GrueneTree

Moving!

2007-01-09T15:07:00.000-05:00

Due to continued frustrations (like today: forbidden to view my site and then denied access to post) I am moving to Typepad. So besure to check me out over there from now on.
Well what are you waiting for? Here

Books

2007-01-08T10:11:00.000-05:00

I met my pal, Hannah and her lovely daughter Riley this weekend at Barnes and Noble and among the baby oogling I found some really good books that are now on my wish list. Check them out:
Classic Knits (Erika Knight)
Glamour Knits (Erika Knight)
Simple Sewing with a French Twist (Celine Dupuy)
New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest)

they all look like so much fun and the reader digest one even had a chapter about tailoring. Now, I have never found jeans that fit perfect (waist too big and hem too long) so I have always wanted to know how to tailor my own stuff. I mean I can sew so why am I paying some else to do what I can do.
so I can't wait to get these books!
al
so I got an e-mail from a friend from Australia (we have been friend since we were 6) and she sent pictures of her vacations and they are so great I had to share! She, her son, hunter, and her husband wet to Monkey Mia. Her husband took these pictures. He is really good.

Knit Pick Options

2007-01-06T15:12:00.000-05:00

I got my Options! Thank you to my loving husband, Garrett. What a great christmas present! I am so excited to use them i am giving myself a much deserved break from he weekender to break them in.
there are all kinds of great pocket that come with the case. I put most of my needles in the triple pockets. 2 sets in one of the double and my 11's and the end caps and keys in the second double pouch. I put my cords in the single pouches. I def have room for some scissors and a tapestry needle in the front pocket and zipper area. The back looks like a great place to keep my pattern and pen. i can make my self a smaller notions bag now because most will fit in the case. So great and clever.The fastening is very cool. You screw on the needle then stick the key in there and, i find, only need to lightly tighten it. maybe a slight turn. Not much. I then tested it with gentle pressure and it didn't budge. You def. do notwant to over tighten, but the threads are so long anyway, only a light key tghtening is called for. sometimes (but rare) my denise come undone at the join, i don't think that will be an issue with these.
Now on a different front. I see the needles are not marked for size so you have to keep your sizer with you. No big deal until you need the needle for a different project. I have divised a clever marker plan. They do sell some at knitpicks but i want to make my own. I have a really good idea but i will have more on that later. it is a secret. Maybe even an etsy secret.

Red Baron and his pal, Babe (the blue Pig)

2007-01-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

So when I went to hobby Lobby the other day for lining for my Weekender bag, I, of course, checked out some of the buttons (yes, it is a problem and no I am not in denial. I CAN quit anytime I want). I went to peruse the tubes o' buttons and I spotted the best button. At the top of the tube all nice and shiny was a white button with a red plane and the words "Red Baron" embellished on it. I snatched it up right then and there. Looked over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't followed and ran full out to the cash register. Once home I discovered even more buttons to my greatest delight that were hidden among the plethora of black buttons used as filler. Some I have taken pictures of some I have not. But all will be used! How can such a small object bring such giddiness!
oh and check out my lining fabric too.

Changes

2007-01-04T17:04:00.000-05:00

I am changing my blog. I got real tired of the font never working. So i tried to change to the new blogger but even though the link is up in my dashboard, it will not switch me. So i am slowly making changes and bringing back oldies but goodies. so bear with me

Grand Plan Capelet and Homemade goodies

2007-01-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

Here, as promised, is a view of my Grand Plan Cabled Capelet. I am so excited for it to be done. I have been working on it since before the wedding so almost a month now. It looks so good and it is almost cold out so i can wear it soon. It is really fun to make and i recommend it over the plain one (which i made a cardi version for the wedding, but didn't end up wearing) the cables through in some fun so it is not monotonous. plus i love this color; it is my favorite! i did use a KF&B increase instead of the bar because i could not get it to work out without a hole. Knittinghelp.com here i come. Oh and i made these stitch markers. I am thinking of putting them on etsy.

The Month of the Weekender!

2007-01-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

In Feb there will be a joint Miller/Krisher Family cruise and if you have never been on a cruise. It goes like this. You board around noon and don't get your luggage till shortly before dinner. So I am making my weekender, finally, so I will have fresh clothes to wear on board. Garrett and I are driving from Atlanta to Valdosta to Miami, picking up his folks in Valdosta. With that long of a drive, I will want to at least change. So I am very excited but I see what everyone else is complaining about now...SO MUCH CUTTING. I know it is worth it. As you can see I know have a cutting wheel, self healing boards and a clear fabric tsquare, all christmas presents from my new husband. He said that is only part one, too, so stay tuned for part 2 I am very excited about it. I love that he learned enough about my crafts to get me good stuff but to also anticipate what I need. So back to the weekender. The green geometric fabric is the exterior and I bought a very girly pinky-green floral for the lining and accents. I think it will flatter the harshness of the geometric. I was toying with a denim because I love blue and green together but when I saw the floral and the price ($4/yd) I could not pass it up. But I have a dilemma with the green exterior. The fabric is reversible and I am not sure which side I like better. You can see the other side below:

So I will keep working on it. And please bare with the pictures. I squeezed these off before rushing to work and this is the best light I had at 7am.

here is my Hooray for Headbands. I am wearing it now. It is my fave already. Headbands typically give me headaches from the squeezing at the temples and cloth ones usually slide slowly off my head but this is comfy and stays put. it was fast and easy. So if you ever come to Atlanta and you see a girl wearing one of these every day, it is prob me.

here is a lovely Key Fob made by Kris and I was lucky enough to receive it with my order of the Velma Bag by Amy Butler. It is so great. Unfortunately I lose my keys alot so I am going to put it on one of the bags I am making right now. So awesome!

I am also hoping to take some pictures of my grand plan cable capelet today at lunch. So I will be back. Also I started a center square hat for a pal last night. Once I get further along I will take some pictures of that too. So much to do, I love it.

2007

2007-01-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

Now that everything is over (holidays and that silly little wedding) life is getting back to normal. Garrett and I had our reception over the weekend (pictures will appear some time today) and it was great. I saw friends and family that 1) had never met before 2) haven't seen in a while 3) hadn't seen in days. 2 of the guest I started babysitting over 10 years ago. While I don't sit for them anymore, it was great to see them. They live over an hour away and are in middle and high (or almost highschool). I met some of garrets family. Their family is huge and very close. My MIL's friends are family to her and I it was great to met some of them. The party was a great success. It did ran but we rented some tents and ever had valet parking (my parents live in the country so valet consists of kids of friends riding an 4 wheeler to run cars. Everyone thought that was so funny and it was a surprise for me. We also had a margarita machine (more fun for me), keg, BBQ, appetizers out the wazoo and 8 cakes (I made them all myself), half peanut butter and half chocolate. My friend Brandi (and boss) planned the party and she did great!
of course I don't think the reception helped the marriage start off well. I spent most of the time kissing another boy. Brandi's son brought his pal, 6 year old Matthew, and his mom (friend of mine and Brandi's) and he kept asking me the whole time if I wanted to kiss him. Of course I said yes (how do you turn that down!) and he even kissed me right in front of Garrett! Garrett of course was too busy fixing something to care. plus I don't think he considers 6 year olds competition or cheating, lucky for me.
I have not completed anything lately and even if I did, there is no opportunity to take pictures. I wake up and leave just as it gets light outside and get home after dark. I have been working on a Grand Plan Capelet in Cascade Pastaza in Sprout. I am making the version with the cables. It is about 1/2 done and I made a Hooray for headbands last night and then forgot to wear it today. Pictures tomorrow when I remember my camera.

Mrs. Miller

2006-12-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

And no I am not referring to my new mother in law. That is me, now and it is weird. I had better hurry up with the doctorate. I had decided many years ago around the age of 10 that I never wanted to be Mrs. Anyone, but Doctor so-and-so. I am running a bit behind because I find myself now with a different last name but the same prefix. Garrett and I married on Dec 13th in Red Rock Canyon outside Vegas. I highly recommend it; it was so easy. However be forewarned, you must tip EVERYONE. As soon as the ceremony was finished the minister came up to us to make sure we understood what his usually "fee" was and that he would be taking that now. I thought "how tacky" but really we are in Vegas. Tacky has a different meaning here. All in all it was great and I could not have envisioned it any better, nor could my bank account.

As soon as I got back I got the flu. I haven't had it in a while and it hit me hard. Since my boss (single mom and friend) will not let me step foot in the office until my fever breaks, I am stuck at home under orders to lay on the couch and drink tea. I am easily bored and can only stand so much holiday cook shows before I get the urge to create something of my own. I would not dream of cooking while sick so I figure sewing is not very active maybe that is allowed. So in my days stuck at home I have made a apron (In Stitches by Amy Butler) and a patchwork bag and matching flower pin. I also made a few more recipe gift bags but they are already wrapped. I hope to get a few more things made before Christmas. I am really looking forward to Monday. I have never given this many, if any, handmade gifts before.

One side of outer

Other side of outer

Lining with my Tag!

PhotoShoptastic

2006-12-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

My new Glamour Mag cam in today and one of the advice article said putting -tastic on the ends of your words was out. Well considering I only do that to my dogs names (they deserve the self esteem boost!) I figure I would put it out there for laughs. And to raise awareness. So- Don't do it, ya'll.

