Just Knit...and crochet and other things! Like me!

I think I am back!

2006-08-25T10:54:00.000-04:00

It has been a very stressful time...and sad. My dog of almost 12 years passed recently. He was my buddy. I miss him very much.

And 2 days later I had to start back to school. This has been a bit crazy!
Hopefully I will post a bit more regularly.

Not much Knitting!

2006-08-07T06:57:00.000-04:00

But we have been very busy!

This guy arrived Friday evening! Out of 30 eggs only this guy, Bug, made it. They say guineas are hard to incubate, and well "They" were right. It seems our Bug has a lame foot. But maybe he will come out of it or he will be the deck and house guinea!
Hopefully he will have 30 new friends on their way this week!
Since we did not want him to be lonely:

Summer almost at an end...

2006-07-31T07:08:00.000-04:00

So sad. Summer is almost over for me. I know, snif, you are feeling for me...
I have a class that starts Weds. for a "Jump Start" into completing the requirements to become a Nationally Board Certified Teacher (oops, speaking of which, I had better pay my fees today!) 10a.m.-3p.m. Can you believe that? What work horses! Well, since, again, I have done this to myself I had better suck it up and deal!

I received a package from Carola of Sheep and No City. I had won her contest! So exciting! This crooked picture is of the goodies she sent! Do you know that in Iceland they seem to like chocolate with black licorice inside...Mmmm...ok, not really great. Not being a big fan of licorice, it ended up being finished off by the H. I may finally complete a pair of socks. This new yarn is so awesome. And since I am being told that we cannot wwear flip-flops to school, I could have cool new socks. Now only if I actually start knitting theM!
Ugh! Seems that Blogger is not letting me upload my Picture!!!!
Ok, well, maybe I can add later.
We made a trip to Michigan (4 hours and no yarn stores...bummer!) to pick up a load of white cedar shingles for the sides of pur house. When we finally found the people's house, they came out and laughed at us (I should tell you that hubby bought them on eBay) We had only brought the truck. Well, when we got to the pick up zone, we laughed. There was no way they wopuld all fit in the bed of the truck. So off we go to buy a trailer. Yep, buy. Any u-haul place was now closed. Luckily, we found one reasonable at TSC. What a hoot this was. We go back, we load. We start heading home. Of course, we had to stop and shift things arpund since the trailer did not seem to be holding them all well. But we made it home without too much trouble. Life is always an adventure. (Have pictures of this too...but maybe later!)
I was also going to show you, all of my loyal readers (HA), the Great Blue Heron that decided to visit my pond for a day and a half (He would not leave and actually came over to check me out!) but again no pictures for some odd reason! (Hmmm, couldn't be my fault...)
Well, I guess I'll post later when you can see stunning pictures from my new camera!

SP8 July questions!

2006-07-22T11:25:00.000-04:00

1. What is your favorite season of the year and why? I guess I really like Fall the best! The leaves are changing, the weather cools a bit, I can get out my sweaters! The humidity is not as heavy and we head back to school (Ok, really not looking forward to school, but it is ok or I would not do it!)

2. Summer is hot. What do you knit in the summer? Cotton! I was working with wool the other day and just could not handle it! Too hot and scratchy! I want to knit socks, but I swear they are still scaring me off! (Of course, that could also be the fact that I cannot find a minute alone to figure it out!)

3. If money was no object.....what would you buy at the LYS? Everything! Ok, I would start with a full set of needles...in each style! And then head to the yarn...And it would probably be the ones that are $50 a skein...so pretty! But no clue what I would ever knit with them!

4. What are some activities that have become family traditions for your family? I am assuming this means Summer activities: Hmm, stopping at the Dairy Bar in the village close (even though it is not on the diet!) Working on the house (Ok, we always do that but...) Sitting watching the wildlife! And of course, my favorite F.F.F. ( For those of you without teenagers yet, Forced family fun! We Will have fun! That is the motto!)

5. What is the weather right now? Gray and warming up...it is a bit wet, and may storm later! But the humidity seems to be down a bit!

Was interesting to stop and think about these! Off to pick up shingles - of the cedar variety!

Ha HA I am back Blogger!

