Just Keep Knitting...

That's what I keep telling myself. I have a bunch of bags to do for the gallery. Awesome opportunity! The problem? I believe that I am trying to knit all fifteen at once. That will not work I do not have enough hands or needles. That's what I tend to do when I have a big project that needs doing, I try and do it all at once. Not such a good plan. So I am trying to focus a little better and - just keep knitting... I imagine Dori from Finding Nemo when I think or say that. Just keep swimming. Either way it works.

As I promised Tracey I am posting here more often. See the post entitled It's All Tracey's Fault. (sorry Tracey, but I have to blame someone) So here are some pics of what I've been up to and other cool stuff that has happened to me lately.
A bunch of bags in various stages of completion. In a month they will be all done and worthy of a spot in an art gallery. I hope.
This is all Tracey's fault too. She sent it all to me as a rescue effort. I needed more feltable yarn. Ask and you shall receive... She sent a bunch of yarn, some goodies for me and my kids all (mostly all) tucked into the cool black bag you see back there. There is too much stuff to fit it all in there, but she tried. She decided that I needed a knitting bag. I didn't have one, even though I make bags. Go figure.

You should go on over and read Tracey's blog today by the way. She's in her element helping people who need it. She does this brilliantly and today is the last day to get in on the helping with a shot at really amazing knitter-y prizes.

I actually ditched knitting bags a little bit yesterday. I plied yarn instead. That's 75% Lincoln wool/ 25% mohair in it's natural gray color. Go tit at the Estes Park Wool Market from the Red Barn Fiber Processing booth. Stop in there every year. I think by now I probably own a sheep there or something. Oh and as crazy as this sounds, that is my first ever attempt at plying handspun. Keep that in mind as you giggle at my handiwork.

Here's the yarn all plied up and with the twist set and all dry. As you can see I have more of that fiber to spin up. I think another eight ounces or so. Then I have no idea what it will become. I rarely spin with a project in mind for the finished product. I just spin to spin. Love.

Chloe was curious about that gray stuff that does not smell like a kitty, so she managed to stick her nose into the picture. That's just the way she is. The queen.

It's All Traceys Fault

It really is. Tracey is a rather awesome person I met on Ravelry. She is wonderful and also a bit persuasive. She has told me I must post on my blog in order for anyone to read it. I am now blogging Tracey! So I have some yarn to show you, some socks, and I think that's all.

A whole bunch of the most wonderful yarn came this week from Bellamoden.
From left to right: Nori 1/16 fingering, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea sport, Chocolate artists proof sport, Possession sport. Rebecca makes the most wonderful yarn and has also made me decide that sportweight yarn is good.

Numma Numma in Whiny Butt and,
Numma Numma Blackberry Jam. Both from The Loopy Ewe naturally. The Blackberry Jam will be something for my mom, I think.
This is the work of three Ravelry friends. We have a little Loopy book club going- it's named The Loopy Nerd Heard. We read The Historian for June and July and it was decided that being knitters we needed a kit to go with it. So Tracey made the pretty dragon project bags, Sandy who has no blog made two stitchmarkers, and Rebecca dyed some of her Bellamoden yarn in a super special Historian colorway. Didn't they put together a great kit?
The yarn made me want to knit with it immediately. So I knit up a pair of Philosophers House Socks. I made them longer because the pattern is for short socks, plus I have that following directions problem... My first sportweight socks and my first pair of socks from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways sock book. I like 'em. Sportweight socks knit up way fast too!
Wollmeise. 'Nuff said. Rittersporn, Rhabarber, am kalten Polar. Probably spelled them all wrong. Love this yarn. I have the problem of choosing the perfect thing to knit with it. So it may be all skeined up forever. Also, it may not all live at my house forever, I might want to share it.

Got a phone call yesterday from a gallery owner in Colorado. She wants me to be a featured artist in their Art To Wear show. Yay! I'm so flattered. I am also a bit panicked. I need to get ten to fifteen bags to the gallery by September 2nd. That's a lot of knitting and felting. Also because Sheri does not at the moment carry any yarn I can felt with at The Loopy Ewe I have a minor yarn emergency. Like I need feltable worsted or bulky yarn fast!

Well, the awesome girls of Ravelry strike again. Tracey, Sandy and Rebecca dug into their stashes to find yarn I could use and are sending it to me. Honestly, I could not ask for a better bunch of friends than the ones I have made on the F5 thread on Ravelry. They are the most encouraging and generous people. Knitters are amazingly kind and giving.

So, even though I have maybe a dozen projects on needles I will be stopping everything to knit bags, bags, and more bags. And then I'll knit some more bags. I started one last night. Gotta get the fingers moving and the needles flying.

I Made Something

One finished lace project. An Invisibility Shawl from Charmed Knits in Bellamoden Street of a Thousand Blossoms from the Loopy Ewe.


I am not a great photographer, but the shawl came out well I think. I hope the person I knit it for like sit!

Now I Can Show You

My Loopy Ewe swap 2 partner Heather has her package, so now I can show you what I made for her. Lace isn't something I have knit a lot of, so this was kind of a first for me. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Here is my finished Gossamer Stars Scarf from the Summer'08 issue of Interweave Knits. I used Chameleon Colorworks Bambino in Eggplant, which of course I purchased at the Loopy Ewe.

That's it. I don't have anything else done or any new yarn. I am going to the Estes Park Wool Market this weekend, so hopefully next week I'll have some cool fiber-y stuff to show you.

Been A Long Time...

I was surprised to see how long it has been since I've posted here. Oops! I have been getting stuff done though. Well, when I'm not wasting my time on Ravelry. I have finished my project for my Loopy Ewe swap partner. I can't show you pictures yet because it might ruin the surprise for my partner, but I will show you.

My newest order from the Loopy Ewe . Wooly Boully in Blue Bird and Alpaca With a Twist Fino in black. The alpaca is so soft, it's heaven. Of course that may be partially my love for alpaca talking, but I don't think so. I'm going to use it to knit the Honey Bee Stole. It will be my first big lace project so we'll see how that goes.

Monkey socks knit in Claudia Handpaints Peppermint Mocha- a Loopy Ewe exclusive colorway.
These are Spirited socks by Bellamoden. The yarn is Sunshine Yarns Soft Sock in Tree Frog.

On a unrelated note- I made gravy from scratch for the first time in my entire life last night! I was rather proud of myself. We won't talk about how long it took me to learn to make gravy.

Swap Time Again

I decided to go ahead and sign up for HSKS5. The headmistress decided to limit the number of students in each house this term to even things up a bit, so some of us needed to switch houses. So after having been in Gryffindor for many terms I am now a Slytherin. Seriously. Mostly I picked Slytherin because I like green. Don't worry, I haven't turned to the dark side. There are good Slytherins after all. I'm still a part of D the DA!!!

Owl Landing!

Check out all the cool stuff I got from my HSS3 partner Mafalda Bagman. Here are shots of the whole package and my new socks. I wrote more about it on my character blog.

Some FO's, UFO's, and New Yarn

I've still been a bit AWOL from my blogging duties here. So I do have some stuff to show you.

A finished object! A Mr. Greenjeans sweater from Knitty.com. Sheri at the Loopy Ewe is having a sweater KAL with Dream in Color yarn. I know, a sweater KAL from a sock yarn paradise. Basically,Sheri really wanted to knit a sweater and thought that if she did a KAL and had all of her loyal customers knit with her she might actually finish it. There has been talk of prizes, but I don't know for sure:)


So here is my Mr. Greenjeans in Dream in Color Classy in their Good Luck Jade colorway. The button came from Mudcakes Etsy shop. It's not really that bright of a green in person. My mom will be proud. I knit myself something to wear and it's not black!

One of my current UFO's or WIP's- WIP is better since I am actively knitting it. I am turning some Sunshine Yarns soft sock in Tree Frog into a sock. I'm test knitting this sock, called Spirited for Rebecca aka Bellamoden. If you knew Becca, her yarns or this pattern you would know Spirited is the perfect name for it. This yarn is also the perfect yarn for the pattern.

Another FO! A pair of Jaywalkers in Paca Peds from The Loopy Ewe (of course). I don't remember the exact fiber content, but it's an alpaca/ superwash wool blend of some sort. Since it has alpaca I just had to try it. Not as soft as I thought it would be while knitting it, but nice and snuggly on my feet. The color is Mixed Berries.
Alpaca Jaywalkers again.

On Saturday I went on a quick trip to Fiberspace in Sterling, CO. My LYS- it's the closest shop to me and Linda, the owner, rocks. So in that pile of yarn-y goodness I have five skeins of Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted- two in Chianti and three in Deep Pine. One pretty skein of recycled sari silk yarn that I've been meaning to try for years. Two skeins of Brown Sheep Wildfoote Handpaints sock yarn in Soft Jazz. That pretty blue yarn you see up there is Lonesome Stone Yarn- handpainted 50/50 merino/alpaca in Old Blue Eyes. It's so soft and I love the color, she only had one skein but it's 500 yards so I'm sure I'll be able to find something good to knit with it.

There yo have it. What I've been up to. Well, some of it anyway:)

Harry Potter Awesomeness

Check out what my HSKS4 partner Olive Bladvak sent me by Owl Post:

I'd tell you what it all is and all about the awesomeness that I received, but I did that already on my Hogwarts character blog. So go on over there and read all about it. Thanks Olive, you rock!!!

I'm A Dork

I have moments of dorkiness rather frequently, no matter how I try to avoid them. This time I was on Etsy and saw these really cute fabric headbands on the front page. I thought "Great, something to keep my hair out of my face!" Um, yeah. What I wasn't thinking was that I never, ever wear headbands. So I order myself some headbands, get them, try them on, hate them (big surprise), give them to my daughter who has worn one daily since I gave them to her. Thank goodness I have her to give these things to. Nothing like your kids masking your dorkiness for you!
Next time I have to remember, no matter how cute, no headbands...

Didn't Fall Off the Planet, Really

I've been a bad blogger lately. I don't know why, but I have been getting a lot of knitting done. Nope- no pictures of finished objects yet. I think part of my problem is Ravelry, I love it and spend way too much time there. It's an awesome knitting/spinning/crochet site with loads of resources and cool people who won't care that you own more yarn than you could ever hope to use up even if you live to be 150.

It's starting to get kind of springy here. My columbines are coming up as well as my tulips. There was an overweight robin in my yard a couple days ago. Since I have no pictures of knitting to show you, take a peek at these lions at the Denver Zoo. I love the zoo.

I Am Soooo Spolied!

Please ignore my inability to load photos in the correct order:)

I got my package from my Loopy Ewe swap partner Dawne on Friday. Oh my gosh did I ever get spoiled! The package got delayed by customs on its way from Canada but it was well worth the wait. I can't believe what a sweet swap partner I got.

Those would be my feet in the socks that Dawne knit for me in a really nice color of Lorna's Laces. How can you go wrong with Lorna's laces?
Here's part of the whole out of order photo thing. My Knight Bus socks are finished, been working on them forever. They're soft, squishy and warm.

OK, here's the picture I wanted to be first. The entire contents of my swap package from Dawne. Have I mentioned how awesome she is???

Broken down a bit so it would be easier to see, here is half-ish of the package. A box of many teas in cool little colorful pyramids (yum), some Burt's Bees hand salve which she even went so far as to consult with the people in the shop it came from to make sure I wouldn't break out (no rash- yay) She sent gifts for my kids, Hersheys Kisses, which sadly did not live long enough to be photographed, and a cool Canada Rocks puzzle for each of them. Plus the book A Field Guide to Knitting, some really cute point protectors that look like a hat and a glove, a cute little sheep button, a set of four Harry Potter bookmarks- one from each house, and chocolate. That's not even all...
The next half of my treats. Two different sock knitting patterns, a really cute sheep tape measure- the black one even! Some Tussah Silk for spinning, some really awesome roving from Spunky Electric, gorgeous sock yarn from Sock Pixie ( I can't wait to get it on my needles) Last but not least my very own hand knit socks! Look at the little label she made for them...plus she sent along the rest of the yarn in case I should need it. Even the note card she wrote on is beautiful!
My awesome socks- which I wore on Saturday of course!

