Lookie!

Not to be confused with the don’t peek post… 

I’ve found all kinds of goodies today.  The first three are from the Yarn Market e-newsletter. 

Socks for a cause.  (No great photo exists, or I’d have shared.  Honest.)  Yarn Market has a great kit with a limited edition yarn to support breast cancer.  Since this is also Pampered Chef’s Help Whip Cancer month and they’re pink, they caught my eye.  I’ll be ordering the kit, just because…

Next comes the Molly Messenger Bag by Della Q.  I’m in search of a bag that will allow me to slide a regular, unfolded pattern into a pocket without any real damage, and I’ve been thinking a messenger style would work best.   Anyone know anything about this bag, this company, or messenger-styled knitting bags?  Keep in mind that I don’t really do huge projects, but I do like lace wraps, so would I have to cram them in (as I do now with my large, sock project bags) or would they rest happily?  Would my needles be protected, because when I can, I like to do lace on straights.  Would it be easy enough to drop my project (including all yarn and needles) within, and drop the flap to discourage a certain, beautiful, bad dog from sampling said project/needles?

Now, I’m generally not a pre-order kind of girl, but given my new-found love of non-Kureyon Noro yarns, I’m beside myself.  Silk Garden Sock Yarn!  Gasp!  Swoon!  Does Tofutsies  have competition as my favorite sock yarn?  We’ll have to wait until AUGUST to find out.  The Panda Soy  comes out about the same time, so I might have to take a day or two off from work and just sit at home and whip out socks!  (I’m not joking.)

Then, there’s the  media hype over BPA and “plastic” bottles.  Nichole and I had been chatting about a zillion things (bentonite is both a grouting substance in water wells AND an anti-diaherral), and she introduced me to another must-have.  Camelbak always has great products, and I can’t wait to get mine!  For all of its bells and whistles, Lexie has crapola cup holders, so I need spillproof bottles, aside from toting my own green tea to work.  In Sissy’s honor, I’ll be ordering the purple and probably the bright blue, or maybe the pink (or all three).

Also, this can count as my Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap week #5 free-form post.  As usual, my poor pal will likely get her package right on time or a day or two late.  I’ve had a blast shopping for her, and I have all the confidence in the world that I’ve made some great selections.  It’s been torture, remembering not to post here as the goodies arrive, so I’ll be sure to share a link to her blog when she receives her package.

Coffee Swap Week #5

Be glad you don’t work with/for me.  I can’t get motivated to do payroll today.  Didn’t do statements yesterday either, but I’m sure the customers don’t mind. 

You know with Spring the famous saying goes “April Showers, bring May flowers”, please tell us what you like to do when those April Showers are pouring down on you. Do you like to curl up with your knitting, take in a movie or crawl back in bed?

So, we’ve had the April Showers.  Now come the May flowers, but I can tell you what I did while it was pouring down rain; I knitted and tried to entertain Sissy inside.  Mugsy is old enough that he enjoys some down time once in a while, but not the curious, wild child.  (We had to interupt this post to let her pretend she’s a lap dog.)   I’m not fond of rainy days.  I like the idea of it only raining at night.  (From the musical Camelot)

Coffee Swap Week #4

Let’s pretend for a minute we all live in the home of our dreams, have land, and don’t have to work so time is unlimited! It’s Spring planting season! What would you grow? A little veggie garden? A bed of bright spring blooms? Or is your thumb so far from green that the only thing you’d be planting is your tushy into a nice chair on the porch to get some knitting or crocheting done in the nice breeze?

The home of my dreams?  Well, in my current frame of mind, that would be somewhere in the Outer Banks, NC.  I think we’d skimp on landscaping and instead have a couple of pots of patio tomatoes, and flower boxes everywhere.  There would be an herb garden in the kitchen window, and since money is no object, we’d have someone with a green thumb stop in once a week or so to make sure I wasn’t killing things. 

I used to have a green thumb, but it deserted me a couple of years ago.   The Knight does well enough on outdoor stuff, so perhaps he could keep an eye on things for me?  The adorable little prince has a bad history with green things dear to my heart; he gets jealous and finds a way to …um… mark them for death… ??  Sissy would certainly want to see what I was doing, would then want to try to dig and/or eat the green stuff, so perhaps we’ll stick with things that can be secured out of her reach.  (She’s pulled the window box off the front porch twice already.)

