock yarn - navy with hints of pink, a one-of-a-kind colorway

Thank you all for reading and bearing with me this past year! Like I said before, you have until the 23rd to leave a comment, so have at it!

Not enough hours

in a week, but I did accomplish this much that I can show.


Some cool...


custom...


orders....
BTW, planning on more production in the new year. So stay tuned for news on that. The sewing is closed for the year as I hide ahem..tidy up the craft room for the college guy to sleep in there.

Oh..almost forgot...

Isn't this the cutest!! Knitted for our Guild's ornament swap
Knitting Bag Ornament
Lamb's Pride Worsted in Aran
US 7's- pattern says to use whatever stitch pattern, I chose seed...moss...whatever stitch.
Mod: Well, only 1, I knit the icord to 10" or so, well give or take an inch and threaded it through the bag with a crochet hook. then I stitched the ends together. Easier I think than knitting 2.
Filled with some scrap yarns, some Soak, and a teeny, tiny WIP so the recipient will always have a WIP...

And...stay tuned for Tuesday for a contest....

YPF-Carrie Don't Look Version ;)

Hey girl, I warned you... ;)


A color you don't see a lot of 'round these parts!


Miss Babs Yowza worsted in Lilacs Colorway. So soft and I can't wait to knit it.
560yds each which should be more than enough for Liesl, which face it, my sweater knitting is slow, so don't look forward to seeing this in 2008, definately in 2009. Purchased at SAFF 2008.

Back to hat knitting and sewing!!

PS. Thanks for your lovely comments on my son...sniff you guys are great!

Happy 19th...

Birthday to my amazing son!


It's still so hard to believe that you are all grown up and in college.


You've had quite the amazing 2008...


Graduation from high school..


Hanging out with your sister...


Getting ready to embark on your future...


I wonder what was going through your mind as you looked at the ship that would be your future for the next 4 years, and about the intense training you were about to start an hour from this picture....


What a rush this must have been.....jumping from the ship and swimming away...we had no doubts you could do this, you know being a life guard ;)


Sigh...my little popeye...learning to stand at attention...


Becoming an ROTC Cadet...


Learning to play a new sport, Rugby (he's in the gray sweatshirt)...


As you completed your first phase of training by becoming a 4th class midshipman....I wondered if you wished I was there to do your laundry ;)...all these uniforms that have to look just so...

Going to your first Navy Ball...


Seeing you with no hair is going to take some getting used to! Studying for your finals (9 total...ick) So glad I'm not you..... I hope you are ok, spending your first birthday away from home. Also hoping the cake that is to be delivered to you is almost as good as mine ;)
(So glad the college has fundraisers for this, so you won't think you are forgotten)

I can't believe in 1 week you'll be home, looking forward to me doing your laundry, driving your truck, eating foods you can't find in that small college town, visiting friends and family, bothering your sister....and just chilling for a while. You deserve it!

Lights...

Well, not much decorating this weekend, however I will share these...

I love this type of old art. Not sure what you call it but maybe distressed or something. It was a gift from a friend quite a few years ago and it's still kicking. (ignore the ugly cords please)


A flag I got when DD was in love with lions. Do I have it going the wrong way?? Looks like they want to come in.

Now at night!

The tree along with icicle and garland lights. I hate heights and hubbs is busy with his MBA (and he's not keen on outside decorating) so this is the most you'll see outside at my house.


Next weekend is the tree and more inside decorating...baking..getting ready 'cause guess who comes home a year older (his birthday is the 11th)?? Well he'll be home on the 18th for 3 weeks! I'm excited...although I'll have to surrender the craft room..but hey, not a bad thing either...

Ornaments that bling!!

Let me show you my blingin' balls OOPS! Ahem..I mean my version of Carrie's Ornament that Rocks pattern. No tree here yet so you get to see my favorite wreath. I got this somewhere cheap and it's held up very well!

Our knitting guild was asking for ornaments to put on our local VA Christmas tree, so seeing how my hubby works in Public affairs there, I thought I'd better contribute. Hey, besides I've been wanting to knit these since last year ok! ;)


My 2 favorite ones! Sorry for the blingin' pictures these are worsted holiday colors yarn and you know what, I have no idea what it is, I sent the yarn back to the guild for next year and forgot to find out, you can find it most likely in your craft stores. I do know the solid green one is cashmerino blend, the Peru luxury one and I didn't like knitting with it as it has no give at all! Anyhow, the gold thread in it is what's blingin'. The back red one has silver thread in it.


Here they all are, hanging out on my cinnamon pine cones...ahhh those are fabulous, I smell them as I walk in the house.

Pattern: See link above
Yarn: no clue...
2" styrofoam balls
Mods: I used worsted weight vs. Carrie's sock/dk weight yarn, thus I used US 6's and magic looped these babies! I followed the pattern as it is written. Oh and I added the ribbon, but don't look too close, I stink at that.

This is a really easy to knit pattern and takes hardly any time at all. Well when you use worsted weight, knowing me, if I used sock weight I'd still be on the first one!

So, go ahead and knit yer own blingin' or non-blingin' balls oops, darn it Ornaments ;)

Whew...I have never, photographed something as much as these blingin' balls! I swear over 50 pictures!! I so need to construct a light box or something for these dark days!