2006-07-20T10:44:00.000-04:00

Let's see if I can finish my post: So you will have to go down one post to make sense of this post! I love confusing you!
(Like anyone is really out there in bloggerland reading this! My counter is probably all me checking to see if anyone really reads!)
I was going to make a funny about the heat and the smoke and Craig doing all of the work (Really, that is not true!) But now I have forgotten! I did remember this guy:
Isn't it nice to have a huy around who will pick up things like salamanders? I did once and learned my lesson. So now it is a "man chore".
So I will move on to Flat Stanley! Ok, some of you ghost readers may not know who Flat Stanley is, I really do not either. But I do know our 2nd grade teachers have their students make this flat guy and send him all over the place. They thought it would be fun to have teachers take one home for summer break and photograph all of his advemtures. Well, I just found Stanley! (I really avoid school stuff in the summer!) So here he is in all of his glory! (Ok I actually have more pictures but I uploaded them on the other computer and did not yet send them on to Flickr land!) But this one is the best I promise!
Stanley and the Babes:

I know he is too far away to really see the fine addition I made to his shirt...but I can assure you that it has something to do with Mrs. Carey (that's me) rocking! (Cool!)You cannot believe how funny I find Flat Stanley! He has already been knitting, chilling, hanging in trees, gardening, and grilling. I did manage not to singe his foot! What else will Stanley do this Summer? Stay tuned!

*******Minors Must NOT read below!*******

Maybe I should make a Flat Stella...We could then have flat porn! That just cracks me up! I have no idea why!
On that note, I am off! (Really Off!)

I am KNITTING! Whew!

2006-07-20T10:17:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not (I have proof, I tell you!) I am actually knitting! It has been a bit of a hiatus. Maybe it was the Noro wool in July heat, I don't know. A while back I bought Filatura Di Crosa: Spring/Summer 2006.
So this:

Will become this:

Do you ever find a pattern and spend all of your knitting time thinking, "Gee, I hope I look like that when I am finished!" (Yep, I know it will never happen, but a girl can dream, right?)
On a sweatier note (Is that a word?): We have started clearing for a garage. A Garage you ask? Yep, we have decided that our lovely hand built house needs more storage and a place to hide cars! (Yes, I really meant to type hand built house...I should know, my hands were way too involved!) Since H is now a fireman, we have to build away from the house...so no attached garage for me...but I will not only be able to hide my car, I could have a deep freezer, hide my holiday decorations, and what few gardening supplies I have. How exciting is that!
But to get to the actual construction we have to clear this: And that is a lot of work already completed. Stumps suck...Great aliteration huh? And yes, we can get away with burning out here, so the stump is lit, but results in this:
Ok...Blogger seems to not be playing very nicely and won't let me load any more pics! UGH! And it was going to be funny!

Just stuff!

2006-07-17T08:14:00.000-04:00

Ok, saw this on someone else's blog (no, not my goofy picture!) and thought, hmmm what happened on my birthday! So I went to Wiki and searched my bday with no date and viola!
Births:
1898 - M.C. Escher, Dutch artist (d. 1972)
1946 - Barry Manilow, American musician
1980 - Venus Williams, American tennis player

Events:
1994 - Following a televised highway chase and a failed attempt at suicide, O. J. Simpson is arrested for the murders of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
1991 - Apartheid: The South African Parliament repeals the Population Registration Act, which had required all racial classification of all South Africans at birth.
1972 - Watergate scandal: Five White House operatives are arrested for burglarizing the offices of the Democratic National Committee, in an attempt by some members of the Republican party to illegally wiretap the opposition.
1885 - The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor.
So now I am 36 and 1 month old today! Happy day!

Really, I am not a Gardener

2006-07-15T12:03:00.000-04:00

I know, my amazing Lilies lead you astray. But I am a horrible gardener! But that aside, we set off on the Great lily adventure!
My gardening freinds: Carolyn and Dave! (They are really the experts!)

This would be Dave's VW empty. What you do not see is the fact that the Lynd Farm has fields full of different varieties. You also do not see that on Thursday a caravan of friends headed to the farm and had already picked out many to be dug. They are ready and waiting. (ok, so I did not make it the first trip, but they had picked out 2 for me) Of course, I had to ad to my order. Luckily, I did drive...so my lonely 4 plants were riding home with me! Dave had to fit in at least 19 bundles! Oops, make that 20...Carolyn and her peaches also were riding home with Dave!

The back:
The Backseat:
Peaches and Carolyn: Check!
And Off they go!
It is always an adventure! How many Lilies can you get into a VW Bug? Hmmm!
You do notice that there are no pictures of me?! I got my camera! Working nicely, just need a nice case for it. I bought one that I severely dislike...need to find a girly one with tough sides! I tend to drop things! Maybe I will knit soon. Let's hope! The yarn is screaming at me!
Blogger is being difficult! I was going to leave you with a picture of me...lucky folks...from my Birthday breakfast (last month) at a swanky Marion, Ohio establishment, but seems to be a no go! Sorry!

