Musings of a Tired Parent

Catching up a bit

2009-01-26T12:45:00.002-06:00

Wow, it has been a long time, hasn't it? Well, I have a good excuse, sort of... We moved. Yup, packed up our house and plunked our stuff in another house... and we aren't done yet. We are working on our house and living in temporary quarters, so when our house is ready...
We get to move again!
Sounds fun, doesn't it? Yeah, really, it wasn't.
We also have extra people with us, my parents are now living with us. So... here we are in Podunk, USA and all I can tell you is...
I think I like it.
No, no, I don't have a fever, I'm not delirious. I really do think I like it.
Except that I fell when I took the kids tot he park, I tripped while pushing the little princess on a swing, and I've sprained my wrist, so no knitting for me...
The kids even like school. Except the Little Princess keeps asking why they don't pray at this school. Public school is a far cry from private, Christian School.
I've got no pictures for you, either... Life has been a bit busy since we've moved here to Podunk, I'll try to do better.

Silent too long

2008-11-23T12:23:00.005-06:00

Yeah, Life has gotten busy once again and I've neglected my blog. I just can't seem to get used to the kids only being in school half a day. By the time I drop them off and get home, I only have 2 hours to get anything done before I have to leave again to pick them up. I can't believe my kiddos are in Kindergarten! Don't they look cute in their uniforms?

The Little Prince taught himself to read over the summer, so he is bored in school. My Little Princess is beginning to read now, too and she is so proud of herself! They have just started "reading circles" so we should soon know at what grade level they are reading at, but the little prince was reading Aesop's Fables on the way to school the other day.
Oh! Look at their feet in the picture. that girl child is wearing women size shoes already! We think she will be tall like daddy. She certainly has a good foundation.

On the knitting front... I've gotten out my Autumn shawl to work on again. Entrelac is so much fun! I've also been knitting socks for my parents. Even though my dad's feet are smaller than KISA's, I think his socks are taking longer. He likes the cuff tall (7 inches) and I'm carrying the ribbing down the foot because his feet swell. It seems like endless ribbing as a result. I don't have pictures, I need to take some.

Socks - Or, Tight knitter Laments

2008-08-31T23:09:00.005-05:00

So.... I decided to start my dad's socks today. I usually have a pair of basic socks going as mindless knitting and we drove out to The Country today to show my parents the "new" house. It's a 2 hour drive one way, so I wanted some mindless knitting for the car... and I ordered a nice LONG KnitPicks needle and I want to wait for it to restart mom's socks, so hey....

Anyway..... Dad's socks.

I'm using a skein of Trekking XXL (Color 102) that I had in my stash. I figure I should get pretty much the same gauge with this Trekking as I did with the Trekking socks I just finished, so I got my socks and my handy dandy knit check (that I can find because a wonderful swap partner attached it to my bag she made me!) and check my gauge...

I used size 2 needles (2.75mm), know what my gague was? 9 stitches to the inch.

Man, I'm a tight knitter!

So I measure dad's ankle. 11 inches.

Yes, I'm knitting socks, for an average size man's foot (his ankles to swell, though, but he wears a size 9.5 shoe) and I STILL had to cast on 100 stitches. I'm getting about 10 rows to the inch and he wants his cuffs about 7 inches.... I only got about 2 inches knit today. Come to think of it... I have 120 stitches in the fingering weight forever socks I'm making for KISA... so dad does have huge ankles, doesn't he?

I think I'm going to give dad a break tomorrow and take mom to dialysis. I can sit and knit, KISA will be home to watch kids (so I get a break from them, too, and KISA gets to spend time with them) and dad gets a break as well....

Hey, it works out for everyone.
I'll try to get pictures later....

Oh, and why am I restarting moms socks? i found a big old hole in the cuff. I'm guessing I dropped a stitch and didn't notice it. I'd finished the gusset and I've decided that I will pull the knitting out to the problem in the cuff and re-knit that sock for me, then restart mom's socks without the purl bumps so I can pattern the sock into the foot for her....

Knits and Purls and Lace, Oh my!

2008-08-24T13:43:00.006-05:00

Well, the lace shawl is now at the Texas State Fair waiting judging. I don't expect to win anything, but I so wanted to enter! Plus, now I have an excuse to go look at that section of the fair and skip the auto show that I am forced to see each year because my husband and son enjoy looking at cars. I actually have a picture of my son kissing a vehicle one year from his stroller. We didn't tell him to do it, he just did. If memory serves, it was a pick-up... I'll have to find that picture.

Anyway....
So this is what I'm up to now.... I finished a Lacy Mock Cable sock that I started a year ago. It still needs a mate....
So did I start said mate to sock above?
No.
I started this instead...
It's a ridged feather sock from Sensational Knitted Socks.... it's for my mom. She saw me knitting these socks (below) and wanted some socks, too.... so I took her to the LYS and she picked out some On Line supersocke Cotton Beach color (947) exactly like a skein I have in my stash (it's even the same dye lot!)
So maybe we will have matching socks! I'm using the magic loop on these, and it's my first time knitting socks with ML.
But hey, check it out... 2 pairs of socks and they are both lace!

Oh, yeah, these are the socks mom saw. They are just your basic sock knit with Trekking XXL. I love them, and I think I ahve enough yarn left for a second pair just a tad shorter.Trekking XXL may be my new favorite sock yarn. I wonder how it would look for lace?

See ya later, Grandmother...

2008-08-03T07:39:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of my grandparents on their 60th anniversary July 4, 2004. My grandfather, Papa Joe, passed away about 6 months later...
My Grandmother passed away yesterday, although Alzheimer's stole her from us years ago.

So, today, she is reunited with her Joe and and she is with her Lord in Heaven.
Today she can again remember how to do the things she loved to do... Cook, Sew, Quilt, Crochet...
Today, she can remember who she is, and she remembers those she loved.
So, Grandmother, we'll see you when it's our turn, and I hope you'll have some fried pies waiting for us!

Final product

2008-07-31T10:44:00.005-05:00

Okay, here it is, off the blocking boards and hanging in my yard. I'm very pleased with this...
So I entered it in the Texas State Fair!

I so don't expect to win, Knitting Rose has entered her Friendship Shawl and surely that will place, its gorgeous.

Here is a close up.

The little princess loves it and wants me to make her one. She is doing well enough knitting, she may be able to make herself one soon!

I'll try not to bore you all with pictures of this again tomorrow....

Block head

2008-07-30T12:29:00.008-05:00

Yup, I'm a block head!
I'm blocking my shawl as we speak. it was an interesting undertaking with a very curious 5 year old future lace knitter watching and asking a zillion and one questions (including when I'm going to make HER one! LOL)
But, here is the shawl blocking on the bed.

I think I may need a new outfit to wear this with... and Friday is my 10th anniversary so I may just wear this to our big anniversary bash (AKA going to the movies).

Here is a close up of the motif. I'm not sure If I like it so much because it's my first lace project, because of the colors (these aren't mom's colors so she won't try to steal it from me! HA!) or because of the leaves....

Is it fall yet so I can wear wool?? Oh, no, it's July... in Texas... and triple digit heat!

some things completed.. and where have I been?

2008-07-29T19:47:00.006-05:00

Gosh, has it really been over a month since I posted? Amazing how hectic life gets in the summer when you have PreK Twins running around the house...
And speaking of houses... we bought another one... in a tiny town... and we are fixing it up.
But I digress.
What have I finished?

here is the Farmer's Market Bag! I modified the handles like Knitterevens did and I like than much better, it's a double i-cord.

And the Farmer's market bag with 10 skeins of cotton yarn, only HALF full. I have plans to make these for family, they'd make great beach and pool bags, too, and they hold a TON of stuff... (So, my dear brother, if you read this, you'll have one coming your way one of these days!!)

Oh, yeah, one other thing....
I just bound off the Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl about an hour ago! Yes folks, I have finished me some LACE!
It's not blocked, but I had to share...

I looked on Ravelry and I see that I started in On April 13, so it took me about 3 1/2 months to complete. Now, I've got that scarf I started on retreat to finish!

Ye-Ha!

yes, I did... really.

2008-06-25T15:17:00.003-05:00

It's been implied that I talk more than I knit at meet ups...
Okay, so I admit, I run my mouth more than I knit at our bi-monthly meets....
But, I did knit on the retreat this weekend, and I have proof!

First, this blue piece of knitting is a swatch that we made to learn how to fix mistakes without having to tink back to where you made the actual mistake.

I must say, the yarn used here was donated by Brooks Farm and it is so wonderful! 50% wool, 50% silk, called Four Play. I'm going to have to get my hands on some more....

Next up, the actual project, a scarf designed for our retreat by the Knitting Fairy herself! (and you can find her here on Ravelry, too.)

The pink at the bottom is a provisional cast on. It's used to hold the cast on stitches as "live" until you are ready to get back to them. The knitting her is directional, so you rejoin in the middle after knitting the first half of the scarf. That way when you are finished the pattern looks the same on both sides of the scarf when worn. It's the first time I've used a provisional cast on...

And here is a close up of the lace pattern.

Notice that stitch marker hanging there in my lifeline? yeah. That is where I learned that if you thread your lifeline through the hole in your Knitpicks options set, you have to take out the stitch markers for that row. See, i heard this discussed in class, I just didn't follow through.
It's okay, though. I'll rescue the stitch markers when I move my lifeline up.

I'm super stoked about lace knitting now... anyone want to come clean my house so I can knit?

100th post! Etsy Announcement!!!

2008-06-23T12:21:00.002-05:00

Well, I did it, I opened an Etsy shop of my very own. Ya'll let me know what you think.

So, this is the 100th post. It's been a long road. It's been fun...
and I'm STILL a tired parent.

I have been away from home out of town for the last week and I have a ton of pictures, but they are all still in the camera, so once I pull them off a photoshop them, I'll post some....

Right now, I have rug rats begging for lunch. Imagine?

Be still my heart!

2008-06-02T16:19:00.004-05:00

Do you know what this is?
Y'all, for real, it's my little prince and my little princess knitting!
We went out to Hobby Lobby today and I bought them some kids needles.. and they picked out their own yarn...
I got them started with 20 stitches and I've been helping (okay, a lot!)
BUT
with the little princess, she has all the movements down and I'm just wrapping the yarn around the needles for her!
They are actually EXCITED about knitting and are already talking about knitting sweaters! I even heard them say it was fun!

Holy cow, I better go hide my stash!
LOL

Baby Sweater DONE!

2008-06-02T09:25:00.005-05:00

Yes, I was determined to get that sweater done by Monday... and I almost succeeded... it was about 1am when I finished, so, technically Monday.
I'm not totally happy with the buttons, but KISA likes them. I'm not sure you can tell, they are wooden, so a natural material for a baby.

I used the magic loop to do the sleeve, my first time ever! Now I want to make a pair of socks that way... guess I should finish one of the 6 or so pairs I have on the needles first, huh?

Today I have some errands to run and I plan on doing some cleaning in the house... but I have to get the matching hat done, too... I don't have a pattern for that, so I'll be doing it without one.

Oh, and as I came to post this, I noticed that I only have 2 more posts until my 100th post! I must think of something fun to do for that one!

Sweater and Tagged!

2008-05-29T15:33:00.003-05:00

I promised a picture of the sweater and here it is in all it's glory! I have one sleeve to finish and the button band. I also want to make a hat to go with it.

And, I've been tagged! Miss Knotty over at Knot Watt Ewe Think has tagged me...

So, here are my answers:

1. What was I doing ten years ago?

I was planning my wedding! Yes, it will be 10 years in August, folks! Can you believe it? Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times it seems like I’ve been with KISA forever… but in a very good way.

2. What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:

1. Pick up pizzas for the kids party at school

2. Work on the red baby sweater so I can get it done and gift it.

3. Cook dinner (this will be super easy because I stuffed the manicotti yesterday and I’ll just have to stick it in the oven!

4. Read to my kids

5. Laundry… there is always laundry!

3. Snacks I enjoy:

Chocolate, lots of chocolate! I also love cheese & crackers, fruit and pretzels.

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

I’d buy some land, raise some animals and take care of my family, parents, MIL, siblings, etc. Everyone’s house would be paid off!!! I’d travel and spend a lot of time with my kids and KISA. I’d also have to start some sort of foundation to help feed hungry kids and/or help families adopt (It’s expensive!)

5. Places I have lived:

In VA – Springfield, Manassas, Winchester; In TN, Jackson, Humboldt; In AL Decatur (only for a month or 2) and in TX Irving and here.

6. Jobs I have had:

Retail sales clerk, office clerk, help desk assistant/supervisor, Computer trainer, college instructor, pre-school teacher, Instructional designer and MOM!

7. Peeps I want to know more about:

All of them! If you read this and have a blog, consider yourself tagged. Leave a comment that you have filled this out and your blog address please!

2008-05-29T10:41:00.006-05:00

Wow, it has been a while, hasn't it....
So, let me catch you up on my knitting.

First up... another pair of Wookie socks for KISA (That my Knight in Shining Armor, you know!)

I call them Wookie socks because they are so big, he wears a shoe size 14 EEEE. They are really foot sweaters, don't you think? This gives him 5 pair now, one pair for every day of the work week. I have yarn for a 6th pair, but I haven't started them yet.

And a lace update! Here is the Blue jeans Lace Leaf Shawl. I only have 2 repeats to go if I want to knit is as the pattern, but I'm thinking about making it bigger. I know it will get bigger when I block it but (blogless) Michelle in my knitting group has made it as well and I'm going to wait and see hers blocked and decide if I want it bigger.

Here is a close up of the lace pattern.

I'm also knitting a baby sweater for one of KISA's co-workers, but no pictures yet....

Pomp and Circumstance

2008-05-09T15:20:00.003-05:00

Today, I graduate. Yes, I'm DONE!
Whooo Hoooo!

Does this hood make my butt look big?
Don't answer that.

You may now call me Master.... Kidding!

No, I'm not at all excited.

Oh, and if you are wondering what all this stuff I'm wearing means, you can read all about it here. It will tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

Knitting resolutions revisited

2008-04-26T14:18:00.003-05:00

Okay, so a while back I posted some knitting resolutions... and now, I want to see how it's coming...

Here they are, progress report in red:

) finish something lace... Anything! (check)
2) finish that Fair Isle Purse I started in class with the Knitting Fairy. (Ah, not even close!)
3) Knit something for myself with my hand spun yarn. (In progress)
4) Knit myself a sweater. (Haven t' even started)
5) Get pictures of my FOs on Ravelry (I think I almost have them all up there and I even have some of my handspun there too)
6) do more charity knitting (and or) crocheting (doing better... but not as much as I'd like)

So a little progress, but I could be doing better...

