Tangled Fingers Diary

You miss me....

2007-04-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

I know that you do. I have moved my blog. Movin' up in the world you might say. So please update your bookmarks so that you don't miss one second of the excitement that is me!

Tangled Fingers Diary

See you over there!
Movingly,
Dee

So I am back...

2007-03-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

Remember how I said that the Princess was sick? Apparently she was a lot more sick than I thought that she was. She ended up very dehydrated and in the hospital for a week with an IV in her arm giving her fluids because she refused to eat or drink anything for that whole time. Very scary. We finally got out yesterday. The two of us were so happy to get home let me tell you. I didn't have my knitting so when the Princess was sleeping (which happened a lot those first few days I sat on the couch and watched tv or roamed the hall. It really was not an easy time for the wee one. Thank God that it is over.

Really bad cell phone pic but you get the idea. I tell you after that experience I have a lot of respect for the parents that have kids in the hospital for really long periods of time. By the end of the week I was starting to get very stir crazy.

Knitting:
So I finally gave up on the swap socks. I am hating the whole process and ready to get back to T's sweater. (He's ready for me to get back to it as well) so I am having a lady knit the socks for me to send to my partner and I got him a set of stitch markers, some chocolate, some Earl Grey (because you can only be cool drinking Earl Grey) and some hot chocolate packets. I really hope that he likes it!
I need to clean up the house now (5 days with no mom around is not good for the home /le sigh)
cleaningly
Dee

Winning is grand...

2007-03-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

So I was reading the bazillion blogs that I have on bloglines a couple days ago and saw that Mim of Mimknits was hosting a contest to name her newest creation. (A beautiful camisole wow) I put in my suggestions and then promptly forgot about it because frankly I don't usually win stuff like this. But i did! She chose her friends name so she used a random number generator to give out the prize. *happydance* So I am getting a the Seraphim Shawl pattern from Mim and some yarn and soap. I can not wait to see the prize! I promise picture goodness when I get it.
Not much has gone on here as far as knitting. I spent the day yesterday cuddled up on my couch with the princess wishing for sleep. Yup we were sick. The flu hit us hard yesterday. I am feeling better today (except for the throbbing headache uuugh) but the princess is not doing as well. I hope she gets better soon.
Anyway off to take care of my headache and maybe snooze some more.
Winningly
Dee

2007-03-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

Tranquility Tragedy...
I go to play with my beautiful tranquility and look! I have no clue what happened but the hook is WAY out of alignment. *sob* I am going to see if I can bend the hook back into proper place, if not then I will have to go get a new one and hope for the best.

Ahhh Miss Babs...

All plyed up. I think that there are roughly 15 yards there, approximately. Not sure of the wraps per inch have to check. Fairly even though! I am quite proud.

Looking quietly out the window on a cold day. She so loves the camera.

Jaywalker time...

Coming along beautifully! Just. very. slowly. I promise I will knit nothing else until they are done! I have to get these socks to their rightful owner. I feel bad about being so tardy with these but I have had nothing but trouble with these socks since day one. This is the farthest that I have gotten on the many different tries that I have done. I will finish!

And now for some bamboo pron...

I had a bumpy start spinning this stuff but once I figured it out I love it muchly! So pretty and a beautiful sheen to it. Honestly I have no plans for knitting anything with it yet although T would like something made out of it. So who knows, maybe a manly item is in order since the Sweater of Dooom is taking forever. (I will get it done, just maybe not in this lifetime. Just Sayin')

In other news...
I really want to learn to use my sewing machine. I am thinking about taking a class to get the clothing techniques down. Untill then I think that i will get one of those quilt top kits that have all of the blocks pre-cut and practice straight line sewing from that. (like I really have the time but T is very upset that I hardly ever use it. So I think that it is time to start.)

Off to teach Ol' Ziggy to write his name. He will be ready for Kindergarten even if it kills me!
Love and squishes!
Quiltingly
Dee

Yeah so there was some snow...

2007-03-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

For once the weathermen got it right. Normally they say 8-12inches and we get 2 inches. Not this time. Whoooo boy. We got us some snow! Somewhere between 10- 11 inches. Very cool.
The kids had a blast outside doing all the things that kids do while I stayed inside and knit. Very cool.

She lasted longer than her brothers outside!

The man doing his job.

Look at the depth of the snow! Crazy-ness.

This is what the kids did for hours. They really will sleep well tonight.
Knitting news?
Not much. However I finally turned the heel on the first Jaywalker that should have been finished two weeks ago. I suck at deadlines. Seriously.
Snowingly
Dee

Of sweaters, socks and anniversaries ...

2007-02-26T09:23:00.000-08:00

So T and I celebrated our 9th anniversary on Wednesday! Yes the man and I have been married for 9 long years and I would happily do it all again. T happens to be the hardest man in the world to shop for so I have taken to buying him chocolates and letting him get what ever he wants. He, however, seems to enjoy buying me things (and really who am I to stop him?) so I had a pretty good Valentines/anniversary. First off he got me a cell phone (he's tired of not being able to get a hold of me lately hehehe) He brought this home a few days before Valentines day.

I love it! I have been a good girl and not gone crazy with the minutes either... so far. (complete with manly case. I need to break out the wool and felt me up a case.)
Then on Valentines day he brought home a beautiful blue i pod nano.

I use that thing all the time. Nothing like catching up on pod casts that I haven't listened to in forever. Now if I could only figure out audio books! Needless to say I am a tad spoiled.
Then on our Anniversary he brought home a dozen roses in a stunning red vase.

I love me some flowers!
Now for a whole different subject...
I finally got my hands on the IK Spring edition. (side note: I much prefer the old style. This new set up is annoying. I like to have the big picture next to the pattern so that I can say "ohhh I like that what kind and how much yarn does it take?" and then being able to glance over to get that information. Not have to flip through the pages to find the appropriate pattern. But I digress)
Well I decided that I am in mad love with the cable-down raglan sweater and the dollar cardigan. Since I am currently on a yarn diet and do not have the appropriate yarn for either sweater I went to Goodwill to hunt for a sweater to recycle. I found this one...

This is a handmade sweater. It looks like it was knit in pieces with the 3 needle BO at the shoulders. It was starting to unravel so I decided to unravel it and use it for a new sweater. I am really unsure of the yarn content but it feels lovely. So that is something else that I have been working on.
I leave you with a pic of Miss Babs spun up in a single. Soo yummy!

Anniversarily,
Dee

Okay so I know that you have missed me...

2007-02-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

Hey what do you want?! I have been majorly busy with school and well... life. So remember that raffle I told you about? I know that I said I would do it on V-Day, however the woman that has to get me the bank information and the prize ended up in the hospital so I am currently waiting on her to get me that stuff and I will start it. Patience my lovelies!

Remember the Sock Swap that I am a part of? Remember that awful sock that I was knitting? It went to the frog pond. When the sock is knitted all the way to the heel turning part and can still stand up on its own when sat on the desk you know that it is too tight. Not to mention that I hated it throughly. I began a new pair of socks, size 2 needles this time and the Jaywalker pattern, and I have to say that I am enjoying the knitting so much more now. So my socks are late but I totally plan on making it up to my partner. I am getting the partner a knitting book as well as some candies and hot chocolate milk packets to put in the box with the much more comfy socks.

Did I tell you that my swap pal is Lilly from KH? She is amazing and I am so happy that she was my pal! Check the beautiful socks that she sent me...

She also sent me some yummy coffee, Chinese tea that has the coolest container ever, a Godiva chocolate bar (that disappeared too quickly hehehe), some chocolate truffles and Miss Babs Batt. Gorgeous stuff! And so soft. I think I may have to get more.

Check out the close up...

Ohhh yeah.
I have more to blog about but I must get ready for class. So expect more later. I forgot how much fun blogging can be :)
Babsingly
Dee

And again with the sock

2007-02-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

So I am still working on it. I just have no time to knit period. Not to mention the fact that Tim gets so sad whenever I work on anything other than his sweater. He actually wants to wear the sweater! Go figure. I have 4 inches before I switch to smaller needles then an inch of ribbing and the body is done. I totally plan on doing both sleeves at the same time no need to give myself another place to mess up. The body didn't take as many balls of yarn as I thought so I shouldn't have any problems actually knitting both sleeves at the same time. Wooo!
Now to just find time to knit the sock, do homework, and everything else that life demands.

Here to say

2007-01-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

Swap pal you are torture to me! lol
The sock for the sock swap I am in is certainly giving me fits. I went through a time that I hated it. Ugh. However I think that I finally got it all figured out. I hope. Pictures when I have more time I promise :)
Off to make supper!
Sockingly
Dee

C'est Fini!

2007-01-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Hello lovlies! Yes Clapita is done. I was so happy to finish. The Clapotis pattern is super easy and goes fast, however After knitting two of them I am so done with it. Want to see some pictures? Yes, I thought that you might!

Its a bit fuzzy but the light isn't very good here. Darn winter!

My little model showing off Clapita
Now that Clap is done who wants to see what I have been spinning?

This gorgeous colorway came from some roving that I got from All Things Heather. This one I really wasn't all that excited about when I started spinning it, however, now that I have a little done I can not believe how beautiful it is turning out to be!

Then there is this stuff. I am still in mad love with this colorway. Ohhh yeah.
Look at what finally came back home to me!
Sorry about the bad picture it was shy.
I sent this wool to the wooly knob fiber mill quite a few months ago. I was beginning to lose hope that I would ever see this stuff again. It still has a bunch of vm in it but it is certainly very soft. I can't wait to get started on this beautiful stuff.
Thats it for me tonight! I do want to leave you with this... Keep an eye on my blog. February 14th I am going to begin a raffle for the Ehlers Danlos foundation and I will be giving out some great stuff. More on that later though. Have a Mahvolous night my friends!
Rovingly,
Dee
BTW don't worry about the color change. It is not going to stay. I just can't get used to it.

And from the ashes rises anew...

2007-01-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

So I decided that after ripping out the stitches of IHS I needed to make something with it. Didn't seem right that it sit in the stash waiting for the time that I am able to start another scarf. So I made Le Slouch by the brilliant Wendy over at Knit and Tonic. Yes I know that all the cool kids are doing it and that I am such a follower but really how can you resist? Blue Decadance from Knit Picks. I should have swatched because it is a little more fitting than I would have liked but it is still lovely and warm. So so warm.

One thing that I did differently is Kitchener stitched the top close instead of gathering the stitches on waste yarn. I really like that look a lot better honestly. So pretty.

