The Moon Got Me

I usually try to be aware of weird things like the full moon and stuff so that I am not one of those people. You know, one of those that decided my car was a target this weekend...So, apparently, my feet didn't get the message and they helped me to fall down the basement stairs last night. I am ok. I just hit my back side and went sliding.

I worked a little bit on Marilyn's front last night but didn't get very far before everything started to hurt...damn moon. I really am ok, just a bit sore.

Tonight is looking like it is going to shape up to be grocery day (yuck!), so knitting may go on the back burner yet again....I need to get going!! Christmas is approaching.

Yoda Update:
It looks like the pills are helping her 'acne'. Yippee! Pug Princess will again be roaming the house!

Was there a full moon?

This was a strange 'driving' weekend. Jeremy and I ran some errands on Saturday and it seemed as if my car had a big target on it. No one actually hit us, but they came close several times. Was there a full moon or did everyone just start driving crazy at the same time?! It's not like I drive a compact car; you'd think an SUV would be big enough...

Anyway, I thought I would get tons of knitting done, and I, um, didn't. We were just busy running around doing errands and house stuff. I took Yoda to the vet about her acne and her two rows of teeth (we fondly refer to them as 'Shark Teeth' and everyone at the vet's found that extemely funny...). She was given anti-biotic for the acne which is really a bacterial infection and I was told she will need to have the shark teeth pulled. Hmmm, fun.

I did get to the arm hole decreases on the front of Marilyn. No pics because I actually did that at 10pm last night. Jeremy has class tonight, so I hope to get something done...unless Princess Yoda is being a poo head.

Remember the craft room? Well, it got stalled since we have bills to pay....Jeremy said the other day that whatever money is in the paypal account from the ebay auctions, I can use for the craft room--yeah!! I have added an IMac computer, a suncatcher, and some other random stuff. I plan to add more tonight as well, so check it out. BTW--the IMac has pretty much never been used....works great....

Happy Knitting!!

It's just the beginning....

I came up with a simple knitting/exercise button...Steal away:

In knitting news:

For some reason I have been putting off doing the front of Marilyn. Well, I got going on her last night and I am about 5 inches into it. It is really quick and easy. I hope to be done with the knitting part of the sweater this weekend. Then I'll work on the finishing and start some Christmas gifts.

Cute Yoda Picture

Aren't you glad you aren't that cow?

Progress

Well, I finished sleeve #2 on Marilyn. Then I cast on for the front. Then Yoda threw up. That ended all my knitting. We think she just got into something she shouldn't have, but all doggie mommies get worried.

Does anyone have a hat that will work for the world's pickiest husband? He doesn't want cable; he doesn't want fair isle; I'm not sure what he wants!!! But he wants something! Any suggestions would be helpful!!

Couldn't wait until tomorrow

I was on bad terms with the UPS guy, but I think I love him now. I got this yesterday from him:

The purple Lion Brand Wool Ease is for the cardi I found in FCEK Fall 2004:

Isn't it cute?! I figured I would use the suggested yarn since it is so cheap. If I like it I might make it with a more expensive yarn.

The other bag is the Knit One Crochet Too's Richesse et Soie. I plan on making these at some point this winter:

Maybe a hat and scarf too? We'll see...so soft..hmmm. Thanks, Sandy for the great idea!

The other day Jeremy and I went to the grocery store since we were having company. This was the biggest impulse buy ever:

It was $3.99 and the only reason I bought it was that it has a really cute cabled hat pattern. There are some other cute patterns, too, but that was the main reason I bought it.

Feeling much better

Not sure if it was a cold or allergies, but I have been under the weather for the last few days. I ended up going home early from work yesterday and called in today. I slept and relaxed most of the day. Occasionally I picked up the sticks and did some knitting, but not much.

Thanks to everyone that has stopped by and dropped me a note. I may not get to replying to everyone, but your comments are very nice and welcome.

I hope to be back on track tomorrow with a post and some pictures.

Marilyn's sleeve #2 is coming along quite well. I am done with the 8 inches of ribbing and am ready to begin the increases. I am so surprised at how quickly she is knitting up. After she is done, I am going to work solely on Chrsitmas gifts. I never did say how many gifts I am giving myself....

Last night I began reading Angels and Demons.

It is the book before the ever-famous DaVinci Code. I figured I should read the first book, then move on. So far it is pretty good. I'll let everyone know how it is as I read more.

Have a great day!

Tons of deals--Warning: Long Post

While I am not feeling entirely well, I didn't want anyone to miss out on my fiber filled weekend.

