Ten on Tuesday--New Year Version

10 intentions in the new year!

1. Declutter house more--we're doing pretty well. (lived here 21 years) College guy has brought down a bunch from the attic (still more to go up there, we hate climbing those fold out stairs...) I just need to sort and repack, then move what we are keeping to the storage unit. Then we start on the inside of the house...y...i...k...e...s!

2. Work out more --we joined a new gym as ours had closed (yahoo, it was gross, and well take my word, it was gross, no wonder I hated going there)the new one is wonderful, airy and has a cool indoor track to walk/run in. I want to do Zumba, pilates or yoga...I'll need to work on the stress....it may get worse before it gets better...

3. Read more--again, work on the relaxation.

4. SEW!!! Gosh, I have like 2 needlecase wannabe orders (nothing until college guy is outta my sewing room though...) 2 hanging quilts waiting to be finished.....

5. Spin more--most of the time it's so relaxing to me...when I'm not worried about getting it a certain weight of yarn...

6. Sleep more--I need to go to bed earlier. I'm a night owl and that's all in good if you don't have a day job outta the house...otherwise...dinnertime wants to be nap time...

7. Knit from stash...yeah lots of peeps say that, I joined a Stashdown group on Ravelry...didn't need to, but they make it fun...plus I see some of you are there too ;)

8. Hang out with hubby more--yes, I said that ;) We celebrated out 25th anniversary on the 23rd. Whew, been married more than half my life. ...wait a minute...has it been that long?? On the outside I may look it, inside nope. Heck, I don't even "feel old enough to have a 21 yr old... We are looking at a possible separation for a few months if he is finally blessed with a new job. PLEASE job fairy....visit us!

9. Try to eat better. We really try to, and most of the time successful. I just need more of the food groups and eat a snack more often to help with the blood sugars. MUST get them lower, I really don't want to become diabetic.

10. Patience--I need to better acheive it...need to calm down...some things are not in my power to change or help...can be very frustrating at times..

So, what are some of your intentions this year...

Belated Christmas Present to me....

Just what I wanted too!


Looking out my front door!

I was sad I may not see any this year..
I remember when this tree was just planted..it's still alive and even bears flowers...I didn't kill it!! Yet anyways...

Here's my dogwood...I mean snowwood tree ;)


It started about 3am on the 26th...how do I know..well..um..told you I was a night owl ;)

by 11 am...here ya go! We've since trekked out and got some provisions (chicken chili here we come) and movies (figures what we can get on Netflix Wii streaming isn't what "they" want ;) Me I have tons of knitting and spinning to do...


Our tree 2010! You see what I call hubby's good luck gift under it..a new coffee maker for a future new office....keep your fingers, toes, and whatever crossed...that's all I'm gonna say about that right now...

Onward to 2011, cause the end of 2010 can bite me!!

ETA: more snow is coming down! Happy dance!!

Baby Snug....

My latest baby knit that I finished in October for a virtual baby shower in November. I forgot to post it.

Presenting the baby snug, not to be confused with that other snug thingy either ;)


Snug by Hinke
Berroco Comfort Chunky in blue, 2 skeins
US 10 circular
Mods: Interesting construction. My first time doing afterthought sleeves (well what I call them) Beware when folding in half to sew the shoulders before you start the sleeves. I didn’t realize the row I ended on so on the left side I had to knit reverse (if it was a knit row I had to purl and visa versa) There was a line too at the shoulder. It’ll be fine and baby won’t notice. Just beware what row you end the body on.

I used 3 needle bind off of hood. Super easier than grafting. I did graft the shoulder/neck area though. I used the entire 2 skeins of the chunky!


Also used faux wood buttons that are washable. I really wanted the toggles, but they weren’t washable.

Out in the wild waiting on the baby :)

If you knit this, don't forget to slip the first stitch...makes the bottom look better...

Matching accessories!


Twist Hat,Wee Mitts w/string,and socks

BellaModen Sport- The Historian Colorway. Perfect for a boy I think and maybe a girl too ;) I just love this hat!


I knit these Magic 28 socks back in February. I included them in the package as I didn't have enough yarn to finish the mate to the wee sock you see below. :( At least baby will have socks to grow into :)


Hard to believe 1 skein of sportweight yarn knit a hat, mitts with string, and 2.5 socks...


I think the entire ensemble matches quite well!

Ten on Tuesday--and Winners!