Now, if I allow my frame of mind to stay right here in Red Clay and Rocks, VA, where the deer eat all the tender little blooms…

Never mind.  That’s pretty despressing, but it leaves plenty of time for knitting.

Coffee Topic #3

Tell us how you started drinking coffee. Were you in high school or college and making it through all nighters? Did you get it from a family member? What drives your love of the bean?

Well, for over three decades, coffee and I didn’t get along AT ALL.  A couple of years ago, I discovered that some coffees could make it past my lips, especially if paired with a delightful dessert.  Then, I met Starbucks.  The peppermint mocha in particular made me swoon.  Then, I discovered that there’s no coffee like an iced coffee.  Little by little, I’ve been broadening my coffee horizons, and while I still drink LOTS more tea than java, I do enjoy a GOOD cup of coffee once in a while for a change.

Oddly enough, in the winter months, I like to start my day with a cup of coffee, and then switch over to tea.  I can’t really explain it.

 

 

Never Say Never

I think perhaps that’s my new mantra.  I am pretty sure that at 14 (give or take?) when I threw down the knitting needles, I said I’d never want to knit.  I know for a fact that about a year ago, I said I’d never have any interest in crochet.  Then, spinning.  Now, a spindle.

Meet my new source of frustration.  You might recall that after my spinning class, I had zero interest in spindles, as opposed to wheels.  Well, since I’m such a belabored shopper, I’m wanting to spin and have nothing to spin with (on?).  Anita found this spindle kit in an Etsy store.  Mary purchased a bottom whorl version, and two days later, I found myself purchasing the very same kit Anita purchased.

It came with instructions and a couple of sample fibers.  It should have come with its own parachute.  See that?  That’s the floor of the dog pen, below our back deck.  I was out there on the deck, spinning away, so proud of how it was going.  I stopped to wind on a bit, and next thing I knew, the tail end of what I was spinning was feeding into what I’d already spun.  I was working on untangling that mess and trying to get going again, and I suppose I overspun a bit…  Next thing I knew, my new treasure very literally took flight from my leg (I was giving it a good spin to get started), flew through the rails on the deck, and landed below.  (Couldn’t just have thudded against the rail and landed on the deck.  Not with my luck.)

Luckily, it was none the worse for wear.  I managed to get to my spindle before Sissy did, since she wasn’t quite sure what we were doing in the pen.  It’s a very pretty little spindle, but I’m going to have to get the Knight to notch it for me, at 4:00, Robin says… 

A spinning bag is also in order.  I think one of Kathy’s bags  will be ideal.  Then, I can stand and spin while playing fetch with the dogs…  I’m betting one of you spinner-types will also point me to a specially designed spinning bag, hint, hint?

I will say that I found this WORLDS lighter, prettier spindle easier to use.  It spins - as in whirling ’round and ’round - like a top, unlike the big clunker we tried in class.  Also, it’s so visually appealing that I WANT to try to make us a team.   Still, I’m planning to get a Kundert before we head to the beach.

If you look closely in the upper left corner, you can see my little helper.  I was surprised that she wasn’t curious about the spinning thingee, dangling in the air.   I think it’s neat that it’s signed and dated.  Perhaps if I do take to this form of self torture  artform, I’ll remember that this was my first, and hopefully only flying, spindle. 

I feel a multi-post day coming on.  I have a tea-along post due, and probably another coffee swap question to answer too.  However, I also have an article due for a newsletter TODAY, so I think I’ll tend to that first.  (I did get my billing done already this morning, lest you think I’m a total slacker.)  I did have to stop working on work to look for the new Panda Soy Sock Yarn.  (Thanks, Cassababe!)  Turns out it won’t be available until July, so I’ll make a shameless plug now for belated birthday gifts of the same. 

This isn’t getting that article written.  I need to remember to attach the recipe form and copy the webmaster too… but that’s not exciting, bloggable news, is it?

One more tidbit to help me avoid doing what I should  before I wrap this up.  Many of you share your children’s milestones on your blog, and I’ve been sharing Sissy’s too.  However, today was a special day in MJ’s life.  Last month, she finally learned how to check her own email account.  Today, she made her first online purchase, all by herself (if you don’t count me talking her through it).  Yes Ann, I am an enabler.  Aren’t we all?

