Another FO and some more gorgeous yarn for the stash!

Well, my "bus-knitting" project is finally done! I am pleased to present to you, my Party Lace Scarf knit in Rowan Kid Silk Haze (wonderfully provided to me by Duchess!)


The pictures aren't that great - my camera just doesn't do a good job of picking up detail, but I kind of liked the soft feel that the picture with the flowers had and then thought at least you might be able to see some detail on the picture of me wearing it. Thanks to N for taking the picture of me! I dragged him outside, away from the TV while he was still in his PJs to be my photographer!

The talented Duchess also sent me another lovely skein of yarn in the mail the other day. It's her own handspun merino and it's gorgeous and has now inspired a mad search for a drop spindle for myself. I've been toying with the idea for a bit now, but after seeing this lovely skein, I've decided I want to try this new skill for myself. No where in Winnipeg seems to have them though, and shipping through ebay makes it so much more expensive, so not to be deterred, I've scouted out the instructions to make one for myself and am going to try and hit Michaels this afternoon for a toy car wheel, then it will be off to Rona for a cup hook and dowel. I am convinced I can do this! Anyways, without further adieu, here's the skein of yarn in question:



Clapotis is going really well, although I've set it aside this weekend to work on the spa set in the 101 One Skein book. (can't remember the exact title right at the moment.) I'm knitting it out of Jade Bamboo. I like the feel of the bamboo. It's soft and has a lovely drapy feel to it. I also learned how to crochet this week. My friend Kathi from work has generously offered to teach me! I finished learning the single and double crochet while making a dish cloth the other day. I had bought the newest Interweave Crochet magazine two weeks ago and decided I really need to have someone show me the intricacies of crocheting. I do have the "Happy Hooker", which is great, but somehow I learn better by watching someone actually do it. Well, it's just too beautiful to be cooped up inside so I'm off to enjoy the warmth and sunshine outside!

Coffee Swap 2

I'm really excited to be taking part in the 2nd Knitter's Coffee Swap. We were asked to post some answers on our blog so that our partner can get to know our likes and dislikes, so here's mine!

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean... I love the smell of fresh ground coffee beans in the morning!
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded or what's the point?!?
3. Regular or flavored? I really love flavoured coffees
4. How do you drink your coffee? With milk and sugar
5. Favorite coffee ever? Mexican coffee served at a resort in Mazatlan. It involved flaming glasses, kaluha, tequila, coffee and cream that tasted like ice cream! And the waiter who prepared it wasn't bad to look at either!!
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I am not fussy - pretty much any ol' bean will do!
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscotti, cookies, scones, muffins... apparently I'm not fussy about that either!
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I like a medium roast rather than a dark roast
9. Yarn/fiber you love? Natural fibres are my favourites!
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Right now, fun fur unless it's just a little accent. I did way too many fun fur scarves a few years ago!
11. What's on your needles? Clapotis, Samus, (both from Knitty) and Party Lace Scarf (from MagKnits)
12. Favorite colors? Bright or rich colours - not crazy about pastels.
13. Allergies? Nope
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I really look forward to getting to know my coffee swap partner! I think meeting someone new is the best part of these swaps!

Yarn-y delights

Well, it's been almost a week since I finished them at the dance competition, but I am just finally getting a chance to show off my very fabulous (well to me anyways) Monkey socks! Cookie A. is a sock genius! I loved everything about the pattern, the fit, the design, the way I was able to zip through knitting them in only two weeks! So here I present to you Monkey. Knit on bamboo needles (I love them for socks!!) using Sweet Georgia's Berry.



Now on to other yarn-y delights...

I can't remember if I mentioned how very weak I am when it comes to having discipline in NOT increasing my stash. I might as well come clean right here and right now. I have no self control. I have a problem. I really do. That being said, I don't think anyone can blame me for snapping up a lovely bag of 10 balls of Jade bamboo. I have no idea which project it's destined to, but I just had to have it. It came a few weeks ago, and so far has been sitting all forlorn in my closet. I thought it should come out into the beautiful sunny afternoon just for a few minutes so I could really get a good feel for the colour. I think I love it even more now!!

Now, my latest little aquisition is some absolutely gorgeous Araucania Nature Wool that is destined to become my very own Clapotis! I've been wanting to find the perfect yarn and then I stumbled across these little gems on ebay one night. Such a good price, shipping to Canada was awesome, Canada customs however was less than awesome and charged me another $8.77 tax. Grrrr. Still worth it though. I am so eager to start my "Clap" tonight!

