Rena's Room

DRT

2008-08-01T17:12:00.002-04:00

I am so excited it is time again!!!!!

The Dress

2008-06-17T22:30:00.002-04:00

I could tell a long convoluted story about the dress but I will simply tell you I have been working on it for quite some time and I am happy to say it is finally done!
Happy happy joy joy happy happy joy!!!!!

Wee Tiny Sock Swap

2008-04-03T22:16:00.002-04:00

Yeehaa!!!!!!
I have a new wee tiny sock for my blocker.
The new tiny sock is so fun and far more fancier than any I have had on my blocker. The two colors of yarn accent each other very nicely. My tiny sock sender Carrie is a fabulous knitter and she even kitchenered the end of the tiny sock. I didn't even have a darning needle small enough to kitchener with let alone the brain power to think of kitchenering the end.
Thanks again Carrie. Also a big thanks to Emily for putting together another great knitting activity
I hope everyone has a great weekend enjoy your knitting!!!!

Quit Complaining

2008-03-24T21:21:00.002-04:00

Hey I made it here twice in one month.
So yesterday morning after worshiping in the land of the sheets and the holy bedposts, I was watching CBS Sunday Morning. I really do enjoy watching that program. I now even set my alarm on sunday so I can get up to watch it. Previously I wouldn't get up early on Sunday at all since it is proclaimed as the day of rest that is what I do on Sunday, I rest. Not any more now I get up an watch my TV show.
This week there was an excerpt on this church that started a quit complaining project. It was really quite amusing you can read more about it:here
BILL GEIST: Complaint-Free Living
This is a story you definitely can’t complain about. Rev. Will Bowen has created a program to help people stop complaining. It involves wearing a purple rubber bracelet around your wrist. So far, he’s distributed nearly five million of these purple bracelets from the basement of his Kansas City church. It’s all part of his campaign to create a complaint-free world. Bill Geist has no complaints when he visits the church where the 11th commandment might just be “Thou shalt not whine.”
For more information on a complaint free world:
www.acomplaintfreeworld.org
For bracelets/merchandise: www.complaintfreeworld.biz
Hence the title for the blog entry today, and if I ever stop whining I will let you know, it hasn't happened yet.

As for my knitting, I attempted Lace last night. Yeah Right who thought that would be fun, it was more like misery, split stitches and 4 letter words not my idea of a good time. So I threw it in the bag and hid it so I wouldn't keep swearing because just looking at it made me want to throw up.
On happier knitting news, I finished the chef's clogs they are drying right now . It is a loverly pattern that I got at City Knitting called knitted and felted loafer. They are great house shoes!!! Love that Lorilee she is a knitting wizard.!!!!

Well peeps I gotta run the Chef is pretending he is a plumber today and installing our new reverse osmosis water filter thingy I had to have from Lowes today. I haven't heard one four letter word yet, that makes it kinda scary. I better go check and make sure he is still here.
LOL!!!!!

Oh, one more knitting thing I am doing is the Wee Tiny Sock Swap 2008. It will be loads of fun check it out sign up if you want to I think it will be fun.

Happy Knitting

Where Did I go?!?!???!

2008-03-07T22:51:00.002-05:00

I can't tell you because I don't know where I went. AWOL apparently.
I did this quiz whatcha think? Like hitting the nail right on the head.!!!!!!!!!!!
All of you should try it it was fun. I promise I will keep up on my blog at least every other week. I really promise okay. Talk to you all soon.

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Shetland Wool. You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a little on the harsh side. Though you look delicate you are tough as nails and prone to intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are widely respected and even revered.
Take this quiz!

Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

2007-12-06T22:50:00.000-05:00

If you read the last post about 230lbs of gingerbread you would be looking forward to seeing what that looks like so I have some photos for you:

My husband "the chef" was back at it again this year. This is the fruit of our labors of making the gingerbread. All 230lbs was strategically air nailed to the wooden substructure.

This is the front of the house early stage before the finishing frosting to patch the seams was placed.