Has it Really Been this long!

2006-07-13T15:09:00.000-04:00

I am a Bad, Bad blogger! I thought I had posted in July, but...Nope!
I am spending time waiting...for what you ask...(I know there really are not too many people out there reading, but a girl can pretend. Ok, that is sad that I am pretending about my blog and not like, JLo's old beau...what's his name. Ooo! I remember Ben Afleck...can't spell, but he is a cutie!)
Actually I am waiting, not very patiently I might add, on the DHL guy with my new camera. So excited, but it is not here YET!!! Bummmer! Just cause the tracking website says it is coming today, doesn't mean that it will be here at 7 a.m. or 8 or 9 or...
So I will leave you with a few of the last pictures I may have to take with my old camera (It has been a good friend, but at only like 1.6 MP)

An Asain Lily (ok, so I was told that!)

A short Lily (I am a bad gardener)

And what? A chicken Butt! (I love that joke...Chicken does too!)
Sorry no yarn, although I did buy some new stuff for the stash and my buddies!

Home and Mail

2006-06-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

How's that for a title!
We have made it home from our Canadian/IKEA adventure! Whew! What were we thinking traveling to IKEA in a Jetta?
But I arrived home to find prizes!
First from my SP8

What an awesome group! (I need to email her and thank her!) The yarn is so soft and groovy! The picture does not do it justice! I have to work on socks now! Especially since I have such great sock yarn now to work with!
I love the little pirate duck...hard to see him in the picture! And a cool keychain from Latern Moon...and of course, chocolate! I love Trader Joe's (they have the best chap stick there too!)
On to the music, I now have 2 CD's from my SP. They are so cool and a great mix! I love finding mellow fun music! (Really mellow is not the right word...but it is great stuff!)
Thanks SP8!
And then there was a package from my One Skein Buddy! Wow! How would have thought 2 in one day!

Fusion! Great neutral Mohair blend with 136yds! Now what will it be!!! So many choices! This of course means that I need to get knitting again! Thanks!
This is great!

This is what my poor car looked like when we got home!

We actually had to buy what we had in our cart, load it, and then see if we had enough room! We shopped for almost 8 hours! But found so many groovy item!

Just Knit...and crochet and other things! Like me!: Fins Up!

2006-06-23T19:53:00.000-04:00

Just Knit...and crochet and other things! Like me!: Fins Up!

New Noni and Lillies

2006-06-23T19:50:00.000-04:00

Well, I have been fighting to try and edit a previous post...I had new pictures for our Jimmy Buffett experience! Fins Up!
So I guess you will get stuck with them here! They seem to show up on previews...but who knows! It is frustrating!

And so is my Noni Bag! It is so funny looking!
Before:

and now drying:

Can you say "Hate it!" Hopefully it will get better and then I can hide more with the flower. Yep, I bought that one also!
I am going to line it, possibly zipper it, and go with the bamboo handles!

An a brighter note: We are headed north tomorrow! And my Tiger Lillies popped yesterday!

Well, I had better pack! And hopefully the rain will stop!

36 Thirty-six 36: No, not my measurements!

2006-06-17T10:38:00.000-04:00

Well, it is here. I am 36. Actually I think I am ok with this! I had an interesting chat with a friend yesterday and that really seemed to help. I learned a few things...always good to learn! But I feel better. Really long story I won't bore anyone with...

I swear I live in a wildlife preserve!
I was looking something up on the net when I kept hearing a ruckus outdoors. A bird was just carrying on...
One of the cats had snagged a baby oriole...now, how do I know it was an oriole? The male was swooping our other cat. Of course, I did not grab the camera in time for that, but I did grab 2 cats up and put them away. So then it is off to save the baby! (and assess the damage...UGH!)

What a little trooper!

Belly Shot!
Then we spent another hour watching Dad swoop around and call to the little guy! He led him quite aways down the field.
The little one could fly enough to get up a limb at a time. I never saw his nest but I am pretty sure he made it! Of course, the cats were not let out for hours!
Then later...I find this:

Being startled while chowing down on leftover duck feed, this guy craws up the post on the barn porch.
Plays a game of "If I can't see you, you can't see me"

Really, I am fine:
I swear the others where watching and laughing!
Let's see what today brings!