Thank you a thousand times Dawne! You are a wonderful partner and I don't know what I did to get such a good one!

Finished Socks and Babies

So I've been a bit of a blogging slacker lately. Thought I would show you pictures, since I don't always do that. First up, finished socks-

Monkey by Cookie A, for a sock swap partner. I like the pattern, so I'll have to knit up a pair for myself sometime. The yarn is by Crazy4Dyeing, it knits up really nice, I enjoyed knitting with it . A little closer up...
These are 9-5 socks that I knit for The Loopy Ewe KAL. For those of us who didn't make the coveted sock club this year. We're using up the yarn we already have from Sheri the Yarn Pusher. They are knit in Claudia Handpaints Chocolate Cherry, it's kind of hard to see the stitch pattern in the pictures but it shows up great on feet.

Now for babies! Not mine, thank heaven.

This is my only nephew Emerison. Yep, that's how you spell it. It's pronounced Emerson. My sister wanted an I in his name (?) she can't remember if it's on or en for sure at the end. You would have to know my sister to not think this is totally weird. But isn't he cute?! That's his favorite position, sleeping and not crying. Probably a good thing because this particular sister couldn't handle a grouchy baby at all.
He was born the day after this little cutie:

Introducing Alayah. She's just a tiny little thing- three weeks old and just barely back to her birth weight. She is not a quiet baby, she wants you to know she's around. She doesn't scream bloody murder or anything, she's just noisy. She likes to sit there and look at everything, and she likes me. Such a smart girl! She never cried the whole time I had her, which my sister says is weird for her, so we decided she likes me. Her very red hair doesn't show up its true red color in the picture, but it's red like her moms hair. Her blue eyes are turning brown, she'll be the only one in the family with brown eyes, seriously everyone else has blue or hazel. (She's supposed to have dark skin from her daddy- not sure where that went... Maybe my sister was confused)

My mom, two sisters, and their new babies visited me Fri/Sat, then my Aunt Marylou and Uncle Jack came up yesterday. It was really great to see everyone. We have had more company in the last few days than we have had in years.

In Over My Head

This past week I have started on so many new knitting projects, I think I may be in over my head. I have three sweaters on needles, rarely do I ever knit sweaters. I don't know for sure how many socks...

This is the start of the Gathered Pullover in the Winter 2007 Interweave Knits.

The first of a pair of 9-5 socks for the Loopy Ewe sock KAL- at least one is totally finished!
A start on a Plain Vanilla Pullover (from Knit Picks) Not sure why I picked that light of a color...
I cast on Mr. Greenjeans from Knitty.com yesterday. I'm doing it for the Loopy Ewe Dream in Color sweater KAL. I think if it's a KAL I'll actually have motivation to finish the sweater- it has to be done by June 1st! I love the yarn, but I have yet to meet a skein of Dream in Color that I didn't like. I'm in real trouble now that Sheri stocks more than sock yarn at the Loopy Ewe. Sock yarn from indie dyers was a big enough addiction, now indie yarn for sweaters too- drool!
Two pattern repeats done on Cookie A.'s Monkey socks- also from Knitty.com. These are for a swap so I actually have to finish them in a reasonable amount of time.
Finally another pair of Jaywalkers. I got some Paca Peds- superwash alpaca sock yarn!!! The Loopy Ewe strikes again. I love alpaca. Anyway, I had to try it out as soon as it came, it's alpaca for crying out loud how could I just let it sit and wait to be knit with??? I liked the Jaywalkers I knit before so I decided on that pattern since I already knew what to expect.

Holy links Batman! I sure put a lot of them in there:)

That's six projects that I started recently. That doesn't even include what I already had going, plus I have to rip out and re knit a pair of gloves for a customer since we had a tiny miscommunication about ribbing...

Told ya, way over my head.

To top it all off today is my daughters 11th birthday and she has her very first dance tonight. Makes me feel old.

I Am So Spoiled!

A great big giant thanks to my Hot Cocoa Swap partner Kathy! My package came on Saturday and it's all wonderful. I had so much fun opening it all up. She spoiled me a lot! It was a great surprise on a cold, snowy, windy day.



Told you Kathy spoiled me! Look at all of the wonderful, thoughtful things she put in my package. Two different kinds of hot chocolate, two different kinds of marshmallows- all fancy and gourmet. A fun card and dice game to play with my kids, a hot cocoa pot holder and towel set with really cute stitch markers pinned to it. An entire package of dark Dove chocolates (I won't have to share them since no one else at my house likes dark chocolate- good thinking Kathy) Dove is one of my favorite chocolates, the only better ones seem to be hard to find in this country... There's also a great mug to drink my hot cocoa in, some knitting goodies, alpaca yarn, and my Winter Blah Buster Buddy- a really cute and cuddly hand knit cat.

Here's the cocoa/non-knitting stuff. Dark chocolates, peppermint hot cocoa, more hot cocoa, two kinds of gourmet marshmallows, card game, cocoa pot holder set (with the stitch markers) and a really cool mug. Kathy had a bit of a heart theme happening with the package- chocolates, marshmallows, and stitch markers. The mug is the perfect size, and the ribbed design at the bottom reminds me of knitting, the ribbing at the cuffs of a sweater or a sock. I tried the peppermint cocoa yesterday- yum! I'm drinking the other kind (the fancy kind where you melt little chocolate shavings in warm milk) right now in my new mug with vanilla marshmallows in it. I was nice and shared my heart marshmallows with my kids. Between my leaving them out while I made a trip to the bathroom and the three hungry monsters, they're all gone! But they sure were good.
The knitting stuff. The rather sneaky and quite thoughtful Kathy read on my blog about my disappearing then reappearing broken knitting needle gauge. Now I have a new one! The little sock point protectors are so cute and no knitter can ever have too many tape measures. I can never seem to find one when I need one! Look at that yummy yarn. Baby Alpaca DK, two skeins in a really great purple. It's so soft, and once again being sneaky Kathy figured out that I have a love affair with alpaca. Now to decide what to knit with it. A nice pair of gloves for myself maybe, a hat, who knows? Right now I'm just going to squeeze it and love it.
Here's my Blah Buster Buddy. Isn't she sweet? I love the soft tweedy yarn she's made of and she has a great embroidered face. Plus she came wearing a cool tag that looks like knitting on one side and says it's knitted by Kathy for me on the other side. She's hanging out with the new mug and some yummy cocoa. I think she wants a cup of cocoa, but chocolate isn't good for kitties, is it? I'll find her a nice bowl of milk. Oh, Kathy left it up to me to decide if she was a boy or a girl and what her name is. I guess she was shy and didn't want to tell Kathy. Well, she told me that she's a girl and that she likes to be called Purl. You can tell she was made by a knitter for a knitter. My daughter says she should be called Rose, so she has a middle name too. Purl Rose the girl kitty. I think she'll be happy at my house because it's very kitty friendly. So far she is a little bit shy, I hope Chloe and Mushu don't teach her their naughty tricks! Maybe I'll take her to work with me tonight since Lesley has given us all a little bit of homework to do with our buddies.

Kathy even tucked a reciped for cocoa pancakes in the note she wrote me. On a cool knitting themed note card, of course. Even the box had a knitting stamp decorating it. Everything came wrapped in tissue paper and was ties with all kinds of cool ribbons and ric-rac, very cheery and fun. I have to thank Kathy bunches for sending me such a nice, thoughtful swap package. It was far above and beyond the "requirements" of the swap. Everything inside is wonderful and I love it all. I hope everyone else was lucky enough to get a partner as great as she was.

Thank you Kathy!!!

My Hot Cocoa Swap partner Sandy had this up on her blog when I checked it today. Evidently someone out there has decided that if you have seen more than 85 movies you have no life. Interesting. I have some issues with this. Whoever came up with the list, presumably the person who decided 85 films were too many, has to have seen many, many movies to know this many to list. Who the heck are they to decide who has no life? Lasty but not least, while the list doesn't seem to have a very particular order, anyone who knows anything about Star Wars would not list episodes 1-3 before the original three movies- duh! It's nearly offensive. In the interest of curriosity, I'll mark the movies I've seen on the list. The idea is that you copy this list to your blog and do the same. It's a big list.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x)Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
( ) Airplane
(x) The Princess Bride
( ) AnchorMan
( )Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
(x) Saw
(x) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x)American Pie 2
( )American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
( ) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
(x) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
(x) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x) Robots
( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( )Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
( ) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
(x) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
(x)Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(x) The Whole Ten Yards
(x) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
( ) The Mask
( )Son Of The Mask
(x) Bad Boys
(x) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
( ) Ocean’s Twelve
( ) Bourne Identity
( Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Curious George
(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
( ) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She’s All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
( ) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
(x) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
( ) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Baseketball
(x) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
(x) House of 1000 Corpses
(x) Devils Rejects
( ) Elf
( ) Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
( ) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
(x) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
( ) Hook
( ) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
( ) Kill Bill vol 1
( ) Kill Bill vol 2
(x) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
(x) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
(x) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal

Well, if I can count I've seen 83 of the above mentioned movies. If I miscounted- tough. This doesn't even scratch the surface of the movies that I've seen. I think the list is a little lacking. War movies- where's Platoon or Apocalypse Now??? No foreign films? (I mean films not Monty Python) What's a list of movies without the action all stars- Die Hard- Lethal Weapon... I think the list might be a little old too- no Harry Potter 5- the Harry Potter movies have names besides 1,2,3,4...go look at a DVD or find the online for crying out loud!!!
The movies on the list that I have seen tell me a few things. I have kids and often watch their movies with them- and I like them. I have a few DVD's on my shelf I have yet to watch- like Narnia. I have watched a LOT of horror films with my husband. Lastly, I do have a life, 85 movies or not. Most of the time major network TV is crap. I live in the middle of nowhere and sometimes there's not much else to do besides watch a movie.

I have more to write about later. Gotta charge the camrea batteries first.

A Valentine!

I got the best present for Valentines Day! A new niece. She was born at 4:04 in the morning after keeping her mommy up since Monday morning with contractions. She was 6#11oz and was 19.5" long and has bright red hair just like my sister. Her name is Alayah Corrin. Don't know where that came from... I haven't even seen pictures yet, and I'm feeling a bit impatient about that... I was supposed to go for the delivery, but naturally it was snowing and by the time she called I probably wouldn't have made it since it's at least a three hour drive. I only had one hour left of my shift at work (couldn't leave early since the ER was slammed) so I would have been lucky not to fall asleep driving too. We were planning on going to visit this weekend, but both of my boys have the stomach flu (there's a rather nasty strain of it in town right now we've seen tons in the ER) I don't really want to chance getting my sister or the baby sick, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

My other sister is scheduled to have a c-section on Monday. She doesn't know what she's having. Maybe it will be a boy. The balance of grandchildren is a little heavy on the girl side. The only boys are my twins, there are three girls now. My poor dad, first three daughters and no sons, then a bunch of girls for grandchildren. He loves Christmas shopping for my boys!

Knitting...I'll probably start on some baby stuff. I can't help it. I'm working on 9-5 socks for the Loopy Ewe KAL. I'm almost finished with the first one and I'm hoping I don't run out of yarn. There's still time to get in on the KAL. If you're on Ravelry search for it in groups and join us! I'm thinking about starting an afghan too. If I can get it done by the 26th... A really good traveling nurse at work is having to leave before her contract is up she has to leave due to a terribly ill mother in law. She's awesome and we'll miss her. She's hoping to be able to come back again, but I still want to do something for her. She's been incredibly kind and caring to everyone the entire time she's been with us, and she's always in a good mood and is tons of fun to work with.

What else am I knitting... I started on a Gathered Pullover from Interweave Knits and a Plain Vanilla Pullover from Knit Picks. Both for myself. I rarely knit anything other than socks for myself, so the sweaters will be a change. I have about two inches of the body done on each of them, I'll probably be knitting them next winter still.

My Loopy Swap partner Ellen got her package yesterday. She loves her Mingus socks and they fit her! I'm always so relieved when my swap partners get their packages and say they like them.

