Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Halloween

Halloween pictures (no knitting content)


DeAndre' is Death


Neo from Matrix






Ayanna is a ladybug fairy


Halloween pictures (no knitting content)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Pictures

Well, I can't find my camera. Therefore, I had to use my husband's. I finished some stuff.


Technically not finished. The mug is for scale. Two Christmas purses. I have to sew the handle down.


Scarf Number 1. Shibui yarn.


Bad pic of the hat that goes with the scarf.


An attempt at both at once.

I am going to make three or four of the scarf hat sets. The first one took just under a week. I have one set done, plus the hat and about half of the scarf done for the other.

The purses took two days to knit.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Knitting updates

So, before I got so behind, again, I thought I would post an update.

Projects in progress:

Master Knitters program
Secret project
Christmas hat and scarf sets (4 or 5 for Christmas)
purse Christmas presents (1 or 2)

I really feel like I am missing something, but can't think of it!

Oh! A top down sweater for my brother, a shrug for me, a cardigan for Ayanna, a sweater for Malik.....

Busy at work, so must go eat lunch before I don't get one. More later, I promise!

Monday, October 01, 2007

FINALLY

So between my former crazy job, and my Catholic guilt, I couldn't get past the fact that it has been waaay too long since I posted. Then I read this and I felt a little better.


I have been knitting - Lots. I am on Ravelry. I left my last boss from HELL and got a new job at my LYS, where I have been going to knit night for over a year.

Hopefully, now, I can be a better blogger, again.



Here are some kid pics taken this weekend to make it better:


Ayanna wishing we didn't have to go to football games.



DeAndre' taking his own picture wishing he didn't have to be at his brother's game, even though his game was earlier in the same morning.






Malik at pre-game practice. This turns out to be the only playing time he gets!! He was not very happy about that!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

So busy

Let me try to catch up.
Malik went to Outdoor School for a week. He had fun. He didn't take any *good* pictures.
Malik turned 12. We had a party.




I finished both of my secret knitting.


Malik was in a parade. They won first place.


This is the band being judged.




This is the band teacher with the ribbon.

That is all for now.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Falling down on the blogging job

So, I composed two posts but never actually posted either of them. I felt I wasn't finished with them, but then I never found the time to actually complete them. So, here they both are:

SHOP HOP REPORT
Chrissy and Katrina were two of the people who put on the 2007 Tigard Knitting Guild Shop Hop. We got to the school where we all met to get on the bus. When we got there, we received our Lantern Moon bags with PLENTY of loot in there. So much that the organizers suggested we put them in our cars because they were heavy. In the bags was an Interlacements Scarf Kit, a mini skein of Panda Wool some miscellaneous yarn samples from KPixie; candy and some yarn from The Sweet Sheep. We got a pattern book from Dale, and lots of coupons and samples. Heck, I can’t remember it all, use a combination of my pictures and Amanda’s post. She covered it all very well. Also check the Shop Hop Blog for the mother load of information and pictures.







At the first store, All About Yarn, I got a book I had wanted for a long time, a pattern that Halle Berry wore in A Perfect Stranger. It looks cozy! And a thing to put on my finger to control more than one strand of yarn at a time.

At The Knitting Bee, I got a pattern from Fiber Trends for a dress for Ayanna and got some Red Encore to make it. I also got a mini Kacha counter.


At Knit/Purl I got some roving, a spindle and a couple of patterns.
I also decided to help Darcy (the owner) wrap purchases. This is my store. I am there every week for knit night, and I like these people. I got some good-natured ribbing, but it was okay.


I found a second favorite store. I really like Dublin Bay, and their knit night is Tuesday. When I can’t make it to Knit Purl due to a conflict, I used to go to another store on Tuesdays, but next time I have a conflict, I will try Dublin Bay. Here I decided to fix a problem. I had been working on another project before this, but there was some kind of problem, I don’t know if it was cause I wrote the pattern down wrong, or if I made an error, or what, but I was stuck and needed a project quick. I walked into Dublin Bay and found a project in a bag. It included the yarn, the pattern and the needles, along with some buttons. I am now, therefore, making a purse for Ayanna. I am going to give the rest of it to DeAndre’ to make himself a little wallet. The wooden needles are kind of short, and are wooden size 8. They are very sticky. DeAndre’ didn’t have his own needles before this, so now he does. I also got some buttons for the project for Ayanna that I started but had to abandon on the bus.


At Lint, I hung out in the discount book section, and got 6 books/pamphlets for less than $30!

At the final store, Molehill Farm (I can’t find a link), I bought nothing. They have a tub in the back (no, really, a tub). This store used to be a house, and in the back is a bathroom. In the tub, they put the sale yarns. I had heard tell of the tub, but I never got to see it before.
Finally, while were on the bus in between stops, they had give-aways. Everyone got one. This is what I got. It was donated by Jimmy Beans Wool. That is ten balls of
Then they asked if anyone's button had a star sticker on the back - mine did, and I won this.
I can't wait until I get to go again!!
The other post (originally written April 13!)