In other knitty news, I am having a ball (ha ha pardon the pun) with my Spring Fling Swap Partners! I've been sending and receiving e-cards, messages and emails with my partners and it's a hoot! And a shout out to my Knitty SP8 partner, Duchess, who sent me such lovely lovely gifts - (BF)G absolutely loves his socks made from the wool you hand dyed for me, and my Party Lace Scarf gets compliments from everyone who sees me knitting it! Your generousity and thoughtfulness are so very appreciated! And I would be terribly remiss not to mention Colette from right here in Manitoba who was my secret partner in the International Tote Exchange III. She knit me a fantastic bag in terrific colours of yellow, green, brown and blue! I actually have the perfect spring outfit to go with it too!

Well, I'm off to go print off the pattern for Clapotis! Until next time... Happy knitting!

Some more FOs!

I finished the Green Bean socks and (BF) G is very happy with them. He claims that they are perfect! They did turn out very nicely and actually fit him, so no wonder he's excited. His sweater I made him last summer was a disaster. Turned out very very large on his less than large frame. Actually body of sweater was short and stout, and arms were meant for a gorilla I think. But hopefully he'll get use out of it camping or something. Anyways, I think the sucess of the Green Beans really makes up for it all! I was mighty pleased with myself too, because I taught myself a new trick in finishing them. I've always been terrible at grafting. It turns out more like a haphazard tangle of thread than a nice smooth finish, but not this time! Instead of avoiding it like the plague (which I normally do in light of bad results), I embraced the challenge. I followed some great instructions every step of the way and it worked. I am really excited about this! Yes, I do realize that I'm obviously very easily amused, but I've learned to embrace that as well!

Once the Green Beans were off the needles I felt rather bereft and needed a quick project before starting anything new. I made a cell phone cozy for myself based on a pattern I had found last year and then lost (can't even remember the pattern company so unfortuately cannot give credit where credit is due.) so had to go by memory as to what it looked like. I used a bit of dishcloth cotton and an unknown fun fur that was lurking in my stash cast on 20 stitches in the round, did seed stitch until it was almost the height of my phone, then a couple rounds of stocking stitch with the fun fur, and voila. Within an hour I had a cell phone cozy. In retrospect I wish I'd used a few less stitches so it would have been a tighter fit, but oh well. Not a huge concern - I may just run a quick elastic through the top to cinch it in a bit. I think it's kind of cute anyways.

I'm still working away on the Party Lace Scarf, but got sidetracked a week ago Thursday with my Monkey Socks. They were just begging to be cast on, and honestly, this has got to be the fastest sock pattern on record. With very little knitting time I'm done sock number one and more than half way through the first sock! I love this pattern, I love the way it looks already and I love my Berry Sweet Georgia! I think socks are my new addiction.

Unfortunately, poor Seamus still sits in the basket, the body and one cuff done. Probalby wouldn't take long to finish it, I'm just not feeling the love for it right now. Not sure why. Maybe once I get Monkey Socks out of the way, I'll finish Seamus before I start the Janet Lace Shawl or anything else.

I also got somewhat sidetracked last week making my friend L's dress for her friend's wedding social that was on Friday night. After a minor fitting disaster - note to myself - next time, warn the person being fitted to wear the proper undergarments that will be worn under the finished garment - ie: NO PADDED BRAS if said padding is not going to be underneath the very fitted top in the end! Early Friday morning I was remaking the entire bodice of the dress to fit to actual size. Grrrr. In the end it did end up looking lovely though and I was really pleased.

Well, the two younger kids have been busy helping make Easter dinner, so I should go put the finishing touches on and set the table!

I just can't help myself...

Well... I went and did it! I bought more yarn. So much for being good with the Stash & Bust Along. I had already caved a few weeks back and bought my gorgeous skein of Sweet Georgia in the Paris colourway. I know exactly what it's destined for. After searching and searching for the perfect shawl pattern, I've settled on theJanet Lace Shawl from Knit Picks. I think it will suit the yarn perfectly seeing as it's a similar colour itself.

I had justified the Sweet Georgia with the fact that it was about to become very hard to get my hands on in light of her upcoming hiatus. However, I can't think of a single justification for my next self induced stash increase other than it was a great bargain. (I wish my mother's words would stop running through my head... It's not a bargain if you don't actually need it. Hush, Mom! You've never really lived by those words yourself, so really stop saying that - and by the way while you're at it, could your voice please get out of my head for awhile? It's disconcerting the way you pop up by surprise that way!) Anyways, I splurged on a bag, yes a whole bag, of Bamboo. How could I not? It worked out to only $58.00 Cdn. for 10 balls, and it's pretty certain that it's SWTC's Bamboo given the colours are the exact same. And now, Yarn Discontinued appears to have Cherry Tree Hill sock yarns available for a great price too. Oh. The injustice of all this temptation.

