Hanging tough....

Traveling is fun, but also quite exhausting. We have almost all our visits under our belt and we are having some much deserved down time. My brother has a wood burning stove in his house and likes to keep the house temperature around 80, which was making it a tad difficult for me to breathe.

Anyway, my mom treated me to a 90 minute massage which was pure heaven. My shoulder felt brand spanking new and it was wonderful. I haven't been knitting as much as I had hoped. I figure it might be rude to just pull it out while visiting with my family and friends.

The kids have been glued to the iPads like crack addicts and I am sure that they will all have withdrawl symptoms once we get home and the regular routine kicks back in.

I am off to put my child to bed and to hopefully knit a round or two before I go off to bed. My hubby did tell me that I looked really HOT last night with the Vaseline and nose strip on my nose and a tissue stuffed up the dripping nostril. I had to remind him, in sickness and in health....

We have one more visit tomorrow and then we are airport bound.....we will ring in the New Year at home!

Happy Knitting!

Sick as a dog.....

It hit like a slap in the face. A cold, a miserable cold. People can see me coming with the red nose. I ran into CVS and bought a whole bunch of stuff, still feel like crap. Kyle even took me to a yarn store and I came out empty handed. Kyle did not even know that was possible!

That's how miserable I feel.....early to bed....sniff, sniff, sniff.....

We've arrived safe, but tired....

Greetings from Massachusetts!

Bryce woke up at 4:00am complaining that his ear hurt and fortunately, I had Tylenol to give him and so far so good.

The flight was a bit bumpy. Flying time was 45 minutes...I love it!

Did I mention that my girlfriend Angie gave me the Aran Knitting book by Alice Starmore...I love all the sweaters, but the directions give me the sweats. :)

I must go and visit and be somewhat social.

I am getting my New Year's knitting to do list ready.

Happy knitting!

Vacation.....

Greetings from some hotel near the airport. Since we have a 7:45am flight, we thought it easier to be 5 minutes away than have to get up at 4:00am to get here. I am not quite convinced that this was the easier way to go, but whatever.

I did get in some quality time at the Outlets.....so, yes, it was worth it. It was worth not cooking in my kitchen...frankly, I was getting tired of always cooking.

We are headed to Massachusetts to see the parental units and siblings and their kids....Christmas continues despite me wanting it to be over already! This is a really quick trip and our time is all spoken for. I am managing to get in a massage on Friday morning with our regular massage therapist....I am looking forward to this the most I think.

This is not a vacation. This is an obligation and it is exhausting, especially when your child isn't feeling well. I won't go in to more details because I will just get pissed off.

My mom is surprising Bryce by meeting us at the airport when we depart on Saturday evening and she will join us for a week in Maryland. That will be lovely. I made Kyle take Fresca to the kennel because I get way to emotional about leaving her. I think it had the same effect on him because he mentioned getting her on Saturday night, no matter what time we get home. Yep, broke his heart....okay, just thinking about it made me cry....sniff, sniff.....

The boys are both sound asleep and snoring and I don't have any light to knit by....wrong on too many levels, so here I sit typing away.

Kyle packed the camera before I could upload some pictures. So, no pictures until we return.

Sweet dreams and happy knitting!

Merry Christmas.....

I hope you all have had a wonderful day. The spirit of Christmas is very much alive and well here in my home. Last night, Bryce had binoculars and was trying to spot Santa from the sunroom while we tracked him via NORAD. It is wonderful to see Christmas through their eyes again, because sometimes we get lost in all the "other" stuff.

Bryce got a bit too excited and had a hard time falling asleep, which prevented Santa's elves from getting the job done. I feel asleep in Bryce's bed way before him only to have him wake me up to see if I was sleeping. It was a good 1:30am before everything was done and we could sleep, only to be awoken at 6:30am by a very excited boy. I asked Kyle, did we ever actually sleep? He looked as bad as me. I couldn't get coffee into myself fast enough.

A wonderful day was had by all here. Hubby must have listened very hard this year because it was a very knitty Christmas. Most impressed was I by the beautiful skein of Cashmere and the GC for Signature Needles, the yarn swift and winder, and the storage unit for some of my yarn. Very impressed indeed. I think the Signature App on the iPad helped a lot, along with the whining from me.....LOL!

More tomorrow....fallin asleep......

Is it Christmas yet....??

The gift shawl was a really big hit!! I think I was so excited, the kind of excited that kids feel on Christmas morning. So excited that I forgot the camera in the car. I'll make sure I get an action shot. She looked so beautiful in it...brought me such joy to give it to her.

My day started with a rare treat, I had a manicure, a once a year treat. Then I spent a lovely afternoon at the shop enjoying the company of my friends, making a really quick, impressive and totally impulsive gift for my mom and enjoying some fabulous food. Until my phone rang and my son was on the other end..."when are you coming home so we can decorate the cookies"?...and home I went and decorating was done and now we are all relaxing and I could really go to bed but I just remembered that I haven't wrapped one darn gift. So you know what I will be doing as soon as they head upstairs. Start wrapping like a woman possessed. First I need to remember where I have hidden everything  :-p  I am sadly serious.

I am working tomorrow at the shop from 10-1 and then maybe a quick trip to the grocery store for a few things. I think I should make a list so I don't forget anything.

The friend who was gifted with the shawl invited me and my family to her house for Christmas dinner. I was so touched as was my husband. Having no immediate family in the area always makes our holidays a little different and a bit lonely. So this is a very special invite for us and we are so looking forward spending the holiday with such special people.

Ok, I have to get cracking....!!

So worth it....

Today was a day spent with sugar, butter and flour and yarn and these are just some of my favorite things! Today did not go as planned due to various degrees of distractions. First there is the sick child and then there are the cookies that had to be baked and the special knitting project that HAD TO BE DONE AND BLOCKED TONIGHT!

I was panicked, panicking and practically sweating while finishing. I was successful. However, I do not recommend deadline knitting, it is terribly stressful and then it is no longer fun, especially when you start swearing at it and calling it bad names and basically start praying that during the night the knitting fairy will come and finish it for you....this did not happen.

But now, as I look at it on the blocking board, it was so worth it. It is beautiful in its' simplicity and the recipient is going to love it. I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

I thought a picture of it would be lovely, but that would mean that I have to climb on a stool to get a good shot of it and I am so tired, that the risk of me falling was too great. I think a picture of my dear friend wearing it would be more appropriate and more beautiful.

So, I have my sugar cookies done, snickerdoodles done, biscottti for tomorrow done and not a gift wrapped....details. The knitted gift was really the priority, now I can breathe again....

Observation....

I worked today at the shop from 10-9, and yes, I am exhausted. But while I was there assisting some gentlemen with their purchases for the knitter in their lives, I noticed a common mood amongst the men, like they were there because it was on their knitters list, but they seemed a little put out by this.

Upon reflection, there were maybe 6 men in today and really only 2 had a sour puss on for a face. My particular favorite for a hubby and his wife. She went merrily about getting some yarn and needles and a little of this and that and she kept directing her husband to the beautiful yarn bowls we have and he sat there and made a very familiar face, a face I see my husband make countless times. Men, this doesn't get any easier for you, she's there, she's picking it out and it's on her list...get your head out of your ass and make the knitter in your life happy. I promise it will not hurt you!! The others I just acknowledged  how sweet it was of them to care about their knitters wish list.

I struggle with the same thing with my husband, which is why I bought a ball winder and swift, brought it home and said, "this is what I really, really want, now go wrap it", and there was still a face....??

