LakeKnitter

Oh My!

2010-12-28T23:10:00.006-05:00

I am not off to a very good start with my so called "resurrection" am I? Should I promise more for 2011 or maybe we will just take it day by day.

The holiday season came and went so quickly and I am pleased to report that it was generally uneventful and that is a good thing. Lots of time spent with family and friends.Unfortunately not so much time spent knitting. I came up short on the Christmas gifts. Why do I do this every year? No more knitted Christmas gifts and no more knitting things that don't please me When will I learn that those are the projects hardest to finish.

I spent a couple of weekends with my parents just before the holidays and thought I would share some pictures of my childhood home decorated for Christmas. This is the back porch which of course is the door that everyone uses. A country girl I am...

Mom and Dad are elderly and my sister is in charge of the decorating and I think she does a mighty fine job. I believe I heard that my brother brought the angel which is new this year.

I am most enamored of the snowman she and her husband created. I kept trying to figure out how to sneak it out to my car... I think it is too cute for words.

Mr. Snowman certainly did his part in our celebrating with a white Christmas this year. How was your celebration. I am looking forward to the new year. Before that comes I do want to wind up a few loose ends for 2010 so that I can start 2011 with a clean slate. That means at least one new post before the new year- I love a new start!!

Resurrection of the Blog?

2010-11-17T20:13:00.005-05:00

Hello??.....Is anyone still out there??? talk about neglect and abandonment! it's not illegal to do those things to a blog? is it??? I better hope not. It has been more than 2 yes TWO years since my last post.....good grief where does the time go. It doesn't seem that long. Anyway I had a great weekend with the some of the girls who just happened to mention that they missed my blog. I am not sure that I have anything new to say but hey! I can catch up. When my laptop died without backup ( I know. I know) I was happy one evening a good while back to realize that many of those pictures were saved right here on this blog. I was very happy about that.

In recent history I am just back from a 3 day weekend at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We had a great time at the new Knitting Addiction where we were tempted with lots of lovely yarn and the beautiful yarn of Ellyn Cooper. Oh my. Her colors are stunning! I might have needed a few skeins.

My pictures from this trip are few due to the fact that I dropped and broke my camera Halloween night at work. I didn't realize how much I have missed it since I don't have it. I did take a couple of not so great photos with my cell phone so I will share those. It's just not a blog post without some pictures.

One of our favorite places to eat is the Outer Banks Brewery Station. Pam and I dined there when we arrived Thursday night and we ( meaning I) couldn't wait to send a picture on to Becky and Sandy in an effort to get them to hurry up and join us on Friday. ( ok- let's see if I can remember how to put a picture in here.....fingers crossed- here I go)

They brew some really great beers there. I love their crab bisque...so good.

So I guess this is a start and I have a few ideas for future posts. I need to clean up my sidebars and take some pictures of some knitting. Because after all this is STILL a knitting blog. for the most part. I think

Wait! Here is a project that I have been working on. This is a picture of the beginning of the back but I am finished with the back and am almost finished with the two sides so YES here is the knitting content. It IS still a knitting blog. Knit Happy everyone!

I love Coffee...I love ....

2008-07-06T12:02:00.003-04:00

Spending time at Smith Mountain Lake and relaxing while I sit here and complete my
Starbucks Swap Questionnaire.....

1. Full name emmy ( I will email you more)

2. Ravelry name Lakeknitter

3. Email address I think you have that :)

4. Blog address (if you have one) http://www.lakeknitter.blogspot.com/

5. Handmade item you desire in the swap (bag, cup cozy, etc.) Seeing as how I cannot resist

a bag- A BAG! any kind is great - knit , sewn, felted- I love bags!

6. Starbucks item you desire (gift card, mug, beans, etc.) You SURPRISE me on this one!

7. Favorite Starbucks beverage/bean I usually buy Breakfast Blend beans and I find

myself ordering ff Caramel Machiatto most often

8. Favorite snack food I love chocolate but this is probably not the best time to send

chocolate to the south! Chex Party mix, nuts- I love most foods!

9. Favorite color(s) Green-,in all of it's shades ( Can you tell?) and blues, purple-

I am most fond and am drawn to bright colors.

10. Favorite fragrance Cinnamon, coffee, grapefruit- no florals

11. What types of things do you like to knit? Everything! Sweaters, shawls,socks

12. Do you spin? Nope

13. Do you dye your own yarn? I have played around with it once or twice.

14. Favorite yarns Anything bright and colorful. I do not like the feel of acrylic.

15. Favorite needles I use my Knitpicks Harmony needles the most then my Denise

16. Do you have any allergies? Cigarettes, cat hair ( if they are all over me)

17. Would you be willing to prepare an angel kit if necessary? I would be willing to assist

an angel by contributing a Starbuck's gift card. I would not be good at doing

the handmaking part of a second package.

18. Do you have any special requests? Nope~ I love a surprise

19. Do you have any pets? No

20. Is your home smoking or nonsmoking? Non Smoking

Well that sums up my Starbuck's Knitting Swap questionnaire. In case you didn't notice I used colors that remind me of the "Happy Forest" yarn I am using on my current favorite project for my answers. I started this in the morning and it has taken me all day! I know. I just couldn't help it but the sun came out and I had to go play. Then a storm came up and I had to go in and watch a movie.

We had a nice 4th here at the lake. There was the usual parade of golf carts and a pig roast. The fireworks last night were first class. Rumor is that one of our fellow campers spent 3500.00 on them. They were that good and I was sad not to have had my camera with me. This picture of Clay was taken a couple of weeks ago. He was not real happy that I did not approve of his dirty face...BOYS!!! Gotta love em!

Long Time No See

2008-06-29T20:51:00.005-04:00

I have decided that the great and wonderful RAVELRY (OZ) has been detrimental to the writing of this blog. I am so addicted !

But...I signed up for a Fun swap and I hate for people to follow a link to my blog and find NOTHING! I hate that for all my friends as well. So here I am giving it another stab!

This is the swap- it is all about coffee and yarn! Definitely two of my favorite things. sign ups end tonight but here is a link Can you see the link? It is that first word "link" just in case anyone interested reads this TONIGHT!!

On the knitting front, I am right busy. I am knitting the February Ladies Sweater ( link won't work if you aren't in Ravelry- if not - why not?) which is an adaptation of Elizabeth Zimmerman's February Baby Sweater but upsized for a grownup. Most of Ravelry is knitting it already or thinking about knitting it, or dreaming about knitting it. Wanna see my yarn? I do have a picture of that. As for the actual sweater I have done so much ripping that I haven't gotten too too far.

Isn't that an absolutely gorgeous green?? YES! You know it is! That is Dream in Color Classy in the Happy Forest colorway. It makes me so happy when I look at it or even ! Knit! with it.

Well if you have stuck around and checked in on me from time to time I hope you ARE pleased to see that someone is home! Next time I will "leave the light on"

No Excuses ...Just Bloggin'

2008-01-27T23:10:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe how quickly time flies. So that means I have missed reflecting on 2007 and goal setting for 2008. I have no FO's of great magnitude to list. It is what it is and is pretty much how I am. Flights of fancy and lots of WIP's that is me.

Back to how time flies and as we all know it REALLY flies when you are having fun!! and boy did I have fun last weekend ( Jan 18,19, and 20). It is always great fun when you combine knitting and friends and a weekend that started EARLY on Friday no less! at a lakeside hotel. That's right I was one of the 38 or so lucky attendees at Knittin' at the Lake 2008! It was so much fun. It was so good to see the friends that were made last year and we couldn't believe that it had been a year already! This year I promise! I will make it to TNK!! PROMISE!

There have been great accounts documented here and here. My picture in pj's is on the World Wide WEB so I won't share it again. If you have missed just go and check out Robin's and Mary's Blogs highlighted above.

Here are some highlights of the weekend captioned:

Door Prize donations and this is NOT ALL of them!! Please enlarge and be sure to support the LYS and companies that supported our weekend. I can remember YARN LOUNGE, HOLLY SPRING HOMESPUN, KNITTING ADDICTION, INTERWEAVE PRESS, KNITTING SISTERS. Please go to Robin's Blog to see the entire and wonderful list
Yes....that is a FIVE pound Candy Bar. and Tammy is just "foolin". I shudder to think of how many WW Points that would be. I don't know who won it- I am just glad that it wasn't me!!!

Lindy is working on her first real garment which is going to be a lovely sweater. She started on the car ride to the lake and had most of the knitting finished while at the retreat. I can't wait to see it!!

We got to knit looking out a wall of windows that overlooked the lake. This was so relaxing for me as I am really missing my own lake.

Stay tuned for tomorrow or Tues. maybe Wed.... I will post some pictures of the FO's brought to display and motivate. Really awesome garments and other knit items.

Did I mention what a fun weekend this was???

Winter Wonderland

2007-12-14T00:24:00.000-05:00

Coffee Swap that is! Certainly is good for getting at least one post a week out of me. I have been reading where parts of the country are being hit by snowstorms and some bloggers that I read are on their THIRD already. I feel guilty. This week has been warm, crazy warm- hitting 80 one day! Good grief it is almost Christmas!!! This is NOT Florida. No heat for me and last night I thought I would HAVE to turn on the AC. But anyway enough of the weather.

My topic this week is:

For many people, Winter is a time of cold weather and snow - and many fun outdoor activities that can only be enjoyed during those times! What's YOUR favorite activity in Winter, and is it even outdoors??

How is easy is this?!! My favorite winter activity is KNITTING!! and no I don't do it outdoors in the winter- spring, summer and fall YES but not in the cold cold. Now I love to knit and be warm and cozy indoors and watch the snowfall. Yes that would be my favorite activity in the winter.

Beautiful yarn purchased at Stitches East, hopefully to be knitted up into a cute vest this WINTER!!

A New Friend

2007-12-06T23:03:00.000-05:00

I have really been enjoying the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap that I joined. Our mission this week was to make a new friend in the coffee swap and then to post about them. Being the procrastiknitter that I am it seems that I have waited until the last possible moments. I chose to visit the swapper just above me in the list so I visited the blog of Emiko. I discovered that she lives in the Pacific Northwest and they have just had a snow that turned into some major flooding!! It was so bad in her parking lot that she had to call into work!! The sad news was that her mailman could not get through the water with the package she was hoping to receive. But I do hope that there was lots of knitting time on this unexpected day off!!Emiko is an awesome cook! I can't wait to read more of her blog and see what she has made! The homemade dressing that she made for Thanksgiving looked soooo good! I love dried fruits in dressing. I am going back to her blog to see if the whole recipe is posted. She has a picture of a huge pile of homemad bread cubes. YUM!! Finally we both share a love of a good cup of coffee that is especially enjoyed on a weekend morning!! Soon! Just one more morning to go! I really enjoyed spending time with Emiko. Here is a link to her blog in case you are interested in visiting as well.

Just so you don't think that I have turned this into an Elliott listening, Coffee Drinking kinda blog here is a little knitting content: I have a finished hat, an almost finished sweater, a new scarf and a new hat on the needles. But since I have no new pictures here is one of my favorites. My Mom made me this stocking when I was a girl. I still want to take time when I visit home to see if I can find the pattern to this and make it for my children. I think I could do it. I really do.

Well stay warm and safe and I will try to have some FO pictures for you this weekend.

How Do You Enjoy Your Coffee?

2007-11-29T23:02:00.000-05:00

This week's question for the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap is all about how we enjoy our coffee. What an easy question for me! I love coffee but for me the best and most special way to enjoy it is......

Picture a quiet morning, the sun is rising and maybe there is a mist rising up from the lake. If it is spring the birds may be chirping. There is a smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting from inside the camper. I have my favorite mug which is the green, yellow and white Starbucks mug that is made to represent a lawn chair. I sit on the patio looking at the lake sipping my coffee alone except for my knitting which is at hand. You know- I think I have some pictures.

Pictures of my favorite view

and my favorite cup of coffee

And here are some pictures of my son's multi directional scarf

Enjoy some coffee and some knitting this coming weekend.

Give Thanks

2007-11-22T23:02:00.000-05:00

Family and Great food!!
Beautiful/ Restful Smith Mountain Lake
My Three Sons. The other two are pretty camera shy
All things fiber!
Friends that go to the Concerts with you and You have a perfect day!!

For those of us in the US it is a day for Thanksgiving and often this involves reflection. I am thankful for many things this day and every day. I am most thankful for my family. I am truly blessed to have spent the day enjoying a great meal and time with my family. It is an hnor and priviledge to be Mom to Three Sons! I am thankful for my health. While I have had some trouble with arthritis invading my knees lately it seems to be responding to the medicine and supplements I am taking. I am so thankful for this as I hate to not be able to walk at my usual brisk pace. Not quite there yet but getting better!! I am thankful to have friends that share a passion and love of all things fiber. I am thankful to be a "rabid" fan of musical artist Elliott Yamin and to recently realize my dream to meet him. I am thankful to have finished the knitting part of the "Surf Stitch" sweater.

I am thankful for each of you that stop by and spend some time here with me.

Hot off the Press!

2007-11-16T00:40:00.000-05:00

Elliott Yamin has just released (as of midnight1) a video of his second single off his debut album. The song is "One Word" and I just have ONE WORD for you and that is GO! Follow the AOL link and see this video. I know that you will love it!!!

AND just in case you think that I forgotten that this is a knitting blog- I refer you to the picture below - you know the one I am talking about -the one of ME and ELLIOTT!! Look in my hand. I am clutching those knitting needles for dear life! and there is yarn stringing along right out of my bag. LOL ! I still need to bore all of you with my recap but that will have to wait until the weekend.

RIght at this very minute there are 4 good friends of mine in the hospital. Please if you believe in the power of prayer please pray for them. SO please pray for Gordon, Becky, Elaine and Dr. Bruce.

Thank you all!

The Topic of the Week

2007-11-16T00:29:00.000-05:00

A little late but here

This week's topic is :

I love the holidays, it turning colder here, and I love coffee. As the cold of winter approaches, do you change the projects you work on? Do you work on gifts for others or do you continue working on projects for yourself?

I do find I go back to knitting with wool more in the cooler months. I usually knit with cotton and lighter weight yarns in the summer . Actually I have two sweaters that just need to be sewed together and button bands and trim knit. I have been saving them up for the cooler weather that is here now. I also make a few Christmas gifts. I am not a very good deadline knitter so I try to limit myself to just one or two smaller Christmas gifts. This year will be a hat for sure and a scarf. possibly one more scarf. and of course when the weather gets cold I have to have some coffee by my side.

I must say that I am enjoying getting to know my swap pal.

Mission Accomplished!!!

2007-11-11T15:08:00.000-05:00

I am here in Norfolk for the ELLIOTT Yamin Concert tonight at the Norva. No time for many details but I was successful in giving Elliott the scarf I knit!! We waited by the bus and guess who popped out of the alley. Tried to only keep him a moment, but you know he needs it next week when he is in Canada!

I hate "Pictures of Me" but Elliott is the redeeming factor in this one- so her ya go!!

Elliott and me and E-trainer Lilly looks on! Elliott waving good-bye for the camera. Gosh I hope he will wear the scarf.

Gotta go. I have a CONCERT To attend!!

p.s. I don't hate the song "Pictures of me" I meant pictures of me- really.

For Love of Coffee

2007-11-09T00:08:00.000-05:00

The Winterwonderland Coffee Swap I joined has weekly topics for posts to our blogs: Here is my first installment.

When did you first start drinking coffee?
What age were you? Was it about the caffeine, or do you love the taste and smell?
Tell us how your passion began!

I used to drink coffee on a very very rare occasion with lots of milk and sugar and very little coffee when I was a girl. I LOVED it! I felt so grown up! As I grew older I started enjoying caffeine in the form of Diet Dr. Pepper. I can still remember how the coffee thing came about. I started working and most of the other employees older than I used to offer me coffee- no thanks I'd say I have my DDP. Then I started with a cup just when the weather got cold and only one...next thing I knew it was two. Then I started enjoying a cup in the spring and fall, before I knew it I was drinking coffee year round. It's only been in the last 5 years or so that I have gotten a grinder and usually prefer to grind my own beans....what is next? Roasting them? I doubt it.

