Needle Exchange

Romy was my Needle Exchange buddy. She rocks!

There's an awesome skein of CottonCheneille in a lime green, knitpicks Shadow (lost lake) and the pattern to use with the yarn and the needles to knit it up with! How excited am I to finally try out knitpicks yarn? Very! And to try lace? The pattern is beautiful!! The elephant clip is so funky - I love it and will use it often! I hope this goes for another round :)

If you're a fan of Kermit you may want to look away... apparently Jackson has not yet realized what a kind soul Kermie is! Frog Legs!

TV Secrets

I will easily fess up to watching crap tv - give me real world and road rules any day. But did you know that I adore Felicity? I may have watched one or two episodes in its original run, then caught reruns and then end of the series during grad school... It's like Dawson's Creek but without the big words. And Ben always talks in a whisper - it's kinda soothing. And now, it's being rerun on WE which I think is why I feel like it's this icky little secret...

Another tv blessing is that we now get DIY hopefully now I can catch knittygritty! And tomorrow I even have the day off - I'll catch it in the midst of grading / lesson planning / puppy playing.

'scuse my ends

Knitting has been going, slow because there just are never enough hours in the day, but it's going. I've got flora just about finished. Going to hunt down buttons tomorrow, yay! I used the exact wool cotton called for and it's scrumptious (jimmybeanswool.com currently has some wool cotton on sale! I may need to purchase more!) And I used kidsilk haze - also gorgeous. I'm pleased with it so far - truly a quick knit as it is only a neck warmer.


I'm about ready to try and rechart the DNA scarf pattern (I'm a lefty). Still working on clapotis#2.

And I'm going to put out the requests: 1) Go see In her shoes 2)The purple scarf that Maggie wears? Probably so simple, but I want the pattern / I want to make it - I'm especially interested in the fringing at the bottom. 3) Read all that Jen Weiner writes - she's a great author, funny lady and excellent blogger :) I went to one of her book readings and she was just fabulous.

I'm trying to be better with my sewing machine - I made a Batman wrap thing for Jackson, now that the weather has sufficiently kept my noes and toes frigid(!!!), but it's too small. Imagine that, my tiny dog, and i make something too small!

Weekend (& Yarn Help Needed)

This sums it up:


Last night we went to the Durham Fair - always fun. Today we ran errands and planted bulbs for the spring. And now, resting. I should try to get a little jump on lesson plans, but I really just want to knit!!

And since this is most likely the last really warm (shorts) weekend, here's a shot of my successful sunflower plant (I had to replant them twice due to bunnies)


And on to the help - I am planning to make Flora (KnityFall'05) for my brother's girlfriend for Christmas. I'm looking at yarns at jimmybeanswool.com. I have found the Rowan wool cotton in Rich&Berry. I'm looking at the Rowan Kidsilk Haze (instead of Crystal Palace Kid Merino, because I could buy them all at once) - but which color? Blushes? Splendor? Liquer? CandyGirl? Please help me decide!

Quotes from the couch

We're sitting here watching Trump's "Apprentice" and during commercials, as I'm checking on my 0923485-23904762456729-38475n bazillion bloglines, my hubby makes a very astute observation.

I never knew that knitting could be so much more than the act of knitting. It’s reading about knitting. It’s writing about knitting. It’s buying knitting.

And I replied (trying to be equally brilliant, but surely falling short)

Unravelling a skein of yarn opens up a whole new world.

And now hubby is quietly smirking at my attempts to be witty and amuse you all :)

There's good tv on this fall - Arrested Development on Monday, Gilmore Girls on Tuesday (and the love of my life likes Supernatural), Martha's Apprentice & Lost on Wednesday, Survivor and Trump on Thursday. Wow.

Knitting is slow going, but I'm starting to work on Christmas presents. The list seems to be at least a meter or two! I did find a cute sewing project to try and make a little wrap thing for Jackson. But it won't be girly like it sounds.

Have you checked out Dani's yarns for sale? Beautiful! I'm saving my pennies...

I'm here

Piled underneath everything it seems. Being busy is better than being bored, right? I've gotten some great mail! Christina sent me a really cute e-card, and my SP5 angel revealed herself - Ina was my wonderful wonderful pal. Even the way in which she packaged the items - so thoughtful! This was my best SP exchange yet! The last package arrived on Saturday - 4 balls of Debbie Bliss merino chunky, cocktail monkeys to make this, Mike and Ikes (chewing does relieve stress!), a postcard frame (which now has a photo of Jackson in it) and several NJ postcards. Thank you thank you again!

I was the SP5 to Chele - I don't know if she figured out it was me or not... I was delayed in getting out her last package - it's coming, I promise!!

I missed out for SP6, but I have signed up for the Needles Exchange - I had so much fun with the first one, and met a really cool knitter (Hi dani!). My questionairre? Surprise me! Poke around my blog, I often mention what I like :)
I did get burned in the first one (never received anything) but have decided to try Back-tack again, as I like a challenge. I'm hoping too to do more with the RAOK's now that I'm not truly SP-ing.

Knitting wise, I've finished two parts of a bone to felt for Jackson. Speaking of the little devil, we took him out in public yesterday - he's got all his shots, so why not. It included a trip to Petco, where I bought him a sweater jacket(to cover until I make one), and the groomers gave him a gold shiny bandana - great! Now I can cut the big ones down to size - he's hard to find things that fit!! Pictures below :)

(new jacket... he really doesn't look like an elephant in real life!)


(laundry day!)

Someday we will look back and laugh

Today is not one of those days!

People are still recovering from Katrina - how am I supposed to even dare to compare my little life traumas and drama to that? I'm not comparing them, today was just sucky.

It started over the weekend - a mistake on Dan & my part and I had a mishap with the clippers while cutting his hair. Today, my father in law was at our house to let the furnace guy in to clean / service. He also took brief care of Jackson - let him out to pee / poop, play etc. Dan come's home and Jackson is nowhere to be found, yet the door to his room is closed?! He was upstairs in our bedroom, under the bed. He chewed up my cell phone charger and one of my fuzzy feet! He also peed upstairs. Could have been a lot worse (we're lucky he didn't choke or electrocute himself on the charger at the very least!)

Sigh.

By the by, the executive director still has his position, thanks to our very vocal parents who demand respect.

