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!

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.

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.

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.


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

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.

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.