The Ukrops ( Richmond based grocery store chain) nearest me just put in a Starbuck's and boy does that store smell good. I love the smell of coffee brewing almost as much as drinking it. A day without coffee is like a day without sunshine for me.

* With interruptions by the time I hit POST it looks like I am a little late but maybe they will take pity on me. Maybe not.

It's Time Again

2007-10-30T23:42:00.000-04:00

For A Coffee Swap!!

It's been awhile since my last swap and I saw this one over at Robin of Knittin' Coop and I thought it looked right up my alley so I HAD to sign up. One of the requirements is to post the questionnaire. So....Here goes....

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!)

My favorite everyday drinking coffee is Starbuck's Breakfast Blend, I also enjoy coffee flavored such as Harry and David Chocolate Cherry and a mixture of cinnamon and hazelnut beans.

Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee? WHOLE BEAN for sure!

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee? YES! I love flavored Beans and especially love the holiday coffees

Do you enjoy special blends? See above

How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf? Cream and Sugar well make that Splenda

Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer? Love both! I am quite fond of pottery mugs or anything cute and sheepy

What is your favorite part of Winter? That spring is right behind it?? I love to be at home with a nice cup of coffee and my knitting when it snows but usually I have to go to work so that doesn't get to happen

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday? CHRISTMAS!!!

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree? Oh YES!

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package?

I would like either, but see below

Do you collect anything? Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snoflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect? I ADORE Snowmen and collect them! I also like snoflake themed items

Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats? Scarves and Mittens...hats not so much unless it is REALLY REALLY cold and I have to be out for a bit.

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat? FUDGE!

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory. This was when my kids were little and so were my niece and nephew. My sister and I were at Mom and Dad's with our families. I always brought Santa in big thick trashbags and my sis would sit up with me and help me wrap- We would eat fudge, bourbon balls and cheese ball. But the funniest was the night she had bought the REAL carrots- the ones with ALL the green on the end. The plan was the carrots were left for the reindeer and the cookies for Santa. Now I had no problem taking care of the cookies but it was not so much fun standing on the back porch in the cold cold biting on those carrots to make them look like the reindeer had bitten them. I must confess that I told her next time we were breaking them off and just leaving the green part!! Love those Christmas memories.

Yarn and Crafting Do you Knit or Crochet? KNIT!

For how long? 40 years but about 4-5 recently after a very long break

Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? Circular or straight? I find I use my Denise alot and I want to order the Harmony set. I usually knit with circulars because they seem easier on my hands. I knit socks and use different types of dpn's

What sort of projects do you enjoy making? I like to make all sorts of things. I have made sweaters, scarves, fetching mittens, hats , felted bags,and dishcloths. I am not into making blankets.

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with? I like natural yarns doesn't matter the type.

Do you spin or dye? I do not spin and I have dabbled in dyeing.

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else? No I barely find the time to knit

When is your birthday? Just celebrated it is October 17th

Do you have any children? (Furry kind count!) I have "My Three Sons"

What are your favorite colors? Green and all it's families- I love all the bright colors of the rainbow

Do you have any allergies? Seasonal allergies and cigarette smoke. Don't know of any pet ones

Thanks for reading through all of this! I am very excited about a swap involving coffee and winter. Cuz I love my coffee!!

The Rest of the Story

2007-10-21T01:05:00.000-04:00

Tonight I was thinking about how much fun we had at Stitches just a short week ago. and how tired and hungry we were after our pursuit of all things fiber. Too bad I didn't take any pictures of the great dinner we had. However I realized that there were a few things I have not shared and tonight I will do that quickly.

Pam and Becky posed for me in front of the boat right before we entered the convention center.

A close up of some of Becky's Patterns (on the left) and Pam's (on the right). Becky also bought a really cute vest kit that uses Koigu in a stranded pattern. Can you see the cute sheep pin? Becky really wanted me to see how the pattern looked made up because she felt that the picture with the pattern didn't do it justice. So...while we were looking at the sample vest I noticed the cute little sheep pins- Becky got beige and black and I got green!!Just a close up my gorgeous colorful fibery acquisitions. I am a sucker for something bright. My bright turquoise and blues/purple yarn from Tess's Designer Yarn. I also bought a cute vest pattern called "The Easy Breezy" to make using this yarn. It was the first pattern and yarn that I saw when I first started walking around and it ended up that I still really wanted it even after being tempted by lots and lots of yarn. My sheep pin is just to the left. It is soooo cute!

The cute shawl pin is a gift from Diane of Yarns Forever! There was a funny story here: We have seen Diane at all the festivals we attend and her yarns always impress as well as her forethought. When it was freezing cold at Spring Fiber we huddled with her around her space heater. When it was hot at Fall Fiber - you guessed it! Diane had a fan!! We were looking all over for her at Stitches and we couldn't remember her company's name to look it up. I had been reading on Knitter's Review about Stitches and had found a thread related to the event. There was a vendor that posted that she had a gift for those that came by her booth and mentioned reading about it on KR. So one of the last things we did was to go by booth 230. Pam and I found it first. Boy! Were we the ones surprised as it was Diane's Booth Yarns Forever!! She let each of us pick a beautiful shawl pin from her display! How sweet was that! It was way more than what I was expecting. Becky especially wanted to get some of her hand dyed yarn so when we finally caught up with Becky we sent her in search of booth 230 and followed behind to see her reaction. What fun!! Unfortunately Diane didn't have her hand dyed yarn with her but she was having a great 50% off sale and bless her heart she looked exhausted. I am sure that we will catch up with her and her great yarns again real soon. Follow the links and check it out!

I feel bad that I didn't take more pictures. I guess I lost my momentum when I was unable to take any in Stitches and I sure didn't dare try to sneak any because I didn't want to be escorted out. I am now looking forward to visiting Rhinebeck via blogs and Ravelry.

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!!

Ahhh...the LOOT!

2007-10-15T22:55:00.000-04:00

Shopping for yarn is such fun what with all the touching and all. I kept finding myself reaching out to touch a yarn in a color that I loved to make sure it was soft and felt "just right". There was lots and lots of color at Stitches. I wish I could have taken pictures to share with those of you that couldn't make it but I think they meant it when they said you would be escouted out if caught. That was enough for me. Most of the vendors had patterns made up in their yarn. That is what sells me- when I see what the yarn can become I am hooked!! I bought a pattern from Tess's Designer Yarn for a vest and of course some yarn to finish it off. I bought the 3 giant skeins that Dallis of Dancing Leaf Farm dyed just for me in a bright "Carnival " color.

Enough talk. I am falling asleep- here are the stash acquisitions for Pam, Becky and myself

This is Pam's "loot" . She has big plans for the yarns. I love those little clam shells but I didn't' find any.

We spread all of our yarn and other goodies out on the hotel room bed. Lots of wonderful great colors! The pink ball of yarn and knitting needles is mine to put on the white pickup truck that I am driving.

This is some Fleece Artist Sock yarn that I had just had to have at the last minute. I am thinking it would make a nice simple small shawl. Any thoughts?

My three great big honkin' skeins of Dancing Leaf Farms for a cardigan. I want to wind this yarn up and get started but I have promised myself that I have projects to finish first.

Just a few more things to show but they will have to wait until tomorrow- Blogger wouldn't upload the last couple of pictures for some reason. The fact that I keep closing my eyes for extended periods of time might have something to do with it.

The Journey Begins

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

Blurry Bad Car Pictures taken as we cross the POTOMAC river into

MARYLAND!! Guess where we are going!!

This weekend was Stitches East and FINALLY I got to go and see what it is all about. Let me tell you...it is about knitting and yarn and fiber and patterns galore. The Stitches Market was a mecca- at least for this knitter. I have been to the Va Fall Fiber Festival and the Spring Fiber Festival at Sedalia but they did nothing to prepare me for this. It was in a word -overwhelming.

First tho- we had to get there. Knitting pals Pam, Becky and I left home about 7am heading North. Our plan was to go to Glen Burnie, MD and take the Lite Rail from there to downtown Baltimore. WHAT FUN!! I have never ridden a train! When we arrive at the station and park way back in the parking lot the train takes off before we can buy our tickets at the little automated booths. It was my understanding that the trains ran every 30 minutes allowing me time to walk back to the car and get my medicine. Then I realized that I really needed to use the ladies room but alas there were none to be found. Then I spotted the Golden Arches across the busy street. I had plenty of time and I started to limp on over there. The traffic light kept that hand on the sign and never gave me the ok to wait sign. I finally just took a chance. I was very very fast in Micky D's and as I walked out I heard the whistle of the train and it pulled up!! OH NO!! I am on the other side of a busy street and I already knew I wouldn't get the little walk sign! I walked as fast as I could which isn't very fast these days and then I almost ran across the street. I couldn't let my friends down- we had YARN to see ! Well I made the train and what an experience that was. A woman walked up to the drivers door and asked her if she had time to go to McDonald's. I could have answered that one for her NO!! Those trains wait for no one.

Pam is settling into her seat on the train.

Some views from the train, some better than others....

A view of the Convention as we wait for the train that will carry us back to the car at the Cromwell Station. I have to say I think that this was the best way to get there. No parking hassles. There was a marathon going on at the same time and I noticed that the streets did not even seem to be open at the time of our arrival

Unfortunately Stitches doesn't allow pictures inside so I kinda lost interest in taking more pictures but here is our picture from Stitches LIVE

Stay tuned tomorrow if you are interested in seeing all the goodies that the three of us managed to take away.

Fall Finally??

2007-10-10T23:59:00.000-04:00

It has been unseasonably HOT and while I love and adore summer I am ready for some cooler temperatures and some good knitting out in the cool air. I am also hoping that cooler temperatures will motivate me to finish some of the sweaters that are sitiing on the needles.

In the meantime in anticipation of the true arrival of fall here is a picture of a fall display that a coworker and I fixed at work.

Makes you just want to go out to that pumkin patch and catch a hayride - doesn't it?

Bad Blogger...The Saga Continues

2007-10-09T22:17:00.000-04:00

Awhile back I participated in a really neat swap called "The Vacation" Swap. The idea was to send at least one skein of yarn- enough for a project and other items to represent a visit to your state. At the time my vacation swap package arrived I was having some technical difficulties with my camera. In truth I couldn't find the battery charger. I owe an apology to my awesome vacation pal Lora for being so late in posting about the swap. She sent really great stuff all from the lovely state of New Hampshire- a place I have never been! So what a nice vacation that was!!There was ( notice the use of the word WAS, as this was promptly devoured) New Hampshire chocolates!! hand dyed sock yarn with the most appropriate name- ROCK LOBSTER in delightful shades of red. Lora made a cute little ditty bag and put a NH measuring tape inside, she also included some fantastic handmade soap and a NH magnet. There were some postcards and what I took to be NH bookmarks. All just wonderful and greatly appreciated. Would you like to see? I just happened to NOW have some pictures.

Lots of lovely goodies from New Hampshire

I love that cute little NH magnet and the chocolates didn't last a day!

A close up of the "Rock Lobster"

Thanks a MILLION Lora for a great swap. I am loving that yarn and am so happy to add it to my collection.

More "Bad Blogger" updates to come.....

The Bad Blogger Goes to the Fall Fiber Festival

2007-10-07T23:06:00.000-04:00

I took my camera and then I pretty much forgot to use it. What to say about this year's festival. Well it was dry- very dry and HOT! I think that I preferred this year's "Dust Bowl" over last year's "Mud Bowl". I had to throw away my shoes last year!! There were lots of great vendors and all the tents were full. I noticed lots of men around this year. I guess they might be knitters or came with their SO's.

We met up early at Panera-7:30am, grabbed some coffee or other favorite drink and headed off to Orange County. I had cleaned out my knitting bag and packed a project that was small and was easily remembered for the road trip. At least that was good thinking on my part. I am making a Mulit-Directional Scarf from a Japanese yarn called Diakeito Diajudy. It is working up quickly.

I ran into Jane and her cousin Patty. They were having a great time and posed for a picture

A random picture of a wall of roving. There was enough roving and wheels and such to almost make me want to take up spinning - just almost.

I did see Otto Strauch and I love his ballwinder. When I had a problem with mine last year he looked at it- saw the problem and handed me a brand new one. It has been smooth winding ever since. It is so nice when companies stand behind their products. I was very impressed and was glad to see that their business seemed to be brisk.

I didn't get very much but of course I couldn't leave empty handed.....

It was a great time with even greater friends. Next week it is on the

STITCHES EAST!!!

Great Day! Great Friends!

2007-09-09T10:48:00.000-04:00

Got up at 5am! 5am on a SATURDAY -unheard of !! Only a day filled with promise of good friends, a LYS crawl and shopping could get ME up that early. Why it was still dark when I left home to go meet up with my friend Pam and .....

then we drove almost 2 hours to meet up with Robin in Clarksville. Robin being familar with the Durham/Raleigh area took over and we headed out.

First stop COZY. Cozy sells clothes, shoes, jewelry and YARN! It is a very nice shop and they were having a great sale! You can't beat 50-70% off!! We all got some great stuff. The owner and staff were so nice and friendly. It was a really comfortable store.

Second stop was on to Raleigh to LYS called Great Yarns, yes they had some great yarns but it was just so-so in my opinion. It wasn't busy, we weren't greeted, the sales clerk wasn't interested in helping when Pam had a question and Robin had to ask for the free pattern that came with her yarn and ask about the customer card that we had heard her offer to another lady. As with all LYS your mileage may vary, however I would not make the trip there again.

We were starving and we stopped at an interesting looking restaurant called The Pickled Onion, turns out it was a sports bar type of place. We had a part of the place to ourselves and Pam decided to "style" Robin's hair. They had been talking about that "mussed" look. What fun when Pam pulled the hairspray out of her bag. Knitting, hairstylin' and eating! Great fun!

Robin knitting on a sock while we wait for our food.

OH! Wait! Pam has some hair stylin products in her bag!

There ya go ... a little dab will do you !! and Voila! Robin with a fashionable "messy" style.

After all that fun and the food was really good too! We headed to a clothing store called At Ease. A great shop with friendly staff. We had met Dorothy at Knittin At the Lake back in January. She was surprised to see us and showed us all the great clothes that the shop had to offer. Robin tried on an outfit that was just PERFECT for her son's upcoming wedding. It looked beautiful on her.

We went back to Robin's and toured her lovely studio. I don't know why I didn't take any more pictures we just were so caught up in what we were doing. Go visit her blog for some pictures of Pam and I modeling some WIPs. Her shop is just wonderful and set in such a beautiful setting. We also got the pleasure of meeting her husband Andy as well as Earl Grey, George and Gracie!!

I left home in the dark and I returned in the dark about 9:30pm. It was a great day with great friends.

What To Say

2007-09-01T22:31:00.000-04:00

~ELLIOTT YAMIN~

THIS great picture was sent to me by a fellow E-Fan this morning. He has lots and lots of concerts coming up!! Visit his My Space. Enjoy some great music. Elliott hosted VH1 this morning and got to introduce his own song as the number 1 video for this week. I know I can't believe I watched it either. :)

There is a lot that I want to share and I know as I have been reminded that I have promised some pictures for some time of the stash enhancements I got at the Tapestry "Retirement/Closing the Shop Sale" and I want to share I really do. Maybe not all of it because some of it is for gifts and swaps. But it was a great sale starting at 50% off and going all the way to 75%. Actually made me feel somewhat guilty getting some great yarns and books for such wonderful prices. I think over the course of the sale I have filled one large bin from Target and part of a second one. Just hang in there I will be getting the camera and a charged battery together real soon. I promise.