Time to go and do sick kid laundry and hang out the the poor little guys. My daughter doesn't have school today so she's home too- at least she isn't sick yet!

Bit of a Rough Weekend- and FO's

FO's:

A custom pair of alpaca fingerless gloves for my Etsy shop. My customer wanted them longer and with no cables, so there they are. I like the color a lot. Plus alpaca is probably my favorite fiber, if you can have a favorite.
More fingerless gloves. I knit these out of some of my handspun and made the pattern up as I went. They're in my Etsy shop too. So we'll see if anyone else likes them!

The rough part. Our dog died on Sunday morning. He was getting older, but it was kind of a surprise. My daughter is heartbroken. He was her first pet and we have had him since she was a baby. Her first experience with losing a pet too. I felt so bad for her! She's been asking for a dog for her birthday- later this month- we told her no. Now who knows. My husband doesn't want another dog, but he always caves when it comes to her. She has him wrapped around her little finger. So I wouldn't be entirely surprised to have another dog sometime soon...

I'm going to pack up the package for my Loopy Ewe swap partner and mail it today after school. I hope she likes everything!

Cute Boys and Socks

I don't really post pics of my kids, but this is too cute. They fell asleep like that. Do you think they're close?

My Twins. Chase in red and Aiden in blue. Too bad they're not that sweet when they're awake!

Mingus socks, pattern by Cookie A. Knit in Numma Numma Toasty- Red Raspberry Jam.
A close up of the pattern, for some strange reason it's hard to see.
Without the flash. Doesn't help much.
9-5 socks in Claudia Handpaints- Chocolate Cherry. The detail is hard to see again. I really like this yarn. The Numma Numma and Claudia both came from The Loopy Ewe. Where else would I get it???
Last but not least Knight Bus socks. Just a plain old sock patern in some pretty cool yarn. It's from an indie dyer- Shelby B. I have a rather large collection of her yarn, I think I have all Harry Potter themed colors, but she does other lovely colors as well.

See? I really am trying to get some projects done!

Yay Giants, and A Few FO's

I didn't want to but I watched the Super Bowl yesterday. I love football, the only reason why I didn't want to watch was the Patriots. I hate the Patriots!!! I'm so sick of hearing about them, their coach is a jerk and their quarterback isn't far behind him. So I was rooting for the Giants big time. Thank you Giants for showing the world that the Patriots aren't perfect. You beat them even with the challenge (that shouldn't have been allowed because the next play had already happened) they won to get a free set of downs. Thank you for putting Tom Brady on his ass repeatedly! I'm thrilled the Giants won, even though they beat my Packers for the chance!

I feel better now...

Knitting. I have five pairs of socks on needles right now. I need to knit socks, bad. Here are two FO's to show you. They have both been done for a while, one I couldn't show you because it's for a swap, the other I just hadn't gotten to yet. Now my Hot Cocoa Swap partner Sandy has her package, so her project doesn't need to be a surprise anymore.

This is Moe, my version of Mr. Dangly. The pattern is free and can be found here. I didn't get gauge, use the recomended yarn or anything like that, but she still turned out pretty good. She's supposed to make you smile and be a little silly. I think she meets those requirements. Sandy did think she was a horse, so she was happy that I told her Moe is a monkey. Sandy likes her anyway...
Another view. Moe was born to be a model. She's soft and floppy and snuggly.
The baby blanket I finished for my youngest sisters baby. It has been done for a while, but I'm slow with the pictures.

Now, I've got some socks to finish. Of course I have socks to start too for Hogwarts Sock Swap 3. Not to be confused with HSKS4. Same theme, two different swaps. I'm a Harry Potter dork, I can't help it. I did a few Harry Potter quizzes over the weekend. I found out that my Patronus is an otter- just like Hermione, and that my HP alter ego is Harry. I didn't think it would be Harry, I figured Hermione or Ginny or something. Imagine that.

Gotta knit...

Swap Things and Early Morning Mayhem

I just spent the morning wrapping and packing up my Hot Cocoa Swap package. It's all ready to send off to my partner. My knitted buddy came out pretty cool, but I can't post pics until after she gets it.
I am far past the halfway point in knitting my Loopy Ewe swap project. I have all her stuff ready to go but the actual project (it's only the whole point of the swap...) and the edible goodies. There little boys in my house got into my knitting room and stole all the treats- they made rather quick work of them too. I guess I could always send the empty wrappers...
I am very nearly ready to send my HSKS4 package too.
As for the fourth swap- Hogwarts Sock Swap 3- I am waiting for a few "owls" to arrive at my house so I can get started.
The morning mayhem??? Oh yeah, it was great. The twins- five year old boys were in rare form this morning. They wanted toast and yogurt for breakfast. No problem, right? Well, we had two yogurts one peach one strawberry- not good. The youngest of the two snagged himself the coveted strawberry so the other one literally screamed and cried and was so hysterical he almost made himself sick because he did not want peach. Yeesh, it's just yogurt people! So evidently to get back at this brother when it came time to get dressed the one stuck with the peach stole the red shirt and put it on for the day. Red is his brothers very favorite color. Cue next major fit. The blue shirt- same shirt, different color- is just not good enough to be worn. My son was all ready to take his sister to school wearing jeans and Spider Man shoes with a coat. Um...no! So to make the long story short, I listened to at least one little boy throw a fit from about 6:45-7:35 this morning. We got back home from the trip to school and I took some Motrin. What a way to start the day. The good news is that my daughter actually got out of bed the second time I went to get her up. Usually it take about 5 tries to get her up.
It's lunch time now. I hope it goes better than breakfast!

Anothr Swap Question

Hot Cocoa Swap question time again:

This weeks topic:
What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

I would have to say it was when I went to France. I was in high school and with friends- no parents. Need I say more, really? France. No Parents. France.

Have I ever mentioned that I love France?

Spinning

On Sunday I decided to break out my lonely, neglected spinning wheel. I spun and watched NFL playoffs. Since Neither team I wanted to make it won I definitely enjoyed the spinning more. I spun two different types of fiber from two different people. The hand dyed multi color is merino. The other three colors are BFL and all from the same place. I don't know which farms for sure as this fiber is some of what I got at the Estes Park Wool Market in 2006 and that was too long ago to remember the names. I could take you right to their booths if I was there though. We go to the Wool Market every year, it's always Father's Day weekend. My husband is awesome, he always takes the family up there and never complains. The drive alone is enough to make the trip worthwhile. I miss the mountains, so this Colorado girl thinks it's heaven to play with fiber while standing in the mountains! Of course after everyone suffers through the fiber insanity we all go and do things the rest of my family will enjoy too. It's our little mini-vacation. OK, it's our only vacation.

Sometimes we spend the night somewhere on Saturday night and take the kids to the Denver Zoo the next day. If we don't make it to the zoo then, we drive down on another weekend. They may not be much for "family traditions" but that's what we do and everyone has a good time. For some reason my daughter thinks staying in hotels is just the best thing in the world. I think she's weird. All the kids like the animals at the wool market- they can touch most of them. They have a ball at the zoo, begging to go see their favorites first. The begging for overpriced ice cream, which they always get.

OK, so now that I've totally gone off topic, here's what I spun:

Pretty colors, huh? It's funny. Most of what I bought in 2006 is bright, last year it was all more earthy colors. Evidently I go through color phases, or at least color intensity phases.

I'm going to go knit now...

New Topic of the Week

A new question of the week has been posted for the Hot Cocoa swap. Thought I'd better answer it before I forget!

The question:
What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood? I know it's not knitting content, but I love learning about the little quirks and interesting things about people!
The answer:
I think most of my childhood was randomness! The first thing that pops into mind is when I was probably 10, which would make my sisters 7 and 6. We were at my aunt and uncles hog farm walking around in a field with my cousin and his friend. They were trying to scare us about snakes. My cousin suddenly yelled something along the lines of "There's a big snake right there!" My sister- the 7 year old- immediately peed her pants and started crying. She didn't want the boys to know and thought I should let her borrow my (at the time very cool) jean jacket to wrap around her waist to hide the evidence. I thought that was a bad idea, after all it was my cool jacket and she was the dummy who peed her pants for no good reason. She thought I was being mean, so she ran for the house to tell on me. Needless to say her plan backfired. This resulted in showing the boys precisely what she wanted to hide from them- they were a little bit older and therefore much cooler. Plus she got in trouble for peeing her pants and for being a tattle tale.
I suppose I should end that with "and they all lived happily ever after, the end" or something like that.

Kitties

Some new yarn came to live at my house today. Chloe promptly decided it looked nice and comfy. It should be since its name is Smooshy.
Here is Mushu, unhappy because she is without yarn.
And Chloe who was sleeping on her new Dream in Color Smooshy in Beach Fog, but she woke up as soon as I turned the camera on!

Winter Knitting

I'm in the midst of many swaps right now- or so it seems. One of them, the Hot Cocoa swap is designed to give cocoa loving knitters a little mid-winter pick me up. Who can't use that? One of the things that must be done for the swap is to post answers to an occasional question on our blogs, so I guess you'll see one every now and again. The question:

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

My knitting doesn't change with the seasons at all. Well, unless you count knitting gifts for Christmas. I knit whatever I need or want to no matter if it's July or December. My yarn choices don't change either, they only change with the project I'm working on. No silk dish cloths or wool tank tops!

It's Not Thursday

I heard what I thought was the trash truck outside and I guess I decided that meant it was Thursday since that's trash day here. It's Tuesday. Really. But my trash is all collected and ready for Thursday to come. I knew it was Monday when I went to work yesterday. I'm too young not to know what day it is!

I've got projects going and treats on the way to me for all three of my swap pals. So they don't have to worry that I'm such a flake I'll forget them.

Progress!

Well, I made the final decision on what I am knitting my Loopy Ewe Swap pal. It has taken me forever to decide, and I have changed my mind at least three times. I have cast on and am 10 rows into the 32 rows of the chart, which is repeated I don't know how many times. Yay!

I'm sleepy today after an insane night in the ER at work last night. Was there a full moon last night??? It's one of many nursing superstitions that unspeakable evils happen during full moons! So I don't know how much knitting I'll get done before I can't concentrate on it enough not to mess up the pattern since every row is different. Maybe later I'll pop in a Harry Potter DVD and watch it with the boys. One isn't feeling too hot so he will be ready to cuddle up with me!

I'm having laundry issues again too. I ended up standing in a rather impressive pool of blood last night (sorry if that grosses you out) and the bottom of one of my pants legs got in it. Occupational hazard. So I have pretty green scrubs soaking the day away. I hope it comes out- there's not a bunch- because they are one of my favorite uniforms. Crayons, blood- I don't even want to know what's next!

Well on that note, it's lunch time for the boys. Time to go be mommy:)

Random

Would you believe that I ordered more stuff from The Loopy Ewe- but no yarn this time I swear. It's not even all for me- I have some secret pal shopping to do! I'm doing the Loopy Swap, HSKS4, and the Hot Cocoa swap- the only one I don't have my partner for yet is HSKS4 since the sign ups are still open. So I'm working on putting packages together, I have to make lists this time since I'm doing three at once and I'll forget what is for who.

Mushu, my cat, ate some salsa at lunch time. I doubt that it's good for her- that should be fun later! I should know better than to leave anything that could possibly be eaten anywhere that she has any chance of getting to because she is a huge pig and eats anything.

Purple crayon that has been washed and dried with the laundry does indeed come out! Following bits of all the advice posted by other victims of this tragedy online, and getting no help from my mom (even though I know that it happened to her at least once) I managed it. A nice long hot water soak, some agitation, more soaking, with about a cup each of detergent, vinegar, Shout, and Clorox 2. Do it twice just to be sure. After that remember to check all laundry for stray crayons! Crayon comes out of the dryer too. Some suggested soaking a dish towel in water and dish soap and throwing it in the dryer and letting it run. It works, but the process must be repeated several times each followed by scrubbing while the dryer is still hot. Just in case any of you ever need to know...