Words of wisdom for you non-knitters, it is in your best interest to keep us happy because we have the power to make your life miserable. We don't want to do it, but it may be necessary.

On a different note, the shawl is growing bigger and it must be done and blocked tomorrow. Also, I have a sick cherub and this was the EXACT same time as last year...fun, fun.

Cookies....doughs are made and the cooking making will take place tomorrow. Hope my little guys is up to it.

If I didn't have the sick child I think I might have a cup of coffee and do a knitting marathon...oh well, off to bed I go.

Happy Knitting!

Mmmm...cookie dough!

Sugar cookie dough made and chilling. I love how the flour went "poof" all over me while adding it to the butter and sugar....too many things on my mind. I figure there is really no point in really cleaning the kitchen until ALL the baking is done.

The special shawl that I have been working on is just a mere 7 rows from being done and since I will be at work tomorrow from 10-9, I can get it blocked and ready for gifting on Friday...I am so excited to give it to my friend.

I had a PT sessions this morning and they gave me a little traction and I loved it. I have been pain free all day. They told me you can buy one and use it at home by utilizing a door. Can't you just see me handing from my door, cripes, I get a wicked case of the giggles just thinking about Kyle's face as he happens upon that scene...ROFLMAO....! I might investigate this in the New Year.

I am missing, literally, missing all my needlepoint Christmas ornaments. I know that they are tucked away safe...somewhere....but they need to be found ASAP or I am going to have a full blown meltdown. I found the safe place and here are a small sample of my treasures...

A small tribute to my favorite adult beverage! Actually, I could use one of these soon!

Happy Knitting!!

Late start.....

Yikes, I slept until 10:30 am this morning and frankly, I felt like I could have slept all day. Burning the candle at both ends is catching up to me. Christmas duties are not helping. Being Santa's helper is exhausting.

This is one of my holiday needlepoint decorations I have made. I love snowmen, they can be out all winter.

My holiday knitting has turned into knitting for the New Year. Other than the shawlette that I am really trying to finish, there isn't an immediate rush for anything to be finished.

Now comes my favorite part of Christmas, the baking! I have my cook books out and I am looking to add to my repertoire. I always do the traditional sugar cookie cutouts and I have a beautiful collection of cookie cutters. The decorating is so much fun and now that Bryce helps, the memories are even better. My cookie decorating supplies are crazy and fabulous and I love all my stuff. Sanding sugars, gel colors to color the royal icing, powdered colors to color the sanding sugar....let's just say it's involved and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So random, it's ridiculous....

Happy Monday!
 I have several things to mention, so here goes.

1.  Christmas is coming, despite my protest.

2.  Most holiday songs sung proclaiming It's the Most Wonderful Season of All, are sung by men who don't have to do all the thinking, all the shopping, all the baking, all the wrapping..get the picture!

3.  My husband cleaned the garage. You could eat off the floor, guess he didn't look at the house that we actually LIVE in....UGH!

4.  My son keeps asking me questions, I answer and then he ask, "what does that mean"...seriously??

5.  Hubby ask me what's on my wish list, I tell him, he makes a face and here come some sucky gifts.

6.  I haven't stepped one little foot in any retail establishment...YEAH...I love the Internet.

7.  I left the house this morning with my turtleneck on backwards and didn't even care.

8.  This cold is bumming me out. Can't smell or taste anything. Worst time of the year for that to happen.

9.  Holiday knitting....not so sure it is going to happen.

10. Angie's shawlette is coming out really cute. Might need to make myself one.

11. Have to pull myself together for a meeting at school.

12. I have forwarded the Yarn Harlot's Blog to my stupid husband. Maybe her blog will help him with his understand his knitting wife.

13. Signature Needles are so beyond fabulous especially when they have your name engraved on them.

14. Fresca is using the Christmas tree to scratch her back.

Well, I am off to clean myself up, straighten out my clothes and put away all the groceries that I just left on the counter.

Hopefully, I can knit or sew for a bit today, it's really not looking promising at the moment.

Happy Knitting

Charts.....

I really need to learn to read charts for lace.

I am completely ticked off at myself at the moment.

I tried to substitute a different pattern and I am not happy.

I need one of those nifty chart holders.

I NEED TO LEARN TO READ CHARTS......HELP!

ID10t Error....

OMG...I have lost my ability to count. For those of you who do not understand the title of this post, it is a slang word used where the error is at the end user and basically it spells IDIOT...but if you were speaking with a customer you would call it the above...it sounds better than calling yourself an idiot.

I guess this is what I get for trying to knit a gift under too much stress. I am totally ticked off about the whole thing. I will mull this over while at stitch group tonight.

More later....

A Wee Knit....

I spent the day with my boys doing family things. A little shopping and a lot of decorating. The boys were very busy getting the outside of the house all twinkly and bright. I was inside making room for the tree. I always forget about the minor disruption this causes.
Bryce went to town decorating the tree and I took some time to adore some of my ornaments. All have been homemade, including my needlepoint ornaments. Among the beauty, I discovered a wee knit ornament which I didn't remember I had. I love how the ornaments bring back some great memories of Christmases past.

A wee knit in our tree. Bryce was very interested in this and thought it was really funny. There really is nothing like Christmas through a childs' eyes.

Speaking of wee, I have been doing a wee bit of knitting and I feel a wee bit better. I know I shouldn't push it, but there are gifts that need to be knit and the clock is ticking.

I did get a beautiful something in the mail and my name was on it!! Yes, a beautiful circular needle with my name on it, how cool is that. Just go to http://www.signatureneedlearts.com/ and you can have some too!

I am off to do a wee bit of knitting in the spirit of the season.

Happy Knitting!

Epiphany .....

I am still sidelined, so I have time on my hands, no pun intended, to reflect on a shawl that went all wonky on me. It appears to be an "end user" error. My friend Karen uses this term and it really does fit when I tell you what I did.

Everything was going fine until the "pain medication" knitting took place. That is where the K2's apparently became K2tog.... Oooops. No wonder things were off, to say the least.

For some reason, if I am sick or have an injury and have to take some sort of medicine, I apparently think that I am some sort of super woman and I can knit...... Not so much! Sadly, this has been proven several times over. :-(

I was hoping that my new knitting needles would be in my mailbox today, no such luck. As soon as they arrive, I will get a picture. A picture you ask, of needles, trust me, these are special needles.

I guess since my hands are free, laundry should get done.

Happy Knitting!

Still sidelined....

Bryce greeted me this morning with a jolly Merry Christmas...it's going to be a long month.

I am freaking out about my knitted gifts. Nothing is feeling better yet.

My small shawls group is wonderful. We are working on Ishbel, a lovely shawlette. I really love this group. It's always a wonderful evening.

I have been running around all week with one thing or another and I have dedicated tomorrow as pajama day. I can keep myself busy organizing and cleaning and quite possibly, a nap.

I figured out what I was doing wrong on the birthday shawl and it was an end user error....that means ME. Instead of a K2, I inadvertently was doing a K2tog....
Honestly, I just wanted to drive the needles through my brain I felt like such a idiot. Lesson learned.

Speaking of needles, Signature Needles now offers engraving on your needles. I have a pair coming with my name on them. I will take a picture as soon as my package arrives.

FYI....24 days till Christmas! ;-)

Sidelined......

On the advice of my Physical Therapist, I was advised to stop knitting for a bit so my shoulder could respond to the therapy. I have complied due to the level of pain I am in, but man, it's hard.