On the clapita front I am mere decreases from finishing! There is a weird color strip in it that had I been paying attention during the knitting I would have noticed. I really just don't know how I could have missed it really. I am so far into it though that there is now way that I am frogging all the way back to take the stripe out. So it has offically become a design feature.

Can you see what doesn't belong?

Well off to finish homework, pick up the kids, and then go to the PTA meeting tonight. (How in the hell did I get roped into that?!)
Knittingly,
Dee

In which we remember the Irish Hiking scarf...

2007-01-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

We are gathered here today to remember a brave little scarf. Its life started out well enough, it was loved, had stitches added and cables crossed regularly. However this poor scarf was doomed from the start. The knitter got better as she knitted this scarf and began noticing how bad her beginning stitches were compared to the most recent stitches. Then the worst possible thing happened. The knitter ran out of yarn. So this poor scarf was tucked away with the best intentions of buying one more skein soon. This scarf languished in the stash until this morning when the knitter decided to put this ill-fated scarf to rest and resurrect the yarn in a hat and thin scarf combo.

Services were held in the living room with the ball winder to make sure the yarn wouldn't tangle. It was the least that this knitter could do for such a brave scarf. It is survived by its brothers and sisters of the ufo pile. Rest in pieces dear scarf!

Darn that blogger

2007-01-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

So you have noticed that the set up here has changed right? Well my blog got switched to the new one today. I like parts of it however I am unable, as of right now, to figure out how to add the blog rings that I belong to as part of the side bar. Everytime I try blogger messes up. So if you are head of one of these said groups please don't boot me out yet. I should have everything back to normal in a day or two at the most. Thanks for understanding!
bloggingly,
Dee

I really should get my own domain and give blogger the boot!

Aye!

2007-01-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

So I am going to stick with the Stash a ganza however in the comments Jen brings a great point...
"I hereby move that the term "stash" shall be stricken from the record unless referring to already spun/bought in a store type yarn. Fleece, roving, top, rolags and hair shall henceforth be referred to as "potential".

Nobody wants lower potential.

All in favor say "aye"."

Yeah I think about all of that potential that I have downstairs and feel that I am doing the world a disservice by not buying more! Think of all of those poor inde sellers trying to sell all that potential just to make ends meet!

Ahem.
I must be strong. I do have a yarn purchase lurking ever closer however. I bought some silk from The Dyeing Arts awhile back that I absolutely adore. I have decided that it needs to be a shawl and therefore needs some sisters to join it. Seeing as how I will be getting paid soon I think that a trip to the yarn store is definitely in order.
Anyhow Classes started yesterday for me so on Mondays and Tuesdays I have class from 8:00-12:30 and then from 6:00-9:00 until Feb 13th. Then the morning classes end and the rest of the ladies in my Sign language program move on to Practicum and I try not to forget my signing skills while I wait until the fall for my practicum. /lesigh.
Pictures of Claptiva when I have more freetime!

buyingly
Dee

P.S.- Ohhhh Sock Pal!! You are making focusing on important things (read: homework) difficult because I keep checking my blog for your updates. It is killing me! hehehe

Did I happen to mention that I love it?

Stash-a-ganza.

2007-01-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

So Every one in blog land seems to be intent on knitting from their stashes. I really do not have much of a stash of yarn. Don't get me wrong. I have a decent stash but it is not really one that I feel guilty about. yet. Fiber is a different story however. On top of all of that beautiful stuff I got from All things Heather I also have the black Merino to finish spinning (turning out beautifully by the way. Worsted weight black yummyness I'll have to show you sometime), another pound- 1 1/2pounds of the pin drafted cotton left to spin, roughly 8oz of random stuff that has been given to me, a ton (not literally people sheesh)of ginned cotton to spin, and on and on. I don't have a problem with buying yarn you see, I can control myself with yarn. Its fiber. Spinable fiber. I can not resist. I found myself surfing etsy this morning looking at all the yummy fiber on there and trying to figure out how I could swing buying some more. It is a sickness I tell you. Every time I find that I have some extra money I begin to look at buying more fiber.Food? Who needs it? A house? I will build a cave out of all the fiber I have and live a long long time happily that way!
Except that T and the kids really would not go for that. I may even get disowned. So I vow here and now to NOT BUY anymore fiber until I have made a dent in the stuff I currently have. I know it is a sickness and I will overcome!
Now that doesn't mean that I can not accept gifts...

Anyway! Clap in Evita is coming along nicely. I still have a ways to go but I found out last night that the party isn't on Saturday but on Sunday! More time! That my friends is always a good thing.
I tell you I wasn't sure when I started clap that I would like the striping that is going on. The more stitches that I drop however the more that I love it. The yarn is wrapped with a shiny thread as well giving clap a lovely sheen as well. The pic is awful I know. There is no sun out so this is as good as it gets for now. This scarf will be very light as well not much weight to the yarn which is even better. I know that sis will love it. (she has crocheted before so she has an apreciation for this stuff. Makes it more fun to make things for her)
Stashingly
Dee

So apparently I am a git.

2007-01-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

For this whole year I was typing in this little bloggy blog thinking that no one was really paying it any mind certainly not posting any comments to little ol me. Felt a little sad but this thing is for me so not really that big of a deal. If it bothered me that much I would have stopped blogging a while ago and that would have been that. However I do enjoy typing things out here and posting the pics so I continued. Well today I am roaming around my little corner of the web when I clicked on the moderate comments link. This is where me being a git comes in. I have over 55 comments and I had no clue. I did not think that I had set the comments to moderation so I never thought to check. *face meet palm* Well needless to say I have had comments and I love them! (well you know except the spam ones but really who likes those anyway.) Well needless to say I have fixed the problem and all of the comments have been added and will continue to be in the future.

So to all you real people that took the time to wish me well and communicate with me Thank You! *MUAH* You all rock. Of course you already knew that though didn't you?
stupidly,
Dee

Edited to Add:
I am an extreme Git!!! I got a comment a while back from none other that Stephanie of Yarn harlot Fame! I feel all cool and all stupid at the same time. sheesh

Happy New Year ya Mugs!

2007-01-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas was lovely! I was unable to travel to Moms this year due to car troubles so Mom decided that she would come up here!
My Momma. Aint she purdy. :)

The gang. My Sisters, me and my girls.

And yes we did FINALLY get snow. Of course the kids had to play in it.
fun in the snow:

New Years was spent at home not only playing in the snow and then at midnight in our jammies we ran out onto the front porch with the pots and pans and clanked in the new year. After that was a toast with some bubbly (sparkling grape juice for the kiddies) then bed. It was a lot of fun and even better the kids slept in the next morning.

Now to the yarn porn that I know you are here for!
First up:
5 luscious skeins of Jaeger Roma. So soft. Angora just makes it so nice.

And sock yarn for that pal of mine over at KH.

Clap in Evita is coming along nicely. I have to finish it by Saturday at 12:30 (yes I am adding the hours leading up to the Christmas party. I'm a knitter and every last second counts dag nabbit! Pics of the Clap soon I promise.
Thought for the Day:

Celebrate with your family. They are the ones who know the real you yet still love you. Can't get any better than that my friend!

I am insane it is offical.

2006-12-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

So on top of the sweater of doom

Which by the way has not seen much action. I am also working on Clap in pink (getting ever closer!) Clap in evita is next, then I have a sock swap to participate in. /le sigh.
Then there is also the ornament that I am making for my Mama. (sorry no pics until after December 31. This is a surprise knit a long. The hostess posts the pattern and everyone knits it. Then we reveal what it is. So no lookie until later.
Funny story.
I opened the hank of Mmmmmalbrigo so that I could add it to Clap in Pink and put the waste yarn that was holding the skein together on the floor next to me. Once finished winding the yarn into a ball I turned to get the waste yarn and noticed that it was gone. I went looking for it only to find Gypsy doing this...

No that is not cat puke coming out of her mouth that is the waste yarn that I couldn't find. By the time that i found her she had already felted the malabrigo waste yarn together. Needless to say I have to hide Clap in Pink when not being knitted. She is starting to show interest in it. *face palm
The thought for today?
Dance!

Passion

2006-12-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

I am already lining up projects for next christmas! Gah.
I have decided that Mom needs a cardigan that I found in Knit Simple I would link a pic but there is none on the site. Trust me when I say that mom would love it. For those that are wondering what issue and what pattern it is, its in the Holiday issue and the pattern is called Fair Isle Jacket. It just looks like something that Mom would wear. I really REALLY want to start it now. However that is just silly as I have a ton of holiday knitting to finish as it is. Plus I think that TJ would lock me in a looney bin. I must finish that mans sweater.
We also finally put up the tree last night. I just have not been in the christmas mood lately. Too many things going wrong around here for me to get excited about it. I am just ready for the season to be over. Anyway...
Don't take my picture Devil Woman!
Darn house is so small that four boxes take up the whole floor. /le sigh
Off to finish holiday knitting. I am going to stitch n' bitch tonight. Really looking forward to the down time. No thinking required only knitting and talking. Ahhhhh.
Passionately,
Dee

Okay then

2006-12-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

Well finals are over! I know that is why they call them finals 'cause you can't help yelling FINALLY! after the last test. Yes i realize that was lame but I am a bit slap happy from a week of comprehensive testing. So it is onto Christmas knitting like a mad woman. I have officially given up on the baby blanket just because I can't look at it without feeling upset about it. However! All is not lost! I found a bunch of 12 inch squares that I crocheted back when I was a hooker that are big enough to seam together and make a baby blanket. They are very lacy and open so there will most defiantly be a backing to this thing. I am thinking about doing sort of like a quilt. You know back, batting, top material, then sewn on crocheted top. Which TJ would like just because it would require using my sewing machine. I don't know we shall see. Clap in pink is coming along beautifully. Still have a bit to knit on it. Like half. but it is coming along. The sweater of Doom is stalled until I can finish the Christmas knitting then it is full speed ahead on that thing. I would really like to finish it before next semester starts but I don't see that happening. I should, however, be able to complete the body.
Off to knit more!
Finalingly*
Dee

*I realize that is not a word but cut me some slack here. I used up all the brain power on finals. Must. Go. Recharge.

100th post and other things...

2006-12-09T09:25:00.000-08:00

Wow I must enjoy talking to myself because this is my 100th post! I really did not expect to have kept up with this blog for very long let alone over a year. Anyway on to the stuff that you are really here for.

MY BOX OF FIBER CAME!!!
Ahem.
Wanna see pictures? The stuff that Heather sent me is so gorgeous and soft OMG. (Excuse me while I wipe the drool away) The natural stuff came with some dye so that I could do my own dying that stuff includes some Columbia wool, some merino/silk mix, bamboo, and some of what I think says hemp but I am not quite sure the words got smuged. but ohhhh this stuff was worth the wait. Now I have to get my wool in that was being processed and I will be complete :) Heather by the way is from All Things Heather She sells her stuff just so that you know.
Pics Now!