Saturday was the Great American Yard Sale in Naperville. While I had never been to it before, Sarah had been. She told me to be at her house at 5:45 am. Yes, you saw that correctly. The "doors" were not to open until 9 am! Was she nuts? Actually, I thought so until 9 am rolled around and I saw the line was reaching a mile long (no joke). We got in and went our seperate ways...I hit the craft tent. I saw some needles in sizes that I use all the time, so I promptly bought those. I didn't see any yarn, so I just started wandering. When I called Sarah and her husband Jeff to see where they were, they were in the same tent as the craft stuff. I decided I would go check back in case I missed anything....Um, yeah, I missed a lot! I found these huge cones of wool!!



I also got all these skeins of wool.



All this for the bargain price of $6.25. I was so excited!!

In the book tent, I found a huge basket of vintage knitting patterns and pulled quite a few--only $5.00 for two barbeque books and a ton of patterns!

That was all the knitting stuff I bought, but isn't that a lot?! I also got a barbeque smoker for $15, a brand new Scum Buster, and some sewing patterns.

Sunday was the day Renae and I went to Midwest Stitches Market. When we walked in I felt so overwhelmed!! There was so much yarn! We walked around first to see what was there and then went back to buy stuff. I bought this cute Pick up Sticks Hat kit:



I also bought some patterns:



That was it for the purchases. I know, I know I probably should have bought more, but I was in shock and then I was in sticker shock on some of this stuff.

But, the place I bought the hat kit is a new yarn store to my area. Fringe is about 10-15 minutes away from where I work--Yippee!! I really liked the yarns they had on display at the market, so I am sure the store is even better!! The ladies were really nice, too. That is always a bonus.

Strangest thing happened to me when I was buying the patterns--this one older (well, older than myself) lady asked if I knit. I sais, "Yes" and she said "Good for you!" Huh?

Also, left Midwest Stitches with a Shopfinder:



You may also have noticed that I have changed the layout of my blog....what'cha think? Oh--I almost forgot! Here is the back of Marilyn that wasn't cooperating the other day:

Not feeling so hot...

I will post again after work because I am not feeling so hot right now. I am sure my post would not make sense if I tried--but had a good weekend knitting wise.

I totally forgot!

I totally forgot this weekend is Stitches Midwest! Renae and I are going to the Market on Sunday for a little bit. I hope I don't spend too much $$$$! Should be a fun time!

Am I a bad person?

Last night I got home from work and cleaned up the house a bit--vaccuumed (with the AMAZING Dyson. That thing amazes me everytime I use it!), cleaned the kitchen, got chased by Yoda while trying to pick up her toys...Then I didn't want to knit! *GASP* I did though. I finished sleeve #1. I wanted to watch the Women's Gymnastics last night, but do they replay that at like midnight? I need to go to bed way before that, so I finished the book I have been reading--King of Tortes by John Grisham. It was ok. I liked it in the beginning, but by the end I was mad at John Grisham for the way the book went. I usually like anything written by him, but this one set me a little back.

So, that was it! That was all I did. I think I'll get motivated tonight to start the front of Marilyn... Maybe work on the sock a little bit--ribbing is boring, want to get to the hard(?) parts....

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Shout out

I am having a really hard time thinking of something to write about. Marilyn sleeve #1 is coming along nicely--I should probably be done today. I painted the trim of the craft room and it looks like poop--I think it is the way the trim is molded-not very condusive to painting. Ahh well.

My sister, who is an elementary school teacher, just found out where she is working this year. School starts in a week and they just told her what school to set her classroom up. Nice notice, huh? Well, I guess that is what new teachers have to deal with. She was glad to find out that she is staying where she was last year which is our old elementary school. I'm sure bulletin boards are in my future since I am such a great sister. :-) Go Shamrocks!! Yes, I just said Shamrocks; at least they aren't the Wooden Shoes ....

Puppy Pimples?

So, apparently little pugs get acne and this is perfectly normal. I feel bad for Yoda--her pimples look painful. You can see there is one by her eye:


She doesn't look very happy this morning!!

I finished the back of Marilyn and decided to move on to doing a sleeve. The front and back are so similar that I don't want to get bored. I thought I had downloaded a picture of the back into Photobucket, but it is not there. Here is a picture of the sleeve:


Pretty quick knitting!!

I went to Hook 'n Needle again last night to get some things for Christmas gifts and my Secret Pal. I am still waiting on yarn for her, but I don't want her to miss out.... Anyway, the more I waked around the store, the more frustrated I became. It is mostly novelty yarns--high priced novelty yarns! Then I was looking through the patterns and she doesn't even sell a quarter of the yarn to make the patterns. I just don't get it....I guess it's back to the internet to purchase yarn.