And said executive director dropped it on me this morning at our meeting how the students should do a science project related to Katrina - great, I can do that, it's just now that's one more week before I really get going on the topics I'm supposed to teach. And projects can be like pulling teeth some times. If you're a teacher, do not use the yahoo group for lesson-plans - there's a lot of drama there homeschool vs real teachers and it's getting nasty!

creature comforts sent me the most beautiful gift tags - she has more in the CraftRevolution's etsy shop

And the person I've been spoiling for SP5 (I have to send out her last package!) sent me a treat! Beautiful stitch markers! How sweet was that?

Nutshell Update

Here's the short of the long story that is causing all sorts of high drama at my school. The board is looking to remove the director. The school has a major deficit, the financial officer hasn't been doing his job properly, the board has not been doing their job properly and have been very sneaky. It's very convoluded and weird, and this will pretty much split the school. The concern last week was in part to 1)not having a school calendar and 2)getting the contracts signed. So I have my job for the year. School will start on Monday. It's high drama, lots of nasty name-callings and gossip. Sheesh. It's going to be an interesting year - the stress levels at school feels like report card time, or even the end of May, and still, we've yet to have our first day with the kids.

I'm trying to get the cds that I owe done by tomorrow so they can go out on Monday.

I've got to send out secret pal packages too.

I've been working on the Friday Harbor sock - in the yarn that is called for, love it! But I am thinking that I need to start on Jackson's sweater, and possible a few felted dog bones - a fellow teacher at school gave Jackson a great new toy and I want to properly thank her.

In stressful times, we all need a laugh - check out these toons (be advised, they are crude, rude and there's swearing)
http://www.illwillpress.com
And,
http://www.collegehumor.com
Look for "everybody farts"

Chaos already

I've been back at school this week. Major multiple crisis doings. Everything is questionable right now. And the kids aren't even there yet!


And, I'm way behind on the knitters cd swap.

Snags

I am so close to being officially done with my Sitcom Chic - I ran into a problem though and right now I'm just avoiding doing anything! I was picking up stitches along one front, and was only able to pick up 66! The pattern calls for 101 - I figured it would be ok, and went on to knit, purl and bind off - and the front edge PUCKERS! damn. I don't know what to do - blocking is not going to fix this. Anyone want to fix it for me? How in the world do you pick up that many stitches? I feel like I picked up all that I could - not skipping or anything.

I started working on the Friday Harbor sock for the KOTR knit along - holy cow these needles are TINY! I'm not using Mountain Colors yarn, maybe I should be? I find that when I'm working from the chart - I feel like I'm messing up somewhere, but it's too hard to tell right now - I'm still stuck on the fact that the needles are so tiny!

AND somehow my computer is running through molasses!! Ick. Wordperfect is barely loading. The internet is slow. I've run my updates / spybot / McAfee... Groan.

However, I did get a wonderfully color-coordinated package from my SP5 -

Crochet needles, cotton yarn, learn to crochet book, jellybeans (!) and candy bubbles from Dylan's Candy bar (I love that store! I have wanted to try these!!!) Thank you soo much!

And a thank you to Julie - she sent a beautiful yellow origami paper crane - I hope it brings me some better luck! Speaking on cranes, I used to make them constantly - even out of starburst wrappers or trident gum wrappers! I learned origami in 5th grade and always loved it! I read about Sadako and the thousand paper cranes constantly. Here are some other neat-o origmami links:
A cherry blossom origami tree (from Crafters coast-to-coast, beautiful!)
oriland (wow!)
Crane Necklace

And just for smiles, Jackson's first outfit - I will be making him something, I think I found a good pattern in Dogs in Knits, but until then:

Jackson / Samples

We have been trying to get Jackson used to the idea of 1)playing by himself and 2) staying in his "room" (our laundry room, with his crate, toys, papers) while we leave the house. So far, it's been successful for very short periods of time, or we return to find some poops. Today we set him up with kongs, lunch, water, papers, toys, and his buddy and the dryer running. We came back about 2 hours later and he was resting inside his crate (!) and there were no poops (!) and one of the kongs was still full of treats! Wow. There's hope for this puppy. Now, if only the biting/mouthing would let up.

I signed up for three months of the sampler and the first on arrived today. Very nifty!! I've got a kitchen table now covered in little gifties! You can see the "sneak peek" on the sampler website, but my package included the following, listed in the order I picked them up from the table - it's all so awesome!!
*earrings, ismelllightning.com
*stickers, sini_puu
*bloom yarn flower, artangelsite.info
*black linen / baroque pearl choker, maizehutton.com
*soap, naikid.com
*tooth fairy / make a wish pillow, onelittlemonkey.com
*vanilla sea salts, wrong-number.net
*glass star pin, lauren-urban.com
*stationery, demarcodesigns.com
*corn card, youngandwithit.com
*loopy loom bracelet, turtlekisses.com
*stripes button, robottle.com
*orange magnet, orangecountycrafters.com
*key chain, designedbyrj.com
*cupcake button, retrobugs.com
*postcards, fernhousestudio.com
*pencil mini note, glamscience.com
*handmade gift tag, buy4square.com
*flower / bead set, amypetersstudio.com
*book badge, jlrfashions.com
*postcard, katsmeowshop.com
*yarn samples, midnightskyfibers.com

You got good mail today!

I did! I almost forget sometimes how much I sign myself up for! There were packages for me :^) SO, first off - Thank Yous are in order!
Cynthia sent me a great package for the Gimme Some Needles Exchange (and there's going to be a round 2!) You know, I had forgot about this one! She sent me "addi Natura" circular needles - I had no idea such a thing even existed!! And a bamboo crochet hook! Wow - I don't think that i'll ever go back to my metal ones! :) This will be the tool on which I practice my crochet and amigurumi skills! I have purchased the artful yarns / colorful yarns for others but not for myself - so I'm excited for the chance to work this up into something beautiful - it's gorgeous in shades of purple, mustard-gold, and blue!

I've also received CDs from Lindsey (along with treats I've already gobbled up! and a nifty crafty item - to make origami stars out of paper strips! Those will go in my classroom), Sandy, and Erin - I'm very excited about this new cache of music to hear, and each of these chicas seems very cool from their blogs - I'm sure their music will back that up!

Yes, there has been some knitting - the picture shows a sleeve in progress of the sitcom chic, but I've actually attached the sleeves. I'm hoping that in my left-handedness, that my K2TOG and SSK for the next 9 rows work out alright... I really enjoy knitting with the cotton ease - it makes a nice fabric.


And, last but not least - a cute photo of Jackson!(Not especially great focus, but I like his expression!)

