Don’t Blink

Where did the weekend go?  I had big plans for lots of knitting and blogging.  Wrong. 

Friday evening, Sissy was VERY groggy.  She came home in an e-collar at my request, but it wasn’t necessary.  She was too dopey to care.  That lasted until precisely 10pm, when the wild girl we know and love began to emerge from the fog.  She has been unstoppable since, but still hasn’t licked her incision.  We’re trying to keep her calm, I swear we are, but she just feels too good to be kept down.  She seems to know her limitations though, as I’ve seen her stop in mid stretch, so I guess we’ll let her do her thing, because attempts to restrain her only result in great resistance.

I do have an FO for you, but the photos are in MJ’s camera, which she left at home this morning, so maybe tomorrow.  It was a QUICK, easy knit with a lovely outcome, so I can hardly wait to tell all!

Instead, I’ll show you the Stardust that wasn’t.  That’s the back, all 7 inches of 2×2 ribbing and one full repeat of the lace pattern.  I kept looking at the rib, thinking “There’s no way that’ll fit my back,” but the gauge was only given for the lace, so I kept going.  I wasn’t even close.  (No, I didn’t swatch, but thanks for asking.  I tend to knit spot on or a little loosely, so I *knew* I’d be okay…)  That lace portion should have been more than 4″ deep, and I didn’t even have 3 inches worth there.  So, I frogged, swatched, and started over on #6s, and all is well.  I’m using the Classic Elite Premiere that I fell in love with at the yarn tasting on our retreat, and the only problem I have is that I have to stop every now and then to rub the swatch on my face, arm, or any other bare skin.  Did I say I didn’t like cotton?  I was wrong.  I love this stuff. 

Alana is having a blogversary contest.   Pop in and wish her well, and/or give her an idea on how to use that lovely Handmaiden Seasilk.

 

Mayday!

Er, uh, um…  May Day.  Happy one to you.  It’s one of THOSE days at the family business.  Before 10am, I’d been cussed twice, walked all three dogs while at least one phoneline rang and rang, and had spoken with two other less than pleasant customers.  (But I do appreciate their class, restraint, or whatever kept them from swearing at me.) 

And Dappy Hogs on Thursday.  Mugsy the Gluttonous Pig, formerly known as The Prince and/or My Perfect Angel, has wolfed down all sorts of Sissy’s treats in the last 14 hours or so.  I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but I think the Knight pointed it back out.  Mugsy’s my dog, but a good stare-down from Dadaw will straighten up him every time.  Add in an index finger pointed between the eyes, and even Mugsy will adjust his attitude. 

I snapped this one evening at the beach.  Doesn’t it look like God stamped paw print on her side?  The Knight rolled his eyes, but he didn’t disagree with me either.  Getting the wild child to hold still for this shot was a real challenge!

Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, scoot over and wish Cass a happy post number #555, and tell her I sent you.  You shared some great stories with me, so entertain her too, will ya’?

Last night, blogless Jessica and I attended the regular Wednesday Night S’nB at Panera’s.  Almost everyone but me was working on socks.  Jessica was using some Shi Bui for her Jaywalkers, and I can see why some of you rave about that yarn now.  Yum!  We met Susan, Elizabeth, Kate, Krista and Erica, and we learned about some local fiber resources that were new to me, Jessica or both.  I look forward to going back next week.  It was a very pleasant group.

Happy Little Friday to you!

Tea for Two

Michelle and I had tea Sunday morning.  We also had caramel rolls, but they were in the oven when this photo was taken.   We went through my tea collection, and Michelle selected Harney’s Chocolate Mint for the morning pot.  I’ve generally used it as more of a dessert tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

I decided after reading the Tea Blog-a-Thon  that I wanted some china tea cups, and that starting with Michelle’s visit, I was going to purchase a pair of matching cups, have tea with my guest, and then send her home with her cup so that we’d both have a reminder of the tea and friendship shared at my house.  I found this china mug, and knew it was a perfect fit.  Michelle and I are both “mug” girls, and after watching her hang onto the mug while Sissy vaulted into her lap, I know I chose well.  The mug is sturdy enough for regular use, both in my gone to the dogs household and Michelle’s young children around home.  And so, another collection begins…

As always for me, I toted my camera around all weekend and still, we had to get the Knight to snap some photos as Michelle was leaving.  It’s hardly a great shot of me, but that’s okay.  It commemorates a very happy, very full weekend with a friend, and that’s what really matters, isn’t it?