I started my project for my Loopy Swap partner last night. Then somehow I tangled the yarn up into the worst mess I have seen in a while. I have it untangled now, but I think I may have changed my mind about what to knit...

Swap Homework

OK, for the Hot Cocoa Swap I have a list of questions to match up with swap participants. Luckily I don't have to finish it all at once!

1. Who's favorite animal is an Otter?
Anne K.
2. Name someone who prefers whipped cream with their hot cocoa
Bianca B.
3. Find 3 people who live outside of the United States
Ana Sofia F., Bianca B., Alex
4. Name a fan of Harry Potter
Me! I know Devin is too.
5. Name someone who crochets
Angela A-H.
6. Name someone who DOES NOT have a healthy supply of notions
Marie P.
7. Name someone who has NOT put up their questionnaire yet (just put a date with your answer in case they put it up after seeing their name listed somewhere ;-) )
Martha (1-8)
8. Who likes to have Kahlua, Baileys, or Peppermint Schnapps in their cocoa?
Annemarie M.
9. Name someone who knits fingerless gloves as a 'quick knit'
Can I use me again?
10.Name someone who's looking forward to gardening this spring.
Criquette
11.Who's favorite way to drink cocoa is with a gorgeous Frenchman, while overlooking the Eiffel tower from a French Cafe? (I'm right there with you... well at the table next to yours!)
Kris, who has a fabulous idea by the way
12.Name someone who's favorite animal is NOT a dog or house cat
Angela T.
13. Name someone who's favorite treat is NOT chocolate.
Criquette
14. Who plays Candyland?
Criquette
15. Name someone who DOESN'T get the winter blahs
Criquette

Ok, I know I used the same person for more than one answer. I am having fun looking through all the blogs, but I keep forgetting the questions. So I have answered all the questions and now I can go check more blogs out!

Hot Cocoa Swap Questionnaire

I joined the Hot Cocoa Swap and was suppose to have this posted a day or two ago. I'm not usually late when it comes to these things, but I am this time. I have my homework finished now:

Cocoa:

1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?
Just about any way is my favorite! I like to use milk and end up using store bought most of the time. I like to drink it in a big mug. My Grandma used to make my sisters and I hot cocoa with milk and real chocolate when we were at our cabin in the mountains in Colorado. It was always such a treat, we even had special mugs that were just for that. No more cabin or Grandma, but I still have the mug.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
Mostly I have marshmallows, but I like both.


Yarn/Knitting/Crochet:

1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?
Nearly all yarn is good, but if I have to pick I would say either alpaca or wool. My favorite colors are black, gray, blue, purple, green. I really don't care for orange and yellow, but I have seen some pretty yarns in those colors so I guess it depends on the orange and yellow...
I have a terrible weakness for sock yarn.

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?
Knit, I can't crochet to save my life!

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?
I don't have a very favorite, I like to use different needles for different things. Most of my needles are wood/bamboo. I don't really care for metal needles because my work tends to slip off too easily. I'm up to trying anything new- they might become my favorite!

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?
I think I have most of what I need. I do misplace my needle to weave in ends from time to time, and a knitter can never have too many tape measures.

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?
Yarn, yarn, yarn. Oh wait that can't be an answer! I have a couple of small fabric project bags that I love, but I always have more than two projects going at once. I really need to figure out a way to keep my dpns together. Mostly I use 4 when I knit socks, but when I need that 5th one I can never find it.
6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)
My favorite things to knit are bags to be felted and socks. I designed a pretty quick fingerless gloves pattern that only takes about 100 yards of DK-worsted weight yarn. I have knit dozens and really like making them, but still haven't made any for myself. Don't all knitters knit more for other people than they do themselves?


Miscellaneous

1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?
Try and keep warm, I'm a cold person. Sit and watch it snow from inside the house.

2. What is your favorite animal?
Oh that's so hard. If I were picking one of my own animals it would be my white cat. Animals in general- I love sea turtles and frogs. And sheep!

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?
Sometimes when I don't see a sunny sky for days and days. I miss that about Colorado, it was always sunnier there than it is here. Here we just get wind- yuck!

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?
Curl up with a good book, or pop in a favorite DVD and knit while I watch. I have to find a way to keep myself busy and not bored.

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?
Watching all of my flowers wake up and turn green. I walk around my yard and check on everything every day. The bad thing about spring and early summer in Nebraska is that it's tornado weather.

6. What are your favorite treat?
Chocolate. Any kind is great, but dark is my favorite. Ice cream. A new book.

7. What is your favorite board game?
I used to love to play Clue and Trouble.

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?
I have one husband, three children (10 year old girl and 5 year old twin boys) one outside dog, and two cats- one good and one who is naughty but she can't help it because she's Siamese. I have a very busy house, it's never quiet here.

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about?
I'm allergic to most scented things like lotions, perfumes, candles, incense. Hives are no fun!

There are my answers. I can't wait to get my partner! It's so fun to put packages together for my swap pals.

Questionnaire

I know I'm supposed to have my Hot Cocoa Swap questionnaire posted by umm yesterday. I'm leaving for the day soon. So all you lovely cocoa drinking ladies I promise to post it tomorrow!

#*%^&#!

Just pick your favorite expletive for the title. One of my children must have had a lovely reddish purple crayon in their pocket when the clothes went through the wash. Everything was fine when I put it in the dryer, but the heat of the dryer must have melted the crayon. Everything got it! My scrubs from work last night, new kids clothes from Christmas, jeans, my husbands new favorite Rams sweatshirt that Santa spent a lot of money on... I've Googled how to get it out, so now I'm off to try it all. Even the dryer is purple!
Ok, I feel better now. Any helpful hints would be welcome though:)
I think I'll be spending my evening in the laundry room.

A Bunch Of Stuff

I know it's been a while since I've posted, let alone with pictures. Now I have pictures, well as many as I could take before my camera batteries died. So I've been knitting and signing myself up for more swaps. I can't help it. Plus I added a picture of the sock pattern I sold since it's available now!

Anyone who did HSKS3 should get their little wand wielding fingers over to the HSKS4 site and get signed up for this round. I just sent my information to the Headmistress this morning. Only 100 people get to join- hopefully some of my pals from last time will get in on it again! If you like knitting, swaps, and Harry Potter then this swap is loads of fun and you should join! I'm a Gryffindor again for this one. We're supposed to get house points for linking to the site with the logo/picture you see above. I, however am not cool enough to figure out precisely how one does that. So I posted the picture and links anyway, even though it probably won't count. Sorry Gryffindors!

I sort of improvised the pattern for these little Mary Jane booties for my little sisters baby. She's due in February, but her shower is Saturday. No baby with a knitting aunt can get away without wearing hand knits!

Vine lace hat for my sisters baby, to go with the little booties. Um, the baby is supposed to be a girl by the way...

I finished the blanket for my sisters baby too. It's a feather and fan pattern from a booklet for Encore baby blankets. I used Caron Simply Soft because I like it for babies. I used one strand of off white and two of soft pink held together throughout. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Plus I got it done in time for her shower this Saturday.

A close up detail of the stitch pattern on the blanket.

I started on the blanket for my other little sisters baby yesterday. This one's due in February too. So far so good. Too many babies...

Remember a while back when I said I sold a sock pattern, well here it is. They're called Library Socks and the pattern was written for Cherry Tree Hill. It's not for sale everywhere yet, but here's a link to where it is. I imagine it will be up on Cherry Tree Hills site soon. Maybe it will even be up on the Loopy Ewe since she carries Cherry Tree Hill yarns and patterns. The detail is hard to see in the picture, I think because the yarn is so dark, but it has cables and bobbles and all sorts of fun things to knit into them.

I was going to post pictures of the gift my awesome husband made me for Christmas, but that will have to wait for the camera batteries to charge. Maybe I'll have some finished socks to show you too. I have four pairs on needles, I'm even on the second sock on two pairs! I really have to get knitting on them because I have to knit my Loopy Swap partners gift too. I have the yarn narrowed down to two, but I have no idea what to knit for her. I want to do the perfect thing even though I know that's not going to happen!

Two days until Chritmas?

I am all done shopping and knitting for Christmas. Everything is wrapped up and under the tree or separated into piles by destination. I even mailed all of the gifts that needed to be mailed. It feels kind of nice, and the tree looks happier with presents under it. I hope the kids leave them alone!
With the help of my husband my house managed to get clean today. So I have Thursday and Friday to bake cookies- which I haven't done yet this year. The Christmas festivities start on Saturday with a trip to Colorado to see my dad and sisters. We get Sunday off- football yay! Then Christmas Eve at the in-laws, Christmas day at home with just us until I have to work. So really I only have two days left until Christmas starts here.
What happened to December???

I'm also trying really hard to resist some Tempting Yarns in the Paris colorway that just came to the Loopy Ewe. I'm really in love with it and it hasn't sold out yet. Must. Be. Strong.

Another Swap

I've decided that I love doing swaps. The Harry Potter ones I did were so fun. So I joined another swap, the Hot Cocoa Swap. Sounds like fun, part of the intent is to brighten up the boring mid winter days still to come. I think some of the people I've been in swaps with before are going to be a part of this one. Go sign up- you know you want to!

Some FO's

Yep, I finally have finished knitting a few things. I have both of my Jaywalkers done- it took me forever because I kept putting them down to work on something else! I knit them in Lime & Violet yarn which I love. I messed up and made the first one in one size and the second in another. Guess that's what I get for waiting so long to finish a pair of socks! Something sort of funny happened to them though. The first one I knit had stripes on the leg and pooling on the foot, the second one is exactly the opposite. I didn't do it on purpose, I don't know how I could have or how it happened at all. It's ok, I like them this way. Like my boys, they are fraternal twins instead of identical. They are way comfortable, one of my favorite sock patterns. Didn't they turn out pretty...


I finished my moms Christmas socks too! They are the Snapdragon pattern knit in Scarlet Fleece Antique Watermelon. Both the yarn and pattern can be found at the Loopy Ewe, of course. The pattern was a fun one even though it is a toe up pattern which is my least favorite way to knit socks. The yarn was nice to work with and is really soft and squishy, it was complete murder to wind into a ball though. Whoever was skeining yarn that day was either quite angry with the world or was smoking crack, I don't know which.

I love the way they turned out and I hope my mom does too. Now to get her package together and sent off so that it can make it to Ohio before Christmas since she can't come home this year. I'm going to try and send her a little Christmas in a box. I hate the idea of her being lonely on Christmas.

This year I have Christmas Eve off and work Christmas Day, well night really but you know what I mean. Usually it's not too bad to work on the holidays. Most of the patients are so glad to have someone there to take care of them when they have to be in the hospital and away from their families. The hospital can't close on Christmas. A fact some of my family and In-Laws just don't get. Oh well. The kids will be done opening presents and will have gone through several sets of batteries for their new toys by the time I have to leave them for the night, so the fun part of the day will be over and I won't miss much.

I still have one gift to finish knitting for my sister. Then an order for a customer, a shower gift for the same sister, and a baby blanket for another customer- all need to be done either by Christmas or shortly there after. Guess I better get my fingers busy!

Pile of Yarn

Yep, a pile of yarn, sock yarn to be exact. I have too much, I keep buying more. I can't help myself. Naturally, I have the Loopy Ewe to blame for enabling my addiction! So much yummy yarn, not enough time to knit all the socks. Here are my most recent purchases -just look at it all:

What's in there? Claudia Handpaints, Yarn Nerd, Numma-Numma, Gypsy Knits, Chewy Spaghetti, Cherry Tree Hill. I think that's it. It all came from the Loopy Ewe should you want some for yourself. Although, I must warn you that you have to be fast because everything goes fast! Somewhere in that pile I'm pretty sure I have the yarn I decided on for my Loopy Ewe Swap partners project. I keep changing my mind. I can't tell you which one though, just in case she reads this!

I have one and a half of my moms Snapdragon socks done- yay! Then to knit for my sister...

I'm going to shovel snow now.

Confessions of many knitters- or a great little contest

It's not my contest, it's Annas. All you have to do is visit Annas blog a post your personal knitting scandals and secrets. You could win patterns from her Etsy shop, her patterns rock!

