~ Jul 27th ~

update time ~ not much going on around here just hot and I mean hot. We are in the midst of a major heat wave with heat warnings. Temps are over 100 degrees so we haven't been staying home but getting out to places that are cool. Heat advisory warnings last til 7p but its been cooling off after that time for the last 2 nights which is a blessing.

On the knitting front:

~ Progress on B2S is moving along though I've ripped out both front pieces after realizing I'd done them wrong. There is another error but I refuse to fix it. I also managed to loss the 3rd ball of yarn so progress has stopped on the back til I find it. LOL

~ Socks ~ none so far for the month though I'm planning to crank out a couple of baby socks for a friend. They will be preemie since she had the baby early ~ this weekend to be exact. I was knitting a quick hat and socks for the shower that we were having today but need to change that. ;) Its a girl and I'll post more when I know more.

~ ISE6 extra scarf done and off. It was a blast making Yarn Harlot's One Row Scarf. I look forward to making another one.

~ L2KDC Summer swap ~ thats off too. I ended up sending a cloth I made awhile ago b/c I forgot this was knitting swap LOL ~ crochet would have been odd and I became bored with the KAL cloth I was making. ;)

~ KAL cloth, guess I don't need to mention this again. Don't know what to do with it but I may frog it and use the yarn for something else.

Thats about all. Looking forward to going on vacation next week and spending time doing whatever I want along with going to the conference. I hope to get some knitting done and see some new lys ~ more about this later must get through this week first.

Have a wonderful week!

~ SP12 Q#7 ~

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit?

~ usually in a big comfy chair. My favorite place is at starbucks but anywhere a lovely comfy chair can be found is great, even now in my livingroom corner by the window. ;)

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?

~ chocolate, coffee or tea....maybe I should say treats because lemon bars are wonderful.

~ SP12 Q#6 ~

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

~ I don't have a fav though dishcloths are very portable. ;) I usually take whatever I'm working on at the time and now pack some cotton for a quick cloth or two.

If you’d like to share a story…Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting.

~ my trip this past June, I took several things but only managed to finish off one sock which needed to be done. I toted several cottons for cloths, sock yarn for new peds and something special. I toted it all back home but it was ok b/c I was prepared. ;)

~ Jul 17th ~

Its quiet around here, Da Boy is at a friends for the night, Sk8Chick is at the movies and Riley and I are watching Porco Rosso. We plan to watch a couple of movies before we go to bed.

My knitting is doing well, I've cast on for the ISE6 angel scarf and I'm really lovin' Yarn Harlot's One Row Scarf

Here are some pics of my knitting:

B2S as it looked on the 14th

here's it is now ~ I've set it aside to work on the scarf and will hopefully get it done by next weekend.

Malabrigo ~ Amoroso (so lovely)

Lovely Scarf

I should be able to finish up the scarf this weekend and get it off in the mail by the first of the week. I need to make a trip to the PO next since there are several things I need to get off. Along with this I need to make a baby shower gift for a dear friend and I think it will be a bath set ~ it should be a quick knit though I've not picked a pattern yet. I'll search ravelry later and also will be looking over my Debbie Bliss baby books ~ you never know I may knit up something else. I'll keep you posted.

Off to enjoy the movie, knit some more and of course read blogs. ;)

~ Jul 16th ~

Just popping in to say hey ~ not much going on but thought I should say something. Thx to my friends for stoppin' by and leaving comments ~ I greatly appreciate knowing you are there. I've been tagged, plus SP12 #6 question is up and I've got pics of the B2S to share but I'm tired and its after midnight. I'm also abit tired of blogger and my stuck space key. I'll update more tomorrow. Nite ;)

~ Jul 14th ~

Warning ~ this is a very boring post. ;)
(eta ~ added some new pics more tomorrow)

I've not been motivated to post lately but thought I needed to update for the sake of SP12. I've been busy knitting the B2S and making excellent progress. I'll update new pics tomorrow since I'm having some technical difficulties with the computer at the moment.

Nothing new around here ~ busy working, knitting and planning our move. Still not sure where we are going but it will work itself out. I did get to go out after work this weekend to knit and drank coffee, though somehow I've managed to misplace some vital personal property in the process. It stormed sat but we were cool and dry at our fav sbux ~ and yesterday we went to that little coffeeshop we visited last week. I tried Buckingham Palace loose tea ~ it was very good too. ;)

Well, off to work on the B2S some more, watch my shows on PBS and may even watch an old movie. Riley and I have been spending our evening knitting and watching movies ~ over the last week we've watched:

Arsenic and Old Lace

Pride & Prejudice (2006)

The Great Adventure

Dial M for Murder

The Princess Bride

Tonight we may watch:

The Avengers ~ At War with the Army ~ His Girl Friday

Good night!