I have a project right here beside me, lace actually, that I have flubbed up so badly, ripping the whole thing out is my only option. I had to inform the recipient that something was coming, but would be late due to a medical issue.

No needles in the hands means that I can cruise the kitchen, which is quite frankly, not good.

I am totally bummed out!!!!!!

Photo shoot.....

It was a beautiful day here in Maryland, with the temperatures reaching 72 degrees and Big Blue was begging for a photo shoot. My dear friend Lynne took these wonderful pictures. Enjoy...

Do you see the magic of the short rows. I love this sweater so much that I will most likely knit another.

This cozy shawl collar doubles as a hood and has styling options.   :-)

Love, love, love.....

The Day After....

I really dislike the saying, "Black Friday", it sounds so bleak. I also am annoyed that the retailers have all but blown by Thanksgiving with not so much as a glance. Oh the life of big retail.

I did work today and business was indeed brisk. I definately went home exhausted and unfortunately, in much pain. I did take a 1/2 a pain pill, so you won't get the as big a thrill as last time, haha, but it may be enough to make me comfortable.

Knitting is limbo at the moment....big bummer I tell you. I have gifts that I have to make and I can feel the panic starting.....!

We had Bryce's room painted today and it really looks beautiful. He came home and he was so happy and with the curtains I have ordered, it will really look sharp. If I can't knit, I can redecorate.

I just ordered some Christmas gifts online....I so love shopping online. No crappy people to deal with, no parking hassles and you can do it in your pajamas. You all know I love my pajamas!!!!

Okay, lots less pain. I am sure that cruising Ravelry and all that is not really good for this shoulder/neck/back .... You see that three body parts are now involved.... I think the other two got jealous and decided to mess with me.

I do have some new beauties to share with you, but hubby must have the camera because I can't find it anywhere. We can play catch up on Monday.

Happy knitting to those of you who can knit! :-)

Happy Thanksgiving to all...

I started the day off my by rewarding myself for all the cooking ahead, with a Signature Circular Needle with my name engraved on it....can't wait to get them. The engraving is new and frankly, how can you not.

My parents are in New York City enjoying the Macy's Day Parade!! Have a blast Mom and Dad.

The boys are at church. I get a pass because I am cooking. I plan on relaxing once all the cooking is done because I am working tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. I suspect that the yarn shop will not be anything like the mall.

I wish you all a wonderful day filled with family, new memories and delicious food.

Dear Clothing Designers and Department Store Buyers.....

What the hell!!! Yes, you heard me. I am a person, who lived for fashion, and I mean the CLASSIC kind. Beautifully cut blazers, fantastic pants, beautiful sweaters, I had it all and I wore it all. I was always shopping and there was always something to lust after. Now, I just feel sick whenever I have to go to the Mall....a damn shame I tell you.

Now, it is a complete and utter chore to hit the clothing stores where I have a very difficult time hiding my disgust at the fall of classic fashion. In all honesty, I would rather continue to wear my "older classics", than buy anything that is currently out there today.

Also, dear clothing designers, I know that your models are all 13 years old and the size of a nat, but we women, here in the real world, have curves!!! Yep, curves...you heard it here first. We have breast and hips and bottoms and I would prefer that the waist on my pants actually land somewhere near there, not 4 feet beneath!!!

I found myself talking to myself in the dressing room about the crappy clothes and inflated prices and lack of classic clothing.

Also, Dear Clothes Buyers, not all Petites want to wear Alfred Dunner!! How about getting some Ralph Lauren, Jones New York, Michael Kors...all have beautiful petite lines, it just totally gets my ass out that there isn't ONE thing in your departments that I would even consider buying....NOTHING!! I always leave empty handed and totally pissed off. Talbots, even you have broken my heart! Always the classic were you, until you went down the wrong road and tried to do "trendy"......a big FAIL!!! I even wrote you and told you I was boycotting you until you until we resolved our differences. I haven't been able to buy your pants for many years....Waist, Waist, Waist....that is where we want our pant to be!!!

So until you get your act together, I remain on my boycott of all crappy clothing! Besides, when I see your sweaters, I can make it better!!!

Sorry folks, I just had to get that out. As you can see, that was festering for quite awhile.

Knitting news......

Don't knit two different shawls at the same time, mass confusion may take place. I now have two problems on my hands!  :-P

Tink, Tink. Tink....

I was working on my friends birthday gift last night and I thought all was going well until I came to a spot and there was that familiar nagging feeling, "this isn't right", which of course, I ignored. Yep, one lone stitch remained....checked my knitting, all seemed right with the world, but I tinked back to the beginning of the row and it came out OK after that, the next row, again, one odd stitch, now I am annoyed, but I keep going and nope, something is wrong. Did I forget to mention that I was knitting LACE and you just can't mess it up or it looks like crap.

Hubby was sitting with me on the couch and he heard my rather loud SIGH and asked what was wrong. I proceeded to tell him and then he got that glazed look that told me he didn't really need all the information I was giving him. So, I put down and walked away for a bit. Gave us a little break from each other.

After a snack and some thought, I carefully tinked back 3 rows until I got the my stitch count back to where it needed to be. I guess knitting lace while watching a movie with Bryce and getting up every 5 minutes to do something really don't mix. I will keep that knitting for when nobody is home.

I have to get ready for work!

Have a great day and happy knitting!

Smitten with Shawls....

Ravelry is just so darn addicting!! I spend more time on the internet surfing for fabulous patterns, than I do knitting. That is not good. I may have to have hubby take the "hot spot" to work with him, if I can't get this under control.

Last night was Small Shawls group where I work and boy did we have a good time!! There was wine and lots of laughter and I didn't knit a darn stitch. Sometimes we just need the company of woman folk. I am pretty sure the wine helped, as things were getting pretty silly there at one point.

Neck and shoulder are not so hot today, little stiff and cranky, which makes me cranky. I will have to say that the PT guy was awesome and I will be seeing him twice a week. Icy Hot and I have parted ways and I have a new friend, BioFreeze, he works wonders on all things achy.

I just finished reorganizing all my patterns and I must say that the shawls out number all of my other loves such as socks, scarfs and sweaters. So many things to knit, so little time.

Sorry, no pictures today. I haven't found a really great picture of me and Big Blue yet either. I did however debut it last night and everyone loved it. It was warm and cozy and light and just perfect!

Needles in hand.....

Nothing like a trip into the physical therapists office to have everything feeling so much better. I am so thankful that they could get me in so quickly.

I am working gingerly on a shawl for my best friend. I was a bit apprehensive about trying a new pattern, but this is proving to be an easy knit with fantastic directions.

The pattern is called Violets are Blue and the designer is Rose Beck. I actually bought an Ebook of her patterns and I just love them. I am knitting this is The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga, the colorway is Chickweed Geometer Butterfly, a pretty golden peachy color. The shoulder issue had this sidelined for a day, but I am back to knitting it. I have a deadline....and it's fast approaching.

I have heard some great things about a yarn called KPPPM and I decided that I needed to have some. The colors are heavenly. I see another fantastic shawl with this.

It's called Dried Flowers, isn't it pretty.

I have my small shawls group tonight and about a million things to do before Bryce gets home.

Happy Knitting1

My poor arm....

I knew I was heading in a bad direction with my shoulder when the pain started to wake me up during the night and I must have hit a peak today because I could barely move my neck....so not good when driving. Add to that, a trip to eye doctor where they dialate my eyes and I have to somehow get home. I thank the heavens it was an extremely overcast day, otherwise, this would have been a really bad thing.