I was knitting a pair of gloves and knit two left ones. I HATE it when I do that, not it's not the first time! I'm blaming it on the extra night shifts this week because the hospital is very nearly full- two empty beds in the entire palce last night! I'm sleepy...

It's Been a While...

Since I've had time to post. I've been knitting like mad and my husband has decided to hold the computer hostage from me all day long most days. The good news is his back is feeling better!

I did a little craft show here in town on Saturday and didn't do too bad. I did better at it last year, but the weather was crappy this year. Either way I still did better in six hours than I did in two days in Colorado.

Today I listed a bunch of new stuff in my Etsy shop. New gloves and about six new bags. Hope it's not too late for Christmas shopping! I really like the way most of my new bags came out. You just never know what you're going to get when you make it up as you go along...

I started on my Christmas knitting on Sunday. A pair of Snapdragon socks in Scarlet Fleece Antique Watermelon (the pattern and yarn can both be found at the fabulously addicting and wonderful Loopy Ewe) for my mom. I have two other gifts to knit as well, but I'm pretty sure that I'll make it in time. I'm already done with the foot and gusset of the first sock (knit from the toe up- yuck!) and I really haven't been working on it that much.

I went through my sock yarn (doesn't count as stash) yesterday. I have discovered that I have enough sock yarn to knit well over 30 pairs of socks. Oh I have such a sock yarn addiction! Good thing I love knitting socks and have no less than four pairs on needles as I type!

I better go feed little boys lunch. Sorry no pictures of FO's this time, but soon.

Do I really need a title???

I don't want to make up a title, so I'm not! Now for some posting randomness...
What did I do today? Posted some new items on My Esty shop which has been horribly neglected as of late. Too many galleries, shows, gifts, and other projects to knit I guess. No new bags posted though.
I do have four bags all knit up and waiting to be felted and finished, then they can come out and see the world. I have another show to do on December 1st, which is what I'm mainly working on things for at the moment. After that it's Christmas knitting. I think I only have three projects to do. How did I manage that? I'm sure I'll have some emergency holiday knitting to do that I just can't think of right now.
While I was waiting for pages to load on Etsy, I played on Ravelry and added dozens of sock patterns to the queue. The sad thing is that I likely have more than enough yarn to knit them all, just not the time. I will of course continue to buy sock yarn anyway. I wouldn't want Sheri at the Loopy Ewe to go hungry after all!
I am rather impatiently awaiting my Knit Picks order. Also I'm waiting to find the "real" copy of the sock pattern I sold in my mail box. I can't wait to see it, and then maybe I can show you guys...
One of my sisters and my dad are supposed to come for Thanksgiving. That will be nice since no one ever drives to see us, we always have to drive to see them.
It's cold here now, supposed to snow tomorrow and maybe on Thanksgiving. I'm off to find some coffee, chocolate, and knitting.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

In Shock

Wow. I don't know if I'm allowed to say much about it yet, but I sold one of my sock patterns to a sock yarn company! They called me yesterday to tell me they liked the pattern- yay!

Sheri (well actually Web Guy) at the Loopy Ewe has added a wish list feature to her site. It's really cool, and sooo nice to be able to keep track of what you want, wish you could have, or missed in the last sneak up! You can link to it from your blog or email it to anyone who might be interested in doing some shopping for you. Fabulous timing, don't you think? If only any member of my family ever shopped online, or understood my sock yarn addiction for that matter!

Still taking care of my hubby after back surgery number 2- so I can't play long. Just had to make that announcement to whoever reads this! The only good thing about surgery is that there is plenty of time to knit socks in the waiting room. One of my twins broke his arm the night before my husband had surgery. We have great timing and coordination at my house. Poor little guy really wants that cast off. My sister spelled her name wrong when she signed it-LOL!

OK- really random post. I can't help it!

Merlins Beard!

My package came yesterday from my Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 partner Vicky. Wow! She completely spoiled me- more than spoiled me. I didn't manage to get a before photo, but I have lots of pictures of what was in all the little packages she tucked into the box. Being the thoughtful person that she is she even sent along a spell she got from the Weasley twins and treats for the three underage wizards in my house so that I could open all my things in peace! Check all this out:
This is the whole lot of it. I told you I got spoiled! The box wrapped in white with the card in front of it is one of the spells for underage wizards, I managed a photo since one of them was still at school at the time. It was like Christmas for a knitting Harry Potter geek! I had a hard time getting everything into the picture and had to have my husband do it because he is much taller and could get a better view of the whole thing.

Vicky had a good time at Honeydukes. (See the bag?) Exploding BonBons, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, a packet of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum and four Chocolate Frogs. I've never seen some of these things before. She must have visited a Muggle sweet shop as well, because there were two tins of Choxie chocolates- dark chocolate mints and dark chocolate espresso beans. I have never tried these before either, but can't wait- I heard they are quite good! The spell for underage wizards presented them with a very cool box of candies from the movie Ratatouille (I've probably spelled it wrong) which the little wizards snapped right up and enjoyed. They loved it! Also you will see some cool Harry Potter pens and Harry Potter post it notes, yay!

Now for the knitting stuff. A set of stitch markers in Ravenclaw colors that she made herself, a set of five Leprechaun double pointed needles in size 1 (2.25mm), a new needle sizer (she must have read that I broke mine). There is a bookmark she knit in Gryffindor colors that came in its own trunk! Two skeins of Knit Picks Essential in Shoreline Twist (I love Knit Picks!) great Ravenclaw colors. As if that wasn't enough Vicky sent me two skeins of Maizy from Crystal Palace in the Night Shades colorway. I can't wait to try it out. Maizy yarn is 82% corn fiber! Very ironic since the Muggle village I live in is in the middle of nowhere Nebraska and I am surrounded by corn. Well, not now since it's all harvested... See the label on my socks? There is the Ravenclaw crest on it next to Stacks Socks, and it says "Bookish Ravenclaw, up all night reading for class at least have warm feet" The Hufflepuff crest is on the back, since Vicky is a Hufflepuff, and next to it is "Knit industriously for Minerva Crookshanks by Vicky Bladvak"

Here's the best part- socks! They are a really nice Ravenclaw blue and are nice and soft. Not to mention that they are flawlessly knitted. They fit perfectly too. I love them- thank you Vicky!

Another view.

Vicky, thank you so much for spoiling me in this swap. Everything you did was so thoughtful and creative. Treats for the little wizards, everything Harry Potter themed and so perfect and well done. This has been a great swap.

Thank you Vicky!!!!!!!!!

Weekend I Could Have Lived Without

Really, it was no fun at all. I had a show on Friday and Saturday. This was the worst I've ever done in a show ever. I've done this one for years and generally do well, not this time. I didn't even sell enough to cover the cost of fuel there and back. Never again! The bags that didn't sell I took to the art gallery because they wanted them all. The exhibit only lasts another week, but hopefully it goes well. Everything is back up on my Etsy Shop. When I get all the new bags I made for the gallery back I'll put them up there as well. Thankfully I don't have another show until December 1st. I think I have show burn out!
I'm going to be working on a few pattern designs for various places and knitting Christmas gifts. Seems like a better use of my time for now.
Yesterday I spent the day with a migraine. Whoever invented them is truly evil. Why would you make someone with a horrible mind crushing headache have to vomit??? It's just so wrong!
Maybe I'll have something better to say later on. I'll take photos of new yarn or something.

HSKS 3 Quidditch Round Three

More Harry Potter stuff. My Trivia answers for the last round of Quidditch for HSKS3. I might be the last one to get them up- sorry ladies!

Picture Scavenger Hunt- Bertie Botts Beans Jelly Slugs Chocolate Frogs Blood Pops Jenean's first HSKS kit(Bonus Point: Who made the kit)
The Jelly Slugs:
The rest of the candy:

And the link to Jeneans first HSKS kit, made my Ansley.

1. What was the name of the book Dumbledore left for Hermione in his will?

a. The Tales of Beedle the Bard

2. Whose sign was on Xenophilius Lovegood's chest?

d. Grindewald

3. Was October 30, 1980 the night that Lilly and James Potter died?

b. No

4. What's another name for the Elder Wand?

a. Deathstick

5. Whose Potterwatch code name was 'Rodent'?

d. Fred

6. What was so special about the peacocks at the Malfoy Manor?

d. They were all white

7. Who does Harry say was "probably the bravest man I knew?"

a. Snape

8. What thing was Lockhart giving Hagrid advice about getting out of a well?

b. Kelpies

What was the occupation of Colin Creevey's father?

a. Mailman

10. Which Professor of Hogwarts was a dueling champion when he was young?

a. Flitwick

Evil Things

I'm getting very little done right now that I should be. I have two terribly evil things to blame. Ravelry and The Loopy Ewe. Ravelry is great, I just got my invite a few days ago and I'm already so addicted. Hanging around with all those other knitters rocks, especially once you've found yourself a few friends and groups. I have found so many projects I would love to make, there's no way I'll ever get them all done. Although it may help out by providing me with a source for loads of sock patterns, which I desperately need. The need for the sock patterns stems directly from the awesomeness of The Loopy Ewe and the Loopy Queen Sheri. It is a sock knitters dream. So many sock yarns, new ones all the time, yarns from indie dyers that you would never be able to find at your LYS. The customer service is wonderful. Once you check it out you won't be able to help yourself. I can't and there is a huge group of other people who have the same problem. Such a terrible one to have :) I have two orders from TLE on their way to me. My fifth and sixth. I am a Loopy Groopie now- can't wait for that package!

Julianne Rocks!

Just so you know this is quite a long post because there are a lot of pictures!

I had an Owl Post delivery on Friday. My HSKS 3 pal Julianne completely spoiled me! It was like having Christmas come early- thanks a bunch Julianne! As excited as I was, I managed to contain myself enough to take pictures. So here are the package contents before I opened them:
Just look at the big pile of packages all carefully wrapped in Gryffindor house colors. I tried to read the note that came with it, but the note told me not to. I had to open presents first- no problem! I knew I was spoiled as soon as I opened the box, but I had no idea how much until I opened each gift.

Look at all the awesome Harry Potter and Knitting stuff she sent me! What more could a Harry Potter loving knitting freak possibly want? Nothing but Molly Weasleys knitting skills. Thank you Juli, I'm in love with it all! I know there's a lot in that picture, so I took more pictures with all that loot split up for you. First, the Harry stuff:

Yay for candy! There is a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, they really do mean every flavor. A package of Blood Pops, which are thankfully strawberry flavored not blood flavored. A chocolate frog too- I haven't eaten it yet so I still don't know which Wizard Card is inside. Maybe Dumbledore... As if the candy wasn't enough, she also sent me a pad of Harry paper, I've never even seen such a thing before. That's a small town for you. On top of all that I also am the proud owner of an awesome Harry Potter bookmark that happened to come with a rather cool poster. I told you, spoiled. A lot. That's not even the fibery knitting stuff, wait till you see it:

It's like knitters gold! A set of five 5" size 1 Rosewood Sock Stix by lantern Moon, which came in their own little bag. They're beautiful, I've always wanted to try them but never dreamed I would actually own a pair. The yarn, oh my goodness. It's a skein of All Things Heather hand dyed superwash sock yarn in Phoenix. I had my eye on just this yarn at the Loopy Ewe. How perfect is this yarn for a Gryffindor? Great name for the colorway too. I might have to make Fawkes socks out of it, using my new needles of course. Should I decide that Fawkes is not the right pattern for this yarn she gave me lots of new pattern choices:

Oh yeah, and entire new sock book. Lots of great patterns, I have the first one I want to knit narrowed down to two. Decisions, decisions. Then there are the handmade Gryffindor stitch markers. A set of five, with one special to mark the begining of a row, just the right size for sock knitting. I'm pretty sure she made them herself. Talented girl that she is. Did you notice that cute little sheep up there? I love him. He has moved into his new home with three other sheep- he's the only white one, plus a llama, and an alpaca. They all live close to my yarn. As if Juli hadn't shown enough talent and generosity, there's more:

Two shots of the perfect sock knitting bag. She made this herself too. Great Gryffindor colors and a brilliant way to carry it and keep it closed. I love it, a lot.