Back view, again before cosmetic touches.

Now all the seams have been filled with frosting to make the siding complete. The glue holds all the gingerbread siding to the house. The roof and sides were then coated completely with white frosting.

The tradition holds that once the house is built all the kids from the country club(where the chef works) come in one night and decorate it and have a party. So, after the chef and I spent about 6 hours making the 230lbs of siding, he spent approx 2.5 hours assembling the house. We also spent about and hour in the supermarket getting candy from the bulk bins for the kids to use to decorate the house. People were looking at us as if we were crazy when we were filling the shopping cart with bags of bulk candy. I said "chef" what kind of candy do you want me to scoop. "Anything without nuts for the allergic kids and anything that will stick to frosting not in wrappers" replied "the chef". We nearly cleaned out the bulk aisle at our supermarket buying gum drops, mike &ike's, good&plentys, gummie bears worms, jelly beans, and choclate candies of all varieties. We bought almost 100lbs of candy. The cashier was giving us "the look" wondering why we would be buying so much candy she must have thought us to be lunatics.

Okay, so you might be wondering how this works. Well the maintenance crew sets up the "magical rug" and the "picket fence " for the house. Chef puts the house inside the fence where it begins looking plain, calm and serene.
THEN......
Add about 150 wild kids from 2-11 years old, taking turns going inside the fenced area picking up candy and decorating the outside of the house.

WHEN ITS ALL SAID AND DONE HERE IS THE FINAL PRODUCT

:)

Here is the front entrance. Look at the beautiful entrance, please advert your eyes from the candy that has made it on the floor and began to be ground into the "magical rug".

Another view of the "messterpeice" oops I mean Masterpeice :)

A final view. Yes, those are hand marks in the frosting on the side of the house. Can you imagine the sugar buzz those kids were on when they went home. Looks like some of the candy made it on the house, a lot made it on the floor, and I am sure some of the candy for decoration made it in their mouths.

The house will stay on display for less than 72hours. The house will then be transported outside, powerwashed, and siding will be removed. The picket fence will come down and the "magical rug" will find it's way to the dumpster. The house substructure will be packed away until time for next years remodeling and redecoration.

The fact that I don't have to clean up the mess after the fact

PRICELESS.

Now you know what i have done this week you can see why I haven't accomplished very much knitting. Hopefully next week will produce some knitting finished object photos.

I hope you enjoyed the gingerbread house story.
Merry Christmas

Run, run, as fast as you can...You can't catch me.........I am the gingerbreadWOMAN!!!!

Yikes, Where does time go?

2007-12-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that time goes so fast. I swear it was just July. Well I am fighting the sinus junk this week. Booo Hiss!!!!!!!! I have been doing some knitting but don't have any pictures to show for it! Among other things, I have finished a baby gift for a friend, a few dishcloths, and a new bathroom rug that is super soft. Today, I helped "the chef" aka:my husband make enough gingerbread to cover the worlds largest gingerbread house. We made 230 lbs of gingerbread. No your eyes aren't playing tricks on you that really says 230lbs that is more than a grown man. I don't care if I ever see gingerbread ever again.
Tomorrow "the chef" will take the 40 plus sheet trays of gingerbread "siding" and screw them on the gingerbread house frame and all the kids at the country club will get to decorate it. They do this every year and this year I was elected to help make the gingerbread siding. What a zoo, at least I don't have to be there when there are 100 kids frosting and glueing candy to the house in between shoving candy and frosting in their mouths. I am so sorry I will have to miss that darn :) Too bad "the chef" will have to endure it all. Anyways, I leave you with thoughts of the chaos that will ensue tomorrow at mission gingerbread house build.......(evil laughter).

Thank You

2007-11-12T23:02:00.000-05:00

Last year on this day someone asked me if I liked the way I live my life. A puzzling question at first by my answer was "Yes, definitely! "Well then, today you should thank a Veteran."
Humbling words that were so true.