There are still a couple of loose ends from my weekend.  I have an FO I’ll share later, which means there will also be something new jumping on the needles.  However, more importantly, I need to mention Nichole’s contest.  It’s for a great cause.  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that April 10th (this Thursday!) is ASPCA Day.  Nichole is having a month-long contest, with several ways to enter.   

Whirlwind Weekend

I don’t even know where to begin.  It was a fun, full weekend, and we’re not done yet.   Go grab a cuppa’ and a snack, and then we’ll see how much I can cram into one post. 

First, we have to slip back to the contest prizes.  More have arrived!

It’s not a great photo, but it’s been rainy and/or overcast here since I honestly don’t remember when.  The sun almost made it out yesterday for a while, but not when I was at home.  The yarn is a custom colorway from NH Knitting Mama, just for this contest.  The colors are some of my favorites, as noted in my recent coffee swap questionnaire.  The stitch markers are from InsanKnitty, and while the photo is inadequate, there’s a cute basset hound and a bone amid the ruby red beads.  Thank you so much Amanda and Michelle! 

Speaking of Michelle…

We had a great weekend.  Friday night, we went out to dinner, hit the grocery store, and then sat up late knitting and talking.  Saturday, we headed out for Carodan Farm.  It was a pretty drive through the countryside, with redbuds and blooms galore, but Caroline was as accomodating as ever.  I wanted the April Tofutsies yarn and pattern, so she kindly walked over to her home, unpacked a skein or two, downloaded the pattern, and brought it back over.  While Michelle had no trouble finding yarn, I touched everything and yet, I wasn’t moved to buy much.   I had this feeling I was leaving something behind.  When Caroline asked if she could help, I jokingly asked what she would feature in the shop newsletter that would find me saying “Shucks!  I wish I’d seen that!”  She laughed, and left the shop again, returning with Online’s new cotton sock yarn, the whole box, so I could see all the colors, and with some Elsebeth Lavold Bamboucle (which for whatever reason, didn’t make it into the photo). 

I love that pattern too.  The sample was done in Koigu, which of course, I have in my stash thanks to my Red Colorswap pal.  I was torn between the Anne and the Heather yarn, but the Anne came home with me.  The Bamboucle is a must-see.  It’s not so boucle, and it’s actually cotton, bamboo, linen and nylon.  I think it will be a little scarf, but who knows?!

 

It would truly take all day and dozens of photos to show you everything Michelle had in this basket.  There were treats for the dogs, shortbread which the Knight is sure were for him, teas, flavored syrup…  and three new magazines.  I am going to take a moment to mention that I’m sorry I let my suscription to Creative Knitting expire.  They have a new editor, and the whole feel of the magazine is different.  (Yes Jessi, that’s Spin Off, and a subscription is in order.)  Knit Simple is always a good choice, and the assortment of “tee shirts” they offer is sure to have something for everyone.

Then, there are the highlights from the basket.  I mean, everything in there was obviously selected by someone who know me well, especially my requested candy-coated sunflower seeds, but these are the things I thought the rest of you might appreciate and/or “need.”

Love this very sleek mug.  Can’t wait to drink from it, and it might get a quick wash for that early evening cuppa’ I’ll need after this long composition.  Yes, it’s slightly assymetrical, but that’s part of its charm.  I like brown a lot too, so even without loose tea packed inside, it’s a keeper!

 

 

 

 

 

Next, there’s a treasure I think some of you will have to special request from Michelle’s shop.  (She is indeed the InsanKnitty linked at the top of the post.)  It’s a yarn cutter, taken off the chain, and slipped onto a clip, with some very “me” charms added.  I’m still thinking the blue teapot needs to move over to my charm bracelet.   This little baby is going to be clipped on my project bag, and it will go everywhere with me.  No more worrying about my scissors on planes, as Caroline pointed out when we were looking at the cutters in her shop. 

 

 

 

I loved Pez dispensers as a girl, and this little one delights me to no end.  Could it be any cuter?  It has a hook to be a keyring, but I know that with my life, it would be dirty dingy in no time, so I’ll have to think of a nice, clean place for it to live. 