Generation T

2006-06-16T07:40:00.000-04:00

Just a quickie! And again no knitting! I have quite a few WIP's but nothing seems to be going quick! Have to finish a couple (ok, I have no idea why I am setting goals...it is summer and I have Summer Brain. It is a serious condition!!!)
14YO and I hit the library after I renewed my license and car registration...so $65 later we went for free summer fun! The library!
Anyhow, we found Generation T: 108 ways to transform a T-Shirt by Megan Nicolay. And ta-dah:

and on:

Looks like I have a great belly button!
And now the tube top:

Ignore the spots on the picture! You do not really see those water spots on my bathroom mirror! Figments of your imagination! Because I love to clean and those spots wouldn't dare show up! Yea, right! Call me Holly Homemaker!
(Hey, blame it on the 14YO, Bathroom cleaning is her duty...hey, she messes it up the most! Ok, maybe I really am the one who can't seem to keep the water in the sink...but hey, who can!)
Of course, these probably will not be worn outside of the house...but still fun! And I am not stressing about not being creative!
Off to breakfast with the school chums!

Fins Up!

2006-06-14T06:25:00.000-04:00

Haven't blogged lately, because we were on the road! Jimmy Buffett hit Ohio for 1 show and we made it to River Bend! I have been a ParrotHead for years. Now I drag my poor husband around too! He is a good sport!

Of course, this picture is actually the sign for River Downs next door, but hey, just happy to be there!
We ended up parking in the "No fun" parking lot! At least that is what the security guard said when we tried to pull out chairs and a few refreshments! Parrotheads were parked all up and down the road leading to the concert venue. Amazing! I had always heard that Cincinnati was one of the best shows...and it was amazing! There were no blankets or chairs allowed...the place was packed! But so much fun!

This poor guy never had a chance to change into his shorts, but we found him a skirt!
And then we spent a fortune on shirts!
This weekend is my birthday...36. I had wanted to go away for the event, but my SIL is having her youngest baptized on Father's Day. So we are headed out the weekend after. Headed north to Canada, no final destination set, and then on the way back to the new IKEA in Canton, Michigan! Firgured a Monday may not be as busy...yea right, let's hope! I already am making a list! New bed cover, 3 new pillows (I love their pillows!), closet storage, laundry room cupboards! We went in October to Pittsburgh...my first IKEA visit! Wow, I was missing out in my life! Why we did not do this when we first moved into our house, I will never know!
The 14 yo has Volleyball practice/conditioning at 7:20...time to get up!

SP8 and One Skein

2006-06-06T12:04:00.000-04:00

No pictures today! Bummer! Nothing finished in eons it seems! I am pulling my hair out trying to find the perfect tank to use with the perfect yarn. Does such a thing exsist? I am seriously having doubts! I ordered a couple of Noni Bags and the flower for one! Still waiting on them! I saw the pattern at my newly found LYS, and boy, does it look difficult! I guess wait and see!
I also managed to mail out my One Skein and SP8 packages today! So excited! I hope they both like what I included! I did not manage to take a picture before hand...

I am also shopping for a new digital camera. Have no idea what to buy! I really do not want to spend more than $200. It will be outdated before I even get it! Anyone have suggestions? Looking at around 5MP or so! Will have to better than what I have!

Anyhow, we are leaving for Cincinnati on Thursday for Jimmy Buffett! His only Ohio stop! And my good friend stood in line to buy tickets for me! So excited! Getting my Parothead gear out!

It IS Summer! Finally!

2006-06-04T11:05:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know that summer does not offically start until June 21st...But finally school is out! I feel sorry for those folks who do that year round school...this is such a much needed break! I thought some of us were ready to go off of the edge. Now, you may be thinking that it was the kids driving everyone crazy...Nope, so wrong! We were driving each other crazy!
I still have to go back and finish cleaning out my room and packing away stuff! I have a lot of stuff! And I just was given a kiln! So I really needed to clean out my kiln room! Our schools are only 3 years old and they built this awesome art room along with a room for a ceramics kiln. But I have had no kiln. Actually I have had no kiln the enitre time I have worked there. But I do now. Of course, with budget cuts, I have no money for clay and glazes, but hey what is another 9 years!
Ok, back to knitting! It is summer...I need to get hopping! I just posted my first One Skein FO's on their blog. Have to post them here also!
First the clutch! I used some Noro Kureyon that I had bought for a shawl. Figured that was going to be way too itchy!

