Time to Start Thinking About Summer

These are the two tank projects I'm eager to get started on. The one on the left is from last summer's Interweave Knits issue and the one on the right is from the color issue of Knit.1. If my tank turns out well, I would really like to sew a skirt using the pattern shown. I'm doing the Interweave Knits tank in the Bamboo yarn called for and for the other I bought some Lion Brand cotton yarn.

Today's mail also brought the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting. I just quickly paged through it but I can't say as there were a lot of projects that jumped out at me as "must knits". Somehow I just can't see myself walking into work (or anywhere in my town) in the dress on the cover even though I think it's a pretty combination of lace knitting. What do you think?

I drove down to my sister's tonight because I'm going to Nancy's tomorrow for a stitch in and I'm really looking forward to seeing her. It's been waaaay to long. I brought my camera so hopefully I will remember to actually use it! And I hope to get down to Ewe'll Love It to get my cable needles and possibly this book.

Another Good Mail Day

I had two packages waiting for me when I got home tonight. One had these in it: two more pairs of Brittany 5" DPNs I ordered from Patternworks. One pair is for me and the other will be part of a gift that will include at least one skein of the yarn at the left. More yummy Blue Moon Fiber Arts STR lighweight in Thistle and Terra Firma. It will be hard to give one of those skeins away!

Now that I have another full pair of #1 DPNs, I can (theoretically atleast) work on two different pairs of socks at the same time. Now I just need the extra time to fit that in!

Here is a progress pick of my Blue Moon Sock Club sock. I'm itching to start the heel but I need a few more rows of the ribbing to make the fit right. I also need to get some cable needles which won't happen until the weekend when I hope to visit here. I haven't been in this LYS since it moved across Main Street to it's latest location so I'm looking forward to that.

Sounds Like a Stitch A Long

Well, it seems that there are enough of us interested to have an official SAL for the Stitcher's Wallet from the March issue of The Gift of Stitching magazine. Sue, Joanie, Debby and I will all be starting the project once everyone has received their materials. Anyone else want to join us?

I did not get a lot of stitching done over the weekend but I did find out that one of the exchanges I was working on made it to the birthday girl in Germany. This is what I stitched for one of the ladies in my Yahoo group. It's from the February issue of The Gift of Stitching. I was pleased with how it turned out and the recipient seemed to like it.

This weekend I finally fired Jemima up and took her for a test sew. It went so well I got out my border strips for my Turning 20 quilt, sewed them up and then sewed them on! My quilt top is now done. Now I just need to find a large enough flat surface to lay it out and measure it (with the help of a second pair of hands) to figure out how much fabric and batting I need. A friend and work is going to help me with this very soon I hope. I will try to remember to take a picture when it's all spread out.

I also made some progress on my Blue Moon STR sock. I have about an inch to an inch and half left to go on the foot and then I'll be ready to tackle the heel. I'm really happy with the way this is turning out and can't wait to work on it again! And I wound two different yarns into balls for summer tank style tops - one from an issue of Interweave Knits and one from an issue of Knit.1 magazine. I've got to do my gauge swatches but am anxious to get started on something other than a sock!

Sock Progress

This afternoon I took a picture of my very slooooow progress on my Blue Moon STR Sock Club socks. I am hoping to get more time into these next week but with exchange stitching going on, they get the short end of the stick when it comes to time.

The color is not true as the yarn is grey/greenish in real life.

It seemsthat I've persuaded Red to join in on an SAL for the Stitcher's Wallet from the March issue of The Gift of Stitching. We will be waiting until Red gets her supplies but anyone else want to join us?

TGIF!

Mail Call from Australia!

Yesterday my fabrics and accessories arrived for the Stitcher's Wallet project in the March issue of The Gift of Stitching. I ordered it through Stitches and Spice and I'm so glad I did. Naomi sent the linen and muslin to complete the wallet as well as the two little wooden thread winders and some wooden thread rings. I can definitely see myself ordering more of their fabrics as I love the color and feel. I immediately got out the Flower Thread I ordered to see how it looked on the fabric. I am really looking forward to starting this project.

