One Tired Day

I should be in bed but I'm writing this so that I can add my pics. I took pics of my L2KDC package and the stitchmarkers. I haven't cast on the cloth, but I have finished the ribbing of the two needle socks. I don't know if I'll get anymore knitting done tonight because I'm tired but I might. ;D

Here are the pics:

~ My first Stitchmarkers ~

~ My Love 2 Knit Dishcloth Package ~

(King Tut cotton ~ yellow, Boye Circ #7s, Smiley Stickers & an OR postcard)

~ at the homestead ~

smells ~ red hot sausages, yummy!

sounds ~ kids playing, dog barking and the hum of the fan

doing ~ blogging, reading and thinking about knitting

~ 2 on 2 ~

Pretty snazzy title, huh?! Well, what it means is.....I'm knitting 2 socks on 2 needles ~ actually circs. I'm knitting baby socks with some lovely yarn I found. I'm using Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits for beginners book. They are called "two needle socks" that are seamed when done. I figured that it would be just as easy to knit both of them at the same time, especially since I'm using variegated yarn, and then I'll be done quicker. No one sock syndrome for me. LOL

I've been busy ~ not sure where the time has gone on the weekend, but am wondering why the week is creeping by. I should be grateful for the slow pace though ~ it will allow for more time to simply be and enjoy the pleasures of my life. I've managed to mail off several swap packages, work extra hours for my pt job ~ I'll be leaving soon for the other one (extra moola for my new addiction ;D), I'm planning and organizing for my trip and I've started 2 new projects. Both are really quick and small so that I can still finish off my footie. Speaking of my footie ~ I'm at the toe shaping. Yeah me! This is truly a new experience for me. I will actually finish something for myself. My 2 new WIPs are the above mentioned socks and a dishcloth for my....oops its a secret. ;D I will start a new dishcloth tonight using the lovely yellow yarn I received in the L2KD exchange. I'll post more on that later.

Oh I almost forgot ~ I finished my stitch markers. I even managed to make extras which I did send one w/my dishcloth swap. ;D Unfortunately, my camera is not being very friendly and they didn't come out well. I may still post them that way you will see the finished product though not very clearly. Our swap leader said that making them may be addictive, and I think she was right being that I set out to make about 5 markers and ended with about 15 of them. :D It worked out once I started making them according to what I wanted them to look like. Don't get me wrong, using a pattern or some one's idea is great but for me it wasn't working and the freeform method worked better. It was fun and I look forward to making them again in the future. I even made some for our coffee swap packages ~ but I won't post those until after the packages are in the mail.

Well, I'd better go and get ready for work. Have an awesome day!

Swap Contest Fun

I've been playing and I've had fun. Over at our Knitters' Coffee Swap ~ there is a contest. You had to pick some yummy coffee colored yarn and a lovely pattern that you'd love to knit. Here is my submission.
Don't you love my Mocha Capp ~ its Cappuccino for short.

Enjoy your Memorial Day and remember to honor those who have gone before.

Yarn Shopping

Yes, folks you read that title right. I went yarn shopping today and had a blast. Now before you start reminding me about my Stashalong commitment ~ remember I'm part of at least 4 swaps. ;D I had to p/u some needed yarn to give these nice ladies. I will confess, I found the most beautiful sock yarn but I resisted. I agree with the motto of Loopy Ewe ~ "Sock Yarn doesn't count as stash", but I refrained and stuck to my purpose. I did pickup the Vogue Knitting Winter *(correction) 06/07 magazine for half off. Here is a pic of that lovely sock yarn ~ its Jitterbug Mardi Gras #155

The LYS I visited was having a birthday sale this week. They had some lovelies on sale too ~ definitely need to finish off 2 projects by monday to take advantage of the 30% off. Though I didn't get any yarn for myself, I picked up some goodies for my SP10, our NSPals and for CrochetSwap pal. I plan to go back on Mon to checkout some stuff I didn't have time to visit with today. I'd love to share pics but you will have to wait until after both of the secret swaps are over. Sorry ;(, I don't want them to accidentally find me and know who I am by what I sent. I know you understand, cause you loves me. ;D I also visited Michaels and picked up some needles for another swap using my 40% coupon ~ Woohoo!