Basically, I get home and rest for about 1 hour before I meet the bus and take Bryce to karate. It is now 8:30 pm and we are still doing homework and I gave in and actually took an actual pain pill. Should it kick in while doing this post, things might get really wild or I nod off, I'll keep you posted.

Knitting is on hold until I can raise my arm without swearing or crying! This is what happens when you ignore something long enough.....long pause.......meds are kicking in.......aaaaahhhhhh!

The girls will take pictures of me in Big Blue tomorrow. My picture looks crappy! The sweater is so wonderful that you just want to wrap yourself up in it. Did I mention that you can wear it several ways and that all that short row knitting creates ASS MAGIC, I might have to brand that!!

While on medical leave from knitting, I helped my friend Angie score 2 beautiful skeins of Wollmeise and I got one too. It's great when you start yarn shopping for your friends!!

In short, look for more professional photo's on Thursday.

Happy Knitting!!!

Can I get an AMEN ??

Done, done, done and done!! Finished, complete, all done!! What you ask is done, BIG BLUE is DONE!!! It has been blocked and all the ends have been woven in and it is ready to wear. Yes, there are pictures, it's just not on me and I was too tired after an extremely busy day at the shop to get pictures of me in it, but I put it on the chair and here it is. When I wear it to the shop on Wednesday, I will get some really good pictures of me wearing it. This picture really does not do it any justice, but I can't wait for you to see it!

What is next you ask???? Well, I am working on Ishbel, a shawlette for the shop in Madeline Tosh Pashmina (super yummy), and I have started a shawlette for a friends birthday. I have a double moss cardigan floating around in my mind...a possible New Year's project.

Blg Blue progress.....

I have been working on Big Blue and I am about 2 inches from a finished sleeve....one more to go. I would have been done sooner, but my shoulder is giving me fits, so there are lots of breaks in the knitting process. I smell like Icy Hot, looking for anything to help relieve the pain and keep me knitting. I suspect a little PT is again in my future! The sweater looks beautiful and I can't wait to wear it.

I am working tomorrow and Sunday, and really hope to block this sweater by Wednesday, the latest. I was going to take a picture of it, but it looks freakish with just one sleeve.

Finally, tomorrow, getting a much needed haircut and what not.....what not is code for color. I always feel so much better after a good cut and color.

The sweater is yelling, knit me...so I will for about another hour.

Happy Knitting Everyone.

Shopping, Soup and some knitting!

Today was a busy domestic day. These are necessary at least once a week. It involved the usual suspects, the grocery store and the stove. I had roasted a chicken on Sunday and chicken soup was on the dinner menu this week as was a banana bread and a meatloaf, our dinner tonight. By the time the groceries were bought and put away, it was time for lunch and then time to get cooking, literally.

I promised myself I would get knitting by 2:00 and I was right on target. Well, on target to sit and watch TV apparently and once I relaxed, I knit for about 1 hour.

 Big Blue is looking awesome!! Sleeves make a BIG difference  :-P...

I swung by the shop on the way to Karate and purchased one of the two sweater quantity of yarns I have been hoarding for a couple of months...more yarn!! I keep promising myself no more big project...I am a BIG LIAR!!! And I have knitting friends we are fantastic enablers!! They call me from work and tell me to look at this and look at that, they are giving me yarn lust.

Here's a little something to tide you over until I have some great pictures for you....yes, it's yarn!

A little Bugga never hurt anybody!

Happy Halloween.....

In the spirit of the day, I give you my little monster...LOL!

We are not sure what he is, but it's definitely not Pooh!

On a knitting note, I am knitting on the sleeves to Big Blue and my goal is to be done by this weekend!

I am off to the Halloween Parade at Bryce's school!

In the evelenth hour.....

Talk about cutting it close....! I finished Kyle's hat on our anniversary at 11:48 pm. He absolutely loves it.

I've caught him wearing it in the house, so I guess it's a hit. He's already asked for another and Bryce is asking for one too! I see the World War II Watch Cap in their future, such a classic pattern.

On a totally random note, I need a cut and color so badly that I can forgo a Halloween costume this year.

I could really use a housekeeper and for someone to organize my life.

My fingers are really hurting from all the pricks I have to do.

Christmas is less than 60 days away.

My mother LOVED her Multnomah!

Ishbel is still going...

Big Blue is starting to go on car rides in the the project bag.

I am off to work...



A hat......

As you know, I started another shawl, but I really needed a wee break from the charts, so Kyle's hat has made me very happy. I kind of forgot how nice it is to have a rather mindless project. It doesn't get any more mindless than knitting in the round. In fact, it is going rather quickly, this hat, see....

As you can see, there is a gauge guide right there next to me and I was spot on! This picture really doesn't do it justice. It's way cuter in person!!

I am off to work shortly. I am going to dig Big Blue out tonight and start fixing the sleeves. If hubby keeps seeing the finished projects then he won't complain about the 2 bags of sweater quantity yarn I have on hold at the shop.  :-)

Happy Knitting!

In the mail....what's next??

I was at the Post Office bright and early sending my mother's birthday gift out. I was a good girl and didn't even try it on...for fear that I would love it on me and want to keep it. It went from being blocked to being shipped. If you are gifting any knitting this holiday season, I feel that this is the best approach to letting it go...  :-p

My next project is a shawl that I have been lusting over for about a year. I even have the EXACT yarn it was knitted and photographed in, see....

This is Ishbel by Ysolda S. Teague and all of her fabulous designs can be found on Ravelry or on her website www.ysolda.com. I think that many of you will enjoy her work. The yarn is Old Maiden Aunt Alpaca/Merino...it's from Scotland and the colorway is called Moody...I just adore it!!!!

I also just cast on a hat for the hubby. Gotta keep him from complaining about the "stash" enhancements that are going on around him. I am doing the Turn a Square pattern by Jared Flood, also a free pattern on Ravelry. I suspect he no longer reads my blog, so I think that I am going to try and get a pair of socks done for him for Christmas....fingers crossed!

Finished before deadline!

My mother's Multnomah is complete and will be blocked tonight and mailed out tomorrow. Here is a sneak peak of the Feather and Fan.

I am just thrilled with it and I hope that she will be as well. This is my third Multnomah shawl and I am ready to move on to another favorite that I have yet to tackle, Ishbel. I totally had to stay monogamous to mom's birthday gift and I did. Some projects did try to lure me away, but I resisted all the chatter.
I am off to cast on Ishbel....

Wollmeise...., Yes Please!

A couple of my friends who knit are now lurking the stashes of fellow Ravelers, searching for the elusive Wollmeise. What is Wollmeise you ask? Well. it is a beyond fantastic German yarn and it is difficult to get. The colorways are just to dye for.... get it....to dye for and the yardage is a generous 512 yards. The possibilities for this yarn are endless. I have 6 skeins and I take them out and love them a little and sometimes they even go on a car ride to the shop, where I always think, today might be the day I wind this....but that has yet to happen. I kinda love it in its hank for...you could actually beat off a mugger with it.

Isn't is beautiful. So, now that my friends are looking to procure some of this fabulous fiber, I would love to add to my stash without my hubby freaking out. Because, you can never have enough Wollmeise!

Mine will be taking a car ride again today and I will again contemplate using it.

Have a wonderful weekend to all!

Observation.....

I am waiting at the doctor's office where they keep you waiting for HOURS....you are at their mercy. Half the time, you give up out of frustration. But not me, not today. I have the iPad and knitting for a week....bring it on, I have all day!