Happy Knitting today!!

It's a Miracle!!!

I will take pictures tonight--I fixed Marilyn. I usually get so freaked out that I frog the entire thing I am working on when something gets royally messed up. No need here!! I sat down and took my time to figure out where I was and where I started the crazy knitting. Needless to say, I fixed it and am almost done with the back!! This is an amazingly quick knit--instant gratification. Though I think I might go back to the cabled scarf before I start another piece--motivation.
I found out yesterday that one of the girls at work is pregnant and we are going to have a baby shower for her. A chance to knit itty bitty things!! Those are so fun! I think I am going to make some things from Rowan Babies . I don't know what they think the sex is going to be, so if it is a girl:
 

and if it is a boy:
 

I know that I could probably just pick one style and change the colors--which I might do--but I am having too much fun!! I do have some other baby knit books, but I like the Rowan designs--simple and look great! Guess I'll have to start yarn shopping--darn! :-)

What was I thinking?

Ok, so Marilyn was going so well. Until I decided that it would be ok to watch Gymnastics and knit at the same time. Now I think I need to frog back about 20 rows. I definitely need to frog to the last cable because that is totally wrong. I am so embarassed that I don't want to show pictures....maybe tonight after I frog her. Poo!

Tagbard was driving me nuts, so I have found a new 'tag board' type thing. I don't think this one has pop ups, either. I guess we'll give it a shot, but if it doesn't work out--forget it!! I also wanted to say that I am still working on the work out button and some other design upgrades. I just have been so busy with everything that it is taking a little bit longer than expected.

Hope everyone has a great Monday and were able to get some productive knitting done this weekend!!

Looky at Marilyn

My DB Chashmerino and Winter 2003 Interweave Knits from The Knitting Garden


Beginning of Simply Marilyn.


Closer detail of the cable of Simply Marilyn.

Ok, so I took these pictures when it was light out after work, but now I have about 7 inches of Marilyn done. I keep thinking about how pretty she is going to look when finished. It's exciting!! I also worked a couple more rows on a sock, but no boring picture of ribbing. Sorry, but that's all I have today. I'm still trying to wake up. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

What the *&!$@?

What is up with Tagboard?!?!?!?!?!? More problems than it's worth....

I got it!!!

Yippee!! The DB Cashmerino was deliverd last night along with the Winter 2003 Interweave Knits I ordered. I would have pictures, but I was so excited I swatched and then started Marilyn. I have never even touched this yarn, but I think now that I am going to have to get more of it!! This stuff is really soft and it moves like 'butta' while knitting. It even looks pretty knitted up--who would have thunk it?

Now I am just waiting on the package of yarn for me and my secret pal....Can't wait for that!!

Yesterday I also made a list of Christmas gifts I need to start working. Only certain people will get to enjoy the happiness of receiving knitted good for Christmas and birtdays. I won't mention what I have planned because I know at least my sister checks up on me here. Don't want to give away all my secrets!! But I better get knitting....

Hope everyone has a great day--even if it is winter-like in the Midwest!

Another lazy night

Last night after I got home from the dentist (no cavities), I thought there would be a package with some Cashmerino in it...But there was none! I did get the pattern I was waiting for from Patternworks. I'd tell you all what it is, but then I would have to kill you...Another great surprise is that the yarn I have purchased for myself and my secret pal should be here by Friday!! Yippee! So, I have the pattern and will soon have the yarn for secret pal!

Yesterday I was going to post all about the political topics over at Knitter's Review. But then I decided that would be boring and we don't want that. But there are some interesting things being said over there....

I hope everyone has a great day!!!

Lazy?

I heard that there is some condition that people feel lathargic and almost depressed when the weather is yucky....I think I have the reverse. I don't know what is up lately, but I have just been feeling really lazy.

I decided that I would work on the cable scarf for a little bit and got a couple of twists done--not too much. But it also got me thinking, what is the idea length for a scarf? Every pattern I have ever used has been different. I guess I'll just keep going until I feel I'm done.

I was hoping that my DB Cashmerino would be here last night, but alas, I think it will be here today. I can't wait! I am ready to start something of substance. I have a feeling that I will learn a lot with this sweater.

Well, off to work and then the dreaded dentist :-(

Good morning

I was going to try to post this weekend, but I was way too busy. We had people over for lunch on Sunday, so I was preparing for that most of the weekend. I did manage to get a couple of more "twists" done on the scarf, but not too much. It is amazing how the weekends fly by! Sorry I don't have anything more interesting, but that was my weekend....