Happily
Dee

Still Buried...

2006-12-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

Under piles of homework, however that pile is noticeably smaller. So just a short post to show you the beauty that is the clap in pink. Not done yet but creeping ever closer.

No sign of my boxes of fiber yet so I am still stalking the mailman although I think that I should give it until Monday to get anxious but...well...you understand.
Off to finish yet another assignment!
Clappingly
Dee

Almost here...

2006-12-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

I just got an email from the woman that I swapped the machine for fiber stating that the box is on its way!!!! I am so thrilled. Also the wool that I sent off to be processed is on its way as well. That mail man is soo getting stalked. I have 2 more tests to evaluate and then I am done. Finally. I am so sick of working on homework that it isn't even funny. Anywho pictures of clap later (not done, just further along)
Homeworkingly
Dee

Allow me a Kindergarten moment...

2006-11-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

I WANNA BE DONE!

Okay a little better. I want to be done with school. I want to be done with the sweater from hell (which is coming along nicely thank you) I wanna be done with Clap in pink. I wanna be done with the damn baby blanket that isn't even wanted. GRRRRRRRRRRR.
I am so overwhelmed right now that I don't even know where to start. Let alone where to finish. *Le Sigh* Pictures soon I promise as well as the pattern for the tank I created for the Princess (plus a few additions)

I will be scarce next week seeing as how it is finals week.

Overwhelmingly,
Dee

Clownin' around

2006-11-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

So I have been a busy woman lately. Last weekend we had my family Thanksgiving to go to. The parents and sibs are always good for a laugh and so loud. After the meal we all piled into our vehicles and went to watch the dad graduate from Clown College. (yup you read that right)

Dad Before

Dad After

Not that this is a big change for us. About the only thing that is different with him is the fact that he now puts on the makeup required of a clown. He has always been a clown in action.
I also saw my little brother get married this weekend. (Told ya I was busy)

This is the cutest picture of TJ and the princess ever.
And no I am not at all partial. Just look at the love.

Is it bad that I didn't take a pic of the Bride and Groom? They did look marvelous and the wedding was nice and short.

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving (Happy Turkey Day ya'll!) I will be cooking up a storm to feed TJ the kidlets, My sister, and the two brother in laws. We will be enjoying Turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, noodles, rolls, pies... the list goes on. Yeah so I will be a busy woman tomorrow as well. Uggh. Ahhh well my own fault for offering!
Now to the knitterly content:
This is my prize from Whimsical Knitting! I was going to make a scrunchable scarf with it for TJ However he does not seem at all interested *gasp* so I am thinking that I will make me the Touch of Whimsy scarf from Becca! I mean that it only seems fitting right? Unfortunately it will have to wait until after Christmas is over. So much knitting to do right now.

Like this thing. Notice the complete lack of progress going on? I am not excited about knitting on it at all. /le sigh Part of my problem with this WIP is the complete lack of excitement from the In laws about it. MIL went as far as to say "you know Gabby has a lot of blankets." Maybe I will finish it someday.

Clap on the other hand is looking Maahhvolous! Stalled very briefly to work on the baby socks but while working on it the scarf is moving quickly. I love the way that it looks in this malabrigo. So yummy!

Baby sock number one in the Lime and Violet colorway from Lisa Souza. Very pretty. I love it! Once finished with the other sock I am thinking a baby hat with the rest.

Anyway. I have bent your ear enough for one day Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Thanksgivingly,
Dee

It has been decided...

2006-11-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

I will be running a raffle for either yarn or a gift card (who doesn't love gift cards to a YARN store?!) However the season of giving is practically sitting in our laps so that raffle will be after Christmas. Trust me you will like the prize. So I will tell you all the specifics once the time comes.

Clap in pink is coming along very well. I have dropped two stitches now I have to say that with as not excited as I was about it to begin with I am loving the ease of this pattern! I have decided to go ahead and make the second scarf a clap as well. The next one will be in blues and purples. Evita yarn. Soooo pretty. I would show you a progress pic but it is sitting in the van waiting on me to leave. So progress pictures after class.

And Finally I WON!! I entered this contest at Whimsical Knitting.
So now I get to stalk the mailman for box of fibery goodness from a recent trade I did (the waiting is killing me) and for my prize! A lovely skein of emerald Malabrigo (mine alllll mine) and a 365 Knitting stitches per year calendar(!!!) (I have been coveting this since last year) Can Not Wait!

Well all of my party people I must get ready for class.
Winningly
Dee
I will leave you with this beautiful photograph
Sunset in the ghetto ahhhh

That Damn Elhers Danlos...

2006-11-13T07:17:00.000-08:00

Okay. So we all know that I have tons of stuff that I have to do in my day. Five Kids to care for, school to go to, homework to do, stuff to knit, not too mention my poor neglected spinning! And yet I get involved in something else. facepalm. I have volunteered to help get some fundraising done for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
This is a good thing for me to get involved in but I got in on the ground floor. As in, we don't even know what we are doing yet, stage. So I will end up getting in very deep before this whole thing is over. I just can't seem to say no. Ahh well it is for a good cause. You know there are a lot worse things that I could be involved in. Why am I doing this? My sister has Ehlers Danlos type 4, vascular. The life expectantcy is generally 40-50 years. So unless this changes my 27 yr old sister only has about 20 some odd years left. This seems like a lot but the average person (barring any accidents) generally live to their 80's-90's. So I think that getting involved in this is very important. (Like how I just cemented my particpation?)
Anyway. Stay tuned I am toying with the idea of adding a donate button and offering a drawing for yummy knit goodies in exchange for donations. Maybe.
Thanks for making it this far my friends.
Seriously
Dee

WIP over my head

2006-11-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

Yeah so I am still working on Tj's sweater of Doom. I thought that once I passed the sleeves I would be home free. Alas it is mindless and rather boring to knit the body. Ack. But it is coming along well, slowly, but well.

Now if I could get Tj to quit giving me those sad puppy dog eyes and saying "its never going to be done, is it?" You know it was a lot easier to knit things when he wasn't so darn interested.
Because...
I also am still working on the baby blanket. It will be a whole creation because I hated doing the miters. However I think that it is turning out well. Don't you? The plan is to do the Entrelac on each side, connect the corners in a way not yet determined, then Add a layer of garter stitch then do an I-cord bind off.

Note: I adore Entrelac!
So. There is that and I have also started the first of two clapotis. (Christmas Presents)
This one is going to be hard to give away because it is so Darn soft and pretty! I now love Malabrigo. It truly is "like budda". And the color. (excuse me while I wipe away the drool)

I mean look at it!

However. I am afraid that I will have to frog and re-knit. I know that Stockinette is supposed to curl. In the pics on Knitty it is not curling. I am thinking that maybe the stitches are too tight and maybe a needle size up would do the trick. Or maybe the drop stitches help to keep it not curly. I don't know. I will figure it out sooner or later.

What do you think?
Anyway so that is what is on my list now. I also have a pair of baby sock to Knit for the Gabster (waiting on my DPNs), another Clapotis christmas pressie that will be in a beautiful blue/purple variegated. Combine that with school and kids and This is what I look like:

Halloween

2006-11-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hope it was lacking in the tricks!

The fam and I went trick or treating last night. Ever notice that there is a distinct lack of houses accepting trick or treaters lately? losers. We walked 4 houses for every 1 house with a light on. Ahh well the wee ones had fun and crashed as soon as we got home.
The little ghouls at the zoo trick or treat day. Yes both boys were Knights but one is a DARK knight and the other was a LION knight. Apparently there is a difference. I don't know. We also have Super girl, the pirate Scarlett, and of course Princess.
On the knitting front TJ's Sweater has been put on the back burner in favor of finishing the baby blanket for Gabs who was born a week ago. She is a whole month early. Thankfully she came out healthy and is home! But needless to say I need to finish the blanket.
Also I got some Yarn for Clapotis. Mmmmmmalabrigo. Soooooo purdy and soft. I will have a very hard time giving that up when its done. *sigh*
Ahh well life calls!
Droolingly
Dee

Pictures ahead

2006-10-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

I do not have the fibery pics yet I have to mail the knitting machine to the lady first. I will be getting a box of fiber goodness along with dye and instructions. I am so looking forward to getting it, I just have to get my check so that I can mail. Anyway I thought that i would update youon my WIPs. They are moving along just not to quickly. No time to knit.
First off, the Sweater of Dooooom... I still think that it will be a bit big on TJ, but then again I am used to knitting baby stuff so we shall see. It is coming along though!

Next up the next section of the baby blanket. Yes the miters are done! (see below) I will be making this cable to go around the miters. After this I will be sewing the cables to the miter and then picking up stitches to do some simple garter around that. From there... who knows.

Miters are done. Needless to say I will not be knitting these again for a long while. I tried them that is all that matters. Or something like that... Gypsy says Hello!

Okay

2006-10-11T21:39:00.001-07:00

Today has been an insane day. I kid you not. This morning I start the van to warm it up and manage to lock the keys in the car. Thank god for locksmiths. Then i get to school early and work on my homework. I later find out that I didn't have to do it that way. Then at the beginning of class we are given our testing order (preformance) and I am next to last on the list. So my partner and I get the teaming part of the test finished no problem. Once we were finished we had to wait in the classroom. Where us and 5 other people stayed until 3:30 because the indiviual test was too long for the whole class to finish on time. So now I get to go back tomorrow and record a 6 min dialouge because I couldn't wait any longer. not to mention the fact that i will only have 1 day to finish the lengthy analysis because of this problem. Sucks so bad.

I am done whineing for now, really great pics tomorrow. Right now i am to exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open.
Sleepingly
Dee

P.S.- keep an eye out for fiber porn next week!

Totally crazy I am I am

2006-10-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

Okay so here is what is on the needles and what is slated to be next.

1. TJ's Sweater of Dooom- Sleeves are seperated and knitting around and around for the body. yes I made TJ try it on to make sure that it would fit (I honestly think that it will be a tad big but the man will not allow me to measure him) Its funny, hes never been very interested in stuff I have been knitting but he is constantly looking at it and saying things like "Its really coming along isn't it" He is finally converting and all that it took was a sweater.

2. The baby blanket-This thing is going to be the death of me. I swear. I am on block number two, almost done with it. I think that I am going to do a really random blanket, free form all the way baby! I just have to hurry up. The kid will be here in a little over a month. ack.

supersecret project-I don't think that she reads my blog but to be safe this is on the list but not named. All I got to say about it is that it should be fast (I hope)

Kiri-At this rate It will never be finished. Poor Kiri.

