Knit Therapy...aahhhh

Time to share some FOs and WIPs ~ enjoy!

My "love yarn" day treat ~ so yummy soft too :D

Cowls, Cowls, Cowls

This is the lovely package I received from my Swap-Bot pal. Its a very warm cowl too along with a lovely handmade journal. I really like the postcard too...very retro.

Thank you, Amanda!

Whaddup...

Yay! I'm so excited ~ this is what I got in the mail this weekend. Woohoo! you rock SP, its another from my wishlist. I'm so happy and I've had to hide it from Riley because she loves the cover model lol. Anywho, I'm making progress on my Ophelia ~ 4 1/2 inches with 3 1/2 to go. I'm planning some new projects but nothing else on the needles. Need to make some more dishcloths getting ready for upcoming birthday presents.

Been resting more lately since I'm not working 60 hrs last week and this ~ 35 hrs which is more my speed. Need to start lesson plans for Da Boy but may have to wait til after the move. Gotta go to work now, more soon.

Happy knitting!

Look what I got ;)

PBR '09

Its been a long week and this was the beginning of a great weekend. Woohoo! We will be going again tonight and I hope I get to go tomorrow too but no guarantees at the moment. I've finished another dishcloth and haven't started anything new. Not sure what I will do next though I'm wanting to make something. Just don't know what yet. ;) I'm doing a lot of reading and watching old movies and cartoons, which is so much fun. Well back to work more later.

Have an awesome weekend!

~ Questionnaire SP14 ~

Welcome Secret Pal and thank you,

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? My favs are LB's cotton, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and Merino DK, Sock yarn and soft acrylics ~ lovely baby yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I've makeup brush and pencil cases for most of my needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting consistently for almots 3 years and I'd say I was intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I have an amazon (link in sidebar) and cbd wish list.

5. What's your favorite scent? Sunflowers and a newbie ~ Sensual Amber (personal); for home ~ fresh linen or vanillas.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes, anything chocolate ~ Cadbury Dairy Milk is a fav.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I crochet, cross-stitch, sew, make wreathes and I'm learning to draw. I don't spin but maybe one day.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Mostly classical along with country, christian rock and contemporary. My computer/stereo is MP3 equipped.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Red, red, did I mention red. I don't really have a color I can't stand ~ I love color especially bright ones.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am a wife and mother of 3, whom I homeschool.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, especially scarves and hats.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Baby things, dishcloths and footie socks.

13. What are you knitting right now? Dishcloths and 4pr of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, these are special gifts.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I love circs but use all types. Do prefer aluminum but have fallen for Brittany Birch's thx to SP10 pal and bamboo is nice.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, I now own both though I still occassionally use my kids hands. LOL

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Not counting items in storage ~ hmmm, 1 yr old.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Lighthouses, books, band shirts/buttons.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I'd like more Brittany needles. I have e-magazine subscriptions, borrow anything else from the library. I also get Lion Brand/Tahki/SWTC and more updates which I enjoy. You can look at my wishlist for books I'd like to own.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not at the moment.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, I love knitting in the round and short heel rows. Heel to toe - 9.5"; Toe to ankle - 7.5"; shoe size 7.5/8

23. When is your birthday? Nov 12th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? RockstarMom ;D

Rain, clouds and baseball

Today was a pretty good one. Spent most of the am with an upset tummy and laid in bed. I keep a low profile today because of it to allow my body to rest. I'm enjoying the take it slow motto I've acquired. It allows me to really take a look at what I do and why so that I make a better decision of how I spend my time and energy. We went to a Driller's free game tonight. We upgraded to reserve and it rained. The game was canceled and we will be able to use our tickets for another night so all is good. The clouds and rainbow that appeared after the first downpour were amazing, I've included some. I'm off to pickup Da Boy and relax since its still very hot even after a summer shower and a downpour. Welcome to OK summer ~ 102 degrees and only getting hotter.

Have a great evening!

Snow in Spring

Woohoo~ we got snow right on the heals of a thunderstorm. My driveway was a mini pond and now is a slush pond heehee. I played in the snow and took pictures. Yes, I'm a big kid and love snow ~ my jingle is "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

I've been knitting on my CPH, which has now been ripped back 4x - ugh! The first time was ripped all the way to the ribbing cause I had knit too loose. I've ripped back 2 other times due to miss counting for the cables. I just ripped back for the armhole decrease, I was humming along and oops. Its better now, pics on that later.

Here are some snow day pics ~ Enjoy! Going back to knitting and listening to a book or music, either one is fine w/me. ;)

~ Its My Birthday ~

Woohoo! I'm 41 yos today and I'm excited. I'm getting a manicure, a new hairdo, being treated to lunch, getting a makeover, buying a new outfit, then going 2-stepping with the girls. Yes, you read that right...I'm a little bit country and I haven't learned so tonight's my nite.

Pics and details tomorrow. I'm off to get some rest so I can enjoy my fabulous day!