 

 

Coffee Topic #2

Since some of us is beginning to see glimpse of Spring, while others are still getting snow have you change what projects are working on? Have you put away the hats, scarfs and mittens, and brought out the cute tank top sweater projects and lacy wraps? Have you change yarn to something more lighter and cooler, not so heavy and bulky?

Nothing has changed yet.  I just finished a warm, wooly hat.   I do shawls and socks year ’round.  I did pick up some cotton sock yarn Saturday, but I’ll still do baby blankets as needed, and that’s about as big and bulky as I get. 

That being said, I do think that I’ve marked a tank top or two…

Spring Fling Week #1

So, we’re supposed to find someone liking her coffee the same way I like mine.  No surprise…  My gal pal Nichole likes a not too bold roast too.  How ’bout that?!  (Nic and I have a history of liking the same things, very much so.   Wonder twin power, we call ‘em…)  She is debuting her Etsy shop, so pop in and look at her cute stitch markers!  I happen to know you’ll want to keep checking in, because she has all kinds of cute ideas in the works.  (Again, I have such clever, crafty friends.  I’d be jealous of their talents if they didn’t spoil me.)

What am I working on?  Um, honestly?  Not much.  I spent a few minutes with Fredfoot and a few more with my healing hat (see the new Ravelry Group and join us!), but really, I’m busy getting ready for a special visitor this weekend, a fancy fundraiser on Thursday, and truth be told, I can’t stop researching spinning wheels.

There.  I’ve said it.  Hopefully, Jessi won’t notice my public confession, as she’s not in this swap and has no reason to read this post.  It doesn’t matter though, because I think I’ve already solicited wheel advice from all those who tried to warn me that curiosity leads to a wheel purchase.  Let this serve as a warning to others ignorantly wandering towards a spinning class with no interest in making spinning a part of your life!   There’s something innately compelling about spinning.  Those already “bitten” know it, and know how futile it is to resist.  Even the rather scattered rhythm of a novice spinner sings to something deep within us.  Either that, or every wheel made is coated in a deep and ancient magic that settles within your bones.  Suddenly, I don’t care that the wheel will take away from my knitting time.  (I will freely admit I have  make more time to knit than most.)  There’s something truly primal and so very satisfying about letting the fibers slip through your fingers while your eyes watch it become yarn, albeit ugly, flawed yarn at this point. 

For some reason, I’m suddenly reminded of Walt Whitman’s I Sing the Body Electric.

I SING the Body electric;
The armies of those I love engirth me, and I engirth them;
They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them,
And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the Soul.

Spinners seem to name their wheels, so maybe mine will be Whit. 

Spring Fling Coffee Swap Questionnaire

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?

Right now, ground, because my former coffee bean grinder has been used for flax seed for many years now.

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?

Not too bold, thanks, and definitely, leaded.  Otherwise, what’s the point?!

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?

Um… whatever smelled good when I got to the coffee house?  Probably the house blend.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?

A little of both.  I’m really a tea girl at heart, but on cool mornings, a cup of joe seems to “fit” better.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?

I’m now educated enough to answer this one!  Give me a basic coffee with a flavored creamer, unless Starbucks is serving it up for me!

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?

I’m a mug girl, but in terms of quantity, unless I’m really cold, a dainty cup will do.

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you’d enjoy it!

THE perfect cup would be shared with friends, after a lavish meal, while enjoying tiramisu or another rich dessert.   Just a good-quality brew, with real cream and maybe one Splenda, depending on my taste buds.  It would be served in a china cup and saucer, thanks much, but “touched up” at least once until I finished my cool, creamy dessert.

8. You’re sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you’re there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?

Given THAT setting, the rich brownie or an equally rich pastry of some sort.  I can’t see myself doing something healthy with a cup of coffee; that’s what my green tea is for.  And I’m really not much on salty treats…

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?

I must be finally growing up; I’m drinking coffee AND I can say that I both knit and crochet, although knitting is by far my passion.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

That’s tough to answer.  Every yarn has a purpose.  I admit to liking acrylics, but I also love primo blends.  I don’t like yarns that don’t feel good while I’m knitting/crocheting.  Boucle, chenille and even basic cottons aren’t high on my list, although I’ve used each with high satisfaction when it suited the purpose/project. 