Beaders / Needle Exchange Q's

In the process of organizing my crafty area, I've come across some crafty things that I am not going to use - haven't used them in over a year, and am not likely to use them again. I'm offering them up for a trade! I'm looking for yarns, Rebecca magazines, Japanese Craft Books, etc. Make an offer!
Since these are all bead related books, I've got beads to include as well! Let me know what colors you like. Nice beads, delicas!
The Magic Amulet Bag
Glass Bead Artistry (Ondori)
French Beaded Flowers I: A Guide for Beginners
The Beaded Bracelet

I'm signed up for the Needle Exchange, but have been late in posting my answers to the survey:
1. What do you like to knit or crochet? (socks, sweaters, etc.) Knit anything, learning to crochet (I really want to do amigurumi!)
2. What fibers do you like? I like stuff that's soft. :) Koigu is great, Noro is dreamy, and Inca Alpaca is heaven!
3. What type of needles do you use most often? I love my bamboos!! I do use addi turbos to do socks on two circulars
4. Do you like to knit in the round? Yes
5. Do you use a magic loop method or any other we should know about? Are you interested in learning a new method? I haven't yet tried Magic Loop - I'm curious!
7. Do you have a favorite place that you shop online? (knitpicks.com, knitpixie.com, jimmybeanswool.com....)? Knitpixie is great, but I'm slowly making my list for a first knitpicks order!
8. Do you want to be surprised? then erase all your answers above and write surprise me!!! The info is here so you know more about me, but I'm game for a surprise!

Thanks!

It's been a while since posting, but we've been in the middle of puppy-dom and furworld. Working on house-breaking and getting Jackson to self-soothe... It's a slow process. My finished Clapotis is headed out to Nana today - I gave her a heads up to expect a package, but didn't tell her there was a handmade gift inside :) I've cast on for Sitcom Chic in Blueberry Cotton Ease. So it's good, really. And the shoreline stitch-and-bitch has been meeting occasionally again! Fun times.

On to the subject of the post -
Caitlyn kindly sent me Weekend Knitting - it's awesome!!! These are just the sort of projects that I need!
Lisa and I swapped, the Loop-d-Loop book for some Lambs Pride yarn - such a delicious color!
Deb sent a new chew toy to Jackson! Thank you so much! Impressive, that he was here less than a week and already getting mail :)

And since we can, here's the little weiner:

Finished Object!

Yay! I finished Clapotis!, see? The yarn is Classic Elite Inca Alpaca, #1107, Camacho Periwinkle; no plans to block it. It's lovely, if I do say so myself. I want to wrap it up and send off to my Nana, who is currently udnergoing a series of chemo treatments, but I worry that the wool will bother her skin? I really enjoyed knitting this up (thanks KateGilbert!)and am considering doing a one or two others for Christmas gifts. Those however, will have all stitches properly dropped - do you see my mistake? I'm good with it though, I'm not perfect, neither is my work. I am curious for other yarns to use - this was a special treat - I've been poking around the blogs for options, I'm itching to try something from knitpicks - any suggestions?

Next up, I have yarn to work on Cozy as well as SitcomChic or I could give crochet a shot, seeing as how I am accumulating lust for amigurumi

Actually I should work first on the cdswaps I signed up for and the needle exchange... Decisions, decisions...

Purling Puppy

I can now truly be a part of Purling Puppies (if I'm accepted!) because Jackson came home yesterday!

So far so good - he's paper trained, he's eaten, drinking water, is always looking for a lap to cuddle, is full of licks / kisses, and last night (the first night) really wasn't too bad - I got up around 3 to check on him. He was awake, but not whining. We're in love!

Plummet

Ok, so we thought that we would be able to get Jackson on Friday (the 15th) - I get an email tonight asking if we could be there around 11 on the 22nd? Um...

So somewhere there was a miscomunication. I'm waiting to find out if we can get him on the 15th... he'll be 7 weeks, so maybe.

It would really stink to wait another week!

SP5 - Thank You!

I was pleasantly surprised by a box in with my mail today - I opened it up to a "5" (much like the sp5 button) postcard on top, then a lovely note describing the "Kawaii" goodies inside -
Froggie candy dispenser!

Puffed wheat treats, Seed munchies and assorted candies! I could barely contain my excitement to try them all until my husband came home! We tried them all, as I squealed and oohed and aaahed over the packaging! The poifull were my favorites - they're like jellybeans!

A beautiful notepad and Hello Kitty microwave cake mix! In the shape of hello kitty herself!! How cool! Lucky for me there are pictures on the back of the box - the only thing I'm not sure about is the time - 1hour or 1 minute? Hrm.

And yarn (my camera phone battery died as I was taking pictures~oops) - it's gorgeous - blues / greens / purpley goodness.... I'm thinking maybe something felted? Maybe an ipod holder? I haven't yet decided...

Thank you pal so very much!!

Time Warp

Wow. So, it looks like we'll get to bring the puppy home next Friday!!!!!! Very excited, very nervous, very curious as to what this will be like!

Ever read someone's blog and learn from them? I did that tonight with Caitlynknits - she posted about her clapotis / weaving ends in early (don't do it!) So I learned from her, great - that's what's helpful about blogging. But then, I returned to working on my clapotis. Finished a row, purled the next, went to drop the stitch, kept working then realized I should have placed a marker! oops. So it's tink, tink and lrup, lrup. Groan. Oh well, at least I caught it early.

Madagascar was such a cute movie! There weren't nearly enough penguins in it!

Puppy excitement

Two new photos of Jackson - he's about 5 or 6 weeks old, and we'll be bringing him home around July 22! eee!


I treated myself today to a manicure / pedicure - very nice! But now, I'm hesitating on picking up the knitting (especially even though the inca alpaca sheds slightly)... there's always later on tonight. After Madagascar - can't wait to see it!

What day is it?

Now that I'm on vacation, and Dan's been home this week, I am confused as to what day it is. It kinda feels like a Saturday, but it's Wednesday - I know this because the shows on tv are better :^)
I've been netflixing Sopranos - man I love that show! And then tonight, Christopher is on Law & Order while Jesse L. Martin is filming rent (I forgot he was the original Collins)


I've made some pretty good knitting progress - my Rebecca eyelet wrap is blocking. I cast on and started a Clapotis with some Lovely IncaAlpaca - I find it sheds slightly, but not to any extent that I think I'll mind when it's finished. I'm enjoying working on this pattern - if it comes out nice enough (and quick enough) I may make a few more as Christmas gifts.
I've joined a new swap:
I've always enjoyed mix tapes / cds. I love poking around ArtoftheMix.org


And there was a mix-up with sp5 (things happen, no big deal), but someone else has stepped in and made contact and even sent the cutest e-card! Thanks so much!!

