Long Weekend

Happy belated thanksgiving to all in the States. We hosted again (2nd year running!) and it went pretty flawlessly. We had both sets of parents, brothers, my grandmother, uncle & partner for a total of 12 - I think that's just right. Everyone brings stuff, and we took care of the turkey / potatoes (my brother mashed 'em perfectly) / stuffing / gravy - and even a lot of that is shortcuts. :) It's all good. I am in much favor (worship?) of Omaha Steaks turkey and Alton Brown's method. Juicy, perfect and delicious combination!

Week before last, Betsy and I went to a sale at Farmhouse Yarns (read more here) - we each stuffed a bag - I got 19 skeins! I'm thinking they'll be good for mittens (I'm in the knit mitt kit swap), scarves, and flower facecloths for holiday gifts with some fun soap (like these Biggs and Featherbelle - I love them!). You can also see in the picture 2 skeins of malabrigo (little lovely) that I couldn't stop touching...


And how excited was I to come home on Wednesday and find an installment from Scout's Indie Swag Club - love the colorway and the notecards from Glamscience.
There's a really great picture here.

And I thought I was successful in my LimeNViolet KAL - I got through the second sock:



Only to find out that I don't know where I lost track of paying attention, because sock #2 is too short for my foot!! It's only good as a dachshund nose warmer. Groan. I don't want to undo it to try and fix it. I'm tossing my hands up on this one.

Break Time

Here's what you do:

1. Open your music library
2. Set settings to "Shuffle"
3. Press play
4. For each entry, type the song that's playing
5. For new entry, press the next/forward button

opening credits: "Stupid Girls" Pink ~ ok, sets the tone

waking up: "I wanna be sedated" The Ramones ~ again, true to life

first day at school: "Your Eyes" (RENT, Broadway cast) ~it's one of those movies

falling in love: "In a big country" Big Country ~this one creeps me out a bit

breaking up: "Skullcrusher Mountain" Jonathan Coulton ~excellent

prom: "Down to Earth" Barenaked Ladies ~proms don't have to make sense, that's why they are fun

life's okay: "Being for the Benefit of Mr.Kite" Beatles ~suitable

mental breakdown: "Some Fantastic" Barenaked Ladies ~mellow breakdown, eh?

driving: "Can't Help Falling in love" UB40 ~good singalong

flashback: "Piece of my heart" Janis Joplin ~it works

getting back together: "Send me on my way" Rusted Root ~not really a "together" song now is it?

wedding: "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)" Limp Bizkit ~I love it. My bridal party walked in to "Big Pimpin". We walked in to "Rock the Casbah". First song was "Let's get it started" - it fits. one of my favorites.

birth of child: "Goodbye my lover" James Blunt ~so so sad....

final battle: "Another Spin" Barenaked Ladies ~ok

funeral song: "Peace on Earth" U2 ~appropriate

end credits: "If You're Gonna" Natasha Bedingfield ~meh

Groan.

Photos to come tomorrow, along with links.
Went to a kick-ass yarn sale this weekend with Betsy. I think I ended up with 19 or 21 skeins in my stuff-a-bag. Went to my favorite yarn shop and treated myself to malabrigo that I couldn't stop touching - planning a "my so called scarf". Got a button.
Today dragged. It's report card time. I'm stressed. It's a short week so the kids will be bonkers. I cast off tonight for my LimeNViolet KAL socks. Double groan. You'll just have to wait for the pictures to see what a doofus I am.

WIPs Photos

So, for norovember here's how that felted bag is coming along:


I've been working on these two scarves:






The top one is for a guy (possibly cousin, dad or brother) using Misti Alpaca bulky - it's so wonderfully squishy and warm. The botton is Ellyn Cooper Caribe Isle yarn, in a herringbone lace-ish pattern that came with the yarn purchase.

Here's what I've got on the skinny scarf so far:










I think perhaps that I may have missed part of the pattern, or just knit too tight? As it's a little wonky in the middle as the two bottom photos show - I may just plod on and keep this for me, as I don't relish the idea of ripping out and redoing the 400 stitch cast-on. I'm using the Classic Elite Premiere yarn and it's a little tough on my hands to cast on.

Here's a great picture of Jackson that sums up how I feel today (Rar, it's monday)

Proud

Last summer, when we got Jackson, we got a lot of toys and puppy things. We especially liked the Petstages brand. Well, I took photos and wrote them a letter and now, over a year later, he's their featured pet! I'm so proud :)

And fedex pulled up today - they also sent us two little toys :)

So, writing a letter brings good things - Fat cat toys will be hearing from me next!