So once again Julianne- Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love everything! I could not have asked for a better swap pal. Thanks for making it fun for me.

The Muggle post man had a package for me too. My eagerly awaited order from the Loopy Ewe I had my very first skein of Dream in Color. It's lovely:

So on the left is the Wollmeise I ordered before in Tiefer See which translates to Deep Lake. The colors don't show up the greatest, but it's yummy. The other skein is the Dream in Color in Night Watch. Oh how I wish I could be knitting socks right now!

I do have some FOs to show:

A pair of fingerless gloves I designed myself. I used Plymouth Boku. The other glove is striped differently due to the way the yarn is dyed. I like them. Think I'll save them for that rapidly approaching October 19th show. In my last Loopy Ewe order my extra treat was a little red sock kit. I knit that up too, it turned out really cute. I forgot to take a picture so you can't see it.

Told you it was a looong post. I'm finally done now. Thanks again Julianne! I hope the person who has you is as good to you as you were to me.

HSKS 3 Quidditch Round 2

Homework for HSKS 3- my answers for quidditch round 2:
Trivia

1. In Deathly Hallows what does Harry step on when exiting his room to wash his cut?
c. A teacup

2. Which two members of the Order of Phoenix came to escort the Dursleys to a safe place?
b. Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones

3. In order to throw off the Death Eaters, several of Harry's friends take Polyjuice Potion to resemble him and each Harry goes with a different member of the Order of the Phoenix to a different location. Where do Ron (disguised as Harry) and Tonks go?
a. Auntie Muriel's house

4. At Bill and Fleur's wedding, Harry must disguise himself by taking Polyjuice Potion and takes on the appearance of a redheaded Muggle boy from Ottery St. Catchpol. He was introduced to wedding guests as Cousin . . .
c. Barny

5. Kingsley sends a message via Patronus to warn the Weasleys and wedding guests of the coming Death Eaters. What form does his Patronus take?
B. A lynx

6. In the Half-Blood Prince what drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
d. Gillywater

7. What is the name of the person that heads the Holyhead Harpies?
a. Gwenog Jones

8. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
b. Hippogriff

9. What color robes do the staff at Weasley's shop wear?
b. Magenta

10. Where do Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle live?
d. Devon

Picture Scavenger Hunt- Some of these were not easy to find, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff in particular, so I hope what I did find works.
A Gryffindor Quidditch Uniform
A Hufflepuff Quidditch Uniform
A Ravenclaw Quidditch Uniform
A Slytherin Quidditch Uniform
A Picture of the Room of Requirement

Ravelry

I finally got my Ravelry invite- yay! I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing and haven't had time to figure the site out yet. I did join the Loopy Groopies group already. My user name is PrairieKnitter, should you care to know. If anyone has any advice or suggestions that would rock. I finally got in!!!

Bags and sock yarn collecting

Yesterday I got a phone call from Toni at Madison and Main Gallery in Colorado. She had good news- nearly half of my bags in their Art to Wear exhibit have sold already! The show runs for another three weeks. I'm so excited about selling the bags. She asked if I can send more before the show is over and I'm not sure I can. I have another show on the 19th and 20th that I'm knitting like mad for and if I make bags for the gallery then I won't have much for the show. What to do??? I need more hands...

On to the sock yarn collection. I have a beautiful skein of Wollmeise that joined my collection recently. If it's a collection it's NOT stash! That's my theory anyway. I ordered a skein of Dream in Color last night too. Pics when I have both to show you. Of course the guilty party adding to my collection is none other than the Loopy Ewe. She always tempts me with yarns I've never seen before in incredible colors by indie dyers. I may never use commercial sock yarn again. OK that's not true, I love all sock yarn. Not only is the Loopy Ewe awesome in its fibery goodness, but they absolutely rock in general. By they I mean mostly Sheri, the queen of all things Loopy. Your order comes to you lightning fast, well packaged and often (maybe always) has extra goodies. What could possibly happen to make Sheri even cooler? She loves her customers so much that if you leave comments on her blog she emails you personally commenting on your post! As if she doesn't have about 73 zillion other things to be doing. Those things make me want to come back for more. Not just yarn but the great blog too- it's like she's talking to you about all the parts of her life, even what she's cooking. OK enough about it already, right? I better quit before she thinks I'm a complete weirdo anyway- not that she's likely to ever read it.

I'm way sleepy from last night at work, another one of those nights at the hospital. I'm off to knit more bags...

Found!

The missing library book has been found. One of my twins walked out of my daughters room with it on Friday afternoon. She said she looked in her room- hah!

I think I have everything for both my Hogwarts sock swap, and Hogwarts sock kit swap partners. I have a box going for each of them, adding things as I go.

Knitting? Hmmm, lets see... I finished knitting a bag to be felted last night. I have three bags felted waiting for their finishing touches. I knit a bit over half of the first glove in a pair of fingerless gloves. I need about six more bags finished by somewhere around the 15th of October. I need some other small hand knits done by then too, all for a show.

I know, get off the computer and go knit! I'm going.

Hoping this works

This may be the only thing that will work on me today- a big cafe au lait.

It was such a long night last night at work. Lots of hard patients. Plus I lost my friends grandmothers. It wasn't a surprise we were just waiting for her to go. I always hate when patients die, but somehow this one was a bigger bummer than most. I suppose it's because even though this is a small town I still don't know most people and I knew this one. It was a crazy night on top of that. I came home and passed out at one am, and got back up at five.

About ten minutes before it's time to leave for school my daughter informed me that her library book is due today and she can't find it. Do I know where it is? Nope, never even saw it. Needless to say the book is still MIA.

I am making a bit of progress on all my projects. I finished up a little something extra for one of my Hogwarts sock swap partners yesterday, hopefully I'll finish the something extra for my other partner today. Can't tell you what I made on the off chance that one of them might read this. Their packages keep getting closer to being ready to send off by owl.

I have a show to do on October 19 and 20. I need to get lots more bags made, again. I have three drying right now, but I still need to get another on needles fast. I'd like to have about a dozen new ones to take, along with some smaller knits like baby hats, gloves and things to take as well. Smaller things make better impulse buys. I'm not very successful so far in getting stuff done for this show, but I don't have long at all before it will be here so Hopefully that will get my fingers moving faster.

I need to be thinking about Christmas knitting too. I try to make most of my gifts or at least find something handmade on etsy. We have to support each other you know.

I missed the Loopy Ewe sneak up last night. Bummer. It's not like I'm lacking sock yarn, but I didn't even get to see any of the new stuff and lust after it.

OK- enough rambling...

What happens to things!

I wish I knew where all my stuff disappears to, and who breaks the rest of it for that matter. My little knitting needle sizer thingy that also measures swatches for gauge (yup that's the technical term) went missing for days. Magically it reappeared- broken! I had three row counters. Just the little plastic ones on a plastic loop that keep track of your rows when you turn the dials to change the numbers. Two are gone. Yes, I need them all. I probably need more since I'm always knitting half a dozen things at once! I wish I had them back. Who to blame...the kids, the nice cat- aka the Queen, or the evil kitty Mushu...

Very Bright Socks

OK, after about four days of being sick I'm finally about 2/3 of the way to feeling human again. Yay! I spent yesterday watching football, of course, and knitting. I got some Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome (yep all one word and it's new) in Java from The Loopy Ewe. I decided to design a new sock pattern for it. You can't see it because I'm not done. I'm on try number four- what ever happened to that whole third time's the charm thing? I may have been more successful if I'd been paying closer attention and not cursing football referees...

I do have one project finished! I had some Ginny Weasley yarn from MacKintosh Yarns and then Anna designed a Ginny sock pattern, so the Ginny socks were born. I didn't follow her pattern exactly, but I did take the general idea and turn it into nearly the same socks. They were for my daughter who thinks I have been neglecting her by not knitting her socks. I think they turned out well, and since they're so bright maybe she won't lose them! Here they are modeled by her and her skinny legs and big feet:

Quidditch

For HSKS3 we are playing Quiditch to earn house points- Gryffindor in my case. Part of Quidditch is answering these questions and finding pictures of the characters listed below. So here is my shot at it. Go Gryffindor!

Who is the Hogwarts teacher that Voldermort performed the Avada Kedavra curse on in Deathly Hallows?

a. Mad Eye Moody

b. Charity Burbage

c. Irma Pince

d. Quirenius Quirrell



2. Who replaces the Muggles studies teacher in Deathly Hallows?

a. Charity Burbage

b. Irma Pince

c. Alecto Carrow

d. Dilys Dirwent



3. When Harry meets Mr. Olivander for the first time, which wand law is introduced?

a. Wands cannot be shared

.b. Spells can be worked with any want.

c. The wand chooses the wizard.

d. Only one wand will work properly for a wizard.



4. According to Mr. Ollivander, what is not necessary to take true possession of another wizard's wand?

a. to kill the owner

b. one cannot take possession of another wizard's wand

c. to force the wand away from it's owner

d. to ask the owner politely



5. If you know anything about Harry Potter, you will know that Harry's Patronus is a stag. But what is his best friend Ron Weasley's Patronus?

a. Otter

b. Owl

c. Weasel

d. Jack Russell Terrier



6. Now for the third member of the trio. What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

a. Otter

b. Kneazle
c. Tabby Cat

d. Beaver



7. What did Mrs. Weasley make to eat the first night that Harry arrived at Grimmauld Place?

a. Stew

b. Goulash

c. Roast beef

d. Ham and chicken pie



8. In book 5, at the start of term feast, what is Ron eating when trying to talk to Nearly Headless Nick?

a. Treacle tart

b. Pork chop

c. Roast potato

d. Cottage pie



9. A half-giant called Rubeus Hagrid takes you to Diagon Alley for the first time. To get there, you go into the courtyard of a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. There, Hagrid taps a certain brick on the courtyard wall three times with his pink umbrella, revealing the entrance to Diagon Alley. As he decides which brick to tap, he mutters instructions to himself. What instructions does he mutter?

a. Third brick from the left above the dustbin
b. ‘Three up... two across
c. Three down ... four across
d. Four up ... three across



10. The first place you go in Diagon Alley is Gringotts bank, where you can withdraw money from your vault and Hagrid can withdraw a top-secret package from Vault No. 713 on Dumbledore’s orders. On the second set of doors leading into the bank you notice a poem written. These are the first two lines:Enter, stranger, but take heed of what awaits the sin of greed,What is the next line?

a. For you’ll pay dearly in your turn

b. So if you seek beneath our floors

c. Thief, you are being warned, beware

d. ‘For those who take, but do not earn




Picture Scavenger HuntYou may either post these pictures on your blog OR simply link to them. Rolanda Hooch Firenze Argus Filch Moaning Myrtle Colin Creevey
I linked to the ones I found, on some of the pages you'll have to scroll down a bit.

Hope I got it right, I did fix some of the spelling errors from the original quiz that transfered over when I pasted the quiz to my bolg. You should all be impressed I did this at all because I'm still sick!

I sooo didn't get my wish

I don't know why, maybe the hospital gods are unhappy with me. I got called in to work last night, my night off, 30 minutes before I had to leave to get there on time. So much for my wish. The ambulance didn't behave either like I wanted them to. Another crazy night, weird stuff came in too. Tonight is my night to work again, I'm not going to hope it's better. Maybe if I want it to be worse it will get confused and get better.

Yesterday I had two sick kids. This morning I have three sick kids, a sick husband, and a sick me. I hate summer (ish) colds!

On the bright side the Loopy Ewe did a sneak up yesterday that I managed to catch as it was happening. I actually got to watch all the new yarn come up! I don't need another inch of sock yarn of course, but I broke down when I saw all the Wollmeise. I wanted to see what all the fuss is about since the sock knitting addicts out there can't seem to get enough of it. I tried to buy three different colors before I got one that hadn't sold out already. That stuff must have been flying off the shelves- well you know what I mean! So I can't wait to get it, I hope it's worth the extra $ on the credit card. That's order number three from the Loopy Ewe, so I'm on my way to being a Loopy Groupie! I think it was dangerous for me to find Sheri and her sock knitters heaven...