The big news for this week is: I got my RAVELRY invitation!! and WOW just WOW! It is amazing and I have barely scratched the surface. The ideas and the projects and resources all in one place is just unbelievable. What a concept. Truly you should sign up even if you don't plan to add your stash or your projects, just to be able to see finished how a project looks in different yarns or look up patterns by searching the name of a yarn in your stash for ideas. There are many talented knitters and designers in there. It can be as huge or as small as you would like it to be. You can get lost for hours and hours. Ask me how I know. Nevermind. don't.

I've been on vacation and it's been nice. I've spent some time with my parents, with friends and my youngest son. The weather for the time we have been here at the lake has been great. Some sun and clouds, rain at night and the temperature has steadily come down. I think that I have probably bored you enough for one night and I am going to go sit outside ( Yes I know it is almost 11pm!) and knit for a bit on my Surf Stitch Sweater. I am at the neck and getting ready to head down the back so it is going pretty well. It is a fun knit. Just as a reminder here are a couple of pictures

This is the pattern. Nice and easy ...just the way I like 'em

I am using araucania cotton and Lucky ribbon. A better picture when I resolve the camera issues.

Well for someone who didn't really know what to say looks like I came up with some "stuff".

Have a great week!

Getting Closer

2007-08-23T21:17:00.000-04:00

I keep reading everyone's blog and how much they are loving Ravelry. I have been signed up for awhile and tonight I checked my status. It seems that I am getting closer and closer.

Taken from the Ravelry site:

ravelry
patiently awaiting your invite?
If you've added your name to the invite request list on our front page then you can use this form to check your place in line.
Email address look me up!

Found you!
You signed up on June 19, 2007
You are #10205 on the list.
413 people are ahead of you in line.
17553 people are behind you in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

If you haven't heard about it you better hurry on over and sign up. I understand that there is much to do there!!!

The Other Week

2007-08-22T00:30:00.000-04:00

The other week when I was spending time at THE lake I noticed a dead branch high up in the tree. Upon further observation this branch was upside down and just hanging there caught up in the live ones!! The scary part is that this branch is hanging right over my path down the the lake. I changed my path!! One of the days I happened to have the camera out taking pictures of boys having fun in the water. Just goofing off I took a picture of THE BRANCH, just a few seconds after I heard a loud rustle pointed the camera again and BAM!! the branch came down. For some crazy reason I thought I would share the pictures with you. Might be even crazier that I think some of you could be interested. I thought it was pretty cool that it happened while I was right there with the camera. It also disguises the fact that I have no knitting to show and haven't yet taken the picture of the promised yarn. I don't know- maybe you just had to be there.

Notice that the wrong end of the branch is pointing downward and it isn't a tiny little stick eitherBlurry falling Action shot!There it is - very large dead branch right in my pathway!

Cute teenage boys- the reason I had the camera out in the first place.

News Update on the Hour

2007-08-18T22:04:00.000-04:00

Good evening folks. Just a small news update before bed. Today at Smith Mountain Lake in the good state of Virginia there has been knitting- not a great deal but some. There has been YARN acquisition - A LOT! A more detailed update on that tomorrow. There was a major rupture of a tire on the highway earlier today. Fortunately the rupture occurred just immediately prior to the turn for the Yarn Shop. This event led to much yarn touching and purchasing, however purchasing was somewhat limited due to not knowing the final cost of the tire rupture. But if you've got to spend time waiting for AAA there is NO BETTER PLACE!!

In other news tonight in case you have not been following:
Elliott Yamin's new single "Wait for You" has been number 3 on the pop music charts!!

It was announced late this week by a news station in the DC area that his next single to be released will be "One Word". A song that I thought was just ok on the album ( Elliott Yamin is the name of the album- run now and get it if you haven't heard it! every song on the album is beyond good!)but live in concert is was absolutely superb!! I expect it will do very well.

Elliott will be on the Bold and Beautiful soap opera this coming Friday - Aug 24th!

Here are a couple of pictures I took when I went to his concert in May

This concludes our news update for tonight. Please tune in tomorrow for more news and pictures of stash enhancement.

A Perfect Day

2007-08-14T23:38:00.001-04:00

The humidity and the temperature dropped and this morning was cool and pleasant. Perfect weather for knitting and coffee drinking outside.

Some of this......

and a littile of that

It is starting to come together....

This is what I am knitting. The Surf Stitch Pullover. Sorry about the lousy picture.

I am using Araucania Nature Cotton and a ribbon yarn called Lucky. I am really loving how it is looking. But I am beginning to have second thoughts about how it will look ON me. I purchesed this last weekend at Holly Spring Homespun on my way to my Mom and Dad's. This past weekend I got an email with the Nature Cotton 50% off online. But you know what?! I don't really mind because I like to support the "brick and mortor" yarn shops as well as those online. Kathy at Hollyspring has such nice samples to look at and she is always so friendly and helpful. It is a great little shop in the quant village of Powhatan and well worth the short drive out of the city.

It really isn't a Lakeknitter post without a picture of the lake. I took this one this morning and tried to capture the "sparkles" on the lake but as usual they are too elusive for the eye of my camera. Trust me tho- they are there.

Good Grief!!

2007-08-13T22:14:00.000-04:00

My goodness! It has been awhile. And I had planned to blog more in August. Looks like time just keeps getting away from me. I don't know where the summer has gone but if you judge by the heat and humidity it is still here and going strong but...if you judge by what I saw in my knitting basket today then fall is not very far off

Do you see it? I did not put it there. That is what happened when I let my knitting sit outside on the table while I played in the lake. I took a couple of extra days off to enjoy some extra fun in the sun.

I never tire of this view.never.

In knitting related news I am working on yet another new project and it is going along quite well. for me. I am almost up to the sleeves one side. The great news is that it is knit in one piece and there are only sideseams to sew up and it is knit on #10 needles. Mmmm if the sun is out and the camera battery isn't dead maybe I will give you a peek. Oh wait. There is a peek in my knitting basket.

Thanks for reading and sticking with me.

Knittting? Yes!

2007-07-24T23:27:00.000-04:00

Just to prove that there is some knitting going on in this here knitting blog here is a picture of some recent car knitting....

There is more just need to get the camera and it's battery in the same room together. Once they reunite it will be beautiful.

Virtual Vacations

2007-07-09T22:35:00.000-04:00

As I have mentioned in my previous post I joined the Virtual Vacation Knitters Swap and I decided it was high time that I got with the "program" and take y'all on some vacations!! I haven't been on a vacation yet this summer but I did make a couple of trips to Nagshead North Carolina in the off season. So grab a comfy chair and come along with me as I remember some good times in pictures.

What is most important in a Knitters Virtual Vacation??!! Why the knitting of course and when you go to the Outer Banks there is a really great LYS. So great in fact we usually head there first thing. Knitting Addiction is a lovely shop with great yarns and an equally great owner and staff

Some shots of the shop

No trip to the beach is complete without some water scenes, that hopefully include boats. We found a quiet harbor on the island of Manteo. Also the home to another lovely LYS Fine Yarns at Kimbeeba

And of course all this "tooling around" looking at fine yarns and boats leaves one a bit hungry. We had a great meal at Mama Kwan's. I had one of the best meals I have ever had there. I hope to get back there soon.

Before we leave the Outer Banks tonight I leave you with some "beach" pictures of sorts keeping in mind it was a mite bit chilly when I was there

And now...is it real or not????? You be the judge.

Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap

2007-06-21T22:07:00.000-04:00

I signed up to take a Virtual Vacation with some other knitters. There is a great blog set up for the swap with interesting contests and lots of great pictures and some really nice knitters. If you are interested in reading more HERE it is.

Here are my answeres to the Questionnaire

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?

I would like to visit Maine in the early fall. I like to visit yarn shop and antique stores. I hear that Maine has plenty of both of those and it would be so beautiful in the fall.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?

I would visit Australia because I think there would be so much to see that is different from our country. The outback and kangaroos,Perth and My sister's good friend.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Yes. One of my favorite vacations EVER involved driving from Virginia through North and South Caroline down to Savanah Georgia. I spent the week at a hotel and while my dh worked during the day I stayed by the pool and read. My biggest regret is that I wasn't knitting at that time. We went sightseeing and out to eat every night. This was BC - before children. A couple of years ago we drove through Va to Tennessee and into Georgia and ended up in Alabama. That was fun as well. I WAS knitting then and squeezed some yarn shopping into that trip!

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?

Not really. I'm still dreaming about that type of trip.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?

Some years back my dh was working on a project on the west coast. At the time I had one child and expecting son#2. My son and I flew to LA to spend some a week there with my dh and travel with him to spend 2 weeks in Monterey. It was the longest vacation I have ever taken and it was the first and so far only time I have flown. Monterey was beautiful and the hotel was on the beach. We toured much of the coast. We ate at a mountainside restaurant that is fairly well known. Nepenthe. I have around here somewhere a picture and I am pretty sure that the lady sitting behind us in sunglasses is/was someone famous.I never really noticed her until I got the pictures back. Again I wasn't knitting and that is a reall shame. I do seem to remember some cross stitiching tho.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
Yes. I do it all the time. We love to explore our state. I am very comfortable traveling throughout all parts of our state and know it very well. We have explored Williamsburg, Petersburg (a city rich in Civil War History) Appommattox and Bedford,Lynchburg and Roanoke.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?

I am a beach/water sun person at all times. Give me some type of water- Beach Lake, river or stream. I love to knit beside some type of water. LOVE it.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?

I am partial to any type of natural yarn- I like it bright and colorful

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
acrylic and most novelty yarns. Although there are times I like to knit a funky scarf in a mixture of novelty yarns.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?

socks, scarves, sweaters, mittens, hats

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?

Why I take most everything. I have a nice big basket I take filled with current and past wip. I never get too much of it done. In the summer when it is hot I am finding that I like to knit a sock because they are light and don't make my lap hot!

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?

I have done a little bit of everything during my life but for right now Knitting is my thing and what I enjoy most. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some pottery as that is a love of mine.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
Just the stuff outside in spring and fall. I seem to get along fine with all yarns.When it comes to scents I am allergic to most floral scents and find that I do well with "food" scents - cinnamom, banana bread, cookie dough...you get the picture!

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?

green is my favorite color but I really like anything that is bright and colorful

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Love both of em!

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?

I love and need coffee in the morning to get me going.

Thanks for reading all through this!

Today is my baby's birthday. He has told everyone that he is in the "double digits" today. I have to find the the card reader for the pictures. He wanted a pinata and it was hilarious. I still can't believe how grown up he is getting to be.

Elliott Yamin ~ Just For Fun

2007-06-20T22:05:00.000-04:00

I was stopping by Elliott Yamin's "My Space" tonight and he has something called "Elliott TV". The perfect thing for the adoring E-Fan ( that would be me!) It said that I could embed it on my site so I thought Why not? some of you might enjoy it. I know I will :) So here goes...............

WhoooHoooo!! It worked! If you haven't listened to his new single "Wait for You" I highly recommend it. This is some great music to knit to....so grab your headphones and your needles and join me. Great Fun!! Just click on the arrow. Thanks.

Virtual Vacation Swap Locator

2007-06-18T23:49:00.000-04:00

Hi There Vacationers.

Just a quick note to let you know that I am in VIRGINIA.

Oh! Have I mentioned anything about a yarn sale to the tune of 50% off?!?! EVERYTHING? No. I thought not. Pictures soon.

A Knitting Story for Robin

2007-06-17T09:57:00.000-04:00

HELLO. It is good to see you again. Today is the last day to tell Robin a Knitting story so here is mine:

My Mom taught me to knit when I was about 10 or so. She taught me how to cast on, knit,purl and cable. I used to watch her knit and she made lovely things. She made mohair cabled sweaters, one out of a gorgeous peach orange mohair. My favorite of all the things she made was a SUIT it was in thinking back, probably of the Chanel style. A black double breasted collared jacket and a black and white "tweedy" PLEATED skirt! I loved that outfit and always coveted it. My Mother is tall and thin so it would never have worked for me. I can remember in my early adult years I would come home and look at that suit in the drawer in tissue paper. It gave me a great sense of awe because the one thing she forgot to teach me was how to read a pattern!! I stopped knitting and purling and cableing doll blankets ( I now know knitters call what I did a SWACH) and did not pick up the needles again for many many years. I have since found that long ago buried desire to knit and more importantly I found friends with the patience to assist me along the way in understanding how to read a pattern and knit something that is more than a swatch. Will I ever knit a suit? Probably not! I am still not of the body type to wear a knit skirt. But I did buy the pattern and yarn to make this
It will be the most complicated sweater I will have made to date. I thank my Mom for teaching me the basics and I think my friends for being there and always helping me with the "rest of the story"

This is my Christmas stocking Mom made for me many many years ago probably when I was a baby! I have treasured it for all these years and still hang it up at Christmas. It was of the few things left from her knitting heyday. I asked her a couple of years ago when I started to knit again whatever happened to the suit. Sadly she had given it away.

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T23:20:00.000-04:00

This weekend has been a whirlwind of activity both work and personal but I couldn't let the day end without saying a special THANK YOU to my Mom. Not that she will read this- she laughingly remarks that she doesn't know how to turn on a computer. She is not kidding. But that's ok not everyone is destined to travel the electronic highway and my Mom is content the way she is. She loves her family and her home. She likes to watch Jeopardy and "The Wheel". She gets her hair fixed every Friday and she goes to church on Sunday. It is hard for me to admit that she is slowing down and this most recent illness has taken it's toll. I spent the day with her- trying to get her to eat and drink. She is getting better but it is very very slow. It gives Mother's Day a whole new meaning when you realize that you may never again have the Mother you grew up knowing and loving. Not that you won't always love her that never changes but it is different. I guess what I am trying to say is "Make every day count" Everything can change in a blink of an eye. No pictures this year! But here is a picture from last Mother's Day.

This was taken in March when we celebrated Mom's Birthday. My niece is also born in March so we make it a big celebration every year. The cute one in green- he's mine.

My small contribution to the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown. And no you couldn't talk me into going there on a bet!!

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy Mother's Day.

May 8th Already

2007-05-08T23:01:00.000-04:00

and here I am with my first blog post of the month. I had high hopes for many posts this month but once again life, that is my real life got in the way. This time in the form of my Mother being sick and needing my help at her house ( NO internet - yikes!)and then this past weekend ending up in the hospital.My Mom that is. She was in the hospital in Charlottesville and I must confess that had I known my way a bit better the thought of slipping out for a wee bit on Saturday afternoon to a couple of yarn shops I know are there did cross my mind.However I resisted I have made the 90 mile trek many times lately and more to come. So this go round- please forgive me for not being here. She is 85 and Dad is 88 and right now they need me. It is pretty amazing that they have lived this long and this is our first real time of need. She seems to be recovering from the pneumonia very slowly but there are other problems that may be more long lasting. There was hospital knitting thank goodness. I truly do not know how people that do not knit stand something like hours and hours in a hospital. It is so soothing amd really helps the waiting time go by.

I am trying to think of what I have to share tongight. Have I told you about ripping my cotton cardigan and starting over? I like the fabric that is being created much better. I am trying to remain faithful and finish it before I rush headlong into the next project. Not promising that I won't do that tho. I have several projects that don't need much to finish them off. The year is half over and I have no FO's to share. I really need to fix that.

Spring and Summer are almost here and I am so excited to hopefully get to spend some time hopefully at the lake. Due to above mentioned family needs that time may be more limited but I will be sure to get some lake time in for sure.

Here are a few pictures that I took last fall and never used in the blog.

The floating leaf and the old fence are two of my favorites from last fall. I am looking forward to sharing some spring pictures. Well just as soon as I locate the camera. shhhh don't tell anyone that I am not sure where it is.

Onward and Upward. Thanks for waiting for me...

Silence

2007-04-30T23:52:00.000-04:00

A Homecoming - of sorts

2007-04-24T22:31:00.000-04:00

The weather was perfect for some knitting at my favorite spot in the whole wide world. Sunny blue skies with enough spring still around for the dogwood blooms not to have disappeared. I was so afraid that I had missed them this year.