Living outta boxes

For the record, its the pits. LOL. You can't find anything when you need it. Yes, I labeled the boxes I packed but remember I don't live alone. ;). Now the problem was...it took 2hrs to make a cake..that's ridiculous. It was because I couldn't find the vanilla, bought too much flour, needed more baking powder so we went to the store. We returned the flour, bought baking pwdr - and ice cream ;), and the vanilla. We returned home and started again...but couldn't find the salt. It has been exhausting but I found the salt along w/the missing vanilla and now we have cake. Whew! That was a lot of work.

Must go now..so I get some. More on living outta boxes soon. Nite!

Feels good to be back ;)

Still living out of boxes but slowly getting things where they belong. Life has been changing but not ready to share the details yet. I forgot to mention that my new toy is my BlackBerry Curve. I took the plunge and purchased a plan phone which I'm lovin'. LOL I don't like the first bill but its totally worth it since I can keep up w/my email, text all day and use the net. The only down side is I can't access my yahoo groups so moderating, leading and such take a backseat til I can get to the library. I'm looking into getting internet at home again but the freedom of a few bills is sounding really good to me. Yeah I know, I have the car note and insurance but those are necessities. ;)

I'm looking forward to the weekend since it will be one of my last til the new year where I am off the entire time. I will be working for the holidays much like I did when our store opened ~ all the time. It will be ablast though ~ learning new stuff, making moola, and enjoying the season. My birthday is in 19 days...hmm better get a counter up so everyone will remember. I'm a bit excited but you all know how much I love my bday anyway. ;)

The kiddos are doing well though we haven't started school yet ~ gotta find the books. I will work on that this weekend so they can get started monday. It will be nice to be reading again, at least I think so.

Well thats all for now...gonna go and read emails, find a counter and update my groups. Have an awesome weekend.

~ SP12 Qs ~

Catching up on the SP12 questions of the week ~ starting with the recent one. Enjoy!

#11
What is the best thing you've ever received in the mail/post?

I've received some awesome packages in the mail but I'd have to say my very first SP10 packaged would have to be considered the best ~ the yarn, the books, the goodies ~ oh I could go on and on.....but I'll stop especially since my recent SP12 package was awesome too. I love getting packages in the mail which would explain my addiction to swaps heeheee!

#10
What Olympic event would best describe you knitting/knitting style?

ETA ~ My event would probably be the balance beam ~ my fav in my youth ~ since some of my knitting doesn't fit my personality nor my experience level or my available free time creating an unbalance state of being. Though sprinting wouldn't be to far behind since I love to take off on something. Now if I could only finish some of these somethings. ;)

#9
Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?
Nope ~ though I have signed up to enter 3yos ago but never did finish that lovely blanket. LOL I'm considering it this year now that we have a sock category but we'll see. I'll share if I do decide to enter. I work the fair and am allowed to enter as long as it isn't an area I manage and knitted or other handcrafts are not under my supervision. Yeah me!

#8
What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?
Tuna salad with ritz type crackers from Aldi's ~ yummy. Oh don't forget the homemade iced tea ~ delicious!

Recipe ~ just need a can of tuna (albacore is good), macaroni noodles, mayo, onions and seasonings ~ Adobo, season salt, pepper and onion powder if no onions. Thats all ~ so easy.

~ Weekend Getaway ~

This usually looks like us when we are going on vacation. However, this weekend we are one member short ~ Da Boy is with his best friend and family in another state. We will be leaving at 8a tomorrow for our mini-retreat ~ 3days, 2nights in an a/c'd hotel room. Yes! ice cold room here I come. Our plans changed again because it was more budget friendly to leave on thursday instead of wednesday. Hopefully we will get to take a couple of more mini-retreats before the fair begins ~ I've one planned for 2wks from now. Then after the fair ~ I've planned a long week of nothing for all of us. Hubby wants to go to Vegas for our anniversary which will be just 2wks after this long week ~ wow 2 vacations in one month, now thats livin'.

I'm off to check a few emails, finalize my knitting plans for the Ravelympics and go to bed ~ I'm driving. ;) Take care and have a great weekend.

ps ~ Happy Cast On to all my fellow Olympic knitters ~ I'll be casting on at 7a on friday. Woohoo!

~ 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!

~ 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.

Knitterly funnies

Enjoy!

~ SP12 Q#2 ~

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

Most summers I would be shipped to VA to spend time with my relatives but it was more fun to stay home, without the relatives that would be shipped to my house, and do whatever I wanted. Growing up in NYC had a lot of advantages ~ walking cross bridges eating ice cream; window shopping at Macy’s, Gimbles and various other stores in and near 42nd St; roller skating everywhere; eating pizza and playing video games; making up games and playing pieces with candle wax in container tops; and the list goes on and on. Though I could and did do all of these, I loved going to the library the most. The only time I could go and really enjoy being there was in the summer. I guess this is why I go very often now especially in the summer. ;D