This week's topic is 10 Last Minute Gifts:

1. Dishcloths--whip up a couple and put in a nice basket with some fancy dishsoap. I love the Method products.
2. Gift cards--Some people think they are tacky, or that someone didn't take the time. I personally don't. I would much rather get a gift card then a gift I'll never use...However! Try to make sure the gift card can be spent online, or make sure the place is local to them.
3. Bakery goods--If you are a baker, a plate of goodies, loaf of bread (yeast, banana, pumpkin, etc..
4. Candles--Especially really good scented ones that someone may not splurge on. Vanilla is a good one usually....personally, I love fruity and cinnamony scents.
5. Club of the month--I've never done it, but maybe a fruit, candy, etc.
6. Hat or scarf--maybe you have some finished just sitting around or if you are really a fast knitter, a one night project...not me ;)
7. Flowers--maybe something that can be planted when the weather is nice or a cactus or ?? hehe..can you see I'm running outta stuff here ;)
8. Gift basket--Load it full of favorites of the person you are gifting to. I think a lot cheaper if you do it yourself. I just did one for our knitting guild and got a lot of stuff on sale, got a cheap basket and plastic bag and voila!
9. Subscription to a magazine, online or not. Netflix...
10. Offer a home cooked meal...yes I ran outta ideas...sorry ;)

Thanks for all your comments on my blogiversary! Glad to see familiar names and some new ones too :)

Winner of an Irishgirlieknits pattern of your choice is:
Karin
ETA: she's got a few new ones out and more to come this week... just sayin' :D

Yarn or Fiber Winners are:
Marilyn
Dee
Affiknitty
Silverfox

Please email me your color preference and yarn or fiber choice so I can get your prizes to you :)

Thanks for playing everyone! Have a Merry Christmas!!

Been so busy...

I'm a wee late to celebrate my 5th blogiversary! (well only a day ;)
It's been an interesting 5 years. I've met a lot of people online, and some in real life, started knitting lace and socks which I didn't think I'd ever do (mainly the lace part ;) Now spinning..yikes, no more crafts!!

It's been a busy week and hopefully after our Knitting guild party this Saturday, I can relax a bit and get some knitting done on a test knit and a sweater you haven't seen yet. Have no idea where my sock mojo has gone...does it count that I have like 3 in progress..

Monday evening had daughter and I playing with chocolate...

Farthest away is pecan, middle is butterfinger, front is well, you can see holiday deco candies. So many possibilities to decorate those pretzel rods ;)

Now they sit in these cute bags...

No, wait, I mean these bags...

Wonder what else is inside?

Lest you think I'm a perfect baker...sometimes I fail..

Case in point...flatty whoopie pies...we won't talk about the extra crunchy batch either ;) Waaaa I wish I hadn't lost my Mom's recipe!! I have been unable to get it right...

Mini bundt cake fail...well sorta..

They don't look too bad here, but when you have a double batch of batter and only 12 able to cook at a time and yeah, you have to wash the pan after each batch..um..nope... I made a larger bundt cake and the rest is turning into these!

Thank you to my friends both online and in real life! Your laughs, encouragements, enabling to purchase things, and just sticking around and reading cheers me up to no end.

There will be prizes so just leave a comment and I'll pick 5 winners, one for each year of blogging. What are the prizes you ask?

In no particular order:

**1 pattern of your choice by Irishgirlieknits. She tells me that I inspired her to blog more. Well blog more she did and now she's a pretty awesome designer travelling all over and meeting lots of you...(yes I am a wee bit jealous, I wanna meet her IRL!)
**Yarn..hah of course! 2 winners
**Braid of spinning fiber--sorry you gotta spin this yourself ;) 2 winners

So leave a comment and check back here Monday to see if you've won. Of course if you are a fiber winner and you don't spin, I'll make sure you get yarn and visa versa.

College guy comes home Friday so I'm sure I'll be busy cooking his favorite dinners and trapsing all around town with him. I'm on call for the holidays...please let my pager be silent...

Ten on Tuesday...the Holiday version

This weeks version--10 things on your to do list!

1. Get a tree- we like live ones, and this is that latest we've ever waited...sniff. Getting it on the 18th!!! College guy comes home the 17th!

2. Wrap presents-I keep trying not to do them all on Christmas eve....fingers crossed.

3. Finish moving out of fiber/sewing/yarn room and get the bed ready for whom (see #1 above ;)

4. Make whoopie pies

5. Make pumpkin bread

6. Make peanut butter fudge.

7. Finish knitting 1 washcloth, 1 hat and a super bulky scarf by Saturday...(hat is super bulky and more than halfway done already ;)

8. Mail packages on Saturday...

9. Pick up hubby's fellow certificate at framers (more on that later)

10. um..sleep..yeah and relax

Gotta go...stuff to do ;) Have a good week!