I have begun experimenting with PhotoShop. Here are some pictures I took this morning and then worked some magic on.

I did a Blur effect on the head and a paint stroke effect.

These 2 are the same picture expect I cropped the lower one. I highlighted the pitcher in one and made everything else sort of blurry. I did the same for the cake plate, made it sharp and everything else blurry. The pitcher was a wedding present from Crate and Barrel. The cake plate is from TJ Maxx. So is the head. I go there for all my special kitchen stuff and 'artifacts'. I have a variation of Lao-Tzu from there. I also saw a Vishnu but one hand was broken off so I will wait for another. My sister does some archeology, so I get all her Christmas presents from there. All kinds of busts and nuvo-religious/mythological figures there. And great cake plates! oh and great coffee. I bought real Kona and Blue Mt Coffee, 1 lb whole bean for 6.99 bag last week. It is really good. One of my fave stores, next to Target and IKEA.

This one is just a picture of our amaryllis from the living room. I just cropped it. But I love the white with the red on the bloom. Hope you can see it.

p.s. i have no idea what the hell is going on with my font. It looks fine on preview and the HTMl looks perfect. I am seriously consdiering switching to Typepad if Blogger can't get its butt in gear.

19 inches

2006-12-04T16:39:00.000-05:00

I have been busy but not busy. I have not felt like knitting or sewing at all lately (thus the lack of posting). With the wedding coming and my parents moving, if I am not working on something, I am vegged out. Usually in front of 1)History channel (none of the military stuff, though) 2)discovery channel 3) foodnetwork or 4)Scrubs.

I did, last week, make some little presents for loved ones. Tissue holders found on MonkeyFoot Designs' Blog. More info here.

And I finally took pictures of the legwamers. I settled on 19 inches because I didn't think I would have enough Kid Seta for 20 inches for both. Boy, I will tell ya, that kid seta is a bitch to work with once you get to the endish of it. It has knotted more times that I can repress. I had to make a haphazard bobbin to keep it clean and knot free. I am not sure if I will work with it again, but is sure makes everything SOFT. So maybe I will

Legwarmers inching along and an affair with fabric

2006-11-29T14:31:00.000-05:00

I am definitely on a fabric sewing kick right now. But my finances are tight with the up coming wedding/Vegas trip and Christmas. That is why my window shopping has reached an all time high. Check out my Hancock finds. I have a Hancocks in the next town over but Joann's is always on the way home from work but traffic is a little tough getting there. there is a construction bridge/Walmart intersection of hell to contend with where the left turn lane toward walmart is about 5 feet long so eveyone going there waits in one of the 2 straight lane. gets backed up for miles. Joann's is not next to walmart but I must go over that bridge and then turn left. but since Garrett and I carpool, I must cross the traffic of doom to pick him up after shopping. However, since my mind is everworking, I have devised the I recently noticed the much "hipper" fabric selection at Hobby Lobby. Stopping there on my way home does not help me to avoid Traffic hell but it is on the correct side of road on which traffic lives so I can pop in to happy lobby, take my time and then in 2 min be at Garrett's work. Much easier and more shopping (I mean window shopping, unless it is for Christmas and I do want to make some stockings...umm. no must finish knitting leg warmers).
Speaking of leg warmers, I am not sure if I have yet blogged about my master plan. If not, let me enlighten you. but if I have, well then let me repeat myself. The pattern calls for approx 26 inches of legwamer. but said pattern also calls for total project time of 2-4 hours (not happening even if this time is per leg). so I have stopped leg 1 at 15 inches and will continue with leg 2 (at 10 in + as of press time) and will then judge how much more I can add to each in time. Now these are for under my wedding dress. I am getting hitched outside and in 50 deg and do not want to think about how cold I am. I would rather think about how cool this is and how pretty I feel. So I feel that 15 inches will adequately enable my legs to not add to an coldness. Anything more than that is to add to my happiness.
right now I am in the middle of RSVP hell. No one does it anymore. But I have a plan. Whoever put the name on the list, must call the person and get a commitment the day after the deadline, which is the 1st. So if MIL requested the invite, she must track down the offender, same for groom, me and my mom. it will work great for me and hopefully will serve as a tackful reminder of how they rudely did not RSVP. I hate that.

One for you, One for me, One for you, Two for me

2006-11-27T13:46:00.000-05:00

Well really it is 2 for loved ones and one for me. I made 2 recipe gift bags this weekend from a pattern in Amy Butler In Stitches. The blue bag is the large size and made from dishtowels (They are really thick and gave me all kinds of trouble) and the pinkish one is the smaller size and made from cotton (super easy to work with, as usual). They are really fun to make and I have plans to make 2 more.
I also made another In Town handbag by Amy Butler. I love it and i think this is now my go-to pattern. There is a full picture on my flickr site. I really love this bag. It is, as i am sure i have already said, very fun, quick and very fulfilling. Plus this purse is the right size for me and the set up that i usually look for. Plus it can be very simple looking or dramatic. I like how much room there is to customize. I can make this pattern while watching a movie. P.S. i love my rearranged sewing room! Sewing is so much more fun when you have room to work and are not crowded. Plus, with my new heater, i can work without hand warmers and my dogs and Scout are more inclined to visit and nap while i work. Their snores are very soothing and motivating.

Sewing and Knitting

2006-11-21T10:14:00.000-05:00

I finished my Amy Butler In Town Handbag this weekend and I love it. It was fun, easy but a little challenging. Enough ease for me to enjoy it and enough Challenge to keep me at it. I will use stiffer interfacing next time but hopefully the picture will deceive all into thinking that I did, indeed, use the correct stiffness.
I also was able to start and finish Womb from Knitty.com. it was a fun knit and I recommend it, but just not in this yarn. I don't remember which yarn it was but I am sure once you see it you will remember to steer clear.
I finished a pincushion I had started some time ago and got frustrated when my circle turned in to flat tire. So last night I ripped the stitching and closed up the opening a little (3 in is a little too big for a 6 in diameter circle) then I re-did the closing stitch and it turned out great. I used this pattern and the instructions are very clear and easy.
And finally I sewed up my felted pumpkin. I think it is super cute and I don't care if the other pumpkins call him pinocchio. They can kiss it because I love him. Next time, though, he will be a shorted, um, nose.

Finished objects and some that are close

2006-11-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

We will start with an close to finished project (above) a small felted pumpkin from Knitty.com. This is a relatively quick knit and kinda fun. I would have enjoyed it more but I am feeling a lot of pressure right now to finished my wedding knits. But I did finish my Handwarmers (below), my brother's sock monkey hat and start my legwarmers (Vegas in Dec is around 50 degrees!). I also updated my flickr site with some extra pictures. Tomorrow is 5 years for Garrett and I. I have no idea what we are doing but I am sure it will be fun. I do dislike going out on Friday nights, though.

Happy Birthday, Shaun!

2006-11-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

My Brother, Shaun, has always loved Calvin and Hobbes and in honor of his birthday, I present this clip representing the great comic! Click the pic and Enjoy

Coupon and no monkey

2006-11-14T08:49:00.000-05:00

The monkey hat will be finished tonite for it's intended victim is coming for dinner tomorrow night. All I have left are the ears, eyes, mouth and earring. The ends have weaved themselves (after some angered fist shaking and a few "why, I oughta").
And I have a coupon for 50% off one item at Joann's. Good until Sat! So go forth and spend. Let me know what you bought so I can live vicariously. I am saving for the wedding!

I hate blogger and diets

2006-11-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

I am trying to keep my frilly font but up the font size. But it seems in blogger world there is only really really big and just big enough to read but gives you a headache from squinting. So bare with me.
Also, i had to add this. I have a pal I walk with at work. I sent her an e-mail asking if she brough her walking clothes today and this is her response:
Yes and I started my diet on Saturday. Since Saturday afternoon, I’ve been eating chicken, lettuce with no dressing, broccoli, hard boiled eggs & one orange a day. I’ve had nothing to drink but water, one diet sprite and this morning I am drinking black f’ing coffee.
I forgot, I get to eat one of their protein bars once a day and it is tastes like shit that is being masked by peanut butter.

Fashion for your convenience!

2006-11-13T08:53:00.000-05:00

Hot off the presses! The latest trend off the fall runways, dangling ends. Knitters everywhere are cheering their new independence; freed from encumbered weaving and thumbing their noses at oppressive tapestry needles everywhere. "I no longer have to dye my hair" roused one knitted wearing a new and very fashionable fair isle hat, giving her hair the looked of a glamorous rainbow. "I have time to eat!" remarked one very thin knitter on her way to the local pizza place. Yes, it seems knitters everywhere are joyous over this new trend and are embracing it like a long lost cousin (a very rich cousin). While the 'finished' look, according to stubborn minority, will never die, it seems in this case they are wrong and appear to be very jealous that they did not jump on the band wagon in time. Non weavers, as they have taken to calling themselves, are spreading the word and giving raspberries to all non- converts. So the next time you are done knitting your project, don't pick up your tapestry needle and take a deep breathe in anticipation of the excruciatingly long nights ahead of you; throw your project on and consider yourself done. Not only will you have more time, but you are now the height of fashion!

this was spurred by 2 things:
1) I just finished my wedding shawl (bows to audience) and with 6 balls and three picked up edges, there were many ends to be carefully woven in (this is a wedding shawl people)
2) helping a fellow blogger justify wearing her new sweater now. She didn't buy it.