Bookmarks Galore

2008-04-21T13:09:00.005-05:00

I finished another Bookmark. This one is the wavy feather bookmark. I used size 2 needles and size 10 crochet cotton.

This is another pine tree bookmark I started using my handspun. Yup, I'm knitting with my handspun! That was another of my knitting resolutions, to knit with my handspun. I should revisit those resolutions, I'm actually doing pretty good with them.

Ain't it purdy?

Instant lace knitting gratification

2008-04-20T14:28:00.005-05:00

So, one of the ladies in my knitting group was knitting a lace bookmarker at a meet up recently. She told me she belongs to a yahoo group that does bookmark KALs, so I had to join, too.
This is my first one, the Oct 2007 KAL for the Pine Tree Lace Bookmark. (It's the one pictured on the groups home page.)
I can see a few places where I messed up... but I like it enough I think I will try making one with some of my handspun.
I've also made a Wavy Feather Bookmark, but it's not blocked yet. These take a couple of hours, so I think they will make some nice Christmas gifts and maybe even a good teacher gift when the kids graduate from pre-school next month.
I'm still working on the Lace Leaf Shawl. I have 9 repeats out of 21 done, but I've been doing a lot of schoolwork to finish up this past week... and I have to get the house cleaned up, may parents will be here sometime next weekend... Maybe that will mean a bit more knitting time for me. :^D

Which Sports Car Am I?

2008-04-18T15:27:00.002-05:00

I'm a Mercedes SLK!

You appreciate the finer things in life. You have a split personality - wild or conservative, depending on your mood. Wherever you go, you like to travel first class. Luxury, style, and fun - who could ask for more?

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Yeah, I can live with that. :^)

Progress Report

2008-04-15T11:29:00.004-05:00

Pretty soon, you will get sick of me talking about this... but have I mentioned that maybe, just maybe, I can knit lace??? (Shhh... say it quietly...)

Here is the latest picture... 6 rows of leaves out of 21 done. Right now it takes me about an hour to do a repeat of leaves. Hopefully I'll get faster as thing grows because if not, it will take me 4 hours per repeat by the time it's done!

Man, I love how this yarn changes color... I've also been thinking that I may have to buy a new outfit to go with this shawl...

I'm on a roll!

2008-04-14T11:25:00.003-05:00

Hey, look at this! And I have one more repeat done since this pic was taken. It's the Blue jeans Lace Leaf Shawl and I'm using Jojoland Melody in color Y29.

Maybe I shouldn't talk about this so much, I might jinx myself.

Okay, forget I said all this... pretend someone else is knitting the lace. It's NOT me... Nope, it's someone else....

I'm going to go write a journal review for my psychology class now.... I'd rather go knit... One more month...

Secret project

2008-04-13T00:07:00.009-05:00

I've been keeping a secret... I've been working on a project for the past 3 or 4 days and I've told no one... not even KISA... I've been hiding in my room knitting a little each night and now, it's finished.

So what's the big deal? What could this project be?

A dishcloth.

Huh? I know you are thinking I've lost my mind, what's the big deal about a dishcloth, right?

I introduce you to the Vine Lace Dishcloth. You see, that last word in it's title says it's a dishcloth... but the middle word, well, that middle word is what has me excited...
yes folks... that middle word is (dare I say it????) LACE!

This is my first ever completed lace project. Can you tell I'm excited? OH, I have tried to knit lace... I never get very far, though...
The yarn and pattern were given to me in a swap last year by Janet. It's been sitting on a table in my room for a while now and I never put it away. I'd walk by and think I'll do that someday. Well, I've been wanting to do lace for a long time and for a few weeks none of my knitting appealed to me. Sure, I knitted on a few things, but it wasn't really interesting to me.
So one night I thought I'd go to bed early and instead, I cast on this dishcloth. Things went well and I knitted the first repeat and went to bed. The next night, I went to bed early and started knitting again, only to find out I messed up on that last row of that first repeat. I missed a yarn over... so I tinked back and tried again.
I kid you not, I reknit that same row 5 or 6 times before I got it right, so I put in a lifeline and knitted another repeat... and went to bed.
One repeat a night.... and it's done!

Wanna see it again?

I'm seriously considering framing it and hanging it in my bathroom.

I'd like to thank the academy, my family for putting up with my knitting, Janet for giving me the pattern and yarn and I'd like to thank...
Oh. Wait. Sorry...

Okay, so now that the cat is out of the bag... I can say I wish I had gone up a needle size. I am a tight knitter and I went with the size the pattern called for.... Live and learn, maybe I'll make another one. :^D

Incidentally, this fulfills one of my Knitting Resolutions for the year. (I've also done pretty good on resolutions 5 and 6, too... although I can always do better with number 6.)

I may try this next. Ummmmm... malabrigo....

Sucked in...

2008-04-12T22:50:00.005-05:00

I just thought I'd pop in and tell you that the pull of the Faux Cashmere won.
Here are the singles, still on the bobbin (I forgot to take a picture of the roving, sorry!)

And there it is in all it's 2 ply glory... 2.3 ounces, 120 yards. I want to sleep nekkid on it it's SO soft!
Where did I get this wonderfulness, you ask? well, at the DFW Fiber Fest, but I bought it from this vendor. Go... buy some of your very own. My guess is that she has to restock... but go... give her a reason... buy some of your very own.... You won't regret it.
I'll be here... petting mine....

Walk for a Cure...

2008-04-10T19:51:00.004-05:00

I know this lady...
How many of my stories start out like that? Lots, I know... but anyway...
She is a fellow knitter and she is raising money for her 3 day Susan G. Komen walk....
She has a blog with all the info on how to donate... and she is having a raffle with prizes! Prizes knitters will Love.... Prizes knitters may even drool over.

Anyway, here's what you do... do on over to her blog and make a donation... and be sure to tell her I sent you... I get extra entries in her raffle if you do!

as a side note, I lost an Aunt to Breast Cancer and my mom is a survivor, so this is near and dear to my heart!

Spining Advice?

2008-04-08T13:11:00.003-05:00

Okay, I need some advice here...
I finished spinning this Sunday night and I want to free up my bobbin so I can spin the yummy faux Cashmere I got at DFW Fiber Fest From PisceanKnits (It's calling me I tell you!)

This fiber was a swap gift from (Bloggless) Marsha... The picture shows a before and after shot, but I have it all spun up now and it's 28 grams. Spinning it sort of muddied the colors and I'm afraid if I ply it the colors will become even more muddied. I'm not sure of yardage, either...

So, Spinners, what would you do?
1) forget plying and leave it as a 1 ply yarn.
2) Ply anyway
3) Ply to another single of another color (and if so would you go light or dark?)
4) something else entirely that I'm not thinking of.

Help me out here!

Okay, so... I actually finished knitting something! It's a baby bib for a baby shower I'm supposed to go to on Saturday. The mom is my kids' pre-school teacher, she is scheduled to be induced on April 30.

I'll probably make one more bib to go in the gift and give her a gift card. It's her 3rd child, but the other 2 are girls. I think he will be rotten!

Earth Day

2008-03-29T12:09:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I've been reading about Earth Day... Where you are supposed to turn out your lights for an hour.... and I have a question....

People are talking about turning off their lights and lighting candles to eliminate the CO2 the lights produce.... but burning a candle produces CO2 as well.... what's the deal?

After we put the kids to bed, the only lights we have on in the house are in the room we are in, we turn everything else off..... I guess I don't get how having 2 40 watt light bulbs burning (and my Ott light if I'm knitting) Vs. probably 6 candles (and no knitting, or killing my vision) will help.

Maybe I'm dense.

It's rather chilly here in Tired Parent Land. KISA has suggested that with global warming and us wearing our coats at the end of March in Texas may require us to go out and run our cars longer to bring the temps back to normal.
Funny guy, ain't he?

Hodge Podge

2008-03-26T00:41:00.001-05:00

Okay, it's a dumb title, I know, but that is what you get when you blog after midnight. At least you don't get Gremlins, but I digress...
why am I up so late? I took a nap after KISA got home and now I'm restless. I need to be in bed because I have a job interview tomorrow, but here I sit, reflecting on my day. I met some friends for Breakfast and then we went to our local LYS to pick up our sock club installment. I really like the pattern this time... and the yarn is interesting. It will probably take me a bit to cast on for these, I only have 6 pairs of socks OTN right now and I haven't been knitting on any of them. The Pie Are Square Shawl(S) have infatuated me and I want to finish one of them... especially since I borrowed needles to finish it and I want to return them sooner rather than later. Each of them is so big that it takes me 20-25 minutes to knit one row! I've also been knitting dishcloths again... which means the weather has warmed up.
Oh1 and I saw some bluebonnets today! Just a few, peaking out of the grass on the side of the highway. I hope we get a good crop this year, I so want some cute pictures of the kids in the Bluebonnets.

I was reading blogs, and I saw the CUTEST bunny on Shelly's blog, then I kept reading and got tagged.

4 things about me... and I'm stealing some of her categories...

4 places I have lived:
Springfield, Va
Jackson, TN
Decatur, AL (only a couple of months)
Irving, TX

4 Places I have visited
Estes Park , CO (Honeymoon!)
Hilton Head, SC
Toronto, Canada
Laredo, Mexico (Yup, one trip to Canada, one trip to Mexico... the only 2 times I have been out of the country)

4 places I'd like to visit
Israel
Tahoe
Estes Park, CO (Yes, I'd love to go back!)
New Zealand

4 foods I love
Chocolate
Cheeseburgers
Enchiladas
Philly cheese steak sandwiches (I can't get a good one here and I so miss them!)

4 TV shows I watch
Lost
24
Mythbusters
Dirty Jobs

4 jobs that I have had in my life
Administrative Assistant
Help Desk Assistant
Database Designer
Computer Trainer

4 cars I have owned
1972 Chevy Nova
Toyota Cellica GT
Ford Thunderbird
Honda Accord

4 things I want to knit this year
Lace, anything lace. Really.
a sweater, for ME
Sock yarn blanket (that may take longer than a year!)
That bunny on Shelly's blog (See above)

4 things I am looking forward to this year
Graduation
Lace Knitting Retreat with the Knitting Fairy and my knitting friends
Mini vacation
And did I mention graduation???

4 places I would rather be right now
Graduation (have I mentioned that before?)
Estes park, CO ( I may have mentioned that as well)
New Zealand (Sound familiar?)
In the arms of my KISA (as a reminder, that is my Knight In Shining Armor)

On that note, I'm sure KISA is asleep. I think I'll go slip in beside him, curl up and see if I can't sleep as well.
sorry about not having any pictures... but it's late and I need to hit the hay. Hopefully the number of links I added will help quell your disappointment. ;^)

Wii Game

2008-03-18T13:12:00.001-05:00

Somehow, I managed to score us a Wii over the weekend. We'd been talking about getting one to get us out of our chairs on those bad weather days (KISA has lost 90 pounds since Oct and I have lost 15-20, depending on the time of the month I weigh... Don't you hate men sometimes??) and in the heat of Summer.
So, anyway.... the Wii.
Let me just say, Mom and Dad are toast. check this bowling score out after only 2 days of owning the Wii...

Yes, the little Princess and Prince are good... they are REAL good.
And, as a side note, my arms are sore! I'm actually getting a bit of a workout with this thing!
Several of my knitting friends suggested another game called Rayman Raving Rabbids, which KISA came home with yesterday... and I am so NOT good at that game. I mean like, not at all... It game me 4 tasks to begin with and I had to complete 3 of the 4 to move on... I managed one, one measly little task. I'm telling you, the kids wipe the floor with me...

My knitting time has suffered a bit, but not as much as I would have thought because of the soreness in my arms. Here is the latest thing I've been working on... an EZ Pie Are Squared shawl. I put it on waste yarn for the picture... and I wanted to try it on.

I'm using Mosaic Twist in Dahlia By Yarn Bee, (a Hobby Lobby yarn and unfortunately they have discontinued it) and size 15 needles. I had 6 skeins, the picture is almost 4 skins and I decided I wanted another 7 inches or so, so off I went to my local HL to find some more... and I actually found 7 more skeins in the same dye lot! It's good knitting to watch Wii play to, but I still need to decide on some sort of edging... any suggestions?

Spring Break

2008-03-13T16:29:00.000-05:00

Next week is Spring Break for me and for my kiddos. I took the trip to Lubbock for my masters comp exam (I'll know if I passed in about a month) and I've finished my mid terms. That leaves next week for keeping the kiddos occupied... I need to find some fun things to so with them.
And that lace leaf scarf is calling... No, it's the Malabrigo that is calling....

I've started another Pie shawl, too. Nope, I haven't finished the first one, but this one is knitted in a bulky yarn and I hope to have it finished muey pronto!

I'm terrible, I don't have any pictures to show... maybe next time...

Blogger continues to hate me. I just can't figure out what's up....

Reflections on Lace Knitting

2008-03-02T18:57:00.000-06:00

Okay, it's no secret that lace and I do not get along. I love the look, I just can't seem to get it down. I've resolved to knit something lace this year and I'm taking several classes to try to reach that end...
and I've been looking.... and I have something to add to my mental "Before I die I want to..." list.
A Wedding Ring Shawl, also known as Orenburg lace. They call them wedding ring shawls because the shawl is knitted from such a fine thread that the whole shawl can pass through a wedding ring.... Here is a web site with a little history. I told KISA last night that I will consider myself a really good knitter when I can make one of those... maybe I'll buy one and pretend?

Blogger hates me

2008-02-28T23:48:00.000-06:00

Okay, I want to know what I've done to offend Blogger? Every time I try to sign in I have to reset my password. I wrote it down and it's still not accepted... and tonight it told me my email address didn't exist.
Whatever it is, I'm sorry, really.

Okay, On to knitting, since I haven't talked about it in too long! I don't think I showed these off on my blog. Convertible mittens I made for my brother. The glove part fits perfectly, but he says the mitten cap is like a "floppy clown shoe." I think I'll end up redoing the mitten caps for him. He's supposed to trace his hand and send them back, but it's been more than an month and I suspect he's wearing them in the cold MD winter despite the floppy clownishness of the tops.

Next, this is Wisp. I'm pretending this is lace. Don't burst my bubble, okay? I should get a better picture of it in the sunlight, the colors aren't quite this muted.

