promises, promises

OK. So I blew one of my promises. Get over it. I did. I don't really want to talk politics, but those of you who know me would be proud to know that I actually went to a debate party and didn't get home until really late. And today has been a day filled with yarn shopping and coughing up lung parts. I guess instead of leaving those bread crumbs along the blog path... OK, I won't go there. But I do have some good stuff to share.

My SP12 pal was good to me. She revealed herself to me with her final package that arrived on Thursday. Everything was wrapped so pretty but I couldn't find my camera before opening it all. I just wasn't patient enough for that. But I did take the time to look for it afterwards so that I could share my spoils with all of you.

There was a beautiful card with a lovely message inside from Allison and after visiting her blog, I have to wonder if she took this picture herself. It's so pretty that I might just frame it. The other photos on her blog are just as beautiful so if you have a moment to drop on over and check them out and leave her a little hello, I'm sure that would make her happy.

One of my favorite items in the package was this bag. Chan, it's got all the right pockets in all the right places. I've already decided that it has become my current go everywhere knitting bag.

These three cuties were also included and the first two have made their way into my desk at work to help bring a smile if a grooling day should cross my path. The pink kitty thing is a stapler of sorts. Two kids were in my room the other day and were fascinated with it! And I adore the monkey tape measure! I recently purchased a robe from Targeet with a sock monkey on the pocket (a photo saved for a future post through Socktober Fest) so I giggled like an 8 year old when I saw it. I keep showing all my knitting friends this weekend and now they want one too

And of course there was yarn. You can't forget the yarn.

Allison knew that I wanted to try my hand at some lace so she sent along some Silky Alpaca Lace by Classic Elite in a warm fall purple. She even made a few suggestions on patterns and I'm thinking of trying my hand at this one - Lacy Scarf Sampler. So maybe in the middle of all my started Christmas knitting I'll be crossing my fingers to actually work on this. But then again crossed fingers might prove to get in the way. But Allison was really a swapper after my own heart when she included some Dream in Color Smooshie in Chinatown Apple. This photo washes out the colorway a bit (damn crappy weather is effecting more than just my lungs). These will make lovely autumn socks.

And speaking of socks, I will leave you with a beginning of one of the other promises that I made, to show of my Sketchers. I'm planning to wear the every Friday during Socktober Fest to celebrate the hand knitted sock.

Postponement and Promises

OK, so I took my camera to school today to take some photos of some great stuff going on in classrooms and I forgot the camera in my desk. So I don't have the photos to download to the computer from the fab-u package my SP12 pal sent me yesterday. Have I mentioned that I love my SP12 pal? Well, I do. And when you see the photos you'll love her too.

So instead of photos of received packages I'll post some promises.

1. I promise to post tomorrow night regarding the SP12 package. For tonight I'll just enjoy it!
2. I promise work on finishing up my AHEDE pal's package this weekend so that it'll be ready to send out sometime next week so that she'll have plenty of time to enjoy all the fun stuff included as she prepares for Halloween.
3. I promise to get back to knitting socks. Even joined Socktober Fest. I'm hoping to finish the Anastasia socks, knit me some Steelers socks, and start on Aunt Carol's Christmas socks. I may be shooting high, but at least I'm shooting.
4. I promise to take photos of my clear Sketchers that I purchased over the summer to show off my knitted socks to add to the excitement of Socktober Fest. I even plan to wear them once a week during Socktober Fest.
5. I plan to somehow catch up on my blog reading and maybe even leave a few comments like bread crumbs along the trail.

Unlucky Question #13

Unlucky Question #13

If you were told you could never again buy yarn, would would your last yarn purchase be? If you were told you could never knit again, what would be the last thing you’d knit?? In a given year, how many times do you buy yarn? And what is your favorite place to buy yarn from? A festival? A shop? Online? Dish your favorite places!! Lastly, with Fall in full swing in many areas, what is the one thing you look forward to most?

Malabrigo, the size of the World's Largest Ball of Twine

socks, that would make a world record for how many clown feet could fit into them

is someone stalking me on this one? who's keeping track?

when you're a junkie, you get it wherever you can in fear of the shakes coming on

pumpkin

Playing catch up once again...

First and foremost I must send a huge shout out and thank you to Jane over at GrammieKnits. A while back she hosted a little contest and she sent me this great market bag. I love it and have put it to use many times since it's arrival. And then there's the issue of posting the weekly questions for SP12.