You can’t go wrong with a great sock yarn, especially if it’s something I haven’t seen before.  Wick and Tofutsies are also favorites. 

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

I’m sorry to confess that I have a list:

1. Crochet - Sissy’s snuggle
2. Knit - Pedicure socks
3. Knit - Clapotis
4. Knit - Bigfoot Shawl, aka: Fredfoot

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you’d never find in your stash?

My favorite colors are vast and varied, and changing.  For the summer, I love blues, pinks, and greens.   In general, add in reds, browns and purples too. 

Well, there’s not much of anything missing from my stash save school bus yellow and halloween orange.  Even those show up sometimes.  Just don’t send me a hank of bright yellow and/or orange yarn, and I’ll be happy.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?

Of late, I’m a Knitpicks Harmony girl for circs, and Bryspun straights.  For hooks, I have an Addi to try, but otherwise, have the rather garden variety metal ones on hand.   Really, it depends on the project. 

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?

Um, I do have a host of stitch markers, but I don’t know that one can ever have too many.  I have a few tape measures, but there again, more is better, especially since Sissy thinks they’re her toys!

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that’s just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?

Dang.  Tough call.  I have a great sock yarn stash, so that would depend on brand, colors, fiber content, etc.  If it was something special, that might be it. 

The Malabrigo worsted would also be in the running.  I don’t have much of a worsted stash, and if it felt THAT good, how could I resist?

The bamboo blend would also be a contender.  Blended with what?  What weight?

Spring

1. We’re starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?

Today it is!  Truly lovely…

2. What’s your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?

Tulips. 
3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?

The flowers, flipflops, more daylight hours…  so many things!

4. They’ve predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?

Well, I’d start with morning yoga on the deck, and then I’d take the dogs for a long, long walk.  Then, breakfast on the deck, and maybe some light yard work, or some knitting outside.

5. The day after, it’s going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?

Eas-peasy.  Sleep in.  A good cup of steaming chai (I know, this is a coffee swap…) and lots of knitting and blog surfing.   I doubt it would impact my mood, as long as it didn’t stay cool and rainy for several days. 

Sissy and Mugsy always cheer me up.  The Knight would also probably take me out to dinner, which would be cheery too!

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?

Roosters.  This time of year, pearls! 

2. Are you allergic to anything?

Not that matters here.

3. Do you have pets?

Sure do!  Mugsy and Sissy, both dear dogs often seen on my blog.  There’s also poor Flipper, the photo-shy beta fish.

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?

I was swap-crazy last year, but have toned it down a bit this year.  My last two swaps were the cocoa swap and the previous coffee swap.

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.

Cass always cracks me up.  In general, my friend’s blogs are my favorites, so it’s hard to pick three.  

Firefly Nights is a dear friend, and you’d never know she’s new to blogging.  I enjoy her mixture of topics, and she never fails to inspire me.

Lots of Yarn is a new favorite.  Margaret is opening my eyes to the wide world of fiber, one post at a time.

Coffee Confessions

Well, it’s been more than a couple of months since the Coffee Swap, where Michelle  spoiled me rotten.  I thought about emailing her with an update, and decided that perhaps everyone might care (or not).  If you recall - or for those who didn’t read that post - I basically signed up because Anners (poke, poke??) and Holly were hosting, to be supportive and a good friend.  Ha!  The joke was on me.  I went from liking an iced coffee from McDonald’s once in a while, with a Starbucks peppermint mocha once a week or so during the winter holiday season, to reaching for a cup of joe in the mornings at work instead of a cup of tea.

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modernAt your worst, you are: childish and over indulgentYou drink coffee when: you’re craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

(Not so much, me thinks.  Michelle is the only person who has called me sweet more than once.  Low addiction level is about the most accurate part…) 

Now, here’s more than you want to know perhaps, but I’ve thought a lot about this.  I’m still a tea girl at heart (anyone up for another tea party?), however I’ve come to realize that I don’t hate coffee; I dislike cheap, poorly brewed coffee.  I also have learned that I like a bold roast.  Not terribly dark, but not so mild that I might confuse it with black tea when I add a generous slosh of milk, or preferably, a flavored creamer.  No sweetener, aside from whatever’s in the creamer, thanks much, and if I can see steam, it’s too hot.  Evidently, I did not inherit my Nannie’s asbestos lips as she called them.  For that reason, I like the liquid creamers best, but the powders do travel well!  Interestingly enough, I seem to prefer a simple roast for my coffee, with the flavor in the creamer, not the bean.  Who knew!?