I really haven't' done a lot of knitting in the last few weeks. We've had the crud, flu and all that nastiness... but I plan to make up for it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T09:58:00.000-06:00

Wow, back when I was in college several of my friends, roommates and I would wear black on Valentines Day. We thought we were making a statement or something... My how things have changed.... Now I have 3 very good reasons to enjoy Valentines Day...

This was taken last weekend in San Antonio, and yes, that is the Alamo in the background... we are Texans, after all...
KISA took me to The Knitting Nest in Austin on the way and I bought some Malabrigo Lace weight yarn in a gorgeous blue. I'm resisting the urge to wind it up and start the recommended Leaf Lace scarf (found here) because I have 3 weeks to study for my comprehensive exam for my masters and I need my brain for that and not trying to knit lace right now... Soon, though...

Remembering Union University, Jackson, TN

2008-02-07T20:04:00.000-06:00

At first I thought I wouldn't blog about this... but, if you have gone to a small University, you know that feeling of family and home that it leaves you with. I feel a part of my home has been destroyed and from that, I am feeling the need to talk about it and to remember.
What's this about? Well, I may be a Texas girl now, but I am a graduate of Union University in Jackson, TN. My Alma Mater is making news the past few days... not because of some award, or a sports win or academic achievement. No... My school, my home, sustained a direct hit to the dorms with 1200 students inside by a E4 tornado and not one person was killed.
Not one.

Let me tell you a little bit about the school. There are 3300 students. 1200 of those live on campus, in the dorms. Students come from 45 states and 36 countries.

I've been on line and I want to share some of the stories and pictures I have found....

First, I read about Mikas, an Exchange student and his hospital experience. Amazing.

Here is a picture of some of the dorms... and this one... I lived in Jones 8 (notice the building is labeled Jones?) I also lived in this one for a while, at least, I think that is where I lived, Wingo 6? Hard to tell with all the rubble.

there are pictures of students seeking shelter after the storm; and the calm within the chaos (yes, that's a Bible, it is a Christian School after all.)

Here is a shot from the air, and another and one more. It gives me chills.

I'm here to tell you, and 1200 students are living proof, that luck or fortune played NO part in this. Almighty God protected those kids, period. If you don't believe me, look at the pictures again.

Union has set up a blog so that information can easily be distributed to the community and we can even leave comments. I'm in touch with several of my old roommates and we are all watching for new info. One roommate that now lives in CA really wants to get on a plane... I know how she feels.

Edited Note: I found this YouTube Video that really should be added here. I continue to be amazed at the stories and pictures from this event.
And this story that is a must read, but make sure you have a tissue, it will touch your heart.

I have a thing for Beads

2008-02-01T12:52:00.003-06:00

Yes, I knit, I love beads. I confess...
And yesterday, I did this...

It's beads FOR knitting, they are row counter bracelets, 7 of them to be exact... Now I just have to figure out what I want to do with them. I found they go much faster if I plan out what beads I want, lay them out and make several at a time. I got a bit carried away, I think...
The hard part will be deciding which one to keep.

Then, I started this. It will wrap a candle holder. Here's the problem, I didn't have a pattern, didn't have a clue and I'm out of beads on my wire. I'm going to have to cut the wire and add more beads to finish this off because it only goes around my candle holder about halfway. I'm thinking about sending it to my mom because she will try to talk me out of it next time she visits anyway.
and speaking of mom visiting... Dad called just a few days ago to let me know when that will be... end of April. he said they are planning on staying 8 weeks. yeah, not a typo, that's weeks and not days. I was thinking about doing a mission trip with our church to Romania and it falls while they are here. I may be wanting to go to Romania just to get away for a while by then!
They are planning on coming for graduation. If I graduate. I missed the deadline to file my intent to graduate and I'm now waiting to hear back from teh powers that be to see if they take pity on me and let it slide... I feel like such an idiot for missing it. You'd think that a grown person who *almost* has a master's degree wouldn't be so... never mind.

What Color Rose Am I?

2008-01-28T00:19:00.000-06:00

Pure, Sweet and Innocent. Me? Really?

You Are a White Rose

You represent youthfulness and purity.

Your vibe: Sweet and heavenly

Falling in love with you: is like falling in love for the first time

What Color Rose Are You?

Pie Progress

2008-01-27T20:12:00.000-06:00

Here is my progress on the Pie Shawl.
A few days ago it looked like this, I'd just started and I was in Love.

Now, I've finished knitting the first ball (of 250 yards) and it looks like this:

It's 11 inches in the back and hits about where my bra strap does, unblocked. I'm halfway to the next increase as well.
I'm thinking I want it somewhere between 23 and 24 inches so that after I add a boarder it will be 25 to 26 inches and hit right about my finger tips.
Speaking of the boarder, I'm trying to decide if I want to do the saw tooth boarder in the book. It's garter stitch and I'm wondering if it will look funny with the stst of the rest of the shawl.
maybe I should do a simple crochet boarder?
I donno.... Suggestions?

what Celebrity do I look like?

2008-01-23T18:24:00.000-06:00

Stash Yarn Calling!

2008-01-19T14:15:00.000-06:00

This is some yarn I pulled out of my stash last night. It's been tugging at me to knit it.
There is 6 balls, 250 yards each.
It's from The Great Adirondack Yarn Co., Hand dyed... color is Kiwi/Mango 406.
50% Alpaca/30% Silk, 20% merino.

There is no info on the ball band to suggest a needle size nor to give me an idea of what weight yarn this is...

Now, if I had enough, I might be tempted to knit a sheet for my bed out of this stuff and sleep Nekkid because this stuff is so soft (and my KISA would LOVE that) but since there is only 1500 yards, it'd be a reall small sheet on my king size bed.... Anyway....

I stuck a size 6 DPN in the yarn for the picture for size.
So, I'm wondering if I should try to find a solid to go with it for a sweater (Navy Blue maybe?) or if I should think shawl?

It has already been suggested that I knit a gauge swatch... but I just pulled this out of the stash last night and I haven't had a chance to do that. I'm trying to finish a project for my dear brother and I'll get to that gauge swatch later.... when his thing is done.
If I can wait that long... and I haven't knitted it into sheets yet.

LOL

EDIT: I've checked and this yarn is about 14 WPI, so a sport weight yarn....

Band meme

2008-01-18T17:38:00.000-06:00

Okay, my knitlist buddy (whom I have never met, BTW...) has a Band Meme and it sounded fun, so I'm such a sheep that I did it...

Here is what you do:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the result as a comment in this post. Also, pass it along on your own blog, because it’s more amusing that way.

And here is Mine:
Band Name: NATO Reporting
Album Name: But Choose Your neighborhood
And the picture... It actually fits!

Ta-da!

Now, post a comment so that I know you have done it and I can go read yours!
and so I know someone actually reads this stuff and I keep writing. ;^)

Knitters are the BEST people!

2008-01-13T14:28:00.000-06:00

Have you ever met a knitter who doesn't make things for others?
I haven't.
We have that inner need to make things to keep the ones we love warm...
During one of the meets of my knitting group, one of the ladies asked me what size shoe my Little Princess is wearing now, then, showed me a pair of socks she'd knit for her own daughter... and said the silly girl wouldn't wear them, and would the Little Princess (LP) like them?
Socks, she gave LP some hand knit, soft wonderful socks!
The LP LOVES these socks. She was so excited when she saw them and she had to wear them THAT DAY. I was given the socks Monday night, and the LP had worn them twice by the end of the week.
You can see them in the picture, they are footies (her favorite kind of socks because she can get them on without help) and they have beads on the cuff, which the LP calls pearls. You can see from her face how pleased she is.
So, thank you Michelle! The socks are much loved!

Now, I'll have to make the Little prince a pair of socks since he has outgrown the ones I made him last... and he loved them... and his sister has some hand knit socks, so he feels like he needs some, too.
And Mommy thinks he is right...

As a side note, I have my first FO of 2008. Yes, it's nearly 2 weeks in and I have an FO, see?
Pitiful, isn't it? After 2 weeks all I can manage is a pair of booties. But these are a milestone, they are my first pair of knitted booties, I've always crocheted them before.
I said I was going to make more items for charity, and this is a start. I want to knit or crochet a pair of booties each week. Okay, a pair of booties or a baby hat each week. Maybe It's my mission to keep the babies of North Texas warm?
These knitted beauties took me about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (the crocheted ones take me about 45 minutes) I used Patons Beehive baby sort (and it's SO soft!) and this pattern. I'm probably going to play with the pattern a bit so I don't have to do any sewing. I already have some ideas in mind. If I do, I'll type it all up and share it with the world.

Looking Back...

2008-01-01T17:41:00.000-06:00

Well, it's a new year and time to look back on my knitting...

Some of us were talking on one of the lists I'm on about how many things we have completed and I had to go check...

I learned to knit in Feb of 2005. In that first year, I completed 9 things.
Nine. Man, I remember thinking I was a slow knitter, and I was right! Two of those 9 things were socks... as in 2 pair, not 2 socks! LOL

In 2006, I completed 38 projects. That is a big jump! More than 4 times what I did the previous year!
In 2007 I had 54 FOS! (that is 6 times what I completed in 2005!)
Including 21 pairs of socks!

Wow, that really makes me feel good to think about... there are times that I feel like I'm not finishing anything. I look around at all my UFOs and think I'm not acomplishing anything...

But it may be the BLACK HOLE of knitting.
See I've been reading SPM Casts Off, I got it for Christmas, and on page 105 she begins talking about the Knitting black hole that we all find ourselves in on occasion.
I found a black hole, just this week...
I've been knitting a sweater for KISA out of Lion Brand Homespun, and using this pattern.
Here is the back, nearly done...

The fabric is soft and it will be warm for him... and so far he loves it...
But back to the black hole...
We have been watching Lost Season 3 on DVD. We had 7 episodes left to watch and no where to go the next day, we wanted to finish the season.
I had knit 25 inches of the back of the sweater... it was supposed to be 30.5 inches. I'm using size 10.5 needles... so I was thinking I'd have the back done by the time we'd watched a few episodes and I'd start the front.
I knitted.... and knitted and I knitted some more... after watching 7 episodes, averaging about 40-45 minutes per episode (no commercials are WONDERFUL!) How big was the back?

Do you see that? 29.5 inches, I still had an inch left to knit! I couldn't believe it!
I have since knit that last inch and I have 3 or 4 inches of the front finished as well....
I began wondering if I was on the island with the Losties, knitting away to no avail... Humm... I Think KISAs sweater might fit Hurley when it's done.... but it would be too hot there to wear it. ;^)

A few last things...
Happy New Year!
and
Go Red Raiders! I am a Grad student, after all...

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-23T13:57:00.001-06:00

Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!

(or a Merry/Happy whatever holiday YOU celebrate!)

And with that, I leave you with a picture of my finished Rudy in all his adorable glory.

For the record, I did buy the Elf pattern to make for next year. I've seen news reports on the "Elf on a Shelf" and I want o make my own Shelf elf for the kiddos for next year. I just need to figure out how to weight his backside so he will sit up on a shelf....

Oh, and Happy New Year!

The three Bs

2007-12-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I know you are wondering.. What the heck are the three Bs>
Bond
Bourne
Bauer
As in James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer.

Why am I thinking about this now? Well... the 3rd Bourne movie is out on video and we just got season six of 24 on DVD...
when The Bourne Ultimatum came out, everyone was asking "Who would win, Bourne or Bond?"
After watching the movie, I think that is an easy answer... Bourne! (and Bond always had help, Bourne is on his own and would still wipe the floor with Bond!) For the record, I think Bauer would kick Bonds you know what, too...
So that leaves the question...
Bourne or Bauer?

Me? I think Bourne... again, Bauer has help...
so my ranking in this contest...

3rd place - James Bond
2nd Place - Jack Bauer
1st place - Jason Bourne - He's one bad momma jomma! (and easy on the eyes, too...)

What do YOU think??

P.S. I promise I'll have knitting content next time. I'm doing more knitting lately because school is out, but I now have a new job... a work from home kind of job that pays well, which is the best kind, so my knitting will have to take a back seat.

Resolutions are made to be broken

2007-12-13T19:43:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I don't usually do this... You know, New Years Resolutions... But, well, it's a challenge.
Dawn posted on her blog a list of 2008 Knitting resolutions and put forth a challenge for the rest of us to do the same, so I'm giving it a shot...
Here goes...

1) finish something lace... Anything!
2) finish that Fair Isle Purse I started in class with the Knitting Fairy.
3) Knit something for myself with my hand spun yarn.
4) Knit myself a sweater.
5) Get pictures of my FOs on Ravelry
6) do more charity knitting (and or) crocheting

I refuse to say I will reduce stash, or anything of the sort... I know I will fail....
Miserably.
LOL

What was I thinking?

2007-12-07T08:14:00.000-06:00

I am in ribbing hell!

Yes, everything I’m working or am thinking of working on has ribbing.

The lovely Palindrome scarf and hat set I’m making for my SIL… ribbing with a cable thrown in.

A basic sock… the cuff is ribbing. (I have a few more inches to go.)

The second fingerless mitt….. all ribbing. (8 inches of ribbing)

Another Calorimetry… ribbing.

The Pele mittens for my brother, more ribbing on the cuff.

Socks for KISA, yes, MORE ribbing!

I’m going to focus on the Palindrome scarf and hat set because it’s a gift and I have to have it done next week. Then I’ll start the Pele mittens for my brother, because it’s the first thing he has ever asked me to make for him. How did I decide on so many projects with ribbing? What was I thinking?? when I first started knitting, I hated ribbing. With a passion. Now I don't mind so much, but I feel like I've been knitting miles and miles of ribbing...

I’ll take the sweater I started for KISA on my trip next week. I’d put it aside for Christmas knitting and now I’m actually looking forward to the endless stockinette.

What I really want to be knitting is more Rudy’s… Isn’t he cute. I’m hoping to get to the craft store today for some eyes. I have enough materials for 3 more to give as gifts.

The kids can't wait to see him finished, even before he was felted they would tell me "Mommy, he needs some eyes!" I had explained to the Little Princess what felting was by telling her I was going to put it in the washer and shrink him a bit. She said "Mommy, I don't want my reindeer shrunk... please don't shrink him!" But she changed her mind after she saw him I really need to call and see if I can't get the elf pattern, too.

Nov is for FOs!