I'm sure most of us have a proudest moment when it comes to knitting. A project or technique that you've tackled and completed beautifully. What is your proudest knitting moment??

I'm not sure what my proudest knitting moment is. Any time a project turns out well, I'm proud of it. I don't know that I've really tackled anything too demanding. But then again it all can be intimidating until you actually give it a go.
And on the flip side? What is the one thing that you can't get right? What is that one project that you've never been able to complete? Or that you did complete but then hid away instantly because it was too embarrassing?

I don't know if I have any of these either... oh wait... there was that recycled silk wrap that I attempted. I never did like any of the patterns and how they were working up so I never got anywhere with it.

And for those of you who are interested in seeing some of the FOs I've gathered lately, take a peak. But I'm sorry that I don't have time at the moment for details. If there is something that you are interested in, leave a comment and I'll be happy to respond.

Dream in Color Shrug in Go Go Grassy

June is for Jag in Malabrigo Rust

Market Shaw in Zitron Trekking Hand Art

Garter Lace Facecloth

And for a pretty WIP:

Anastasia Socks in Noro Silk Garden Sock

And now I must get back to work, lunch is over.

Playing catch up

Being back to work these past two weeks has me behind in SO many things around here. We'll start the catching up by responding to the past two weeks of SP12 questions.
Week #10: Which Olympic event would best describe your knitting/knitting style?
I'm a bad Olympian. I didn't make it past the tryouts. Every so often I try out for the quick dashes in track and field and only sometimes to I actually finish. Usually a little birdy or something distracts me and my eyes follow it over the the poll volting and I think I'll try my hand at that. But before I really get my groove going another birdy comes along. Who knows where else on the field I might end up to try my hand at.
Week #11: What is the best thing you've ever received in the mail?
In my book, all mail not a bill or a flyer of some sort is good mail. But the best mail is unexpected mail from a friend. Next to that it would have to be any sort of package. It thrills me to no end to come home to a box on my doorstep!

And now to catch up on laundry....

Somebody loves me

Well, maybe 'love' is a strong word seeing how my swap pal is a stranger to me. But that's how I felt when I opened my latest package from my SP12 secret pal. She must have been reading along or telepathically knows that life has been quite sh!tty this year but that I'm ready to begin turning things around. Actually, I've been wanting to be ready for quite some time now, but it just wasn't happening just yet. But now I'm ready to make my move. And this package is a clear reminder of that. That yarn you see there is as soft as melted butter only not as greasy. It's Classic Elite's Inca Marl in a oh so me rusty red. I'm going to have to knit something special just for me out of this. That is if I can stop rubbing it all over my body long enough to knit with it!

This photo doesn't do the yarn justice and looks too purply. But wait till you see what else was included with it! My darling secret pal made me these knifty row counters. They are so crafty and what a great idea. I'm going to have to figure out how she made these because I'm sure that a few of my knitting friends are going to want some.

Also included was a pen, a dpn holder, and a box of Swedish Fish. The pen has already made it into the bag I carry daily, the dpn holder is already in use with a pair of socks that I hope to be carrying around to finish (how did she know that I had these on my LoopyEwe wish list?) and the Swedish Fish are already gone. I haven't had a snack in two days (back on WW again) and was jonesing for something sweet. I haven't had Swedish Fish in SO long! They were always a favorite of mine. But I think the best part of the package (other than the yarn of course!) and most significant for me was the other two items. The message on the nail file is one that I need to remind myself of daily so it's going in my daily bag as well. There are lots of little good things going on in my life and I want to focus on them so that the sum of all the little things will make the bigger picture look brighter and happier. And I'm learning that day by day, life is going by. If we don't enjoy it now, when will we?

And this item is totally the way I feel right now. I'm ready to start over. Last Saturday I re-registered with WeightWatchers, work begins on Monday, I actually bought make up the other day (if I'm going to land another man I'm gonna have to look good right?), I've been buying new clothes.... so many things to mark a beginning. So what better way to start each day than a big mug of reminders?
My SP12 pal my not 'love' me but I can feel the loving thoughts she has sent my way. I certainly am in love with each item she included and can't wait to find out who she is so that I can tell her myself how much I appreciate her 'love', support, and friendship so far.

SP weekly post

What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?