As I sit here, I see their sign that says, "A charge will be made for broken appointments unless 24 hours notice is given". So, their time is more valuable than ours. I think we, the people, should charge when we are inconvenienced. It seems fair to me. Just an observation.

Time for Charts...

The house was quiet, everyone was where they were suppose to be, this is a good time to start the Annis Shawlette that is in chart form. This will be a new knitting skill....YEAH! I had cast on 363 stitches and began the chart. All was going great, I was nearing the end of the 1st row when I have this horrible sinking feeling in my stomach....my cast on stitches don't add up, I don't have enough stitches to finish.....S**T!!!

So, I can do charts, I apparently, however, can't count! !

Back to my deadline project....!

A beautiful bowl....

One of out fellow knitters is also a potter by trade and here is one of her yarn bowls that are exclusive to www.crazyforewe.com, take a look, isn't it beautiful....

It's a Praying Mantis and I adore him.

Still working on my deadline project!  :-)

A decision on a hat....

My poor husband has been NOT so silently asking for a hat and I keep nodding and saying, okay, as he sees me starting another project. Well, I found a great guy pattern today, here is the link http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/turn-a-square , it is a really attractive hat by Jared Flood, called Turn a Square. I picked out a rather more masculine Silk Garden by Noro and a skein of Shepard's Wool and I will start shortly. Gotta keep the hubby happy!

Today I worked in LaPlata and I was so excited by the turn out! Thanks to all of you for a wonderful afternoon.

I am still working on Multnomah III for my mother and I am really trying to stay with this one project because there is an actual deadline....but so many other things are calling to me! I must be strong. So, again, there are no knitting pictures, but I do have a adorable picture of our fur baby Fresca, who enjoyed her time today at Bark in the Park.

She had a wonderful day and is sound asleep next to me as I type this.

To Good Friends.....

I am so blessed to have such good friends!! When we first moved to MD and lived on Andrews, I had high hopes for friends and such....it was a very long, lonely and depressing year. When we decided to build our new home in Southern MD, I was hopeful again and boy was I rewarded big time. Finding my local yarn shop was like finding home. I have made some friendships that will be in my life forever. These are the friends that are there through thick and thin and everything else in between. We look out for each other and it has made me so happy knowing that these women are in my life!!!

There are no pretty pictures today. My needles have been quiet for 2 days due to work and 3rd grade homework. Not so good when you have an actual deadline for a very important gift. I best get cracking!!

FYI...My mother in law will get the shawl for Christmas, as I was able to beg, plead and pay for the same yarn out of some kind souls stash on Ravelry and a few more of my favorites to boot. Needless to say, there will be some Bugga in the air for me this week.

Hubby is asking for a hat, and I best comply before I get a lecture about my Bugga problem!!

Yarn lost, yarn found....

I was running around today like a chicken with her head cut off and I printed off some fantastic shawl patterns that I purchased on Ravelry and then I was headed to gaze at my stash, when I got distracted....yeah, I know, big surprise. My stash searched ended and the making of dinner started.

I picked up Bryce from school and we headed to our appointment and then home. After dinner and homework I headed upstairs for my favorite part of the day, the putting on of the jammies! I went into our bathroom and began to wash my face and there it was....the skein of yarn I must have gotten close enough to, to actually grab and apparently, leave on my vanity! Let me just say in my defense, that I have yarn stashed in various places in this house. There is a 2nd level stash, this takes place in multiple rooms and the 1st floor stash that also takes place in multiple rooms and bags! Plus it is fun kind of rediscovering it all over again.  :-)

My lacey cowl is done. Needs a little steam and a little pinning and it will be ready to wear.

I must also confess, that I wore Multnomah 2 today and I loved it. It's supposed to be a Christmas gift for my mother in law, but I am not sure she is going to get it after all....!

One a funny note, while in my school meeting this morning, I was asked where I was from? I replied, Massachusetts and one lovely lady said it was just like listening to the Kennedy's talk. I thought it was pretty funny.

A hop, skip and a Cowl!

Faithful knitting, yeah, not so much! My sleeve is rather enormous and I have found other QUICK lacy things to do with my time. See......

Doesn't this look heavenly! It is called Fern Lace Cowl and I am doing it in ONE SKEIN of ROWAN LIMA....yep, you heard it here first..one skein. The yarn is 84% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino and 8% Nylon. I am thinking that these would be much appreciated teacher gifts. It is as soft as butter and I can't wait to wear it. It's a bit chilly here.

Froggers remorse.... :-(

One of my first frogged projects was a beautiful scarf called Midwest Moonlight from the Scarf Style book. It was my first attempt at lace and the yarn overs kept messing me up and if I had an extra stitch, well, that is where k2tog would come in handy. After a while, the k2tog's started to look like hell and I put it aside. I never did go back to it and eventually, I rewound the yarn and put it aside for another project, another day. Well, a fellow knitter, who completed this beautiful scarf, wore hers into the shop on Wednesday evening and I thought, damn, that is gorgeous! So, I have been kinda kicking myself about that one, but I have so many projects started that it's kinda giving me a panic attack. Here is where I thought GOALS might be a good idea, so here they are for you all to see.

GOALS

1.  Get Big Blue DONE already!
2.  Get Mom's birthday gift done on time.
3.  Figure out what should be next for Small Shawls Group.
4.  STOP WINDING YARN!!! This encourages cheating!
5.  Finish Cabled Scarf
6.  Stay off Ravelry...don't know if I can!
7.  Finish Kyle's socks

Just writing this down gives me a slight panic attack.

I am off to continue the sleeves of Big Blue, because it is like 50 degrees here today and I should be wearing it damn it!

Friday....!

The weeks are flying by with little knitting progress. It proved to be a very stressful week and knitting just wasn't in the scenario.

I have been hunting for the camera all week, still can't find it. Finally called my husband, it is in his truck, I really should have started with him! Tried to print off a bunch of patterns and the printer is only printing some stuff, not all the stuff I need....frustrating!

So, I have no pictures for you and I have no patterns to drool over. Looks like we both are out of luck.

After I post this, I am off to the shop to hang out with my most wonderful friends and enjoy the day.

Big blue is receiving sleeves and the one is looking great...LOL!

I had best get dressed and get a move on.

Rough day....

Frankly, it has been a rough day. How rough, you ask? So rough, that I needed some new Fall Bugga to come my way and so it shall, in approximately, 3 to 5 days! Hope I can hang on that long!

My needles have come to a grinding halt for the moment. I might pick up something tonight, if not, there is always tomorrow.

Over tired and Overwhelmed!

This has been a very busy work week for me and I must admit that I am exhausted. I have begun so many projects in my head that I can barely function. I am but a mere mortal with a family who needs me. Most of my knitting projects are in some form of crisis and I am too tired to care. Went to bed last night feeling like crap and woke up with "my friend". At least that explains my mood and exhaustion.

My goal today is my no means glamorous. I have to go grocery shopping, make a vet appointment for Fresca for some shots, look for some important paperwork that I put somewhere "safe", take a walk and clear my head and then clean out my knitting bags....yes, you ready correctly, bags!! Maybe once everything is neat and tidy, I can then makes sense of my knitting.

I am off to the grocery store....!

Multnomah Again!!!!

Another project completed! This will be a Christmas present for my mother in law.

Big Blue is still a WIP. The sleeve needed to be ripped out because it was too tight.

I am now going to start a special shawl, Holden, for my mother's birthday which is at the end of October and I can say this because she does not read my blog!

Sorry that I haven't blogged in a bit, I have been working alot, and dealing with 3rd grade homework and housework. I promise to be better!

Totally Miscellaneous...