Knit Mitt Kit Swap Questions / Answers

What are your favorite colors? blue, green, purple
Are you a new mitt knitter? Sorta - I've made fingerless gloves, wrist warmers, and broad street (convertable mittens, from knitty.com) - but haven't made mittens yet.

How long have you been knitting mittens? About 4 years now

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I like both - I used to be big with the multicolored, but my tastes seem to be swinging back towards solids

What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn? Something warm and soft - keep the wind+wet out!

Where do you usually knit mittens? At home

How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have a series of bags / pouches

What are your favorite mitten patterns? I don't know yet...

What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? I suppose if I could do it in the round on two circulars, that would win!

What new techniques would you like to try? Fair Isle (I'm scared of it!) Thrummed.

What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens? Bamboo, it's good for the planet!

What are some of your favorite yarns? Blue Sky Alpaca, alpaca alpaca alpaca

What yarn do you totally covet? Lobster Pot yarn

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? The "Touch Me" scarf

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? circular, bamboo

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Fun, traditional with a twist

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? jelly beans / mike & Ikes

What’s your favorite animal? Dog (I have a dachshund) and rainforest frogs and owls

Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts?
That's a hard question. I am all for the warmth, but probably would use fingerless mitts more often

If you were a color what color would you be? a shade of blue-purple-green-grey

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? A sunflower close up - I love the repeating pattern

Do you have a wishlist? Yes, on amazon

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I am intrigued and challenged by this and look forward to playing along!!

Recent Swaps

As part of the Boo-ty Swap, I sent to Christine and received from Ananga - lookie here:

There's veggie booty snacks (which I've been wanting to try!!), a gorgeous photo album (perfect for the new photos I've been taking with my new camera!), a needlecase (I so so so needed one of these - it's gorgeous!) and seasonally orange yarn (I'm thinking I'll make Jackson a sweater!). So much fun!!


And I also played in Knitty's Spooky SP. I sent to Jessica and received from Ceallach, check it out:




There's Solar Dyed Yarn in "Irish Eyes" (stunning, now I'm pouring over possible patterns!), stamps, halloween doodahs, soaps and a needle case (which I so so so needed - I've got a lot of needles that need homes!) Thank you very much!!

November Calendar

This is for Deb - you know, it's funny - I had just received 2 calendars in the mail for 2007 - one from Kraft Food & Family Magazine and the other from US Holocaust Memorial Museum... but we'll save those for next year, ok? Here's the November page that hangs in Jackson's room. Yes, his room. He stays in there during the day when we're both at work.

Wish List

This is a neat contest from Archie McPhee - you post your wish list and then could win $200 or $100 worth of the stuff you want! So, here's what I yearn for and adore:
1. Pirate bandages
2. Brain gelatin mold
3. Dogs on tv
4. Sushi Rug
5. Pirate Dome Lunchbox
6. Giant Pencil
7. How to Keep Your Husband Apron
8. Sad Weiner gum
9. Super Genius gum
10. Tickles Tapeworm shirt
11. Parasite Pals Lunch Box
12. Sushi shower curtain

Today I dislike my job

I've mentioned before that I'm a teacher. This week, in much due to the sugar rush, there's been more stress than usual. Our school is very small. We really don't have substitutes. I was asked to use my prep periods tomorrow to cover two classes of Music. While I was annoyed at first, it really isn't too bad a thing - I can help and cover. Tonight I got a phone call from the head teacher of my team. There's been a death in her family, so she'll be late / possibly not in tomorrow. The english teacher is also going to be out tomorrow. So that makes me the "senior" in charge. I'm starting to stress in advance. Ugh. And in helping to cover, I'm sure to loose any "free" time - I'll be lucky to sneak in a potty break.

I wish I was in a cubicle, 9-5 kinda job. This be everywhere, help everyone, do it all 24 / 7 isn't really working for me.

Oh, someone left a comment asking why some of my kids don't celebrate Halloween - they are Jehovah's Witness or Zionist(?, maybe 7th Day Adventist?) - they tell me it's the Devil's birthday.

Happy Halloween!

Here's my "costume"


and a closer look



Hint, it's the tattoo sleeves. It's very low-key, but I'm a teacher and many of my students don't celebrate Halloween. I got many double takes and "um, Miss - are those real???" Ha!