Thanks to all the Veterans that have enabled me to live my life of freedom.
Especially to this one:

Thanks Pops!!! Love you!!!

I was spoiled!!!!!!!

2007-11-12T21:54:00.001-05:00

Yipeeeee!!!!!!!!! My Fall into Autumn Goodies arrived from my spoiler Charity.

Look at all of this amazing stuff!!!!!!
Thank you so much!!!!

Here are some closer pictures with subtitles:

A new calendar I can put pictures in, a tape measure(she must have known I would need one for the new house), some yummy smelling candles, and some yummy smelling soap, some handy stitch markers and a fight breast cancer bracelet.

Some eddible yummies. There were more but I have eaten a few already :)

The hand made gifts in all their glory.

Some superb stitch markers hand made especially for me by Charity.
Sorry the flash is so bright, those are shell and they are much cooler than in the pic. Perhaps I should learn how to properly use my camera, however, that would involve reading the novel of instructions that came with it BORING!!!!! I would rather watch paint dry. Some day I will figure out how to use this camera!!!!

Yarn Porn!!!!! Really neat fall colors of dishcloths will be made with this.

Halloween Goodies, that is a pumpkin dishcloth, again proper camera use would have been helpful the picture is even sideways. Yikes, my brain is melting!!! It just is "tricked" by technology sometimes :) LOL!!!!!

Charity, you are great. Thanks so much for the package, I am sorry if my moving stressed you about the arrival. It came on the perfect day. Thanks so much I can't wait to get to chat more now that we don't have to have secret identities.
Another great swapper!!!!!!!!

Fall Into Autumn TOW #6

2007-10-15T22:14:00.000-04:00

Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah?
I dare say that I really don't fit into either category. I love Fall, I can say that much. When I was a kid I loved to rake leaves into a pile and then jump in. I love the smell of leaves. I really don't decorate for the fall or bake fall goodies so I can't say that I am in that category. However, I don't sit and count the days til holidays but I love it when the holidays arrive also. I guees I just don't fit into either group perfectly. However, a cool fall day is the perfect time of year for an afternoon nap. Okay, bad answer to the question but that is how it goes some time.
Happy Knitting

Fall Into Autumn TOW #5

2007-10-10T21:27:00.000-04:00

The topic of the week asks about the needle part of our stash.
Well I don't have pictures, but I can make a list of them for you all to see.
I have KnitPick Options series sizes 4-11 with 4 different cables and a case
that holds them all in pockets.
I have a home made needle holder courtesy of Ally B that she made for me.
It is awesome to have such a crafty mom. In the holder I have:
Size 7 bamboo straights. Size 8 bamboo straights (special hand painted ends)
Bamboo DPNs: set of five in size 7 , 10.5, 15 and set of 2 of size 11
Bamboo Circs: size 13 and size 15
Addi Turbo Metal 24" : size 10.5, & 15
Set of purple and green plastic stitch markers
Set of handmade beaded stitch markers
2 darning needles
I think that rounds out my stash. It is so hard to believe that I have such a collection and I have only been knitting just over a year. I love knitting and I love my needle stash. Thanks for asking me about it.

How about you? Do you have an assortment like me or do you just use one type of needle and why do you prefer that type of needle. Perhaps I will hear from you soon if there is anyone out there that is.

Fall into Autumn TOW#4

2007-10-03T12:01:00.000-04:00

How about you? Are there any recipes you especially enjoy having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially enjoy? As Fall arrives, I tend to turn more to slow foods. I don't mind having the stove or oven on when it finally cools off so I enjoy making more things that can roast or bake in the oven. I don't have a favorite meal specifically but I do enjoy making a homemade lasagna recipe that I got out of the Everyday Food magazine by Martha Stewart. It is fairly easy, and you get a warm homemade lasagna with sausage and homemade tomato sauce. If you want more details on the recipe just let me know. I hope you are all well and knitting like crazy :)

Updates

2007-09-28T22:02:00.000-04:00

Here are some updates on my other activities than the Fall into autumn swap:

YAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Well I must say that dish rag tag was so much fun!!!!! I was lucky enough to be able to participate and it was amazing. There was so much anticipation and stalking the tracking numbers of the USPS. The universe was watching out for my teams box because it was lucky enough to be the first box in the mailbox at Emily's house and 2 other boxes arrived on the same day. Check out more pictures at Emily's blog.