Natalie updated the 2007 Knitalongs list. I found and joined the For Me?! knit along. I will join the Coffee Swap on Monday (I joined, and have a pal!)

Friday, April 13, 2007

The Shelburne Inn

DON'T EVER STAY AT The Shelburne Inn!!!!

It is in South West Washington on the coast.

We had reservations for tomorrow night. For some reason they wrote March 31 instead of April 14. That is my fault, not his. This guy has clearly NEVER heard of customer service! He would be willing to let us stay there if we stayed for two nights. Of course, we would have to pay for the second night! This means that on Friday night at 6:00 pm we would have to drive 2 1/2 hours after packing up and dropping off the children.

I just checked the website. They have 8 rooms available - OUT OF 15!!! Are you kidding me!!! We can't have ONE NIGHT!!! I already had to jump through about a thousand hoops to get the room anyway!!!

Friday, April 06, 2007

Finishing

So, I finished two things yesterday! The secret project was turned in yesterday afternoon, and then I finished the socks at knit night last night (pictures to follow tomorrow or so).

I have cast on for secret project #2. It is a mostly stockinette stitch 6 month old size sweater, so I should be able to whip it out pretty quick. Then, maybe I can work on some other stuff!

I have two baby stories to share! The first one is Ayanna now wants you to read to her. She will pick up a book, and walk backwards into your lap so you can read her the book! It is so cute. Of course, she only lasts about a page or less per book, so there is quite the pile of books sitting next to you when she is done!

Second, Ayanna is not allowed to play with the phone. She knows this! She also knows this is my rule, and Daddy doesn't so much care. I was doing laundry the other day and I heard the beep, beep of someone punching buttons on the phone. I yelled "AYANNA ROSE BROWN" and started for the living room to get the phone from her. When I walked into the living room, she was in between her daddy's legs and the phone was on the couch and she had this "who me?" look on her face. Apparently, when she heard me call out her name, she ran to her daddy and pitched the phone to the other side of him.

NICE!

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Gift Received!

I got a present from my Secret Pal yesterday!


Two skeins of Shadow in Grape Jelly


I got the new Casts Off. YEAH!!!


Stitch markers from zephyr style. The third one from the left says "Yarn Ho and proud of it" Ain't it the truth, Ain't it the truth.

I was soo excited about the book from Harlot that I started to read it right then. Then I remembered that I wanted to make sure that for all the trips this month, I have a book or two. This is a book, huh? I guess I should put it down, now, huh?

Thank you, Secret Pal!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I signed up for TKGA Masters Program a couple of weeks ago. I have to make 16 swatches, a hat and do some essays. This is level 1 of 3. I finished about half a swatch.

That is all for now.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Let's see..

what have I been up to?



I have been working on a deadline secret project, so no pictures there. I got assigned another secret project, so no pictures there - this one is from a new company, so I am now working for two knitting companies. I got an email offer (mass mailing list, thing, not to me, personally), and I had to MAKE myself press delete. Too many deadline work projects does not make a knitter-for-enjoyment girl happy.



Other projects are pretty much a pair of socks that I am making for a now-former co-worker. I wanted them to be done before I left, but I thought yesterday (Friday, the 30th) would be my last day, and I have two deadline projects to do. I gave her one sock on what ended up being my last day, and the promptly took it back, so I could compare it with the second sock.








We have a wedding reception to go to tonight, so I will bring these and hopefully make some progress.



I also have a scarf to make for ISE4. I bought the stuff, but haven't cast on.






The yarn is ShiBui Merino Alpaca in Mulberry. The pattern is a Basket Lattice Cap from O~wool.



A couple of weeks ago, I got my hair straightened.



Before





After (I wish I had software to delete my face from this picture, so you could just see my hair.)

My friend did it. She is going to school, so as soon as she can, she is going to trim the ends, get some of that bulk out of there, and give me back my acrylic nails. I am SOOOO excited!! (contrary to what I look like in that picture).



This will be a crazy month, but lots of potential knitting time. First, Easter. Then the next weekend, my DH and I get to go out of town all by ourselves for free! I don't usually care for the idea of a B&B, but free is a very good price, and my DH and I REALLY need the time! So, we are driving two hours to go to this B&B. I just called them yesterday and got some good news/bad news. I think it is good news, my DH, when I tell him, will think it is bad news - no TV, which means more knitting time for me, but TV is a BIG DEAL for him, so we will probably bring a 13" and a DVD player. We have a few we haven't watched, yet.