Today was my running around doing errands day that included a trip to the mall to have my glasses tweaked and to look for clothing that is not made for a 20 year old or a person in their 70's...a challenge I dare say. Is wanting pants that actually sit at your natural waist too much to ask for??  Apparently, it is! Clothes shopping is right up there with a root canal minus the Novocaine

Today, the school bus was on time. Since we had the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee drown us quite literally, a bridge that is on the main road we live off of, is no longer there and traffic has been a complete and utter nightmare.

I worked quite a bit last week and I love it! I am working all day tomorrow and Thursday evening and Sunday. Great hours for a mom with a child in school. Getting the child to do his homework is dreadful. I can only pray it gets easier.

I really love TV! I am so looking forward to the new season of Mike & Molly, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy, Law and Order: SVU, Criminal Minds to name just a few. I am not a fan of all the ridiculous so called reality shows.

Okay, well, that's all I have tonight. Maybe I will have an exciting day in the shop tomorrow!

True Blue....

I am trying to stay faithful to Big Blue and get the sleeves done. It is not as exciting as my new love, lace, but I am really going to love the sleeves when they are done and the sweater is just heavenly. I can't wait to wear it.

It's very hard to stay faithful to ONE project.

Big Blue...

As promised, here is the updated picture of Big Blue, still a work in progress!

Those holes are the arm holes. So you basically put this on and flip the fabric and it makes a soft collar. Now mind you, once the sleeves are on, this will be blocked withing an inch of it's life!

So, I knit the circumference and then I joined to the rectangle piece and now I have picked up stitches and am using the magic loop to knit the sleeves.

I want to add that it was 48 degrees this morning and that was the incentive I needed to get the sleeves done. This is the perfect sweater for everyday. I love it!!



Shawl Knit Along....

Here ye, here ye, starting tomorrow evening, I will be hosting a Multnomah shawl knit along at www.crazyforewe.com in LaPlata. Multnomah is a fantastic petite shawlette that flatters the neckline without all the fabric of a scarf or large shawl and it's less expensive than jewelery and it is a FREE pattern on Ravelry! I am on my second one and I just love it. I have decided to give it to my mother in law for Christmas because these are really her colors and because she is difficult to buy for. Now I know that she will not tell me she loves it, I am prepared for that, however, she will tell everybody that I made it and she will be as proud as a peacock and the world will be a happy place!

I am slowly knitting the sleeves to BIG BLUE! Sleeves kinda suck and they are not giving me joy. I have to remember that after glow feeling and just keep knitting.

Our Wednesday night group is so fantastic. We learned yesterday that one of our group members lost her husband rather suddenly and my heart goes out to her and her family.

I promise some pictures soon.

My Knitting...

Honestly, I have been busier than a one armed paper hanger!! After glow has kind of worn off...big bummer, but I am knitting my second Multnomah, successfully I might add and working on BIG BLUE!

Big Blue is awesome and such a fantastic surprise. You know that feeling when you start a BIG project and that fear creeps in, it won't fit, I know it won't fit and then you try it on and guess what, it fits and you get so excited that you forget you have to learn another skill....picking up stitches and knitting the ARMS! Yep, kinda forgot about them....although, this sweater would look just as fabulous as a vest. This pattern also contains the magic of short row construction which creates...."ass magic"....yes, you read correctly, ass magic. It is better than any of those Miracle garments you find in the lingerie department and it's cozy and machine washable. It is amazing and I am totally proud of it. When the house calms down, we are in the midst of 3rd grade home work and hysterics, I will upload a picture of Big Blue.

Note: I am not sure that we all are going to survive 3rd grade!!

Afterglow and an Ark!

Last night was Wednesday and that means knitting group. We has a wonderful gathering and several of us were still basking the the afterglow of our finished projects. Lynne had finished the beautiful Swirl coat, Angie had finished her beautiful sweater, Mary and her Sleepy Kitten shawl...Lynne has named this beautiful shawl and I with my shawlette. Afterglow is a beautiful thing and the most wonderful feeling. I really haven't felt it in a while. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.

I also spent yesterday with Ellen, the shop owner of Crazy for Ewe. We grafted Big Blue together and attached the back and now I am picking up stitches for the sleeves. All new skills and I loved it all and learned alot. Big Blue is a bit magical..and that is a post for another day.

Last nights ride home was of the white knuckle variety. The weather has been absolutely dreadful. As I sit and type this blog post, it has been thundering and lightning since 4:30 pm and it is now almost 10:00 pm. The flooding has been dreadful and school has been cancelled today and already for tomorrow. It took Kyle 4 hours to get to work this morning. Here's to hoping that tomorrow is dry and storm free.

Shazam!

I have overcome my yarn over issues. I now believe in the power of the stitch marker. And a shawl was born...

The pattern is a FREE Ravelry pattern called, MULTNOMAH and it was a great knit. This was my first lace pattern and I must admit that I am quite smitten with lace. I knit this in Dream in Color Starry on a US size 3 circular needle. The yarn and this shop sample can be found at Crazy for Ewe. I am still on that "knitting high" you can only get when you finish a project!

Tomorrow, I hope to graft BIG BLUE  and get him rocking and rolling. It is after all, September and chilly weather is just around the corner.

I'm still smiling.....!

Oh Holy Stitchmarkers......

I am so sorry that I thought of you as "unnecessary" in my project. I am sorry that I thought I didn't need you. I am sorry that I hurt your feelings. I have been humbled by you. Forgive me....

Eighteen....

No, not my age, or the number of years I have been knitting, but the number of stitches in my lace pattern repeat. I felt a bit daft because when I spoke to people about the "situation", that number kept coming up in conversation and I nodded like I knew what they were talking about...you know, bobble head like.

Last night at knitting group, as I ripped out the repeat and a half of my feather and fan, I was told to put stitch markers every eighteen stitches...that number again. I will admit that my mind was saying, I can count, what is the big deal. Well, with all the distractions in my life, I guess counting is an issue. My mind was tired last night and I decided to deal with it today. So, once my son was on the school bus and breakfast was done, I sat right down to knit. I did as I was told, every 18 sts., put a marker. I am proud to report that I have successfully completed 2 Feather and Fan repeats and it looks wonderful.

I also apparently under estimated the power of stitch markers. My bad!

I will not be defeated!!!

Those are some brave words I tell you. When in reality, you feel like you are on a emotional knitting rollacoaster. One repeat and all is well, and the next couple of rows you become an emotional basket case because of a designer error. I would be happier if I has messed things up, but the designer....UGH! I just looked at it and I just am not in the mood to rip it out at the moment. I, quite frankly, am extremely upset, and maybe it just won't get done today. Read my words, and remind me if you have to...I WILL NOT DO THE HAPPY DANCE UNTIL THE PROJECT IS OFF THE NEEDLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today started at 5:00 am and it is nearing 2:00 and I am wilting. Threw a cup of coffee in me and am awaiting the caffeine hit. I have to make myself presentable for work when all I really want to do is sleep. Just drifted off there for a minute. Think I will try a nap and see if I can feel less like a puddle and more like a person.

Seriously.....

Before my rant, I will let you know that Bryce went to school and loved it..music to a parents ears. Mom and I had a wonderful day exercising some retail therapy. I actuall found a few cute things.

On to my rant. I know that there is a mistake in the shawl and I am getting better at reading my knitting and despite my desperate calls to other experienced knitters, I just knew it was WRONG.