Tonight was my S&B night at the quilt shop. I actually came home without purchasing anything and I made a bit more project on my STR Inside Out sock which I will show you tomorrow and I finished the front of an exchange piece and started on the back. I will not be showing you that until it arrives at it's intended destination next month.

TGIF tomorrow and it's payday!

Knitting Bookaliciousness

Here in New England, we have these stores called Christmast Tree Shops. If you've ever seen their commercials or been inside them, you will know the phrase "Don't you just love a bargain... doot, doot, doot." The "doots" are my version of the singalong part at the end. The stores are filled with just about everything at very low prices and it's impossible to go in with a list and stick to it. There is something about the prices (or the air) in a Christmas Tree shop that is irresistible. I've bought more things in there that I "don't need" than I care to think about.

Well, I was browsing through the Knitpicks website the other day and hit their new books and clearance section and the above picture is what happened (minus the dog!). I bought not one new knitting book but 5 all for $68 with free shipping. My main interest was the No Sheep For You by Amy Singer of Knitty fame but I ended up with Knitted Babes by Claire Garland, Knitting Loves Crochet by Candi Jensen, Knit by Janine Flew and Greetings from Knit Cafe by Suzan Mischer. I just couldn't resist! Many of them were better than 30% off. Hence the segue of "Don't You Just Love a Bargain...doot doot doot!

They arrived yesterday and I've barely had a chance to page through them but I'm quite content that I'll have lots of future projects - if I ever find the time! I don't know who I would ever knit the dolls for as my nieces are past that age but I just couldn't resist. I've picked up the book so many times and not bought it but I gave in. I'm sure I will find someone to give the dolls to - or maybe I'll just keep them for myself!

PS to Cowboy's former mom - as you can see in the photo, he's doing well. It will be a year next month that he came home with me and while it's been frustrating at times - Jack Russell Terrorist situations - I'm happy and I think he is too. Thanks for stopping by!

Weekend's Work

I didn't get any stitching done this weekend because I spent every free minute working on finishing my baby blanket. Yesterday evening at about 8:00 I finished the last color round and wove in all the ends. Today we had a surprise baby shower at work for the expectant mother but I'm waiting to give her the blanket until her family shower on Sunday. My hands are killing me but I'm pretty proud of the accomplishment! I hope she likes it. The colors in the photo aren't that great but in person I'm really happy with the color combination.

Tonight I will be doing some exchange stitching - finishing the front of one piece and possibly starting on the back. I need to choose something to stitch for a birthday in April and I'm having the hardest time. The recipient is a VERY talented seamstress and stitcher and I think that's what's holding me back. Maybe I will look through my charts again to see if something sings to be stitched.

Hope you had a good Monday!

The Magic of a Glass of Wine

As I'm sure many of you know, a good glass of wine can work wonders in many, many situations. This photo is an example of what a good glass of chardonnay can help a newbie knitter accomplish! Of course ripping out and repeating MANY times was also a part of the equation but I firmly believe the glass of wine I sat down with last night boosted my determination to master the art of a toe up sock. This is my toe and I'm very proud of my accomplishment. So proud in fact I considered going no farther but I do believe I will press on. This is the toe of my first 2007 Socks That Rock Club Club pattern called Inside Out using the Monsoon colorway that came with the kit. It's going to be a very challenging pattern for me as the leg involves real cables - a technique I have not tried before as well. Stay tuned!

There was some cross stitching done prior to the accomplishment of this knitting feat but I can't show it because.... it's an exchange piece!

Happy Wednesday and cheers to a fast moving downward slide to the weekend. I'm off to finish a glass of wine! :-)

Sunday Stitching

I decided that I needed a day to stitch for myself since so much of what I've been working on lately has been for others. Yesterday I picked up my CHS Dainty House wren and put a fair amount of work in it. I also worked a bit on it tonight - it's hard to put down once I get started. I so love the colors in this piece. I worked on the finishing the tree including the leaves and the large bird at the top left as well as some small motifs. I will put this down until next Sunday as I started an exchange piece and I've been working on my friend's baby blanket.

Thanks for all the nice comments about my "other" stitching. I've managed to grow my baby blanket by almost 2 more repeats of the pattern. I have about 1 and a half left to go so I think I can stay on track for finishing it by the 19th. I have to say I'm enjoying the crocheting part. I also plan to start my Monsoon socks this week. The pattern is a toe up process which is new for me and I'm trying to follow the directions. I found some helpful instructions on Knitty but I think I need to practice a bit more before I get it to work properly!