Other things going on here:

I'm trying to make stitch markers for another swap. This is slow work. It looks so easy but for some reason its not working out to be so easy, at least for me. I will persevere and get these markers ready and outa here. Once I get the package ready, I'll post a pic ~ I can post the CrochetSwap b/c its not a secret.

I've agreed to help w/making 7x9 squares for the Warm Up America project. I've managed to complete 3 squares w/3 more in progress. Of the first 3, 2 are crochet and 1 knit. The others are 2 knit and 1 crochet. Crochet is so much faster for me but I want to get my knitting skills and speed up, so I've got 2 OTNs. So far, I think I've only used about 2 oz of odd ball yarn. Not much but something in my book. I'll post pics before sending them out.

Well, I'd better be going ~ need to get a few packages put together to go to the PO on Tues. Lots of goodies being mailed out.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sock Progress

Okay, before you look below, I must warn you ~ my feet are not pretty. ;D I am not fond of them but....well one must have them in order to survive even if you don't like them. One day, I may like them but right now they are just feet. Please know that this is truly a privilege because I don't show them to just anyone. ;D

Btw, did you know that standing on one foot while take a picture of the other foot which is up on a chair, that you could lose your balance and fall over. Well, now you know and you are smarter for it too. Your welcome! (No laughing allowed)

Here is my sock progress photos:

WIPs/FOs ~ camera is working ;D

Okay, since blogger is being tempermental (I lost my last post) I'm going to keep this short, well kinda. Here are some overdue pics of WIPs/FOs and an update for SAL. Enjoy!

(Charity Hat #1)

(May KAL dishcloth ~ Daffodils)





(closeups)

(April KAL dishcloth ~ 3 crosses)

(closeup)


(Apr Mid-Month KAL dishclothes)









(my first baby sock ~ the one w/missing rows ;D)

(my first pair of baby socks)

(my 1st footie just for me)

SAL update:
1. Baby Kimino done (still need to block then photo)
2. No Sweat Socks No Pedestrian Peds (see above pic)
3. Wristlets ~ had to frog and change needles (plan to cast on this week)
4. SS ~ Baby Socks from Simply Baby book done
5. SS ~ 2 Dishclothes from MDKAL done (see above pic - may)

OTNs ~ previously mentioned WIPs:
1. Baby Kimono ~ #2 70% done frogged right sleeve
2. Dishclothes ~ monthly mid-month project done (see above april pic)

I don't have much on the needles, only 3 projects and I am planning to add about 3 more. More dishclothes, socks for hubby and my No Sheep ~ Tuscany. Hmm, I'll be a bit busy. ;D

Sock fun!

Ooh la la, its been fun around here. I had some yummy sock yarn but only one skein so I am making footsies. The pattern I'm using only required 190 yards and I have 275. Yeah! So I cast on Sat for my first personal pair of footie socks. I am loving the colorway and hopefully will be able to upload a pic tomorrow ~ just got some batteries and Sk8Chick's camera needs a USB cable. Anywho, I got some quality knitting time in this weekend and I am very pleased w/my progress ~ several things finished and I'll update more later. I think I should go to bed being its 2am. ;D

Have an awesome day!

~ on the homestead ~ (later today)

menu ~ fresh baked bread, homemade waffles, baked fish,

cornbread and string beans

handiwork ~ socks and more...

sounds ~ Building 429's new cd, Iris to Iris

smells ~ fresh linen

~ Happy Mother's Day ~

May each of you have an awesome day. I'll be off line today, enjoying the peace of my family, some knitting time and then off to work for a few hours.

Be blessed!

I'm seeing red n its.....

beautiful. My SP sent me a package. Whew! I was having a very exhausting day and it was nice to have something waiting for me when I came home from work. She had sent me an ecard to let me know it was on the way ~ it arrived today! She lovingly wrapped each item in red tissue paper and it was in a red package. Red is my favorite color ~ didn't you know?!

Now since the camera is still w/o batteries, and Sk8Chick's is charging (she got one as a b-day present from a family friend today), I'll have to tell you what I got. Later I'll add a pic. ;D

Yarn Love
luxury sock yarn ~ Brown Sheep WildFoote in Blue Blood Red. This is very lovely yarn and I had been wanting to try out some Brown Sheep. :D There was also some LB Micro Spun in Turquoise ~ very lovely and bright. I'm already matching it up with some of my stash to make myself something pretty. I will also need to find a sock pattern for myself too.