Edgy and soft

2006-11-09T13:15:00.000-05:00

So I have started the bottom edge of my wedding shawl and even though i am not done, i can't wait to show it off. So i took some picture during lunch to make it look like i am done. I am so pleased and the edge while it takes longer is SOOO much fun. Here is just one pic. There are more on my flickr site. Here is a link for the bind off and here is where i learned how to do cable cast-on needed for this bind off. Super easy and with video goodness.

Behold: glorious Cotton! No, i didn't not steal it from the subject of my shameful previous post. I bought this all by myself. The shipping was SUPER fast and i am very happy with the color match. I highly recommend ordering from Elmore Pisgah. I might like yarn/knitting a little too much.

Attack or Befriend?

2006-11-09T08:52:00.000-05:00

This is our new hero or worst enemy. I am either very jealous or plotting quietly in the corner. I am not sure but when i figure it out, I will have a lot of cotton. The only real question is will it have been had by legal or nefarious means. I probably won't tell that either. Behold, all that is good! I have advised her to keep her address secret and lock her doors just in case. However, if I can somehow amass a secret, small, but highly trained army perhaps her secret keeping won't protect her. Wait! What am I saying. I am a nice person, who would never steal yarn. I love yarn and would never inflict the pain of no yarn on anyone. However, if she were to give it to me, that would be a different story. Ok, new plan. Now I need to amass a small, still secret, highly trained army of negotiators. Whose with me?! (any yarn gotten will be split according to the time honored: 2 for me, 1 for you, 3 for me, Hey you already have 1, 4 for me...)

New Banner!

2006-11-08T16:38:00.000-05:00

My brother, Shaun, created a set of 3 size logos for me a while ago when i orginally set up my website (www.gruenetree.com) since it was put on hold, i had forgotten about these great logos. I decided i was not as pleased as i could be with my new banner so i made the one you see now. Here is the set of logos created by my Brother. If you are interested click on his link to left. He is the best and so creative!
Big

Medium

Teeny

Buttons For ALL

2006-11-08T16:12:00.000-05:00

Button? Button? May I offer you a button? button for you Ma'am and you sir? Help yourself to a handmade button, courtesy of your friendly GrueneTree! Lookee what I made!

K-Fed Pity Party

2006-11-08T12:01:00.000-05:00

Poor Kevin, Britney kept him down. As proof read this article entitled: Blame K-Fed's Soaring Success for Britney Split. Maybe we should start a fund or buy his record.

Coupon and Monkey!

2006-11-07T13:42:00.000-05:00

So i made the sock monkey hat from Knitty.com. (picture tonite) but it was WAY TOO BIG. So i went to Hobby lobby last night (yarn bee is on sale, BTW) and bought some Bernet Denim in black (much more sock monkeyish) and cast on again. I intended to use the pattern as is but with the smaller yarn. No, it didn't work. So i cast on 88 stitches and worked it back and forth for the intarsia but did not make it a foldup brim. I brought the hat together to work in the round 1 row after i finished the intarsia so it would not be a turn up brim. I like it much better. I am not very far, but i like it as is.
Oh here is a coupon for Joann's for this weekend. If anyone has a world market around, i have 25% off coupon for that, too. Enjoy

Mail! and Pictures!

2006-11-06T10:19:00.000-05:00

Alright- let me start with the super fast shipping from Monkey Foot Designs. I recieved my package Friday and barely had time to drool. The in laws were in town. I had a shower sat morning (thank you Serene i had a great time) and scored lots of loot! Ok back to the package. the fabric is everything i dreamed and i even got a sample of another colorway, lotus lush. Thank you Kris. plus my awesome pattern which once i get new scissors i will start on for my sister.
Since blogger enjoys being so temperment concerning pictures, i have set up a flickr page. It is small for now but i hope to put most of my pictures on by the end of the week. here it is!

Shaun, Ladies and Gentlemen

2006-11-02T10:12:00.000-05:00

My Brother is a photo genius.
I know my knitting is lovely but i cannot (yet) capture that lovelyness with a camera yet. But Shaun sure can. Feast you eyes on these pictures. take a look at the beautiful purple piece below. You may reconize it from this post. yes it is one and the same Moss Stitch Hand Towel. Isn't this great! (photos to come when blogger gets its act together)

Here is another view at my finished Flora Scarf and My Kim's Hat From Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Look at this and see the difference!
Oh and here is my little Pocket Monster waving at you!

Scarf

2006-11-02T09:06:00.000-05:00

IMGP1245110106
Originally uploaded by shaunkrisherphoto.

Here is my completed Flora scarf but with brother photography goodness. Doesn't it look so yummy!

The Real Enabler

2006-11-01T14:03:00.000-05:00

If one is going to offer amazing fabrics/patterns at good prices and then make it even easier for me to purchase said items then i will be forced to dethrone Murphy as the enabler. Such is the case with Kris and her fine shop Monkey Foot Designs Boutique. I was finally able to buy some Gracious Lotus by Amy Butler and i figured while i had paypal open i might as well look at the patterns (again) and damn if i didn't find one i liked. This is perfect for a certain sister i know. I may make it out of some previously purchased Forest fabric, but i am undecided.

The shawl is a mere 3 inches away from mostly finished. I am making it a little longer then patterned. Then i will pick up stitched for the button bands and for the collar. I am very stoked! I can't wait to take pictures. I will def get Shaun (brother) involved in that. He is lauching a website in the next few weeks that is ver promising. I love his pictures. He gives Garrett and i prints every year and i love it. We recently painted our hallway and hung new track lighting (not gross track lights, but cool IKEA track lights) just to display his pictures. I love gothic religious themed pictures and he is great at those. I also want some country bright colored type pictures for my kitchen and he has already promised me some. Oh and last weekend we had a photoshoot at my house some knitting and some food and i can't wait to post those pictures.

Man do i love to knit

2006-10-31T16:04:00.000-05:00

But i sure hate blogger! I got alot done this weekend. Nothing to show for it though. I finished one of my hand warmers and damn if it didn't warm up again so my desire to start the other on has decreased to ..Oh zero. I am working like a busy bee on my shawl and put every second of free time to it, except for last night when i started this. It is quick, so far 3 wedges and i know it will look great.
I found another totally excellent online Yarn store, WEBS. They have all the great names and give discounts for orders over $60 or $120 (so in the bag). They have Cascade 220 and i am loving that. It is $7 (at my LYS is is $7.25) and with the discount of a $60 order it comes out to $5.60/skein) how awesome is that. But i do not have a ball winder or swift! So i must wait.
New Vogue knitting- i am in love with the winter lace sweaters and want to make them all right away. But of course i would need to quit my job, lose the dogs and break up with Garrett in order to get them all done in a timely fashion let alone before it gets warm again. Considering i prefer to knit with the company of dogs, i think i will wait. Plus i am pretty attached to Garrett and will at least stick it out till after the wedding. Oh today is his birthday, BTW. He is the big 26 (he digs the older ladies, of course he doesn't grasp the fact that by dating someone a whole 1.5 years older than him he is not really experiencing a real may- Dec romance). Now if only the new interweaving knitting would arrive in my mailbox already.

The Destroyer!

2006-10-26T10:13:00.000-04:00

I have already posted about my dogs but not about their personalities. May i present Maggie the Destroyer (10 mo American bulldog), Murphy the enabler (1 1/2 yr short hair border collie) and Brittany the innocent (13 yr Brittany spaniel, Garrett named her when he was 13ish). Maggie has single handedly eaten 3 bras, 2 shirts, screw drivers, countless pens and all the pennies she can get to. In fact, anything left on the bed recently has fallen prey to Maggie. She is like the nothing from Never Ending Story. Needless to say, she is under direct supervison until such time that she can be trusted not to eat another pair of jeans left on the bed after i get home from work. She is not too unhappy with this arrangement because as i explained to my brother the other day: Maggie requires 15 min of cuddling ever hour and since i am not home ever hour, from the min i get home to the time i leave for work the next day, it is cuddle time with Maggie. She is just so big and soft that i have agreed to her terms (but i really had no choice).
Murphy is the alpha and he knows all the goes on. He is the enabler because he does not really chew anything (only his toys) but he is not one to stop Maggie. He may even lead her to her next victim. Murphy is my secret service agent. He is by my side at all times. If he is outside "taking care of business" and i am, say washing dishes, i will soon see a bouncing Murphy in front of the sink window. If he is sleeping (he considers sleep failure by the way) and i move, he is instantly awake and on duty. If Garrett kisses me, Murphy gets jealous. Sometimes when Murphy is walking behind Garrett and is not paying attention, he will bump into Garrett and growl, like it was Garrett's fault. He has bumped (make that plowed) into me millions of times, but i get pardoned. But he does love Garrett but will only cuddle or sit with him as long as i am in the room.
Brittany is the innocent because compared to the other 2 she is no trouble. She sometimes plays with them but she must bark when she plays. She knows no other way. I can her Garrett's lady, because she adores him. They have been together for about 12-13 years. She wants to be where he is; however, she is coming to the darkside and i have reason to believe that she recently signed custody over to me. She loves to sleep in my knitting chair but if i even look like i want to sit in it, she jumps out. She is constantly catching squirrels in her sleep and often in real life. She has one trick, it used to be roll over but in her cunning she has learned that if she merely twirls around she can get the same treat. She must dance before she gets her food. Brittany is the offender of my shawl. The other night we had run out of her Kidney food and the vet would not be open for 2 days, so we fed her regular food. Well that night she napped on a different chair and peed all over it. On that chair was my knitting bag with the wedding shawl. Long story short both the chair and shawl have recovered thanks to helpful tips from Knitty Coffeeshopians.
Oh, i use this to keep the dogs under control and to keep them off the bed. As you can see it is not effective at keeping them off the bed (the fact that i rarely use it for that, not with standing). I bought it at publix last spring and it was labeled Sea Lord. It is the best water gun yet.

a hat for your thought?