I am not crazy about the handles, but my hubby gave me a great idea. (Sounds good, but who knows!) So I'll try it and then let you know!
Next comes 2 lovely Bobble bags in pinks:

Had a touch of trouble getting my zipper in, but I figured it out! These are great! And so easy! I have to tell that I did make bobbles on both sides. Too many bobbles! And I picked up stitches along the bottom to start the back. I just used SC for the entire back. One less seam to make! Plus this allowed me to actually use one skein! Those Bobbles take a lot of yarn!
My SP8, One Skein, and finally my Project Spectrum Card (from May...I know, it is June) are all ready to hit the PO tomorrow! So excited! This has been too much fun! I treated myself to a new yarn store when I went looking for my secret buddys' yarn! So hard not to buy too much for me! And this store was awesome:
Knitter's Mercantile in Columbus, Ohio. My only problem with this store...it is an hour away! But they have great hours and super friendly people!
I accidentally found "Knitting Rules" at the library! Someone must have slipped up, because I cannot believe that there was no waiting list! It is on my wish list, but I just had to pick it up and read it!
More later! Happy Knitting!

I Love SP8

2006-05-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

Wow! Is all I can say!
I went to my mailbox before driving up my lane, which sometimes seems like miles but it is only about a half mile long!
Anyhow, in my box I find my basic boring mail and 2 packages. I retrieve all of the boring stuff and try to pull out the packages. One comes out nicely, the other...well, it seems so jammed in there. I have to move my car back and actually get out. This thing is so heavy...I realize that my kooky husband has bought a 50# weight vest so he can train to be a Super Fireman! Ok, finally I wrestle it into the back seat of my car. Well, in my struggle to get this thing in my car, I am completely ignoring the other mail (Ok, some of it I always ignore!) And start the drive up the lane.
In the house I realize (Yes, I left the heavy thing in my car...Why repeat that ugly scene? He'll be home soon...and if he wants to walk around with this goofy thing so be it! He will bring it in!) the other package is for me. (Now mind you my SP* did email me and tell me a surpise was coming...but do I remember, nope!) So I am opening what I think is a pair of sweatpants I had bought. Yep, boring sweatpants....Nooooo, I find this!
Wow!
I am in love!!!! Wow, I have looked at the Crayon from Knitpics so many times, wondering if I would like it and what it would feel like. And bam! There it is in my box...and I love the colors of Noro. And a new music Cd...I like music, but the other 2 humans in my house are like obsessed with it. So rarely does Mom get to just listen to her own and who has time to find new stuff! I do, because I have a buddy!
And the chocolate...well, it makes everyone's day good! And there was a bath fizzy from Lush...I cannot wait to lock them all out and try this out! I love bath's, there is never enough time for them! And this smells so good!
I am really just gushing here! But wow! I am so hoping that my buddy likes her package just as much! I am almost finished putting it together!
I was gushing about my package when my husband asked who it was from...now, like all good husbands he tends to block me out when I start talking about yarn and such. When I re-explained that I have a SP. You could not believe the look I go and the lecture that was following about talking to unkown people on the internet! I was dying!
It was like the same talk we had with the 14yo...only I found this funny! So again I had to re-explain...I was dying! Of course, the 14 yo had to put in her 2cents(Hey, where is the cent sign! Someone stole it!) Too funny!

Just another day...on the farm!

2006-05-23T18:46:00.000-04:00

Not a very clever post name...but oh well! Last night my yard was the epicenter of wildlife! We have a pesky racoon, who sneaks out and eats the leftover duck and cat food! I usually let him, seems to keep him away from my animals (I hear they will eat them!) But boy is he getting fat! I did my nightly check and there he was! As well as this newer visitor eating my small fish and frogs!

I know...Not very good pictures! Hey, it was early evening and well, I have a crappy camera! Plus, I had to be super secretive! That Heron has the eyes of an Eagle. You can watch him from inside the house and if you make a sudden move...he is gone, like the wind! Ok, so not like the wind, because, boy, does it take a lot of effort to push off and out. But can he manuever around trees! i live in the woods and the geese cannot make it in to our pond!
This afternoon, I found 2 deer feeding in the field beside my drive! Makes me remember why I live so far away from my job!

Here is my house:

And part of my backyard:

Since I am on a roll...I present yet another picture of my foot! I have more on Flickr. Just such a normal picture for me!

Ok, seriously! I am a parent of a junior high kid for 3 more days! The Life Skills project was finished just in the nick of time:

At least someone could teach her to sew! I can't seem to be able to teach her anything! Thank Goodness for those other teachers!
And one last pic. My latest purchase! And no, it is not yarn! It is silverware! For my ears, my arm, and my finger:

There was the Spring Art Fest in a nearby city and I took the kid and her friend and came home with silverware! too funnY!
Happy Tuesday! Friday is looming near, I can see it, I can feel it! Yippee!

The Sun has come out!