The early morning sun was just peeping out above the trees when I got up with my coffee to enjoy some time in peaceful knitting. It was everything that I had remembered and more. It is my favorite place to knit and contemplate. Smith Mountain Lake. I worked on my top down cardigan. Here is a bad picture. I am creating the shadows. I should have taken the picture earlier in the day but I didn't. Right now I am stuck and have to take it to my favorite "Knitting,M.D.! Becky. I had a dropped stitch (or two) and thought that I could drop down and make it alright. Well it turns out I can't. I have dropped and picked up the stitch(s) 3 maybe 4 times and it is looking worse instead of better. and this is going to be right at the top of the sleeve. It has to look better. I know the "doctor" can help me.

A report on the patient tomorrow night.

Distracted

2007-04-23T23:28:00.000-04:00

I think I got distracted last week and I never finished the Spring Fiber Festival Story. Mmmmm let's see where did I leave off.....

That's right we were heading into the Smith Mountain Coffee Shop for some coffee and knitting and I do believe I took some pictures while there

I knit on my weekend project : The Moebius KAL

Robin is working on her scarf since she has finished and is WEARING her moebius!Becky was working out a few tangles. Her fancy orange moebus really turned out nice!Pam wasn't looking when I her took her pic in the coffee shop and it wasn't the best so I have substituted this one I took at the Fiber Festival. Don't you love her shirt - she got it at last year's mudbog er ... I mean Fall Fiber Festival

We returned to the cabin after a great meal to knit and .......

Ever the dedicated blogger...Robin went outside to get her blog post to load and post when the signal was not good inside the cabin.

Projects that were started, picked back up and/or finished during our weekend. There was much good knitting, fun and fellowship. Afterall isn't that what makes this journey so special.

It's Spring!! Really???

2007-04-16T21:31:00.000-04:00

First of all....tonight heartfelt prayers go out to everyone and especially those who have been touched in some way by the horrible events that have unfolded today in our State. I am sure that at this point we do not fully know all the ways that the events of today will impact us. I think of the times I spent on that campus with one of my best friends. and I can only imagine the horror of being a student and that of being a parent waiting to hear news. So very tragic and sad.

Here is the first part of the Spring Fiber Festival Weekend Recap:

Fortunately for those of us in Virginia spring means the Fiber Festival in Sedalia. Sedalia is a very quant hamlet between Bedford and Big Island. While not as large as the festival held in the fall it is a nicely done event and Iam so grateful for the seating to eat and knit for a bit when taking a break from shopping or fondling the fiber.

Our adventure began on Friday as Pam, Becky and I met and headed West. We made good time and met up with Robin exactly as planned in Lynchburg. Since we had some time we decided to visit a delightful shop in Bedford called Yarn Theory. Please go by ROBIN"S BLOG fir tge full story there. I forgot to take in my camera.

We had a nice dinner and then went to Smith Mountain Lake State Park!!! This was the first time this year I had seen my beloved lake. It sure looked good to me!! I am starting to feel like "lakeknitter" is back! We had decided at Yarn Theory that we would have a Moebus Knit A Long. Becky studied Cat Bordhi's book "A Treasure of Magical Knitting" and she learned that cast on that has been known to take an entire class to learn in about ten minutes - maybe less. Then being the darling girl that she is she taught Pam and I ( I think Robin knew it or had at least done it before). Before too long we were all four tooling along on our Moebus, moebusses, moebi!

Becky and Pam are concentrating on the moebus cast on. This is very magical knitting indeed.

Robin works hard to get her air card to work correctly at the cabin.

The festival was cool and a bit damp but great fun!! I bought some yarn and some handmade pottery. I am a sucker for pottery. Pics of the loot will have to wait!

"Just Our Yarn" display. I met some new bloggers! Hi Robin

and I was lucky to run into Tanya. I hear through the grapevine that she is working on some patterns. I haven't made them yet but I love love her felted fortune cookies and I see that she is making some cute cute knitted critters.

After the festival we went to the yarn shop Tapestry in Moneta. It is a small but lovely shop I have never been in there but that the owner is so helpful and encouraging. Once again I didn't take my camera but Robin did!! I bought some Noro ribbon yarn to make a second Moebus. I wanted to get that cast on when I knew I would be near knitting guru Becky!''

We went to Smith Mountain Coffee for a coffee warm up and a bit more knitting.

More pictures coming tomorrow .....

More Surprises

2007-04-09T13:12:00.000-04:00

I am just full of them lately. No?

I had a very very special treat Friday night. So if you have been reading you know that I am a huge fan of Elliott Yamin. He has a very hunky friend from American Idol Season5 called Ace Young. If you watched AI at all last year you know who I am talking about. Well Friday night I was invited to a
"Backyard Ice Cream Party with Ace Young" and even better it was about 6 miles from my home! Whoo and Hoo! I was going!!

First of all- Many thanks to AMANDA and her parents for hosting this party and allowing me to attend. It was fantastic! And a special hello to all the "E-trainers" I got to meet!!

Being all overcome during season 5 with Elliott I wasn't wild about any other contestants but I did take notice of Ace - He has the most wonderful smile in the world. and now I know firsthand he also has a the personality to go with it. He has a wonderful way with people and when he smiles it is like it is meant just for you- he made all of us feel special. Well he made me feel special. I have never had my picture taken with such a handsome fellow in my whole life ( don't tell my husband..lol)

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and of course I have pictures.....

Just to show what a small intimate affair it was- Ace is arriving here and he wasn't mobbed. Wonder of wonders we were all calm or were we?!?!

Meeting the Younger Set!

Pictures above singing for us. I never knew he had that kind of voice. really very good.

Ace has a hug for the winner of the Edy's Ice Cream Contest and our Hostess AMANDA!

Ace with AMANDA and her MOM near the end of the evening

And even thought I hate to do it because I always hate every picture of me here is one of the very few pictures you will see of me on this blog. He looks awesome doesn't he? What a sweetheart. When his album comes out in two months I will be buying it for sure.

It was a great great evening. Ace sang three songs for us, posed for lots of pictures, answered questions of all types, led us in singing the chorus of "Movin On" for Elliott, signed autographs and even did it all over again when someone pulled up after having driven 6 hours to see him. Well I think they may have only gotten one song but still....very special.

Well if you have stayed with me for all of this the only thing I have left to say is that I have to find my iron to steam/block my sweater. I am going to put that baby together. What does it say about me that I don't know where my iron is? Nevermind. Don't answer that!!

Surprise!

2007-04-08T12:43:00.000-04:00

So ....what might the surprise be?? That I am posting? yes. That I have finished the pieces to Lizzy( anyone still remember Lizzy?)?yes. That I have something exciting to share related to American Idol 5? yes. Yes to all of the above!!!

Yes I have been knitting on Lizzy. a little. I finished sleeve no.2 in Books A Million last night while Jay reviewed books on Linux. So now I have to block it and seam it. and then there is the edging. After I finish this post I think I will get to work on it for a bit. This turn towards cooler weather has motivated me.

Now if you are an American Idol season 5 fan keep on reading because I have lots and lots to tell.....

Those of you that know me in real life know that Saturday a week ago I went up to Richmond to see Elliott Yamin at Westbury pharmacy. He received a commendation from the Virginia General Assembly for all that he has accomplished as well as the example he sets for others as a role model. In fact he was late because he was visiting a very sick child at MCV. He is a very special guy and it seems that his fame has not gone to his head. I arrived at 9:15 for a 12 noon program. I was 4th in the autograph line however I have yet to get the autograph. Due to the schedule he was unable to sign any. That is ok. I am starting to think that the chase/challenge is a great part of the fun! Now my knitting readers will understand this: Elliott fans are great people just like knitters!! We do not know a stranger and we find we have so much to talk about.Maybe this is another part of why I enjoy this whole fan thing so much! Never doubt tho that I LOVE the music. Here are some pictures from that day.

Some of the gals I made friends with while we waited. HEY! Got your tickets for Innsbrook?

Hope I see you there!

This is pencil picture of E- that has been printed on paper so that it can be ironed on a Tee shirt. Look for me in it at Innsbrook!! Thanks a million Linda!

My zoom wasn't good enough to make this readable but these are the awards that were presented to Elliott.

No explanation needed here! or here with a young fan!

Finally on my way home I found myself behind Elliott's Limo. I was not stalking but I may have beeped my horn as I drove past on my way down I95.

I may not have accomplished my main objective but I had a great time!!

A Story of Excitement and Missed Opportunity

2007-03-25T10:42:00.000-04:00

Oh My Goodness!

I know that some of you realize this because you have been reminding me but I was down to "post real soon or it will have been a month!!" time. So here I am just under the wire. Yes. I knew I had been neglecting my blog. I had been away from it and the longer I stayed away the harder it became to come back . Know what I mean? Well I.m back and I have a story to tell. It is not a knitting story so if that is why you are here you better cruise on down your bloglines because chances are you won't like this. Now if you are here as most of you are ( I think) because you know me and you still love me for the wild and crazy person that I am here we go......

In case you didn't know ---the truth is I have become a fangirl. I belong to a message board, voting sites and YES.com. all related to Elliott Yamin last years third place IDOL winner. I voted for him last year and he was and probably will be the only AI contestant that I will vote for. I started out initially to support the hometown guy. Then I fell in love with his voice and his humble ways. The infatuation has only grown. This past month has been very exciting for his fans with the release of his first album Elliott Yamin. Believe me there has been a lot to read and review online. If you haven't already go and preview his album here at AOL. You can listen to all the songs EXCEPT his remake of " A Whiter Shade of Pale" You can go here to iTunes to hear it. I think you might have to have iTunes on your computer in order to hear it. It is well worth the downloading the album for that song. I was up at 1 am creating my account so that I could download it, Here is the countdown as pictured on the Message Board Board the E-train

Many of you know that on Wednesday I "blew off" meeting up with the Knitting Gals ( sorry guys I did miss you!) to drive to Richmond to Circuit City in an effort to see ELLIOTT !! When I arrived and walked across the parking lot I heard a cheer go up from the crowd so I knew he had arrived . The line was completely circling around Circuit City. I found the end of the line and joined it. I did not have a CD to get signed as I had downloaded mine but I did have a really nice "velux" of the Richmond Times Dispatch full page picture/ article they had run a week before. My plan was to have Elliott sign that so that I could then frame it. In line I made friends with the folks around me. Someone said that he could only sign a CD so the new friends held my spot while I went into Circuit City to buy one. I walked in and the very first person I saw was Elliott's mother Claudette. She became a celebrity in her own right on the TV show. She graciously allowed me to take her picture. I was so excited it is not centered and I only got one chance but here it is.....

While in Circuit City (they were letting people in to shop) I noticed some "commotion" in the back so I wandered back there to look at some laptops....Elliott was back there doing the tv interview spots for the local news. I kept moving on back there as no one was stopping me. I got some "not so good" pictures . Then they moved him on up to the front to begin signing autographs.

I bought my CD and went back out to my place in the mile long line.

Waiting in line was fun. I was waiting with really friendly /talkative people both in front and behind me.These cute gals made their shirts. Can't you tell they are BEST friends??

The line wound around the store and it seemed to move quickly. It was actually about an hour and a half . Then we were finally at the front of the store and saw this

We all thought that this sign meant that he would only sign his CD what it meant we found out later was "only for a limited amount of time" We had put the emphasis on only in the wrong place!!

We were so excited to finally be INSIDE the store where it was warm and we could hear the music and see what was going on!! The line moved sooo fast inside the store.

We were around and almost to the front in what felt like no time. However ........it was not enough time. Exactly at 8pm Elliott and his entourage were coming down the aisle where we were standing , he was jogging actually- I didn't know what was going on but there he WAS right beside me so I did what any good fangirl would do- I reached out my hand and TOUCHED him!!! Seems that was a good move on my part because that was as close as I got. They had to leave at the specified time to catch a plane back to LA. where he was taping the ELLEN show the next morning. So close and yet not close enough.

But the story does not end there. there was yet another missed opportunity.... as I was leaving I took a picture of the empty table- see that STARBUCKS cup? I was tempted to take it just in case it had been Elliott's ( I know sooo bad ) but there were lots of people standing around and I chickened out. The other day when I was looking at THE RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH pictures online there was one of Elliott coming into Circuit City and what was he carrying?!? You guessed it!!! Oh well. the next time I am going with my instincts.

On the way to my car I did get to watch him leave in his limo.

And while I was disappointed to not have gotten his autograph on my velux , I am confident that there will be other chances. I will just have to wait a while longer to get it framed.

Next time ......knitting content . I promise.

OBX ... A Knitter's Weekend

2007-02-28T23:59:00.000-05:00

As usual I am a day (or more!) late and a dollar short but before the week is over I am determined to post about this wonderful past weekend. This weekend was the brainchild of my dear friend and fellow knitting fiend Pam. Our other cohorts in crime er knitting were Robin and Mary. In a way it was somwhat unusual because three out of the four of us have blogs. Unusual for me in that I try to be the one TAKING the pictures and NOT the other way around.Visit Robin and Mary for their "take " on the weekend and lots of pictures. Pam was most indulgent of her blogging companions and was very patient when we had to pull over on the busy highway to take a picture of the sunset.

Blogging the blogger as she captures the sunset.

Here we go....

On Friday I drove to Pam's and lucky me! she drove to the Outer Banks. This meant that I got knitting in the car time which is almost unheard of for me. I am our family's main driver for trips. I got some "sea bands" to try since I tend towards carsickness. I do think they worked. I knit on Lizzy the whole way. I have about a half a sleeve to go! Pam and I went to the Beach house first because we had to turn the water on and we wanted to be sure to do that in the light of day. The way we looked having to get down on the ground to turn the main valve it might have been better in the dark. Fortunately at this time the camera was still in the car.

The view from our Beach House.

Mary gave us a holler as she came across the bridge and found herself at Knitting Addiction. Pam and I abandoned the freshly popped popcorn and hurried to meet up with Mary. If you have not been to Knitting Addiction I highly recommend it. The owner and her staff are awesome. There is a wide selection of yarn and patterns as well as many knitted samples. Jeannie the owner also wears lots of the samples and I blame her for the patterns I HAD to purchase. She has a nice comfy area for sitting and knitting. Friday afternoon I bought the Fall INTERWEAVE KNITS- I know you can't believe that I didn't have it but I didn't and there are several things that I would like one day to make.

When Robin joined the 'merry band" we immediately hurried off to dinner at The Flying Fish. This was a nice restaurant but I didn't make a good menu choice and the service got off to a bad start and kept going downhill. WHY didn't I know that Gorgonzola cheese was the same thing as bleu cheese ?? After dinner we hurried home to put on our jammies and get down to the knitting. That is afterall what we had come for......

Follow Up

2007-02-19T21:33:00.000-05:00

I have a lot that I need to follow up on for you. First of all a week from today I had alluded to mystery and left you hanging. sorry about that. Unfortunately my blogging, knitting and interneting came to a dead halt due to the "NoroVirus" and I am NOT talking about the kind that knitters love. But I am good and back on track so here we go....

Go back to the previous post and look at those photos from Dad's Birthday and oops- Here is a collage I made. Now for those of you familiar with Richmond radio both current and past this little question is for you. Heard of "Shotgun John"? He is and has been a dj for Q94 for some time and he was at my Dad's Birthday party. So check out the pictures and see if you can figure it out. I still can't believe I didn't think to beg, plead with him to play Elliott's "Movin' On.

I know. If you have been on the receiving end of my Elliott mania you can't believe it either!

I have decided that the other item that needs follow up really deserves its very own post. Dare I say Tomorrow?

Celebration

2007-02-12T22:15:00.000-05:00

In celebration of my Dad's Birth some quite remarkable 88years ago the family got together to break bread and eat CAKE! My parents both in their 80's are pretty amazing. They can both still drive and drive SAFELY as in they do not present any unusual dangers out on the highway other than the usual that can happen to any of us. They are both mentally sharp as tacks and get a good joke. I KNOW that I am truly blessed. So in the spirit of the celebration I am sharing some family pictures and whatever I may decide to reveal.