Very little

I'm pleased to report that it's still cold enough for hand knit socks! For both of my Hogwarts swap partners- your things are coming together nicely and I keep finding more goodies to add.
I ran my butt off at work last night, so today my eyes are burning and I'm tired.
See- very little to say! Here's to not getting called in to work tonight (I hope) the ambulances staying away if I do have to go, and maybe a little knitting time tonight!

Knit Sock Weather

OK, I suppose it feels like fall now. Football season has officially started, it's dark when I get up in the morning (if when I get up counts as morning yet), it was 50 degrees here yesterday and it poured. 50 isn't bad, right? Two days ago it was over 90. The best part of it getting cooler outside is that I can break out my knit socks again. Yesterday and today I put on pairs that hadn't even been worn yet, well except for trying them on. I can't believe I only finished two pairs since last winter! Too many UFO's hanging about my house. So, since I have nothing better to post I will show you my toasty warm feet.

I wore these yesterday. They are just plain stockinette because I was too excited to try the yarn to find the perfect pattern for it. They are knit in Hedwig from Sunshine Yarns, which can of course be found on etsy.com. Note the Harry Potter connection- Hedwig- I really do have a problem...

These lovely socks are keeping my toes warm today, although I will have to take them off to go to work. My feet would get too hot running around in them all night at the hospital, plus I wouldn't want to risk defiling them with blood or other bodily fluids I run into! I don't remember what exact pattern these are, but I know it came from Sensational Knit Socks. It looks nice but they took FOREVER to knit because I got so bored with the pattern. I used Sublime from Fearless Fibers, love the yarn. If you can't figure out where it came from you haven't been paying attention ;)

That's it. I have a pile of stuff to do today, so I'm off to try and get some of it done!

Hogwarts Homework

As you know I have both a Harry Potter problem and a sock knitting problem. So I am in two swaps at the moment involving socks and Harry Potter. Yesterdays post was for one swap today's is for another. I must answer the following questions and let a prefect know when I've done it.



What type of pet do you choose as your companion at Hogwarts?



An owl would be rather useful, but I could always use a school owl... So I think a cat because it would be better company than an owl. A very smart cat like Crookshanks of course.



While shopping in Hogsmeade you stop by Honeydukes for some sweets. What treats do you purchase for yourself?



Their best chocolate, of course! Lots of it so I don't run out before the next Hogsmeade weekend.



A potion you are preparing needs an ingredient available only at muggle shops. You don't want to stand out in your wizards robes, so you resort to traditional muggle clothing. Describe your outfit in detail.



I suppose I would wear something very much like I did before attending Hogwarts, being Muggle born and all. Faded and well worn Levi's 501's, fitted V-neck t-shirt probably black, a pair of Converse All Stars. I might bring a hooded sweatshirt along if it's cold out.



What is your favorite subject to study at Hogwarts and why?



Charms or Transfiguration- both would be fun and terribly useful. I think becoming an animagus would be a great challenge!



Likewise, what subject is your least favorite and why?



I imagine I would have a have a hard time with Divination. Mostly because pleasing Professor Trelawney would be difficult- she would know if I was making it up. Perhaps I would drop it later in my studies!



Back to the potion you were shopping for ingredients for, what type of potion are you making, what color is it, what are the ingredients, and precisely what does the potion do?




An Invisibility potion- since we can't all have cloaks. It is a different color to each person who looks at it. It's silvery for me. Some of the ingredients: chameleon blood, Rowan tree bark, light of the full moon, vanilla extract (from the Muggle shop), jewel beetle wings- I would tell you the rest but it's not perfected yet and I don't want to be responsible for any accidental poisonings. It takes precisely 27 days to make and must be stored in a cobalt blue glass bottle. It gives who ever takes it the ability to blend with their surroundings so perfectly as to become invisible, like a chameleon but better.

Gryffindor Trivia

Well, for HSKS3 the Gryffindor prefect sent us all a crossword puzzle to answer. I emailed my answers to her just like I'm supposed to. In order to complete my homework, I must post what I thought was the most difficult question. If 11 across- which had no clue- doesn't count, then my answer would have to be 5 down. I really had to think about that one, and then I couldn't believe I didn't get it right away! Can't tell what it is or that would give away the answer! The easiest, even though no one asked me, was 9 down because the answer to that question makes EVERYTHING better- LOL.
I've already done a bit of shopping for the person I get to spoil for this swap, but I'm still trying to think of other Harry-ish things to send along by owl post.

They made it!

I just got a call from Madison and Main Gallery saying that my bags made it there just fine. I feel much better now. Plus she said that they were beautiful, professional looking, and she loved them!!! I hope the people who go to the show love them too, I think I would cry if I got them all back because they didn't sell.

I'm getting nothing done today. The only thing on my list that I've managed to do is buy bread. I have loads of knitting of course, need to go to the optometrist and order my new glasses (seeing is a good thing) I have to decide which glasses first and no one will help me out by saying so much as "you look like a total geek in those" so I'm on my own trying on the few pairs I got to take home and "test drive" while not being able to really see because I don't have my glasses on. OK, so I'm a little frustrated about that... Plus today is the day my sons stitches come out and he HATES the doctor more than anything else in the world. The appointment is late in the afternoon so it doesn't conflict with my daughter getting out of school, so they will be behind and I hope I don't get out too late to make it to work on time. Work- today is Friday and the ER is always so crazy on Friday night, full of people doing dumb things. At least the craziness will make the night go faster!

OK- rant over. Sorry about that!

HSKS 3 Questions

I got my first email from the person who has me for the swap, and have emailed back and forth with my person as well. The person who got me had a list of questions for me, and then these questions got posted on the blog. I'll just answer both!

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?



Gryffindor


2. List your favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Or would you prefer circulars?



Brittany, Takumi bamboo, Comfort Zone- all dpns. I generally use the 6 or 7 inch ones and knit with size 1 or 2, although I have needed to go up to 3 before.


3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?



Sure, I'm sure there are lots I've never tried or heard of!


4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?



Just ignore that one since I'm Gryffindor!





5. Do you have any allergies?



Not to pets or fiber, but I break out from a lot of lotions, soaps, candles, and other things that smell.



6. If you are swapping scarves - what is your desired length for the pattern? This will help your partner find the pattern that is just right for you and buy yarn accordingly.



Socks for me!


I think everyone in on the swap is really excited about it judging by the blog posts, so this should be lots of fun. Gryffindor has won the House Cup the last two "years" so all of us first year Gryffindors have a lot to live up to! I hope I'm good at Quidditch...


Other than swaps what am I up to? I have the toe to finish on the first Burrow sock, I've done the cuff and a bit of the leg on the Hermione socks and I have the first Ginny sock nearly done too. Right now I have sock knitting ADD, so many new yarns and pattern ideas. I'm going to have to finish a few pairs because I'm using all my dpns now! I really should get to working on more bags for the show I have in October. I think I got a bit burned out on them trying to get all those gallery bags done. Which reminds me I need to be sure they made it there alright!

Here's your chance

Now is your last chance to join Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 3. The sign ups will close today or tomorrow. It's going to be lots of fun, you get to make up a sock knitting kit for your partner. yarn, markers, needles, etc- plus you get one back in return. So get on over there Potter fans and sign up for the sock lovin'.

Bring on the FO's!

I am finally totally finished with all of the gallery bags! I took photos of all but two of them since I promised I would post them before I sent all of the bags off. The bags are getting priced, tagged, and shipped today! Here they are:

That black one has needle felted swirls on it and some fun handles, the gray one has lots of cables and bobbles, and the green one has all those flowers, leaves and vines attatched to it after felting- they go all the way around the bag. My fingers suffered greatly due to the needle felting, I may be too clumsy to realy be allowed to use them!

The brown bag up there has a wet and needle felted covered button attatched that I made. The red one has a black needle felted star on one side.

Some of these guys you have seen before, the purple one with the flowers and the navy one with the white embroidered stars. That big purple on with the fabric covered button was knit out of yarn that I spun myself! The flower on the stripey bag is held on with a pin back and can be removed and worn.

I spent the weekend finishing those guys up. Almost all of them have inside pockets, and the ones that needed it have magnetic snap closures. Now to get them ready to go... If anyone is interested they will be at:

Madison and Main Gallery

927 16th Street (right by UNC)

Greeley, CO

The Art to Wear show starts on September 4th and runs through October 26th.

Other knitting news- the Hufflepuff socks are finished! I can't show photos because that would ruin my pals surprise. I'm still waiting on some things for her package to get here- from Australia. I hope she likes everything.

I restarted knitting The Burrow socks now that the others are finished. I didn't get very far due to a trip to the ER with my son. The one who never gets hurt split his forehead open on his twin brothers head. It was quite the crash. Usually it's the other one who gets hurt- staples in his head three times. So the one who got hurt last night got three sutures after having to have anesthesia to calm him down enough to let anyone touch him. He HATES the doctor! I do so love going to work on my night off!

OMG- there I am!

So I've been keeping my eye out all week- well all three days of it so far anyway- and today is the day I made it on the Lime & Violet blog! Whoever the generous person is who wrote about me had some really great things to say about my etsy shop. I'm way excited- in case you had no idea. To the folks at Lime & Violet... Thank you, thank you!

If you are wondering what I'm so happy about go on over and check it out. Every day there is a new Etsy shop of the day not to mention shout outs and reviews for all things fibery and good. I've already seen lots of other peoples work that I now have a desperate need of. Like the Yarn Pirate yarn and the Wildhorse Designs sock patterns that I read about today.

I should really be getting something done- like knitting- but I had to tell everyone ( or perhaps no one) who reads this all about it. Yay!

Six Degrees of Draco Malfoy ans A Tough Decision

A challenge issued by a prefect for Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 - a character must be traced back to Draco Malfoy in six steps. The character must be picked from a list provided by the prefect. So here is mine:
1-Arabella Figg
2-neighbor of Harry Potter who is the
3-best friend of Ron Weasley
4-Rons father is Arthur Weasley
5-who despises Lucius Malfoy
6-who is Dracos father
Hopefully it will win some points for Ravenclaw!

Oh- and to my swap partner: never fear I have stared the second sock. You shall not have one cold foot after all!

The tough decision? Which sock yarn club to join. A Harry Potter book cover art inspired club 7 skeins, one a month plus a book inspired pattern. Or another awesome club done by one of my favorite etsy sellers- five skeins of yarn, one skein plus a pattern and a few goodies every other month. I can't do both and I'm in love with both peoples yarns! If I wait too long to decide I'll miss out in them entirely. What to do... Suggestions welcome;)

Socks and socks

After talking about Lime & Violet yesterday, I thought I would post a photo of a completed Jaywalker done in Lime & Violet yarn. So here you go:


I won't show much so I don't spoil the surprise entirely, but here is a small peek at the finished sock for my Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 partner:

To top it all off- I have finished knitting the gallery bags!!! Some still need to be felted/fulled, some just need finishing touches, and five are totally ready to go. Pictures to come when they are all complete.

OMG- Lime and Violet!!!

OK, I checked my email this morning and had an Etsy conversation from someone who writes on Lime & Violets blog. For those of you who have not experienced Lime & Violets awesome fibery goodness- otherwise known as sock yarn- you must check it out. It can be a bit hard to get your hands on, but it's well worth it. Anyway! They have chosen my etsy shop to be featured as an Etsy site of the day on their blog- Lime & Violets Daily Chum!!! Sometime this week I'll be there with lots of other Etsy sellers, some rather good company I must say as Etsy people rock! I don't know why they picked me, but I'm really happy about it- thanks!!!

I have a photo of a Jaywalker work in progress on here a few posts back that is knit with Lime & Violet yarn should you care to see it.