2006-10-25T09:20:00.000-04:00

Well i have in the last week or 2 finished 2 hats (Une por moi et une por Shelby). WHo is Shelby you ask. She is Garrett's cousin's oldest baby, so second cousin? i never got that whole third cousin once removed. Family is Family. Back to hats... the one for me is my first fair isle ever and of my own design. well i designed both, but i name the green one "First Fair Isle" Pattern to follow. Oh and the Lovely David is my model for the evening. Oh and the candy cane hat will be recieving a pom-pom. it is knit in arcylic. the First Fair Isle Hat is knit in Green Tea Cascade 220, Summer something (same blue as previous Kim's Hat from Last minute knitted gifts) and cream from Knit Picks Wool of the Andes).

I am also posting the Moss grid Hand Towel from Mason Dixon Knitting. It is in Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Crocus, 4 balls. I did not do all 12 repeats. I don't think i want to make any more of these. it was really boring towards the beginning and i really had to push myself (like i should do with Wobbly circles) to knit it. I really like the finished look (needs some blocking) but it will be my only.

Oh and i started another project for a christmas present. It is a fast knit and i wanted to start it because it will only take about 100 yards and i want to use the rest of the yarn to make myself some hand warmers. I am using Cascade 220 Quatro Grenada. It is awesome and the colors will make you fall in love. But here is the scarf pattern, Flora from Knitty. the only change i am making is that i will not be making the flower from the pattern but rather i will make several flower pins for the scraf from Nicky Epsteins Knitted Flowers; all in different but corrdinating colors. I have made this scarf before and it is easy and fun. I really enjoy it and it looks great. Anything worsted is great for me (i have a whole stash of it). I am pretty excited. As my brother would say: "DANG!" (he's a little weird).
update on wedding shawl- progress is good and my excited is steady and it is on schedule!

A Little Bird

2006-10-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

http://masondixonkal.blogspot.com/2006/10/hobby-lobby-to-rescue.html

FO- Finished object or Finally over...You decide

2006-10-24T12:46:00.000-04:00

Well i attempted the Atlanta 3 day walk for breast Cancer. In that i mean i walked my ass off (i am being very literal here folks, it is gone) on Fri. I walked 15 miles and crawled the rest. I had to pick up each leg and place it in the car for the ride home. and follow the same procedure each time i moved locations that evening and the following day. It can be assumed that i did not change location very much if at all. Of course i did get a nice homecooked meal by the very gracious and caring future hubby. It may also be assumed that your truly did NOT WALK the other 2 days. I am assembling a petition right now to officially change it to a 1 day walk for breast cancer and also to reduce it to a good, honest 1 mile. It will save money and in the end save everyone some trouble.
I did get some good done though. Lots of knitting. Remember my previous grumbling post about scraping my wedding shawl. Well all will be happy to know that it has turned out for the best. Sat, 2 days earlier than i had hoped, my order from Knitpicks came. In that special box was a special book called Wrap style. I highly HIGHLY recommend this book. It has shawls, ponchos, tiny shawls and caplets. I choose a caplet. However, what got me so excited is how easy that make it for you to design your own and to substitute any yarn you may desire. I am off and running and making really good progress. This one is so much more fun than the last one. I have big plans still but they are no formalized so we shall not speak of them lest the muses shun me. (p.s. goofy mood today).

I also finished Brandi's hand warmers. They look great. but i must warn you the lumpiness in the photos is my watch. I knit everything perfect and i won't have you thinking otherwise. I love this pattern and since it is now officially "Chilly" here i need some for my self. I am starting them tonite. Must peruse the stash.

Here's me in a nut shell "Help i am stuck in a nutshell"

2006-10-19T17:12:00.000-04:00

Today is stressful but i won't get into it. But be forewarned that this message will be quick and sweet and have a hard edge to it. bascially i am scraping the shawl and starting from scratch. i have an idea in my head of what it will look like, but i need to test it first. I hope to have time tonite to at least frog it but with three strands together it may get tangled and make me mad. Plus i am walking in the 3day tomorrow and need to shop and pack. I hope to have pictures of something by monday.

Bored

2006-10-18T17:09:00.000-04:00

I am only on the 4th repeat of my shawl and i am bored already. I am pretty focused on getting it done so i am not sure if i want to spice up the knitting by starting something new. Hell, i haven't even finished Wobbly circles yet. But, to help my lull i purchased these today, Glee and Rusted Root. I love them and they will be my first attempt at knitted clothing. Well not really remember the kimono i made for my cousin. but this is for ME! i am not even sure what colors yet, but i am thinking. I just wonder when i will have time. The holidays are coming up fast. my parents are moving soon, plus my wedding, reception, christmas and thanksgiving. and to find someone to watch 3 dogs and a cat for just about all of it! help! oh well at least i know a relaxing activity i can do to take my mind off of all this thinkin'.

Got more done!

2006-10-16T10:08:00.000-04:00

So I didn't really get all this done this weekend but i did take pictures of it so it seems like i did.
Here is my finished Nappy bag. I really hope Sara likes it. She is moments away from baby #2. Congrats. I am also including a big brother hat for Isaac! It gets mighty chilly in Kansas.

Here is also a picture of the neck gator for my Dad for christmas. I did not yet write out the pattern. Date for pattern TBD when i finally get around to is. But there is a nice one, in the mean time, in Last minute knitted gifts. However, it did not work with this yarn.

1824 my ass

2006-10-13T17:10:00.000-04:00

1824...That is about how much it costs to buy one skein of Mission Falls 1824 Cotton. Well, in my search for a nice alternative i checked out Luna by Cascade (oh how i love Cascade 220). Well, the light bulb went off. Hey every other time i have falling for a yarn and it was way too expensive i have been able to find something suitable at Knitpicks for roughly 99% less. Well, once again they have come through for me. Behold
Crayon 100% pima cotton. Same texture and great colors. Why didn't i check there 1st.

And for those of use who are secretly in love with Manos Del Uruguay. Pine in silence no longer. Welcome to Handpainted Yarn. i have found that the Colonial Felting Yarn is almost identical. Well given that i have never seen the inspiration yarn in person, i can only attest to the fiber, gauge and the yardage. I highly recommend. While shipping takes a little while, they send you updates via e-mail so you aren't stuck wondering where your awesome yarn is. Plus, i am very much in love with mine. So now that you are enabled. Go forth and shop.

Damn memory stick

2006-10-13T12:43:00.000-04:00

I was sick this week and i keep forgetting my camera at home and my memory stick at work. I can't get the 2 to meet up. I finished sewing the Amy Butler Nappy bag for Sara, complete with Gruenetree tag and everything. Now i can send it once i take some pictures. I am finished knitting my brothers present and just need to add the final details. I also finished my Dad's neck gator and i used Debbi Bliss Silk Alpaca. I will post the pattern once i finish it. It is super easy. When finished it looked too small but the ribbing i used makes it really stretchy. The goal was- fit it over his head and be snug on the neck. It worked nicely.
I also finished my mom's Mason Dixon Hand handtowel. I need to weave in the ends and take some pictures of that too.
And i am still working on some hand warmers from Last minute Knitted Gifts for my pal, Brandi. Who, incidentally, is coming over for dinner tonite. She is learning to knit and we are going to start on patterns tonite. I picked out a nice scarf for her. It looks cool but it is easy. however, you have to know how to read a pattern ( in her case since she already says she knows but refuses to use them) or want to read a pattern.
Tomorrow Mom and I are going to Lakewood Antique Show. It is their last weekend ever. I need to find out where my fiesta vendor is going to sell now. What will I do, oh right Amazon sells fiesta! Hooray!
Also on the list- finishing my front hall and painting the stairs. I have another bridal shower coming up which means MIL will be back and i must have something new to wow her with. Otherwise she might suspect that I am actually keeping her son locked in the basement.

She got her purse!