The opening of the presents. Something has sure sparked a good laugh from the Birthday Boy. In looking back at this picture I wish I had been listening instead of picture taking.HEY! I might have missed something. The lady beside him is my Mom's sister Hilda. She's 80 something too.I don't know if you can read the writing on the bottle but it says "Petersburg". My Aunt brought this old bottle to Dad for his Birthday. He and my Mom lived and worked in Petersburg in the mid 40's. I lived in Petersburg too at one time. Maybe Aunt Hilda has another one....

Our favorite part - The eating of the cake- That's my Mom behind the cake. My sister makes a really good chocolate cake which is Dad's favorite. Ok. OK . Chocolate cake with white icing is my favorite too. Especially when Mom would make the icing from the 10X bag of sugar.....

I have more pictures but blogger does not seem to want to put them on here. I have tried THREE times. So I guess I will have to put some more up tomorrow.

Something to be guessed, a curious little fact, especially relevant to my Richmond area readers. Someone who may be pictured here today or someone I tried to picture here today is known in certain Richmond circles and more especially from a more distant time frame.maybe. Think about it. More tomorrow.

It Worked!

2007-02-10T09:48:00.001-05:00

YAY! But please don't miss the most recent KNIT NITE post that is just below the Movin On Post. Later. More knitting soon. Maybe today?

THE Experiment

2007-02-10T09:48:00.000-05:00

I found this on the AOL site and thought I would give it a try-
HERE GOES

autoplay_video()

Also if I happen to disappear don't worry I will be back- Hopefully! It is looking like Blogger is about to force me to change to the new version. I dread it as I barely got this one up and going.
But not to worry I do live with a computer guru- he will help me.

Knit Nite at Castaways

2007-02-09T23:28:00.000-05:00

We had our usual great time knitting on Wednesday night. We were fewer in numbers than usual but we still managed to take up about half the coffeeshop and get some knitting done. I remembered my camera again! YAY! It seems I am on a roll!

Here we are at Castaways and this is the delightful "staff" person that takes such good care of us. She has learned what we each like to drink and almost every night we are there she brings us a sample of something good. Wednesday night it was a "blueberry pomegranate" smoothie.

The lovely Pam is modeling a very pretty scarf that she made. It is a great color on her!

This is Carol. I can't remember what she is working on but it is sure to be Beautiful!

Becky is ordering some coffee to go! We do love our coffee . She made that gorgeous sweater she is wearing. Unlike me. Becky actually finishes projects- lots of projects!

Last but not least is BethP she is showing off her afghan. It is her own version of the AbFab that she made for her daughter at Christmas but I think she is using Manos and a contrasting yarn. It is super soft and turning out oh so nice!

So there you have it! The Gals from this past Wednesday. and YES! I was there too but I was where I like to be which is BEHIND the camera. I am still knitting away on my Noro Lizzy sweater. It is coming along. I have a goal to finish it so that I can wear it before it gets too hot! Like maybe the Spring Fiber Festival in April. It was downright cold last year for the event so maybe I have a chance!

Hope you all have a knitterly weekend!

OK I PROMISE!

2007-02-09T00:44:00.000-05:00

I promise really I do that I won't turn this into an Elliott Blog but this news is just too good not to share. Elliott's first single has a preview up on AOL and also a Youtube. Put some headphones on ( his voice is so absolutely unbelievable through headphones! REALLY) and give a listen. Also on the AOL site are some "snippets" of some of the other songs on the album debuting on March 20. Listen to them! They are beyond awesome. This new version of "A Song for You" brought tears to my eyes it is so beautiful and I cannot wait to hear the whole song. Even better than when he did it on American Idol. I am so proud of this fellow Virginian that I have supported since the very beginning!

Here are the links:

AOL link http://music.aol.com/franchise/firstlisten/elliott-yamin-new-songs

Youtube Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NkEgi6WxcM

Sorry too excited for knitting content tonight. BUT I have been knitting to "Moving On" You can get those needles clicking right on.......

A Snippet

2007-02-04T23:36:00.000-05:00

For those of you in this area and for those of you not- that may be fans of Elliott Yamin from last year's American Idol did you know that he is about to release his first single of his own original music? Not a cover but his own. I for one cannot wait for February 13th!!

Here is a link to a youtube 30 second preview. It has a great beat and I just keep on humming. If you want to be notified of all things ELLIOTT then click on the banner on my sidebar and visit i-squad. It is fun and very imformative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpA9Uz4Mff8

Don't ya know I just love to put my headphones on and knit to the voice of Elliott. Just have to try and not hum- it drives the kids crazy. Something about no tune ....

The Un-Super Bowl Party

2007-02-04T21:28:00.000-05:00

I am not a football fan. I am not sure that I even know who is playing right now so I was thrilled to get an email from knittingpal and all around pal PAM to see if I wanted to come visit, knit and watch KNITTY GRITTY on TV. Oh yeah! So I went, we did some knitting , some eating, some watching of the Knitty Gritty and some computer updating. Pam needed to get hooked up with Bloglines and some other places that she NEEDED to go like...etsy.

YES! Pam that is right! Now you won't have to keep going to my blog and be disappointed when it isn't updated. Bloglines will (for the most part) tell you when I do!
CiCi is saving my spot and keeping it warm for me. Isn't she a cutie?

CiCi is helping Becky knit AND she has her eye on me in case I decide to eat something. They were so cute...

This is how Pam knits with one or both of her babies in her lap or often CiCi is behind her head. That is Frito or "Totie" as he is often called helping Pam at the moment. She swears that between the two of them they should be able to knit on her WIP's by now.

"To Continental or NOT to Continental" ...THAT is the question. Becky is a professed combined continental knitter. Pam and I are both "throwers". Becky has moved over to show Pam how to continental knit. We are both curious about it as it makes seed stitch and ribbing easier and faster BUT before that happens we have to get the hang of it. Pam is giving it a go but decides NOT to continue on the sweater she is in the middle of knitting. Maybe we will both swatch a washcloth using the combined continental cussin' knitting style. We will see.

All in all a wonderful way to spend a few hours of Super Bowl Sunday. I still haven't seen any of the game!

We Had Guests!

2007-01-31T23:05:00.000-05:00

Tonight at our Knit Nite we has some special guests. I am very pleased to be able to share some pictures with you as for once in about a million years I remembered my camera- nevermind that I had to CHARGE the battery first. But I did have the charger with me! Another miracle in of itself

So in no particular order ( they were ALL special! and deserving to be listed first!!) But someone has gotta go first

This is Robin from For Love of Fiber blog. She is also the AMAZING knitter, hooker, spinner and maker of neat soaps and other things that planned and coordinated the recent weekend retreat we attended. Robin lives about an hour and a half away so we were especially honored that she took the time to come and knit with us. Please enlarge the picture and see the SNOWMAN on the end of her stitch marker that she made!! I tried to distract her long enough to set him free and take him home with me but ...no such luck!

This lovely lady is Robin's good friend Anne. It was so nice to get to chat with her and get to know her. She fit in like she has been knitting with us a long time (so did ROBIN- but after the other weekend she IS one of us!) She and Robin have started their very own KAL and they both have the "Noro Virus" as you might have noticed! We hope that both of these gals will join us whenever they can. Every week would be just fine!! and Anne and I seem to like some of the same colors.

Pam is showing off her BOHO purse. It is almost finished and will be so very pretty. Anne knits on beside her. edited: There is half of Lindy!

So here is a group picture. Well almost. Robin and I were both up taking some pictures. The gals are in the middle of a "Crochet Tutorial" and you can see that Pam and Becky are quite intent. Anne knits on. That gal is gonna be done with that KAL before the week is out! Hurry! Robin HURRY! The lady at the end in the gray sweater is dear Judy who is not only blogless she is without Internet! YIKES! There is Sandy in the lavender and just a peep at Carol on the left. Please go to check Robin's blog as I know she has a better group picture.

And now because I might have saved the cutest and for sure the YOUNGEST for last! Ella Grace joined us tonight . I just had to make her picture the largest because you see she is just too cute for words wearing her sweater knit just for her by ME!! Yep her Mom brought her tonight dressed in the sweater that I made her. I could be partial but I think it looks great on her and it matches her eyes!! I have a feeling that Ella will be coming to more Knit Nites in more handknits because I happen to know for a fact that she has quite a few.

Apologies to Lindy this cutie pie's Mom because I didn't get her picture tonight- But just trust me when I tell you that Ella comes by all this cuteness naturally.

It was a great night! I am doing armhole decreases on the side of my Lizzy sweater. Actually moving pretty fast. for me. Maybe some pictures soon!

OH! I forgot! Robin delivered an absolutely gorgeous basket that her Dad made for me when the green one I had wanted at the Retreat was sold. He does some amazing work and is fast too. Another good picture in the works there.

Like A Box of Chocolates

2007-01-29T23:03:00.000-05:00

that is what knitting with Noro is like. I am making a cardigan using Noro Silk Garden and I am telling you ( well most of you already know this) knitting with this yarn is positively addictive. You NEVER know exactly what color, what shade or HOW much of it is going to come out. I started out trying to keep the color pattern going. I thought I was doing pretty well. Until. The colors decided to make larger stripes with the second skein. Now I have decided to just go with what the chocolates umm NORO gives me. The yarn is silky and nice for the most part and the color changes keep you going for "one more row" I have finished the back and have a good start on one side. It's the nice easy no thinking knitting. The kind I am do best!

I have been looking for patterns for my sisters hat to match the scarf I made her for Christmas. It is a green Manos curly scarf ( looks like a vine) with knitted flowers attached. She wants the type of hat that would look cute with more of the flowers attached. I sent her the link to this one. Go to Niks Knits scroll down her right sidebar.I am thinking that "The Republic" will look good with flowers instead of the large button. I want one for myself with some really neat button. She has some nice patterns. I almost put her picture with the credit on here but realized in time that was a NO NO. So please go to the link and check it out!Here is an uncropped ( I am tired and need to get to bed!) picture of my sis opening the scarf on Chrismas. Not much to see in that state but maybe you get the idea. There was a better picture of someone modeling the scarf but I am under orders NOT to use that picture. I will get a better one.Probably when the hat is done. She and her husband are going to Montana and Utah in early April and she thinks she will need it then.

Any other hat ideas? Anyone?

Well It's Been A Week

2007-01-26T22:58:00.000-05:00

and...
On my way home tonight I was reflecting on what I was doing just one short week ago. Pam and I had arrived in Clarksville and were checking on the arrival status of the rest of our group while planning to go to dinner with the gals from the Richmond TNK group. It was interesting that night to see as it progressed how we all became friends. It never ceases to amaze me how the love of some fiber and sticks can bring people together. If you have never experienced it then you probably think that I am nuts but I have a feeling that most of you that stop by here and knitters and you "get it".

As you have probably read we had DOOR PRIZES lots and lots of door prizes. I was the lucky recipient of 2 books and green LOCKABLE row counter. We had a couple of grand prizes and Sheddy and Robin C were the BIG winners!
That is Robin with a huge hank of mohair and Sheddy won a Lawre's Laine bag. Happy Gals!

Tami won some yummy candy. Her pj's were too cute- they glowed in the dark.

Please take note of Pam's handknit sweater and necklace. Her eye and talent are amazing. She is always creating something extraordinary.

I am almost finished the back of the sweater I started last weekend. I know that for many of you that is slow and your sweater would be done- but for me it is huge!! In more ways than one.

Take care and knit happy.

Elliott Yamin

2007-01-24T23:40:00.000-05:00

I know! I know! I know I owe all of you some more pictures and information about our FUN Fibery weekend. and it will come I promise! I just need to rest up and get to moving some pictures around. Blogger will only load ONE picture at a time for me right now. Makes it so slow.

Anyway for a little change of pace you might have noticed my new FLASHING button in my sidebar. I have to spread some of the ELLIOTT love for my favorite Virginian. Many of you that know me know that last season of AI found ME voting. I had NEVER done that before but our local boy Elliott won me over. I have continued to follow what has been going on with him through the concerts, the gig at the State Fair and most recently his first single which was a cover of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" I had never heard that song before but Elliott's version is the ONLY one in my book. In case you haven't been following he is getting ready to release another single on Feb 13 and his first CD in March. I can't wait. I want this young man from Richmond to succeed. His voice is magical and captivating. In case you are interested in learning more and/or being a part to spreading the news as it happens and maybe being part of a group that hears the news FIRST! Click on the banner and go see what it is all about. I still can't believe I did it.

To thank you for reading this far- Here is a bit of knitting content: I am to the armhole shaping of the back of my NORO Lizzy sweater- Looks like I have the "Noro Virus"too as I may have ordered a bag of Silver Thaw on Friday morning.And we all know that Robin H.has it as well. Besides buying some 12 or so skeins this weekend here is a picture of her Blossom shawl/capelet. It is so gorgeous and looked so good on. BethP are you looking at this?? You know you loved it! You who never makes garments!!! Take a good look! Lovely.

So you see the Noro Virus really doesn't deserve all that bad press. Now does it?

I Don't Know Where to Begin

2007-01-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about this past weekend all day trying to decide where to start and what pictures to use. Now Robin, the coordinator extraordinaire of the event has commented that she had been watching for my recap so I guess I have just got to jump on in and begin.

First of all Robin..I got to know Robin from commenting on her blog, For Love of Fiber, which is a wonderful blog by the way. I was thrilled when she emailed me to see if I was interested in attending a knitting retreat she was planning at Buggs Island Lake. WAS I!!?? of course I was! I am Lakeknitter don't ya know. So then I asked her if the gals I knit with could be included. This led to 8 Colonial Heights Knitters joining the South Richmond TNK (Tuesday Night Knitters) for a weekend of knitting, eating and all around good time.

Pam and I arrived by 5pm and got settled into our room. Pam has her priorities in order as she fixes us a little before dinner drink. Our rooms there at the Best Western were very nice with a lake view, patio and wet bar. It was very comfortable and clean. I think they were very smart and put all of us knitters into the section where the conference center is located. The way we ran around in our pj's it was a good thing!

The view from our room. Nice. Very nice.

We got a great group together and went to the LakeHouse Restaurant for dinner on Friday night. It was a great time for us Colonial Heights Knitters to get to know the TNKnitters. Oh MY! We laughed and had the best time. I sat by Tami at dinner and found out that we had many many things in common. Kindred spirits for sure.

We went back to the hotel, put on our pj's and got busy knitting. I evidently didn't take any pictures that night. I got to spend some time getting to know Jane. We also got to know each other from Blog comments and had met briefly at Fiber events and through her sister Lawre, but it was nice to get to spend some real time getting to know each other and she is just as sweet and funny as I thought. A great friend to have, for sure.
See the cute "Welcome" bags Robin and her Mom made for us sitting on the table. They were so nice.
Robin officially welcomes us all on Saturday morning and we get right to the business at hand of KNITTING.

This is the view from the conference center looking to the right.

After the lunch break we returned to find Vendors had set up their wares! Knitters always need more yarn, gadgets and just STUFF. We LOVE it!

This is Robin and her lovely Mom with her dog Lily.

Aren't they cute?

This is taking me forever as I am having to upload eachseparatelyeperately. So stay tuned for

"Knittin' at the Lake" part 2 tomorrow. Much more to come!

A Picture IS Worth a Thousand Words

2007-01-21T23:53:00.000-05:00

and will really have to do tonight because I am sooo tired. I am off work tomorrow and I can't wait to describe my wonderful weekend to ALL that will listen. But in the meantime here's the picture. Gotta LOVE It!!