At home, I still prefer tea, black in the morning (or chai), followed by green tea until about dark, and then white tea.  I didn’t consciously decide I’d do the tea caffeine step-down throughout the day; my body and tastebuds just really seem to like that routine.  The Knight bought me another electric kettle so I can make a “proper” cuppa’ at work too, but I suspect the social part of me will still reach for coffee in the morning, even if I rarely do finish the cup.  (Note to self: take a smaller cup to work for the coffee and leave the big mugs for the tea, but never the two shall mix!  Yep, a little OCD here…  If I drink coffee from a mug, I have to wash it vigorously by hand and then run it through the dishwasher before I’ll use it for tea.) 

Also, if I’m thirsty, it must be green or white tea.  Coffee or black tea doesn’t quench my thirst.  If only I could listen to my body so well on food choices and exercise and…

So, thanks to Michelle, Anne and Holly for introducing me to a brave new world.  My coffee pot at home still only brews for Anne (or other guests), but I have broadened my horizons, and I liked it.

You Are a Cappuccino

You’re fun, outgoing, and you love to try anything new. However, you tend to have strong opinions on what you like. You are a total girly girly at heart - and prefer your coffee with good conversation. You’re the type that seems complex to outsiders, but in reality, you are easy to please

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?

(That is me, about as close as any silly quiz can get.)

Knit Happened

Firstly, thank you for all of the kind words and wishes on our new addition.  I just snapped some really cute photos of the “siblings” snuggling on the Knight’s recliner.  (No, they’re not posed.  Sissy just really is into Mugsy, and he’s tolerating her better than we’d hoped.)  I’d tried to get him a large, leather recliner last year for Christmas, and I’m sure by Father’s Day, it will be a necessity.  Sissy is much more of a snuggler than Fred was.  There will be lots of Sissy posts to come, but this one is about a couple of finished objects you’d not seen.

 Well, you’d seen Mugsy’s new coat, but he wasn’t interested in modeling it for you.  Friday, it was cold enough he wasn’t even keen about posing outside, so this is as large as we can go without blurring.   The shot happened in part of our normal, morning routine at work.  Mugsy is the mayor, and he must greet all of the employees as he trots inside.  (Hence, the need for a coat.  He doesn’t just run from the warm house to the warm vehicle to the warm office.  Being popular has its price.)  In case you’re wondering, I intentionally altered the design to leave his chest somewhat open.  He has a lot of scar tissue in the center of his chest, and I didn’t want the bit of negative ease applying pressure in the wrong place.  (Ah, the joys of hand-knit fashions.  Too bad I can’t knit a harness.)

Then, there’s the big mystery lace scarf.  It was for my sister’s birthday, so now that it has been gifted, you can see it.  Blocking this one was a piece of cake; a warm iron, set on the lowest heat setting that still provided steam with extra mist all the way did the trick.  It then finished drying on the pantry door, which also made a decent photo location.

Pattern:  Paws to Remember (FiberTrends)  I’m not sure I’ll do this pattern again.  The “wordy” version made me want to poke a needle in my eye, and the charts had to go to work and get magnified 154%, or something like that so I could read them, and I’m near-sighted.  Anne noted very early on that the paw print isn’t quite canine, and sure enough, my sister exclaimed, “Cat paws!” and I’m not sure she really believes that the pattern was for canine prints, but whatever, because she’s had cats she loved dearly too who are on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge now.  It’s definitely not mindless knitting either.  A simple exchange with the Knight had me frogging back if it wasn’t an even row.

Needles:  Bryspun straights, size 6.  Love ’em for lace…

Yarn:  Crafty in a Good Way.  Colorway - Pines in the Dark.  (Appropriate, because my sister loves dark greens, and Mollie’s favorite potty spot was a row of pines, most often in the dark…)

Needless to say, there’s been no knitting here the last two days.  I did open my fantabulous Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap box yesterday, and that deserves its own post.  Stay tuned…  Even blogging is slow with Sissy in the house.  She likes to help, but right now, poor Mugsy is nannying again.  He just looks at me every time she repositions ON him, and I assure him that very soon, he’ll be able to use *HER* as a pillow.