2006-05-17T20:14:00.000-04:00

It is about time! We have had rain for days...and just when you think it is going to stop and dry up a bit...nope, just a cruel joke!
But today the sun peeked through and actually stayed a bit! It was 68 degrees (according to my car)!
So I actually had a chance to take a picture of my iris' that have bloomed for the first time! I work with some great gardeners...I was given these iris's a couple of years ago. Which I then proceed to let them set for way too long! My trusty husband planted them and by golly they lived.

So nice and springy!
I actually have 2 new projects going on and these are not Buddy related! There is another story! I have a SP8 and a One Skein Secret Pal. Confused the two of them the other day! What a dork I am! They both have names that start with "K". Yea, like that is any excuse! I have been also working on my Project Spectrum Postcard! Hopefully it is cool! Especially since I seem to not be knitting anything in green!

This is the Opera Scarf from Blue Sky ALpacas...a free pattern on their website. Coming along quite nicely. It calls for a US8, but I am using yarn from Great Adirondack, 100% silk and so soft!
This is a tank from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio...not free...but looked cool! We will see. It is a tank and tanks hate me! I am using Parade from Crystal Palace.

Only 10 days of school left! yippee! I need a break...it is interfering with my knitting and crocheting and other things!

Stress!!!!

2006-05-15T14:37:00.000-04:00

Super stressed today and most of the weekend!
Ever feel like you want (almost HAVE to do it) and you have like no time and you are running around like a chicken ...(no heads cut off here!...well, at least not yet!)
I cannot seem to keep anything straight..I even had to buy a little notebook to keep my secret buddies organized! I almost blew it by sending a Mom's day card...wasn't sure if I had entered my reg email or the anon one! Whew! I did enter the right address! Only 12 more work days...will we get it all finished? That is the true test of a good teacher...ok, a good art teacher to not have bored kids! Or loud ones either!
My daughter took this picture...
Flip and Flop seem to be having a nice conversation (which rarely happens, as they tend to fight often!)...Cracks me up, espeially since my hubby is always claiming that I give my pets voices. I don't do that...what sane person would?

Wow!!! I lost all of this and then found it! Thanks Blogger!
Ok, better at least go try and feel like I have finished!

Secret Pal 8

2006-05-10T07:05:00.000-04:00

I have been running behind! I just got my secret pal and I need to post my info for my secret pal...
Here it is!
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love anything soft (except for mohair), even some acrylics are ok! I am stuck on cotton right now...but it just doesn't have the hold up of other fibers! I am a bit of a yarn snob!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a tall can for long needles and a short can for short needles! Just simple metal containers. I like the look of aluminum and stainless, so that is what they are in!

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for about a year and a half! I wouldn't consider myself a beginner anymore, I guess intermediate is the category I fit into...but I cannot seem to make a sock to save my life!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do have one, but there is not much there, out of date I think!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I am so weird about burning candles, I never seem to do it! Let's see my daughter just sold some soy candles for her Volleyball club...and I really liked the Lilac, and other springy smells!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! And gummi bears!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Although I have been obsessed with knitting and learning to crochet the past 6 months or so, I also make beaded and sterling jewelry.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My husband and daughter are the music buffs! So I rarely get the radio choice! luckily, most of what they play I like! I listen to the country station in the car...but I like a variety!

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like all colors! I teach art, so my fave is always changing! I seem to get stuck on reds and pinks lately!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have an Ark! And that is counting my daughter and husband! 2 senior dogs, 3 cats, 3 rabbits (4-H project of my daughters...they have now become permanent!), 2 male Pekin Ducks (Saved them from the fair! And they are a riot!) and 1 Chicken rustled Rooster (whose name is Chicken! Who needs a few girlfriends so we can have eggs!)
Side story: Every morning my ducks wait to chase my rooster around the yard! Yet, my chicken thinks he should chase the cats and even the dogs (Luckily they are either well trained or too old to chase him too much!) I do live in the sticks! So not too many people think we are crazy!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? All but ponchos! I have not quite figured out how to fit them in my career! But I do love a good shawl when it is chilly!

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

13. What are you knitting right now? 600 projects at once! But I am looking to make the perfect tank...so far no luck!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo baby!!
And I can use both, no preference, just depends on the project!

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

17. How did you learn to knit?

18. How old is your oldest UFO? Well, I saw an UFO once (just joking!) I guess my oldest

19. What is your favorite holiday? All of them!

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Vintage art supplies (boxes, tins) I teach art! Chickens! And the standbys of all of us here...yarn and needles!

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I read Vogue and Interweave and all of their off shoots! I like looking for them in the stores...it is like a hunt since I have no LYS close! I just bought Alterknits, One Skein, Sarah Dallas, and Loop-de-loop!