Links!

It's a lazy weekend, so why not "window shop" along the 'net? Through thimble I found links to many great sites that I didn't know about before! Check them out! And then, go see redcurrent for even more links!

the happily handmade giveaway - visit some great sites, sign up for their mailing lists and you'll be entered to win goodies!

thewalrusandthecarpenter.com has the cutest little owl notecards!

glamscience.com has knitting notecards and enclosure cards! So if you give away your knitted item you can include a note about care / fiber content, etc. Nifty.

I want my puppy to have a leash / collar from Lindsaydesigns.net

I just started listening to knitcast.com - very fun, and did you know that there is also Craftypod? Excellent.

My other latest finds of inspiration on the web include:
Creature_comforts, wool felt & penny rugs, Juju loves polka dots, and MollyChicken.

Still looking to trade Loop-d-Loop...

Trade for Loop-d-Loop?

I recently picked up Teva Durham's Loop-D-Loop book and unfortunately, while it's a stunning book, it's just not for me. So I'm offering it up out there for a trade - I'm willing to trade for yarn, Japanese craft books, Rebecca magazines, etc... I'm open to ideas!

I've been meaning to blog for a while - I've been spending my first week of summer vacation out and about going to shops that I rarely get the chance to vist. My two local JoAnn Fabric / Craft stores have lots of Cotton Ease on clearance ($3 / skein) - if you're in need let me know, I'll go check it out for you - but I picked up some wool-ease chunky in the Nantucket shade (hopefully for a sweater...or something). At the Yarns Down Under sale I picked up Rowanspun DK that I want to use to make Rogue - this is my first Rowan purchase - I'm very excited!

I've been working on my sewing skills as part of the backtack project - I'm still working on my package to send out. I think I'll end up doing one or two more things then sending on the materials that I didn't use along with the finished products to the recipient... I have to email her to let her know it will be shipped out next week... I'm behind!

A big THANK YOU to Leah, of knittin pretty for a great package - I forgot that I had sent her my address! She sent yummy chocolates, green tea, notecards and stitch markers in my favorite color- blue!! Here are some pictures:

Shrug help

Calling my fellow bloggers - I have a wedding to attend in two weeks. I think I have found the dress - black / white / skinny straps dealio, very cute. I was thinking that I should make a shrug to cover my shoulders if the AC is on too much, or to cover my shoulders in church... I really want to use white Filatura Di Crosa Elena - I have six skeins. Usually I'm ok with guage. I thought that I could do the Ribbed Shrug from Interweave, but now I don't know - I'll work on a guage swatch, but in the meantime - are there other suggestions? I ordered the one skein wonder (thinking to make that in black) I've also been poking through the patterns on the shrug KAL, and I like shimmer from knitty.

Summer Time!

I've been quiet this week on my blog, letting Jackson entertain those of you who stopped by :) And that's okay, because it's been a week! My 27th birthday was on Monday - it was low-key and enjoyable. Dinner at my favorite restaurant, Mary Englebreit books for the home, mini ipod (previously received), "B" floor mats for my car, and this:
- all my costume crew experience is coming back to me :) It's helpful for working on the back-tack projects too.

Tuesday was the last day of school for the students, Wednesday the last day for staff. Woo-hoo! Thursday I ran around doing errands (finally updating the bank stuff following the wedding) Friday was more of the same. I'm catching up on old soprano's episodes while plugging away on the Rebecca Wrap. Now it's the weekend and boy is it going to be hot! But tonight, we're going to a local Lobster Fest! Yummy.

The mailperson is hopefully delivering my package to my SP5 today, and they brought me Scarf Style, Loop-d-Loop, Knitted Toys and 7 Day Afghans

In giving my garden a second try, a Thank you goes out to Tori for sending me several seed packets! I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Too Cute

eeee. just looking at this picture makes me giddy :^) not bad for pre-birthday cheer! Introducing... Jackson


Action Shot

Potential

School's almost out - yippee! The 8th graders graduated last night - I've known these kids two years now and I'm glad to see them off. Mon / Tues are half days for the rest of the kiddos, and we have to take down the classrooms and staff has to go in on Wed, but that's all! I've been teaching for two years - wow.

Yesterday before graduation I went out to the yarn store to pick up some yarn for my SP5. I drooled over most everything else in there and wanted it all but promptly forgot what yarns were needed for any upcoming projects. I really should list the projects / potential yarns.... hrm. Another summer project. On top of learning to sew / finishing my back-tack project, developing lesson plans for grades 4 - 8, learning to crochet (my ebay amigurumi book arrived! That was fast!!), reading, gardening, getting puppy-fied.

I really loved the Blue Sky Alpaca's Organic Cotton - it's so soft!! That would definetly be on my wishlist. Along with the Kidsilk Haze - the store had a little cardigan style item done up in that and it was so pretty, airy, lacy. I need to keep cracking on my rebecca wrap and then maybe make a second one in that? I don't know, maybe.

Tailspin

So, we're getting the puppy - and his name will be Jackson! He was too precious!! We'll get him towards the end of July.

I've been working on my back-tack project - it's slow going, as I'm hand sewing everything... can't decide yet on a sewing machine, but I do like this one (and am thinking about treating myself as an end of school treat) that I found through NotMartha.org

I've been sucked into the san-x stuff - everything from here and I MUST learn crochet so that I can attempt this:

I bought a book on ebay because I can't resist the amigurumi!!
one english version of arigurumi

Google "convert crochet patterns to knitting patterns" turned up this:
from eHow.com

cute japanese craft site

EEE - the "In Her Shoes" trailer is on ivillage! Yay!

Nutshell Update

Very little knitting being done lately. This is due to the following reasons.

*School has been very crazy over the past week - the first grade teacher died last friday - complications from cancer, she was sick for about the last 2 months (that we knew about) - my school is a very close community. This coupled with my grandfather's passing and my Nana's current health issues, it's been very hard to deal. The funeral (homegoing celebration) was today at the Seventh-Day Adventist church - quite a culture shock for my irish roman catholic background.
*School is also starting to wrap up - finals this week (somehow amid the chaos) - somehow either I misplaced, or someone took two exams - I was grading and realized I was missing two students! gah. not good.
*My nana had a big operation this week, but things are looking ok for the moment. Chemo is going to happen, but it is not as bad as it could have been.

*I've been spending a lot of time researching puppies and dachshunds! This little guy will be ours! We're going to visit him on Sunday!