Summer veggies are a favorite of mine. I usually can't get enough of summer squash and zucchini. For a fast and easy dinner I'll saute them and add some seasoning from those 4-way season jars that you're supposed to use for dipping oils. Then I'll cook up some healthy pasta and drizzle it with olive oil and the same seasoning and some Parmesan cheese. When it's time to toss it all together I'll add in some cut up sun dried tomatoes. If the grill is on, I'll grill up some chicken Italian sausage and cut them up and toss them in as well.

SP12 week 7

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit?

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?

I generally knit from the couch. Such a couch potato I am! But when the weather is nice I like to sit out on the side porch or in the new chairs some friends dropped off for the back yard. But if it's Tuesday afternoon, I'm all about the knit at St. Elmo's Coffee Shop. No matter where I'm knitting, my laptop is always close at hand for checking emails and reading blogs in between pattern repeats and there's usually some sort of snack and either tea, coffee, or Diet Coke close at hand.

In fact, that's a pretty good picture of my day today. It's too humid to sit outside so I'm on the couch watching tv. The laptop is close at hand (hence this posting). I've got a delightful cuppa tea in a decadent caramel truffle flavor sitting beside me. I've caked up some squishable Smooshie yarn in colorway GoGo Grassy. I routed through the pattern books and found an easy, quick, and stylish pattern. All of this put together gets me something like this: I'm now four pattern repeats into the body of the Dream In Color Shrug. I love the look of the kettle dyed yarn and this is going to be such a fantastic piece to add to my back to school wardrobe. Aurgh....I'm not ready to go back, but I'll have to start my school shopping soon. But that will wait for another day. Back to my knitting.

SP12 - another week goes by

Right now I'm up at my parent's place, away from my own computer and access to my photos. It's great being able to spend time with the family clan and The Little Man. But it's been hard to be away from the computer. What's wrong with me??? Never mind, don't answer that! I have several things to report on, including the Spring Forward socks being competed and blocked, Aunt Suz's socks fit (yeah!), and the wrap that I'm working up for mom for daughterly hugs once I head back south again. But all of those will have to wait until I regain access to my own computer and photos. For now, let's just report on the SP12 question of the week again.

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?If you'd like to share a story…Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting.

Well, since technically I'm on vacation now I guess I should admit to what's in the bag at the moment. Well, there's mom's wrap - something simple to knit without paying too much attention. It's a four row repeat with only one of those rows where I actually have to pay attention to my count. That way I can visit and chat and be social with others and still have something to knit on. It's easy enough to take along in the car while running errands or going with mom to the doctor's office and it's mindless in the evening while winding down. I also have that pair of aqua whatever socks in the bag to be worked on. But sadly they haven't come out to play yet on this trip. I'm really hoping to get mom's wrap finished so that I can leave it here with her when I head back home. And there's only so much knitting time in my day today seeing as I got to have The Little Man all day and didn't want to miss a minute of that!!!

I generally pack too much knitting, or at least more knitting than I would ever get done on a trip. Kind of like how I pack my clothing too. I like to have options. What if the item that I pack I just didn't feel like working with at the moment? Then I'm stuck with nothing, and we wouldn't want that now would we? Having a few projects to choose from with hopefully feed into my mood at any given particular time.

post without posting

There are several things that I need to blog about but I just don't have the time nor interest at the current moment. Maybe in a day or two. Right now I'm washing clothes so that I can pack and head north tomorrow to spend some time with the clan. But I figured I've put off posting week 5 for the secret pal question long enough.

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?

2) Where is one place you'd like to go?

Usually when I get a vacation from work I spend it going home to spend time with my family. Every year we get a big house at the beach and spend a week or so. Although I love the warm weather and the beach in general, I'm not a big ocean goer. It takes a lot to get me into the salty water above my ankles. I took my first real trip last year when Honey (ex-Honey) took me to Cape Town South Africa. I LOVED IT!!! There are tons of places that I would love to visit but haven't yet. I taught about the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Mali and I would love to visit all of them to see for my own eyes. I've also wanted to visit Peru, and Ireland. Maybe one of these days I'll find a man who will want to take me. Or at least a friend crazy enough to spend that much time in an airplane with me. ha!