I am patting myself on the back though for working on UFOs - ok in reality they weren't even WIP until a few weeks ago, but I'm going great guns on them! I've been working away on my Party Lace scarf and a new pair of socks. This time I'm making socks for (BF) G. He begged. He pleaded. He bribed. I gave in. After all, I really do appreciate his understanding and support, and let's face it, when I catch him at a weak moment, his enabling of my addiction. He's even promised to either make me, or buy me a swift and ball winder after helping me untangle the mess I made of the skein of yarn for his socks and hearing me rave on after I took a little reconassance mission to the LYS to check out the efficiency of swifts (I think I'm in love. I really really want one.)

So tonight, I hope to really motor through what I'm calling his "Green Bean" socks. I'm using the lovely green yarn my SP sent me a couple of weeks ago, and they remind me of one of our favourite veggies, so thus the name! Well, I'm off to go hide my credit card away so I can't easily grab it in a weak moment of online "window" shopping.

Some FOs and my very favourite WIP

So, I feel it's time to show off some of my accomplishments of late!

First off, I finished the second Hot Tamale Sock awhile ago, and decided to make G a pair of ankle socks with the left overs. I finally got them finished last Sunday morning while watching Coronation Street. Amazing that I could knit with all the stress over Ronnie trying to get poor Steve blamed for the hit and run - I never did like her one bit. Sorry... I digress! Back to knitting. So as I was saying I finished her socks and she's quite pleased with them, as I am with mine, although truth be told, they're a wee bit baggy, but that's ok. They're cozy and colourful to say the least!

Next on my list is my brown and pink purse that was originally destined for the International Tote Exchange. However, after felting it, I decided it was a little small for what I thought my partner would like and I decided that I would just keep it. And no, G if you're reading this. This is my bag. I am NOT giving it to you and no, you may NOT steal it either. I'll be watching you. Remember... Mom's see all and know all. Ooops, sorry. I digress again. It's just that I live with a knitted item thief and I have to keep a close watch on her or my knitted things tend to wander down the hall into the abyss of her bedroom.

Moving right along is the tote that's going to a new home. I love this tote! It's big and roomy and just feels right! I have plenty more wool where it came from (a random purchase of about 8 balls of Paton's chunky last summer - the tote only took two) so I probably will make one for myself. Although G was eyeing up this one too. I'm telling you... I have to be constantly on my guard against eyelash batting and flattery. "Oh, Mom... I love that! Can I have it? Please? Can I just borrow it?"

Now for my very favourite WIP! As I mentioned in my last posting, my very fabulous SP8 partner gave me a delicious ball of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. I'm in love with this yarn. I really am. It's beautiful and it's like knitting with a cobweb it's so fine, but it's so soft and is working up surprisingly fast despite some issues with dry skin (bad combo - fine yarn and lizard lady skin) and losing a stitch and then having to try and frog back to find where it went. I definately don't recommend frogging this particular yarn! I'm loving the easy lace work of MagKnits party lace scarf

So there you have it! That's what I've been up to lately!

Jumping up and down squealing, "Look what I got in the mail today!"

Well, it is completely official. My SP is fabulous and wonderful! I already figured as much, but it's been absolutely confirmed by the lavish parcel I received in the post today!

This time she spoiled me with some patterns which are definately ones that I want to make for sure, some wonderful yummy orange scented body lotion (does she somehow know that in the winter I simply can't get enough lotion???) and soap. I love orange... happy sighs... She also sent a really cool mug, and then the yarn. Oh my gosh! I'm in heaven! I got a ball of Rowan Kidsilk - my first ever!!! It's gorgeous, it's beautiful... I want to fondle it too along with the alpaca she sent in the last parcel. I don't even care if people think I'm weird. Anyone who knits will understand. And that's not all! She also sent a huge skein of hand dyed fabulous sock yarn in the most awesome shades of green. I am the luckiest SP recipient ever I think!

She also sent a little hint as to her identity... I believe I've found her. Although my cataloguing skills are faboo, apparently my reference searching skills suck! It took me an eternity to rummage through knitty postings and find her or at least the one who I think it is! ha ha

Well I am off to go fondle yarn-y goodness! Happy sighs (again)

Could spring be on its way???

Bliss... It's been lovely warm here in Winnipeg the last few days! It's been snowing on and off, but who cares! It's only -2 *C today! Whooo hooo! I didn't need my sixteen layers of clothing today. (You know, long underwear, wool socks, fleecy, parka, scarf, toque, mitts etc.)

It's been a busy week! Had little nephew Robbie's 1st birthday on Monday. I can't believe he's one already! He's my little man, always full of grins and cuddles for Aunty! What a sweetie!

Yesterday I was over at my friend Geri's house and she told me she's going to be doing the Weekend to End Breast Cancer here in Winnipeg on the weekend of June 8-10th. For those of you who may not know about this phenomenal event, participants do a walk of 60kms over a weekend and have a goal raise at least $2000.00 each, which here in Winnipeg goes to CancerCare Manitoba. There's walks taking place throughout the country. If you would like more information on the walk, click on the link in my sidebar. I'm so proud of Geri taking on this endeavor to walk as she says, "for those who can't."