*How cool are all the fabrics going about in the back-tack swap? I love what I received from yarnstorm she's got a great blog - awesome embriodery! Thanks so much! Again, I adore the fabric, and will be sorry to send it on!

And on a random library note - how annoying is it that netlibrary.com doesn't work with the ipods?! Sure, there's audible.com (from where I got The Ivy Chronicles it's just okay, the narrator's voice is a little annoying) but this was supposed to provide me more. Groan.

Grr.

So I thought I was making progress.
So I thought I finally was doing the chart right.
So I looked at the sleeve last night and thought, "something looks funny", but maybe I can fix it....


I did BO1, k2tog for all 13 rows of the binding off / decreasing!! I think you're only supposed to do it a few times, followed by the rest of the 13 times just doing the BO1 or k2tog on one end (and the slip 1, knit 1, psso on the other)

Here's what I misinterpreted:
When work measures 6cm bind off for sleeve cap at each end 3 sts. once, then 1st. on every 2nd row 13 times as foll:
at beg of row work edge st. and k2tog; work to 3 from end of row, then slip 1 k-wise, k1, pass slipped st. over, edge st.

I did. I BO 3 st at one end and less than that at the other. GROAN. Phooey.

Dirt lover

I can not quite put my green thumb on what it is, but there is something very satisfying about gardening. My dad has gardened forever, and I always tried to help. Lucky me, some of all that practice paid off :) Currently I'm successful at getting some seeds started! I am trying to be patient as I wait for the morning glories, sunflowers, and other things to get much bigger!

I've been making slow and steady progress on the Rebecca wrap - I really want to finish it if only to say I finished it!! There are so many projects to be attempted!!

I found out today who I have for SP5 - I'm looking forward to making contact. For the person who has me, I'm re-posting and editing my previous survey answers:
(me, in a nutshell)

Becca - a lefty, self taught knitter. Currently has the following works in progress (yarn is bought / on the needles): Rebecca #29 eyelet wrap cardigan, a prayer shawl for my Nana

I like to think I'm not a yarn snob, as I do use lion brand (it's not all bad!) and red heart, but I have seen what else is out there. It's like going candy shopping at CVS and then candy shopping at Dylan's Candy Bar in NYcity.

My allergies are seasonal, to pollen, but *knock wood* they haven't been bad this year.

I have a wish list on amazon.com.

I have a massive sweet tooth. Jelly beans / mike-and-ikes are my favorites.

I adore the blue-green-purple range of colors.

I live with my husband - we've been married 6 months. I teach science to students in grades 5 - 8; I actually started out planning to be an environmental chemist, but got burnt out in grad school. I worked retail for a year (at a fabulous stationery shop, i've been there on and off for 6 years) and went through an alternative route program to get my teaching certification (done!). I love being a teacher - it's the hardest thing I have done yet, and I can't see myself doing anything else!

Quickie Favorites:
Movies: The Princess Bride, Singin'in the Rain, Rebel without a Cause, Say Anthing, the Muppet Movies
Music: Barenaked Ladies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morrisette, Tori Amos, Ani Difranco, 80's music - I listen to pretty much everything except country (yes, I'm mp3 compatable)
Actors John Cusack, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zelwieger
Misc. Hello Kitty, Paper, stickers, Becky Kelly, Kate Spade, Origins, Bath-and-Body Works, Bamboo Needles, Chad Pennington, basketball, environmentally friendly stuff, Burts Bees

I am into photography, doodling, stickering, gardening and interested in trying most DIY things.

My life dream is to always be content with what I'm doing, to see the lighter side of life, to not forget to laugh (at myself) and to always try my best. In that vein, I would like to own a home, plant a garden, raise a family of happy children, continue to make my family proud of me, and have pets!

Favorite yarns? Currently I adore lamb's pride. I love Koigu. I recently learned how wonderful Noro is.

I don't really like the eyelashy / overly furry yarns.

My knitting obsession is starting projects. And the magazines.

I really enjoy socks, now that I have it down.

No needle preference, although I will say that now that I know how to do socks on 2 circulars, it's hard to go back to dpns (I keep pulling out a needle that has stitches on it)

Bamboo rules.

My oldest UFO is the purple cardigan sweater - the yarn was bought in 2002, I began working on it in '02-'03 and completely frogged it and started over. The button holes are messing with my head.

Animated characters I like: Hello Kitty, Sanrio, San-X, powerpuff girls, strawberry shortcake, muppets

Favorite animals are rainforest poison dart frogs.

Favorite holiday is thanksgiving.

I had a massive frog collection going, but I'm trying to limit it.

I would love to get back issues of Rebecca (I have the home and the one before that, with the eyelet wrap, but no others).

ipod, i blog

Will it ever charge?

That's Patrick next to my early birthday present - a very slick electric blue ipod mini! It's very cool, although it seemed to take forever to charge up! Anyway, today we're fully functioning! We've also got an iStation so I can have music in my craftroom or whereever I may be.

Knit wise, I've tossed aside the sleeve for the Rebecca wrap that I was working on (mistakes and all) and started the sleeve over. I've got to make this one work because I'm out of balls of yarn - the others have pieces waiting to be frogged before that yarn can be used!! So it goes.

Nana news: she's back in the hospital. She was feeling uncomfortable, so she called the doc and went in to have more fluid drained. Big operation next week, followed by chemo. It's looking like it is ovarian cancer. bugger.

Google Images Meme

This seemed like a cute thing to do - no one passed it on to me, I took it. Open invitation to take from here, as I've added a few things:

The place I grew up



The place I live now


My Name:


My grandmother's names:




My Favorite food(s):




My favorite drinks:




My Favorite Song (currently):


My favorite candy


My favorite animal


My job

More later...

Slowly Unpacking

I think we can finally see the light through the boxes and paper and bubble wrap and tape. We're getting settled in and things are looking really good! We're very excited about having people come and visit - his parents were here for the move, my parents will be here tomorrow, we've got friends coming in next weekend, and my brothers the week after that.

I'm so excited because I received my back-tack package! All the way from the UK! And I adore everything she sent - I'll be sad to send it along when I'm done with it! Here are some pictures:



I love all the fabrics - a great assortment of pinks / greens / purples, rickrack / ribbon / beads & buttons and thread! And two adorable postcards. And some sweets which are not in the photo because they have been eaten! Thank you so very much!

Sadly, I am behind on getting out my package of things - they WILL go out Tuesday! the fastest way possible!!

Packing Sucks

I'm surrounded by boxes and tape and I keep stepping on bubble wrap. We crammed a lot into this little apartment.