2007-12-01T22:44:00.001-06:00

I have been knitting my little fingers to the bone working on Christmas gifts for my family. My SIL and her family to be exact. My SIL will graduate this month with her MBA with a 4.0 GPA. Less than 1% of MBA students graduate with a 4.0, so we are really proud of her.

I wanted to make something special for her, and this is what I'm doing... It's the palindrome scarf. I plan on making her the hat, too.

It's about 4 inches longer now than in this picture...
I'm using the Traditions yarn from Debbie Mumm (bought at Joann's) and quite frankly, it's not fun to knit with.
At all.
Do a search for it on Ravelry and see what you find. I wish I'd of done that before I bought the yarn. Ah well, live and learn.

Next I have a plain old hat made for my BIL who drives a truck to keep his head warm this winter. I used Lion Brand WoolEase so it will be easy to wash.

This hat is for my nephew who will be going away to college next year in his chosen school colors... which is, unfortunately NOT Texas Tech. Bummer. The pattern is Tyhcus from Knitty and I again used WoolEase so he can toss it in the washer (we hope.

For my niece, I have a Calorimetry from Knitty. I used Sensations Angel Hair Stripes (from Joann) I used a size 8 needle and cast on only 90 stitches. I also didn't knit all 15 rows the pattern calls for. I think this will be a perfect fit for her.

Here is a pair of socks I knit for KISA. I used Patons Shetland Chunky and my own pattern. This is his 5th pair like this (different colors). I found out he liked them so much he was wearing each pair twice before washing, so I had to act and make sure he has at least one pair for every day of the week! I already have the yarn purchased for another pair... It's not really a Christmas gift, but I'm showing them off anyway. He now officially has as many hand knit socks as I do if you count the (several pairs of) house socks I've knit him.

I also finished a sweater for the little Princess this month. It's this pattern and I used the yarn called for. I made the little prince this same sweater in blue last year (and his still fits him!) and I have started one for KISA as well.

Isn't she cute? for several days there we almost couldn't get her to take it off.

Now I'm the only one in the family that doesn't have a hand knit sweater. I have a pattern picked out and the yarn, so I'm next! LOL

I managed to get quite a bit of knitting done this month, huh?

Vegtable Beef Barley Soup Recipe

2007-11-17T23:37:00.000-06:00

Well, we have the crud going around at Chez Tired Parent. KISA and I are both allergic to Mt ceder, which is pollinating to beat the band right now in our area. I sound like a frog. Soup was needed, so I made some. Doesn't it look good? I'm here to tell you, it's REALLY GOOD. For me, the best part is that I didn't use a recipe... but I know what I did, so I'll share.
I think Rachael Ray would call this a stoup, too hearty to be soup, but not really a stew...

Here is what you will need:
Large Crock Pot
Slow cooker liner (for easy clean up)
2 cans Swanson Beef broth
1 packet of Lipton's Beefy Onion Soup mix
2 cans Veg-All
1-2 pounds of Beef stew meet
1 cup all purpose flour
Salt
Pepper
Better Than Bullion, Beef flavor
16 Ounce Bag pearled barley, rinsed
4-6 cups Water

I started out with a large crock pot (lined with one of those slow cooker liners for easy clean up) and I poured in 2 cans of Swanson's Beef broth to which I whisked in a packet of Lipton's Beefy Onion Soup Mix. Then I added 2 cans of Veg-All. I had a pack of stew meet (about a pound or so.) I seasoned some flour with salt and pepper and floured the stew meet, then thew it in a pan to brown just a bit and threw the meet in the pot. The meet wasn't cooked, just seared a bit.
I boiled 2 cups of water and added Better Than Bullion to make more broth. I put some of the broth in the pan I cooked the meet in and deglazed it, then added all of the broth back into the crock pot. Next, I rinsed a 16 ounce bag of pearled barley and added that into the pot. I ended up adding another 2 cups of Better Than Bullion Broth.
I set the crock pot on high for an hour, then turned it to low and cooked it ALL day... like 8 more hours. You have to watch this soup because the barley will soak up the broth, so I had to add broth to it 2 or 3 more times. Cooking it slow makes the stew meet tender and oh so yummy!

EDIT: After this soup sat, the barley soaked up every bit of broth that was there. I had to add MORE broth when I warmed it up. I think if I had only put in half the bag of barley it would have been better.

KISA has already told me I need more practice with this soup. Next time I plan on adding more meet and a small onion, diced. I'll cook the onion in the pan after I sear the meet and before I deglaze it.
I hope you all like it as much as we do!

I ate my soup while watching the Texas Tech OU game and knitting a hat for a Christmas gift. I finished my soup and the hat... and Texas Tech finished OU.
Go Red Raiders!

Ahhhh, Fiber!

2007-11-14T20:26:00.000-06:00

What is it about cooler weather that makes you want to spin? I don't know the answer, but I'm going with the flow here. The weather here in Texas has started to cool off and I've had the urge to spin, so last week, I did. I pulled out some merino/silk roving I bought when we went to Granbury for my birthday and sat down at my wheel while the kids were at school... and this is what happened.
That right there is some fibery goodness. It was the first time I've spun fiber blended with silk, and I must confess, I'm in LOVE! The tiny shop in Granbury only had 2 bags of this fiber nectar and there was only half an ounce in each bag. I've spun up only one bag. It's 50 yards of a fingering-ish weight 2 ply, soft wonderful yarn. I'll spun up the other half ounce as a reward to myself for finishing up another bump of the fiber I'm spinning for Susanne. My big question, though... what will I do with 100 yards of fingering-ish weight merino silk?
Okay, so I know I need to check wpi, but I haven't gotten to it yet...

Next up....
Oh, ya'll, one of my fiber friends went to Rhinebeck this year. She was wonderful and allowed me to give her a bit of moolah to spend on my behalf. here is what she brought me...

Just look at this roving! Oh, it so looks like fall! I grew up "back east" and this reminds me of the trees changing colors in fall. I'm going to spin this up as a reward for finishing up the fiber I'm spinning for Susanne! It's 4 ounces of 100% wool, so I should be able to actually create a knitted item with this once it's spun.

And this, my friends is my Rhinebeck yarn. Oh. My! It's wool and rayon, 300 yards. I'm thinking of making a chevron scarf from Scarf Style with it... if I can find my book, it's walked away it seems... I'm guessing it's hiding in one of my many knitting bags... but I hope I don't find it until after my holiday knitting is finished because I won't be able to resist starting it!

What does the cooler weather have you itching to start? I'll have to make some more mittens this year, the little prince was with me one day at Joann's and picked out some yarn he liked and asked me to make him some mittens with it. How can a mom resist that? He's also been "helping momma" knit a sweater for KISA. I may have another knitter in the family yet!

Man... I better go hide my stash now.... just in case.

What's a knitter to do?

2007-11-03T17:10:00.000-05:00

Okay, let me ask you this...
What can a knitter do with a place mat and a napkin?

Answer?

Well, here is what I did.... I made a DPN case. :^)

Now, I know my readers and you are wondering.... How'd she do that???
So, because I luv ya, I'm gonna tell you. No. I'll SHOW you! (I remembered to take pictures, just for YOU!)

I started out with this... a place mat and napkin, I got mine at Target.

You will also need:
Sewing Machine (you COULD do this by hand, but it'd be hard)
Thread to match (or contrast) your place mat and napkin
Straight pins
Ribbon (about 18 inches or so)
Scissors
Measuring device
About an hour (or an hour and a half if you have two kids interrupting you every few minutes)

Step 1:
Pin two sides (opposite sides) to make the napkin the same width as the place mat; iron the sides down.

Step 2:
Fold the napkin so that you will have two pockets when it's sewn onto the place mat. I wanted my "shorter pocket to hold 7 inch DPNs so I made it 6 inches, leaving room for the needles to stick out a bit so they can be seen. There will be a lot of napkin sticking up, and the wrong side of the fabric will show, so I folded it down to just below my shorter pocket. You could sew this down if you wanted, but that was an extra step, and I didn't care to do it. Okay, so I'm lazy...

Step 3:
This is where you need to decide how to make your pockets. I wanted the taller pockets to be wider so I could also store some circs and anything larger, so I calculated out some pockets evenly....

Notice every other pin up along the top is yellow? I sewed the yellow pocket seams before I attached it to the place mat. You may also notice I stuck the ribbon in on the left side.

Step 4:
Sew the rest of the seams attaching the napkin to the placemat and sew around the outside (sides and bottom.)

Ta-da! You have a needle case! Now, load it up!

I folded the top down, rolled it up and tied the ribbon to keep it closed.
I can't remember how much I spent on the place mat and napkin... I'm guessing $5?

So, it's not knitted, but it's for my knitting, so is it an FO????

My man Meme

2007-11-01T20:08:00.001-05:00

Okay, so if you are reading this and haven't done it yet, consider yourself tagged. :^)

1. Who is your man? KISA (Knight in Shining Armor)
2. How long have you been together? married 9 years
3. How long dated? 2 years
4. How old is your man? 35
5. Who eats more? Well, now that he has a lap band, I do.
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did.
7. Who is taller? He is. A lot.
8. Who sings better? I think he does.
9. Who is smarter? Well, He's better at math, but I scored higher on an IQ test... by like 3 points [grin]
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine (hello, red hair??)
11. Who does the laundry? Hello, SAHM? Me, who else??
12. Who takes out the garbage? both of us
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.
14. Who pays the bills? He does
15. Who is better with the computer? I'm guessing him for now
16. Who mows the lawn? We have a lawn guy
17. Who cooks dinner? Oh, depends on the night, he's a great cook.
18. Who drives when you are together? He does, so I can KNIT!
19. Who pays when you go out? He does, my Daddy Warbucks
20. Who is most stubborn? Depends on the situation
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We are both pretty good about that
22. Whose parents do you see the most? His, mine live further away.
23. Who kissed who first? Hard call. I Think I asked him to....
24. Who asked who out? He drove from Texas to TN to see me, but pretty much TOLD me he was coming.
25. Who proposed? He proposed to me.
26. Who is more sensitive? Him.
27. Who has more friends? Me.
28. Who has more siblings? He does.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? We are equals, but he gets fianl say if there is a "tie."

Happy Hallooween!

2007-10-31T13:50:00.000-05:00

I have some "ghost Stories" for you! But first, a few links...
Lone Star Spirits
Hauntings In Texas
Waverly Hills Hospital

And now, a few of my own...

So, growing up there was a family that lived down the street, their last name was Edwards. The house was two stories with an attic and a basement. The only 2 story house on the street.... and, they had a pool.

Fred, their son was friends with my brother. they also had a daughter, but she was older than Fred, and he was my brother's age (2 years older than me)

When they first moved in, they started talking about hearing a woman singing opera in the attic. They looked and never found anything, but they would hear opera from up there every so often. I was over there with my mom one time and head someone walk down the stairs (the stair squeaked when you walked down them) but no one had come down the stairs, but right after that the room got cold for a few minutes, then warmed up again.

We were over there swimming one time and saw a woman watching us from one of the upstairs windows, yet everyone was out by the pool... she was wearing clothes that looked like they were from the late 1800's or early 1900s.

Then one day Mrs. Edwards dropped her coffee mug in the kitchen. She went downstairs to get the broom and dust pan to clean it up, and when she returned... no mess. The mug and coffee had been cleaned up. She was the only one home. They began calling the ghost Harvey so it wouldn't scare the kids, and she never hurt anyone so they just lived with strange things happening once in a while. Fred used to sleep walk when he was a kid and one night he managed to sleep walk out into the back yard with the pool. Mr. Edwards said a woman woke him up and told him to look outside where he saw Fred sleep walking around the pool and was able to go get him back into the house before he fell in. He thinks the woman was Harvey... Mrs. Edwards died just a few years back and Mr. Edwards sold the house and moved away. My parents haven't met the new owners so I have no idea if Harvey is still there....

My grandparents had a really good friend and we all called him Uncle Irving. He passed away and my grandmother told us that just a few days after his death, she was thinking about him because she hadn't gotten a chance to say good bye. She was in the front room of her house and saw a man walking down the street. it was a quiet neighborhood and she watched the man as he walked and realized it was Uncle Irving, or someone who looked just like him. she said he walked down the street, stopped in front of her house and stood there for a few minutes, the walked off. My grandmother moved from the window to go out the front door and when she was outside she looked down the street after the man, but he was gone. She always said Uncle Irving came to say good bye to her.

Then...

My brother went to VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond, VA. He lived in the dorms for a year then got an apartment with 2 other guys his second year. The apartment was in an old house that had been converted into apartments for college kids. His apartment was on the second floor, 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. One bedroom was rather small, the other really big. My brother shared the big room with a guy from New Jersey, I can't remember his name... Things were good for a while, but then the other guy started acting weird. he begin drawing really violent cartoons and cutting eyes out of magazines and making collages of just eyes... One night My brother woke up and the other guy was standing over him staring at him. He was holding a knife! My brother begin sleeping in the floor of the smaller bedroom with the third roommate. They both said that they would hear the weird roommate in the bigger bedroom down the hall talking and it would sound like there were 3 or 4 other people in the room with him having a conversation, but if you looked, he was alone.

At about that same time, strange things started happening to the girls in the apartment downstairs. They started loosing things and then they'd turn up in plain view...

The came home one night and found muddy footprints in their living room coming out of the closet but they ended abruptly and were just gone. The cops though maybe there was a way into the building from underneath and some homeless person got in their apartment through the closet. But when they looked, there was no hole or opening in the closet. The building owner had an inspector down and he couldn't find any other way in the apartment except the front door. The came home one day to find a candle in a very old pewter candle holder burning on their table. They never found any explanation for the candle and it didn't belong to either of the girls. Nothing was ever missing, not even food. The girls and my brother along with his roommates moved shortly after that. The really weird guy went back home to New Jersey, My brother never heard from him again. He thinks the guy fell in love and the girl turned him down and he went psycho...

Guess we'll never know.

My brother also has talked about going to a cemetery in Richmond and a cold hand touching him when no one was there... but I don't remember all the details of that one....

You all may remember that earlier this year, Ben's Aunt Francis died from Kidney cancer only 2 weeks after being diagnosed. She told my FIL that her husband (who had been dead many, many years) had been visiting her. She came home one day and he was sitting in the living room waiting for her. She said he looked younger than when he died and they had a long conversation, but she didn't say about what. She said this happened several times and Francis told my FIL it would be a race to see who died first. She beat him by just a couple of months, but she knew she was going to die, her husband had come to tell her, even before the doctors found the cancer....