2006-10-06T13:34:00.000-04:00

Tammy received her purse yesterday and loves it! Oh happy day. Now for the dish
Here is the pattern (see below)
Here is the inspiration purse (notice the outrageous prices)
and here is the info: I used Yarn Bee for baby (man i can't remember the name of it for the life of me) in a Khaki color. I had started it in a dark grey but it was too dark and i wasn't getting a Tammy vibe from it. It was a pretty fast knit once i road out the bumps (the yarn is very soft and you really have to count your rows).
I really loved making it, very relaxing and so soft!!
here are some earlier pictures: Here and Here. The second picture is actually the wrong side. I didn't want to give away the cables.
Please visit Tammy's blog for finished project pictures.

After several comments that the link to the pattern not working, it occured to me, that not everyone was a member of the Knitty.com Coffeeshop. If you are then the pattern comes up. So here is the cut and paste of the pattern.
(Pattern provided by nbenedick):
OK, so I finally counted out the pattern for the purse I made. I'm not really good at this but here goes. Yarn: 2 skeins Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Super Chunky Needles: US size 10 1/2 Handles: 7 1/2" Bamboo handles from Suss Design [http://www.sussdesign.com] Pattern: CO 60 sts R1 (right side) K4 [P4, K8, P4, K2] 3X, K2 R2 (wrong side) K2, P2 [K4,P8,K4,P2] 3X, K2 *The above 2 rows establish the pattern. Keeping pattern correct, the K8 and P8 sections become your cable section every 8th right side row. For mine I cabled Left - Placed the first 4 sts on the cable needle, held them to front of work, knit the next 4 sts then knit the 4 sts from the cable needle. *TIP: If you are going to attach a ribbon I found it easiest to thread it through the holes that are created by making a cable, therefore, the first cables I made were on the 4th row and then I finished 4 rows after the last cable - helps to make the ribbon lay flat and look nicer. Continue until you have approximately 64 rows (a little less if you are working with smaller handles). Bind off all sts. Finishing: To attach the handles use the same yarn and stitch through the fabric and around the handle. If you are feeling the fabric to be a little wide feel free to make a bit ofa pleat, it may be a little tough to stitch through as it is thick but it will be unnoticable in the final product. Keep stitching until your handle is completely covered and the whole side of your fabric is attached. I chose to attach each side of the fabric first to determine how big to make the lining but I think that's just a personal preference. A Link for making a lining is listed below. Once a Lining is made I seem the sides of the bag with a straight blanket stitch and then attach the lining similar to the tutorial below. Work in progress and lining fabric for mine is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/72829766@N00/82971781/in/photostream/ Lining Tutorial [Posted by Ali] http://www.zibibboisgood.com/more/sueetlining.html Hope this helps - if you have any questions just feel free to email me directly. Some day I'll get going on a blog which will make this process much easier!

I think this is Love

2006-10-06T10:48:00.000-04:00

I want to talk about 2 things i love today, one is an oldie and the other a new found love, that has secretly always been lurking. To begin: the new love- PurlSoho. I first discovered this store by buying the book (One of my all time favorites- i highly recommend) Last Minute Knitted Gifts. My first impression was: great patterns but a little pretentious. I really am turned off when knit book authors use only the most expensive yarn and swoon all over it. However, as i discovered the more i read the book, she makes substitutions easy. It is only recently that i discovered their online store- AND what a store it is. Needles, yarn, fabric everything you could dream of or drool over. They even stock free spirit fabric (side note *anxiously awaiting Heather Bailey's fabric*). I love everything on this page. The shipping seems reasonable and the site is easy to manage and the pictures are lovely.
Now for the oldie- Cheesecake. I love it and whoa to the person who tries to come between us. Calvin Klein has nothing on cheesecake. So saying that you are looking at the proud recipient of apparently the best cheesecake recipe ever. That is a fair amount of hype and i am going to put it to the test this weekend. I have every confidence that any recipe named "Yummy Cheesecake" is sure to satisfy me. Thank you, Kris for sharing the recipe. Oh, in reference to above if you love good fabric, Kris is another fine source to go to quench you stash thirst.

Banner-Ahoy

2006-10-05T15:50:00.000-04:00

This is my new Banner- yes I made it myself with a little help from Here and Here

I am pretty sure I have to keep it here because this is the image source. But I will keep my eyes open so that this picture is not a post. I am still learning. This picture is one of my brother's, Shaun Krisher. He is a very talented photographer. Check out his stuff and if you like it let him know. He can print anything you like, framed or unframed and is for hire. He is really good.

Tammy is a knitting superstar!

2006-10-05T10:55:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much Tammy! I love my purse and am certain i will wear it out this weekend since i have just told Garrett that he is taking me out now. I love the colors, the style and the green lining. I love that it goes but doesn't match. I am not big on matching- too over rated, if you ask me. Too much work, besides. I love all the little goodies inside too. You're the best (and regrettably, so far, the only) Knitted Purse Swap Partner.
No remember when you purse comes and your daughters try to take it from you- words only hurt, elbows are much more effective! Just kidding. I really do hope you like it.

Worked on my Amy Butler Nappy Bag pattern some more last night. It is slow going because there is more to cut out once you have cut out all the pattern pieces. There is the water bottle pocket and the cell phone pocket. One thing about the pattern that i don't like that i think should change is that she doesn't ask you to apply the interfacing to all the pieces at one time. It is baste this, now apply the interfacing to this piece, now do this, now apply the interfacing to this. i think the step right after cut all out the pieces, should be apply the interfacing to all these pieces. That way you are only standing in front of the iron one time. Also read the directions completely before hand. I certainly would have avoided getting up to go to my iron 30 times, if i had done that. But, i felt like complaining first.

(Deep Breath...In and Out)

2006-10-04T09:49:00.000-04:00

Well, the weekend was very successful. The inlaws arrived right on time and we gave them the nickel tour. They were very impressed with the new garden, MIL especially (Serene, in case you were wondering MIL stands for Mother in Law). Then we ushered them upstairs to show off the new room. It passed muster with flying colors. We then sat down to some nice hot Brunswick stew (my own personal recipe, which I was able to protect from kidnapping at the hands of Serene). Followed by homemade Gelato (Love my birthday present, Garrett). The weekend was filled with lots of activities. Saturday was the Taste of Conyers, in old towne. We were able to have lunch with my mom and Garrett. Garrett's parents were also able to get a visit to his work and see how it is going; He is a motorcycle mechanic. His dad, being mechanically inclined as well, was very interested and impressed. Afterward, we went home and got ready for my First Bridal Shower. It was the most fun bridal shower I have ever been too. I actually had fun! Serene and I played a game where Brandi (the hostess) had met with Garrett earlier in the week and taped him answering questions. Serene and I then had to answer the same questions and see how knew Garrett better. I creamed her by one point! Then we had a dessert contest and I got all the recipes! Score! Garrett loved all the desserts, especially the Caramel Pecan Pie by the winner, my brother's girlfriend Gretchen. So now I have an even bigger stash to consult when I feel like making something special for Garrett (which is just about everyday). Then we all sat around and talked. Oh and my dad, brother, Nick (Garrett's Dad) and Garrett came over at the end and judged the contest.
I also got my ring- it is an engagement/wedding band, but I really just say that so I can wear it now. I would post a picture but they all come out fuzzy. I am seeing my brother this weekend and he is a photographer, so I will ask him to shoot it.
I did not knit much this weekend and there was no sewing done either. But we did take a trip to Knitch and I learned (from the wonderful Nell) how to knit in the round on 2 circular needles. Wonderful tip. I spent way too much, but some of it is for Christmas!
however, I was able to finish up the Pumpkin hat for Bonnie. I added the nice edge on the bottom so it will stay on her smooth head. I hope it is not too long now that there is no longer an curl to the stockingette.
I also finished up the Baby hat for Hannah. It is not the hat I promised her so long ago but it is a hat and I hope to start on the promised one soon.

In Laws

2006-09-29T10:06:00.000-04:00

My Future In Laws are coming in tonite. I took off yesterday to get ready. While i said the guest room was 85% done that did not include putting everything away, cleaning the house (which gets a little neglected when renovating) and cooking. I like to cook ahead so i can relaxe while they are here. Plus MIl is always trying to help and steal my recipes so this way i can have her relax and hide all my recipes before she arrives. Here are some pictures of the guest room ready to go. I love to fill it with fresh flowers, becuase i just love flowers. Some are from my Garden (i have a garden!!). I even set up a Serene area so she can sit and knit (there is yarn and some needles in the green bin ny the leather chair). They are both big coffee people but she likes flavorded and he doesn't so whenever they visit always pick up a sample size of flavored coffee and put it on her pillow so she can enjoy it while he gets regular. Let me warn any of those people who are wondering when they can come stay at my house cause i spoil my in laws so. Once we are married they are sleeping in the yard. just kidding.

Decoratin'

2006-09-26T10:14:00.000-04:00

I am 85% finished my guest room. I made (yes I made) the curtains last night and they turned out sooooooo well. I am so pleased and excited. I may have given myself a pat on the back.
So hung the curtains and blinds last night. Dressed the bed and hung some pictures. It still needs more but I am running out of time. Tonite, I need to touch up the paint and finish painting the windows. The carpet is still old and ugly but oh well.
I think that the carpet in this room is the very original to the house and the various carpets through out the house are from later periods. It is low pile, brick red and discolored in areas. Now it also has white paint on it all around. We figure if we are gonna replace it soon, why use a drop cloth. But picture this. this room was white with dark brown trim. Now it is a lite gray with white trim, black hardware, silver switch plates, and great curtains. It feels much warmer and I am so happy. I can't wait to finish the rest of the house. I really wish I had taken before pictures of this room.