Stash Yarns

The "perfect sized" stash was a tough question for many of you toanswer. Maybe these stash related questions will be easier:
1) What yarn (that you don't have/haven't used) would make your stash"complete"?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

What yarn don't I have that I would love to have in my stash? Well ones that I can think of right now are Noro Silk Garden sock yarn, Wick, Duet Sock yarn, enough Cornucopia for a summer shell, .... ahhh, but there are so many yarns out there that I haven't tried and would love to.

What yarns would I never want to be without? Well, let me think. I'm sure I'll leave something out here. But for starters Malibrigo, Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo, Jitterbug, Dream in Color, and Ty-Dy.

Inspiration....

I came across this notebook the other day and realized that it makes a statement that my heart has been trying for. Some of my friends have told me in the past that I'm just too nice to people. That I'm too giving without getting much or anything in return. Isn't that what most women do? I guess that I'm just hoping that if I put out enough kindness that someone will find that they can love me. I was wrong with Honey. And now my skin is a little thicker and my heart still a little scared. But I still have hope for love. Right now I'm working on getting back to scattering that kindness because it makes me happy. And what better way to get back on the wagon than to make yourself happy. But this time I'm going to make sure that I include myself in the group of that I scatter that kindness to. I want to be nicer to myself as I'm reinventing who I am without Honey.

In an act to scatter kindness I sent out three packages last week. One to Ann's subliminal healing project (with hats that Sarah mostly knit but whatever). One to my KCiSDE pal. And one to my SP12 pal. I hope that they all enjoy the kindness (and love) that went into each package. It certainly felt good to put them together. I felt like a piece of me was rejuvenated with each item I chose to include.

Already some kindness and love has come back my way. The other day I received a package from my SP12 pal. She sent a great little package with some very cheerful items. Tofutsies in a bright cheery limited edition colorway. A fabulous book about strength, friendship, and knitting that I've already started reading. Some Soak to make the Tofutsies smell fresher. And a spring notepad that symbolizes for me the growth and new beginnings I'm going through. Thank you secret pal! Your package hit the spot!

Swapping Questions Post week 3

Well now that Summer has OFFICIALLY begun.. what do you do to beat the heat? A nice tall glass of lemonade? Frozen Coffee? A dip in the pool? What's your favorite way to keep cool this summer as things heat up?

There are lots of good ways to beat the heat in the summer around here. Lots of fluids always helps, whether it be ice cold water, lemonade, iced tea, or an iced coffee. On the hottest days I find that I have a hard time wanting to leave the house and will often spend the day lounging on the couch watching movies or TNT Primetime in the Daytime. A nice walk to the local ice cream shop might also be in order in the evening.



What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

I'm not really sure what the perfect amount of stash is. While I like having yarn on hand for a spur of the moment cast on, I enjoy the hunt for yarn for a new project too. And while I enjoy splurging on yarn I also feel a little guilty about the current unused yarn that I do have. None of this will of course keep me from continuing to build upon my stash when I see yarns that I love. But I think mostly my stash consists of sock yarns because I don't really have to have a particular pattern in mind when I purchase it. I just know that about 400 yard of beautifully spun colors will one day make a pair of toasty socks for my tootsies. I have a hard time stashing up on other yarns when I don't know what I'll want to do with it and how much I'll need.

Week 2 swap questions

In many parts of the US and abroad, school's out. Take a walk down memory lane for Week Two's question: As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?
Most people might say that being off of school would be the best childhood memory of the beginning of summer. Well, being a school teacher, I still have that feeling. Summer is for pursuing new things that are just for me. Exploring new areas and neighborhoods around me that I normally don't have time for, taking an interesting class, working around the house, having lunch with a friend at an outdoor cafe, and spending more time with family. As a child, we didn't travel very much but we camped a lot. My middle school summers were spent at the campground where my grandparents had a permanent site for their camping trailer. My high school summers were filled with working at a Girl Scout camp. I loved being outdoors and not having to shower every day. (I know, gross right? But nothing says freedom like not having to shower or at least not having to shower first thing in the morning.)

Living in Atlanta, I know Summer has truly 'arrived' when it begins to get humid. Blech. When I was a kid, I knew Summer was starting the easy way - School was out!! Share with us how you know that summer has truly 'arrived', or something that signifies the start of Summer in your world.

