Friday, January 25, 2008

Girlz Night Out

"Thursday Knit Night", met up for Camille's Birthday at the choice of the Birthday girl, it was Mexican and Margarita's. We went to Frontera's, I personally am not a big fan of Mexican and well, don't really drink but nothing could beat the company and all the new girls I met. Don't worry girls, I am sure there is some who don't like Sushi, I just hope you like Japanese when my Month rolls around (July)

So, from L to R, that would be me, Kay, Suzanne, Bibby, Marie, Camille - Birthday Girl, Cindy, Ginger, Jan and there would be Darlene but she took the picture. All, knitters from the local area, how cool is that. Suzanne, was the new girl, she teaches at a LYS, March and April she is teaching Lace and Fair Isle. I am going to take the Lace class. We will make a Lace Dishcloth. It was loads of fun. I am going to miss going knitting with the girls next week.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

It's Snowing


Here is the picture I took, when I just got home. I just got back from morning report. The boys have been outside having fun already. I just like to watch it fall.
So, all you blogging friends who put up with my whining cause we never get any snow, well no reason to whine now. My youngest finally after 7 years gets to play in the snow with Snowballs and make a snow man later. When it turns to ice tonight, they can sled on our sled we had as kids. I picked up from my dads house last night.
Its funny though, I live in in the Center of our state. and it is 4 hours from the beach (Florida) and all the counties below us are getting 3-6 inches more than us. I am not complaining, but I just wondered if it has anything to do with global warming? Well, I am going to enjoy watching my boys and stay warm.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Cocoa Talk Week #2

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Yep, my knitting has changed to match the season. See post below, I just finished a blanket, scarf, fingerless gloves, I have two hats on the needles. The yarn, I still use cotton for dishcloths and have cotton on the needles for a hat, but the other hat is Wool.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Out With The Old and In With The New

I know I haven't been bloggong much, so I had to be knitting and crocheting. Right? Well, I have and much to show for it. I had several objects from 2007 that I had to complete and get off my needles, so I could start my new projects for 2008. My sister came home Dec. 21st at 11 pm with her she brought the 10 11x11 squares for my moms throw blanket. I had the 10 red. I slip stitch them together, rather than sewing them with a needle. I got all but 4 done by Christmas Eve to give to my mom. Mom understood and just loved and sent it back for me to finish it. Since then it has the other 4 squares and a double crochet around the edge in red.

FO: Mom's Throw Blanket
Yarn: Lion Brand Thick and Quick Chenille
Needles: Clover Bamboo US #13 StaightsThe yarn was OK, it is very soft and as I double crochet it kept me warm or made me hot. The yarn breaks with any kind of tension. It has give after about 10 rows, but cast on doesn't have any give at all.

Here is the scarf for my niece being modelled by one of our neighbors the boys play with. I have 2 more nieces and have to make theirs. They were not Christmas, they were lets see Aunt Holly knitting and want a scarf.
Fo: Wrap Over Scaf
Yarn: Lion Brand - Lion Boucle'
Needles: Us # 10.5 Clover Bamboo


Remember when I had 1 Fingerless Glove, well now I have a pair. I finished the one on the on the right hand. My increase is could of been a little better, I think the one on the right hand fits a little bigger than the left.

FO: Fingerless Gloves from Mimoknits
Yarn: Substituted - She uses Noro (yuck) and mine is Patons SWS (soft and squishy not itchy)
Needles: Clover Bamboo Circulars US#6

Here is where we begin the projects for the New Year.
Here is my small sock to be. It is my homework for my sock class next Saturday. My homework is complete. All 4 inches from the cast on. It was one of the things I wanted to learn for the New Year. So, when I went shopping to one of the local LYS with my sister after Christmas, I signed up for the first available sock class. Little did I know I would get invited to a weekly knit night at Books A Million and the girls would of taught me how and could of spent that $20 dollars on yarn.