~ Jul 10th ~

wow ~ time sure does fly when you work. ;) I work wed - sun and I lose a lot of time during this period but I thought I'd get on and update a bit. I've been knitting on B2S and its coming along very nicely. I've managed to finish off the bottom half and am working the middle riddle before beginning the waffle pattern. Yeah me! I believe I can actually make a sweater and its not boring me. I'm looking forward to making a couple more sweaters from the Fitted Knits book which is where B2S came from. Heres what it looks like now:

I've been busy working on my dishcloth too but didn't manage to finish it by tues. LOL Its not as much fun as I'd hope and I still don't know what I'm making but thats ok. I've decided that it will be my exchange cloth.

I did managed to get out yesterday and go to our Panera knit-nite. I meet a few new friends then headed over to Sbux for some coffee and time w/more friends ~ the staff. I'm enjoying hanging out again and I making an effort to get out and not let work keep me from doing so. I'm finding I'm a bit boring and too tired to be around ~ thats just not how I want to live. I was reminded that several of my sbux friends want to learn to either knit or crochet so we will be planning a nite soon. I think we will meet up on mon next week so I don't have to worry about going to work the next day though I really like tues nites. Oh well, you must be flexible and I also must remember that it maybe better for the others. I'll keep you posted on this little knitting/crochet group.

I should be in bed right now since I must get up at 4a but I'm not ready. Besides Bon Jovi was on PBS tonite and I got watch some of it. My kiddos were watching videos and I forgot to let them know I wanted to watch the show ~ so I watched for 20mins and let them have the tv. Its ok, it may come on again and I'll be watching.

Not much more to report, I'll be working on a scarf this weekend and I'll update with pics as soon as I can. I work all weekend and I need to get some new shoes for work so I'm not so tired ~ my feet and knees hurt alot which I think attributes to my fatigue. But I will get some time in w/some friends tomorrow and one of them has decided to teach a mutual friend to knit. I'm sure this will be a riot and I plan to take pics. Til next time ~ have an awesome one!

~ SP12 Q#5 ~

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
The beach ~ Virgina Beach or Nags Head are the favs. When we lived on the east coast, we went to VA Beach at least 2x a year (spring break and anniversary). We would go to Nags Head for Christmas ~ oh what fun to run and play on the beach when everyone is at home or visiting other areas. Heehee ~ a very lovely trip with lighthouses, sand dunes and sometimes 70 degree weather. ;)

2) Where is one place you'd like to go?
At the moment ~ to the beach, its been a long time since I've been and I'm missing my oceanview. ;) I also would love to travel Europe and visit Russia again.

~ Jul 6th ~

its been a very good day ~ I got to get out of the house around 3p and hangout at a coffee shop. I'd never been to this one and I had a blast. I also got some major instant gratification in too ~ I made 2 crocheted dishcloths, count 'em ....one, two. They are the same, yet they aren't. I did one using a G hook and the other a J which is a little bigger than the other but I don't care. I love them and one will be for my L2KDC pal in our next exchange.

Yarn ~ Sugar n Cream ~ Creamsicle

Pattern ~ Crochet Flower Dishcloth

I also started on my monthly dishcloth kal and I managed to get 18 rows done today. I hope to finish it off by tues. Here is a pic, not sure the color yet but its kinda turquiose though this month's color was teal or shrimp ~ didn't have either so I improvised. ;)

Yarn ~ Peaches n Cream
Needles ~ #8 circs I've also made some progress on the B2S and I am liking it very much.

Its very hot around here and we will definitely need to make a change because we are starting to have difficulty breathing. We know we need to move and its just a matter of finding the right place, at the right price too. I don't want to have to work full-time or increase my pt hours to be able to afford a place because it would make homeschooling very challenging. It is definitely something our family is praying about.

Sk8chick treated us to dinner and then we went to Sbux for some knitting time ~ it was fun though noisy at times. We cashed in on some treats and now we are home. The kiddos are watching a movie and I'm updating my blog. Not much else to report, so I'll talk at ya later.

~ Jul 5th ~

Woohoo ~ its saturday and I slept in. It was marvelous though I had to call into work to see if I needed to report early ~ I didn't, I slept til it was too hot to be in bed. We then proceeded to the nearest, and our fav, sbux for some java. I've been knitting on the B2S but its slow going due to the heat. I'm hoping to get more knitting done on it in the next few days since I don't have to work. My goal is about an 1 in a day but I believe 2-3 in would be better...heehee, me and my overachieving self. LOL

Look what I got in the mail today from my friend Robin. Robin was giving away some lovely yarn she'd inherited and she sent me the leftovers along w/a fav. Its too bad I swapped the calmer I bought from her for my Yarn Harlot book, then I'd could make me somethin' that reminds me of my fav ice cream ~ dream pops. Well, I may just pop over to my lys a get some more. Thx a bunch Robin ~ you're the bestest.

I'm tired and want to knit some more, so talk at ya later. ;)

~ 3rd Quarter Goals ~

Wow ~ 3rd quarter already. Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?! I must admit I am having fun especially when I look at my progress over the past 6mos. Shall we take a look together. (I know I did a 2nd qtr update but I want to look at all FOs for the year thus far.)