Clapotis- not started yet because of the lack of yarn but it is a christmas gift so that will need to be started soon

scarf #2- Also waiting on yarn. this one will either be Clapotis or a cabled scarf not sure yet. Also a christmas gift

pin wheel jacket- The princess will have to wait on this because it should fit her to age 4. so I will continue to spin and dye the cotton needed for this project and just keep plugging on with everything else. I have 3 more years before she grows out it. I got time.

Okay so looking at the list makes me want to cry. Well I better get busy. I got a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in. Pictures later when I am not so overwhelmed.
insanely yours,
Dee

Edited to add: We here at Tangled Fingers Diary would like to thank all of the click throughs and visitors that have stumbled through here since august. We have hit the 500 mark! Also I realized last night that this little Diary hit a year old September 12! Happy Birthday Blog!
Thanks all!

Just a quick how do ya do...

2006-10-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

I finally got some RIT dye and took care of the boring white that is my spun cotton yarn. I still have about a pound of that stuff left to spin so not sure yet what I will make with it. (I am thinking the pinwheel sweater for the princess)
Here is my first batch:
yardage: roughly 115
yarn: cotton (got it pindrafted)

I love that it also came out slightly varigated (I had it folded into a hank for that purpose) Next two colors will be pink and purple. Woooo!
cottonly
dee

creeping ever closer...

2006-09-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my lovley sweater for TJ and got the sleeves seperated so for now it is a mindless knit. I just have to make sure that I do not shut my mind all the way off. I end up with a few rows of stockinette that way. I also have block number 2 almost done on my miter square blanket for the soon to be neice. I know that I was going to use my own handspun but the more I knit on it the less that I wanted to give it away. I think that I am going to try to dye it and then make a blanket for little Phia. I swear that Phia is going to be the most spoiled child on the face of the planet. Ahhh well it is all in the name of knitting! or something like that. I also have on order yarn for 2 scarves. one for the SIL and the other for el sista. She sees this blog on occasion so that is all that I will be saying on that one. I got the yarn from yarny bits She sells beautiful stuff. I orderd 6 skeins for a total of 50 and some change. Not bad I must say. Anyway gotta go pick up the mini me's from school so I am off.
buyingly
Dee

At Last!

2006-09-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

The sweater of Doom is ready for sleeve seperation!! I have been "almost to sleeve seperation" for a month now. Last night I finally did it! So I took it off the needles and tried it on TJ (who of course HATES to have his pic taken le sigh) It even looks like I am trying to make a sweater. I was certain that I would make some invisible (to me) error that would render the sweater alien like. But seriously check it out...

Lovely... er Handsome.
Off to school!
Scholarly
Dee

Animal friends

2006-09-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

This was hanging out on our house today when the kids and I were leaving to get to school. Of course I had to take pictures.

Then Gypsy had to inspect this intruder. Not a very interesting intruder however because she just let it be.

Of course what post would be complete without a little bit of Phia?

Much homework must be done so I am off. TJs sweater of doom is roughly 6 increases away from sleeve seperation so update pics coming soon!
Buggily
Dee

May we never forget...

2006-09-11T21:03:00.001-07:00

image found at aku-aku.com

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

I really am here... sorta

2006-09-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

School has been completely insane. The closer that we get to graduation the more work that they pile on us. I am not looking forward to next semester. UUugh.
Ziggy started preschool yesterday I think that he took it better than I did. He had loads of fun and decided that school isn't as scary as what he thought that it would be. I on the other hand was anxious the whole time that he was there. You would think that after putting 3 other kids through preschool I would be better prepared to handle the first day.

I am going to re-invent the tank that I designed for Phia and see if I can't get it published. That would be so amazing to get published!
Homework calls so I must answer.
Designingly
Dee

I did it!

2006-08-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

I designed my very first top!! It was so easy once I sat down and just did it. I used the fleece that I Dyed in kool-aid a while back. This was just supposed to happen because when I started knitting with the yarn I had no clue what it was that I was going to knit. None. I just knew that I wanted it to be done in the round. I co and started knitting trying it on for kid hats and thinking maybe a dropped stitch scarf, but none of thoes seemed right. So I measured miss Phia and BINGO! In casting on I had added the perfect amount of stitches for the little girls waist. So a shirt it became. I wrote it down as I went until I got to the top part so I am going to have to do some figureing and maybe re-knit it in another bulky weight yarn to make sure that I have it right. I am thinking that if I get the pattern written up nicely that I will submit it to the pattern a day calander. The coolest thing ever would be to get published!
Anyway here are the pics. I have to go pick up the school children.

Alas poor Kiri, I knew her well...

2006-08-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

Awww Kiri is fine I just have not touched her since the last time I blogged about her. O the neglect that she must feel! Its not that I didn't enjoy working on her (you know after I got through the first five mess ups)I have just been insanely busy. We took the little lovlies to Worlds of fun last weekend. Hot, expensive but so fun!

Sissies first ride! I was so proud. With as scared as she is all of the time I really didn't think that it would be this easy to get her on a ride.

Ziggys very first ride. He loved the beginning, hated the drop at the end. Poor kid. Camp Snoopy was more his speed.

Phia on the other hand was not a snoopy fan. Poor Snoopy came over and sat down next to her. When she realized that some huge dog had sat next to her she freaked. Thankfully I had the camera out and ready.

And finally the best picture of Isaac EVER! Is this not the perfect picture of a boy eating cotton candy? He really seemed to love it I think. Don't you?

Yeah so I got bored waiting on everyone else to ride rides. But this is a great pic of the phiaster

This is me after a long day of sunnin and walkin. Burnt yet still silly. (I am making that face because TJ told me that I use my toothy smile (cheesing) too much. So I didn't cheese.

Two very pretty pics of the horizon on the way home. Please try to ignore the bug splats, as they take away from the beauty. (What do ya want? I was riding in a car)
I even managed to get some work done on the sweater of Doom. I am still not ready to seperate the arms from the body but I am creeping ever closer.
Other WIP's?
Kiri - Not getting done anytime soon, Way too many other things to finish. Typical huh? The one thing that I am knitting for me gets put on the back burner.
TJ's sweater- Almost ready for sleeve seperation (one of these years)
Baby blanket- started with the pinwheel blanket pattern, decided that I would go insane with nothing to keep me interested so I am creating my own pattern. I just hope that it works.
shirt for phia- I am using the handspun that I made. I just started knitting and I think that this is what it wants to be. We shall see.
I have rambled long enough, Enjoy your day!
Rambelingly
Dee

yarny day

2006-08-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the fleece that I bought. It is very dirty, but it cleans up so beautifully! I am glad that I went ahead and cleaned a handfull of it to get an idea of what it is like. I definatly think that I will go ahead and mail it off to be professionally cleaned and carded otherwise I will never get it done.

The two together. Although it is rather hard to see. you get the idea.

Here is the finished spun stuff. Thin yarn, says shawl to me so far anyway. Pretty no?

TJ's Pullover. It is finally working for me! I have 6 more increase rows(12 total) and then I can seperate the arms and get to work on the body. I have a feeling that it will take me forever. uuugh. But so far I like what I see. That has to account for something.

Another shot.

Well I am off to the post office to do my mailing!
Later Days!
Fleecingly
Dee

All I want for Christmas...

2006-08-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

Okay it is no where near time to think about Christmas yet but I was reminded of the song this morning when NJ woke me up this morning to show me this

He is now eagerly looking forward to the tooth fairies visit.
Here is a small (like 9 yards) hank of yarn spun and plied from the fleece I bought at Maplewood north. Beautiful. Right now it is screaming shawl at me, but we shall see since it has a long time to wait. I still have to wash, card and spin on the drop spindle the biggest amount of the wool.

Sorry about the crappy photo. It really looks beautiful in person.
Now seeing as how I have used the backspace button more that the letters it is time for me to go.
Toothily
Dee

Woosh

2006-08-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

I am just bouncing in real quick like to apologize for the bigness of the pics below. Blogger pic uploading is not likeing me at the moment.

The place that i got the Black fleece from is maplewoodnorth The fleece was dirty but it washed up beautifully. I will post pics soon. I am so in love with this fleece. It will take some work though.
K I am off just as quick as I came!
Wooshingly
Dee

Promised pictures

2006-08-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here they are in all of their glory.

Here is dear sissy in her new wrap. It was a really quick knit. Only took me a few hours. Yarn: Poof Crystal Palace Needles: size 11

Here is new Kiri. I restarted one more time and it turned out allright so far. (crossing ALL crossables) That black thread? my lifeline. So no more restarting for this chick.

This is TJ's sweater. Well the start of it. I think that I finally have the "increasing in pattern" thing down so we will see.
I have also started cleaning and combing the fleece that I bought roughly a month ago I have come to the conclusion however that I am going to have an actual set of wool combs before I get to far into this. The dog slickers just isn't really working. le sigh
What I do have done and spun on the spindle looks divine though. Enough out of me I need to go feed the kidlings.
Completedly
Dee

Goody!

2006-08-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

I finished a wrap out of Crystal Palace Poof. I know. It was going to be a skirt. It doesn't look as good as a skirt in real life as it did in my mind. So a wrap it is. Honestly it looks really neat as a wrap. Not to mention the fact that it fits better on her shoulders than her waist. That yarn is rather hard to measure. I will get pics up here soon to show the lovelyness.

I will be selling my crochet library soon. I just don't enjoy it nearly as much as my knitting and spinning. In fact. I have finished more knitting projects than crochet projects. This says a lot for knitting because I have known how to knit since I was 18. That is roughly 9 years longer than the knitting. Whew.

I have some exciting news on Kiri, although I know that if get too excited I will mess up. That is just the way that things are. So knock on some wood and send me good wishes but I made it past row 10! (holding in girly squeal) I had so many problems getting started that it just feels good to be past that point. I was on the verge of quitting. I was. But after sufing the net and looking at pictures of other peoples Kiri shawls I decided to give it one more go. Whew. At least I know that if I do mess up from here on out I will have the lovely life lines to back me up. Pics of that soon as well!

TJs sweater is moving a little better as well. Still not very far in but so far the pattern is good!
Well the little 'uns are a fightin' so I must git.
Cheeringly
Dee

Kiri

2006-08-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I have knit and ripped no less than 5 times on this shawl. But I am determined. I will get past the first chart! I am using lifelines this time. Last 5 times I didn't just because I really didn't think that i needed to for the first chart. It didn't have that many stitches, I can keep track with out messing up! Sha whatever. Kiri is kicking my butt all over Omaha. So I started one more time lifelines and all and am determined to get it right this time!