This is my certificate and my awesome second place prize :) I love prizes!!!!!!!!!

Here's the close up #8 needles perfect size for dishcloths. The ends are hand painted, I absolutely love them. Emily was a great hostess and this was an amazing competition.

I also got a prize from my team captain Katrina. I barely got my dishcloth out withing 48 hours but she still sent me a sweet prize. I got some wonderful yarn in my favorite colors for more dishcloths!!!!! I am convinced that you can never have too much cotton in your stash!!!! Also some amazing yellow/purple superwash wool fingering weight yarn. I am not sure what to do with this yet. Any suggestions??? Anybody???? I am open to ideas, take it easy on me though I am still learning. Check it out below..... was I upside down when I took this picture??? Sometimes I forget to use my camera skills, oh wait I don't have camera skills :)

And, I had my first wedding anniversary with my sweetie. We went to Traverse City Michigan. It was a lovely time and it is one of my favorite places to visit. There are some amazing wineries and restraunts. Our favorite Stella, it is an amazing little place, they change their menu frequently and mainly they use ingredients from local farmers and producers. It was a really great vacation and hopefully I will have some time later to post pics of that.

Don't forget the ideas for the fingering weight yarn :) Thanks for your help!!!!

Fall Into Autumn TOW #3

2007-09-28T17:17:00.000-04:00

Autumn has now officially begun here in the States!! What is your favorite thing about Autumn/Fall? Why?

Now that autumn is officially here, my favorite part is the warm days and cool nights. It just can't get much better. I guess I really also like that the leaves change colors I think it is so neat to watch the trees change. However, we aren't having a lot of leaves changing yet but the best is yet to come I am sure of it. Happy fall.

Fall Into Autumn TOW #2

2007-09-19T23:12:00.000-04:00

Wow, I am glad I am busy with my work now but it is preventing me from frequent blog posts!
Well I am at least making time for topics of the week so here is #2

When I knit dishclothes, washclothes or face clothes, I typically use 7-9 circular metal Knitpick. I love my Knitpicks. They have come out with these super neat colored bamboo needles called Harmony. They look much more impressive in person I believe. My mom just got some in the mail and they are definitely awesome. I really like the Knitpicks because the interchangeable cords give you lots of options hence their name Knitpick options :) Typically for cloths I use Sugar N Cream. It is reasonably priced they make some neat color combos, and I definitely love their new self striping colors. They are so fun. I have heard Peaches and Creme is nice to I haven't ever tried it but I would like to. I like to try all different kinds of cotton.

Now slightly off topic. Mom got a Ravelry, First I am not sure what that really entails but she is very excited. I hope I can pull her away from the computer long enough to have our saturday morning farmers market trip and breakfast date. Perhaps I am considering this her notice that she will have to come out of her Ravelry world and back into the real world :) Happy for you Mom.

Also, Hey to all my pals on my Team XDR we got second place and believe me when I finally get a second I am going to post my pics of my prizes and a great prize I got from our Captain Katrina. She truly went above and beyond and was an awesome captain, and I am glad she has returned to the blog world.

Okay, now it is clearly past my bedtime, 530 am will come far too early tomorrow morning.

Topic of the Week

2007-09-12T23:24:00.000-04:00

Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?
I love that the weather is turning cooler and I have been thinking do I change my yarn? I think it is possible that I might use more wools during the cooler months. I looked back and realized that my summer has consisted of a lot of cotton. I guess until this question was posed I never really thought of my unconcious choice of yarn. I am sure it is a temperature thing when it is hot outside I don't want some heavy woolly thing hanging around my arms and hands.
So much to blog about so little time. Until later enjoy knitting.