KISA has also told me that is sister got a Ouija board when she was young (I'mnot even sure my KISA was born yet, his sis is about 10 years older than he is) and had been playing with it. That night, my FIL heard a loud evil laugh at the foot of the bed. It scared him so bad he jumped up to a standing position on the bed... but no one was there. The NEXT DAY their house burned. The fire was so hot, it melted their refrigerator.

My best friend from High school also had a Ouija board... she got upset with it one day and threw it in a hall closet, then when she walked back by the closet, the door slammed open and the Ouija board flew out of the closet and hit her. She got rid of it after that...

Then there was the time when I was in college when Satan called me on the phone, but you'd think I was totally crazy if I told that story, so I'll just let you wonder... BUT, think about this... If you believe in God, Heaven and Angles, you really must believe in the opposite... Satan, hell and Demons... but I won't get all theological on you here...

Happy Halloween!

Movie Swap

2007-10-26T08:42:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know it's been a while since I posted, but Life seems to have speed up in the last month. How so? Well, since my last post my MIL, mom and KISA have all had surgery. It's a trend I hope is over, fins!
Anyway, I need to tell y'all about a few things....
First up, my Movie Swap Package!

Here it is in all it's glory! I got a cool bag to put it all in, the bottom is large and it will sit by itself AND it has a zipper to keep everything in. There is a family planning calendar with a row for each person in the family so I can attempt to stay organized (and I can start right away sine it's a 16 month calendar and goes from NOW until the end of next year...) I got the IK Holiday issue AND the Vogue Holiday Issue (which has a REALLY interesting article from Lily Chin about adding side gussets to sweaters to make the larger instead of reworking the whole pattern!)
There is the new pattern-a-day knitting calendar for 2008, some Oh so soft fiber for spinning in fall colors (I may have to just pet this for a while, it's SO soft!) a zippered case for felting and/or washing hand knitted items, a mini spa with massage rocks, lotions, lip gloss, etc., a ball of Mr Brown Disco (I may put this with my other ball of mister brown and knit a hedgehog!) a set of Crochet Project Kards from Nancy's Knit Knacks... and the Movie... Cleopatra (yes, the one with Elizabeth Taylor! LOVE this movie!)
There were also 2 little Halloween Beanie Babies (a bat and a Ghost) for the kids, but they aren't in the picture because the kids have been sleeping with them.
How cool of a swap package is that? thanks Marsha! (Alas, Blogless...)

Next up... The Little Princess learning to knit!

Okay, so she is not yet 5, and she is just holding my hands, BUT she keeps bringing me my knitting and asking to knit, so she is now interested in knitting! YEAH!
I tried this with the Little Prince, but he was NOT happy to knit with pink yarn. He actually asked to knit too, but when I had him hold my hands he said "No Mommy, I want to knit with blue!" So I must find some blue yarn around here and knit with him today.... BUT that means he is also interested! AND KISA doesn't have a problem with his son knitting, as a matter of fact, he thinks it's cool. They will be 5 in December, so maybe I will have bona fide knitters on my hands in a year or so. Do you know what this means? I have a year to figure out how to protect the stash! LOL Oh, and since the Little Prince now "knows" how to knit, he says he is going to knit Daddy a sweater. Isn't that cute? he's already planning his first project!

Okay, Next up... Ram-a-lamb-a ding-dong pants!

KISA went to Cabela's with is Best Bud and came back with these pants for me! he said he thought they would match my Oh Sheep! shirt I got in Lindale. (I'd post a link, but their web site doesn't seem to be working!)
Isn't my KISA Sweet, not only that, he also bought me a really pretty cotton cabled sweater. it will look great with jeans or Khakis, so now I need to find a denim skirt. :^) I"m so happy that the weather here in North Texas is getting cooler. It makes me want to take the kids to a high school football game and bundle up in sweaters, drink Hot Cocoa and yell for a team.
It's also spurred sweater knitting. I finished the knitting part of another baby sweater, but I'm having seaming issues... so I started on the CHAP again, but I'm having pattern alteration issues...
So I started that pink sweater that the Little Princess is helping me knit. I'll take a trip to visit the Knitting Fairy next week and get some help to resolve those issues... The baby sweater won't take long at all to finish, the CHAP is not far from it either, I've almost got the front done and I'm shaping the back raglan part, then I'll have to knit sleeves, but sleeves for a kids sweater shouldn't take long, right? The pink Sweater is a Free Pattern from Lion Brand, I started it last night and I already have about 12 inches of the back done, so it should go fast too.
I really want to knit a sweater for myself, but I haven't found a pattern that sings to me yet.
Dang, I wish life would just stop so I can sit and knit all day....

Stinker

2007-09-28T22:23:00.000-05:00

I wanted to tell you all about my friend Lise, she's a stinker.
I say this with a bunch of love for her, but she is....
See, not long ago, I had Lise as a swap partner. I went to our local LYS and tried to find some yarn to go with an Alaskan theme (It was a vacation swap, we "sent" our partner on a knitting "vacation") I'd find some yarn I thought she'd like, and the nice ladies at the LYS would look on the computer and Lise would already have bought the yarn.
This went on for an hour. I decided that in order to giver her yarn that she didn't already have, I'd give her some of my hand spun. I'd dyed the fiber in her kitchen and the colors worked great for a Northern lights sort of thing...

Well, here's why she is a stinker.... She gave it back to me... like this...

It's the Calorimetry from Knitty.com Check out that button... doesn't it look like she dyed it to match? It's perfect!

So now I"m waiting for the weather here in Texas to cool off so I can wear it. Today's High? in the 90s. Not wool hat band type weather, is it?

Here is another picture of it all stretched out. Who knew that the yarn would stripe like that, cool, isn't it?
Now, I've talked on here that I haven't' knit anything with my hand spun yet, so this is the one thing I own that was made with MY yarn. Cool, huh?

I can't wait to wear this. Is it wrong of me to pray for snow?

I'm so lucky to have my knitting friends. :^)

Scattergories

2007-09-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

I found this while reading a blog of one of the ladies in my knitting group…. And I’m such the copy cat.

Here are the rules as stated on her blog…

Rules:

* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.
* They MUST be real places, names, things … NOTHING made up!
* If you can’t think of anything, skip it.
* You CAN’T use your own name for the boy/girl name question.
* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can’t use my answers!

Now, my name starts with an R, just like hers does… and I’m going to see how many answers I can come up with that include my favorite color, RED.

1. Famous Singer/Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Four letter word: Read (red with an a added!)
3. Street: Red Robin Lane

4. Color: Red (that was easy!)
5. Gifts/Presents: Red Raider gear! (what else?)
6. Vehicle: Red sports car (I’m a girl, who cares what kind it is, it’s all about the color!)
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Red licorice
8. Boy Name: Reed (Red with an e added… okay, I have known guys named Red, but isn’t that cheating?)
9. Girl Name: Rita (dang it!)
10. Movie Title: Red Dawn

11. Drink: Red Wine
12. Occupation: Redsmith (it’s a coppersmith, look it up on Wikipedia!)
13. Celebrity: Red Skelton
14. Magazine: Redbook
15. U.S. City: Red Bank, TN (It’s in Hamilton county)
16. Pro Sports Teams: Redskins
17. Fruit: Ruby Red Grapefruit
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Red paint spilled on the highway
19. Something You Throw Away: red mold
20. Things You Shout: Raider Power!
21. Cartoon Character: Raider Red

Okay… so out of 21, I had 20 things with red in it… Not bad… So, can anyone think of a girls name that would have worked for this??

Oh, and if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged! Change the rules at will. LOL

CHAP Update

2007-09-10T13:18:00.001-05:00

I have an update on my CHAP (Child's Heirloom Aran Pullover)... I took it to knitting retreat with me so i could have the Knitting Fairy look at it a bit. I'd decided I would NEVER finish it if I had to cable both the back and the front... so the back piece that I had started will soon become the front, and I'm knitting a simple, plain Stst back...
Here it is so far...
In this picture I'm only a few rows away from starting to decrease for the arm holes. I've since completed that and I'm ready to decrease! The cabled piece has one more row and then I start to shape the neck. I plan on doing that tomorrow.
After talking about the sweater at the Retreat, we decided that the sleeves will look strange with the stst back, so I'm going to knit them with a single cable down (or is that up?) the middle of the sleeves. I haven't decided which cable I will do.
I expect I'll have this done in time for cold weather. Yea! I'm so excited! Y'all, I started this in Jan 1, 2006, good thing I had the forethought to make it too big at the time!

Getting ready for cooler weather

2007-09-08T11:26:00.001-05:00

I've knitted two of these so far, one still needs a button and the ends woven in... it's the Calorimentry from Knitty.com. I think I'll send this one to my SIL who lives in Maryland. They have 2 very active boys and I think this might be nice for her to wear in the snow this winter. I love how it gives you the warmth of a hat without messing up your hair.
The second one I knitted is for my Little Princess, she picked out the yarn herself, it's pink and purple... her favorite colors.

I was at Joann's yesterday and the Little Prince saw some blue yarn he HAD to have. he said he wants gloves and a sweater made from it. LOL I told my KISA that it was fun taking the kids to stores that sell yarn now because they INSIST that I buy them yarn!
I'm actually actively working on the CHAP now, I almost have the front finished and I have 5 inches or so done of the back (I need 10 inches before the arm shaping)... the sleeves will be my next challenge, as I'm sort of rewriting the pattern as I go. I'm cabling the front, knitting the back in stst, and so I'll have to alter the sleeves to not be entirely cabled so they don't look funny. I believe this will require a visit to the Knitting Fairy, but I'll see what I can do with it first and if I think I have it figured out, she can just confirm what I've done, if not, she will correct my mistakes and it will be a learning experience either way. I'm hoping to be able to make that visit before the end of the month. :^) I may have to have a party when this sweater is done... I've been working on it close to forever... and I will for sure get professional pictures taken of The Little Prince wearing it!

A little Late...

2007-08-31T16:12:00.000-05:00

Well, It's been a while, hasn't it?
last weekend I went on a retreat with some of my knitting friends at a wonderful B&B. We had a wonderful time and we had classes on how to knit a sweater from the Knitting Fairy!
Look what I did!

Okay, so that is how much i did over the weekend at the retreat... here is the finished product.

Yes, it still needs buttons... but I'm waiting until I know who I will give it to, then I can make it either a boy sweater or a girl sweater. It's about a 6 month size, I think.
Now I want to make on in MY size....

Update - What does a knitter, spinner & crocheter do when she can't?

2007-08-07T16:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, so Friday, I went to see the chiropractor... my very first time ever... and it's never a good thing when the doc comes back with your x-rays and says "You are unusal, let me show you..." and pulls out another x-ray, from someone else to show you what "normal" is... Then you, the untrained professional, can look at said x-ray and see major differences without the doc pointing them out.
No. Not good.
So the doc says he wants the radiologist to look at my x-rays before he will do anything to me. I go back tomorrow... KISA is teasing me that I will be turned into a pretzel. LOL

So, to keep myself busy, I've been looking at Etsy a lot. Dang there are some talented people out there.

I've also found some things I must make. Look at these DPN protectors. Are they not cool? I've also been in search of the stuff to make them. I'll never have to rummage for that lost DPN again!

I bought two of these. Another cool must have for the DPN sock knitter. I called the shop on the phone and the lady was super dooper nice!

I discovered that I can spin a bit... for short stints. this is what I've done so far:

This is what KISA calls the "Skunk tail fiber." It's mill ends from Brown sheep that I got over at Simpatico for a steal. It's so yummy to spin, and soft, oh, so soft, both the fiber and yarn!

And here are the singles from the Skunk Tail Fiber (I just love saying that!)

I plied it last night, but I haven't taken pictures yet. KISA has claimed it and wants me to make him a scarf. I have 89 yards... and lots of spinning to go for a scarf for his 6 foot 3ish self!

Next I have some brown fiber that my Friend (Blogless) Ellen sent to me, I'm calling it rustic brown because it has little fluffy tufts in it. I forgot to take pictures of the fiber or the singles, but here is 69 yards of handspun goodness.

the brown was really fun to spin, it almost drafted itself and I spun a bunch of it one handed. I'm thinking it will become a hat (for ME!)

I'm practicing my spinning because Susanne made one of her wonderful bags for me to give Lise in a Knitting swap in exchange for me spinning some fiber and I want it to be really nice. :^) The fiber is beautiful so it's going to be fun to spin, too!

What a pain...

2007-07-30T00:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I've pinched a nerve and I'm one handed.
No knitting.
No spinning.
Cooking will be difficult, doing dishes, a no no (darn!) Laundry I can probably manage, but folding will be a challenge...

This is going to be dangerous because if I can't knit, I'll be looking at patterns and yarn...
Bad, bad, bad!

By the way Knit Clinics has updated their shop.... I was hoping for more Texas wildflower inspired colors, but you can't have everything.

Facing Fears

2007-07-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

You know how all the experts say that you can get over a fear if you just face it? Well, I faced a fear tonight! Did I concur that fear? Well, that remains to be seen, but I have evidence!

Do you know what this is? It's a swatch, yes... a tiny 2.5 inch X 2 inch swatch... of my handsupn yarn! This is the first time I've EVER knit with any of my hand spun! Oh, and it's so soft!

Why this, why now?
Well, the rest of this lovely yarn was gifted to a wonderful knitting friend of mine. I was going to do some spinning tonight and there was a little left over on the bobbin. I used every bit of what was left in this tiny swatch. This was knit using singles (the gifted yarn was a 2 ply) and size 5 needles. (oh, and in case you are wondering, that is my pants leg the swatch is pinned to... and yes, I was wearing the pants at the time!)
See, I've been afraid of messing up my handspun knitting it. I gave the bigger hank of this yarn away, but had I kept it I would have hung on to this tiny bit as well... not enough to bother plying, but I might need it... but, since I gave the rest away, this would have gotten tossed. Trashed. It didn't matter if I messed it up, it was trash anyway.
Well, Trash no more. I think I'm going to frame it! (Well, after I unpin it from my pants leg...)

Sock Update

2007-07-25T15:16:00.001-05:00

Time for a sock update. Last time I forgot to show these beauties, the Maze socks from Sensational Knitted Socks. These are for KISA and his HUGE feet. 112 stitches per round people! They are halfway through the first repeat and I'm thinking one repeat may be enough, he likes short socks, so we'll see. Currently this sock project lives in my sock bug. :^)

Next up, the Gryffindor socks. Okay, so they didn't get finished in time for me to wear while reading the book... it came out on Saturday, I finished reading it on Monday, but I really didn't get going on it until Sunday... What can I say, I read a lot faster than I knit. I'll have these done by this weekend I bet...