In other news I have joined the UFO august KAL so that I can get a move on some of the knitting that I have to do before I start back to school at the end of the month. Man that came up to quickly. I am going to work on TJs sweater. I feel ready to pick it up again. As well as the cotton that still need s spun for the baby blanket that I have not yet started. I have my work cut out for me.
Finishingly
Dee

Well well well

2006-08-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

I think that I actually have my knitting machine spoken for. In exchange I will get a rigid Heddle loom and some yummy fiber. And even better? I don't have to mail it! The woman i am trading with lives a couple hours away so we will meet halfway. Woooo!
I also found a loom upstairs in the attic that I had totally forgotten about. So I brought it out and let Sara take a crack at it. Cuteness ensues...

Trying it out, she had her tounge out the whole time.

Her second project

Look at the pride!

I am so glad that I found that thing.
glowingly
Dee

the knitting

2006-08-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

Currently I am working on Kiri. Frankly I am using that phrase loosely. I started it, ripped back slowly (kid silk haze is NOT easy to rip) started again, ripped again, and then noticed that I have managed to mess up yet again. So I have put it down for tonight before I go absolutly insane.
Yup that is as far as I got. Not a good sign. uuugh.

I also somehow managed to lose my needlemaster set. No clue how. If I had thoes needles I think that I would have had a little easier knitting on Kiri. The needles that I am currently using suck big time. I think that I will wait until I have better needles before I attempt to knit Kiri again. Wish me luck.

On to good news. The knitting for Cleo is done! Woooo. Now I have to find me some elastic to sew into the lace band and boom! I have a wearable knitted item! I am so happy about that. Rather feels good to be done knitting something that I can wear. I have started and stopped so many things to wear that it is not even funny.
Also I managed to get a pic of my new ball winder.

It works like a charm. You should see all the balls that I have made with that thing.
I have also decided to turn the little cabinet thing that holds my lovely clock into my stash holder. So I cleaned it out and stashed my stash.

That box next to the quilt binder? Full of pin drafted cotton. I love that stuff! It spins up so nicely. Check it out. Double ply. oooohhhh yea.
The twist is not set yet and the cotton will lose the pink color once I boil it. This cotton (roughly 3 pounds of it) is set to be a baby blanket for Sister in laws soon to be born littlen.
Anyway
I must get sleep more tomorrow
Gabbingly
Dee

Selling the old knitting machine.

2006-08-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Yup I bought it two years ago and used it once. I bought it back when I wanted to knit but didn't want to hand knit. Plus it was an antique. So cool! But I got it and realized I wasn't to keen on using it and I have no room to set it out so it was stashed into my bedroom closet. I have decided that there is someone out there that will love it more than I so I want to let it go.
This is the stuff that goes with the machine. Honestly I will not be much help in what they are all for.

Here we have the whole thing. I do not have exact deminsions but if you want to know I will be happy to measure.

Also comes with a row counter. This thing is rather cool :)

Not sure of the exact name of this but it is what you use to slide the carriage back and forth.

Clamps attach here to hold it to the table.

These two books are included. One is the manual that goes with the machine, the other is a Home study course.
Brother Knitting machine model KH551 I'm guessing from online research that it was made sometime in the 60's. It is clean and in good shape. I made a scarf on it so I know that it works as well.
Now for the business part. I am asking $120.00 for the machine but I am also interested in trading. I am still pretty new to spinning and handknitting so my stash is not to big yet. Tempt me! Shoot me an email at mintdee at cox dot net if you are interested. Thanks!
sellingly
Dee

So much to do

2006-07-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well I am close to seaming on Cleo which I can not believe that I am. Never having made a shirt before. It has been a quick knit so far. No pics of it sadly as the batteries have died and are now charging away happy for the rest. (I take so many pics now that I have that thing. It is really soo nice)
Anyway. In the mean time I did manage to get a hat for my soon to be born neice done. Dear KK made the pattern I just threw in the beads.

Its very pretty. I just have never made a hat that i am happy with. eh. Whatever.

Also I made a "waist scarf" for Moe so that she can be all styleish while she is out doing her thang.
It is made from the yarn that my dear secret pal sent me first. The crystal Palace Poof. That stuff is not much fun to knit with but so lovely to touch. Ahhhhhhh. Sissy has demanded a skirt knit out of the rest of the yarn. so we shall see. I am thinking that it will make a cute skirt.

I also finally got the pattern printed for the Kiri shawl. I am so afraid to start that thing. The yarn that I have for it is supposed to be kinda hard to use. so uugh.
But I can do it! (must continue to tell my self that.)

The new babe is working beautifully as is the ball winder that finally came in the mail!!
I wound so many balls of yarn with that thing when it first got here. I was like a kid. Watching that winder wind a center pull ball was so cool. I want to play with it right now just thinking about it!

Finally. Remember thoes stitch markers I swapped out for? I finally heard back from the woman that I was trading. Apparently her life is botteming at the moment and she is struggeling to climb back up. I understand that. I was more happy to know that I hadn't been blown off. So she said that she is going to work on the ones that she owes me and some other people and send them on. I read the book and do not need it cluttering up my house. Also I love me some stitch markers. So Brava to her for admitting all of this to me and trying to make amends. Gotta respect that.

Almost forgot my sky pic. Granted it is Black and white and mostly train but it is so cool!

Here is the guy that drove that train. Perfect isn't he?

Off to play with yarn
Respectfully
Dee

Secret Pal love!!!

2006-07-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

I got my package today!!!
She mailed in on tuesday and I got it today!
Can I just say that Stephani is now my bestest friend! I got 4 balls of Kid Merino for a lace (!) shawl that I have been wanting to knit but haven't had the guts to actually buy yarn for yet. Knitters Balm for my hands (perfect because I have such dry hands that they crack all the time) and the thing that she made me.... beautiful stitch markers!! (My first pair) Also in blue! She emailed me and asked me a few questions before she went shopping. Can you tell what my favorite color is? The only problem is that my daughter is also obsessed with blue so I have to CO immediatly so that she can not get her hands on them

This stuff is great! Now I have to get over my intimidation of lace and just DO it!

Also couple nights ago I won a ball winder on ebay for 10.00. I am telling you all that it takes is a little patience! I can not wait to get it as well. a swift and a ballwinder. I did not think that I would get thoes for a while. No email from the Babe seller yet but if i don't hear from her soon I will email her again. I really do not want to be burned on this.
Remember thoes stitch markers that I orderd from Denise Knits a while back? (Did I say anything about it?) I still haven't gotten any from her and she is now not even answering my e-mails anymore. She was a KH regular so this makes it even more disappointing. I was trying to give my business to friends and got burned. Well you live and you learn I suppose.
Anyway Time to clean house so I can play with my yarn!!
Skippingly
Dee

So many things, so little time

2006-07-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Okay so this will be a heavy picture post as I outline whata I have been up to and my trip to Missouri. You can click on the pics to make them bigger if you can not see them properly.
Missouri was pretty good. Hanging with Mom, letting the kids wear themselves out running outside constantly it was nice. (been too hot to let the kids play for any decent amount of time. le sigh. ) Only real draw back was my kid sister Rachel. Going through her teen years (13) and so full of attitude its not funny. I hope she gets over it soon. Seriously.

This is what I saw driving down to Missouri. The scenery does not change. I swear. Just the same thing, over and over and over again.

Took his picture because I felt the need to document him. He was the third person I saw walking down the highway with his stuff on his back in Missouri. I know that there is always someone doing that, but I rarely see them while driving that strech of the road. Hence the documentation. Watch. Now I will see them all the time.

You can't read it in this small picture but the street sign says LaHarpe st. This is the street that I grew up on. Mom does not live there any more but the street holds some happy memories. Sometimes I miss being a kid.

They have a Walgreens now. This Walgreens opened just last month. Damn store is like an infection that will not stop spreading to towns all over the nation. But I digress.

At the Mothers house...
The moody teen giving kids a ride on the four wheeler. She did have her good moments.

This one is too cute. The kids popped up in the window at the last moment while Rach was posing.

The kids got in Moms way while she was watering the flowers. So Mom let them know how she felt about that.

This picture was too good not to add. I love my camera. Of course having photogenic kids helps.
Anyway even with moody teen it was a great trip. We were happy to be home but the kids would love to go back right now. In the mean while I got an email from the lady I am getting the Babe from. It will go into the mail tomorrow!! UPS is coming to her to pick it up. I can not wait. Thankfully I get the tracking number. Ahhh the waiting.
Well my bedtime so more later. This is probably all that you can stand of me anyway. :)
Anxiously
Dee

Laters

2006-07-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

I am off to see my mom for a week with the kiddies. (5 hours in a car just me and kids I really do not know what I was thinking. Seriously.) But it will be fun to see Mom. I have to stop and get the van taken care of first (damn DMV) Otherwise we are off! Miss me tons and hopefully I will have some FO's to show off when I return!
A picture of my favorite baby before I drive off...
Later my favorite Peeps!

Saturdays

2006-07-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

We had a very busy day today so my Sky pic is late. I promise it will be worth it though.
We first had a birthday party for the Sara girl. Can you guess the theme?

Torn between wanting cake and wanting to swim some more.

Of course her party would not be complete without swimming! We had Hamburgers, swimming, cake, presents, then more swimming. I of course had a headache after all that "fun".

Then came the fireworks. We ooohhhhh and Aaaahhhhhhd with everybody else cause frankly the Uncle man outdid himself as he does every year. Beautiful.

Obligitory Knitting...
There was none today. The amount of craziness was too much for me. But. I did manage to snag a spinning wheel! Unfortunatly it is still a Babe fiber starter but it comes with 3 bobbins (instead of the one I have with this wheel) a skein winder that attaches to the wheel (sweet!) over $200.00 value for only $100.00 on E-bay. Now all I need to get is a ball winder and I am set. pictures when it arrives! Off to bed as I think I am as tired as the kidlings. Night all!
Beautifully
Dee

Happy after 4th!

2006-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to Dads for the fourth where I was able to pick up a fixed wheel(!) and Celebrate the birth of the greatest 8yr old girl ever born. Well in my opinion anyway.

Mommy and Sissy enjoying her birthday. She has a party on Saturday at dads, Cake icecream, presents and swimming. She is so excited! So today we are going to order her cake, get the vans plates (for the trip to Kirksville) and return the library books. Loooong Day ahead.

Beautiful pics of the fireworks.

And finally, I finished the bag for Mrs. R. I have to get handles for it but I am going to wait until we get down to Missouri so that she can help me pick them out.