Science fair is tomorrow night. Moving Thursday. Wheee!

Knitting and Puppies

Patrick would like to introduce you to his new friend, who will soon be on her way to Maddy:

I followed the pattern in the Last Minute Knitted Gifts, used Microspun yarn for the body and Sensations Bamboo for the ears. I'm not 100% thrilled with the face, but overall it's really cute.

Other news - possibly, we've decided to get a dachshund puppy. Rather, I've decided. Dan agrees. Although those Rhodesian ridgeback mixes are adorable too. I really like the fact that dachshunds don't shed as much / low odors to worry about / and they are independent enough to be on their own... I've been surfing the web and oohing and awwwing over many photos.

Other knitting related matters, I've purchased more homespun to make my Nana a prayer shawl - it appears the cancer has returned and likely that chemo will be the treatment... We'll know more next week. This is most definetly not fair for her.

Off to Star Wars tonight.
Packing tomorrow.

Lose-Lose-Win

I'm still getting mail bounced back to me when I try to send a photo to mobile blogger - anyone else? I'm frustrated.

In other annoyances, why is it that each time I'm at Wal-Mart I'm approached for help? I don't work there!! Our WalMart is tiny. Not nearly the sprawlmart it could be. I don't know where the paper towels are ma'am - I'm trying to find some stuffing for a knit toy!

In a minor victory, I was able to send a photo from my phone to my gmail account, save it, and post it to flickr...

Quality is okay, certainly better than nothing!

Where's the camera crew?

All day yesterday I felt like I was on trading spaces. We bought paint on Friday night, "deep smoke signal" and set to it on Saturday. The master bedroom looks awesome! The paint went on so well (2 coats) - so worth it. We moved in the bed and a dresser and it really came together. All it needs now are some minor touches. The kitchen is next - some shade of green...

I've been so icky sick that I'm too tired to even knit. Bleh. And right about now I could give a rat's ass about lesson plans. So I think I may pick up the needles now that I'm not picking up a tissue every few moments.

Coming Down with Something

Ick. That's all there is to say - it's either seasonal allergies or a cold from somewhere. Go white blood cells, Go! At this point my attendance at SnB's this week (spontaneous in the shoreline or up in North Haven) are dependent on how this moves and develops.

What's the deal with sending photos from your phone to bloggers new address? I tried and think I was successful in sending the emails, but how long is the turn around time?

Wow - I've been tagged (This is the first time, thanks Sami) I'm looking forward to doing a lot more reading once school gets out...

Total number of books in my house: Oh good God. I'm "inbetween" houses now, but there are easily 100 in this apartment. Several library books. There are probably 150 - 200 or so more at my parent's house. And I know I have dropped about 12 or so at our new house. I love books.

The last book I bought was: bookbookbook (a.k.a. At Knit's End)

Five books I often read or that mean a lot to me:
Silent Spring
The Diary of Anne Frank
Candy and Me a Love Story
Charlotte's Web
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry


That was really hard! I immediately thought of dozens of books - they all mean something to me at some point, if they don't I do not finish them or I skip ahead. I will read often anything by Laurie Notaro or Jen Weiner. I treasure reading the Ramona Quimby books, the Judy Blume books and Laura Ingalls. I will always read Gary Larson (There's a Hair in my dirt) and Bill Watterson. I loved Bram Stoker's Dracula. The knitting books are read often. I enjoy Chuck Pahaluniuk's work. Agatha Christie. Cookbooks are fun. Gardening books are what I'm into now...

Who I'm passing this on to and why: Heide, my sp4, "For the Love of Fibers" and Kirstie - All because I'm curious :^)

Achy joints

I've been working on the knitted rabbit (no fangs) from the "Last Minuted Knitted Gifts" - I'm using Lion Brand's microspun and holding a double strand on the bamboos is starting to hurt my hands. I like how the fabric looks though. So I switch over to using the laptop on the couch, thus adding to my poor posture at the moment and certainly not giving my knuckles a break while i read up on the blogs.

In the meantime, how cute are these shirts? I especially like the owl, the two birds and the dish&spoon

I really want to put wallwords somewhere in the house - maybe the kitchen, craft room to be, or front hall... hrm.

Two-Year Old Birthday

What would you make for a soon-to-be two year old girl? I've already made her a blanket (when she was born) and fruit hat (Christening) -- I'm thinking the bunny toy from Last Minute Knitted Gifts and maybe try embroidering something cute onto a little pocketbook / totebag... I'm not a very fast knitter, and her party is the 29th but I think we'll be seeing her on the 20th... I also thought about the Fiesta Tea Set, but I wonder if that is a better gift for a three year old? I don't know.

I'm excited getting stuff together for the back-tack... I'm worried that what I send won't be enough or good enough - I feel like I'm in the company of overwhelming experience!


At the Thursday SnB I started working on the Rebecca sleeves, but was distracted by the conversations and meeting new people that I didn't read the next part of the instructions about increasing at the same time. So I figure my sleeves will just be a little longer.

Winner!

I won a gift certificate today at work for teacher appreciation day! $125 - that will get a very nice dinner! Google's got a nice little image up today too... remember your teachers and say thank you!

While SP4 may be over, I have to say that I enjoyed being on the giving end to Sequink and pal of For the Love of Fibers - it was so much fun!

I've gotten some good feedback on cameras... still mulling it over.

Little knitting has been done lately - I have to double check my guage on the x-back tank (I think I'll do that at the North Haven Panera MeetUp on thursday). I've been busy thinking about an upcoming garden - good sites:
You Grow Girl, GrowGuide-Weekend Gardener,and CT-botanical society

And the back-tack matches have been made... I'm excited (both my matches are outside of the US)!! What to send....

Wishing I had a digital camera (and sewing machine)

I just got back some photos (yay!) of finished objects, but only prints - there's a really cute one of Patrick, the penguin, casting an Alfred Hitchcock shadow. Today at Target I was distracted by the cameras - I saw a digital one for $30 - real cheap, no preview, but maybe that would keep me momentarily happy. I walked around the store many times mulling this over, but then decided that no I wanted something good. So I mosey back to their camera display - there were no prices out on anything! Free? I wish. I waited for some red-shirt to come over and help - and he gives me a schpiel that I interrupted because 1)I'm not scared in any way of technology (I started out by telling him I mainly wanted it for photos for a website, that should be his first clue) 2)I'm not scared of computers 3)I'm familiar with cameras - I have a 35mm automatic and SLR!! I don't like being talked down to, so I left. Without a camera. Not quite as interesting as ThreeOliveMartini's tire near-fiasco but still.