Whew!

2006-09-25T13:50:00.000-04:00

Now that it is Monday I can, momentarily, take a breath. My guest room is nearly finished. I Only need to touch up paint here and there, but I was able to start decorating! I repositioned the bed (more fung shui) and set up a little knitting area for MIL, so if she wants to knit she can do it without disturbing FIL, if he decides to sleep. Plus it looks cozy. I bought the most amazing fabric at Joann's yesterday, on sale and with coupon. I think it is a brocade. I am so in love. I am making curtains with is tonite.
Plus my Target is moving down the street, so there was a lot of clearance today. I bought a great duvet set for $23.00 that will match the coziness of the room. A pillow, curtain rod and sheet set, so I hope to finish the room tonite. I still have a lot to do before they come.
But I did knit and sew some this weekend.
I started another hat- trying my hand at fair isle/stranding.

A few months ago Garrett and I bought a new sofa from Ikea and it came with really great really boring pillows. Since we have 2 colors of slip covers, I decided to do something different with each color pillow. The blue get a ribbon detail, like this picture (trouble with blogger, pic later). And the khaki pillows will get blue embroidery. I tried to sew the ribbon on, but it was very difficult, so I settled for fusing and will sew later.
I am chugging along on my Chelsea Bag. Slow going as I am caught up on the handles. Plus I was able to rescue my half eaten handle template from Murphy before he did any real damage. I am trace it and make another. I ordered a sewing book for beginners type book and it should arrive today to help me out (i also ordered this- hehe). Plus with help from Kris, I think I can ease my troubles with a satin stitch around the handles. It looks great and probably adds durability.

I have fabric for Nappy and am excited to start that.

I hope to add pictures later when Blogger decides to stop being temperamental.
I finished on wrist warmer from last minute knitted gifts for my friend, Brandi's, grandmom, nana. She has excellent taste in color (it is my fave) and I love working with it. They are going to be really nice. It is Knit Picks shine worsted.
Oh, lastly, I finished Tammy's purse and am super excited to give it to her. But we are going to wait and mail it on the same day. I hope it is after Friday so I can show off to my MIL!

I bite my thumb at you, sir

2006-09-22T14:17:00.000-04:00

Chelsea has slapped me across the face with her glove and demanded satisfaction at dawn. The challenge has been accepted.
The Chelsea bag by Amy Butler so far has me stumped but I might have solution. I have cut out all my piece and last night finished the cutting and ironed all the interfacing to the bag pieces. Then I was too cut the handles and sew the folds down. That is the tricky part (pictures to be added later). I can't get the corners down and keep them from fraying. my solution is 1) wait until my mom can look at it or 2) use a Satin Stitch (thanks Kris) like this one. Which actually I really like. It has a nice look to it. Either way, this is a stitch I want to learn, so I will be practicing tonite.
I am making even more progress on Tammy's purse and it is almost there. I think I will finish knitting this weekend.
I am also making progress on the hand towel from Mason Dixon. I am on my 3rd ball and I think this might be the last. It is pretty big.

Life in the South

2006-09-20T12:54:00.000-04:00

Today is another glorious day and another reason I would rather be home then at work! It is so fall outside!
Garrett got his motorcycle license today. So we are not legal when we ride on his bike! His parents left us a giant home gym and we called Play it again sports to come look at it. We even offered to pay them to take it. Well, those suckers took it alright and paid us $100 for the pleasure!
I am hard at work on my purse for Tammy. Man, how I wish I could post pictures. It looks sooooo good. I can't wait to finish the knitting part. I am making it a little bigger than the patterns calls for but Tammy said she liked medium sized purses. I also bought handles yesterday. I am worried because they look a little big, but I justified it by the fact that with these handles she can carry the purse in her hand or on her shoulder.
I bought material for my Nappy bag yesterday, but was so busy cleaning that I forgot to take pictures (Spot Shot is a miracle).
I also finished my hat and am starting a new hat with a twist. I hope it will work out and turn into my first pattern.

However, I do have some really great pictures to show. Be warned that once you see these you will want it and you can't have it for a while. Enjoy!

Kicking Breast Cancer Ass!

2006-09-19T11:57:00.000-04:00

Check out how awesome my team and company are!
I work at SeayCo and am the captain of Team SheCo for the Atlanta 3Day. We have raised over $15,000 so far! We are walking for Bonnie Malmstrom, Wife, Mother and Ninja, who I made the pumpkin hat for. She is totally awesome but she is suffering from, now, terminal cancer. It started 2 years ago with breast cancer. Bonnie thought she had it beat, only to be surprised early this year with the new diagnosis.

Knitting is not cool...

2006-09-19T10:51:00.000-04:00

So I can knit in public with Garrett but not at TacoMac. I had never thought of TacoMac as a cool place but apparently it is just cool enough so that if I knit there it bothers Garrett. He doesn't know why but it does. I figured well there is a TV right over my head, we are sitting on the deck with a ton of people, it is pretty loud so we are not going to have much of conversation. I take out the Purse I am making for Tammy (which by the way once your daughter sees this she will be fighting you for it, I hope!). He took on look at it and said "Oh I didn't think you were going to be knitting here". I explained that I have never been very good at occupying his attention when there is a giant TV over my head. He acted as though this was ridiculous and I put my knitting away and we actually had a conversation with the giant TV over my head. I must give him credit. However, we did talk about knitting a lot. And we planned which family members I would be allowed to knit stuff for. His mom, yes. His dad, No. Our friends getting married, yes but only if they are cool looking hats usable for snowboarding. So I am making 2 of these in different colors. And I am using this design but for a scarf for his mom- she is Norwegian.

Hat Progress:
I have successfully picked up stitches and completed one ear flap and decided instead of a braid and tassel that I will not bind off the ear flap and continue it down with an icord and use a cool tassel from one of my Nicky Epstein books.

Still left to work on:
Wobbly Circles- I have really lost momentum on this but hope to get back to it once my guest room is finished.
Hand Towel for Mom- 12teenhundred repeats left to go. I still have 3 balls left!
Knitted Purse- It is going well. Making good progress. I am happy to announce that even though I was knitting in the dark on our way home I did not need to frog once. I only need to get some handles and I think everything else I have.
Making stuff for Sara (pregnant)- ugh no time. Must make time this weekend: nappy bag, hats, and changing pad
this list is making me tired.

I have pictures but blogger is being difficult

Hat Factory

2006-09-18T13:24:00.000-04:00

I finished one Hat this weekend and one more is almost done. The Finished hat is the Pumpkin Hat for my friend with cancer. She is going through chemo so she has no hair. I made her the hat with wool of the Andes from KnitPicks. It looks great and feels really warm. I am awaiting pictures from her husband so if you want to see it on a real head, you will have to wait.

The hat that is almost finished is my Kim's Hats from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I had to re-knit it this weekend because it was way too big. I adjusted it to the pattern size (80 stitches for women's) and it fits great. I don't understand why my math did not work. But it fits now. I just need to break the yarn and weave in the ends and knit the ear flaps. I ended up changing the colors too. The bottom remains the same yarn but the top is WotA from KnitPicks (love that store).

In Purse news, I am making slow progress. I feel like it is 2 steps forward and 1 back. At least I am going more forward than back. I am pretty sure it is the yarn and not the pattern. The pattern is pretty darn easy. The yarn is just so soft. The pattern does call for a soft yarn (Debbie Bliss CashMerino Super chunky), which I did not go with. I think I chose a softer one and it does feel like heaven but it is difficult. It is kinda slick, in that it is hard to hold the left needle and I can not go as fast as usual. Oh well, it looks great. Here is a teaser and you won't be able to tell anything from the pattern because I scrunched it up, Tammy. But here is proof that progress is happening! ha, victory will be mine.

Cinnamon

2006-09-15T14:23:00.000-04:00

One day, Garrett (future husband to be) and I were shopping for groceries. I was picking up a jar of applesauce when Garrett said "umm, I don't like it with cinnamon". "Oh", I replied,"but I do". After much discussion we decided to compromise with regular and when I wanted some I could add my own cinnamon (I am addicted to it by the way). Well, the applesauce went in the pantry, forgotten and in the dark. About a week later, I pull out my lunch (made by Garrett, another of our compromises) and start to explore what I was going to eat that day. I pulled out a small container of mush. Puzzled, I cautiously opened it and discovered applesauce, CINNAMON applesauce! Now when ever I get applesauce in my lunch, it always has cinnamon and I always smile because he thought enough to put a little dash of it in my lunch. He's so sweet!

Here is a Needle Book I made for mom (she does embroidery). I used this pattern as a guideline but it was mostly by the seat of my pants

Here is the promised teaser. This is the yarn I am going to finish my Knitted Purse Swap Purse with. No more buying yarn and no more ripping. Cast-on begins at roughly 0900 Saturday.