Also I got something in the mail today that is absolutly beautiful. But no word on what it is until I am told it is okay to say.
Later!
pictorially
Dee

Beautiful Saturdays

2006-07-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

My entry for Saturday Skies:

Ahhhh lovely.
TJ went golfing this morning. The man has never golfed in his life but the bigwigs at Go Leads asked him to go so He did not have much choice. The girls are going to a pool party in a few hours so I think that the boys and I are going to go get a bite to eat and either go to the park or hang out here. They play while I sit on the front porch and knit. Ahhhhhhh Relaxation. Right at the moment I am working on Cleo from knitty.com. Not the open back but with full back. Not skinny enough to pull off a no back shirt! I am thinking that I will add a shrug to it to make the shirt work appropriate. That would make a cute set I think. Just not sure which one yet.
Ahh well off to break up fights and chase after hooligans!
Chasingly

Thursday Fixins

2006-06-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

Okay so I took Babe to get fixed to Dad's. He is not only fixing the broken piece but found out why it wasn't pedaling right.Woooo! All that I have to do is wait for him to get a bolt and then it is all done and shouldn't give me trouble for a while. I hope. If it doesn't I may just buy it, fix it up, and get myself a yarn winder or set of hand carders. Can't decide. Also Dad is making me a lazy Kate to help me with plying. No more tangled messes for me! Woooo! Anyway the baby Phia is mega hungary so I am off.
I leave you with this to look at

Ahhhhhhh summer

Can't we just get a long?

2006-06-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Okay so after my triumpant spinning adventure I began spinning some beast wool (that is what it is called on the bag I don't have a clue what it is really) Side note: Scratchy stuff maybe become a felted bag. I love me some felted bags. /side note Okay so I am spinning along happily when this happened! I will show you it is too horrible to type.

beautious pictures

2006-06-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

Remember the fleece I dyed? this is it spun up and plyed on the Babe

Poof from my SP. Sooooooooooooo soft!

Babe and I are not getting along so well. Her pedals keep coming loose. The screws don't stay screwed, plus she is really light so she rocks whenever I use her. I am hoping that i will be able to find a used wheel for a decent price. In case i can't however I am having my dad look at her this weekend see what he can do about the pedals. Off to spin some more!
Pictoraly
Dee

tomorrow

2006-06-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

will be a good day. I am so excited that I can not think straight! I am supposed to be doing laundry yet here I am surfing the net looking for stuff about babe wheels! I just can't wait to get my hands on that wheel. I already have my first project planned out. I will be making a shawl with some of the BFL that I have. I see more fleece buying in my future! Now to get a set of handcards.

Also I got a package from my Secret Pal yesterday. Three skiens of Crystal Palace yarns Poof! The Strawberry soda color. It is sooo soft. Both girls demanded scarves from it. lol
So now comes the hard decision of what to make. Ahhh well off to get the kids ready for swimming with their Aunt!
Impatiently
Dee

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeel~!

2006-06-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

I am getting a spinning wheel! This weekend as a matter of fact! I was lucky enough to meet Linda who taught me to spin on the spindle and has been a great cheerleader for me. Well. Mom gave me 100 to go toward a wheel. I can not afford to go much higher than that due to the fact that I have 5 kids and in school. With wheels being anywhere from 160 on up this was something that I would need help with. So I called Linda to ask her if she had any ideas. While she was looking for used wheels for me, I did a TON of research on wheels to see what I liked and all that. Well I decided that with 5 kids I would be better off getting a Babe spinning wheel because it is so much more durable. I much prefer the look of the more traditional wooden wheel I think that the babe would last better around this house. So I call Linda to ask if i could try out her babe spinning wheel and she tells me that I could buy it if I like it! So Saturday I will be going to her place to learn how to use it and pick it up, then the older 3 kids and I will be helping her to clear the weeds from her back lot. Anyway I am positivly giddy, I can not wait until Saturday!!!!!
OFf to bed. I figure that the more I sleep, the faster Saturday will get here!
Giddily
Dee

Dying to dye

2006-06-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Here are my pictures of my first attempt at dying roving. I think that in hind sight I would have left off the orange but eh. It spins up very pretty with only a slight change in color.
Soaking up the water...

adding a bit o' color

Drying on the porch is so much faster than in my kitchen...

Dried and wraped...

close up

Pics of the yarn spun from it. Beautiful no?

Not bad if I do say so myself. I did learn that I should have used the same temp when transferring the roving from the soaking pot to the dying pot because it felted a little but otherwise It is beautiful daahhhling!
And last but not least is the lace weight spindle I just got from dream come true farm With the softest angora (droooool) Even Isaac felt it and asked if he really had to stop touching it. lol

Dyeingly
Dee

Oh how neglected you must feel!

2006-06-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Yea I know I haven't been around but I have been so busy. Its summer you know lots more outside time.Plus I have a math class from hell to get through. Uuugh. Its not that hard but that does not change the fact that I hate math. Always have.
I have been busy with other things though! I went to Kirksville Mo this last weekend to visit the mom and sister. While there I got this great picture of Phia

And this pic...

An even better one...

This kids picking cherries with their Grandpa. Who knew that picking cherries could be so much fun!

And so that there is something knitting related on this entry I present the scarf that I made for Mom. Shes makes a good model don't you think?

That would be an Irish Hiking scarf knit with size 9's and Knit Picks Serria. Great stuff and so nice to knit with.
Here is a close up of the stitches although it is rather hard to see because it is black...

I also tried dying fleece. It was really fun! I will post pictures soon I promise. I want to get a little more spun up to get an idea of what it will look like as yarn. I know how everyone loves the pictures!

Also! I can not believe that I almost forgot to add that I am getting a spinning wheel! I don't know what kind or exactly when just because I am buying a cheap used one. Linda is spreading the word that I am on the hunt for my very first spinning wheel. She said that it is only a matter of time before I get one at the price that I can afford. I am dying to get my hands on one now! But I must. be. patient.

Well that is it for now. I will post about my adventures in dying later!
crazily
Dee

Spinning pretty

2006-06-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I have a new spindle! It is so beautiful. Seriously. Don't believe me? Look for yourself!

Anyway I am off to see a lady about some llamas (just to see :P) I will add to my post later!
happily
Dee

Awesome video

2006-05-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

I HATE pink with a passion. But this song and video has me giving her mad props.

Grandmother

2006-05-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

I knit it with size 19 needles and three strands held together. This shawl has two chunky strands and a ww strand. They are all acrylic but all together it is a soft shawl. I made it up as I went. It has a cable running the length (I would have died of bordem otherwise) It is very hard to see but it is there. The ends are 2 strands with random YO's and K2togs thrown in for a lacier effect

Bloggers Boot-up Blend

2006-05-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

Here goes my first review, The Bloggers Boot up blend. First off I will inform you that I am not a fan of black coffee so I have to add a spoonful of sugar to my coffee. That being said I did try a few swallows of black coffee first before added my beloved sugar to the mix. It wasn't bitter first off like thoes name brand coffees that everyone drinks. Still an aquired taste but what coffee isn't?
Anyway after adding the sugar I got into the real drinking. I have to say that after drinking this coffee I will not be able to go back to back to folgers very happily. The coffee has a subtle earthy flavor that goes down smooth. Its like budda. Makes my mornings more fun to wake up to!

I give it 5/5 tangled fingers!

Reviewingly
Dee

weekend 360

2006-05-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Okay so My weekend plans changed completely. I twisted my ankle walking to my car on friday after class. No softball game, no String of Purls. le sigh. Stupid clumsy nature of mine. Ah well there is no way that I am missing my meeting with Bren though. Wooooo for yarn swap! With Sophia being sick and my foot hurting I need this break. off to get ready for the night!
painfully
Dee

coffee, knitting, and geeking out.

2006-05-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

OMG. String of Purls will be hosting Kay from Mason Dixon Knitting this saturday! I so have to be there. I will have to bring Sophia but it will be worth it. I will have Sophias Swing dress finished today so guess what she will be wearing. It is a must that I go. Friday Phia and I will be going to a softball game to fulfill my Deaf events for the semester and then on Sunday I meet Bren at Panera (yum) so that we can get the offical KH yarn swap moving. Promises to be a very knitty weekend.
Now for the coffee. I signed up to review Boca coffee right here on my blog. They are sending me coffee to review as we speak. Just got the email so I know.
Allright Phia needs attention
Geekingly
Dee

And the chicken said "Thats a mighty fine hat!"

2006-04-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Yea I don't know what that is supposed to mean either but it works somehow. The Summer swing top is looking lovely! I really do not have much left before it is done! Wooo!
Also I added another WIP to my list. I have joined the tank KAL at KH and we are busy creating our own tanks! No patterns allowed with this one. Well a stitch pattern is fine but you get the general idea. I have everything picked out and the math(!) done. I CO last night so that I would not have to count while the kids are bugging me(they do that occasionally you know). I am going to finish up Phias top and then get started with this one. I can not wait to have a top that I can wear made by my own hands (now watch it be too small or large /le sigh)
Wish me luck!
creatingly
Dee

You have GOT to be kidding me!

2006-04-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

I am so friggin weak!!! The fact that mere Chocolate Brownie cheesecake does not have to work very hard to talk me into eating it is sad. I mean really all it has to do is wink at me and I am all over it. *sigh* One day I will get it! At least when I am not falling all over myself trying to get to the cheesecake I am doing better. Its thoes darn weak moments that get me.
My other problem is that I have added knitting books to my addiction. So along with yarn, needles, spindles and roving I have books to stay away from. So far my collection includes:

Chick Knits (it was on sale!)

Baby Knits (Phia needs baby stuff knit for her, yes NEEDS)

EZ's Knitters Almanac (that I didn't buy, it just jumped into the cart. I swear.>

EZ's Knitting without Tears(I just wanted to see what this EZ lady was all about)

Yarn Harlots books 2 and 3 (the blog is funny, the books even more so.)

Floral Knitting (will soon join the library of mine)

And yet I still want more. Oy Vey.
Anyway it is beautiful out and I am going to sit on the front porch and enjoy it.
Bookishly
Dee

The losing of poundage

2006-04-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

Yes I am on a mission to lose weight! My lovely friends over at the KH boards have inspired me to get into shape and eat better so that i may lose weight.
Weigh in: 149
Goal:125
November 12, 2006
Day 2...
Well yesterday was not as on track as I would have hoped but I did not do too bad. I started my day with fruit and coffee I will be eating whole wheat noodles with tomatoe sauce, some carrots or an apple not sure yet. I was going to have a smart start meal but since the microwave is busted it would take 45 mins to cook and frankly I am starving. I do not want to let myself get overly hungary because I tend to eat a lot faster the hungrier that I am. Then tonight it will be BBQ pork chops, salad, either some corn or green beans. and for dessert a small bowl of icecream covered in choped up fresh strawberries. Heres to the day!