I received two great packages in the mail yesterday - from my knitty Spooky SP and my BOO-ty pal! pictures to come!!

Costumes

It's never to early to think ahead to next year - thoughts / advice welcome!

I could so have Jackson be his own little "short bus" - felt would work, right?


We like bananas!


But this, this dachshund in aluminum chain mail is too much! Someone commented it that it looked knitted on big needles --- maybe?

Avoiding Work

Good thing about school: wireless internet. And boy do I need it. It's just been such a frustrating day. Repeat to self: they are only kids. But they act so old! It's only an act right? They say and do such stupid things though. Grr. And tonight I have to stay late. My knitting is in the car - I'm hoping to knit a little tonight, as I don't have to actually do anything, just be a presence in support of the kiddos. Gotta get going on the presents!

In the meantime, DROOL....
SunsetYarn's Etsy Shop


Sock-ness Monster Socks!


Colorfullife's Etsy Shop




I want to go home and snuggle with some yarn. Or the dog. Hubby too.

FO-tos!!

AKA: I have a working camera!

Behold, my first pair of socks for Socktoberfest!


Snakes on a Sock!
It was a fun pattern, and I thought I worked through it quickly, but that might be from the two-circulars - it always seems to go faster with them...

Yesterday I hit up Sit N Knit - what a cute shop! The staff was very friendly too and willing to go downstairs and look for something if it wasn't already out. I've got all the yarn I need now for Christmas presents.

Today Jackson and I went to the "All Breeds HOWL-O-WEEN" parade and then the dacshund rescue Hall-o-weenie Fest. He won 3rd place for his costume and was also a race winner! Yay!

Doesn't he look happy?

Wrong Number

I tried to call Dan on his cell phone from the house phone. This means that I had to actually remember the phone number, instead of scrolling through my "contacts" or hitting the speed dial #. Some strange guy answered the phone and I asked for Dan (in case someone else answered it for him) and was told,

"No, there's no Dan here. You misdialed the number."
(PAUSE)
"What number were you trying to dial"

Well, obviously I was trying to dial DAN'S number!

I was off by one number. Sheesh.

Name Game MeMe

1. Your rockstar name (pet & current street name): Jackson Carriage Hill

2. Your movie star name (grandfather / grandmother on your mom's side & your favorite candy): Veronica Jellybean

3. Your "Fly Guy / Girl" name (first initial of last name, first three letters of your middle name): H Uph

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Blue frog

5.YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born):
U. Pawtucket

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom's maiden name and first 3 letters of the town you grew up in.)Hubredogui

7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, favorite drink):
The Blue Margarita

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of both your grandfathers): Donald Raymond

9. FUTURISTIC NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne and the name of your favorite shoes)
Philosophy Grace Clarks

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother/father's middle name) Donnelly Michael

Meh.

I've got a new camera coming - hoping tomorrow...

I bought Jackson a few new Halloween shirts at Old Navy (great deal!) but, I think they have redesigned their XS dog shirt as they are tight on him and he hasn't changed his shape too much! I'll return them and exchange for the S, hopefully, and then take photos with the previously mentioned camera.

I started knitting a scarf for one of my aunts for a Christmas present, and realized that I did a bunch of it wrong! It's a two row repeat, and I messed up. For crying out loud self, get a cute stitch marker and use it! You have them. That's what they are their for!!

So far, in thinking about my Christmas gift list, this is what I've got to do:
1.Scarf: Herringbone Lace pattern, Ellyn Cooper yarn - Caribe Irisee - yarn's bought / wound up. This is the one with the stupid mistake I didn't pick up on.

2. Skinny Scarf a la Knitty Gritty on DIY for my cousin - yarn's bought (Classic Elite Premier in two shades of lilac/purple and a smokey grey)
2b. Back to School Cloths are also a possibility for my cousin.

3. Felted Bag with Mitered Squares for one or more of the ladies in my family. Need yarn.

4. Grape Hyacinth Lace Scarf maybe for my cousin's girlfriend. Have some nice pinky Noro that would work nicely.
4a. Also for the cousin's girlfriend, considering Fetching

5. Something for my cousin, a cop. Guys are tough. Maybe fingerless gloves? Maybe a nice scarf that has a touch of cashmere in it?

6. Ditto for my dad.

7. Ditto for my baby brother.

note: I haven't yet made anything for my dad or baby brother... i'd like to... I think the b.b. would be happy with a hat / gloves / scarf (maybe). Dad's not really a scarf guy, but would probably wear one that I made.