Fall into Autumn Questionaire

2007-09-03T20:20:00.000-04:00

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?
I knit, I have tried to crochet and I am not compatible. I have been knitting almost a year I started October 2006.
2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?
Yes, I have knitted a few dishcloths in my short time of knitting. I think they are fun:) I do use them and give them as gifts. I have found that it extremely fun to give them as gifts to those who truly appreciate them.
3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ?I enjoy using sugar and cream brand it is really the only cotton that I can typically find on a regular basis here. I have seen peaches and cream on the internet and have thought of trying that brand to see if it is any different.
4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?
I have found that I prefer to use circular needles of the metal variety. I don't mind using straight needles but I have a set of knit picks that I really enjoy they are metal. I have sizes 4-11 that I got for a gift for my birthday last year. My mother was so thoughtful to get me such a great gift.
5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much?
I don't have one favorite color. I enjoy most colors except for Neon colors. I enjoy earth tones and jewel tones. I am not fond of a lot of orange, I like it but not a lot of it.
6. What do you like best about Autumn?
Cool Nights. I love it when the color of the leaves change. It usually means that you can wear jeans again which makes me happy too.
7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!
Yummy Pie!!!!!! Apple and Pumpkin!!! However, I think I enjoy apple slightly more. I love peach pie too but that is more of a summer pie.
8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?
I think I was the one that couldn't wait to get started. I remember that summer felt like it lasted forever when I was a kid and that school would never start again. But I am sure I overslept the second day :)
9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)
I love Halloween candy, but that is about the extent of it. I usually don't put out any decorations or anything like that. Did I mention that I love Halloween candy.
10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?
Oh who makes up these questions. Only 3 edible goodies, can someone choose only 3. Okay, really I will try, Cashews, Cheese, Chocolate.
11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)
Pet=Kid1 dog Winston(maltese shih-tzu), Husband="The Chef" busy all the time.
12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?
WHAT??? I'll have to get back to you on this one.
13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?
I use some for dishcloths and some for facecloths
14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)
THANKSGIVING!!!!!! Did someone say gravy? I love turkey stuffing potatoes and GRAVY!!! Homemade gravy is way better if it is available. Of course, it is great because it is time spent with family and you get to eat really good food.
15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about?
I am allergic to mold, last time I checked that didn't play a big role in knitting though :)

Happy Labor Day!

2007-09-03T20:11:00.000-04:00

Hi, I hope you all are enjoying your holiday. It has been a beautiful holiday weekend in MI and I could think of way better ways to spend it rather than being sick. I haven't even had enough energy to do any knitting this weekend which makes me sad:( You will find no pictures of knitting this time. Dish rag tag is nearing its final stage, Our box is on its way to Emily fingers crossed that ours gets there first so we win :) Go box XDR!!! It was very fun and I hope there is dish rag tag 2 I guess I will have to wait and see. Have a good week everyone!

PIF Exchange Update

2007-08-26T23:33:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody, thanks for visiting me! This is just a quick update on my PIF exchange. Maria M is participating by having me donate her gift to my local womans shelter, Cecily is participating as well, and thirdly is Lesley D. I am so glad that you all want to participate and I will be thinking of what wonderful things I can make to send your way. Thanks to Ally B for sending people my way as I try and get my new blog out on the "market" for visitors. It has been a busy weekend, shopping at the LYS on Saturday after a trip to the local farmers market. I got lots of fun yarn at the LYS and I can't wait to get it on my needles. The other half of my weekend was boring, with work and laundry. Hopefully pictures at the next post. Before I leave I am going to cheer on my teams dish rag tag box. Go box go as fast as you can, and go Donna you're it!!!! Yeah Team XDR!
See you all later. Happy Knitting:)

PIF Exchange

2007-08-19T22:26:00.000-04:00

Hey there everybody :) I hope you all had a great weekend. I hope someone is actually reading my blog because this won't be fun if I don't have anyone reading my blog.

Whether you've seen the movie or not the concept is heart warming.