I will also be joining a gym that my sister goes to so that I will be more motivated to work out and gain me some muscle mass. I CAN DO THIS!!!

In knitting news the summer swing top that I am knitting for the phister is coming along wonderfully. I can not wait to finish it.
Cheers!

I'm melting... melting...

2006-04-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is that hot. And way too early if you ask me. But that is allright. Tomorrow the kids and I will be planting flowers to make the home a little prettier as well as some tomatoes to fill our tummies.

On the knitting front I am making a swing top for Phia. I figure that if I make a top for Phia the shirt for TJ will not be as scary. Anyway Phia is hot and dirty so I am off to throw her in the bath to cheer her up!

Meltingly,
Dee

The Update

2006-04-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well I think that i am ready to get going on TJ's sweater again. We have had suffecient time apart and I do not feel that I need to throw it across the room anylonger. I got some yarn so that I can make Clapotis. I just can't decide if I want to make it for a Christmas present or for myself. I should just do the Christmas present thing. Imagine getting started this early! I am also currently angleing for a spinning wheel for my birthday/mothers day. Thats a fair gift I think. I am thinking the Ashford Kiwi would be a good choice. I am working on spinning up some wool top so that I can make myself a shawl, something lacey would be great. Lunch time is upon me so I will finish later.

funnies

2006-03-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

This is too funny, He draws a lot of things that are just awesome. Enjoy!

You must go to The Panopticon to enjoy more funnies. :)

Nothing like a white spring...

2006-03-23T13:05:00.000-08:00

First day of spring and we get a foot of snow. Go figure huh. Ahhh well everyone knew that it was bound to happen we were just way to lucky with all of the warm weather that we have had lately.
Anyway
I have put down the sweater that I am attempting to knit for a little while to help me hang on to my sanity. I got the error all figured out, began knitting and realized that I wasn't following the directions properly and therefore was not getting the pattern right. le sigh. So I decided that since I had spun so much recently that I would make a hat out of the yarn that I had made. It is far from perfect so far but I love it anyway. There is just something about that first knitting or spinning experence. No matter how bad it looks, there is still much love for it. I think that I will enjoy wearing it. I think that i will leave it natural color as well.

Also I have decided to go ahead and order that spindle from Crowhill House Fiberworks. I am so excited about it! I really can not wait to recieve it. I ordered a spindle that is black with a moon stars and a dragonfly or two on it. It will definatly be money well spent. Now I just have to hurry up and wait on her to paint it. Which I am doing very well but there is that little part of me that wants to e-mail her and drop not so subtle hints that I need my spindle. You know, something like I want my spindle NOW! but she did say it would be roughly 6 weeks and I understand that, but seriously something that pretty is so hard to wait for! Ahhh well off the knit my hat some more.
snowingly
Dee

Of sunshine and happy things...

2006-03-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

Just a little update for you today. I finally got pics of the yarn that I spun So I thought that I would share them in all of their glory. Not plyed yet but will soon. I still do not know what I will make out of the yarn yet. I am thinking mabey a hat for myself. The grey color would look nice with my scarf (if I ever finish it).

That is also a pic of the spindle that I am currently using. I am looking at getting a spindle from Crowhill House Fiberworks Her spindles are beautiful! I just need to decide what I want her to paint on it. Well Ziggy is trying desperatly to get my attention so that i will play with him so I need to close.
spindleingly
Dee

The sweater adventures

2006-03-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

Yes, TJ's sweater has become an adventure in knitting. I cast on knit a few rows, it doesn't use all the stitches so sure that I did something wrong I ripped and re knit. Rinse and repeat 5 times before finally deciding that it is not me it is the pattern. I must love this man because in the past I would have given up after the second frog. (that or I just want to prove to him that I can do it) Anyway I e-mailed the designer and asked for her input. She got right back to me and let me know where the pattern went wrong (wooo not me!) apologized and immediatly sent out pattern corrections. I was very impressed with them and will definatly buy from The Garter belt again! They have the best patterns. Off to knit some more on the sweater. Now my big problem is that the yarn has some wool in it which TJ found out yesterday so there is a huge chance that man will never wear the damn sweater. *sigh* I will make the sweater anyway and if he won't wear it then I will darn it. I am not putting all of this work into it to have it never be worn. Seriously.
Adventurously
Dee

I got it!

2006-03-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

Color me excited! It is so gorgous. I love it completely. Honestly the best 85.00 ever spent. They went ahead and put a set of size 4 bamboo needles with the bag! Very cool. The Lorna Laces yarn is so pretty and I think that I will enjoy knitting up some socks with it. I just wish that I had bought 2 skeins of it so that I could make the bigger socks instead of just ankle socks. Ahhh well you live and you learn.

Got the yarn

2006-03-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

For TJ's sweater yesterday! It really is a good yarn and I think that it will make a nice sweater. I went ahead and knitted the gauge swatch (which was perfect thank you very much) and showed TJ what the pattern would look like in his yarn. He still really likes the pattern but decided that he needed to stretch the swatch for some unknown reason. "These holes may be and issue for me" le sigh. You streatch the material out as far as it will streatch it will have a few holes. Duh. Not even started the damn thing and already it is causing me pain. Ah well I am looking forward to getting started Just need to get Phia to nap. She is being a huge grump today.

Jordanna Paige should be here today or tomorrow!!! (probably tomorrow so I will not hold my breath today. That would be so cool to get it today though!!!)
sweaterly
Dee

You spin me right round...

2006-03-06T06:14:00.000-08:00

This spinning thing is really fun! I honestly am enjoying it a lot. After my test in Career Strats today I will be running to the LYS to see if they sell drop spindles. My CD Spindle started getting really wobbly last night and for some reason I am not having any luck getting it to stop that. So I think that it is time to buy a real one. Let the addiction begin! I am trying to think of something to make with my newly made yarn that is currently hanging above my sink drying. I think that a nice scarf will be nice... I don't know. Nothing is speaking to me yet. I guess that I will have to wait and see until I am done with the rest of the wool from that batch. I would like to get some more wool top to make a shawl with, That stuff feels rather nice. Ahh well off to take my test!
testingly
Dee

OMG!!

2006-03-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

Got this e-mail from Jimmy Beans about my knitters purse last night...

Your package was shipped on 03/04/2006 via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail

!!!!!!

Oh Sorry about all of that. Just need to breath a bit. I even dreamed about it last night!I am so excited about getting this purse it is just silly really. But that is all right everyone needs to be excited about things once in a while.

Also I am a spinner! I had so much fun yesterday at that spin in. I definatly plan on joining the spinners guild and buying locally. I met some very nice ladies who really helpedI had so much fun! The ladies had some beautiful wheels (I so want one now but will be patient so that I can learn on the spindle and let my kids get a little older) One woman sat with me and showed me how to use the spindle and talked me through it. She then let me go to it and she spun with her spindle. They had cotton that a local farmer had really good luck growing this year that a couple of them were busy spinning. So I got to see one that was picked from the plant take it off of the pod and mess with it. That stuff was so soft! They also showed me how to ply so I have my very first yarn! Another woman gave me a cd spindle and 14 oz of different types of wool. I will post pictures tomorrow as I need to do some rechargeable batteries buying. Anyway I also found out that the woman who taught me to spin raises llama and chickens not to far outside Omaha that sells her eggs. Nothing like farm fresh eggs for breakfast in the mornings! Also she told me to bring my kids over because Llamas are really good with little ones apparently so even better! I have done a lot more since the spin in and already I can tell a difference from the stuff that I spun there to the most recent yarn. They said that I am a natural. (who doesn't like to hear that when learning something new?!
Off to play with my spinning and wait ever. so. patiently. for my Jordanna Paige bag to come in the mail even though it is only Sunday and they did only mail it yesterday. Uugh I do not like being patient. le sigh.
Spinningly
Dee

What is patience anyway?

2006-03-04T07:45:00.000-08:00

pa·tience-noun- The capacity, quality, or fact of being patient.

I finally broke down and bought the Jordanna Paige knitters purse in red!!! When I found out that she had discontinued that line of knitters bags and once they were gone that was it, I knew that the time to act was now! TJ thinks that I am loony for wanting a bag that costs 86.00 but he really needs to realize that it is a special purse! Made FOR knitters! Seriously though it is beautiful. I wish that they would get it put in the mail all ready, do they not realize that when you are addicted to something it is impossible heck maybe even detrimental to home and self to have to wait for something like this to get sent?!?! The hours sitting in front of the computer waiting for an e-mail stating that the bag is on its way to my loving arms is not condusive to a clean house. I think that my e-mail has been open since the minute that I ordered that thing. I know that patience is a virtue but come on! Waiting for something that great is sooo hard. I mean just look at it! See that definition up there? Yea. Not me.

Anyway. I also ordered some plymouth encore worsted in heather grey for TJ's sweater. I am rather nervous about this sweater. Not only is it my first but it is TJ's Ack. He is so picky.

Finally I am going to a ladies house today for a Spin in!! She is going to teach me how to use a drop spindle! I will post some pics of my progress (or lack thereof) upon my return!
Impatiently,
Dee

Its okay just breath...

2006-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

I know I have NEVER posted three times in one day but this is important.

I am a GOLD MEDALIST!

Medalingly
Dee

knitting

2006-02-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

So I am happily knitting away on my very first sweater top down raglan for Phia. When I decided to double check what I was doing to make sure everything was going as planned. Well here are the divisions that I made, front, back, arm, front. See anything wrong with that? Yup. No arm hole on one side. So either I rip out and start over or Phia will have to lose an arm to wear this thing. Not really feeling like taking her arm off I opted for the frogging. Ahh well you live and you learn.
froggingly
Dee

Bed time conversations

2006-02-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

So there is this consensus throughout the population of men that women tend to want to talk as soon as it is bedtime. Not always true. Me? When I climb into bed I want to think about my current wip and future wip's (you know fall asleep with fibre dancing through your head is a great way to relax!) not always the case though. TJ always stays up later than me, it's his "alone" time (no clue what that is but whatever). It never fails though I am in bed dream knitting when I am forced out of lala land by the man bursting through the door all excited about some bit of useless information that he absolutly MUST tell me right then and there. Take last night for example. I was on the edge of sleep when he comes running in to tell me all about...sitting down?... some inventor from the late 1800's. Yup. Thats it. Men.
Sleepily
Dee

So maybe I am crazy...