Stitches of a Different Sort

First off, thanks to all who have visited and commented on my blog. I appreciate you stopping by, especially since I've not been blogging much lately. I'm also trying to catch up on my regular reading of blogs but I have so many listed in my favorites that I can't read every one every day! I'm trying a rotation with those so hopefully I will be staying caught up with everything that is going on. One can only hope right?

As promised, here is a picture of the start of my baby blanket that will be a gift for a co-worker. It's her first baby and she's in her early20s so I hope she won't mind a hand made gift. I also plan to get her something from her baby registry but wanted to make something for her as well. I think she will like it. The blanket is being made out of Lion Brand Cotton Ease which I have to say I really like. It's very soft. The colors are Taupe (darker brown/grey), Stone (lighter grey), Lake and Lime. I really like how the color combination is turning out.

The other "stitched" item is a pair of socks for my older sister in Ohio. Her birthday is on the 19th and she requested a pair of socks at Christmas so hopefully she will get a bit of wear out of them before spring arrives for sure. This is some Spunky Eclectic Sport weight yarn I had in my stash. The color is called Mojave - I thought it would be appropriate for my sister as she loves the desert of New Mexico.

Colder Than a Witch's Patootie

No offense to any wiccans who may read this post title but it is so unbelievably cold here. Right now it's 1 degree. And it's sure to go lower - if it goes below 0 by midnight - which I'm thinking is a distinct possibility - we will have set another record for coldest day in March. I am still sitting in my jeans and long johns after walking the dog. I may just sleep in this ensemble as I don't want to have to change and I'll be needing it for tomorrow morning's walk! LOL I'm sooooo ready for spring.

Thankfully, this package was waiting for me when I got home from work. It is the Ginnie Thompson Flower Threads for the Stitcher's Wallet in the March issue of The Gift of Stitching. I really like the colors and the thread is very soft. I've never worked with Flower Thread before but I think I'm going to enjoy it - only one ply so no separating strands. Now I just have to wait for my order from Stitches & Spice to arrive and I'll be all set to start the project. Hopefully, I will have completed my next two exchange pieces and can start something new with a relatively clear conscience.

Tonight I started crocheting a baby gift for someone at work. With tons of help from my friends in my stitch and bitch group, and much pulling out, I finally got the hang of the pattern and am motoring along. I am hoping to complete it by the 19th which is one of the shower dates. The other is the 25th so I should be able to have it done for that day if I miss the 19th. I will show you my progress on that tomorrow evening.

Can you believe three posts in one week? Maybe I've got my blogging mojo back. :-)

Rockin Sock Club

This is a really bad photo but I just don't have the energy to find
better lighting at the moment. My love affair with Blue Moon Fiber Arts Rockin Sock Yarn led me to sign up for their 2007 Rockin Sock Club. This was waiting on my porch for me yesterday. It's my official binder complete with a pin, a bumper sticker, a small skein of yarn and a lovely skein of their medium weight yarn in a color called Monsoon which is a yummy greeney grey color. They have the best sock yarn in my opinion. The binder included some wonderful goodies including some information about the foot, a cool pattern I can't wait to try my hand at and a guide to measuring and keeping track of the foot size of those near and dear to you. However, I think I will be knitting all of this year's sock patterns only for myself - I've been like the cobbler's kids with no shoes - knitting socks for everyone else but me.

On a side note, today was the most wicked freaking cold day of the year - minus 18 degrees with the wind chill when I walked Cowboy this morning and what a wind it was. My eyes water and I can't even feel the moisture until it's run all the way down to my mouth. Ugh! My cheeks have yet to thaw out and the pup and I came back in about 15 minutes ago. Evidently he has no internal thermometer because he's ready to go out in anything! Anyone want to adopt a dog?

Jemima still isn't out of the box because I've been just too tired to tackle that chore. I'm off to lay on the couch amd read a magazine. I wish you a warm and cozy evening!