I'm looking for 3-4 megapixels, with a zoom, preview screen. Not too large size wise. Gotta find a consumer reports on these cameras. Looking to spend less than $250. Don't really care about easy share or printing the photos (if they're decent enough that's what ofoto and snapfish are for!)

Also, poking around the blogs last night made me wish I had a sewing machine and really knew how to sew! I have cross-stitched, I'm trying to embroider, I briefly used a sewing maching during my years as head costume wench in high school theatre - but to see what some people are doing out there is just inspiring!! Take a peek!
DIY Chinese Take-Out Purse (more paper than sewing, but still!)

My My (check out the patches too!)

Sewing Stars

My Paper Crane

And how about the "Month of Softies"?
There's always ThreadBared - those gals don't sew, but they have an, uh, appreciation for the patterns...

I'm hoping the back-tack will lead me into other adventures to feed the crafting ADHD.

Where did the weekend go?

Yesterday we closed on the house - it went very smoothly. Then we helped move a few things over and continued today - moving the smaller, fragile, essential items over to their new house. We will move out of the apartment at the end of May - sure enough it will be here soon! I'm still getting in as much knitting as I can, but have to be careful - Dan commented tonight that I'm not finishing projects!!

See, I have to do some thinking for the rebecca wrap - to make sure I do the right / left fronts properly. I think I can just follow the directions as written... but it needs thinking. And the broadripple has to be completely undone and will wait for some other pattern - the cuff opening just doesn't fit my foot. And the heart sachet also requires thinking.

So what's a gal to do while watching a "non-thinking" movie (Monty Python Holy Grail)? Cast-on and start knitty's x-back ribbon tank. I really enjoy working with the deco-ribbon - it's lightweight and works up well.

In bummer news I think I'm 3 balls short of Filatura Di Crosa "Elena" that I'll need for the web / online shrug from Interweave Knits. I bought 3 balls, but didn't read the yardage requirements... eep.

Aw, crap!

last night I worked on the broadripple a bit more and then decided to try it on to see how much further I have to go -- and it didn't fit!!! *insert a Lucy "Wah"*


So I put it aside, and picked up the yarn and needes to attempt the heart sachet from Interweave knits... charts and I don't mix too well. Is anyone else trying this? I probably could use some back up.

My friend Betsy is knitting a scarf for Sam Watterston - nifty huh?

Short Weeks are still long

It's the end of wednesday - almost thursday! And that marks the end of this week for me - I took off Friday. I'm glad for it as our school is looking to be a little wacky and very "go-with-the-flow". So, one more day to sort through.

I'm still plugging away at the Rebecca eyelet cardi, and my first broadripple sock (I'm fascinated with how those stitches make the pattern!) I'm antsy to cast on for the Heart Sachet - I was hoping that if it's cute enough that I'll make one for my mom for Mother's Day.

I've joined the "back-tack" swap (gotta get the button up on the side) - how cool is this knitting fabric?!

Trips!

I've been busy the past two days. Yesterday another teacher from work and I took the train into New York. We really just wandered around, but did make it to Dylan's Candy Bar, the Hello Kitty store, Ricky's Urban Groove (I got some GREAT magnets and a pin, "Caffeine Queen" and Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix that we weren't able to have at this restaurant (also featured in one of my favorite movies) because the wait was too long!)

I even managed to drag my friend down to Knit NY - it was cute inside - smaller than I thought it would be. They had a sampling of many different things, and while I didn't get anything there yarn related it was nice to check it out. I did try the Naked Berry Blast juice which was yummy.

Today we went into RI to visit my grandmother and make a trip to the zoo. I have been so many times, but this was the best. My uncle works in the human services department and was able to take us "back stage" - we saw Mikey the baby zebra (who wasn't even out because he's recovering from a medical thing), we got to FEED Golden Lion Tamarins and white faced saki monkeys!! So neat! One jumped on my shoulder - they were startled easily, but were gentle and would respond to "Hand" - they put their hand briefly on yours and then you gave them their food - nuts, grapes or live mealworms!! The unexpected kicker of the day was feeding the ELEPHANTS!!!! Their trunks are like a vacuum cleaner inside a mitten! That was so unbelievable to be able to have that opportunity!

So cool, but soo tired now. Nap time made me feel a little less tired but more cranky. Now it's time to play catch-up on the blogs!

New Yarn :^) and book release

Today I met up with Dan for lunch - it was soooo yummy! Such a nice day out too! After lunch I went to my favorite knitting store - Yarns Down Under - I may be a younger knitter, but I am always treated with respect and interest in my current projects. Other yarn stores in CT have people working in them that would like nothing to do with customers or are trying to be too helpful and it comes across pushy or there's just so much stuff in the store I don't know where to start. Y.D.U. is a wonderful little shop - they even had the Filatura Di Crosa "Elena"!! I love it I love it I love it!!

I ended up with yarn to make the knitty ribbon x-back tank, one of the shrugs from the interweave knitters online patterns and the heart sachet.

Turnovers

It looks so nice out, I think I'll walk over to the library (the good one, not the one of frequent rants) and post office in a few moments. Also on tap for today is that I want to complete the ears for the Bobbi Bear (which really is huge. the size of my thigh.), keep working on Broadripple (this is knitting up so nice, although I keep getting "caught" at the join end of the circular needles. I'm using Addi Turbos, but I'm trying to keep those end stitches tight.... oh well. Also keep working on the Rebecca wrap. Swap out the winter clothes for the summer / spring. Find my reef flip-flops. FIgure out what to have for dinner.

While getting RAOKs ready this morning I had on "A Perfect Murder" (it was still too early for spunge or daytime talk tv) - Aragorn is in this movie!!! Never realized that before. He's so cute.

Lazy Day

It's so nice to have a day where I don't have to get lesson plans done before I do anything else. This morning I got up, did yoga (tried to anyway), made a CD, ran the dishwasher and then went back to work on the bobbi bear. I'm working on the 2nd arm, and probably will take care of the ears tomorrow. This bear is WAY bigger than I would like - I wonder how well it would work with different yarn /needles to make one that is smaller, because the shape is adorable.

I'm really getting hooked on the "Showdogs Moms & Dads" show - good things to keep in mind for when we get a dog - I don't want to be on this show~!!

Waiting in Lines

Today I went shopping to pamper myself. Spring Break woo-hoo! I think I got some pretty good deals. There's still no good spunge on tv, although the Discovery health channel has some interesting shows.