2006-02-27T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well I have decided that I will make a sweater for TJ. Why I insist on making anything for that man is beyond me. He is so picky. The ONLY thing that I have made thus far that has elicited anything more than a glassy stare and a less than enthusiastic "thats nice dear" was my felted items. Thoes only got the "cool!" response because the of the felting process. None of the hats I made for him were good enough. They were not knit tight enough or too holey, or too long... the list goes on. So I decided to try a sweater... I think that right there qualifies me for the insane asylum. The hats don't work for him so do something even harder. I truly shudder to think how crazy this thing is going to make me by the time that I finish, but I will do it. If I don't I will continue to obsess over what to make for him. So while I wait for the yarn to arrive I will make Phia a shirt to practice top down knitting.

Tell the men in the white coats that I will be there soon!
Insanely,
Dee

ITs Done!!!

2006-02-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

close up of the bag in natural light
hanging bag in bad lighting.
Okay so I still have to add the zipper, the button and I am thinking about needle felting a darker purple onto Sara's name but for all intensive purposes it is done. /insert funny looking happy dance here. Feels good to be a gold medal winner it does.

Now to finish that scarf for the chemo kid KAL and then get finished working on moms scarf.

Tomorrow Sophia goes in for her echo cardiogram to see if the hole in her heart has closed up. So happy thoughts for her tomorrow if you would!
I am off to read to Nicks class so more later!
Winningly
Dee

Happy Anniversary!

2006-02-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

Yup today is my Anniversary. TJ and I have been married for 8 years! Does not seem possible at all really. With all that the two of us have gone through I think that we deserve applause for making it through. So tonight the two of us have reservations at this really fancy restaurant that overlooks the Omaha skyline. Beautiful views and awesome food. Ahhhhh. Also I got a delivery from a florist! The flowers are beautiful! And TJ sent me an adorable bear that says I Love you on it.
Pictures now:
Flowers and bear
close up of stunning flowers
another picture of the two together. Awwwwwwww!

On the knitting front the bag that I am doing for the knitting olympics is coming along swimmingly! Almost done with the handle the all that will be left is attaching the pocket, and felting it. Woooo! Anyway off to clean the house I will take pics of the bag once I am done attaching the pocket. It looks great!

too cute

2006-02-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

Found this and had to share since it goes along with what I am studying. :)
signingly
Dee

Happy Valentines Day and stuff

2006-02-14T09:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day to all of you in Blog land. Tj and I don't have anything special planned tonight since our anniversary is in a few days. He get chocolates and I get flowers for v day the real stuff gets saved for the annivasary. I get to go take my sister to court today for sentencing since she got her 2nd DUI. (*sigh*) Some people never learn.

On the knitting front I finally got my square finished and sent off. So now I am working on my Knitting Olympics project, the purse for Sissy. She is so excied about it. After the first hair pulling co I think that I have the pattern right. I think that the colors are a bit too similar to be easily seen but she wanted pink and purple. Beside I really do not think that she will care. Here is what I have so far...
I am loving the cursive look. I can not wait to see what it looks like finished. Not bad for my first attempt I think!
Impressivly
Dee

A call to arms...

2006-02-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

Sew Fast Sew Easy have decided that they first said the term "Stitch and Bitch" which anyone with a mother or grandmother is untrue. There have been Stitch and Bitch groups for many many years before SFSE decided to trademark the phrase. Their statement here.
Boycottingly,
Dee

So...close...

2006-02-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

~~I swear I will never get this darn square done!~~ No I will get it done. Two more repeats and I am done. The I can throw it in the mail and never have to see it again. You know I love the look of the horseshoe cable the square is pretty, but I have messed up on it so many times that I find myself avoiding knitting! Ack. But this square is for a friend so it will be worth it. Two more repeats...Two more repeats...Two more repeats...Two more repeats...

Okay I am off the finish this square. Then on to the cable scarf that I have to start. I will be so over cables for a while.

In other news Kelly sent me two skiens of knitpicks shine that she had left over from a project so Sophia will be getting a new cardigan. That stuff is so soft, I really can not wait to work with it! Just have to finish the cable scarf first. *sigh*
struggelingly, (ya I know that is not a word, so sue me)
Dee

And from the depths of my avoidance...

2006-01-31T08:24:00.000-08:00

Yeah I realize that it has been a month since posting. Life gets in the way I tell you! That and I have a lazy streak. Anyway! In the interest of catching up this will be a long post so all of the pictures are linked so as not to take up the entire page, also bulleted for your reading pleasure. Now that you have been warned...

I have finished Grammy's scarf and it was so pretty! She enjoys the look and feel of the yarn. Woo! I over estimated when buying said yarn so I have almost a full skein left. I was going to make a scarf for Moe but over at Knitting Help there is a woman who takes her son to the hospital for chemo and she mentioned that there are other kids there that could really use some cheering up. So Moe and I decided that the scarf would be made for a little 3 year old who is there. I am also going to make a matching doll scarf for her.

I have to finish my pesky horseshoe square first though, only 4 days left before I have to mail it to Kelly! Thankfully I am nearing the end. For some reason having to frog a million times has made me really not like that thing.

I also knitted and completed a scarf for the mother in law made out of Lion Brand Chenille terracotta color. I am not to excited about the shedding it did while working with it but the finshed product turned out soft and beautiful so I suppose it would be okay for the occasional easy item. I did not have any batteries so sadly no pics of the FO.

I also finished Rachels stuff. There is a scarf, a cowl (started a hat but the hat was ginormous!! so I turned it into a cowl) and a morse code hat. the code says I Love R. Looks really great and once she recieved it in the mail I got a phone call full of squeals and giggles (13 yr olds *sigh*) apparently she loved them. Yes!

Now for my current pride and joy! I decided that the booga bag could not wait so over the weekend I whipped it up. Seriously the fastest thing that I have ever knitted. yea. Even faster than the scarf. It is the coolest thing! I now adore felting. I will admit that I had my doubts during the knitting process. The thing was so big! There was no way that I was going to be able to take that out with pride flimsy huge dumb bag. Then I felted it. (insert nerdy, giddy, happy dance here) It is perfect! All right I am done gushing.

Now for the sad news. My Irish Hiking scarf has been put on hold because I ran out of yarn! I was so close to! Knit picks won't have more until March. So I will just have to use my scarf next year. On the bright side it has been so warm that I havent really needed a scarf. Ah well.

Kitty Pi has been scrapped for now because I have decided to put it to better use. I will be making Sissy a pink purse with her name knitted in purple. This purse will also be felted. She is so excited. I will be knitting it for the Knitting Olympics. I WILL get a gold medal button! Go team USA! hehehe

Finally I recycled my first wool sweater. It was a pain but at .50 for the sweater I dare say that it was worth it! Now I have a nice amount of yarn for something. I was going to make a sweater with it but TJ has deemed it not female sweater worthy, apperntly the color is all wrong. Ahhhh well. I am thinking a shrug from knitty would be nice...

I told you that this was going to be long. you deserve a pat on the back for making it this far! I do have more to add but I need to get on with my day so I will save that for another day.
Lazily,
Dee

of FO's and other things

2005-12-31T07:02:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness Christmas is over! I love Christmas but it is the busiest time of the year, with so many people expecting gifts and for us to drop by. I did finish Grammy's scarf (so soft and cuddly) And I have finished Laurels scarf (mother in law) made out of Chenelle Lion Brand yarn and size 13 needles. Now I am working on a scarf for my little sister. Made out of Lion Brand Homespun (I know ack but that is what she wanted shes jusr lucky that I REALLY love her). Then I will work on the scarf for my mom. I will be so through with scarves for awhile after all of these are done. I am still no where near done with my Irish hiking scarf either. *sigh*
Maybe I will work on the Kitty Pi after I am done with Moms scarf to change things up a bit. Anyway, off to knit more on the scarves!

Knit Bits

2005-12-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

Morning all!

I am almost done with my Grammys scarf then I am going to make a couple face cloths for my mom. I think that I will add some bath salts and some bath and body works scented body wash (she adores that stuff). Grammys scarf is so beautiful and cuddly and soft. It is acrylic but sooo soft you would never know it to look at it.
close up:

Tonight I will be going to my oldest three kids Christmas program and then dh and I will be heading out to do some Christmas shopping (yea we are just starting :doh: )
It is off to wake up Sophia (yea 10:00 and the child is still sleeping) she was awake a lot last night because she couldn't breath, darn cold, so I decided to let her sleep in.

Enjoy your day everyone!
Busily
Dee

No knitting here

2005-12-18T14:47:00.000-08:00

This is no where in the realm of knitting but an awesome vid from SNL last weekend. They really have gone downhill lately but once in awhile they come up with funny stuff.
This for example...

Now so that I am not totally away from knitting I am knitting a scarf for Grammy. It is made out of schoeller and stahl yarn Grazie in pink. Acrylic (i know i know) but sooooo soft to the touch that you really can not tell! I swear. Beautiful stuff. I will post a pic soon. I have to invest in some batteries first. Started yesterday and almost done! Wooo then back to the Irish Hiking scarf for me. Enjoy the Vid!
Chronicly yours
Dee

The Scarf

2005-12-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Yea I am still working on it. It really is comming along well. So soft and sooooo pretty. But last night I just could not bring myself to knit on it. I think that I needed a small break from it. So I started Kitty pi. Kitty Pi has been a pretty quick knit so far, I am almost ready to switch to the circulars already! Makes me feel a bit better about my speed lol. I am thinking that Gypsy will love it.

I have to finish the scarf now though because if I want to finish Kitty Pi I will have to have the circulars that the scarf is on now. Whew!

In other news...
I have decided to try spinning! I am so excited! It will be after Christmas that I start as I still need a drop spindal and some roving but I have a lady that is willing to teach me once I get the stuff that I need! I am so excited. I would not have started this if it hadn't been for FiberGirl! She offered to send me her spindal when I mentioned that I didn't have one and that most I found were expensive! So after Christmas she will be mailing me hers. Gotta love friends like that!
Anywho time to stop being lazy and get out of these jammies even if they are comfy and ducky cute.
duckily
Sandra

Today

2005-12-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

Its rather grey and dreary outside. Both kids have ear infections so there is a lot of crying and cuddleing going on. Just a quick update with a list of to do:

finish Irish Knitting Scarf

booga bag with WOTA

kitty pi with WOTA tulip

Rachels scarf

sweater for me: maybe tubey from Knitty.com not sure yet though

blanket for Tim

listingly
Dee

More scarf goodness

2005-12-12T09:51:00.000-08:00

I promised and here it is!

scarfingly
Dee