I need to start working on the lacy Mock cable socks again, Becky left for China today to go get her daughter. I'm so excited for her!

Okay, so two posts in one day... Wow. Y'all don't faint, okay?

Where's Waldo?

2007-07-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

Okay, so Sunday morning, KISA comes into our room to tell me that he can't find our little prince. It's early, so early that the little prince shouldn't be awake quite yet, but he is not in his room... See the empty bed?

So we look in the living room...

We look in the study...

We look in the bathroom...

We look in the kitchen....

No little prince.

So, we look in his room again.

Look carefully.

Do you see him there?

He's on the floor in the middle of a bunch of blankets.
It appears he slid out of the end of his bed onto the floor and stayed asleep. I know he didn't start out that way, I checked on him when I went to bed the night before.

He woke up shortly after this picture was taken. let me tell you, it's a weird feeling to have a child missing. I never want to feel that way again!

Sock Update

2007-07-17T10:00:00.001-05:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I last posted. I've been knitting a lot of socks... It's summer and I tend to knit socks or dishcloths when the weather gets warm. Here in Texas, Summer has finally arrived... as the Pastor put it last week, Monsoon season seems to be over ! LOL (Yup, had LOTS of rain here lately, but I digress.)

Socks.

Here is a picture of the Gryffindor Socks I'm knitting for the release of the last Harry Potter Book. I've been teasing KISA that they are Redskin socks, since we do live in Dallas Cowboys land, but I grew up in Redskin territory.
I'm using some hand dyed yarn I bought from Sunshine Yarns on Etsy. I love it! I also bought the Phoenix colorway, named for the Bird in the books, but I think it looks like the Indian Blanket Wildflowers we see here in Texas in the spring. beautiful! With all the rain, we still have some blooming around this year. If you have never seen Texas in the spring, you are missing out! OH, I'm using some Crystal Palace bamboo needles in a size 1 (I think.)

Next up, the Duet Toe Up socks. I received this yarn from a Swap partner in a swap my Knitting group had. The yarn is Duet Sock and it came with the pattern. The yarn is DK weight, so they should go fast... but I've only been working on them off and on. The pattern calls for an afterthought heel that is done in the solid color. I'm thinking I'll put the socks on holders to do the heels because I'm hoping I'll have enough of the solid to put a small stripe of the solid on the cuff. I'm using the KnitPicks circs in Size 2 for these... maybe it's a 3, I just can't remember. Sad, I know... and I'm being lazy today and not using my needle sizer to check for you... so if you REALLY want to know, leave a comment and I'll check for you.

Okay, this pair is the Lacy Mock Cable pattern using Fleece Artist Merino. (Yummy!) A friend gifted me the yarn and she will be traveling to China to adopt a baby girl in just a few weeks. I'm going to be praying for her trip as I knit these socks... sort of using the knitting as a reminder to pray and the knitting time as prayer time, too. :^)
My friend Teresa said the socks are looking like Rainbow Fish scales, and she's right! I'm sure I'll be calling these my Rainbow Fish socks.
I like the way they are turning out, I was wondering in the beginning. Even KISA says he likes them! I do have to pay attention on that 5th pattern row, though. Since I'm a tight knitter the passing the stitch over gives me a bit of trouble. That may not bode so well for me being a lace knitter. LOL

I also joined a hand knit/hand spun socks KAL. So far I bought some Superwash roving and dyed it. I haven't gotten to the spinning quite yet. with school and family stuff that has been going on I haven't had a chance to sit down and spin any at all. I was hoping to get some of my spinning done this week, but my kids are sick and home from school today... Ah well, I live the life of a mom and love it, so I won't complain. They just grow up too fast!
I'm anxious to get some of this spun, though. I've never used superwash roving before and this is some yummy stuff.

Okay... so you think I gave you all enough links there??? LOL

Back from the brink?

2007-07-08T22:38:00.001-05:00

Well, I've been out of pocket for a while....
My Father-in-law passed away last Monday and we had to go give him one heck of a send off. Y'all, I've never laughed so much while planning a funeral in my life. (Okay, so I've only helped plan 4 funerals before this one, but still...)
He always told us to just bury him in a pine box, and when we told the funeral director that he showed us a pine casket (looked like a regular casket but it was made of pine and only lightly finished) and then suggested that we let people sign the casket with Sharpies.
My FIL volunteered at the local elementary school and he loved those cards the kids made for him. he'd pour over them for hours. We figured why not send him off on one big card? He would have loved it!
I took pictures (casket closed!) but I thought it might creep some people out, so I won't post any here.
While I was gone, I got 2 prayer shawls made, but I gave them away before I got pictures of them. Isn't that the way with prayer shawls, though?

Making Good

2007-06-23T11:43:00.000-05:00

As you remember, about a week ago I had a little contest to see who could guess how many UFOs I have around here... and Tasha won. Now, Tasha and I run in the same knitting circles and are buds... and I've had her as my secret swap partner (and she's had me, too!) and I had made her a row counter bracelet in her signature pink and green for the occasion... so I had to get creative.
Besides Pink and Green, she's famous for shoes and for leopard print. A quick search of the Internet turned up some leopard print beads... but at $7 per bead, I just couldn't afford them.
But, I scored yesterday and today I proudly show off Tasha's award row counter bracelet for knowing me well enough to guess high! LOL (I hope you like it!) Congrats Gurl! I'll get this to you soon!

Whatcha think?

2007-06-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

I'm really bad about not knitting with yarn people have given because, well... it's special. I always want to find just the right pattern for the yarn...
This is one of those times. My friend Becky has given me some beautiful yarns, and I haven't knit any of it up. I wanted to remedy that, and she is adopting a little girl from China, so I thought now would be a great time to start a project from some of that yarn so that every time I pick up the project to knit it, I'll think of her and say a little prayer for this newly formed family.
So, I picked up some yummy Fleece Artist merino sock yarn Becky had given me (I'd been petting it for a while) and started knitting... Tasha made some beautiful socks from the Lacy Mock Cable pattern and I wanted to try it too... and here ya go... I don't think the pattern is showing up well with this yarn...
I'm wondering if this yarn just wants to be a basic sock with ribbing and stockinette...
What do you all think? I haven't frogged it yet, and I've only done 2 repeats of the pattern, so I'm not committed yet. :^)

Here is the yarn wound up with the Gryffindor yarn, I also started those so I can wear them while reading the book when it comes out next month. I've been teasing the KISA that it's Redskin colors. Well, they are my hometown team. ;^) I have about 2 inches of the Gryffindor knit up in ribbing. It's self striping so I'm just making plain socks... and I don't have a picture.

Spinning stress away

2007-06-21T20:56:00.000-05:00

My day started with a phone call from Dad.... From the ER... My mom had a stroke. It was her second, the first was at the end of July 1998. Why do I remember that date? I got married the next day.
So, I remembered the fiber my friend sent me last month (see May 11 post) with directions to use ti when I needed stress relief. Well, today was the day.
So, It started like this; the unspun fiber in the batt:

And here are the singles spun up:

I attempted to Navajo ply for the very first time... only to be met with catastrophic failure.

So I got out my handy dandy ball winder and plied from a center pull ball.

And, finally, in the skein. 109 yards worth of handspun.

I still need to set the twist, but I will wait for a sunny day (if we have one again!) so that I can let it dry outside.

I know I said I was going to ply it with that other fiber I have... but I was anxious to see this plied up. Impatient.
Silly girl!

Big feet, Big...

2007-06-19T15:35:00.000-05:00

Socks.
Yup, Big feet, Big socks, what were YOU thinking??? (Tasha?) ;^)

I finished the chunky weight socks I was making for KISA in time for father's day. He work them to work on Monday. Now, he wears a size 14EEEE and to put how big these socks really are, I placed a 9 inch size 8 knitting needle on top of one of the socks. Also, keep in mind the top of the foot is done in ribbing, so the sock will stretch over his wide foot.

These were made with Paton's Shetland Chunky in the High Plains colorway. I used size 7 dpns and cast on 60 stitches. I used size 8s on the last pair and KISA mentioned that it would take a little getting used to because he could feel the stitches when he walked. Evidently, using the size 7s solved that pesky problem. I see more of these socks in my future, this is his second pair and he wears them as soon as I wash them.
[Sigh]
Be still my knitters heart.

UFO Update

2007-06-15T15:56:00.000-05:00

I just frogged THREE projects!
I'm down to an even 20... and I'm hoping to have the chunky socks done for the KISA for Father's day...
We shall see... Stay tuned! LOL

Drumroll Please!

2007-06-15T00:15:00.000-05:00

Okay, here is my list of UFOs. Keep in mind I finished 2 things this week. so you have to add 2 to the final total...

Missy lace KAL Shawl (Jojoland yarn)
CHAP KAL Sweater
Branching out scarf
Prayer shawl
Meier Blanket
Alpaca chunky Taos Scarf*
Fair Isle Purse
Socotta socks (for TLP)*
Thomas Toy
Car washcloth
Texas Tech Intarsia Square
baby sweater (knit version)*
baby sweater (crochet version)*
Clapotis
Practice clappy*
TTU washcloth*
NORO Felted bag
toe Up socks for me
Big socks for KISA
Forever socks for KISA
Triangle Log cabin shawl
Log cabin blanket
Crochet granny square baby blanket

Yes, that means, when I started this contest... I had 25 UFOs. That is TWENTY FIVE! I think I only took pictures of half of them... The ones with the * are the ones I've decided should be frogged. There are six of those. I have not frogged anything yet.

Yet. But when I do, I'll still have 17 UFOs. Now, those of you who guessed 17, don't get your hopes up, the contest was for the total. Our winner? the person who was the closest without going over? TASHA! (She guessed 21).

So, Lise you still want two?? ;^)

Anyone have more than me?

Pardon the lack of links, it's after midnight and I'm heading to bed... sans links.

FOs

2007-06-14T20:25:00.000-05:00

Okay... Just so you all won't think I haven't finished anything this month... Really I have!

These are the Horcrux socks. I used Plymouth Encore (gifted) and size 5 needles.

I've also finished the Scribble lace, but I don't have a picture of it completed yet and a washcloth. The Chunky Socks for my KISA should be finished soon, too. I'm hoping that he will be able to wear them to church for Father's Day.
I was hoping to get pictures of all the rest of my UFOs to post in the big reveal, but I don't think it's going to happen... Duty calls and Texas Tech University has my time for the next few weeks... My Exams are June 29-30 and then the next summer term starts on July 5... but I only took one class that term and not the insane 2 I took this term.
Hummm.... I see a trend!

And... no, you can't change your guess!
But, if I'm still up at midnight Central time, I'll post my final number... even if blogger thinks it's still Thursday! LOL

Still more UFOs...

2007-06-14T01:22:00.000-05:00

So, are you starting to believe I'm deranged for having so many?
Here are a few more, tomorrow will be the big reveal of the total number... and I'll start moving pictures of the ones already posted her to my Flikr so I can put them on Ravelry. :^)

Okay, first up we have... the Texas Tech dishcloth my KISA was trying to design... but it wasn't working. This will be frogged. Soon.

This is the Felted Fair Isle purse from the Knitting Fairy. I took a class. It was wonderful, it was fun, I learned to knit with BOTH hands! But, Y'all my desk is small and all that yarn took up most of my desk space and i ahd to make room for school, so it got pushed aside... out of site, out of mind. i WILL finish this, really, I will. I have the double Icord strap sitting on my desk at this moment and I have actually been knitting on it, so technically this is an active project, right?

Oh, dear.... This is a crocheted baby blanket that I started for the Little Prince. I would have had it done too if they hadn't of decided to arrive 10 weeks early. This is what happens to projects when twins arrive... 4 1/2 years later you find them rumpled up in a bag in the back of your closet. This will get finished, because The Little Princess has a blanket, I don't want my sweet Little Prince having a complex because he didn't get one too. I should also note this was the 4th blanket I made, both kids got a big fluffy blanket and a pretty light weight blanket, his lightweight blanket just didn't get finished... (Thank you for enduring my Mommy guilt trip, you may now return to your regularly scheduled blog...)

Ah, this is the Taos scarf pattern, but I'm using chunky weight Alpaca, incredibly soft and wonderful, but it will be frogged because even this incredibly short scarf has mistakes, HUGE mistakes. I'm sure it will still become a Taos scarf, just not right now... and let's face it people, I live in Texas, why on Earth to I need a thick warm scarf?

Okay, so there you have it, I'm up to... what? 15 UFOs with 3 of those to frog.
And.... Yes.... There are more. It's true. Really.
Sick, I know....

EDITED NOTE: I posted this at (according to my computer's clock,) 1:45 am on Thursday morning... Blogger must be on the west coast because it thinks it's still Wednesday! And no, I won't go into why I'm up so late....

UFOs... Socks

2007-06-13T19:21:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have enough socks going to need their own post. Sad, isn't it?

This first pair I cast on recently and they are for me. They are the Basic Toe up with Afterthought heel socks knit with Duet Sock yarn from A Swell Yarn Shop (the pattern came with the yarn,and the yarn was a swap gift from the Texas Purl Girl.) I've knit to the 52 stitches the pattern calls for and my toes aren't big enough yet, so I need to keep going. I'm hoping to have enough to put a stripe of the purple on the top of the cuff, so I"m probably going to do the heels with different needles so I can keep the cuffs on the circs. :^)

This is the Maze Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks. They are for my KISA, it's the first thing he specifically asked me to knit for him, and he picked out the colors, too! I'm calling them my forever socks because they will take forever to knit... he wears a size 14 EEEE! The yarn is Knitpicks Essential.

These next socks are destined to get frogged. I started them about a year ago (I'm so ashamed) for the Little Prince. I think I got bored with them because this was the second pair of this same yarn (Sockotta) I made. The first socks were tube socks and are now just footies on him... I need to pull this one that is started out, make it a bit bigger and add more ribbing to it. I'm thinking of doing heels on these, too. maybe add a stripe of another blue yarn at the toe so I can take them out and make them bigger. JB loves the socks I made him, it's a shame I didn't finish these. Oh... and My Little Princess lost one of the needles in the set. I'd bought 2, so now I have nine size 2 birch needles! LOL I have also noticed that my gauge has changed, these are so tight you'd think they were knit on size 0s... but then, I'm a tight knitter to begin with.