(Copied from Ally's blog, who copied it from Jennifer's blog, who copied it from Megan’s blog, which was copied from Pony Knits blog, and so on...)

Here is how it works! I’ll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don’t know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week…LOL… but you will receive it within 365 days, that’s a promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog…

So if you are one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on my blog, and please include your email address so I can contact you, I'll send you a little surprise!

This is one way to find out if there is anybody out there :) I really anticipate this being a lot of fun. Just remember to be one of the first three to comment.

Mystery Solved

2007-08-19T22:21:00.000-04:00

Okay, the mystery is solved. My Dog Day of Summer Spoiler was Maria M.
Check out her blog at http://creativepotpourri.blogspot.com
I am so happy with my package it was tons of fun!! Thanks Maria :)

Dog Days of Summer Package Arrival

2007-08-15T10:23:00.001-04:00

What is the dog barking at now? Doesn't he know I am busy? I guess I better run downstairs because jumping at the front door in our house only means two things: the mail has arrived or fed ex/ups have delivered a package and Winston my sweet little doggie is upset because he can't get to the person on the other side of the door (to lick them to death or bark at them until they are deaf) and they must only come to visit him. I opened the door and found a package. I couldn't wait to rip into it, I love packages :)

WHO DUNNIT?
My dog days spoiler!!
?????????

A package for me?!!!! It had my name on it so it's for me :)

WOWOWOW! Look at that I couldn't wait to unpack the box!!! But first a close up is appropriate

Look at all the goodies :) Yarn (yes!!! more for the stash and cloths)

Not just one, but three cloths my pal was a super knitter to get all these made.
Who is this trader joe dude? He has invented some awesome nuts. Here are the two packs from my pal Sesame Honey Cashews (luv cashews) Can't wait to try them. Also, Cinnamon Almonds (love it) almonds are my other favorite. I am going to exhibit some self control and only eat one bag today (hahahaha) and then the other bag tomorrow (evil--lol!!) Yummy goodies, I might need to find this trader joe guys store so I can get me some more of these when they are gone :)
After I eat my trader joe's snacks I probably won't be able to fit into one of these (haha). In case you need a clue it is a swimming suit design on the cloth!!! How cute is that for summer!!!
This is a lady bug cloth and another surprise in my package. I think they might be book marks. Pardon me for not knowing exactly but the are very nice beads on long strings that seem as if they would make a really great book mark!
And some yummy smelling soap!!!! Hand made!!!!!!

Last but certainly not least..................YARN.............................I can't wait to whip up a few cloths from these. I have a couple patterns that I want to work on with these so it will be marvelous I am sure of it.

Only one sad fact..........................I can't tell you who sent this, because I am not sure who sent it. Please, I want to praise you for this wonderful package but you are so sneaky I am not sure who you are;) You deserve credit for this great package and I want everyone to know....................

WHO DUNNIT.!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE AWESOME PACKAGE!!!!!!!

Dog Days of Summer Package Arrival

2007-08-15T10:23:00.000-04:00

Fall Felted Bag Exchange

2007-08-12T18:17:00.000-04:00

This looks like tons of fun, you should check it out just go to: http://feltedbagexchange2.blogspot.com/
And you will notice that this is the swap I was speaking about in my last post :)

Once a week poster.....

2007-08-12T17:37:00.000-04:00

Can I accomplish this mission? I have given myself a new challenge. I have decided that I should become a more regular blogger! Is this a good thing? Perhaps. I am now going to try and post weekly because there is a swap I want to participate in and it says you must post weekly. Isn't that a good reason to start posting weekly? I think so. I am new to blogging and swapping but I have found that both are something I enjoy and we should all make more time for the things we enjoy. As a result I am going to be here every week whether you decide to visit me is entirely up to you but I do hope someone is out there reading my ramblings.