I finally gave in

My state tax refund arrived last week and today I spent a very good chunk of it on this:

Her name is Jemima and she's a Janome Jem Platinum 720. I had been resisting the lure of a new machine ever since I started going to Thursday night S&Bs two years ago. I finally gave in today. Yesterday my machine "broke" and when I took it in it was going to be at lest $50 to fix. I've had the machine for at least 12 years and the owner of the quilt shop asked me if I loved sewing with it. The answer was no, I hated it and that's when I let myself give in to Jemima. She's much, much lighter than my old Necchi and I know I'm going to be very happy I bought her. I expect to be turning out a lot better finishing items and other things with this new beauty!

I did manage to do some UFO stitching yesterday since I couldn't work on putting together the outside of my quilt. Here's a photo of my progress on H is for Horse from my CHS Alphabet piece.

I've also updated my blog template as you may have noticed. I know a lot of people are migrating to Wordpress but I'm not ready to switch yet. I am wondering if people are having issues with leaving comments? You will have to let me know!

Here's a photo of the pup from about a month ago. He's so spoiled isn't he? He was three years old sometime last month. We still have some issues to work on but I'm still really glad I fell for him. He's the love of my life!

Is anyone going to Celebration of Needlework in Nashua besides Carol, Jo, Red and me?

Mail Art Happy Dance!!

I was lucky enough to have Barbara as my exchange partner for the SBEBB Valentine's exchange and she stitched me a fantastic piece of mail art - my first ever! It arrived in my post box like this. I think when it arrived in the states, the post office was worried it would be damaged so it came to me in this envelope!

I couldn't wait to get the envelope opened as I've never receive a piece of mail art before - it is sooooo cool! The verse on the back is "Heart and hand will ne're part my friend" along with a heart, hand and a cute dog paw and rabbit design. Inside Barbara included some wonderful red heart buttons, some Stranded By the Sea floss, a skein of Six Strand Sweets thread in Black Cherry, a skein of DMC linen thread which I'm looking forward to trying out, a skein of Old Willow Floss in English Quaker Rose and a yummy piece of 32 ct. linen in mulberry. I especially love the lining fabric which is a yummy pink paisely design. I've been very into paisley lately so Barbara really chose well! Thank you dear friend!

Stitching to show!

Joanie asked for some stitching and I actually have three things to be able to share this evening.

The first is my fabulous SBEBB House Exchange piece from Judith in the Netherlands. She stitched me an adorable piece - Patti's Sweet Shop - from last years market neighborhood. She did a fantastic job finishing it into a flat fold that's sitting on top of my computer monitor. I think I may take to work and set it on my monitor there. Thank you Judith!

Next up is an update picture of my CHS Dainty House Wren piece. The last time I stitched on this was October and I took it with me last Thursday night to my stitching group. I worked the top half of the tree. I'm more than 1/2 way done with this piece so I really need to keep the momentum going on it.

And finally, I picked up my CHS Alphabet UFO to stitch on the first Sunday of every month with my yahoo group. I didn't get too much done because a friend came over for some knitting help with a pair of socks but at least I have some further progress to show. I'm working on H is for Horse. I hope to have more progress on both pieces to share very soon! I also started a birthday present but I won't be able to show that for a bit longer.

Quilting University

A friend at work talked me into signing up for "Quilt University" at my local quilt shop. There are four classes, Quilting 101, through 104. Quilting 101 was getting to know your machine including how to take it apart and clean it and was worth the price of all four classes together. Quilting 102 was how to use your rotary cutter and rulers and cut straight - something I needed very much. Quilting 103 was starting to put together the medallion design that you see here. I have to say I'm really impressed with myself even though I did mix up two of my fabrics which resulted in a design not exactly as I planned - par for the course for me when quilting! I had Donna at Kathie's Quilt Shoppe pick the fabrics for me. Quilting 104 will be next Sunday and I will sew on the border you see (it's just laid on for effect) and do the binding. While I don't know that I'll ever be a true quilter, these classes have greatly improved my confidence and skills. I plan to donate the final product to our United Way campaign raffle in October.

