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.