This the picture, just doesn't turn out well unless the ribs are stretched out. This is a 1x1 ribbed hat for a man. One of the Dr.s (very young) was making fun and so I told him he wouldn't make fun if I made him something cool and so I am. I am using Berocco Jasper. I love this yarn. Will definately be using it in the future for the boys hats.


Ok, I know you are probably thinking, we got a new puppy for the New Year, but we didn't. This is the neighbors dog, who finds his way to our house from playing with the boys. The neighbors said if we wanted him, we could have him. His name is Max (aka to the kids Bama). He played and ran with the kids and Austin brought him to me and he fell into my lap with exaustion and fell asleep. He woke up ready to play, so as we got ready and headed out to Target, we dropped him back off with the neighbors. I couldn't resist his sweet face. He has huge paws, and will be very big, other than that he is a very well behave puppy, that comes over alot. Just not the right size for our house.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Questionaire

1. Do you knit crochet or do both? I do both

2. What type of needles or hooks do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? I use metal hooks and I use bamboo or wooden needles. Usually straights.

3. What type of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any you have been wanting to try? I use the Peaches and Cream, Sugars and Cream, Cotton Ease, Bernat Cotton and TLC cotton. I would love to try the Cotlin from Knitpicks.

4. What colors are your kitchen and bath decorated in? We are in the process of redoing the entire house, one room at a time. Kitchen - gold, reds, sage green. Bath - Golds, red. Other Bath - sage green

5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite? I like just about any color other than orange, black and yellow. Orange has its purpose at halloween. My favorite colors are pink and teal.

6. Do you like winter or do you count the days until it ends? I like winter. I like for it to get cold. Our winters goes something like this, Hot, Cold, Hot, Cold. Hot meaning 80's and Cold in the 20's, anywhere from 1 week to 2. I would like a solid cold with SNOW! My dear pal if you could please arrange for some snow, it would Defeat any Doldrum I could possibly have and you would be the best pal on the face of this earth. I do count the days until it is daylight savings time changes again.

7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you are down in the dumps? Do nothing but sit and knit or crochet with a cup of hot tea.

8. What is your favorite treat to indulge yourself in when you are down in the dumps? Something hot and just junk food. Chocolate

9. Do you drink coffee? tea? cocoa? I drink all 3

10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do? I would go to the moutains, where there is snow, or I would jump a plane and go visit my sister in Tacoma, Wa.. I would let her know this time, and would want to have my passport to go to Victoria, Canada. Get a cottage on the lake, with the snow cap view of the mountains behind the lake. Cook meals, sit around knit and take in all the little shops.

11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of? Nope

Sunday, January 6, 2008

I Guess It is A Three Post Day - With Some Contest at Hand

I posted my package from my Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap. My questionaire from the Cocoa Swap is posted. Later this evening I need to work on my blog, settings and such. For now,
I need to mention that there is several contest going on.

There is the pre-sign up contest for the Defeat the Winter Doldrums Dishcloth Swap, that I am hosting with my friend Anne. I didn't get enough of her in the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap and didn't won't her to have to go at it alone, then she would know who would be spoiling her. So, go on over there and check it out.

Speaking of my friend Anne, go on over to her blog and enter into her Blogiversary Contest, that Anne and her wonderful sister Tina is having to celebrate their 1 Year at blogging together. Their blog is wonderful. Anne's Sunday Bloglines that lead to some other wonderful bloggers and Tina's going ons in Alaska with the family.

Friender is hosting a 99th post contest, she couldn't wait for the 100th post.

Last but not least Sharon before she got so sick posted a 2 year Blogiversary contest. You could probably sneak a entry in their.

Well, if you are in the need for some yarn for your stash, here is a few ways to win.

Cocoa Swap Questionaire

COCOA
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk or water? From homemade recipe or store bought? In a tea cup or a big mug? I like to prepare my cocoa with fat free milk or water if I am desparate. Homemade ones are good, but mostly store bought. I fix my cup of cocoa in a big sturdy mug.
2. Marshmallows or Whip Cream?
Sometimes I use marshmallows and other times I use whip cream. I would love to try gourmet marshmallows - flavored ones. Cinnamon, peppermint, caramel or anything that would go good in hot chocolate.