8. A set of Fuzzy Feet for a family of my friends: Mom, Dad, kiddo...

9. Other "stuffs" as needed.

10. Oooh, almost forgot. I've got my "HOPE" and "DONALD" yarn and started the scarf for my grandmother, but it's too stripey. I need a pattern for sockweight yarn that blends them together... ideas??
10b. This project would be for Nana, who is going through chemo. She may loose her hair again. Last year I made her a Shedir and she liked it - I think I should make her a box of silly hats: the hallowig, the chicken viking hat, the princess leia hat, and the new knitty surprise!

This weekend I won't be going to Rhinebeck - bummed, but maybe next year. Instead, I'll hit the mall and then check out Sit-n-Knit and CreativeFibers....

Woosh

There went the weekend.
We were up in Maine for a wedding - way out in Baaaah Haaaa-Baaa. It was gorgeous and the event went off perfectly! However, I misplaced my camera (boohoo) - maybe someone will find it.

On the way up, I finished my Snakes on a Sock! yay! And I started these in the LimeNViolet Lisa Souza yarn

In the spirit of Socktoberfest, here's a bit of my sock history:
When did you first start making socks? I taught myself maybe 4 years ago. I'm not sure why really, but I bet it's because I liked the variegated colorways. I followed an online tutorial that had close-ups of what happened. I remember holding the dpns very close to my eyes (those stitches seemed so tiny!)

What was your first pair? How have they "held up"? My first pair were a slouch kinda pattern using a sockotta yarn. They have held up pretty well, but Jackson took to them last year and now they have a hole bitten in them. They are a little big and the toes are grafted so the seam doesn't go across the line of toes, but rather from the front to the back of the foot.

What would you have done differently? I don't know...maybe pay a little more attention to the finishing of the toe.

What yarns have you enjoyed? Lorna's Laces, Koigu, Sockotta, and Spunky Eclectic! I have some of Claudia's Handpainted and Cherry Tree Hill waiting in the wings. And I did join Scout's Swag club.

What's the preferred method? Two circulars. Love it, and it seems to take less time than dpns. I think I would like to try magic loop.

What's your preferred heel? I really like the flap.

How many pairs have you made? 6 pairs, and counting.

Needle Check

I originally planned to give myself a break at school today and make a post about "what's on my needles" but as today has gone on I think I may need to invest in some retail therapy...that could be dangerous.

So, on my needles:
1. Banff - I've got the back done and started a sleeve last night.
2. the zebra from vogue scarves two - just have to finish the leg, weave in ends, add eyes, fringe, ears.
3. Snakes on a Sock - one sock is done, the second sock I'm ready to do the heel flap.
4. I started the sushi wallet a while ago but didn't read the directions completely and needed to use an additional needle. So, it's just sitting in the bag.

I'll probably cast on for these really cute pumpkins because I can't resist.


Man.
Gah.

I'm quite excited about the yarn I'll be getting from Ruby Sapphire in the Hope and Bekka colorways. I am going to have a "Donald" colorway made up and use that with the Hope to make a scarf I saw in scarf style for my grandmother for christmas.

Colorswap

(I'm still without my camera, so links will have to do.)

Yesterday when I got home there was a great package waiting for me from Lynne - she's been very aware of the fact that red / pink are not my favorite colors, however I love everything she sent (and I'm keeping it all!)

There's candy - Skittles, Laffy Taffy, Red Fish!! -- my dentist will thank you!
There's ya--rn! in red and white. - I have not yet had the luxury of working with Any debbie bliss, so I'm very excitied for that. And I've started a "cotton / dishcloth" yarn collection and I do not yet have red/white!
There's lip gloss - how did you know that I am miserable without lip gloss? The more the better!
There's an apron that she made! (scroll down to Sept19!) - I love this the best I think! Wow - love the fabric and the pocket!
There's the Holiday Knits book - perfect! I'm planning to make the scarf in there ASAP~!
There's also a great big mug with red / pink flowers filled with different teas! Raspberries and Cranberry - yum!
And (can you believe it, there's more!)
There's a notes / small file holder, and dpn point protector, and a tape measure.

Everything was wrapped in pink tissue paper and there were even pink packing peanuts!
Thank you soo much! This was a lot of fun - your package will be leaving my house on Monday!

When that happens, along with Lewis and Clark setting off on their journey, I'll be caught up!

To my Tea Swap partner - thanks for the email! Hi!!