What They Were Up To Today

2007-01-09T22:29:00.000-05:00

Guess what these two were up to today?? That's my niece and my youngest son. Kara is home from college for another week and today she picked up her young cousin for an evening of pure sweet fun.
They were super busy doing some fancy creating:

Now for knitting. Indigomuse asked about the pattern I decided on for my lovely mohair from FFF and the answer is......I haven't decided yet. At the moment I am focusing on finishing the sweater I started last year from the ella rae book one. I had to go buy more yarn but I think I am good to go now. I have one sleeve and then the sewing begins! I really want to have it finished to wear if (IF) Big IF the weather is cold enough when I go to Robin's Knittin at the Lake Retreat in 2 weeks. I might wear it for a few minutes even it it isn't cold enough. But Tanya as soon as I decide I will be letting you know! I have just a few finishing touches on my sister's scarf and hat.

I do need some yarn for the RED SCARF project. Hopefully something more in the way of pictures if the sun will come out!

What A Beautiful Day

2007-01-08T23:03:00.000-05:00

Jamestown in January?!?!

with a gorgeous sky. The temperatures were in the mid to upper 70's, practically unheard of here in Virginia in January. I think we broke a record. OH! I forgot. I am talking about SATURDAY! Today the sky was not so pretty. It was gray, cloudy and rainy. I had really wanted to post my Saturday sky on Saturday but the fates would not allow my high speed internet that I pay so much $$ for to work correctly. So just bear with me now. If it will work now. edited: nope didn’t work so here I am on MONDAY night trying to get this post through.

Anyway there is only one good thing to do on such a glorious day and that is get out and go for a drive and what's even better is knowing that there is a yarn shop on the way and a good meal. You know what? If I were a better blogger and planner I would have taken a picture of Pam's new nails because that is how we came to go on an adventure at a moment's notice. She had come up to town to get her nails done and on a whim she called to see if I wanted to go adventuring after. Pam knows me well and knows that I need NO preparation and I can be ready on a moments notice. We decided that since it was such a beautiful day that we would both drive to about halfway to her house and catch the ferry over to Williamsburg. If you don't know there is a great place to eat and a great LYS not too far from the ferry. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed for Vacation. We didn’t hold that against them because with all the hoopla of the Jamestown anniversary going on in Williamsburg this year it may well have been their only chance. We can go again. We did go to the outlets to find some comfortable shoes with support for these 50 something feet of mine( yes I DO need to update my profile- I’ll get around to it) Got some great shoes and coffee. We ended the day at Knitting Sisters LYS. A very nice shop with a great selection. I left with some hand lotion and a green row counter that looks like a frog.

To wind down this post that doesn’t seem to want to end, I leave you with the Saturday Sky pictures on the Jamestown Ferry “Pocahantas” one going over and one on the return trip. Really it is the best way to go.

On the knitting front:
I am almost finished sleeve #1 and all that is left is Sleeve #2 and to pick up and knit the ribbing and then I will have competed my first real with sleeves notavest but a SWEATER! Story at 11!

Living Up to My Resolution- The Early Days

2007-01-03T23:09:00.000-05:00

In an effort to live up to my resolutions or should I say "goals" for the New Year here I am! I don't have long because one of my lesser known goals is to get more sleep and that means cutting back on the late nights on the computer.

I am on Day 2 of Weight Watchers. So far so good. It is early in the game yet.

Went to Knit Nite tonight. Took some pictures. But no time for much posting tonight

I am posting. Albeit hurridly and without much thought. But I do want to share more of my life this year so in that spirit I want to share a picture I took back at Thanksgiving of my Brother, Father and youngest son. Not a bad looking trio of men if I do say so myself.

2007.....A Fresh Start

2007-01-01T14:35:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year !!

Yes! Blog friends and real friends and those of you that fall into both categories (you know who you are) I feel the need for a new start with this New Year. I have spent the better part of the day Blogrolling around and reading so many inspiring New Year's posts and I have found that it was depressing my lazy self. Have you SEEN some of the knitblogger's FO's?? Well I have and I am blown away. I am amazed at how many of these talented gals made good on their 2006 promises. and their plans for 2007 is nothing short of amazing. I should link to them but I didn't actually keep track of where I was, as usual I was wandering aimlessly.
But I have found motivation and inspiration and my goals and resolutions are simple:

1. POST MORE

2. KNIT MORE

3. EAT LESS

I could elaborate more on each of those but I won't. I will save it for another time. Need more POSTS remember- that's at least THREE separate posts there! More if you count the "eat less".

In noticing all the FO's out there all I could think about was my UFO's because I certainly have alot of them. Maybe I will pull them out for a picture. Nope that is a post for another day when the light is better.

And just because this IS a knitting blog supposedly here is an overexposed picture of the lovely lightly variegated mohair that I bought at the Fall Fiber Festival. I bought it to make a lovely airy sweater that when I got the pattern in the mail EVERY row was a pattern row! There were no purl back rows. After about 4 or 5 false starts that included not even being able to COUNT the stitches with the mohair (very hairy indeed...looks like more stitches) I gave up and decided to find another pattern. It came to me late Saturday night that I already had the Noro book with Lizzy in it that I had wanted to make and even though I have the Noro I am attempting Lizzy in the mohair. Will it work? I have no idea. I did swatch and it looked right on but.....I guess time will tell. One thing I am sure of tho- is that I love love the colors and subtle changes of this yarn. Working with mohair not so much. But you can't have everything. So that is my New Year Project newly on the needles.

Holiday Wishes from my Little Elf

2006-12-16T00:12:00.000-05:00

My dear Clay has a special message for all of you. Please follow the link to see him sing and dance.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=7430e86c6ebb5fde111fe3bG06121520

This was too cute to resist.

Knitter's Cake

2006-12-03T08:25:00.000-05:00

YES! You can have your "CAKE"

...........and eat it too!!

Enjoy a knitterly Sunday. I am currently working on a Christmas present.

edited to add:

While I greatly appreciate the Birthday wishes the cake isn't mine :)

I just thought it was really cute. If any of you out there are in the Richmond area it came from Ukrops.

Back to the Blog

2006-11-20T22:43:00.000-05:00

Christmas is coming and I have my present already and I am so loving my new new laptop with the 17 inch screen but not loving the time it takes to get everything moved back on it where it should be and most importantly...not bringing over all the computer clutter that I do NOT need. I must confess that my brain seemed to freeze about how to find my Lakeknitter "Manage Posts" page. It was bookmarked on the old computer and I just couldn't seem to get it figured out. Tonight my brain defrosted and here I am. I am curious to see if pictures will post faster and if this whole process will be made better with a faster laptop.

Guess I will see what pictures I have on here and what might be worth adding. Be back in a minute.....

Fall at Smith Mountain Lake. Another beautiful time to be there! Oh Wait. ANYTTIME is a beautiful time to be there.

I have been knitting. YEAH!! Good times working on some Christmas gifts. It is really sad. I get home so late that it is really dark and that is inhibiting my picture taking. Maybe that is what I need to do at lunch. Take pictures instead of eat. Anyway I have much to photograph.

Many thanks to Robin . I won a Blog contest over at her Blog and I want to get some pictures taken and do a proper thank you. Lovely lovely prize. It was so sweet of you to send one of your handcrafted pins. LOVE it!

Now that I have you curious about the presents and the prize I will say

"Good Night"

Lest You Think.....

2006-11-11T22:29:00.000-05:00

....that no knitting takes place here at emmy's house anymore. Here is some proof that while the knitting experience might take much in the way of time eventually it is completed. almost.

Remember this? Purchased and posted about sometime back in February I do believe. I have read reports of this yarn being rough, scratchy and hard on the hands. I find mine to be soft and easy to work with.Here it is today, oh...about 9 months later....

I get to spend some time on "sleeve island" and I will have a nice sweater when the cold weather gets here. I think of this as a very fall sweater and refer to it as my "Indian Corn Sweater" I would like to finish it in time for Thanksgiving. Do you think I can?

Today was a busy day in Williamsburg. I was there for work but did get to do some shopping. Unfortunately nowhere near Knitting Sisters. There are lots of new signs to Jamestown and all around the area in anticipation of the big Celebration coming up in 2007.

More news tomorrow??

This just in....

2006-11-05T11:49:00.000-05:00

....Late breaking news!! Pam and Becky are back from Stitches and here is the fun picture of them to prove it. I am marking my calendar NOW for next year.

Isn't that just the coolest picture?!? I could use some sock yarn in those colors!! So pretty. Next year my "ugly mug" will be right in there with them.

I am so glad to hear that they had a great time. They saw Jane and Lawre. And to quote Pam in a not so exact way " Knitters are such nice people. They are truly as a group and individually the most helpful and kind people. There was none of the crowding and such that you see at some of the larger craft/Christmas shows. It was like getting to visit oh about 200 LYS." WOW! I am just "eat up with the jealousy". Can't wait for Wednesday night! I'll be sure to bring my camera. Thank goodness I have friends that I can live the good time vicariously .

Oh and in light of recent computer problems I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about missing Stitches as I ordered a new laptop yesterday!! WHOO HOO!

Explorers Lewis and Clark found in Virginia

2006-11-05T09:44:00.000-05:00

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark arrived in Virginia on a special mission. They came to this lovely state to bring yarn more specifically SOCK yarn and other goodies as a part of the YARN ABOARD swap. It is very fitting that Lewis and Clark delivered this yarn as they were the explorers dispatched by Thomas Jefferson to explore a route west by water. Now if you have been reading my blog you know that I LOVE any type of water - lakes, rivers, ocean. That is so me. But...did you know ( and I am guessing that AMANDA did!) that Thomas Jefferson's home he used as a retreat is in nearby Bedford County? It is and had it been open we would have stopped by for a visit and to catch up on old times.

However here we have the explorers enjoying fall in Virginia. Why I believe that could be Poplar Forest in the background ......

Lewis and Clark also had a chance to enjoy the lovely lake view and to decide which of the contributory rivers would be best for exploring. At the moment we are on Gills Creek just off of Blackwater River but believe that they plan to follow it up to the ROANOKE river and follow it out West.

OH!! I bet you would like to know about WHAT is in the box. Well Maria from Florida sent the YA Box to me and it was loaded with lovely goodies. Here...let me show you......

Beautiful BEAUTIFUL yarn and so soft and best of all yarn I did not have and have been wanting to try.....The skein on the left is SUNSHINE yarn which I have tried on several occasions to obtain and been too late. The other as you can see by the label is Trekking XXL and it is that lovely colorway 100 that has been seen around. I am thrilled with both of them. The small brown cylinder is a WOODEN chibi holder with chibis. You can see "The Good Yarn" and there is wonderful candy a magnetic notepad and hiding in the back is the "Cascading Leaves" sock pattern. What an awesome package. THANK YOU! Maria. I love it all! Really I do! and I am sorry that it took me so long to post about it.

Now...one last look at the Lewis and Clark Yarn Aboard Box and Smith Mountain Lake in the fall

before the box goes on to it's next Port of Call which is ......

Good Things

2006-11-04T01:51:00.000-05:00

I have some good things to share but am just not up to fighting with Blogger tonight er ..this morning. Between Blogger and my laptop acting funny (again) (and I don't like that!) I will post them later this morning when I am fresh and armed with coffee. Please come back by.

It is sooo good

2006-10-17T21:57:00.000-04:00

to have my very OWN laptop back! Last week my power cord literally melted down before my very eyes. Leaving me holding a useless cord with wires, ends popping, totally exposed. Thankfully a replacment was to be found with not too much difficulty. There were other laptops available and I used one- for email and work, but I wanted MINE! with MY bookmarks and favorites and easlily accessible Bloglines. All the little things that I take for granted. AND the big thing- like having all my pictures and many of my knitting patterns being held hostage by the computer with no power. BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP. I cannot say it enough BACK UP. Had I done that in the last hundred or so years? noooooo. MUST. BACK. UP.

OK! I have tried to upload pictures to Blogger about SIX or more times!! I have had this post written for TWO weeks. I have much more to post about and so I am sending this on without the pictures. It tells me that they are loaded but yet they are not here. So I now have to apologize that the pictures I refer to are not there! Sorry.

In an effort to finish up some very important business. Namely some swaps that I have been involved with I wanted to post some finishing pictures. I don't know if my Knit Socks Kit Swap partner has received hers yet. I was late getting it out to her so I kept adding to it in an effort to make it worth the wait. I knit and felted her knit bag and I was ever so fortunate to obtain some VESPER sock yarn in The Strange Little Mama colorway. This took a bit of time because "vesper girl" was vacationing. She got it right to me just as soon as she could. Here are some pictures of the day I was putting the finishing touches on the kit and getting it all boxed up.

I was also involved in the "Funky Scarf Swap". This was fun and I kept changing my scarf. When I went back and read that my pal was not a fan of pastels I went back and made her a potato chip scarf using Schaeffer "Miss Priss" yarn. A very very soft yarn I must add. Really nice to work with. It was a fun knit but when it was done it was too late to add more. I would knit again with 110 stitches rather than the 90 the pattern specified.

And finally I got out the camera and took some Saturday Sky pictures. It was a bright sunny day, crisp and cool. There was a touch of color in the leaves at the lake. I had thought there would have been more- but no.

FFF or Better Known as....

2006-10-10T00:14:00.000-04:00

The "Fantastic" Fall Fiber Festival. I look forward to this event all year. It was only my second but boy was the anticipation high! The weather around here in Va. not so good. But we took off on Sunday having decided on Friday night NOT to try it on Saturday. It was still drizzling in our little part of Va when we left heading west and then north. The weather improved but the mud at the festival did not. Many thanks to the folks at Knitters Review that had braved the festival on Saturday and gave reports of the mud so I had on old old tennis shoes. If you were there then I probably missed seeing you because I had my head down the whole time watching every step I placed. I was so proud because my shoes were not so bad. The mud was not over the top ruining my socks! But then...I looked at my jeans. I had mud splatters all the way up to my knees. So much for being proud. Some vendors were not there and I was sorry for that. But I did not blame them. We all know what they have invested in their wares. Now even though two of the main ones I had interest in were not there I managed to make some NEW friends and find some lovely yarns and patterns and even a Christmas gift or two. I did manage to see a few blogging knitters that I read and I believe I missed seeing some as well.

The one thing that I missed the most was MY CAMERA!! It was back in the car at home! I had the extra battery and the memory card but no camera. I guess I will have to take pictures of all the wonderful things that I bought and share those with you.

Hang on until tomorrow and there will be more.....

It's October Y'all

2006-10-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe it! It was just May. I don't know where the summer has gone, it certainly flew by that is for sure. Here it is OCTOBER! and we all know that means. Christmas is around the corner. The stores will soon push all the Halloween goodies aside and bring out the trees and the trimmings.

October also is a fun month because it is This is a pretty relaxed KAL with not really any rules other than to have fun knitting socks. You can start new ones, finish up some that have been hanging out on your needles, you can knit up some for a swap or a charity. It is just SOCK FUN all month long. My plans are to work on finishing some socks. I have been counting and I have on needles the following SIP ( Socks In Progress):

*Koigu Jaywalkers ~ on the foot of sock 1

*Blueberry Waffle~ somewhere on the cuff, it's been awhile

*Claudia's Handpainted Red Wagon socks~ All I have done is cast on

*Mountain Colors something that I can't remember ~it's been so long

*Baby socks in Candy

*NONO Kitty Socks~ So close These are in the yarn I got from NoNO Kitty right before she quit selling her hand dyed yarn. The color and the feel are superb and I am getting close to finishing them. I love the colors in this yarn and they are matching up pretty well. They won't be identical but for sure they are fraternal. Here they are when I first started them back at the beginning of the summer er...spring.

One more thing before I go tonight. I had joined the "Funky Scarf" swap and the scarves are to all be mailed out around October 14th. There have been about 5 different plans I have had for the scarf. Indecision was killing me and wasting valuable time. My partner is not much for novelty yarn and likes a skinny long scarf. My question is "What is long?" Is it 60" or 70" or longer? Here is the scarf all in a tangle ..... I used three different yarns and I think it is looking pretty good. I WOULD wear it. As a matter of fact I will probably have a hard time sending it off. I like it a lot!!