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Socks and intarsia! I have never yet tried mittens either!

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I have never completed a sock yet! I have not been very successful in my attempts! I wear a size 10 shoe...and I love sandals and flip flops!

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) June 17th! Coming up!

I am so excited to start this! I hope I am good at it!

Is it really May?

2006-05-08T19:54:00.000-04:00

I can't believe May is finally here! Of course, living in Ohio it is the oddest weather. Frost last night. At least it was light!
I actually have a new FO...well it is an almost FO. I decided to crochet the neck and straps but here is the pic:

It is the Fisheman's Rib Tank from Rebecca in Maple Deco-Ribbon. I had bought this yarn from my LYS last year. No idea what I would make, just liked it! Luckily, I had enough to complete the tank! Only took 4 1/2 balls.

I also got my postcard swap pal for May Project Spectrum! Knitti-me. Her blog is http://knitti-me.typepad.com
I am so pumped for this! I hope my card comes out great!

I am having a good Monday (I doubt I will ever call a Monday GREAT! Just not in my cards!)
I got 2 eBay yarn purchases in the mail!
The first:

This came from Chezcas.com and they even sent me a discount coupon for my next order! 3 skeins of Lorna's Laces in orange and pink. My new fave colors!
And I also got this Ice Yarn:

These are very close to my school colors! Although it does have some green in it!

I must need to fix my moniter's resolution or something...my pictures look goofy to me, but ok at work! Hmmm! Now, to figure it out!

My kiddo:
I cannot believe that she is only 14. What a great picture they took!
Of course, they get coming and going now with school pictures...Not sure when they instituted Fall and Spring Pictures, and at $42 a set! Ouch! But these were great!
Well, off to knit some more!

One Skein is started!

2006-04-30T19:42:00.000-04:00

Well, I have finally began my One Skein project! I will attempt to complete the tank!:

I am looking for another complentary color of Crystal Palace Cotton Flamme to make my tank 2 colored. I had a yarn that I though would work, but no luck! Any ideas out there? Email me! I am looking at eBay in a bit!

And my perfect tank has turned into this:

And this is a closer look at that successful stitch pick up:

And Grey's is on...a new episode! I better get my needles out! They probably will not even reference knitting, but heck, I have been knitting with Greay's for months!
I just signed up for a secret pal! I am so excited! I love putting things together like this. Usually we do it at work, but I was so busy this year that I bowed out this time around...so this is a great mini SP for me!

Ok, my lame attempt at hitting the April Project Spectrum:
Yet another scarf...I have had this squiggle for ever. Heck, I even have a couple of others. It seems to have finally been put to use. Makes my stash look good too!

What a Week!

2006-04-30T09:54:00.000-04:00

This has been a long one!
The crazy child rolled her ankle and had to be put in a boot! Does she do this playing Volleyball? No...on the bus! Nope, she did not fall down the steps of the bus either. She did it getting up to switch buses! What a nightmare! And I really do not want to bash all doctor offices, but what an ordeal this was! I really think we should start charging them! I was to take her to get her boot after x-rays and all that...that department was closed! UGH! So I go the next morning to be the first one there when they open at 8a.m., nope still had to wait for 30+ minutes (and we were the first of the day!)
Well during all of this I frogged the entire perfect tank...guess it was not so perfect! I am in the process of redoing it as more of a vest. I am also starting the tank from One Skein...in aqua and lime. I have really dropped the ball on my April Project spectrum...and I love orange! May looks like it will be my month!
We have spent days searching for these little beauties:

and this one:

We have all over our woods looking and even spent a day in southern Ohio looking. Only to have been finding them right along our driveway! I swear they see me coming and run away giggling...heeheehee!

Since we are on a nature topic here, these are my yard terrors! They think they can chase all of the rest of my ark!

Flip and Flop...hard totell them apart, but they are 2 male Pekin ducks that we brought home from the county fair last summer! They are a riot to watch! I was really wanting a male/female pair, but their antics are funny! They actually horeplay occasionally and jump on one anothers back in the pond. And they chase my poor lonely rooster, whose name is Chicken:

Maybe I'll knit today! Let's hope!

I can't Knit with Grey's...

2006-04-17T10:17:00.000-04:00

How can I knit with Grey's if Grey's is not on!?!?!?!
I read somewhere that the next new episode will be the 30th. I can't wait that long! I doubt we will ever see Meridith/Izzy's sweater, but I can dream can't I? I really do like Grey's, one of the best out there!

