Friday, June 29, 2007

F#^% the Gods of Knitting, Yarn & Needles

I'm so over it. This is NOT my knitting week[:(!]. I admit I have 10 inches of a baby blanket and the leg of a second sock to finish so I've got that "new" project itch. Now, I'm spending next week at a friend's house so there's plenty of knitting time to complete the other 2 projects. Her's a summary of my week...
Monday- I grab a lone skein of Diakeito and cast on for the twisted top toque in One Skein Wonders. I get the band done on Tuesday and start the decreases. I switch from circs to DPNs (here it comes) and realize I've knitted the stupid band with neddles 3 size smaller than what I need[:-P]!!! No wonder I was running out of yarn!

Wednesday, I take my girls to their beginning knitters class as an offering to the Knitting gods. I also devote an hour and a half to the blanket. Would that that action had appeased them[**].

So today I decide to try and reduce the stash of novelty yarns from Hades! I did a simple shawl with the 2 skeins of Trendsetter Sorbet. A bit on the small side but I realize I can always donate it to several silent auctions that occur in the fall. As I am weaving in the ends, I snagged the join of the 2 balls which of course is in the middle. I trim away and low and behold- I create a humungous hole and the %$%&&%$# thing starts to unravel[crazy]. That is now residing in my trash.

Have I neglected an appropriate sacrifice? Did I miss an important feast day? Should I burn the rest of the novelty yarns as an offering of good tidings? Should I dedicate a new working to quality alpaca? Perhaps I should adopt a Merino sheep? Obviously, I am scared to play with my current WIPs. Help me break the curse!!!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Summer Dishcloth Swap

I loved the Summer dishcloth swap!. First, here's a pic of what I made for my partner...Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket. The yarn is peaches and cream and the pattern can be found here.

Here's a pic of the package I received...Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket I love the windchimes from one of my favorite stores, Christmas Tree Shops". Click on the flyer if you've never experienced this place. Don't you just love a bargain! The dishcloths are fantastic and fit right in with my beach theme house, since the blue one is an anchor and the yellow one is a sun. The pattern is for a sand dollar cloth. The lemon soap is great and the kids stole the Bertie Botts- not surprising. Thanks so much Sarah.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Happy 15th Birthday

My beautiful girl, here are my wishes for you...
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You were always an easy going baby and toddler. May you always take life as simply as you did then.
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You get excited about events and happenings. May you always perceive of the glass as half full.
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You've also been my contemplative one. May you always reflect on and appreciate your life.
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I joke that I could drop you on Mars and that you could adapt. May you always greet change with grace and style.
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You are completely unaware of just what a beautful woman you are becoming. May you always remember that your inner beauty will shine through no matter what.
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My dear baby, you've always look ahead with your dreams. May you use your past to shape your future and never, ever surrender your hopes and desires!

I love you more every day.

Momma

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Truly International Sock Along

I am a participant in the Truly International Sock Along and I got the privilege of being the first knitter. The sock was born on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 7:55 CST. Using leftover yarn from a pair of Trekking socks from last summer, I name this sock,"AlphaMonkey."

Part of the process involves taking photos of the sock around town ala Yarn Harlot. I now understand how she feels when people think she is nuts for doing this. I persuaded cajoled begged the girls to come with me. They finally understood when I explained that this was like flat stanley.

We first went to
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Graceland. When in Memphis, you have to visit Elvis.
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With so much to do in so little time, the girls and I took AlphaMonkey to downtown Memphis.

Next stop...Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
the Mississippi River and Hernando DeSoto Bridge. We walked along
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Beale Street and saw Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Schwab's
and Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
B.B. King's Blues Club.

None of us, including AlphaMonkey, had ever taken a duck tour so we hopped on board to take in some more sights. We passed by one of my favorite Memphis sights...
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Sun Studios, the first place that Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash ever recorded! We passed Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital. We drove by Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
the Pyramid before going for a boat ride by Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
the bridge again on the Wolf River that empties into Ole Man River. Towards the end of the tour we passed Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated and present day site of the National Civil Rights Museum.

After the duck tour it was time for a visit to Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
The Peabody to see the world famous
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ducks in their fountain.
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. We took an elevator to the roof to get a bird's eye view of Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Autozone Park,home of the Memphis Redbirds. The last stop for AlphaMonkey was to Lansky's to see the fabulous collection of guitars...Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
That is a coat that Elvis had brought for repair to Lansky's just before he died. The guitar to the right is signed by Van Morrison.
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The guitars are signed, from left to right, by: Celine Dion, Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, Tanya Tucker, The Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Dean and Hootie and the Blowfish.

AlphaMonkey had a great time in Memphis and will be departing for his next foster knitter very soon. Go to Truly International Sock Along to see who that may be!