But please give me an idea of a good length for a long skinny scarf. Here it is being held aloft by my 6'4" tall son. It looks pretty long to me but it only measures out to 45". I know blocking will lengthen it but I want it to be right. I have yarn to go another 10 -20 inches or so.....
Wishing all of you happy knitting this week. This week's blog will feature a dishcloth in progress (DIP) HEY! I like that one! and a post about where I knit. and Maybe a Fall Fiber Festival Update. How does that sound?

FOR KNITTERS ONLY!!

2006-09-24T11:14:00.000-04:00

Because no one else would understand.

Check this out.

More later as I am off to work for a bit. Just a little bit. There could be knitting involved.

Please Don't Shoot Me

2006-09-22T22:06:00.000-04:00

but I just have to give this a try. Bluebird blogs is having a contest. You can win a Blog redesign. I have always wanted one of my favorite "lake" pictures as my banner. However, I am lucky to figure out the template. You might say that I am HTML challenged. I am not sure if that is the right phrase but I think I have read it around a bit on the internets. Anywhoo..... I get an extra 5 entries for mentioning it in my blog. YOU have until just before midnight to get your entry in. So hurry! But please ...if you like the way your blog looks or are an HTML genius well....see if you can put a good word in for me. Thanks for the "heads up" Mary.

Gee..I hope I get to knit some this weekend.It was not a good week for connecting with my needles.

Call Out the Guards!

2006-09-15T00:16:00.000-04:00

My Sundara sock yarn is GONE! Missing from the yarn cabinet. I need to go to bed but here I sit thinking back on the last time I held it close and felt the softness, admired the lovely pattern of colors. WHERE oh WHERE have I put that delightful yarn. NOOooo I am not ready to knit it up yet. I just want it. To know where it is.

I have just spent the last hour looking through my yarn cabinet. Do you do that? I love to look at my stash and hold the skeins and as I do I remember where it was purchased, if there were any friends with me ( can we say ebablers? Oh! how I love them) and many other special things that go into the purchase of yarn. special yarn. It started out looking for an extra skein to add to a swap. I found the skein and then couldn't stop playing. Now I need to stop but I can't find my SUNDARA yarn. I have my Claudia's and Koigu, STR, Spirit Trail Fiberworks and Vesper, even some Holly Spirng Homespun.But no Sundara. If you see it please let me know. Fliers will go up tomorrow if it is not located!!

Yes...I DO knit. Really

2006-09-11T21:06:00.000-04:00

It seems like a very long time since I shared any actual knitting. But I do have lots of "irons in the fire" not even counting the gazillion UFO's around here. I need to take a lesson from Mary, of Virgin Wool. She finished up some UFO's this past weekend. Go take a look!

Well here's what I am working on right now and ONE FO to share

Baby socks to match a hat for a special baby. I need to finish these on up before they don't fit anymore! You really can't put off knitting for those little ones.

Another project for a little one. I started a sweater for this little fellow BEFORE he was born. It took me so long that I ended up finishing it for another newborn. He is a year old now and a good size fella so I am making this ribbed vest for him. I know that you can't see much right now but I do like the coordinating stitch marker.

I am enjoying the monthly dishcloth KAL and this was the "mystery pattern" for September. I have already gifted it to my Mom.

And last but certainly not least a little something Patriotic on this day for remembering.......

Saturday Sky....not so much

2006-09-10T09:51:00.000-04:00

I confess: Yesterday the sky was just ok. Some sun and overcast but nothing that great. I didn't get out the camera. I knew that there would be a great big full moon rising up over the lake on Saturday night. THAT is STILL a Saturday Sky. Right? Right. I have read that some people think that you are supposed to run right out on Saturday morning and capture whatever sky is out there and post it right away ON Saturday. Well sorry. That just doesn't work for me like that. I am a flexible type of gal. Prone to bend and shape the rules as I would like them to be. Saturday sky is a Saturday sky regardless of the time....and with my schedule I will post it when the computer and I have a minute (or longer) ALONE!! Having bored you to death with MY interpreatation of "SATURDAY SKY" I give you the Saturday night "Full Moon Reflecting in the Lake" picture. Can you see the reflection. It's right there at the bottom. I almost missed the window of opportunity for capturing it.

I am also going to share a SUNDAY morning sunrise sky because for some reason I was up early( I know...this doesn't happen often!) and managed to capture the pink tint of the clouds reflecting in the lake.

I have quite a few "works in progress". Some of which are nearly finished.
Since I won't be here next weekend I will take some KNITTING related pictures in a few minutes to share as the week progresses.

OH! I do have a question. Robin of For the Love of Fiber had thought she was the last blogger/knitter to make the infamous Clapotis. It turns out from her comments that she is NOT!! It sounds like there may be a ClapALong2 or 3 or more!!I have also not made the Clapotis although I have had some yarn that I thought would be nice since last year's Fall Fiber Festival. Mmmm I think I have a picture of it around here somewhere ......there we are. This is Interlacements "Little Toes" I am pretty sure that there is enough yardage but I am not sure if it is the right yarn for Clapotis. What do you think? What has your experience been? Would I be better with something like seasilk or a soy yarn? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Fall Fiber is just around the corner...again!

Enjoy the last bit of your weekend!

Saturday Skies

2006-09-02T22:43:00.000-04:00

After three days of vacation spent inside due to pouring rain, I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am to present to you some Saturday Skies. No... I couldn' just stop at one. It was just that good today.

Sky first thing in the morning. OH! what is that bright spot in my eyes?!?! Do you notice how the water sparkles there in the sun. I love that.

Very blue skies and fluffy white clouds. NOT the dark gray and dreary ones of recent days gone by.And just because I couldn't stop taking pictures and then I couldn't pick. So lots of Saturday skies.

I didn't know when or if I would see the sun again so today I wasn't very careful with the sunscreen and my face. As in I used none....big mistake. I will be wearing a 50 block on my nose tomorrow and possibly the rest of my face as well, I know better. really.

Enjoy the rest of your Holiday Weekend. Ya'll.

You Caught Me!

2006-09-01T13:01:00.000-04:00

Ok...Ok... You found me. I am on vacation and right now and for the past three days it has been a wet one. Actually cold and wet. How did the weather go from 95 plus to 55 or so? I wish I knew. My toes and fingers are chilly. What is a girl to do? Well luckily there is internet in this camper by the lake and so I have been surfing and pattern searching and blog reading and having a pretty good time. I have been knitting a bit as well. I have been resisting all temptation to shop online and that is a good thing. for now.

I finally finished the Mid Month KAL for the Dishcloth group and just in time for the new September 1st cloth. Which I will be knitting as soon as I finish this post. This is a really fun group that knits the ever popular dishcloth, warshrag, dishrag whatever you choose to call it. The fun part is you get about 10 rows of the pattern a day. No picture. I think it is helping me with my pattern following skills. Ya know what I mean. I think of it as knitting "blind" in that you can't see where you are going you just know where you are. or hopefully you do.

Now for those that might not believe I have been really knitting here are the mid month cloths that I finished. Both are destined to be gifted.

And now just because I was having fun playing with the settings on my camera is the almost same view in black and white.....

I have set some knitting and blogging goals for September and once I fine tune them I may decide to share. Maybe.

Funky Scarf Swap

2006-08-16T00:30:00.000-04:00

I started this on August 16th and am just now getting to finish it....apologies to my secret FUNKY SCARF SWAP PAL. But don't worry..if it is bright and colorful I will LOVE it!!

Let’s get the allergy part out of the way. Are you allergic to any fibers?
No fiber allergies although I would not want mohair up near my neck

Do you prefer any fibers over others?
Anything soft and not "itchy"

Post an image of something that you think is funky.
This is where I got "stuck". Sorry.

Would you prefer funky yarn or a funky pattern?
Doesn't matter to me one little bit. You choose!

What are your favorite colors?
I love blues and greens and I love them together! I love purple thrown into the mix and/or pink.

What is your favorite piece of art?
A handwoven basket or a nice piece of pottery. This is some pottery from Neolia Cole of Sanford NC. I have loved her work for a long time. Many many years before she was NC Potter of the Year.

What colors would you never have up close to your pretty face?
Brown, tan, orange, yellow

Would you prefer an actual scarf or a cowl?
Either

When you wear a scarf do you prefer a wider/shorter scarf or a thin/long scarf?
Doesn't matter because I like them both.

What is the climate like where you live?
I am lucky we have all 4 seasons here. I rarely wear a coat tho...unless it is in the teens.

Would you prefer a functional scarf (to keep you warm) or one just to funk-up your wardrobe?
I am pretty hot natured so nothing too too warm....and afterall this is the FUNKY scarf swap. I think I would prefer something decorative that I could use to spice up my wardrobe

What else would you like your partner to know about you?
I see things on the internets that others have made and I love it all! Pick something you will have fun knitting and I am sure I will be loving it!
I am so not picky.

Had a great knitterly fiber day yesterday. Will post more later.....

It Sure Does Roll Around Quickly

2006-08-12T23:53:00.000-04:00

That SATURDAY SKY !

The one today was gray and dreary for the most part but tonight there was a bright big moon that left its reflection on the lake. I managed to break the tripod so the picture is a bit fuzzy but you get the idea......

KSKS OH! What a Pal!!

2006-08-06T21:44:00.000-04:00

If you have been to the KSKS Blog everyone has "the best Pal" and yes...it seems as if this is a swap that everyone has followed the rules and even gone that extra mile to make their kitter's kit special but I have to say
"Mine was THE best!!" No really. Let me show you why.....

This is what it looked like when I opened it. Keep in mind the paper was much neater and crisper this was re-created after I dug in...you see I just couldn't wait to see who my Pal was and what goodies she put together. My Pal was Anne of Sittin 'n Knittin. Do you see that teenie tiny sock. just too cute! I forgot to photograph the lovely pen and ink Knitting themed card inside but I have every intention of framing it so you will see it again.

What is in the box? I know you want to know. I sure did!! Why it's my handmade project bag with a matching notions bag. Both are fully lined and just perfect in blues and greens my favorite two colors together. There is a knit coffee cup cozie and a gift card to one of my favorite coffee shops. One is nearing completion right here in our small city!

But WAIT there is more!! There is Yarn and even more goodness!!

Here is the whole entire lovely kit. Do you see THAT sock yarn? Yes the one with the pink wrapper! It was custom dyed by SCOUT just for me!! I was looking for that yarn when I opened my box and there is a story there.... some time back I was reading Scout's blog and she had a picture of 4 skeins of sock yarn, some had been custom dyed for this swap. I immediately was attracted to one of them so I clicked on the picture to see more....when I did I learned that this yarn was called "Summer at the Lake" Well HELLO! I am Lakeknitter. I had to have it. I looked closer, I blew that picture up as large as it would go.....why there were ALL my favorite colors in there. Could it be? Could I have innocently stumbled on my very own sock yarn? I was wild with the possibility. I danced about I was so excited about the possibility. And YES! Oh yes! It was for me! Thank you Anne and thank you Scout for dyeing it so perfectly and it is sooo soft!

There was some lovely blue and green "Sockotta" yarn sent by Anne as a bonus because it seemed to go with the bag. I have never knit with that yarn or Scout's so I am looking forward to casting on! A set of Britanny Birch dpns in size 2, a green chibi that will be cherished ( I have been looking for it!), a crochet hook for picking up dropped stitches, nail clippers for clipping threads or nails that may catch my knitting. Some beautiful jasper and turquoise stitch markers. There was some special soap from Minnesota . Anne included the perfect pattern for my yarn- Crusoe from Knitty. I had looked at this pattern last year and liked it but I didn't understand it. Thankfully my knitting skills are improving and I now understand the directions and think that I can handle it! Yeah! and Anne said that she would help me if I get stuck.

Here is a close up of the inside of the bag. Do you see how the Brittany dpns fit into the little pockets. Don't you love this attention to detail? You can hold your project and your socks won't come off the needles and your needles won't poke through. There is velcro on the left side.

So now after all of this I think that you will agree with me that I have the best pal. Thanks so much Anne!! I hope you can tell how much I just love it all! I am using the bag already!!

Saturday Sky

2006-08-06T21:34:00.000-04:00

Saturday
Sky
at
Smith
Mountain
Lake

A Wonderfully Hot Night

2006-08-03T20:32:00.000-04:00

Words cannot begin to describe what a wonderful night last night was......despite a heat index of oh say 123F and my 13yo's XBox360 MAJOR DISASTER. It was just a great great night. I went to post and BAM! The blogger plumber was here and wouldn't let me in :(

Let me just say that my "KSKS" pal far outdid all the other pals out there!and she is also understanding about the fact that I MUST take my pictures at the lake so I will share all the amazing details this weekend. I have thanked her but not nearly enough!

I am finishing up the kit for my Pal. Mine has to travel across the big pond but I am not saying where exactly. Here is a picture of the bag that I have felted. I still need to pick up a few more things for it and then mail it off before/by the August 18th deadline. Here is a picture of the bag.

Since my blog has been somewhat weak in knitting or ANY content lately the gals at KnitNite kindly indulged me and I took a few snapshots....it has been awhile since I have remembered to bring the camera.

Becky is helping our gal Pam figure out just what went wrong with her dishcloth. Pam is doing an interesting KAL. The person that set up the KAL sends out 10 rows a day of the dishcloth pattern. It was fun to watch the pattern develop. I am looking forward to seeing it next week. This is the great thing about our group. Someone is always willing to help when there is a snafu.

Don't you just love Pam's colorful glasses?!?!This lovely smiling lady is Judy and she is working on a project for her new grandbaby that is on the way. Judy was recently in the big city, yes I mean NYC!! and she had some great tales and adventures to share with us as we knit.

I am sorry that Beth got away before I remembered the camera. I really need to take a picture of her "guitar sweater". It is her first venture into intarsia and she has done a fantastic job. We were missing some gals last night but one Tuesday soon we will hopefully all be together again. Why we have had a major surgery, a special delivery, vacations and new jobs to knit around. To those not with us you always are in spirit.

Have a great night everyone and stay cool!

July's last Saturday Sky

2006-07-29T23:31:00.000-04:00

Finally...today I got the camera, the battery charger, the battery and the sky all together and in the right order!!! to give you some Saturday Sky .

Knitting content soon. Promise.

KnItTiNg ??

2006-07-14T20:58:00.000-04:00

The view from the camper after a lot and I mean a LOT of rain.....

Yes! I still knit! I just realized that if I didn't squeeze in a post here then I would have THREE Saturday Skies in a row. I have been on vacation this week and most of you know where I have been....yep! I am here at the lake and have had a good week. Lots of SUN, some rain, well right much rain the last two afternoons and some knitting.....

The cake to the back is the yarn I handpainted a few weeks ago, the one towards the front is some wool I bought at the FALL FIBER FESTIVAL last year from Caradan Farms. These yarns are being knit into a special bag for my Knit Socks Kit Swap Partner. It is going pretty well and I hope to finish the bag before my vacation is over and felt it when I get home. When I joined the swap I went in thinking that I would cheat just a bit. I was going to have someone that could SEW make my bag for me. But one of the rules is that you were to MAKE your pals bag. In the end I decided that to cheat was not in the spirit of the swap and since I don't even own a sewing machine I knew that knitting and felting a bag was the way for me to go. I dyed this skein with this project in mind. I am liking it. Not colors I would usually use but it's not for me, is it?

Now I must wonder...what will the Saturday Sky hold for me?

Saturday Sky

2006-07-09T23:37:00.000-04:00

I am a little bit late on this one......the pictures were taken on Saturday night.....

So it is still a "Saturday Sky" . I think.

Saturday Sky

2006-07-01T23:52:00.000-04:00

Today was a beautiful day and there was sun!! in my sky......

It's Here! It's Really Here!

2006-06-28T23:59:00.000-04:00

After months ( or what seemed like MONTHS !)of waiting for my turn the YARN ABOARD box made its way to my part of Virginia. It has been many many miles on it's adventure.

This is a list of all the places it has been.