I went to the post office to post a few RAOKs and saw that there are Muppet / Jim Henson Stamps - did I know this already? Perhaps.

Bloglines let me sign in, then booted me out - acocrding to their news the problem has been fixed...

AND Target has some great dollar deals - they actually had a lot of beading stuff in the section I went to (wine charm kits, beads (all shapes / sizes / colors) - I got 2 sets of charms that I want to use as stitch markers for my smaller projects. Also, in the same section I got a cd case that I'll be using to store my circulars (some of them anyway) AND they had some very cool bug / frog stuff (magnets, stickers, puzzles) - miraculously, I held back :^P

Lifetime

Dan was up and out early this morning - I didn't sleep in too much, because it IS the first day of spring break (woohoo!) I was trying to log in to bloglines but it keeps telling me my password is no good. When I ask for it to be emailed I get a message that the email is invalid, and the password has been sent. Confusing? yeah.

There's nothing on tv on Saturday mornings. I was hoping for spunge (trash tv, think any reality show on MTV) and found out that we get the Lifetime Movie Network - right now Sally Field is a "Woman of Independent Means" or something like that - she has cried and screamed and been a "lady of society". Meh.

Last night we were watching "Oceans Twelve" (it was slow and choppy and we turned it off half way through) I needed some stupid knitting - low-thinking stuff - I have to pay too much attention to the Rebecca wrap (I screwed up another row, I'm refusing to frog) so I cast on for a pair of Broadripple socks. Holy chickens, I'm stupid or something - I kept messing up that pattern too, so I stopped all together. double meh.

746.4

That's the call # at the library for the knitting books. I went to the library in the town where I teach and browsed their new books, then went up to the "arts" area and found more knitting books. I like the Miller Library in Hamden - but don't rush over there because I took out the books :) For the next 2 weeks or so I am pouring over
*Family Circle Easy Afghans
*Gift Knits
*Debbi Bliss Celtic Knits
*Knitter's Stash
*Vogue Knitting Socks Two
*Left-Handed Crochet
*Hot Knits
*Felted Knits
*Knitting on the Edge

And wether or not if that man-eating-rescued rabbit thing is a joke PETA should still go stomp on his tuckas. They do outlandish stuff like that.

I bought pink tulips today - I love tulips and the shade of pink was sooo springy.

I'm on Spring Break!! To celebrate I'm having frozen strawberry daquiaris with dinner.

Unbelievable

So, while this guy will devour his pet if he doesn't raise enough money, he doesn't say why - not that there could even be a good reason. Why isn't PETA all over this guy? Have I missed something here?

(It's also almost unbelievable that I have update more than once today!)

Wow

We're fast approaching spring vacation - the past few days for me have been okay - I've been showing A Bug's Life and human body / skeleton videos. I'm thinking about setting up a science weblog for next school-year - maybe one for class, one for me as a teacher - have to do it for the CT BEST program anyway - not the blogging, but a technology component and journal. Online is easier for each day. This story just made me stop My days sometimes are tough, but I can't imagine what this must be like... More power to her, and her students.

My Rebecca wrap-cardi is slowly, slowly coming along. The back is ok. My eyelets are not even and I'm ok with that. It's for me, not a gift. My mistakes will be a tribute to the higher powers.

Vents

I'm a library supporter. I have always loved going to the library. However, I really cannot stand the local library in the town I'm moving back to next month. I went there today to get a video for school. Now, I've used that library before, but now I have a new last name / new library card (with my current hometown library, one town over) - so I have to wait while they "re-input" into their system. I went to the library in the town where i teach and had to wait again. So I made a comment about how there should be a "CT State" library card, not this town thing. And the librarian piped up that it is a CT library card (See, how it says it right on the card?) Yes, ma'am I see that - however each time you use it for the first time in a new spot I have to wait while I get "input" into the system. I might as well just get a new town library card. Frustrating, because this really isn't as convenient as it should be. Also, the library has really shitty parking. There is a vote up to expand the library - while I think this is a good thing - expand / update / serve more people, they make no accommodations for parking upgrades, which sucks.

I met up with Betsy (who finally has a LiveJournal - yay!) a stitch and sip at our local tavern. It was fun, but when she moves out to PA this summer, I think I may have to switch my knitting night - there's only 2 or 3 of us (me included) that come out with any regularity.

I think I'm managed the eyelet pattern on the wrap but now I've come to a confusing part involving the increases - I don't see how they add 10 stitches because according the written directions, I see 5 are added. Groan.

And lastly, Gilmore Girls is still in reruns. :^( Not fair. This season hasn't been all that great, but I miss my show!

Wonderings

I'm on my computer alot. Mostly it's for lesson planning / teaching stuff. Frequently it's for email. Anything else it's knitting /crafting. So it's rather amusing when my hubby asks me what I'm doing on the computer - Looking at knitting. Reading about knitting. Finding new patterns I want to do.

Is there a way to see the blogs of those who have "subscribed" to me on bloglines? I'm amazed that 100+ people have "subscribed" and I would love to leave a comment in their blog to say "Hey" - but I don't know how to figure that out.

Today I made banana bread and pizza bread. So domestic.

I've been working on the Eyelet wrap from rebecca #29 - twice, I've frogged. I'm left-handed and this is my first chart pattern experience - I keep screwing up. Bah. But I'm still determined. Any tips for lefties working from charts? I want to avoid re-writing the entire pattern, but fear it may bome to that!

Too random for a title

It's been forever since I've posted - since just before Easter I believe. My mom and Nana loved the Cadbury chicks I made - my mom even brought hers into work to show it off to the knitters she works with - they loved it of course and wanted the pattern :) Spreading the joy!

Apparently the Easter bunny brought me a really icky virus / cold / thing. I was pretty much laid out all last week - no voice, stuffy nose and no energy for knitting! But I'm back on track - my bobbi bear has no arms, but I can start stuffing him tonight. I need to add the handle to the Crystal Palace Deco-ribbon bag. I think I'm going to use the yarn from my secret pal to make the Eyelet Wrap Cardigan in Rebecca #29, and I want to start that tonight.

I listened to the book,Second Assistant, on CD last week in the car - cute, fluffy. I read Laurie Notoro's book I Love Everybody (and other atrocious lies) - hysterical!! And I see by amazon, that there's even another book due out soon We Thought You'd Be Prettier - aside from Jen Weiner Laurie Notaro is my favorite! And she'll be on tour! Wow. No CT dates listed and R.J's is pretty good about getting good authors through, so maybe...