And yes, another pair for my KISA. I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess.... These are made with chunky yarn, so they don't take long... but he has come to appreciate the wonderfulness that is hand knitted socks, and being a diabetic loves that they have no seams. I just need to get to work on the second sock. These are my mindless knitting except for the heels and I tend to knit them in church. This is the second pair I've knit him from this yarn, Paton's Shetland Chunky. I use size 7 needles.

So, there you have it, 4 pairs of socks OTN. And yes, there are more UFOs. I still haven't gotten pictures of all of them and I have a sinking feeling there are some lurking about that I haven't found yet...
So, let's tally these up so far.... That's... 11? With 2 I've decided to frog.

Are you considering an intervention yet?

2007-06-13T09:46:00.000-05:00

I found a virtual model on a blog and made one for myself... Wow, if that won't encourage you to loose weight! Just go, and play with your weight a bit on there... [sigh]

UFOs continued...

2007-06-11T12:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I fessed up to having the branching out scarf from Knitty.com started on one of my groups, so I thought I'd go ahead and post it.
I managed to get 3 repeats done before giving up on lace, only to start the Missy lace (seen in the last post.

This blue thing is a clapotis. Yeah, I know. I realized I'd be bored to tears with it once I got it this far along. It's destined to be frogged. I may go do that now as a matter of fact... or wait and use it to drop that first stitch... Hum?

And here is my Clappy. I'm keeping her. I love her. She is now on circs, I needed the short straights for dishcloths, it is summer, you know. I knit tons of dishcloths in the summer.... but I don't use them myself. I know, I'm strange, but you love me! He he!

Let's see, that brings my UFO total to 7... and yet, there is more!

UFOs spotted

2007-06-09T21:58:00.000-05:00

I have been taking UFO pictures... I'll show you a few...
This sweater is, perhaps my oldest UFO. I think the last time I worked on it I was in the hospital, pregnant, and thinking I'd be there for a while... but the kids were born the next day... so that would mean I last worked on it 4 1/2 years ago.
Shame on me!
I'm not even sure I know where the pattern is now. i made one other from this pattern for my nephew, he looked so cute in it.

This is my scribble lace from the Mason Dixon Knitting book. I'm actually actively working on this trying to get it done. I want to wear it to church sometime soon. I love the way the sunlight makes the colors brighter... but this picture was taken on a cloudy day...
It looks like the bottom is wider, but it's not, the wind was blowing and the bottom is actually closer to the camera.

This is the CHAP (Children's Heirloom Aran Pullover) from LSSK. You can see that I am almost finished with the back and I have started the front. I started the front to show my friend Enid how to do cables... when Ben took his comprehensive test in Lubbock for his master's degree... That was March of last year.
I have to get this done by this winter or both kids will be too big for it by next...
So I need to get cracking. My KISA was so sweet talking to me about this the other day. I mentioned that it took me almost 4 months to knit the back you see here... and he said "Yeah, but that was when you first started knitting, you are so much faster now!" I think he likes it and wants to see it finished.

This is my Missy lace. I started it last summer. I was so excited earlier this winter to be able to finish one repeat... and now with everything going on and school, I just don't have brain enough to work on it.
Soon, lace, soon!

So, there are 4 UFOs right there, Oh, yes, there are more... and I started something new today. I'm not sure it's working, though, so It may get frogged. Didn't know you'd have a moving target, did you? I also started and finished a dishcloth yesterday... but it's an FO now, so that won't count...

I have a few more places to look for UFOs, so I'll make the big announcement next Friday. You have until then to get your votes in.
:^)

2007-06-08T13:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been rounding up UFOs around here and taking pictures...
If you want to enter the contest that I posted on June the 4th, you need to get your guesses in.
I have to admit, I am a bit discouraged since NO ONE has decided to venture a guess yet...
But I can tell you, I'm astounded. I had no idea it was this bad.
It's a sickness, really... But I'm pulling out some things to work on that have been sitting for far too long... which is bad, I should be doing school work.
I is a graduate student.

:^P

Speaking of rainbows...

2007-06-07T20:33:00.001-05:00

Sometime back in March, Lise had a dyeing day at her house and I created this lovely roving that I've been calling my Rainbow Roving.

I started spinning almost as soon as it was dry because I was so smitten... It was spinning up beautiful singles, but it was turning my hands pink. Evidently I didn't get the dye set very well.
As it turns out, life got in my way and I got about half of it spun up before I got distracted with other things. But then I joined the Handspun/Hand Knit Socks KAL and I decided to spin up the rest, hoping I could use this for my socks. I've never actually knit anything with yarn that I've spun and I thought this would push me to do it...
And as life is now rather stressful, I needed some spinning time in my life...
Here are the singles. Notice how pink my fingers and hand is? (I think my brother, the graphic artist, would tell me they are magenta... but he's artsy fartsy that way.)

And then, last night I plied them together and got this...

Wow, what a change, huh?
And then today I found myself a pair of latex gloves (I ended up using bleach to get the pink off after spinning yesterday and I didn't' want to have to do that again...) I got out my home made PVC Niddy Noddy and wound it into a skein...

Wow, another big change! I love this yarn. There are some places where the singles didn't quite get spun enough... I thin I'm just still getting used to my Babe wheel, the Kromski wheel spins tighter, faster than the Babe.
So, now i have to get the dye set. I looks like it's 243 yards, so I couldn't use it for socks for me anyway... someone suggest I make socks for My Little Princess... and that may be ab option because her feet will grow fast enough that she wouldn't wear them out.... but will I really hand wash a pair of the Princesses socks???

Noah?

2007-06-04T21:24:00.000-05:00

Well, It's been raining quite a lot around here lately. This evening God thought He'd remind me that we really don't need to build an ark...
Genesis 9:13 (Genesis 9:12-16 is even better... give it a read...)

Frog Pond & contest

2007-06-04T10:23:00.001-05:00

Okay, I've been inspired by my friend, Lise, to frog a few things...
Starting with these...
They have been sitting on the needles... just like this for, well (I hate to admit this...) Months.
The yarn is KnitPicks bare that I dyed with Easter Egg dyes. I think I'd decided they were too small, they looked like they would fit My Little Princess, who is 4 years old. True, they did stretch to fit over my foot and ankle, but I lamented that once I got the to StSt part, they would be too snug... and I don't like snug socks.
So, they have been frogged.
In an effort to simplify my life, I have decided to do a lot of frogging. If the project is sitting ignored, it's in danger of being frogged.... I start a lot that doesn't get finished and, well, life is just to short to knit on stuff you don' t like.

One project I refuse to frog is the CHAP (Child's Heirloom Aran Pullover) that I started a year and a half ago. (Yes, that long! I think it's now my oldest UFO..)
It's a bit further along than in this picture... I started it for my kids... My Little Princess is now too big for it, but My little Prince just might still be able to wear it this winter if I can manage to finish it by then... if not, I have a huge head start on stuff for my grandkids. LOL

I do have an FO to show off, though!
Yes, this is me looking rather thug-like. The yarn is Paton's Shetland Chunky, left over form this month's KAL for my EasySocks Group. I didn't use a pattern. I'm hoping to get a group of people at my church to start knitting. We support churches in Romania and Croatia and my thought is to make things to send them, with the idea being that if you take care of people's physical needs, it's much easier to take care of their spiritual needs as well.

Okay, so lets have a little fun... anyone want to venture a guess at how many UFOs I have around my house? Wanna guess how many i will frog? We know of at least one (pictured above... Just leave me a comment!
Let's make it interesting... I'll send a row counter bracelet to the person whose guess is the closets without going over. if you guess the same number as someone else, I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner, well 2 winners... one for number of UFOs and one for number of UFOs that I end up frogging. It may be a while before I get them all pulled together, so bear with me.... I've got a lot going on right now... so stay tuned!

Tagged!

2007-05-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

Yes, I've been tagged!
This is my very first Tagging as a blogger... wow, am I a "real" Blogger now?

Okay, so I was tagged by my friend Lise and I'm supposed to list 7 things about me. I'm also supposed to tag 7 other people, but I'm not sure I know 7 people with blogs who haven't already been tagged, ah well.. I'll try...

Here are 7 things about me:

1) I've always hated school. I went to college because I thought it was expected of me. I'm now getting my Master's because I actually WANT to. I haven't figured out what changed.

2) I am a news junkie. I have several news sites on line that I read because I try not to watch the news with the kids around.

3) I am married, I have kids, I own a house and cars and all that, but I still often do not feel like an adult. (am I a Toys R Us kid?)

4) I hate those school fundraisers. always have. don't we pay enough taxes so the kids don't have to go out and con people into buying crappy stuff they really don't want?

5) I am a registered voter, but I'm not affiliated with any party. I believe in States Rights and upholding the constitution. Before making more laws, lets look at the ones we already have and enforce them or get rid of them! I'm fairly conservative, but I vote for who ever I think will do the best job in office, no matter what party.

6) If money was no object, I'd buy a big house and fill it with kids. I love kids and there are too many out there in need of a good home, stuck in a broken foster system. (I must be on a soapbox now!)

7) I love to cook, but I really don't like doing dishes. baking is my favorite and I don't get to do enough of it because I have a family full of diabetics.

So, there you have it. 7 things about me.

Now I think I'm supposed to do 8 random facts, too.

1) I was on the front Page of the Washington Post when I was about 5 years old... I was with the Easter Bunny at the egg roll on the White House lawn!

2) I met my husband on the Internet in a chat room. we were married 2 years to the day that we met.

3) My mom says that when I was a kid (teenager even) I would tell her I was going to have twins one day.

4) Fall is my favorite season, but I miss all the colors from when I was living "back east."

5) My favorite color is red.

6) It took me years to learn to knit. I'd pick it up and try, get frustrated and put it away for a few years... One day,it just clicked. I've always loved to work with my hands.

7) My first car was a gift to me and my brother, Woody, from our Aunt Sandi. It was a 1972 Chevy Nova and it was the same color of green as split pea soup. (Yuck!)

8) No one in my family will play my Disney trivia game with me. I always win, even if they play with the kids cards and I play with the adults cards.

Now, I promised some knitting content last time, so let me see what I have...
Oh, I know! Socks! (are you surprised?)

I made my SIL Nancy a pair of socks while she was here. See, she LOVES soft socks and hey, since I'm a sock knitter, it was a perfect fit.
My reason for knitting her socks is that she is in an MBA program and has a 4.0 average! (Go Nancy!) She will graduate in December and if she maintains that average, I'll knit her another pair.

These were made with Paton's Shetland chunky and size 8 needles. the yarn turned my bamboo dpns blue. :^( I didn't have a pattern, I just used the measurements technique. I had them knit in a weekend and Nancy really seemed to like them... but hey, nice to have a pair of wool socks just in time for summer, right?

Scout the Wonder Dog....

2007-05-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

We have a dog at our house, his name is Scout... We sometimes call him Scout the wonder dog... See, he saved my dad one day a few years back... Dad was having a heart attack and Scout woke the whole house to make sure he got help.
We adopted him from the SPCA and we think he is an Australian Sheppard/Lab mix. He came with some baggage, but we love him and he loves us...

And I admit, we spoil him a bit.
Well, Scout was in need of a bath, so I made an appointment and took him off to the Pet Spa as I am prone to do. Oh, come on now, would you want to bathe a 60 pound dog in your tub and then clean up the mess well enough for two 4 year olds to get clean in said tub for church that same night.
I thought not. Me either... so I take him to the Pet Spa.
So, when I dropped him off, they were busy. I mean really busy. This is fine with me, it means they will stay open for business and be there when Scout needs his bath and we also board him there when we go out of town. They know him when we walk in and don't even have to ask his name...
Usually.
It seems they have been so busy, they had some new people there... and they had another dog named Scout there that same day, too...
Do you see where this is going?
They got the dogs mixed up. The OTHER Scout was a Schnauzer, he was supposed to get a Summer buzz cut.
Oh. Yes. They. Did.
They shaved my dog.

Does he look pitiful, or what? We usually only see him curled up like that when he's cold. (Note, it's almost June... and we live in TEXAS!)

Ben was laughing hysterically.
I was crying. I guess all the stress from everything going on with my FIL came out at that moment and I cried and couldn't stop.
I knew I was irrational, but I couldn't help it.
I made Ben go get him, I didn't want the people at the Pet Spa to feel that bad... but we did get all his services that day for free.
Note the rolls of skin on his neck that used to be hidden by fur.
Note they left his tail and legs alone...

Here he is today... he looks skinny... and more like a bird dog than a Sheppard. I'm hoping his fur grows back fast.
This is going to take some getting used to.

Poor Scouters.

Time Out?

2007-05-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

Here is something I thought I'd share with you all...
I saw this at Central Market on Saturday and thought it was pretty funny.

Yup, I have days like that.

Mother's Day Come and Gone

2007-05-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

Well, unless you are a random reader, you know my Mother's Day left much to be desired. My FIL is very ill and in the hospital. My Mother-in-law called just after lunch (and we were planning the nice meal for dinner) and we went into over drive and got my KISA packed and out the door on his way...
See, my Father in law has lung cancer.... and it's bad. Real Bad. This picture was taken several years ago. Adam, the boy in the picture is now a junior in high school, driving and much taller than his Papaw...

We are preparing our good byes, and so, this is my tribute. He wasn't perfect (none of us are) but he helped raise the perfect man for me. He's been a loving and attentive grandfather... and a champion of reading in his small town (He even won an award from the Governor!) It's sad to have to say good bye, but I have assurance that I will see him again in Heaven one day. (click here if you need to make sure too)

I miss you already.

Edited note:
We just found out that the small town where my FIL lives has now named the Elementary School Library in honor/memory of my FIL.
It's a good legacy.

Thanks, Long Over Due

2007-05-11T15:01:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back I found a fluffy envelope in the mail. It was this from my dear knitting friend Liz.
She said she sent it for me to use when I needed to relax.... which I have needed to do quite a bit lately, but just haven't had the time. Sad, but true. Hopefully, now that finals are over I can get some time to myself here and there before school starts up again at the end of May.

I'm thinking of plying the singles from the Liz gift fiber with this fiber That I got on our trip to Houston a few year back. I bought it at The Upstairs Studio, great shop, if you ever happen to be in the area. They look really similar in the picture, but the second fiber is much darker and I think they complement each other. I guess we will have to wait and see until I get some of it spun up.

Then, another knitting friend of mine who has been making the most adorable sock bags gave me some powder blue silk to try. I havne't taken a picture of it yet, sorry!
I see myself spinning my summer away, happy as a lark.