Projects in progress:
I am not sure if you can guess what this is going to be? It is looking a little odd right now but this is going to be Baby blanket #2. No not for me silly, I am not having babies, but lots of my friends are and their babies need nice fuzzy blankets to hang out and play on. Hopefully their mommies like the blankets and they find good uses for them.
A close up:

It is a pretty simple design. I am using a yarn called Velvet Touch. It is very soft I think this will make a very nice blanket. No I am not going to tell you who it is for that might ruin the surprise ;)

And while it is fun to make things to give as gifts, I also enjoy knitting things for myself to use here is that project which has currently been moved to the back burner while I am working on Baby Blanket #2.

Reusable shopping bag. Trying to become a better consumer by not using plastic bags. This could take a while to make enough of these bags to eradicate the plastic bags from my household but it is worth the attempt.

And both of these projects will come to a screeching hault when I get tagged for dish rag tag, it really is a fun game. I am amazed at how fast the people are making these dishcloths!!!! What an awesome race! Thanks Emily for being a wonderful hostess of Dish Rag Tag :)

I am off to knit.......

Cheering Up When the Dog Days of Summer Get You Down

2007-08-10T21:14:00.000-04:00

What do I do to cool myself off? I turn the AC down to a lower temp and grab my knitting or a book and park myself on the couch!!! A cold ice water can make things more tolerable as well.

Dog Days of Summer Favorite Item Contest

2007-07-22T21:55:00.000-04:00

My Very Favorite Handmade Item (that can be used or worn):

As you may notice this item isn't knitted but it is my very favorite. It is my wedding quilt.
My mom Ally B (check out her blog at http://allybthatsme.blogspot.com) spent many hours of love putting together this King size quilt for my husband and I for our wedding. She is so talented, not just at knitting, and though she has made me many wonderful quilts this one is very special because it was given to us for a special occasion. I have several other views so that you may appreciate its visual beauty. It is also very warm and I love that it covers me every night while I sleep.
My most very favorite handmade item :)

Something on another swappers blog that I would like to make:
I am in love with this tote!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check it out here or at her blog at http://shutupimcounting.blogspot.com

This was posted on her blog. I am so in love with it and she said that she was in the process of making a pattern for it. I was confused, how could she make something so awesome withut a pattern? Then it came to me, she must be supremely talented. Obviously she knows far more about knitting than I do because I definitely need a pattern, and hopefully she will make one so that someday I can make this bag as well.

Well I am wrapping this up. I am enjoying this swap (my first swap) in case you didn't already know that. I hope to send my spoilee her package by the end of the week :)

Happy Knitting Ya'll!!!!!

Dog Days of Summer Dishcloth Swap Scavenger Hunt Answers:

2007-07-07T19:57:00.000-04:00

Dog Days of Summer Dishcloth Swap Scavenger Hunt Answers:

Someone who crochets: JoAnn P. http://dishclothexchange.blogspot.com/2007/07/joann-ps-questionnaire.html
Someone who's never made a dishcloth before: Diana C. http://dishclothexchange.blogspot.com/2007/07/diana-cs-questionnaire.html
Someone who has been knitting\crocheting for less than 2 years: Angela T. http://angcraftcorner.blogspot.com/
Someone who has been knitting\crocheting for more than 5 years: Abby C. http://wickedknitter1.blogspot.com/
Someone who is from a non-US country: Marianne http://www.picperfics.blogspot.com/

It's Finished

2007-07-05T10:19:00.000-04:00

Mission accomplished. This here is my first item that I have knitted that can be worn. Oh wait a minute, in February I knitted some clogs socks but they didn't fit me. They were too small for my gargantuan feet. This is the first sweater I have knitted. This sweater is a gift I intended to give to my friend for her baby shower 2 weeks ago. I didn't finish it in time so off to Target I went to get something she registered for. I will just have to bring this with me when I go to visit her after the baby is born. She is having a girl hence the pink ties on the sweater. I used Cascade Yarns Luna, it is a Peruvian Cotton. It was really great to work with and in general the project went very fast until it was time to sew the pieces together. I remind you I am a new knitter and have never done this before. I sewed on the sleeves then I had to remove the sleeves because I had placed them in the wrong spot so when I went to sew the side seams together they didn't line up (frustration). So, I ran to target and grabbed a gift and went to the shower without my sweater. It is all fine though now because the sweater is complete. There is nothing that I enjoy more than finishing a project. It also brings much confusion to my life because there are so many projects and so much yarn staring me in the face waiting for me to choose them for my next project. I am not sure what it will be next. I think I am going to make a mini sock for my key chain sock blocker. It should be a quick project, I think:).