Here is my Kim's Hats from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It is a little big, as I just tried it on for the first time. Hey I can't be held responsible. I started it last night at the Atlanta In Town Knitters meeting and I was too busy having a good time to notice it was a little big. I did the math. My head is roughly 21 inches. My swatch told me that I was knitting 5 stitches per inch on size 7 and I am using Cascade 220. So I cast on 105 stitches and it seems to be about 20 stitches too many. I am debating what to do. If I frog it won't take too long to knit up again. I may knit a little more to see if I like the green with the brown. I may change the colors up a little. Maybe green, blue then brown. Not sure yet.

Chics Rule!

2006-09-14T10:56:00.000-04:00

I have found more inspiration online and her name is Heather Bailey. She makes the most beautiful things, most notable are her Pear pincushion. She has hinted at publishing some patterns in the fall, along with a fabric line called Freshcut for Free Spirit, I hope this pincushion is one of the patterns published. She has some great other blogs linked on her site, that are great and make me wish I wasn't working and could craft all day.

On the needles today: Mason Dixon Hand Towel (still-11 repeats)

Swatch for something for myself (finally), Kim's hats from Last minute knitted gifts. I am making the ear flap version with Cascade 220 in Green Tea, Summer Sky Heather and Terracot (or Terracotta, can't quite make out the tag). It is going to be awesome. I need a good hat. And this looks like fun.
What I need to cast-on for is my Knitted purse swap but I think I am pessimistic about it and feel kinda doomed and maybe intimidated (sorry Tammy, but I promise to give it serious face time on Sat. It is sure to go quickly and then I have to add stuff to it.) I promised a picture of the Yarn and it is in my car right now, so I will get it at lunch and snap a few. It is great yarn.
Next projects are some finger-less gloves for Mom, a silk alpaca next gator, cabled, for Dad, Sock monkey hat for brother and hopefully a wedding shawl for me! Oh well, I have plenty in my stash for all.

Nice Sweater- Scary Jeans

2006-09-13T09:39:00.000-04:00

I received an e-mail from Rowan today showing there new books. I was checking out the patterns when this sweater caught my eye. Then I saw the jeans and almost lost my breakfast. I thought Rowan was trendy. I haven't seen jeans like this since freshman year, when my older sister was still wearing her bangs in a curled circle, that resembled a deployed airbag. Flash backs are not always good. I repressed these fashion memories for a reason. Cute sweater, though.

on a side note, here is the forecast for the perfect crafting day, but i am at work. in a back cube with no clue what it really looks like outside. bonus, i can sneak on blogger sometimes, if i am quick.

One Awesome Weekend

2006-09-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

I feel like i got so much done this weeknd (prob because i had Monday off)
Let's see. I started renovation on our upstairs guest room (my future MIL is coming to stay at the end of this month for a bridal shower). here is the story: our house was built in the 1970's and from the exploration and research we have done we believe (brace yourself) that we may be the owners of original 1970's carpet located right in our very own guest room. Carbon dating is schedule for next week but according to the excavation team camped out upstairs, we believe we have a very real artifact. the carpet in the rest of the house has been updated at various times over the life of the house, but i am pretty sure that this carpet original (scary). well, i have primed the trim and painted that walls and for all intensive purposes, exercised the 70's from that room. The carpet will be torn out and replaced but we are going to do the whole house at once. In the mean time we don't have to buy drop cloths.
So also on Sat my new pattern and material came...plus a free pattern, plus a tip sheet on a pattern i already received from Kris. That is so great. Now i get presents for buy ing present for friends. That and her great products, just make me want to buy more.
My friend (and my brother;s girlfriend) also gave me a present this weekend. i am now the proud owner of Vogue Knitted Stitchtionary (i will look up the spelling later). she bought for me as a 'thank you' for teaching her to knit. I told her that i would only accept it once i taught her more that one stitch (we have only covered long tail cast on and the knit stitch, and may i add she choose continental while i am english). but she insited and said that was only because she is so busy to sit down and learn more. she teaches high school and dates my brother, so she has two full time jobs.
Oh and Mom and i went to knitch, which always makes my day. I bought more wool. But it is not all for me this time, honest. I bought one hank to make mom some fingerless gloves (though she doesn't know what i am going to make with it, only that she picked out the color. great color too).
I started cutting out for my Amy Butler Chelsea Handbag. I am pretty excited and i think i have some reall y great fabric too.
last but not least, the new Knitty came out today. My internet connection has been so sporatic that i have barely checked it out. Well there is always lunch tomorrow.
My internet connection is acting up again. I better get these pictures on here. I will spell check tomorrow.

Today is Awesome

2006-09-08T16:59:00.000-04:00

If I could replicate a day it would be today. I think it is in the high 70's low 80's and sunny and a little breezy but the best part is...It smells like fall! I love the in between seasons. My boyfriend's birthday is in the fall (Halloween) and it is usually nice and a little bit chilly. It was a bit nippy when I walked the dogs this morning. And I loved it.
So I went to Hobby Lobby today and was pratically attacked by some of the coolest yarn in a color I could not turn away. It was perfect for my Knitted Purse Swap Partner, Tammy. The yardage was good and the size was dead on. It is my lucky day. I can't wait to start it, but I am just about finished a round of baby hats for my friends Hannah (she had a baby last year and I am just now making her something) and Sara (who is due with her 2nd child but 1st girl in 6 weeks). I bought an ass load of cotton a few weeks ago when Michaels had it on sale for $1/each. And I need to make room in my cabinet for more yarn that I have no plans for, because Mom and I are going to Knitch tomorrow and you know how it goes when you go to your LYS with you mom "oh you could make something so pretty with this, Oh this is such a good color for you" your can't disagree, its your mom. on the other hand...Well I buy it. What can I say Mom is always right.
but I have a long weekend ahead of me so I am sure once I get that great yarn in my hand, there will be no stopping. Plus now I can take pictures of the original, at least in such away so the pattern is not revealed!

Thursday

2006-09-07T12:18:00.000-04:00

There are too many choices for Thursday night. Tonite there is Atlanta intown Knitters at Java Vino (was supposed to be Knitch but we switched that to next week), Knitting guild Meeting and Motorcycle night at the Vortex (not my fave, but boyfriend loves it). Friday is even worse. Knitting therapy at Knitch, Free outdoor concert in Covington Square, Football at Local highschool (hey it is cheap and I love football in the fall, even though not technically fall or cool, but it helps me pretend), and...Oh, a funeral. Dear family friend, Ken Sloan. At least hid suffering is over. Maybe I can make something for his family. hmmm.

Can you fall in love with more than one?

2006-09-06T15:46:00.000-04:00

Well, let me explain. I don't use drugs but I suffer from addiction. I thought Knitting would fill the void, but now I have added on sewing. And I have several drug deals, who keep me in my fix. Knitty.com, KnitPicks.com and now Monkey Foot Design. Curse these foul temptresses. I want to say no but they make it so easy to say yes, I will take one of those, 3 of those and 2 yards of that. Oh well, I forget my anger when the packages arrive. Curse Amy Butler too. Just cause she makes kick ass patterns and fabrics. Now, can I successfully complete one with my relationship with husband to be intact. That remains to be seen.
I ordered the above fabric today and another Amy Butler Pattern (Nappy) for a pregnant pal, who i am sure could use a very stylish diaper tote. All of these were curtesty of Monkeyfoot's Kris. She is so nice and keeps me informed and then has the nerve to ask me what other material i like. that is like going to your fave store and they always have what you want so you can never just browse but always have to buy (wait why am I complaining? oh yeah cause I am trying to save. apparently not trying that hard). I am spending all my money and i have made anything yet. On top of that, My mom and i are going to Knitch (new atlanta knitting shop) this weekend, so whatever hopes i had of saving a little for later are just going out the window. I can say no now, but my knees go weak when i walk in and see a wall of wool and a corner full of cashmere. soon to be husband says i have a problem. I say, "yeah-its you and you are just jealous of my stash". Maybe the new knitty will come out to day to distract me.

Tips on Nappy- sent from a reader:
I read your blog, and saw you're going to be doing her Nappy pattern..when you do it, read it over a bunch. She has you sewing it up in not an easy way. I changed sewing it up..I think it was turning the whole bag inside out through a tiny space. It's been a year since I made it, so I can't remember what it was, but if something seems very maddening to do, step back and see how you can achieve the same end in an easier way. The bag turned out great, I have made two now. I might have left the bottom open, then handstitched the inside so I didn't have to turn it in such a hard way. Maybe she thinks people don't do handstitching or something.

Thanks for the tip!

WTF

2006-09-01T16:56:00.000-04:00

Just Click

OH!

2006-09-01T15:39:00.000-04:00

almost forgot- I ordered these today
They will say "Conjured From Thin Air By GrueneTree"
Ha! I got the idea from Here
May I say this is one of the coolest chics around and she is very inspiring and VERY funny.