The weekend after that, is a Shop Hop. So we will be driving around town. The thing takes place from 9-5, so although we will be getting on and off the bus, and going in and out of five stores, that is still lots of knitting time.

Then, at the end of the month, we have a(nother) wedding to go to in Waldport, Oregon - about a three hour drive. The boys are going to be the ring bearers. This means we have to be there by 1 on Friday. The wedding is around 2:30. They have to go to the rehearsal, and be early to the church and... Which means lots of down time for me - known to KNITTING TIME for us non-muggles.

The very next day (Sunday), Malik is going to Outdoor School for a week. He will be back on Friday. Saturday the 28th when we will be at the wedding, is Malik's 12th birthday, so we will do his party on May 5.

I believe that is enough for now!

Monday, March 19, 2007

New Beginnings

So, I start at my new job tomorrow. I start on Tuesday (March 20), and my new boss goes on vacation on March 29. He will be gone for 3 1/2 weeks. I don't expect to have much blogging time at work before the 29th. However, while he is gone for 3 1/2 weeks, I expect to have a minute or two.

If I don't post for a week and a half or so, forgive me.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

To my secret pal

I got this great card from my secret pal! I tried to reply to her, but her hotmail account is not letting me reply to her.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Secret Pal 10

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

A good sturdy wool, Cascade 220 for example, is my favorite, but so long as it is a smooth yarn, that is the most important. I am not a fan of novelty yarns. I like everything from lace weight to bulky.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a Circular Solution for my Circulars, a vase for my (almost never used) straights, and an old candy jar for my dpns


3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for 5 years. I learned when I got fired from a job and my then SO (now DH) and I decided that I could go back to school full-time, so I decided I needed a hobby. I was a scrapbooker, but it is too much work to take all the stuff out and put it back away, so I don’t do it too often. I needed something more portable, so I decided knitting was the way to go. I am advanced. (I guess, I don’t feel I can really say that, but I can knit cables, lace and fair isle. I have won a blue ribbon at the state fair, and I knit “professionally” for Knit Picks.)


4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes.
My Amazon.com Wish List

5. What's your favorite scent?

Vanilla and any flower scents.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, plain milk or dark chocolate is far and away my favorite, but I also like Nerds, SweetTarts, Necco wafers…


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

As soon as my class starts (the lady is currently sick), I will officially be a spinner on a drop spindle. I wanna get a wheel, but that hasn’t happened, yet. Scrapbooker, but I don’t “practice” that hardly ever. Also, genealogy.


8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (If your buddy wants to make you a CD)

My favorite artist of all time is Luther Vandross, and I like any similar R&B (Peabo Bryson, Lionel Ritchie, Anita Baker, Boyz II Men…) I also like modern country (Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Dixie Chicks…) I am MP3 compatible.


9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Cobalt Blue is my favorite. Blues other than cobalt are good, too. I like most colors, though. Not a big fan of orange or anything neon.


10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am married with three children (son 11; son 9; baby girl 1). One dog.


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

Not so much, no.


12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Pretty much I just like to knit.


13. What are you knitting right now?

Um…fair isle gloves, Ribby Cardi, a couple of pullovers, some socks, …

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely.


15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular anything. My favorite are Addi Turbo and Knit Picks Options. I really like Brittany dpn.


16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I just finally bought a ball winder, not a swift, yet.


17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I just finished my formerly oldest ufo, so my now oldest is only about 2 years – it is a fair isle vest that I had to rip out and start over again.


18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas


19. Is there anything that you collect?

Cow Parade and any other cows.


20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Not really dying for anything. I currenty have subscriptions for Cast-On, Vogue and Interweave.


21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Socks on two circulars and Magic Loop. I have the books for both, but I am in no real hurry to learn cause I don’t mind dpns. I only want to learn so I can say I know how. I would also like to design stuff on my own, but I don’t have a very good imagination.


22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes. I wear a size 7½ shoe.


23. When is your birthday?

September 6

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Mommy and me

So, I was at Bath and Body Works today and saw a sign for a free tote with any purchase (it is a limited time deal, so I don't know how long that link will work). Not a minimum $25 purchase, but ANY purchase. I liked the bag, so I went in. Then I found a matching purse for Ayanna for $2. Now, we have matching purses. The dimensions of my bag are 19" L x 6 1/4" W x 24 1/2"; H. Hers is smaller than a CD case.

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Sunday, March 04, 2007

Progress

I took some pictures today of my recent progress. The white item in the pics is a business sized envelope for scale.

Here is the first glove, done but no ends wove in.


I have a bit of Second Glove Syndrome...


The (really wrinkled) back of Ribby Cardi.
The left front.
The right front.
Most of sleeve #1
The back of Malik's Sweater.
Close-up of the detail.
So far on the front.
Just for grins, here is Malik,
DeAndre', and
Ayanna after she decided her noodles belonged in her hair.