 

 

 

 

 

The folks at Lindt are so clever.  Isn’t the little black sheep precious?  I hate to rip the foil, but you can bet that if I don’t, the Knight will. 

 

 

 

 

Can you guess what this is?  Yep!  It’s the cutest tea ball EVER.  It’s now offical; I’m going to have to collect novelty tea balls.  I had no idea they made anything fancy or silly, but isn’t this fun?  Even the metal “tag” on the end is a little slice of citrus. 

 

 

 

Michelle had been taunting me all week last week about her secret project.  Sigh.  It was worth the wait!  She hand felted this adorable little rooster, bless her heart!   He’ll have to find a very high, very safe perch, because Sissy’s reach expands a little every day.   

Michelle also made me a very sweet cloth with a “profile” head shot of Winnie the Pooh, but I just can’t get a good shot of it.  It’s hard sometimes to get a good photo of a cloth, and you know I’m not a great photographer.

 

There’s so much more, but this is already very lengthy, so I’ll stop here for now.  There’s a photo of Michelle and me just before she left this afternoon, and much more about tea and friendship, but the Knight wants to take me to dinner, so you’ll just have to wait!

PS - Where did spell check go?!  WordPress, what have you done!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winners!

Boy, this was tough.  MJ picked the random winner for me - Artinreality.  Here’s her story:

Oh, I know now - the thing I regret to be talked into the most was when I said yes to go out on a blind date with this guy, who’s a friend of a friend. There was nothing wrong with him, he was just kind of blah, and also a tad boring… In any case, I ended up going on two dates with him, which were fine, and then I spent the next five - FIVE - months trying to end it with him. He was being quite nice, just also quite boring, so I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, and kept hoping that he would break up with me.. In the end, I told him straight out that I didn’t think we were so well-suited for each other, and he answered: “Oh, but I thought things were going so well.” I didn’t know what to do in order to shake him off finally and for ever, so I responded: “Yes, well, is it ok if I meet a girl I think might be good for you, if I set the two of you up?” Lets just say he finally got the message…

Once I got past my teens, I didn’t much enjoy hurting someone’s feelings either.  I don’t think I ever went out longer than I cared to just because I was trying to be gentle, but I can recall several times where I really felt rotten for not being attracted to a perfectly NICE guy…

I had the DEVIL of a time picking the “move me” winner.  I finally settled on Jessi, just because I’m all about girl power. 

Okay, I finally thought of something. When I was about 12, my best friend Cindy dared me to jump off this huge cliff on Smith Lake. Lots of kids liked to jump into the water from this place, but it was really high up and it took…well, guts. I begged the parents to drive us out there in the boat on Saturday afternoon, because I was determined not to back down from the dare. The adults were convinced that I would climb to the top and then chicken out, so they agreed. About an hour later, I had climbed all the way to the top along with some teenage boys. They were in front of me, so I was patiently waiting my turn while they egged each other on, trying to gather the courage to jump. You know boys. It takes them fifteen forevers to do something. Finally, I got tired of waiting and shoved them out of the way, took one flying leap, and over the side I went. The best part about it, was no one could believe I did it. I actually remember (as I was falling) hearing all the adults yell: “Oh Shit!”. Needless to say, the boys were pretty much forced to jump after the skinny little girl showed them up. hehehe

There were so many stores that made me laugh.  It seems lots of us ate soap, grabbed an electric fence, got caught mooning someone, danced on a table…  Really, if you haven’t read the other entries, you should.  There are also the warm stories about getting into knitting (or blogging) because of a friend, and I loved the sweet, supportive stories too.  In the end though, Jessi’s story summed it all up for me.  Because of the love and support from family and friends, it seems we’ve all grown into strong, funny, compassionate women, and I’m glad you shared your stories with me.

Honorable mention goes to Alana.   

One October I went with three friends for a girls weekend away at the lake… the last weekend before the resort closed for the winter. It was cold… really cold. Somehow, my crazy friends convinced me it would be liberating to take a quick dip in the lake at 2 am. Just run in and back out, all while wearing our birthday suits. I was the one that balked, but they managed to drag me along.

Wrapped in blankets, we made our way to the edge of the lake, dropped our coverings (not me, I held mine above my head), and ran into water so cold it burned. We must have looked like a quartet of Pillsbury Doughboys waddling along in the moonlight.