What can I say...

It's Friday! That should be enough, but I know it's not. So, no strike yestrday. The union has a week to look over the company's "last, best and final offer" and vote on it. I guess if this offer is just not up to par, there will be a strike. I just think one side needs to do something, this is getting to be ridiculous!

No knitting last night. Jeremy and his bestest friend Jeff decided that they and their wives were going to go to dinner. We went to some place in Geneva that I doubt I will ever go again. The waitress was really rude when I was asking about the Turkey Burger. Sorry, I'm a recovering vegetarian! I just want to know how bad the burger will be. And it was bad. I put half a bottle of mustard (literally) on it. I like mustard, but no one should have to eat that much at once. I don't think it was just my food either--everyone seemed a little unhappy.

So, since we went to eat bad food, no knitting. I think I'll get some done tonight since Jeremy asked me to pick up some movies on the way home from work. I also ordered yarn for the Simply Marilyn sweater in the Spring IK.

The Knitting Garden had a sale on some pretty blue DB Chunky Cashmerino, and I just bought it. I don't know what came over me! I am usually very good about not spending money on a whim, but I just put in the credit card number and bought it. Oh, well. I guess I'll be working on that sweater as soon as the yarn gets here. I need a pretty sweater for myself.

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll try to post some updates this weekend.

S-Day

Well, today is the deadline for the big yellow machine company I work for to come to some agreement on the union contract with the union. If that doesn't happen today at noon, the union goes on strike. I haven't heard anything new about the company budging on anything, so I pretty much expect a strike. I wonder what it is like to cross a picket line? I volunteered yesterday to go out to the shop in the event there is a work stoppage. I think it'll be a nice change of pace...

Enough about depressing things like strikes...I went to the new yarn store last night. It was a decent size store. There was a lot of yarn, but I think there was too much Lion Brand. I feel that I can go to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn's if I want LB. When I go to a yarn store, I want to see the yarns that I can't get at those stores--Brown Sheep, Debbie Bliss, Rowan, etc. I bought two size 3 bamboo circs for the socks and three hanks of Cascade 220. I am not sure what I am going to do with the yarn, yet, but I am sure it will involve felting. I am sure I'll go back to the store, but I think I may stick to the internet to get what I want--and that's too bad!

So I started on the cuff of a sock with the two circulars. I am just doing ribbing, but I think it is already turning out nicely. I also did some more on the cabled scarf. It is so soft I want to wear it now! I may get weird looks in August, but I will have snuggly softness against my neck....

Rain, Rain, Rain

Did I mention rain? It all started last night. There was a huge lightning storm along with rain. It was pretty neat, but my bed was calling me, so I did not stay up and watch it like Jeremy did...

Today is the day I will venture about 5 miles away from home to visit Stitch 'n Hook in Shorewood. I was headed there last night but when I looked at the clock I realized that I would not make it before they closed. Maybe I will pick up something for my secret pal (even though I have ordered something. Though I am not sure when I will get the order) and some little needles to try the socks.

I worked a bit more on the cabled scarf last night, but then decided to just enjoy Nip/Tuck last night. I am glad that there is a show on during the summer with new episodes. Especially when it is raining and nothing outside can be done...

Other than that nothing exciting happened--another boring day in the life of Amanda. Maybe today will be a little more exciting!

Is it December, yet?

So, I have decided that I want to take all my vacation around Thanksgiving and Christmas--Is it December, yet?

I worked on the cabled scarf some more last night. I am using this pattern . It is surprisingly easy and is turning out very pretty. Maybe after I get my feet wet with this cabled item, I might try a sweater or something.

I have begun working on a button for my site--which may see a facelift soon. And I started the exercise button. I just don't think I have found quite the right graphic for it, but I am working on it and will post it as soon as it is done.

I hope every one has a great day and gets to knit a bunch!

I have pictures!!

Alright, here are the anxiously anticipated pictures:


Queen Yoda!



Front shot of the Booga Bag. It turned out smaller than I had thought--guess I'll need to do swatch next time!



Top shot of the Booga Bag. Does anyone know how to get the wrinkles out?



Formerly the Little Black Top--now it is becoming a cabled scarf. First time with cables--not bad!



Painted Craft Room....



Painted Craft Room- the other side.



Football Widow being blocked...



Reverse Bloom Washcloth #1



Gift #2 from my secret pal




Gift #3 from my secret pal

Another post to come...

I forgot that I need to be at work extra early this morning--we were on factory shutdown and my boss wants some people in just in case some applications are down....So, I will have to post pictures later--after work. I need to run!! Have a great day everyone!