YARN/KNITTING/CROCHETING
1. What is your favorite type of yarn and in what color?
I have came a long way since last year when I began a love for yarn. I just in the last few months started looking at yarns that could make me a yarn snob. I like wool, cashmere, silk blends. I use cotton for my dishcloths. I am taking my first sock class in a couple of weeks and hope that once I accomplish 1 sock, that it will strike a new hint of love. However, everything has a purpose I use acrylics as well. As for color I like bright colors: pink, purple, turquoise, blues and greens. I am not a big fan of orange.
2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?
I knit and Crochet
3. What is your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?
I like wood/bamboo. I use straight, dpn's and circulars. Metal hooks.
4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?
I have a good supply of notions - stitchmarkers, row counter, gauge measures. I would love a lantern moon sheep tape measure from Paradise Fibers
5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting/crocheting habit (outside yarn)?
I haven't broke down and bought a crochet hook holders/ or grippers for my crochet hooks.
6. What is your favorite quick knit/crochet pattern (quick gratification)
dishcloths, baby booties and baby hats, Mandy's candy bag

MISCELLANEOUS
1. What is your favorite thing to do in Winter?
Stay inside, Knit, crochet and sip something hot. I don't like to be cold.
2. What is your favorite animal?
Turtles and whales
3. Do you get the winter blahs?
Sometimes
4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?
Just stay busy with kids and everyday life.
5. What is the one thing you are most looking forward to this spring?
The warm weather, taking the kids to the park. Grilling meals.
6. What are your favorite treats?
I like chocolate, biscotti to dip in my hot drinks, and I have taken up with smores lately. Physical treats - massage, manicure, and pedicure. Going to the movies or to see a show at the Alabama Theatre.
7. What is your favorite board game?
I like to play sorry with the kids, monopoly, uno, domino's
8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?
I have 2 sons - Oldest 8 and youngest 7.
9. Do you have any allergies or considerations your pal should know about?
None

Let the swapping begin!

Thank You Cass!

I awoke yesterday to my boys running into my room with a box. They were screaming your package is here! It was time to get up, I had to go to a family get together on my dads side. I did take a moment with the boys to open my Coffee Swap Package. I got Cass! She was aiming for a post holiday blues - cheer me up package. You know the goodies to pamper yourself with. She emailed me and let me know what type of package I was getting and when it was going out before I ever put that last post up, during my after holiday blue period. She let me know it was n't a Winter Theme or Holiday Theme, it was something to get through those post holiday blues. How cool is that, that she knew what I needed before I ever mentioned it. I love it when swap pals are cool like that. She got me totally right. Everything she put in my package was so ME! I a girly girl through and through and love all the fu fu stuff. So for the goodies.

She sent me some of her favorite coffee's the brand is Equal Exchange Fairly Traded, a dark roast and a full mind and body which sounds great. The Dark roast I can throw some frothy milk and use it instead of espresso. My mug is awesome, you see it in the middle. It is big sturdy, colorful, and has a lid, so when I am sipping my coffee it doesn't pour all over me. There was some massage lotion, bubble bath, and perfume in the cute heart pouch. Cass I am not a big scented person, but I put this on yesterday and it is light enough that it doesn't bother me and smells wonderful. The little purple box was a bath soak, and I used it last night and it was wonderful. She sent some Surina wooden needles and some Rowan tweed yarn that is a Cotton and Silk blend. Too the left you will see some stitch markers and the cute little Lamb decoration that I just kept rubbing. Last but not least some YUMMY chocolates, dark and organic chocolate bars. Cass you did a great job in picking stuff for me. The colors are perfect and would be something I would have walked into a yarn store and picked for myself. Now to find something to put the yarn to good use.