On the way back to the cabin, one of us (though I won’t say who!!) tripped over her blankie and landed on all fours in the sand. It was a “moon to moon” experience, if ya know what I mean!!

The most frightening truth: We weren’t kids. One of my friends was a grandma at the time, and the rest of us had grown, or nearly grown, children. Woo Hoo!

Never under-estimate the power of a good dare.

Hey Jessi?!  I’ll spot you about 20-25 years.  When you’re a grandmother, meet me at the beach house, and you’d better have a firm grip on your blankie!  Alana, you’re my new role model.  That’s what girlfriends are for.  So for all of you who shared wild tales from your youth, maybe you should reconnect with your inner wild woman. 

Again, thanks for your stories.  You did indeed entertain me!

Winners, don’t get in a hurry for your prizes.  The rest of this week is hectic for me, so realistically, I’m shooting for Monday at the earliest to get your packages in the mail.

I’ll do a post with photos of the prize packages too.  In the meantime, my thanks to Amanda, Anita, Mary, Michelle and Nichole for their donations.  I’ve also kicked in a few things too, and I’ll explain everything’s connection to me when I post the prizes.  (All links are to their Etsy stores.)

Thanks again gals for your friendship and your awesome prizes!

Catching Up

I don’t even know where to start.  How about with the contests?

Anne’s having a contest, so pop in and say I sent you.   Also, because I’m so chatty, my contest is HERE and both end on April 1st.  I’m really enjoying reading your “entries” and I’m having fun gathering prizes.  My friends are generous AND creative, so you’re going to love the prizes!

Next, today’s a little milestone.  Sissy’s five months old today.  This is from Friday afternoon, while she and Mugsy played in our front dirt.  (Hardly a yard, is it?)  Her adult teeth are coming in all at once, so it’s no wonder she’s chewing on everything and is simply inconsolable at times.  She’s been with us since December 14th, and we can’t imagine life without her.

Friday night (seems like a lifetime ago!), I ditched my scrappin’ group to play with my new sock software.  It’s great!  There are similar, free versions online, but with this one, you can also plug in the actual pattern too, so that will be nice.  Of course, I had to get some yarn too, and I loved the Felici in MJ’s Jays, so Coney Island (left) and Martinique (right) had to make the trip with the CD.

The Martinique looked oddly familiar.  I pulled out the Hummingbird remnants (right), and gee…   Pretty darned close, no?  I wonder why Knitpicks didn’t just keep Hummingbird?

We went to the farm for an Easter dinner yesterday, and I took my camera, but I was too busy cranking away on Clappy to snap any photos.  I’m into the decreases now, and should have an FO to report tonight or tomorrow, I think. 

I hope you had a great weekend too! 

I Wish I May, I Wish… MMMMMalabrigo…

(Wish it could be bigger, but look at the March 21 photo on the link…)

I check out Fred Basset almost every day.  It’s a habit I got into when we had our own Fred, and the similarities between the two were obvious.  However, I think most hound aficionados can relate…  I do have these rather lofty notions that Sissy the high jumper/climber/sprinter would enjoy agility, so I’ll be signing her up for a basic obedience class very soon to get the ball rolling.  (Y’all remind me of this innocent moment of speculation when she eats part of the course and/or looks over one shoulder with that dismissive hound “see ya!” and jogs to Dadaw - the Knight - in mid-event for a hug.)

In the meantime, there are other contests to enter!   Both offer Malabrigo as prizes, so head on over and mention I sent you.

This one  is for some great, grape Malabrigo.   Welcome Spring, and all those flowers!  I’m supposed to mention one of my favorite flowers, and with Easter around the corner, I’d have to say I have lilies on the brain.  Just watch their pollen; it’ll stain!  I learned from my florist uncle to pull the stamen from each bloom as soon as it begins to open to save those table cloths and more. 

Another one  is offering up some vermilion Malabrigo.  Bonus entries for those of you in the Ravelry March thingamadoo KAL.  (I’m good with names.  SNOL!) 

PO Friday

No FOs here…  In this case, PO means Post Office, not p’offed, although I had my moments last night.  More on that later though, because I want to share another happy delivery with you.