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I mostly relaxed but Winston didn't. He hates loud noises and was very sad all day trying to hide under my chair or on my lap. He is exhausted today he will probably sleep most of the day. He isn't a fan of fireworks, but he is a party animal.

My First Swap

2007-06-29T23:14:00.000-04:00

Wow!!!! My first swap, I am sooooooooooooooooooooo excited to be participating. Thanks, to my wonderful Mom who introduced me to swaps, (and blogging)! It's true Mom's know everything!!

I'll get to the point now.

Do you knit, or crochet, or do both? How long have you been knitting\crocheting? I knit!!! I have tried to crochet several times let me tell you that didn't go very well :) I had wanted to learn knitting for a very long time. I convinced my mom to take a class with me in October 2006. So that would be less than a year of knitting for me but I am absolutely in love with knitting.
Have you knit dishcloths or dishtowels before? Only dishcloths so far :)
What are your favorite cotton yarns? Is there a cotton or linen you’ve been dying to try but have not? I don't have a favorite cotton yarn, but I do like the peaches and cream.
Are there any cotton yarns you don’t enjoy knitting with? I have never met a yarn I haven't liked yet :) I am sure there are some out there though.
What type of needle do you prefer using? (Metal/Wood/Plastic) I have a bamboo pair that I usually use for dishcloths but I got some knit piks(metal circulars) for my birthday and I am absolutely in love with them.
What other projects do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? I have a tendency to gravitate towards purses and bags.....I have made a baby blanket for a friend that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am currently working on finishing a baby kimono that has been fun too.
Do you have other hobbies or enjoy other kinds of crafting? There are hobbies other than knitting???? Says who???? HaHa :) I enjoy reading as well. I have read some awesome novels about knitting, if you are interested I could post a list of them.
What kind of treats do you like? Chocolate? Candies? Nuts? Lindt Lindor Truffles-Peanut butter filled are my favorite. My favorite candies are those ones that look like strawberries with the soft goey center typically given out at Halloween time for some reason. Cashews and Almonds are near the top o f the list as well.
What colors are your kitchen and bath decorated in, if any? My kitchen accessories are black and white. My bathroom is yellow tile with obnoxiously bright and vivid but not florescent colors.
What are your favorite colors and what colors do you dislike? I gravitate towards dark blue hues and earthy green tones. I am not particularly fond of pastels.
Do you drink coffee? Tea? Other beverages? Ice Tea is my favorite, I do like coffee as well medium roast coffee is generally my preference.
Do you have any kids (human or pet variety!)? None of the human variety :) I do have a canine child. Winston, he is featured on my blog. He is devious and sneaky but so cute. He has several costumes. The blog he is sporting his Hawaiian beach attire. Of course for winter, we have outfits as well. I am sure you will see more when I get them on the blog
Do you have any allergies? Seasonal, mold & pollen
Please share 3 tidbits about yourself that you think your pal and other swappers might find odd or interesting. I am a project runway junkie!!! I love that show I cannot wait for them to come out with a new season I wish they would hurry. Along with project runway, I like almost all the other Bravo series ie: Top Chef & Workout (i don't watch housewives of orange county or my life on the d list)!!! My mom is my best friend we do almost everything together, she only lives 4 houses away...(sometimes she wishes I would live further I think;) One of my dreams is to meet Ben Wallace in person. I love to watch him play basketball. My husband always tries to change the channel when I am watching sports so he can watch a movie we have seen hundreds of times. Is that backwards or what!!!!