Exchanges Ready to Go

This is a picture of my SBEBB House Exchange project. I had a really hard time picking something and kept coming back to this design again and again. I think I was drawn to the bright colors - not something to be seen around here for quite a while to come. The recipient lives in equally winterly conditions so I hope it brightens up her day. It's a design by Brown House Studio stitched over one on 32ct Ice Blue Belfast. I made it into a little needle book - I'm so not creative or talented when it comes to finshing. I'm just waiting on some delayed stash to send out the package which should have gone today. I hope she doesn't mind the extra day or so.

I've also got my SBEBB Valentine's Exchange package ready to go to the post office tomorrow. I can't show the photo just yet because the recipient knows I have her for a partner! Sorry Su but you'll have to wait until it reaches Cumbria! I will post a picture once it's arrived.

Now it's finally back to some stitching for myself!

When in Maine

Last winter my boss decided that I needed to experience a dog sled ride - a very Maine thing to do according to her. Well we never ended up doing it but the Christian radio station I've been listening to was advertising that they would be broadcasting live at the Mushers Bowl on Jan. 20th. So I checked it out and it was Bridgton's Winter Carnival weekend and they had dog sled races, dog sled rides and a bunch of other wintery type events planned. We haven't had much snow and a lot of the ice still hasn't frozen enough to be safe so they postponed the races until February but you could still take some dog sled rides. So I signed my boss and I up and away we went to Bridgton which is in the western part of the state about 2 hours north of where I am.

The weather has been really cold and Saturday's temps were about 19 with a pretty fierce wind. We got to the apple farm where they were doing the rides and here are some photos of our adventure. It was neat but not something I ever need to repeat. Loud (dogs barking constantly), stinky (dogs pooping on the run) and bumpy (not enough snow cover and frozen ruts) not to mention wicked cold. The poor pups got really tired trying to pull us -we offered to get out and walk we felt so guilty! There was just not enough snow for it to be easy for them to pull. But they were really sweet and all of them were super friendly. Don't they look tired in the photo on the right? This was taken after we had gotten back to the starting point and off the sled.


But my boss and I had a good day out, a nice lunch afterwards and a meandering drive home with a little shopping in Portland on the way back. All in all, a great Maine experience!

January Weather Wierdness

This morning I walked Cowboy in just a sweatshirt and exercise pants (on me that is!!) and today's high is supposed to be in the 60s. Now mind you it's January in Maine!!! Sure gives some credence to the belief in global warming. I heard birds singing yesteday. This is so not normal and I fear we will be getting snow in May at the rate we are going.

I don't have any photos to show for a bit as I'm nose to the needle trying to complete two exchange pieces due for the end of the month. These are the last two exchange committements other than a birthday group I am in this year that I'm going to have for a while. I have not worked on any of my own projects since probably the end of October. And at this rate, I'm never going to be able to buy any new stash because I don't even have one project on my 25 things list anywhere near completion. I have not been counting exchange pieces as they really haven't reduced by stash of charts, etc. so I really need to get some personal stitching time in.

I am going to work very hard to get caught up and back to a routine of regular blog reading this month. Things have slowed down quite a bit thankfully and I hope to get back to a more regular blogging schedule. Hope you have all been well and thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Family Portait

Last year my employer offered all employees the opportunity to have a free 8x10 family portrait taken at the hospital by a professional photographer. I didn't take advantage of the offer last year but this year decided to have one done with Cowboy. This is the resulting photo which I've sent to my dad and stepmother as a Christmas present. Kind of weird to send a photo of yourself as a gift but I've never had a portrait done and my dad will be very thrilled I think. Of course I bought more than just an 8x10 because my guy is so handsome. So look out family!
LOL

And of course in true Cowboy fashion, there is more to the story. After taking this photo, the photographer asked if I would like a picture of just Cowboy so I of course said yes. Well I don't know what I was thinking but I took the leash off - didn't want it in the photo - and he was fine for the first few tries but then of course I took my hand off him and he was out of the door in a flash. So out I go into the hospital to catch him. I think everything is fine as he's heading towards the family waiting room into our special care unit which has a door. What I didn't know was that there's a door from that room into the unit (which was not supposed to be open but of course was). Of course my dear demon dog heads right into the unit and into a patient room which was thankfully empty. One of the nurses got the door shut and caught him but of course it was a bit of pandemonium for a few minutes there.

We went home right after that!