Saturday, January 27, 2007

CURRENT PROJECT

My current project is a Noni Design, Urban Adventure Bag. It was an easy knit using Cascade 220 in a dark brown color. I even learned several things. I learned that I was twisting my stitches, rather, I was purling incorrectly. I try not to purl, it doesn't seem easy to me. But it really doesn't matter when you are felting because the stitching desappears. I also learned what brackets mean in a pattern. It threw me for a loop when I got to it in the pattern because I wasn't sure what it was telling me. But I had a little help from my friends. I have posted a few pictures and plan to do some needle felting on the bag and maybe add some knitted felted flowers. This will be a first for me and I am going to practice on something first. The pattern calls for decorative rings to attach the bag's handle. I found some pretty napkin rings and thought they would work well. I'll post a picture of the finished object when it is completed. For now here are some before pictures.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Uhhhhh, 1996?

My 1996 Theme Song Is: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Deep Blue Something
And I said "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film,
And as I recall, I think, we both kinda liked it."
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got."

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

MITT KIT SWAP 2006

Exciting! I received my kit swap from my partner in Oklahoma and it was loaded with lots o' goodies! Inside the package were two skeins of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes tucked inside a very pretty bag with (forgive me I'm a novice) intarsia(?) work. It's amazing. Also included in the package, a hank of soft sock yarn from Woven N Spun, Kittenz Mittenz pattern from the same, some chocolates, some very nice stitch markers and a tape measure. I am so excited! Sock yarn....I've been meaning to give that SOB sock another try.....guess this is a sign to get started!

Thanks Swap Partner!

Monday, January 15, 2007

FINISHED OBJECTS 2006













Sunday, January 14, 2007

Finished Projects 2007

Spiral Rib Bag
Knitted from Plymouth Yarn Fantasy Naturale


SPIRAL RIB BAG


The latest finished object is the Spiral Rib Bag. It was a first for me. It was knitted as a gift for my swap partner in my latest swap. I hope she likes it. It will be filled with something luscious. More on that later.

Monday, January 08, 2007

COFFEE AND YARN SWAP

Finally! I have been eagerly awaiting a package from my swap partner and it has arrived. I knew that it was arriving from New England and that they had some snow and ice right after Christmas which would delay the package. But it is finally here! It's filled with lots o' yarn and some coffee with a note from my partner. The yarn had been hand dyed and spun by a friend of hers and it came in a very large hank. The color is pretty and this will come in handy for Color Spectrum which I recently joined. What is really great about this hank is it gave me the opportunity to use my ball winder for the first time. A Christmas gift from my hubby. I couldn't wait to use it. He was kind enough to pose as the swift. This swap was my first and I am gearing up for another, the Knit Mitt Swap. I will mull over the package contents for my next swap while I enjoy the yummy coffee that was with the yarn I received.

Thanks Swap Partner!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

THE DREADED BIRTHDAY!

Now that I am over the hill (for several years now) I usually dread my birthday. I don't like when it comes around and I try to keep it "low key". But as usual, friends and family don't let me forget. Ragged and I had a very nice "low key" dinner and knitting at her house, which was extremely enjoyed after a tough day at work! I even saw signs that Cynical really does live there! He showed up. I appreciate that he let me sit in his spot on the couch! It was very comfy. Thanks for all your hospitality!

On the actual said day, I had to work.....and had planned to get through the day without a peep of aging to get around to coworkers. We have new staff and no one would have had a clue of the marked day since I have the list of birthdays and no one else has seen it. However, a plant arrived addressed to me from a local floral shop. The first hint. When I returned from lunch, a cute bag full of yarn with a special, handmade card was found in my office chair. It was from a coworker. She was extremely generous and I loved her choice. She has been a joy to have around the office and she's an avid crocheter. She said a little bird told her about the birthday and I probably have another coworker to thank for that. Said coworker had given me a knitting book for Christmas and it was a very nice surprise. She is also very kind and great to work with. Finally, the boss comes in with a scrumptious bag from Great Havest filled with cookies and chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Extremely generous and thoughtful. I also received cherished wishes from others.

I get to celebrate for a week because next week are several lunch and dinner dates with special friends.

My family was generous with lots of hugs and kisses, dinner, cake, cards and gift card to Hobby Lobby! My husband and two girls are so special to me and love them dealy, no words can describe.

I am taken aback with the reminder of my special blessings and what a joy it is to have them in my life. This realization happens every year and is the best gift of birthday! Love them all!

Humble thanks!

Monday, January 01, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The new year has been rang in and I have a project to post already. Unfortunately I began the project in November 2006 and procrastinated the felting of it. Why? I have no idea. I suppose Christmas preparation got into the way of finishing it. Sounds good doesn't it? This bag was knitted by the Romantic Ruffles pattern, a second from this particular pattern. I have to say, I did not follow the pattern literally as I did the first time and therefore it turned out a little different from the first bag I did from this pattern (Click here to see it.)


This bag was knitted with Knitpicks' Wool of the Andes, colors Daffodil and Rain. I also knitted a few small beads into the ruffle part of the bag. The decorative yarn used on the bottom stripe and ruffle is a NOBO brand yarn I love to use. I found it at WalMart.