The Perfect Tank...well, maybe

2006-04-14T12:12:00.000-04:00

I cannot find a tank I like! I have tried all kinds with no luck. I want thicker straps (some of the world has to wear a bra!), long enough to cover my tummy, but not too long, easy to knit, and so on. So here I go with trying to make my own. If all goes well, I will have created my first pattern, and if not well, another tangled mess!
I have finished the back:

I just started the front. Keep your fingers crossed!

We have been hunting for morels in the woods with no luck! I swear they hear me coming and hide with a little giggle! Heck, I even wore camo out looking earlier...still eluded me! Let's hope that they are just not ready yet and that the deer have not beat me to them! Hubby's birthday is today and I had hoped to have them for him. Luckily I have a few back up gifts!

This is how well knitting with 4th graders is going!

Scarves Galore

2006-04-14T08:36:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I think I need a new hobby! Especially when I want a different scarf or belt! I think I have plenty, but you know the closet is always changing!

Just a bit closer:

Sour Grapes

2006-04-13T16:04:00.000-04:00

An older FO... My version of Sour Grapes from Crochet Me mag!
Pattern link is here:
Crochet Me
Not Sure how to make that a cute link!

Leave it to me to add more! My motto does not seem to be anything about less being more!

Also have been working on the perfect tank. I cannot find a pattern that I like so...I am trying my hand at "designing". Almost finished with the back. Post pics later!
Just got a copy of One Skein...Joined the blog and the secret pal exchange! See if I can add the button!

Last Day of Spring Break!

2006-04-02T20:31:00.000-04:00

A great big Thank You to Andrea of http://hookedonstring.blogspot.com/ for sending me to some great places for help with a little thing called "code". Boy was I a complete novice! (Ok, really I still am, but I got a button or 2 on! Yippee!) My darling MIL bought me a gift certificate for Christmas (yes, that Holiday clear back in December!) for a store in Powell, OH. I have managed to save this GC until now! Pretty impressive, I know! Thank you for your applause of my restraint! It is appreciated! So like I said this is what I bought
(ok, what I bought is above...why is that? Just when I think I have got it...I am so wrong! (And why Can't I make paragraphs...???) Anyhow, the yarn is all fro The Great Adirondack Yarn Co. From the left is Peru Hpunch 100% cotton, Debuting in the middle is Silk Delight Mango 100%silk, And last, but of course certainly not least is Nassua Toucan 50 Cotton/ 50 Silk! How awesome and the yardage is incredible...263-325! Well, here is a picture of my tolerant hubby in his "I have hours to put in at the hospital before I can become a real EMT" outfit:

Ok, I have moved them...Will they be here when I publish. Seems like a bit of a crap shot if you ask me!
Well, my 14yo D has been playing Club Volleyball all day, and I have attempted to coach her team...we are beat! Who schedules a tournament on the day we change time?! And have to back to work tomorrow...the sacrifices I make! I have managed to crochet 4 rows, that is it. Having withdrawl symptoms!

Screaming and Crazy

2006-03-31T10:02:00.000-05:00

Can I scream, I hate this layout and I cannot get it to change. Says it updates, but it doesn't! UGH!
And can this be more difficult? Anyone have a good place to figure this all out and add buttons etc! Thanks

First completed Crochet!

2006-03-30T14:55:00.000-05:00

I am just learning to crochet. I have been knitting for a little over a year. I decided that I should learn to crochet since I decided to teach one of my 4th grade classes how to knit and crochet. We are attempting to make an afghan for a local charity.
All I can say is...WHY? I should have just bought one and donated it! This is crazy! I'll have to post pics of our progress...it is not pretty! But they are having fun!

I bought the Debbie Stoller book Happy Hooker and have final mastered the SC and completed the stripes scarf...now how do I post the picture. Hmm!

Hey, I got it! There it is! Not a great picture, but not too bad for my first try! I used some left over Bernat CottonTot that I had from a blanket I had knit. I may even have enough for a belt...ok, probably a bit much pink and green. I don't wantto be mistaken for a candy striper (almost had stripper in there! OOPS!) I have not figured out to type with a line through it!

I am working on a basket tote from Quick Crochet Huge Hooks. And the progress looks like this:

Not a great picture. I am just using regular garden jute I found at Walmart (Not easy since they do not seem to have a simple string aisle!) and thin cotton denim cut into rags. It must have been a remenant that I had picked up cheap. I think this huge hook may kill my hand, but a cool tote is worth it!

Today is the Day!

2006-03-30T14:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been reading blogs for a bit and wanted my own...and I finally did it!
I think! I guess we will wait and see. I would not call myself technology impaired but wow, this stuff moves so fast, maybe I can catch up a bit!