Thank you both so much! I've been remiss for not thanking you here sooner!

Lastly, I have finished my KISA a pair of socks for this tootsies. Yes, those size 14 EEEE tootsies of his... He likes them so much, he wore them to work yesterday. :^)

2007-05-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

One of the ladies on one of my knit lists sent this in and it was fun, so I thought I'd post it. It was interesting to do because I've done more than I thought I had. Another lesson in the "I'm a better knitter than I give myself credit for!"

Mark with bold the things you have ever knit, with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.

Afghan (I have crocheted many though!)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up (in process!)
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting (What is this?)
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing (I've crocheted lots of barbie clothes when I was a kid!)
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items)on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks (this scares me!)
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories (I have crocheted around pony tail holders, it's cute!)

Knitting in public

2007-04-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

well, Hummmm...
That Mojo still has not been found. I've tried again on that sock and have messed it up...
Again!
Will I be forced to knit garter stitch for the rest of my life??!??

I have been working on a secret craft project for the last week or so. My deadline is looming and I must get it finished. I'll post pictres once it's done and to it's rightful owner. ;^)

I have finals this week and I should be working on a paper. True to form, I'm procrastinating.
At least the laundry is getting done....

Oops!

2007-04-23T07:55:00.000-05:00

I've somehow lost my knitting mojo as of late. I'm having trouble with even the simplest patterns.
Case in point... This discloth from a recent issue of Creative Knitting (I think)

Can you tell that it got smaller as I knitted? Yup. I went ahead and finished it that way. I'd actually tinked back a couple of times and finally decided the dishes wouldn't mind.
Besides, My Mother in-law loved it and it found a home at her house. :^)
I have this sock that I'm working on... the first in the pair is done, but that second sock, Man, I've messed it up and tinked back about 8 times now and the cuff pattern is only 29 rows! I'm afraid to pick up that lace project I have been knitting.
Maybe it's all the stress in my life... maybe it's because it's spring and I'm distracted... maybe I have just lost the ability to count?

Ah well... whatever it is, I'm knitting easy stuff... like Grandmother's favorite dishcloth and Tribbles . Those little puppies are addictive! Nice, almost instant gratification!

I'm wondering if I used baby cotton and made the tribble a little bigger if they would make a nice bath puff...

A Secret Pal?

2007-04-14T22:26:00.000-05:00

Okay, so eariler in the week I got an email. it was From "Secret Pal" and the email said:

Ronda,

Expect something wonderful to arrive in your mailbox in the next week or so.

Sincerely,

A Secret Pal

Hummm... a mystery. I looked in my address book because Outlook always puts the address in your address book when you get a new message, but it was a generic gmail account.
Hummm....
Another mystery.
So I tell my KISA (Knight in Shining Armor) and he freaks. He told me to run virus software and make sure everything was updated, he was afraid I'd get a trogan. Nope, all clean. (hey, it was stuff I needed to do anyway, right?)

So, we go visit some friends and stay over night. We missed riding out a nasty storm here (golf ball sized hail and tornadoes) and had some fun and bonding with our friends... and we come home and check the mail... and as promised, I had a surprise package! It wasn't too big and it was a little squishy... always interesting to a knitter...
In it was this!

***SQUEEEE!!!!!**** Her name is Eida and I think she is Bee-you-tee-ful! I'd mentioned on my local yahoo knit list that I'd seen her on Etsy (made by the sock diva, I'd add a link but the site is down right now) and I really liked her, but due to the A/C needing a rather pricy repair, I couldn't get her right now. I was hoping she'd still be there when I could buy her...
and then, she was gone. :^(
I was bummed, but I figured I'd get a sock bug eventually.... and now I have.

Now, I know you are wondering... who sent it? I still have no idea. Here is what came in my bug:

The card with the yellow ribbon and daisy tell me she was made just for me and that her name is Eida... but not who she is from.
There are several cards from other Etsy sellers, with codes for free shipping. There is a sample of the Sock Diva's hand spun yarn (ya'll, It's YUMMY!) and a sock bug button.
There is also a card for another Etsy seller with a stitch marker...
But no clues to who sent her.

So, whoever you are... Thank you so much!!!! I almost cried when I saw what was in that envelope! I thought thanking you publicly on my blog would be the best way. :^)

Now... to stock her up. I have to take my Father-in-law to the doctor on Tuesday and I think Eida needs to come, too. :^)

A new Record?

2007-04-11T13:14:00.000-05:00

Wow, this must be a new record, I'm actually Blogging on a regular basis.
I don't really have pictures today. The camera battery has died. But...
No new progress on the Clappy, I knit a mobeius instead. Mom claimed it. Oh, Look I do have a picture! It was taken of Mom and the Mobeius before the camera battery died.

I started a log cabin blanket out of Bernat Softee Chunky. I'm feeling the need to knit a baby blanket, I hope this means one of our good friends will be getting a baby soon. We have several friends "trying" or in the process of adoption.

Oh! I finished the first repeat of my Missy Lace stole! This was started as a KAL with one of my Yahoo Groups last year. It took me a year to get to this point, so I'm celebrating! And Look the Missy Lace way back when I first started knitting her...
This was taken while I was helping a friend with the edging. Imagine, Me, helping with lace?!!? Since then, the same friend has taken off and is knitting lace shawls like there is no tomorrow... and I am stuck in stst with little or no brain (two 4 year olds and grad school will do that to a gril..)
And socks... I'm knitting lots of socks. I have 4 pair in progress, but I think 2 or 3 of those will be frogged. Sad, but true. One pair is a pair of tube socks I started for JB last year and set aside. he's too big for them now so I need to rip them and make them into some socks he can actually wear. One pair will probebly be the KAL socks for my EasySocks yahoo group, so Shhhhhhh, it's a surprize! (Those are the one pair I'm not ripping, or did you guess that?)

Trying to do better

2007-04-03T17:14:00.000-05:00

yes, I'm trying to do better about blogging and reading my friends blogs, too.

Yesterday i was reading the blog of one of my knitting frinds and she had a link to a contest where you can win a free Dyson Vaccum! You have to sign up by tomorrow so follow this link here to enter.

Ya'll I actually own a Dyson, but I"m going to enter. We have some good friends who are in need of a good vaccum and if I win, I'm going to give it to them! :^)

Startitus

2007-03-29T14:50:00.000-05:00

It happens to every knitter at some time or another. I have startitus. I have about 21 projects going in different stages of development, but I want to cast on more!
So I did.
Meet the Clapotis. I somehow missed the Clappy Craze earlier, but I have it bad now.
The yarn was purchased back when I first started to knit. It was the second purchase of "good" yarn that I made. This picture doesn't do it justice, it looks like stained glass inthe light.
It came from heritage yarns and the colorway is Spring At Rocky Springs. This is 20% silk and 80% rayon. I don't think they have this yarn anymore, but they do have soem nice yarns.

Next, I cast on a Moebius. I'm using the pattern from Knitty Gritty and Plymoth Encore.

I have no idea why I've suddenly decided I need to start knitting scarves and shawls... I mean it's spring here in Texas. We are supposed to have a high of 8o degrees on Friday.

What's a knitter to do?

What's a Bloger to do?

2007-03-22T19:23:00.000-05:00

Oh. My. Gosh. A Post?
Yup.
I'm such a blogging slacker. I'd rather spend my time knitting or with my family so I neglect the blog.

So, here is what I've been up to. Sock. Lots of socks. I call the socks pictured her Wookie socks. Why? Well, my husband wears a size 14 EEEE. That is big, huge, and think about kniting with sock weight yarn a really, really wide foot that is 12 inches long.
It take for-freaking-ever! Thus, i created the Wookie sock. I used WoolEase Thick & Quick and size 10 needles. I can make a pair in a weekend. My Lovely sweet husband loved them so much, I made him a second (Blue) pair. he has a pair of socks that I knit him from Lion Brand magic Stripes yarn. they took me a year to complete. The foot of the sock was just so boring I couldn't stand to work on them for very long at a time.

These are the Junior Wookie Socks I made our son. I used chunky yarn (Bernat Softee Chunky) and size 8 needles.
I have a second pair in progress for the girl child. Her feet are bigger than his right now.

As soon as I can figure out how to add pattern links to pdf file son my blog, I'll post patterns for these.

PowerPoint and Kids

2006-10-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

For this week's assignment we are using technology to create a series of lessons on Sarah, Plain and Tall for one of our team's 4th grade class. I have used PowerPoint for presentations for adult learners but this was the first time I had considered the implications for kids.

As a whole PowerPoint is a useful tool for young children to graphically represent thier thoughts online. When you remove the "design" elements from the presentation and allow them to creatively use clipart, autoshapes, wordart, etc. they are able to produce pretty impressive representations of their learning schema. I think that this is particularly useful in the age range our treatment is designed for beacuse of thier stage in learning. Following Piaget's stages tells us that these students will be able to use symbols to represent thoughts. It also states that they will be able to logically organize and provide relationships between these symbols and concepts. PowerPoint, when used with these limitations is a great tool.

Reflections part Deux

2006-10-02T21:24:00.000-05:00

Just when you think I'll have more Knitting, Spinning or dyeing content... Nope, school stuff! (Sorry!)
This week in Schoolville we are creating activites for our Wiki's. My group has chosen to do something around the book Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan, one of the ladies in our group is a 4th grade teacher and she will (hopefully) be using some of the "stuff" we create in her class, I think that's pretty cool. I'm doing Character Analysis. I chose Powerpoint and Inspiration (http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/index.cfm) as technologies to use in these activities.

Inspiration was kind enough to post case studies of how the software is actually being used in the classroom on thier web site http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/case_studies/index.cfm . Nice, since part of my assignment is to research how these technologies are being used, and Inspiration is a software used in K-12... and I'm more of an adult educator. I should also note that they have a link on the web site for you to download a 30 day trial verson to play with. Fun stuff! I'm old enough that technology inthe class room ment that they weere rolling the TV in from the Library for us to watch The Electric Company on PBS because it was raining and we couldn't go out on the playground. Oh how I wish we had these technologies back then...
But I digress...
I also found this site with some testimonials on it http://www.strategictransitions.com/edtestimonials.htm It was pretty difficult finind info on Inspiration on the web, considering it's name, I'm not surprised. I saw a lot of really cool art, though.
Okay, I'llpost some more tomorrow about Powerpoint. I've actually used PPT in the classroom, so I have some knoweledge on that one. But this post is long enough for now... and the dinner dishes are calling.

Reflections... EDIT 5370

2006-09-26T22:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, so why the cryptic title? Well, I have mentioned that I'm taking some classes... one of my assignments was to create a blog.
Check, got one of those....
Now I'm supposed to post reflections from our current assignment. My husband suggested I take a picture of myself, pull it into PhotoShop and make a mirror image and call it "My reflection." Somehow I don't think that is what they had in mind.

We are discussing different technologies that can be used for communicating in on line classes. You know, things like IM chat, blogs, Wikis and the like. You have probably noticed that I'm not real good at updating my blog. Just don't have the time. I guess I could make time, but it's not really a priority. I mean, how much of my life do I really want out on the internet for all to see? That very thing has been in the news lately. People are loosing jobs because of what they have on their blog or on myspace.com. What starts out as fun... is there for anyone and everyone to read. Anyone.
Don't get me wrong, I love technology, I'm actually a bit of a techno nerd... AND I met my husband in an internet chat room (Married 8 years this past August!). But... in some cases Technology can be a detriment if not used properly... and sometimes people just don't Think.

Recently, a knitting friend of mine who happens to be a college student got called into the Judicial Affairs Office because of something she posted on her LiveJournal account. Seems they thought that she was giving out a test question. She didn't give specifics and only discussed one question, but how surreal is that?

Anyway... Just a few thoughts for my EDIT 5370 class... and by the way... if you read down far enough, you will find that this blog was started by my husband as a class project when he was an EDIT student... I then took it over for my hobbies... but I don't really post that often.

Happy Fall!

2006-09-23T11:06:00.000-05:00

Yes, it was a busy summer here at our house. The kids are back in school... and so am I. I must be nuts. 3 grad classes my first semester back! So, the knitting, spinning and dying have to take a back seat for a while....
But I have made a few things...

Here is a prayer shawl I crocheted and sent off to TN. I actually made 2 of them (The second one is Blue.) My friend, Gail , lost her step-father to cancer last week, so I made a shawl to send to her mom (shown) and one for Gail.

This is the "Strawberry Hat" I made for bekah. I entered it into a design contest on a Yahoo Group I belong to for Texas Knitters and got an Honorable Mention.

Don't faint

2006-07-13T15:20:00.000-05:00

Yes, you are seeing corectly, 2 posts in one day! Wow, is she ill? Nope. Just trying to get the kids to nap so I can't do much in the way of maiking noise. I should be cleaning the house... or at the very least knitting. I do after all have only 19 projects started right now. No, I take that back 18, I frogged one today. I immediatly started antoher and frogged that too.
Instead, I sit here, on the computer and contemplate the current events of the day. It's a scary world out there today, folks... scarry world. So stay save and don't forget to tell the ones you love, that you do.

L8R.

One of these days...

2006-07-13T15:10:00.000-05:00

Yes, one day I will resolve to blog on a regular basis. Until then folks, you'll get me every few months. where do you people find the time??
Well, what do I do with my time? This...

Yup, those are socks. Socked that I knitted with my own two hands. Socks that match. Match people! Here is the part that will make you laugh. These sock would be perfect to wear on July 4th, right? Except for two things.

1) The socks are made of WOOL! (Yes, like Ba, Ba, black sheep have you any wool?)

2) I live in TEXAS!

It only got up to 107 here yesterday. I have no idea why I don't want to wear my wool socks in that kind of weather, do you?

It's Been A While

2006-02-25T20:13:00.000-06:00

See, I have mixed feelings about this blogging thing. I mean, how much of my live do I want to put on display for anyone to see? (Er, read about.)
Recently, I ran across a blog done by someone I went to school with. Just looking at random blogs and then boom... Man, I think I KNOW this person. It was a weird feeling. I hadn't seen them in... 14 years? Small world.

Okay, when I last posted, I promised a picture of that handspun pre-dyed yarn, so... Here it is! I like it. I just need to get brave and knit with it. Yes, folks, I spun this up last summer and have not knitted it into anything yet. Maybe I should frame it just like it is. It's 18 WPI, 141 yards, dyed with Wilton's Cake Dye in Delphinium Blue.