Random Dog Pictures: These are my kids. They are the best

Scout (above)

Murphy (below)

Brittany

Maggie

One of THOSE days

2006-09-01T15:16:00.000-04:00

But don't worry, I hope to remedy it by a trip to Joann's to pick up everything for my Amy Butler Chelsea handbag. Because I have the pattern with me today. It will be awesome. I volunteered for a great project today (like I need another). But this will be fun and for a good cause. My mom's good friend and one of my co-worker's wife has just about every kind of cancer available. She needs a hat and I want to make one. So I choose this. But I will make the stem longer and more pumpkin like and add those twisties that you get on some pumpkins...vines, that's it. Man I so want it to be fall. I love the in-between seasons. It has been overcast, slightly less hot lately, so when I look out the window, I can pretend it is fall. Pull, my man's birthday is in fall, so that makes it extra fun.
Oh, I forgot to add that last week I started my Knitted Purse Swap Project. I am super excited and it will be great. In fact, when it is done I am making a second one for me! Different color though. Not that this color isn't great but I want a change. I am make hers a little bigger and longer, because she likes medium purses and this is kinda on the small side. But the fun part is that it has details. So it is not just knit, knit, knit.
I will post teaser pictures when I get home tonite.
Oh maybe I will get a dress pattern at joanns too!

Need a Job

2006-08-31T13:35:00.000-04:00

My Company is Hiring- If you know C++ and or SQL please e-mail me. Check out the complete job listing here
It is a really great company and the benefits kick ass. We are looking for 4 engineers. Spread the word, please!

WIP and 1 FO

2006-08-31T10:14:00.000-04:00

Here are some Pictures of my WIP- Hand Towel from Mason Dixion in Knit Picks Worsted Shine.

Here are some ppictures of My finished (but not yet washed) Knitting Needle Case Pattern Here.

WIP

2006-08-28T12:51:00.000-04:00

Well, Currently on the needles are 1) Pocket Monster in Yellow that will have a 2 horn head (pattern from Knitty)
2) Hand Towel From Mason Dixon (if I had my camera I would have posted a picture, but of course I have forgotten it)
3) Totally Awesome Purse for Swapping Partner, Tammy
4) Wobbly Circles, Side 2
The Hand Towel is a very special Christmas Present. I am using Worsted Shine from Knit Picks and it feels like Heaven
The Purse is exactly as describe and will be followed by a second one for yours truly.
Wobbly Circles is driving me crazy but I am making better time on the second side.
And the pocket monster is something I always have on the needles because it is fun and I can work on it at Knitting groups. I am making them and giving them as Christmas presents to all the ladies in my life, because it can get cold in Georgia for a minute.

Projects soon to be on the Machine!!!
Chelsea Totes by Amy Butler. I am starting with these to ease my self back into sewing. It has been awhile. Then.....The Weekender!!!! I am so excited. Plus I am going to Joann's this week to pick out fabric and find some patterns for dresses for some wedding showers coming up. Crafting makes me so calm but I get so excited looking forward to it!

It is Dead!

2006-08-25T13:50:00.000-04:00

This could be serious but I have not really been interested in shoes since I started really knitting. Could my shoe fetish be dead- beating down by my stash? Could my future husband be secretly celebrating that, yes, our cabinets are full of yarn but he has gained an inch or will gain an inch (once I donate my now uninteresting shoes) in our closet? Am I really worried about this? No- I am planning my day of knitting and (newly rediscovered love of) sewing day tomorrow. Ha- I don't even need shoes for that.

Wobbly Circles

2006-08-24T19:27:00.000-04:00

Here it is... picture of side one...soon to be complete. Please stay tuned for side two (which may or may not come after side 1, i get anxious when i get ideas. the funny line in the middle is from one of my life lines. I messed up the upper left circle but it is called wobbly, right. It really like it and i can't wait for it to be done.

WIP

2006-08-24T10:57:00.001-04:00

I am still hard at work on Wobbly Circles and I took Pictures last night but I haven't loaded them yet. But it looks really good and I am super excited about it. I have some modifications in mind. I am going to stop where the handles start and make my own out of Grosgrain ribbon so I can put it over my shoulder. And I am going to switch up the colors for the second side. I am still indifferent about intarsia. I like parts of it and hate others. But I think the more I knit intarsia the more I enjoy it. I love the look it gives. Next is Fair Isle. I will have pictures of Wobbly Circles tonite.
I am also super excited about my new sewing patterns coming soon. Amy Butler, I am in love with your designs. I am activly looking for fabric right now. I ordered the wekender and the Chelsea Tote. I can't wait to start! I am getting Married in Vegas in Dec and these would be perfect to bring. I love the fabrics, too.
These will make great christmas presents too!!

Garden and New Projects

2006-08-21T16:02:00.000-04:00

Well, My future husband (weird) and i created a garden! one was already in existance and the other from scratch. It was hard work and last night part of it was washed away due to slightly heavy rains. So we are going to have to fix that tonite for sure. But here are some before pictures and some of a new project I have picked up, Grosgrain Ribbon dog collars.

Current Projects...

2006-08-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

Well basically, Christmas. I am making a heap of pocket monsters to give to everyone. I need to learn to make socks so i can make those for christmas and scarf out of my butt. I don't have any pictures, but i will soon. My monters are turning out really well.

Brittany's New Collar

2006-08-17T13:36:00.000-04:00

I know she is a Brittany Spaniel but I didn't name her. My boyfriend did and is sorry to this day about his lack of creativity. But no-the-less I made her an orange and blue grosgrain ribbon collar to match her orange spots. It looks great! and it was so easy. I just don't have the sizing down yet.

Uggh

2006-08-08T14:16:00.000-04:00

Right now I am working on Wobbly Circles, a handtowel from Mason Dixon, a Shawl for my mom, bag for future MIL and baby blanket for a friend. So much to do and my list of to do is so long I won't even think of it right now. I hope to knit a shawl for my wedding but then I have to order the yarn and wait, wait wait. I hate that. plus I have no idea which pattern to pick. I love knitting but I hate my ambition.

2006-08-03T15:47:00.000-04:00

Wish list: Wobbly circles from Interweave knitting
everything from spring interweave knitting.
wedding shawl (no idea what pattern yet)
Murphy Socks (i have to create the pattern first)

Baby Kimono- Finished

2006-08-03T11:10:00.000-04:00

Finally finished and already shipped out. I really hope Baby Camille has not grown out of it yet? The button on the left was really a brilliant mistake. I noticed it and was kicking myself for knitting so late at night. Knitting that late always leads to froging the next day but I do it anyway. But I did not notice this hole until I had bound off. But it than occurred to me that Cousin would need a way to secure that side of the kimono so it would not slip around. And I just happen to have a red button to match the right side. So it worked out. I will have to make more of these but they are not as fast as I had hoped, but easy.

Knitty Coffeeshop :: View Forum - knitalongs

2006-08-03T11:09:00.000-04:00

Knitty� Coffeeshop :: View Forum - knitalongs

Tit Bits Knit-A-Long...Anyone, Anyone?

2006-08-02T15:54:00.000-04:00

Tit Bits Knit Along... Anyone? I think Tit Bits are so great and I don't see why every woman who has lost a/both breasts to breast cancer doesn't have on or a pair. I am going to start knitting a pair a month starting on the 15th of each month. And as many as I can churn out in October(Breast Cancer Awareness Month!). I will make a different color each time. Each Month, the Tit Bits knitted that month will be giving in the name of a different member (or a person of her chosing) and to the organization of that member's chosing or the next on the list (List will be published once finished). If you are interested, please e-mail and we can work together.

Update: This month I am making A cups, Yarn...undecided.

Knitted Purse Swap

2006-08-02T11:10:00.000-04:00

Knitted Purse Swap

I just joined today and i must say i am pretty excited! I can't wait to get started. I hope my partner likes color.

One Skein Clutch

2006-08-01T12:38:00.000-04:00

I have finished my One Skein Clutch. I love it. I used two strands of Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks. I used Green and Yellow Buttons that I got from Hobby Lobby. They have a sheen to them. $1.99 for a tube of about 50 buttons. The clutch is a great size. I used 3 rows for the handle and i think next time I will go for 4. I love how fuzzy it is. It took me 3 evenings, So fast.

Baby Kimono

2006-07-27T15:05:00.000-04:00

I am done knitting the Kimono. Now I must weave in the ends, pick out buttons and sew it together. My cousin will love it. I hope her baby hasn't grown too much.

Ball band Warsh Cloth- Update

2006-07-27T14:56:00.000-04:00

Here is the finished Project. I can't wait to make more. I picked up some Cotton on sale at Michael's and with more colors I am going to experiment.

Toward the Blue Peninsula

2006-07-27T14:54:00.000-04:00

Toward the Blue Peninsula

MonthlyDishcloths : Monthly Dishcloths (Knit-A-Long)

2006-07-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

MonthlyDishcloths : Monthly Dishcloths (Knit-A-Long)

Maggie

2006-07-21T15:45:00.000-04:00

Ball band Warsh Cloth

2006-07-21T15:37:00.000-04:00

Here is a close up of my first dish cloth. You know when I first started knitting, I never would have thought that I would want, let alone, be excited about making more than one. I joined a KAL dishcloth group today and can't wait to start. These are so fast and they are great presents!

Heart Breakingly Cute Kimono

2006-07-21T15:24:00.000-04:00

On the Needles now is the Heart Breakingly Cute Kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting. I am using Butter Cream from Sugar N Cream and it looks really sweet. I have decided to go with a bold garter border at the bottom and at the ends of the sleeves and the rest stockingette. I have just gotten my requisit 4 inches and will soon start on the sleeves. I can't wait to see it done.