Red Scarf 2011....done

Yes, I know it's not 2011 yet ;) but the scarf will be distributed in February 2011, thus the name.


Well you know by now, me and side to side knit scarves are few and far between, unless in a chunky yarn ;) I decided my usual lengthwise garter stitch is perfect for either a boy or girl.

The Orphan Foundation of America puts together care packages for Valentines Day for orphaned college students. Every year I plan to knit more than one, but hey one is better than nothing...

I cast on 275 stitches...at least twice (well I only got to about 200, and um..yeah, you guessed it I use long-tail cast on...do I need to say more ;)

Knitpicks Swish Worsted in Serrano, 3 skeins
US 8 circular
6.0 Chiagoo crochet hook

Cast on 275 sts and knit every row until you are 5" wide slipping the first stitch on each row, then bind off...I wanted to use all the yarn so mine is about 5.25" wide ;) I used the crochet bind off method with a hook 2 sizes larger than what I knit with. Love to use the CHBO.

I used a spray bottle with Soak in it, instead of full immersion blocking as garter stitch would stretch like crazy! It was my first time using Swish worsted. If you are looking for a good superwash wool, it's not too bad. Not as stiff to knit with as Cascade 220 superwash, but both when soaked and blocked are pretty soft.

**yes I did notice I signed it 2010...duh on me!

Ten on Tuesday...the late version

Eeek, I almost forgot!

10 favorite Holiday shows (in no particular order)

1. Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer - the abominable snowman! Oh and of course Rudolph. I always wanted a Charlie in the box too!

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Our first Christmas in our first house. Hubby wanted to get a tree off of our land..um..he sure did, looked just like Charlie Brown's ;)

3. Elf - what can I say Will Ferrell is pretty funny in this.

4. It's a Wonderful Life - every year, it's a tradition.

5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - hubby loves these and laughs every year like it's the first time he's seen it. Clark Griswold, what a trip! Oh and that turkey...so, so dry ;) oh, and the cat in the tree...haha!

6. Scrooged - I too like the Bill Murray version

7. A Christmas Story - I'd love that leg lamp! I think it'll go good in my fiber room ;)

8. The Little Drummer Boy - every year when I was little, I loved this!Don't know why, maybe because my Dad used to play drums...I did too during high school. Haven't watched it in years...may have to.

9. White Christmas - What can I say, an oldie but goodie. Plus I'm ALWAYS dreaming of a White Christmas....

10 Babes in Toyland - Laurel and Hardy! I used to always watch any L & H movie I could find! A blast from the past or what...am I telling my age yet ;)

What shows do you like? :)

Cinnamon, Crimson, and Wine

What started out as this...

a wheel welcoming gift from a friend...


"This OOAK colorway has cinnamon, crimson, and wine with flashes of spiced pumpkin and gold" as described by the Etsy listing.

Went to this...


I almost fit the whole 3.8 oz. onto one bobbin.

Whew, they were highly energized singles. I whipped them into shape a bit when I fulled them...


But as you can see, still a bit of energy still there.


It's ok, I love the colors...all of them.


Sorry that you see my ugly twine in the pictures...


All the colors of things I love....cinnamon-yummy, Crimson-heh red, Wine-love a good fruity tasting one, and the pumpkiny colors too.


Wee skein and momma skein

Unspun Pencil Roving 80/20 merino nylon from
Fiber Optic
3.8 oz of 80/20 Merino/NylonSpun into singles 16 wpi
skein 1 - approx. 55 yds, skein 2 - approx. 168 yds = 223 total yards...well approximately ;)

Franken what??

I joined the Oct/Nov GLBLF Spin-a-long and well I got the spinning down, just not the knitting part of it yet. :)

I spent a lot of my holiday spinning, although I should have been knitting, but hey, that's the constant battle for crafty time....I definately don't need another hobby!

Presenting Frankensquirrel!!

4 oz. of lovely Polwarth roving dyed by Sam!

Got spun into these...



Then 2 plied into this....



This stuff pouffed up like crazy....I lost almost 18 yrds from soaking, but it is so very soft!!

Still enough for it's intended project. It's my best 2-ply so far!! I still have a few thin and thicker areas, but way less than ever before!


Artsy-fartsy shot!


4 oz. Polwarth from GLBLF Spin a Long
wpi 12-13 sport/light worsted (pre-soak was 17)
yds 203 (pre-soak I got 222 yds)

Ready to become my first handspun socks! Stay tuned! Oh..darn, I'd better weigh and split the skein to be sure I have enough...later, right now I like looking at it just as is.