Otherwise...I have finished the first sock for my Hufflepuff sock swap partner. All of the first one- third time's the charm I guess. Hopefully my Hufflepuff pal will like them when I'm done! Besides that I have made lots of progress in the bags for the gallery department. Only two left to knit (one is half done) a handfull to felt, several need finishing touches. That may not sound like progress, but trust me it is. However, my needles are calling my name and I really must knit- which I can do while watching football today, yay!

Another Hogwarts Sock Swap

I can't seem to help myself, I've joined another Hogwarts swap! This one is the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 3. It should be a really fun swap. We get to put together sock knitting kits for our partners in their house colors- bag, yarn, needles, markers, pattern, etc. It's always great to see what other people come up with. The sign ups close when 100 people have joined or on August 29th, whichever comes first. Get yourself over there and sign up now- it's easy! I got sorted into Gryffindor for this swap- the house I belong in must depend on the day!

I'm supposed to earn five points for Gryffindor if I put the button for the swap on my blog. I have yet to figure out how in the world to do that but I'll see what I can do. If nothing else here's the picture of what the button looks like:

What I'm up to

No pictures or anything so probably a boring post. Been knitting bags like mad for a gallery show, I have four completely finished, five in various stages of progress, so three more still to start and finish up. I need to have tweleve shipped and to the gallery by September first. My hands are hurting and I should probably take a break but if I do I'll never finish in time.

My Hufflepuff socks for the Hogwarts Sock Swap Two ran into a minor snag- at the hands of a four year old- but I do have the leg totally finished on the first one now. If no one decides to help me unknit them again they should be done in plenty of time.

Hmmm... I have another show in the middle of October that my bags tend to do well at, so I have more to knit when I finish the gallery ones. Then a show at the begining of December, and I'm hoping my etsy shop will pick up again in the fall. Christmas shoppers should be about soon. Which reminds me of all the knitting I should do for Christmas- aack!

It's not my fault!

I swear it's not my fault I have such a sock yarn addiction. I could blame it on loads of things, my love of knitting socks for example. Right now I am going to place the blame squarely on one persons shoulders- Liz! She keeps making all this great yarn and selling it. She's a yarn dealer! I can call her that because she threatened to send me to Knitters Anonymous.
Isn't the yarn awesome? The colors are Ginny (as in Weasley) and Half Blood Prince (Harry Potter). I love them. I currently have so much sock yarn I could keep my fingers busy for a year. I'm going to have to try and control myself or I will have spent all my pennies on sock yarn. I don't think we can live in the sock yarn... So help me out and buy her yarn up before I do!

Awesome new bag

I had a box waiting for me on my front steps today, and check out what was inside:

Yep, that's one awesome bag alright. I traded some alpaca lace weight yarn for this great little piece of work made by Cam. She is just as great as her work- and this girl has some mad fiber skills. You can get your hands on some of her work at her Etsy shop.
Better be quick about it though. She only has a few left and you wouldn't want to let someone else carry their stuff around in a bag like this when you can't, would you?

Oh, and what have I been knitting today? I have two bags on needles and in progress, and I fulled/felted another two this afternoon. Might make that September 1st deadline after all!
We just won't talk about all the socks hanging around on needles waiting to be finished, it would just make them feel bad.

Random Knitting Stuff

I've been trying to do loads of things at once. I have at least five projects on needles at the moment. He's a bit of what I'm doing and a bit of what I've done.

The sock you see up there is for my Hogwarts sock swap 2 partner. Since you can't really tell what's happening with the pattern I decided it was safe to post pics without totally ruining the surprise! I'm making up my own pattern for these so I really hope they end up great.

That starry bag is one I'm doing for the gallery show. It's Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Bulky with some embroidery done in alpaca lace weight yarn. I think I'm done with it now. What do you all think, does it need something?

Must go be mom now and then get to work on more bags...

Socks in progress

The socks I've been working on instead of all those bags I need to get made. I have two bags done and two in progress, so I'm not totally slacking off.
All I have left is the toe on the first sock that I'm knitting in the Jaywalker pattern. The yarn is from http://limenviolet.com I got it when she still had her shop going on Etsy.

And the requested pic of a work in progress. This is the Burrow yarn that I mentioned before, I'm loving it. I couldn't find or decide on a pattern for it- nothing seemed to fit what I think of as a Weasley worthy or Burrow-like sock. So I did what I tend to do most of the time- I designed my own. I'm working the specifics out as I go. What you see above is actually the back of the sock, the cable and twisted stitch pattern will end and those stitches will become the heel flap. I don't know what heel pattern I'll do, the slip 1 K1 standby or some variation I come up with. I think a tiny cable on each side of the heel would be great but I haven't worked that out yet. I guess I'll know how it will turn out once I've finshed it, won't I?

My Sock Yarn Problem

I have a terrible sock yarn addiction. I have lots of wonderful sock yarn, enough for countless pairs of socks. I keep buying more! Here is what came in the mail yesterday:

The name of this yarn is Hagrid. I know, more Harry yarn, more Hagrid yarn. But I really love Hagrid. This yarn and its colors remind me of Hagrids giant coat of many pockets full of who knows what. Or of escaping down to have tea in his hut and enjoying his treacle fudge (I have no idea what that actually is) and enjoying the view of his great big pumpkin patch. Is that going too far??? Contributing to my yarn addiction is once again, http://knittinghawkeye.etsy.com. She rocks and so does her yarn. She wants pics of finished objects- I better get knitting! You all must visit her shop and pick up some of her yarn, otherwise I will continue to buy it. I need saving from myself!

Loads of Fabulous Sock Yarn

I promised pictures of all my new hand dyed sock yarn when I got it, here it all is:

All of this fabulous yarn came from http://shelbyB.etsy.com. Shelby is so nice and so talented. The colors are: Remus Lupin, The Night Bus, Albus Dumbledore, and Hagrid. I even have more of her yarn coming to me!

This yarn came from http://knittinghawkeye.etsy.com. It's called The Burrow, after the Weasleys house in Harry Potter. Yes, I do have a Harry Potter problem. More of her yarn is on its way to me too.

This Hufflepuff stripe yarn was dyed by http://dharmafey.etsy.com. It's perfect colors and will be greatfor knitting up socks for my Hogwarts Sock Swap partner. http://hogwarts-sock-swap-two.blogspot.com/ .

So much to do...

I waited to do any of it until I had finished reading Harrry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I finished last night- I know how did it take me so long? Life was calling, I couldn't just sit and read. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the book. It was good, a bit slow at times. The ending was predictable, although the way you get there is not. There are a few little twists I wasn't expecting. I got my wish and Harry and Hagrid are still alive. She killed off so many characters though. One of the Weasley twins, Lupin, Tonks, Hedwig!?!? I'll have to read it over of course, but not for a bit.

I have 10 to 12 felted bags to make for an upcoming gallery show. I really must get started on them. As soon as I get my Hufflepuff yarn I have socks to knit up for my Hogwarst Sock Swap 2 partner. I have six skeins of hand painted sock yarn calling my name, with three more on the way. Sock yarn is such an addiction! My Etsy shop is feeling a bit neglected, it would love to have some new things in it. Plus I have another show in October that I really need to make things for since I usually do pretty well at it. Christmas! I don't want to think about the knitting I must do for gifts...

A Hufflepuff Partner

I finally found out who my partner will be for Hogwarts Sock Swap Two. She is a Huflepuff, I hope she doesn't mind being paired up with a Ravenclaw too much. I may be a bit eager in my gathering of supplies. This morning I found needles and stitch markers for my partner and yarn to knit her socks with. All of them should be ariving soon. If only I had a wand and could summon it all here now...



I've been trying to re-read all the HP books before the last one comes out. I'm a bit over half through with Order of the Phoenix and still need to read Half Blood Prince. Lots to do, but I don't want to have forgotten something important that I will need to remember for the last book. I really hope Harry doesn't die, or Hagrid because he's my favorite.

Better be... Gryffindor!

The Gryffindor socks are finished! These were a special order for a customer. They were lots of fun to knit and I think they turned out great. I might even knit up a pair for myself.

I'm patiently, well maybe not patiently waiting to discover who my swap partner will be for the Hogwarts Sock Swap 2. I keep checking out the blog for the first swap and drooling over the socks that owls are delivering all over the world. Who would have thought that making socks for a total stranger would have me so excited? Sock knitting and Harry Potter combined- two addictions in one I suppose.

I have lots of new hand dyed sock yarns on their way to me, pictures as soon as they arrive.

The Jaywalkers are coming along quite nicely, the yarn I'm using is great with the pattern. Can't wait to wear them. Seems as though I've been on a bit of a sock knitting kick lately. I'll never get anything else done this way...

Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 has started!

I'm so excited to be a part of the second swap- I missed the first one. Can't wait to find out about my sock pal. http://hogwarts-sock-swap-two.blogspot.com/ Sign ups started today, so if you want in you better get sorted and join quick!

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Ravenclaw!

Shoe size?
8 1/2

Foot Length?
9 1/4"

Foot Circumference?
9 1/4"

List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
a. Comfort Zone- They're fairly new from Knitting-on the-Go and they are absolutely brilliant!
b. Clover Takumi Bamboo
c. Brittany Birch
Size and length- 1, 2, or 3 and about 7" are my favorites

Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Sure, I'm up for giving something new a try. I really don't like aluminum/metal ones though- always drop my stitches.

If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
I would really love to have book colors, but I wouldn't send the owl back if the socks were movie colors!

Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
No allergies to pets or smoke, but I can't handle perfumes and the like.
My knitting won't be around smoke of any sort. I have two short haired cats who generally don't concern themselves with my knitting. That would cut into their sleeping time!

Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
I'm in the US. An international pal would be fun!

Let the sock knitting begin!

More socks

Started on a new pair of socks yesterday after I finished the baby ballet sweater. I thought I would try the Jaywalkers pattern from magknits to see what all the fuss is about. So far, about half done with the leg on the first sock, I like knitting them. The pattern in interesting to knit but easy to remember.

Finished My Hedwig Socks- Yay!

I've finally finished my Hedwig socks! If only it wasn't 100 degrees out. I used a really simple pattern, mostly because when the yarn arrived I didn't want to take the time to find a certain pattern I just wanted to get the yarn onto needles. I got this yarn from http://sunshineyarns.etsy.com/

she hand painted it with colors that reminded her of Hedwig, Harry potters owl. I absolutely love the yarn. Now I will have something to wear when I go see the new movie and read the last book.

Six months to Christmas- ack!

My mom informed me yesterday that it is six months until Christmas. Gotta love the little panic that sets in at the thought. It also makes me wonder why there are Christmas in July sales when half way to Christmas is in June. It reminded me of all the things I must get done before then. All the birthdays in my family fall between September and February, so I call it birthday season. I need to get knitting. First I have to decide what to make everyone...

I have too many UFOs in my studio. Two thirds of a pair of socks, about half of a baby sweater, one half of a pair of slippers, and a cardi-wrap I'm doing as a trade with an artist I've worked with before. Suppose I should step away from the computer and get to work.

I have to read the first six Harry Potter books over again before number seven comes out too.

Bag in limbo

I finished this bag the other day. I really like it and can't decide if I should keep it or sell it in my Etsy shophttp://loveyourbagdesigns.etsy.com. I don't usually carry a bag this size because I don't take much with me when I leave the house. Unless it's knitting of course.

I finished one Hedwig sock and started the other last night. I've found if you don't start the second sock immediately upon finishing the first you may never get the pair done. What good is one handknitted sock? I have more handpained sock yarn on its way to me, so I really must get some socks finished. I'll have loads of awesome socks to keep my toes warm this winter. It's hard to think about cold toes when it's 95 degrees out...

I plan on wearing my Hedwig socks to see the latest Harry Potter film when it comes out. The yarn is handpainted with colors that resemble hers. It can be ordered from http://sunshineyarns.etsy.com/ It's really lovely. I'll post photos of the socks when they're complete. I need to get busy re-reading all the Harry Potter books in anticipation of the last book:( being released next month.

Hello to whoever might see this

Hi all! Thought I could actually do something with my blog- like post on it. Never done this before, so hang with me and try not to get too bored! When I actually have something to write about I'll be back. Until then...