At each stop it has been filled with beautiful yarns and sent on to the next person to share the joy of fiber.

The box is looking a bit worse for wear but fortunately somewhere along the way it has received a sturdy outer shell USPS box.

The Yarn Aboard Box came from the Bronx in NYC! I have never been to NYC so the postcards and goodies from the city are greatly appreciated. And the yarn! Nancy sent two different yarns both in the gorgeous bright colors that I so love!!

I have never knitted with either one so that makes me love them even more!! There was candy that she got when she was in Iceland. Sorry it didn't make it to the picture! and the zoo magnet and the Susan Bates set of dpn's in those hard to find really small sizes.....THANK YOU!!

The Yarn Aboard Box is empty now and tomorrow I will send it off with goodies to the next lucky recipient. I have a picture of the box packed with the goodies that I am sending but since the list of participants is dwindling now I don't want to ruin the surprise....so that picture will have to come later.

Thanks AMANDA for a great swap. I am looking forward to version 2 !

Happy Rainy Monday

2006-06-26T23:03:00.000-04:00

Guess WHAT!?!
The "Yarn Aboard" Box made it to my house and oh what lovely goodies it held. Picture taking tomorrow for a most special post about it. Thank you Nancy!

Finally.....Here is the yarn we dyed yesterday. Such nice colors!

And here is a closer look.
I am still waiting for mine to dry. I am anxious to get started on my Knit Socks Kit Swap Bag. Anyone know of any good free online felted patterns? You.know. while I wait .....

"Dyeing" for a Good Time

2006-06-25T23:30:00.000-04:00

Oh MY! What a group of knitters won't do for a good time?~! We had a great day today at our favorite "dyeing haunt" ie. Becky's delightful log cabin home in the woods by the pond. Becky and Sandy spent quite a bit of time yesterday gathering dye and supplies and winding their chenille into a giant 10 ft skein. Pam and I made our yarn into regular size skeins when we got there today.

So much fun and Good food and friendship .....WHY I think I can work a letter from the ABC along into this here post .... how about GREAT, Gratifying, Good friends, GIANT skeins......yes I know I am so so behind but I can catch up I know I can.

Anyway we had so much fun, Pam, Becky, Sandy, Ruth Ann and myself. We were sorry that more of our knitting buddies were unable to join us today. Rest assured we will bring yarn for inspection on Wednesday.

I had a special reason for dyeing today. I have joined the Knit Socks Kit Swap and you are supposed to make with your own hands a small project bag of some type for your secret pal. When I joined this I had every intention of CHEATING....yes. hanging my head. I was going to have someone else sew my bag for me. However I am HAPPY to announce that I know that do that is not the "knitting way" and would be wrong of me and therefore I would not enjoy the swap. SO I have decided to knit and felt a bag for my pal. That I know I can do. My Pal likes different colors than what I usually like so it made for interesting dying to focus on her colors and not mine. I think I have something that I can work with. Hurry up and dry.... I got some knittin to do!!

OH! Would you like to see some pictures?? Of course you would. That is why you are here.

Sandy is rinsing out her yarn. Lovely PURPLE water!

In an almost Unprecidented Appearance in my own blog .......me.... modeling my Yarn Lei. I only put this in to show the lovely location we are enjoying.

Here is our yarn drying ......It is so colorful and pretty....Maybe not. Blogger picture isn't working very well tonight. It keeps telling me that it is done but the pictures are not there. YARN pictures tomorrow.

Saturday Sky

2006-06-24T12:34:00.000-04:00

This is a wonderful idea from Sandy ! I couldn't wait. I have been outside and taken a picture of the clouds that abound today. The sun was trying to come out briefly oh so briefly while I was taking the picture but you can't see that for most of the clouds were in the way.

Here is how the sky looks today in my part of central Virginia.

Now....if I can only figure out how to add Sandy's "Saturday Sky" button......

"Oh What A Beautiful Morning....

2006-06-20T08:17:00.000-04:00

...oh what a beautiful day!!! It is just glorious here today. I couldn't wait to get up and get outside and enjoy the cool morning air and the chirping birds. I am on vacation today and I was up and out at 6:40 AM!!! I don't do that on weekdays. nope not me!

I've got the laptop outside and I have fixed a couple of obvious typos from last night although I did leave alone the crazy stuff I typed while asleep. I have been knitting on my socks and drinking my coffee and now before it is time to go down to the dock and sun for one more day I am going to do my Knit Sock Kit Swap questionaire. Here it is!

What are your favorite colors?
I love blues and greens and I love them together. Lime green and turqouise. I love bright vibrant colors. Pink, orange, purple .....

Are you a new sock knitter?
Sorta...the most difficult pattern I have tried to date is the Jaywalker and we all know how hard that is..NOT!
How long have you been knitting socks?
I finished my first pair last summer. I have only actually finished two and a half pair. But I have lots of wip's

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?
I LOVE multicolored, stripes and I don't mind pooling. I think it adds interest to a sock. The one I am working on right now is pooling just lovely!

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn?
Any yarn that I can use a size 2 or 3 needle. I don't do 0's and I am stalled on my Jaywalkers that are on the 1's. I usually use wool or wool/nylon. I have been interested in the superwash. You see I felted by accident my first pair of socks!

Where do you usually knit socks?
Anywhere and everywhere. That is what I like about socks. If the pattern is easy you can do it waiting for kids, at school programs, Dr's office. My favorite place is on the dock while I soak up some rays.

How do you usually carry/store small projects?
The yarn is in a ziplock bag and I am currently using my Longaberger medium Boardwalk basket as my purse and knitting bag.

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns?
I love the Jaywalker, and a simple sock pattern from Holly Spring Home Spun. I have a snake pattern that I hope to try next.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques?
I use dpn's and go from the cuff down. I have to be SHOWN new techniques by a living person and not a picture so I haven't tried any other methods although I look at them online....

What new techniques would you like to try?
Maybe magic loop as I know Becky can help me with that :)
Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting?
dpn's right now

What are some of your favorite yarns?
I love em all!! Julia's Vesper yarn, Claudia's Handpainted, have STR but haven't knit with it yet. Sundara's yarn has lovely color, koigu

What yarn do you totally covet?
I have tried without success to buy Sweet Georgia's yarn and Knitting Sunshine's. Dave has some nice yarn at his Mercantile, I like small batch hand-dyed unique colors. I like to buy yarn from fellow bloggers that have etsy or their own shops. I have bought very little sock yarn from lys.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?
In my case talent and experience are more a factor. But as far as pattern I would have to say that I covet Nancy Bush's "Vintage Socks" and would like to make the Children's socks and several other pairs from that book.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?
For dpn's I like bamboo and comfort zone and those white acrylic that have some give that I can't think of the name for.... I am picky about the circulars and recently I tried Addi Natura and I liked them alot. The turbos are just too slick for me. I have a Denise set and love it as well.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be?
I would be anything but acrylic!

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?
Not really. I love all things chocolate!

What’s your favorite animal?
Sheep of course
Do you have pets?
No
What are their species/names/ages?

If you were a color what color would you be?
Bright green
Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s)..
Soft white cotton sweatshirt with trees and mountains on it in shades of purple, green and blue. It is very soft and is lightweight. Why I have it on right now!?!

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
Smith Mountain Lake

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read.
There is a time to every season....... a time to laugh, a time to cry.....

That is alot to answer!! I am tired better go get my bathing suit on now.....

This N That

2006-06-19T23:03:00.000-04:00

Tonight's blog is brought to you by "whims" or perhaps just some of the random things that have been going on today in my life. First of all this is what my day looked like today. Pretty isn't it. Peaceful and serene.

I have not been a very good "Project Spectrum" participant. I have been late and missed whole entire months worth of colors. That is why I am so happy to have finished the blue baby sweater and in the proper month!! I started on a new sock with lovely yarn hand dyed by "NoNo Kitty". I got it from Kpixie right before it wasn't going to be available any longer. Anyway I am calling it "The Quarterly Sock" as it meets color criteria for May( green) June (blue) and July ( purple). I was speeding along yesterday at the Father's Day Cookout and all of a sudden I came to a DEAD, screeching stop. It seems that I did not read the directions clearly . I was way past the beginning of a short row heel! with limitted directions. I struggled along. But something just wasn't looking right to me. I debated all night and then this morning I ripped part of it. I was able to save part of the ribbing. But I have to say " I am no good at getting stitiches back on the needles NO GOOD!!" but I managed. Here is a picture of the quarterly socks right after I frogged whatever the mess I had made of the heel, I am pleased to say that it is coming along nicely.Now. But this is how it looked this morning.

I promised my Knit Sock Kit Swap pal that I would post my questionaire tonight but I think I will save that for early morning when I am fresher. Right now I keep closing my eyes and typing whatever my fingers and whatever the boys will make of it! See!! That makes no sense and isn't what I meant to say!!

See ya in the morning. Should be fun!!

emmy

In Honor of Project Spectrum

2006-06-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

The color for June is Blue.

Whew!! I made it!!

2006-06-13T00:02:00.000-04:00

The Dye-O-Rama Deadline that is! I was sure sweating it because it was my understanding that the chief DyeMama would hunt you down and do God only knows what to you if you did not complete and mail your skein on time. She warned of this when one signed up so even tho I procrastaknitted I made the deadline and my yarn and some other goodies were mailed out on June 12th with just a few minutes to spare.

I think it turned out ok. Well it is bright and I like it and will try to duplicate it for myself at some point but it sure took a lot of Kool-aid. I had to shop THREE times to get enough not to have white spots.

Here are some pictures of the finished product so you can have a look and see what you think...

Saturday afternoon projects completed yarn and a baby sweater "seaming party"

Reskeining because...well just because I think it made the yarn look better. The good news...the color changes are so frequent that I don't think there is much room for pooling.

The finished product. It is a rainbow of fruit colors so in my mind I have been calling it "Skittles"

This was fun but a lot of work. I think I like the "experts" to dye my yarn, So I will continue to support the small independent shops and etsy. I am in awe of all you dye(ers) you totally rock.

Well now I just have to wait to see if she likes it....

What a Procrastaknitter I am !

2006-06-10T23:14:00.000-04:00

WHY oh WHY do I wait til the very last minute for most of the things that I do? It only adds stress. I know that and have been knowing it for years but still I persist. I must say that I have been known to do some of my best work while "under the gun" and truthfully it doesn't usually stress me out any more than usual. Except for today....

Today I HAD to dye my Dye-O-Rama Swap Pal her yarn. You see it has a deadline. of Monday. to be mailed out! Now I don't rightly know why I just didn't wait until tomorrow. But the sun was shining today and I got busy!

I used 100% merino I bought from Yarn2Dye4 at the Spring Fiber Festival. You guessed it! I only had the one skein. You see I had intended to buy some Knit Picks Dye Your Own Wool but with all this dyeing going on they were out. This meant that perfection needed to be the order of the day.....nothing stressful there! Ha.

Skeining supplies out on the table~ All systems GO!

I was using Kool Aid and had been reading up on the internet for quite some time. Preparing myself as it were. I seriously UNDERESTIMATED the amount of Kool Aid I needed. I had to go out and buy more after I flipped the yarn over and saw how white the underneath was.

Food Lion gave up what I needed and the yarn got dyed. It really is fascinating to watch the water you squeezed out of it run so clear.

I took the yarn in for a steam bath in........are you ready for this one? I kid you NOT! I used the rice steamer. It had the basket and a built in timer. Perfect. After it steamed the colors really brightened up and intensified. I am really pleased at how my rice steamer worked for this. Who would have known.

Tomorrow I will show the yarn all dyed up and dry hopefully. Gee I hope she likes it.

It has been a long day for this "procrataknitter. As a matter of fact I think it is tomorrow already. Well I just checked and it is tomorrow.

Just Stopping By....

2006-06-08T00:06:00.000-04:00

Not much to say but I wanted to say hi. I missed Knit Nite tonight because of a work obligation. I HATE to miss it, not that I get a whole lot of knitting done but we have so much fun. Sharing and talking about knitting and whatever. I will be sure to take my camera next week. We are having a baby shower (not a surprise) for one of our gals! I can't wait. I love to see baby "stuff". That reminds me ....My oldest baby turns 18 on Friday. Where does the time go? It really seems like just a few years.

I am knitting and will soon have an FO to show!! Well 2 actually. I did finish a small item and haven't photographed it yet. I have some nice blue and green yarn to use for socks in Project Spectrum. I also will do a quick catch up for the ABC along if I haven't been kicked out already. I am emmy "come late along" it seems.

So there you have some teasers of what should be posted in the next few days. I am trying to more faithful to you....my few but wonderful readers.

No pictures tonight, too tired to fool with blogger for that! I am just as temperamental as it is !!

Good Bye Green and Hello Blue

2006-05-31T22:37:00.000-04:00

I love the idea/concept of Project Spectrum but I am certainly lax in expressing it. I spend much time thinking about the colors and what I should take photos of and what yarns I have in my stash that I should knit . HA! I am way too pokey a knitter for that !(like I could finish a project in one month!)and it seems I don't get much past the tinking er..I mean thinking stage.

But before May is gone for good I must pay homage to green because after all green is my favorite color. I love green. I love it bright, lime and kelly. Why in May I went shopping for clothes and not yarn for once! Everything that I bought except one pair of shoes was green or has some green in it. Did I capture this in a picture or two? Well.no.

But I did at least attempt to capture the lovely green roses that my oldest son surprised me with on Mother's Day using his own money. They were a lovely light green really not captured very well here but he picked them out because....Green is my favorite color!

A really cool antique green truck. Please notice the lime wheels. Please! This was a part of the Antique Car Show we had at our work.

Green in all it's glory at my favoriet place, Smith Mountain Lake. Clay and the green sailboat. One might say that water looks a bit green as well.

And finally as we say goodbye to May and all things GREEN and Hello to June with all things BLUE here is a lovely picture in blue and green. My favorite two color combinations.ever.

Now that I feel that I have at least been true to Project Spectrum for at least this one post. and the one before with my lovely Dye-O-Rama sock yarn( They ARE green and very special) in the previous post here is what I have on the needles : I am nearing the finish of a baby sweater for a co workers grandchild, I have some lovely blue yarn and am dyeing to begin yet another pair of socks. I bought some nice novelty yarn in Roanoke to make some simple scaves for Christmas. It was a nice 50% off. Pictures maybe by the weekend. Please don't hold your breath!

May is drawing near and I must go......

PNW ...It is B-E-A-U-T-F-U-L

2006-05-21T16:06:00.000-04:00

PNW.....what you might is PNW?! and why is it beautiful? Here let me show you......

It is hand dyed yarn made just for me by Dorothy of "Just Another Blog". This is my yarn for the DYE-O-RAMA yarn swap that I joined. One day I will have to learn how to put those buttons on my blog. But ...back to Dorothy, she read my blog and wanted to dye some yarn that would reflect my love of the lake combined with the great Pacific NorthWest where she lives. Go read about how she dyed it. ( scroll down to May 8th and 10th ) The funny thing is that I had been to her blog and read about MY yarn but didn't know it was MINE but I really liked it and even thought how nice it would be if it was for me....like no chance of that! I love it and it is perfect! She also wrapped my yarn in a handknit dishcloth from Mason Dixon Knits! I love it too and don't think I will be able to wash dishes with it!! It reminds me of lemons, limes and oranges.

Here is a picture with the lake in the background...perfect..didn't I tell you?!?! The leaves all around the camper are so green now too tha t it all goes together just like Dorothy intended!

It has been a beautiful weekend here with lots of sun! I have to finish packing up and head for home. I sure don't care for the three hour trip home. I much prefer the three hours it takes to get here!!!

Can't Blog Right Now

2006-04-25T22:40:00.000-04:00

because I am trying desperately to vote for ELLIOT....yes I am watching American Idol this season and really loving it because we have a hometown boy in the competition. And even Simon seems to like Elliot. So if you will forgive me I have to get back to dialing. I still haven't gotten through.