Don’t mind the shadows.  Sissy was being needy, so it wasn’t about a good photo; it was about *A* photo and getting Sissy to got potty.  While Fred wouldn’t go if someone was watching, Sissy all but expects company in EVERYTHING she does. 

But back to the gifts.  Dear Gaylen offered me some Maizy she wasn’t enjoying, and I was looking forward to that, because the colors are perfect for adapted Pedicure Socks for MJ.  The colorway is called antique.  Ha!  Can’t wait to tell MJ that…  (Come on, Knitpicks.  Get the Sock Wizard to me today!)  Should I call them pedicorns or pedimaizes??  At any rate, I surely was pleasantly surprised when I found an Addi #0, 40″ cable enclosed!  Thanks Gaylen!!  I can’t wait to cast on.

Don’t forget my contest.  Today’s also Monica’s birthday, so stop in and see those cute baby photos!

I finally signed up, so tomorrow, Rosanne and I will be taking our first of two spinning classes.   I know a lot of you have opinions otherwise, but I maintain that I’m not interested in becoming a spinner, but merely want to learn more about fibers.

Have a great weekend, and Happy Easter to those who celebrate it in some fashion or another.

More Crow?

(Photo stolen from Yarn Market, but downloaded on my server) 

I may have to belly up for more crow.  (Let’s see if Stacey’s  REALLY on hiatus.  The ”sounds” of me reach for Noro with my Magic Loop should catch her attention!)  Yarn Market  is tempting me…  It’s called Taiyo, and it’s Silk Garden’s summer “face”.  A bit pricey, at $17.85 for 220 yards, but with wool, silk, cotton and nylon in there with that self-striping goodness, I might have to try just one skein.  Has anyone seen it in person?  While yesterday was heavy on multi-tasking and errands, a little knitting happened.  Anita  and I both have projects we need a little nudge to finish.  So, we’re having a race.  She who finishes first - Anita, her wrap, me, Clappy - wins sock yarn.  I need to get it in gear, because somehow, I totally missed that the KAL  has a deadline of March 31st! 

I’ll be announcing my Bloggiversary tomorrow, a day early, because y’all know I’m not about to usurp Dogs on Thursday.   I don’t have a post for DoT yet, but Sissy’s full of herself this week, so I’m sure something will inspire me.  Of course, there will be a contest.  I have a few special prizes in mind, but need to check with my potential “sources” first.  (Gee, maybe I should wrap this post up and do just that, huh?!) 

On that note, I’m off to secure goodies for y’all to win.

Omega’s Omega

Natalie had a fun, sweet contest about how you met your beloved.  I won a prize, and look at that!  Who doesn’t love Kisses and cotton?  I’m hoping that one of the pregnant women I know will have a girl, because that ball has already told me it longs to be a burp cloth.  The dogs and I didn’t even have to share Valentines, which is cool, because I won’t share the chocolate or the yarn, so this way, I was able to hold up the appropriate card and read it to them.  Sissy thought perhaps I’d let her eat *HER* card, but um, no.  Thanks so very much, Gnat!!!  (And if you’re not listening to her podcasts, you should be.)

(Don’t look at the mess behind the wrap.)  I tried an alternate route home from the chiropractor’s this evening, and I got here just in time for a natural light photo.    I should have probably stuck with the medium, but when you’re between sizes, it’s a tough call.  I do like that it runs further down my arms in overall length, so all in all, I’m pleased.  The Omega is an FO. 

Details:

Yarn:  Two hanks of Ellen Cooper’s Texas Big Horn in “kilm”, and one of Nantucket, which is the same color in the boucle.   My first mohair experience, and while it was a mohair, wool, silk blend (not necessarily in that order), I loved it, minus the boucle part, but I’ve whined enough about that and I thank you for your shared opinions!

Pattern:  Omega Wrap  Loved it.  Mindless knitting at its best.  I see she has some other cute patterns, and I’m interested. 

Needles:  Knitpick Harmonys, #10.5 for the body, with a switch to #8s as directed in the pattern.  I didn’t have any trouble with the colorful needles and the colorful yarn.

Now, if it will just get cold enough so I can wear it!

Next on the needles is Bigfoot.  I’ve already cast on for a wee newborn hat in the Oh My! left over from the blankie, to make the Knight shut up.  I should finish that tonight, unless I can’t stand it and Bigfoot jumps on the needles too!