So tonight I got it out and looked at it, yeah, it's just a small section, but it's not right. So I jump on http://www.ravelry.com/ and go to the Multnomah KAL which has tons of info and dag nap it, there is a pattern era and now I am fit to be tied. I have to rip out all 6 rows of the feather and fan and start over. That my friends is a job for tomorrow. I am headed to bed. Everything is better with sleep and coffee.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow...or you might hear the screaming from my house...LOL..not really!

Obsessed.....

With no TV and no school, I had some time on the computer and got some more Bugga. I will have to tell you that I absolutely adore this yarn!! Just one skein and I think you would agree, that it is pure heaven. I am going to give you a linky-dinky-do to this website http://www.sanguinegryphon.com/, they are even having some fantastic specials...I'm just saying. It is without a doubt, my guilty yarn indulgence of choice. There is enough yardage for a pair of socks or a shawlette (I did my Multnomah in it).

I am doing the shop sample of Multnomah in Dream in Color Starry and it is beautiful in this yarn as well.

You can start to see the feather and fan...I am only 2 repeats in, with 8 to go.

I tried to capture the forming details, but I guess I should do more before the design is apparent. Just a little tease of what is to come.

School starts tomorrow and I couldn't be more thrilled. It's mom's last day, so we will have some quality time tomorrow and Kyle is home because he is covered in poison ivy...AGAIN! Some people just never learn. Bunking with mom because I can't bare to sleep with him.

So excited....

We all survived Irene...our satellite dish, not so much. So, with no TV, and everyone in bed, I decided to jump into the Feather and Fan portion of my shawl. I am really not sure why I was totally freaking out about this part, but as I began it, calmly and slowly, all went well, really well in fact. Last night I did the happy dance all by myself and it felt good!!! I have 9 more repeats and I will have a finished project...Oh happy day!

Again, I totally let this get into my head and over thought it, why, I do not know. I think I need to chill out and enjoy the ride a little more.

For all of you wondering about the first day of school, they cancelled for today, (big sad face), but it is on for tomorrow.

I want to get another repeat in before I take a picture.

We made it through....

Wow, what an absolutely crazy weather week here in Maryland. First the earthquake and then the worst hurricane I can remember and I am from New England. No one got much sleep last night thanks to IRENE and her crazy winds and rain. Power has been restored and all is well with our end of the world. With all the weather drama around here, I almost, almost forgot about the most wonderful day of all....

BACK TO SCHOOL DAY IS TOMORROW

I am praying as hard as I can that they have school. Can you see my smile from wherever you are?? Possibly, it's pretty darn big.

I am finally at the feather and fan portion of my shawlette for the shop. This is the quiet portion of the project, and will be started possibly tonight or tomorrow. Pictures to follow.

A wild ride....

It's been an interesting week to say the least and headed our way is hurricane IRENE...category 2...not good. We are prepared, we are after all, New Englanders!! But a serious storm that takes place mostly at night gives me the creeps. Kyle bought a generator, so all is good in that area I suppose. Let's hope that mother nature is gentle, despite what the weather people say.

I had my end of August/summer vacation meltdown in front of my mother...Oh joy!! The storm has cancelled my brothers planned visit and mom is headed home on Wednesday.

We did meet Bryce's new teacher today and we liked her very much. Bottoms up to a great school year. I am praying for school on Monday!!!

Knitting has been on hold due to storm preparations and Kyle's birthday, which was today. I hope to go to the shop tomorrow for a couple of hours before the winds come and blow us all away.

I am also hoping to finish this shawlette by Wednesday...cross your fingers for me!

To all my Maryland and Virginia friends, stay safe.

Shake, rattle and roll....

Yesterday was a beautiful day weather wise. Blue skies, no humidity, and a slight nip in the air, just picture perfect. I was working in Leonardtown and my mom was alone at our home. I had a somewhat busy morning and had finally sat down to have a quick sandwich and then it started...rumbling and shaking and the noise really did sound like a freight train coming through. I watched the shop mirror move completely. When it was over, I, like everyone else, emerged from shops and we all had the same...WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT look on our faces. I must admit, it took quite a while for my internal system to stop shaking. The cellular systems were overloaded and I couldn't call my mother. She was fine, thankfully. She and Fresca headed to the 1/2 bath. She said all our lighting fixtures were swinging away. Scary stuff!!!!

Now, we are bracing for a hurricane. That we can prepare for. My brother and niece are scheduled to fly into BWI on Saturday....I am not so sure that this will happen.

Knitting and enjoying mom's company.

The explaination!!

Busy, busy day! It began at 9:00 am at the hairdresser's for a haircut, then we proceeded onto our dentist appointment, yes we, me and Bryce. In between, I spoke with my doctor's office and my thyroid is indeed, a little screwy and a pill will make me better. I was actually so relieved about this diagnosis because I have been feeling so crappy for a while. Then I took my little man to lunch and then the grocery store and then Rite Aid to pick up the medication. The wave of exhaustion hit somewhere on Route 301, between LaPlata and home. After unloading the car, I passed out on the couch for a nap. I love a nap, but honestly, I haven't been feeling well at all, so I will be happy to pass on this napping thing.

Knitting is going great. I am doing the same shawl for the shop in Dream in Color Starry in this gorgeous green with a hint of sparkle. My yarn over's look awesome. My personal shawl is on the needles and I have kept my life line in UNTIL it is done. Just another WIP!!

Work tomorrow and then friends for dinner. The boys are headed to Bush Gardens for a couple of days, so there will be some "girl time" for mom and me. I really want to hit the movies to see The Help...book was great.

Countdown to school.....6 days!! Parents everywhere are starting to look alive again!!!

A moment with Sandy....

A moment with Sandy was all it took to get me back on track, a big thank you to Sandy. I just put mine back on the needles and have started the one for the shop. Things are looking brighter.

Having mom here has cut down my time on Ravelry...this is a good thing...but I haven't gotten much knitting done...not that it was going so well anyway.

Meg is safe and sound in Quatar. She went with a suitcase of clothes and a suitcase of yarn...LOL! I would have loved to be the security guard who checked her luggage.

The countdown to school is a wonderful distraction.

I am working on Tuesday and Thursday this week. I love work so much.

I have no pictures to thrill you all. I did get some more Bugga in the mail today....happy mail!!!

Distracted and tired....

Mom is here, safe and sound. Bryce and I are enjoying her company. We went school supply shopping today and even that didn't give me much joy.

My shawl, my shawl, my shawl, that I love so dearly and know it will be beautiful when I finish it, it;s just that I am so stuck and completely distracted. I feel like knitting at 11:00 pm and that's really not working out for me. A knitting funk, perhaps. Not good as the newest employee at the LYS...yep, feeling a little bad for myself at the moment. This too shall pass.

Mom is here until the 31st and my brother Matt and his daughter Sarah will be here a week from Saturday, so I really don't see a whole lot of knitting in my immediate future. Oh well, what can you do.

Nana is in town....

Yes, there has been a Nana sighting at BWI...Bryce is outside waiting for her....which mean quiet for me. Crazy busy day and I am dragging. My doctor thinks I might have a thyroid issue...OK, just give me the damn pill to right my world!

The countdown to school has begun...11 days to go.....AMEN!!!

While out and about today, I popped into the shop so Sandy could right my beautiful, yet wrong, wrapped stitch. My hands must have gotten confused and thought I was knitting BIG BLUE. Update on Big Blue...he's resting comfortably in a lovely bag until I learn how to graft live stitches. He will be ready for the Fall.

My friend Meg is leaving today and I shall miss her very much. Thank goodness for email and Skype and things that go bump in the night....I'm just being super silly.