Sweet Tooth
delicious chocolate ~ Cadbury Dairy Milk. Yummy, my favorite.

Library additions
two books ~ Not Your Mama's Crochet and Days from the Heart of the Home
The Days is a daily journal ~ I once checked out the book this journal is based on from the library and had planned to add it to my wishlist one day. I didn't know there was a day book for it ~ its great.

I love each and every piece of my wonderful package from my SP. She Rocks! Thank you from the bottom of my heart Knitty Secret Pal ~ you're the bestest!

~ Knitting Meme ~

A Knitting Meme I found at Knitter in Progress. ;D

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

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching **not as often as I should**
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Weekly Update

Whew! another week over and done. Mine was long and I am glad its over. However, this week will not be any easier and I'm taking extra care to rest. One thing that is wonderful about last week is I experienced the tranquil, relaxing moment that knitting can create. I was having a very stressful moment, more than one actually, while volunteering at the LPGA and I pulled out my knitting and did a couple of rows of garter stitch. As I stitched, I began to relax and feel at peace again. I was experiencing some major PMS symptons and I'm glad I packed my knitting. Now I've crocheted for years and don't recall ever experiencing such a moment of rest ~ it also helped that I began to pray as I stitched. The LPGA was fun, I learned alot and made some new friends but it was intense at times due to our crazy weather.

I've not finished anything ~ which also means I didn't get to put my baby kimino into the drawing for KTC but thats okay it will make one very beautiful baby gift when it is done. I really didn't get much knitting done because I was helping the person in charge of the volunteers which left no room to sit and knit. :D We did manage to go to the potluck this month after all, we didn't think we would be able to because of a concert. The concert was actually on thursday so we had fun with our knitting friends. I got help w/my baby sock, because the first one didn't come out quite right. Well, thats because I missed a few rows ~ oops! I did finish my first sock and will make a match when I'm done with the pair I've started. I guess I did get some knitting done after all because that first sock is done and I've started another and last night began shaping the toe which means I'm almost done. Yeah me!

Well, I'm off to work on my sock and listen to an audiobook. Have a wonderful evening and week, if I don't get back on before Sat. ;D

ps ~ I didn't buy any yarn when we were at the potluck. :D

May 1st..hmmm

for lack of a better title. ;D Its been quiet but busy around here. I've casted on for my first baby sock. Woohoo! I'm using my new needles and yarn from my SP. The needles are so little, its awesome. Pics later because the camera needs batteries. I've finished a WIPs too as well as completed "Chicks with Sticks" which was absolutely hilarious. I've sent off my BABE package and another special one to my SP.

We got our book order in today ~ Yeah! Which includes our very own copies of Mason-Dixon Knitting, Favorite Socks and Debbie Bliss' Family Knits. We have one more on backorder since it isn't published until sometime this month.

We are getting ready for Sk8Chicks b-day. Yep! folks I will soon have a 19yr running a muck in my home and stash. LOL Its ok, I'm really alright with it ~ its really wonderful to see her bloom and become an adult. Makes this Mumma very proud indeed.

Ok, so on to the WIP/FOs front:
1. Baby Kimono ~ mason-dixon knitting book Done!
~ Peaches & Cream Baby Green: need to block, seam and wash.
2. Baby Kimono ~ #2 90% done
~ Lion Brand Microspun Lily White: need to add more 1" then block, seam and wash
* want to use this for my KC book project and it needs to be picture ready by Friday :D
3. Dishclothes ~ monthly mid-month project 90% done
~ need to finish up 11 rows for each cloth
4. Two Tone Socks ~ Simply Baby book (just started) ;D
~ DBs Baby Cashmerino #0007 w/LBs Microspun French Vanilla
5. Warm Wristlets ~ LB pattern (had to frog ~ cast on both using circs)
~ LBs Wool Ease ? can't find label ;D
6. Soap Sack ~ Done
~ Peaches & Cream Sherbet: need to make I-cord

I went to Hobby Lobby's and Michaels and didn't buy any yarn. Yeah me! I picked up some needed needles especially since HL has them for 50% off. What a bargain! We do need more yarn for our stash but it will have to wait until I've finished 4 more projects. That shouldn't take too long but I am okay with waiting especially since I've not seen anything that I absolutely have to have. ;D