The start of summer is when the flip flops and sandals come out. My feet love to be out and about during the summer months (which explains why I have such difficulty keeping them clean during warmer weather). Even though I'm still working at school and the official summer break hasn't begun, I start getting that summer bug when I can flip off my shoes and work barefoot in my classroom while the kids are at their specials or after school. Another sure sign is when the classroom begins to smell like a locker room. The kids get so excited to be able to be outside in the nice weather again that they really go at it during recess. The smell of 24 sweaty children in one room in the afternoon is enough to knock your socks off if you haven't already given in to airing out the tootsies.

Secret Pal 12 question of the week #1

What's your favorite summertime drink?

I have several favorite summertime drinks... to list a few...

Iced Vanilla Chai, Smoothies, Mojitos, and Margaritas .... depending on my mood.

For those of you looking for a great Mojito recipe:

1.5 oz BACARDI Rum

12 fresh spearmint leaves

1/2 lime

7 oz club soda

2 tbsp. simple syrup(or 4 tsp. sugar)

Gently crush mint leaves and lightly squeeze lime in a cool tall glass. Pour sweet syrup to cover and fill glass with ice. Add Bacardi Rum, club soda, and stir your emerging mojito well. Garnish with a lime wedge and a few sprigs of mint.

Secret Pal 12 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm in love with Jitterbug but there are so many other great yarns out there and so many that I haven't tried and that I would love to try. I'm game for anything but the froo-froo fluffy acrylic stuff.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a cute corky vase that I keep my bamboo straights in and I recently purchased fabric fold-over thingies for my dpns and my Option Interchangables.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting for about 4 or 5 years. I would say that I'm an intermediate knitter. I haven't really gotten into doing anything too challenging and advanced like. At least I don't think so. I'm not really into designing or anything and I haven't done very many garment items but I'm pretty confident that I can follow most patterns.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? My Amazon wish list

5. What's your favorite scent? At the moment it's honey or coconut. They feel like home to me and remind me of summertimes with my family as I was growing up.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I do have a sweet tooth... try 32 of them! I love my sweets a little too much, especially of the baked goods variety.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I make a meager attempt to garden with herbs and greenery in the yard. I also like to read in bed and on the side porch on summer mornings. I don't spin but I'm hoping to try my hand at dyeing this summer.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to a lot of county but have a mix of stations programed into my car stereo. My new phone (Sony Ericksonn Walkman) has the ability to play MP3s but I haven't figured it out yet.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love fall earthy colors - pumpkins, rusts, bronzes. In the summertime I'm also attracted to clear blues that remind me of the ocean and soft breezes.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I've been recently singled. My friend Sarah is moving in. We're not allowed to have pets here.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves, not just for warmth but also as an accessory to my outfit. Hats don't usually do well with me - I have an oddly shaped head. Not so much of a mitten gal but fingerless mittens or gloves are pretty cool. Only have one poncho type item and I love it. This past winter I got into the stole idea, love that too.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Not really sure. But looking at my projects posted on Ravelry it would appear that I enjoy socks and bags.

13. What are you knitting right now? A pair of socks, a pair of felted slippers (because it would appear that everyone in my family now wants a pair), and hopefully finishing Wisp before my cousin's wedding.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes! Especially those that have been well made and have my interests in mind.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I usually use my Option Interchangables for most projects and metal dpns for socks. But I also have a collection of bamboo straights too.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, I have both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Only about a year and a half old. I started a Lizzard Ridge blanket and got all the squares finished but never seamed it together. Maybe this summer.

18. What is your favorite holiday? How about a favorite season? I'm totally a fall baby. I'm in love with fall earthy colors. Every day of all feels like it's a special holiday especially for me. But favorite holiday to spend with family? No brainer, Christmas. Traditions, family, cold weather outside hot chocolate and goodies inside, sweaters and wool socks. Favorite time to have friends over? Summer BBQ. Nothing says summer fun like meat cooked over flames outside.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Books and tea

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Check out my wish list on Amazon. There are tons of great knit books there that I'm interested in. Most of the books that I already have are posted in my library on Ravelry but there are a few that aren't there to load up yet.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? This summer I would like to work on some lace projects.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I love having a sock on the needles... or sometimes two. I wear a size 9 shoe. Foot measurements include (and please let me know if I’m missing any pertinent information here): Ankle circumference – 9 inches, foot circumference – 9 inches, Foot length – 10 inches. I don’t know if this matters or not, but I have very high arches.

23. When is your birthday? October 17th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yes! knitknucklehead