I want a cup of coffee so bad. I am sitting here staring at the coffee maker, willing it to turn itself on and make me a cup of coffee. As usual, nobody and nothing is listening to my needs.

I'd better go make dinner...again!!!

A little cleaning perhaps...

My mom is arriving tomorrow evening and the house has been neglected, to say the least. So today is cleaning day. I love a clean house, not so much a fan of actually doing it!!!

My knitting has pissed me off so badly, that it got thrown across the room and it's in a BIG time out. My new thing is deciding to knit at like 11:00 pm to 1:00 am, not good.

Anyway, here is a little eye candy for you. It is my Wollmeise collection thus far. Enjoy....

Just looking at this picture makes me so very happy!

The yarn gods are not smiling....

I had a wonderful day at work. We were very busy and all the customers were wonderful. I even got to hold an adorable baby. She smelled so good.

My shawl is crawling and the one I am making for a shop sample is NOT going at all. I have never been so frustrated in my life. Yarn overs are no big deal and yet, they are being a huge pain in the butt at the moment. I have put my knitting in a TIME OUT until tomorrow. I still love you, but I don't have to like you right now.

Tomorrow begins Tax Free week here in MD and hubby wants to do some shopping, which works out fine for me because retail therapy fixes just about anything. Bryce has grown a few inches, so new clothes and shoes he will get.

There was Happy Mail...One Skinny Bugga and another Wollmeise....hubby is about to have me committed....LOL!

I am off to bed...sweet dreams!

A busy week....

So busy. Too many late nights. Not enough knitting. Lots of working.....loving it!! Got some happy mail...again the camera is MIA. Got more Bugga and the most beautiful Wollmeise blue...just thinking aboutmakes me drool  it.

The shawlette is progressing nicely.  I am at the feather and fan area, again, and now I need complete silence to continue.

I am working all day tomorrow...YEAH! I really do feel so blessed to work in a place that I love to be. How many jobs have you had where you can sat that?

Topic jump, my mom is coming for a visit on Tuesday and staying until the end of the month. Very excited about that. Nothing like some quality time with mom.

Well, without the camera, I got nothing.

A party for Meg....

What a wonderful evening we had surprising Meg with a going away party. Our Meg is going to Qatar for 6 months, maybe more and we are going to miss her like crazy. Thank goodness for the internet and Skype. She is such a sweetie as is her boyfriend Lee, whom we has the pleasure to meet. It was a fun, LOL, kind of night.

Here is our Meg modeling the Capelet we all want to make out of Rowan Lima. We love you Meg!!

Here is my dear friend Angela. She is in the midst of looking at patterns and having a miserable time doing so.  :-)

My friend Mary making a beautiful shawl. We are a wonderful group of friends and every Wednesday is the day I look forward to the most because of these people!!

Rip..Rip...Rip....

Ugh...just about 4 rows, but ripping nonetheless. I make the situation better by saying, "at least it's not to the beginning"...because that would really suck. I have to wait for the house to be quiet so that I can concentrate.

Tomorrow is Wednesday, my most favorite day of the week! I am working in the morning 10-2 with my sidekick Bryce by my side. God help me.

Topic jump...YouTube is the bomb! Granted you can find some freaky stuff out there, that's not my thing, but you can find everything and anything knitting related. I went to the library to poach some WiFi and went to YouTube to see a particular cast on for a shawl and having a visual is so much better than having someone try to explain it to you.

Anyway, tomorrow might be a happy mail kinda day. Keep you posted.

I did it again!

I just stumbled on some beautiful Wollmeise in Blue Curacao and it is mine! That Destash page is a drug. I should delete it, but like other addictions, I just can't.

Let the countdown begin....

The countdown to school had begun. It has been a very long summer.

I have the big doughnut hole to report with regards to my knitting. I did however acquire some beautiful Bugga from someone destashing on Ravelry. It was too beautiful to pass up and I considered it my consolation for being sick. Did I tell you about the lovely skein from The Three Irish Girls?? Another destash bargain.

If I hadn't messed up my shawl, it would be done by now...I am so bummed.

What would they do?

This is a question I ask myself when my knitting has gone astray. What would they do?? Who are they?? They are my friends, Sandy, Paula and Lynne. Between them there is a HUGE wealth of knitting knowledge and other great stuff too!

So, I am sitting here with the box of Puffs and my shawl and I started the feather and fan portion of the design and something is wrong with a few Yarn Overs and the 5 stitches in between is now 7. I thought I could fix it as I began the next section, but I suspect you shouldn't try to fix anything while taking NyQuil.

I did watch a really funny movie today while lying on the couch. It was The Back Up Plan with Jennifer Lopez and I will have to say, that I totally laughed my ass off. That was kind of the highlight of my day. I hate being sick.

It seems to be movie night for me as well. I am now watching Burlesque...I love Cher!!!

Not quite....

Off to The Mannings, not quite. I got up at 5:30 am and was not in good shape. Seems that Bryce's cold found a new home..in me...compound that with a migraine and nausea...it was just not good. I felt so bad that I had to let my friends down, but there was no way I was going to make it.

They just called to check on me and they are having a blast. Yes, I have a big sad face, but what can you do. I am glad that they are having fun. I did go back to bed and slept until 11:00 am.

Maybe I will knit today.

Off to The Mannings tomorrow....

Two words....Road Trip!! Tomorrow, Angie, Karen and myself will head to East Berlin, PA for a Knit In at The Mannings. It's about a 3 hour trip each way, but when you are with friends, time just flies. I think that it will be a ton of fun meeting a bunch of other knitters! I am bringing my camera, so there will be pictures.

My Multnomah shawl is looking great. I will begin the Feather and Fan section in the car tomorrow and it would be great if I was done by Wednesday. The would make it a 2 week project.

Big blue is waiting to be put together. I'm not sure I want to be doing that at the Mannings. Maybe I will take it just in case. I am really anxious to see it sewn together.

On a different note, I went to Bryce's Horse Camp show and it was wonderful. He loves it and I see more lessons in his future. Maybe he will share my love of cowboy boots.

What a week...

Imagine doing what you love and then getting paid to do it. I am now working in my LYS and loving it!! Today I spent the day tagging all the new Fall yarn and I fell in love with Rowan Lima and I am going to make a Rowan pattern called, Noelle Capelet....I can't wait. It was definitely fun to fondle the fibers before the general public gets their hands on it.

I am off tomorrow, but will be heading to see Bryce at Horse camp where there will be an end of week horse show. Bryce has had a great week, despite his summer cold.

On Saturday, I am headed to The Mannings for a knit in. Sounds like fun, doesn't it. It is a large farm in PA and every year several hundred knitters get together and knit and shop. Oh, yes, there is a shop on the premises. I am going with my friends Karen and Angie. Tomorrow I must clean out the car and clean out the cooler and run to the grocery store for food to take with us. Picture it, lawn chairs, coolers, blankets and knitters...sounds like heaven to me. I see myself on the blanket taking a nap at some point. I will try to remember the camera.

I haven't kintted in a couple of days. Big blue looks great and I might attempt to put it together next week. My shawlette is looking good too. It will be an early bedtime for me tonight.

Busy working...

I haven't abandoned my blog, but I have been busy with my new job and frankly, just to exhausted to knit or blog. I have a full day ahead, but will try to get on tonight.

Big Blue is being blocked!

We have reached blocking status!! Once dry, we, or I shall put it together and your will see the magic of this design.

I hope to be working on this by the weekend! Go Big Blue!!