Progress as of 6/30/08:
1. complete WIPs (1 done)
2. complete UFOs
3. make 1 pr of socks per month (7 pr done)
4. make 1 dishcloth per month (5 done)
5. extras (2 done)

15 total items completed in 6mos plus 1 square for a UFO. Not too bad, huh?!

3rd quarter goals:

1. complete all WIPs ~ currently 2
2. complete 3 UFOs
3. make 3 pr of socks
4. make 3 dishcloths
5. extras ~ KalnKals or mystery kals

yarn purchases ~ 1 free per month allowed.

July's plans:
1. complete all WIPs
~ CPH (1/3 done)
~ B2S vest
2. complete 1 UFO
~ Color Play vest
3. make 1 pr of socks
~ Secret peds
4. make 1 dishcloth
~ dishcloth kal
5. extras
~ casablanca shawl

I believe these are very doable and I'll have fun. More details to come ~ yarn, pattern, etc.

~ SP12 Q#4 ~

1) What yarn (that you don't have/haven't used) would make your stash"complete"?
There isn't a particular yarn that would make my stash complete ~ though there are a few I'd love to try. For instance ~ knit picks lace and sock yarns, corn yarn, schaeffer yarn, cascade sock yarn...hmm....I think I'll stop here. ;)

2) What yarn do you never want to be without?
Sock yarn ~ especially CTH and Regia, oh Drops Fabel is a fav too; I'll need to have some Cascade 220 and Sierra on hand as well ~ they knit up nice and fast. I think thats all for now though I'm sure in time this will change and expand.

~ July 4th ~

Happy 4th ~ America's Independence Day! Woohoo! I'm proud of my country and know I'm priviledge to live in such a great one.

Its been a very slow going day. Our plans were to go to a demo clearance sale at Guitar Center but we didn't make it. I did get to sleep in until about 11:30a ~ that was really nice. I cleaned the kitchen and diningroom, made myself a pot of coffee then sat down to knit for about an hour before getting ready for work. It was a very pleasant day and I didn't get home tired after work either. Work was slow but steady ~ we managed to get some cleaning done on the store so it will smell and look better tomorrow.

I've been working on the B2S and have managed to get it back to the length I had it before ripping it back ~ its now 4 in but in the photo it was about 3 ~ I've about 6 more to go before switching to the waffle pattern. I hope to get this done by the 20th ~ we shall see its a present.

I'm working on my 3rd quarter craft goals for Stashalong. I believe this round I will allow myself a free day so that I can have fun if I want to or not. Yesterday I posted my 2nd qtr update along with some things I'm working on at the moment. I need to correct that ~ I'm currently working on making 1 sweater ~ B2S, 1 dishcloth which is for an exchange, and 1 pr of socks which are a secret. Now by next week this all could change especially since I've decided there is a UFO I'd like to finish this month ~ Color Play Vest. This would be so rewarding for me to finish this one ~ not much left to do on it. I also would love to finish my CPH ~ "oh where has that pattern gone, oh where could my pattern be." ;) Good thing I have a friend I can call for that if I don't find it this weekend ~ didn't look last weekend, oops!

Thats all for now ~ off to finish knitting on my B2S and watch old movies. The kiddos are gone and its just me and hubby who is watching movies on his personal dvd player. Its very peaceful and I think I could get use to this ~ you know that empty nest thingy. Have a great weekend.

~ Jul 3rd ~

Much progress has been made on the lovely Back-to-School vest, however.......if you will look closely at the left side of the pic you will see whats wrong. I've managed to twist my knitting when I joined. ;8 I will now have to rip it out and start again. I'm glad its a quick knit and soft lovely yarn.

Nothing else going on except I learned to knit toe-up creating a seamless toe. Its awesome, the pattern wasn't that easy to read but we did manage to cast on and it looked nice. I will be translating this pattern so that a friend and I can knit the socks. In the meantime, she has decided to make monkeys toe-up and here's what I will be doing:

2 dishcloths ~ one for me and one for my dishcloth pal

2 pair of socks ~ gentlemen socks from nancy bush vintage sock book/secret pair which may turn into toe-up monkeys

1 sweater ~ lovely B2S when I recast this week

Here is my 2nd Quarter update:
1. complete WIPs
~ CPH (1/3 done)
~ Monkey socks (frogged)
~ ISE6 Scarf (done)
~ Not Peds (done)
2. complete UFOs
~ Baby Blanket
~ Country Cousins blanket (1 sq done ~ part of my June KnK)
~ Baby Kimono
~ Toddler Sweater (1/2 seaming done)
~ Surprise Scarf (frogged)
3. make 1 pr of socks per month (3 pr done) *Sock Wars pr plus 2 pr peds
4. make 1 dishcloth per month (1 done)
extra ~ April KalnKal ~ something for me Yummy Scarf (done)
June KalnKal ~ something OTNs ~ peds & 1 square (done)

*no yarn purchase unless to complete a WIP or UFO; no free days unless earned thru KALnKALs or completion of WIPs & UFOs (used both Free days earned and no other purchases ~ yipee!)

Thats all for now ~ talk w/you soon.