Now, onto much more trivial matters... such as well... knitting! I've been having a really hard time not ordering any Sweet Georgia this week! I may break down in the next hour and phone and place an order. I missed out on my favourite colours at Pick up Sticks because I was too slow to order, but then I got an email notification that Lettuce Knits has some laceweight and superwash sock yarns. Aggghhh. Why must the gods of knitty-ness continually tempt me. I am not that strong! I figure I have another forty minutes to either call the store in Toronto or not. Maybe I should call, and then if they don't have the colour I want, then I can hold out, and if they do have it? Well then clearly, it's fate and meant to be! And everyone knows you shouldn't mess with fate. Right?

In other knitty matters, I finished a little present for my Knitty SP8 partner and mailed her parcel off to her. I hope she likes it! Not saying what it is 'cause I don't want her to stumble across this and then it wouldn't be secret anymore would it? I also started a new tote for the International tote exchange III. I am not sure that my brown and pink bag is as nice as I'd hoped and perhaps not as suitable for my partner, so I'm doing a cabled bag from Patons instead. I think I'll do a few minor changes to the pattern, but am really hoping to have it done by tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest so I can mail it off to her! I found some nice treats to go with it, so I'm looking forward to her reaction!

Squeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Wow!!! I've been spoiled. No question about it! I went to pick up the parcel last night before pipe band practice, and I was so excited that I was trying to open it little bit by little bit at every red light. Boy oh boy, my SP had taped it up well. But I persisted and by the time I'd got to practice I had the top of the box open so I brought it in and started taking everything out right there and then. We then had to take a moment to fondle my yarn and oooh and ahhh over the rest of the contents!

I've just recently been introduced to Alpaca, but hadn't bought myself any yet because of the Stash & Bust-Along (I'm trying sooooo hard to be good). I've never felt anything so extraodnarily soft. What fabulous yarn-y goodness! And the colours are perfect for me. And then there was the tea... did I mention anywhere that I love Raspberry tea? I didn't think I had, but it's one of my absolute favourites. Of course chocolate is always a very very welcome treat and between the hot chocolate packets and the huge orange chocolate bar, I've got lots!!!!! The kids better not get any ideas. I'm not sharing. Then of course she'd included tons of Kool-Aid for my dyeing pleasure. I can hardly wait to get going on that! The terrific little notebook will be perfect for in my knitting basket. I almost forgot the candle. I love yummy scented candles and this one is apple pie. Mmmmmmm. Delicious! Ohhhhh.... this is sooooo much fun! Thank you thank you thank you my wonderful, thoughtful SP extraordinaire!

I wonder if it would be wrong to take my yarn to work with me this morning so I can fondle it whenever I want????

Well, it's been ages again since I last posted. I have been busy. Doing what exactly I'm not sure. Just life stuff I guess. In between all the life "crap" I have still been knitting. I think that goes without saying.

Here's the updated list of what I've been working on:

- Hot Tamale socks (again) - this pair is ankle length, one is done, the other on the needles and was started today on the bus ride home from work
- Tote for the Tote Exchange - it's felting as I type
- Poor old Samus - who I've all but abandoned

Here's what's going to be worked on next:

- Small project yet to be determined for my SP8 partner
- Wrist warmers to match my IHS
- Monkey socks from Knitty in my beautiful skein of Sweet Georgia - sniff sniff (for those of you who may not have heard, she's taking some time off from dyeing for at least six months - I am bereft
- A black and red striped sweater as requested by J (pattern yet to be determined)

I suppose I really should finish the darned bunny and bear slippers at the bottom of my basket too. Ahh, but they can wait a bit longer. Easter's not for a while yet.

I've been really good about the Stash and Bust Along. I haven't finished all that many projects compared to some, and my stash hasn't really decreased, but by golly I've been good about not allowing any yarn purchases. I'm like a junkie needing my fix though. I've been trying to bribe (BF)G into buying me yarn in the logic that it would be a gift and therefore not me buying it ergo, I would still be complying with the rules. He won't budge though. Which I suppose is good. Probably would be a bad thing if he was an enabler. Sigh. I did go into Ram Wools though to buy some yarn for my SP8 a couple of weeks ago (Imagine the strength it took to not buy any for myself!) and I bought the yarn for my tote for the exchange on another trip to Ram Wools and again, came out with just that and nothing for me. I felt that was deserving of a big ol' pat on the back. (BF)G however, feels that as I bought the wool for myself to knit with that's actually like getting a fix and therefore should be a strike against me. I tried to explain that there was just simply nothing in my stash that would do, but he's adamant that I'm fudging the rules to suit my addiction.

Oh and here's the pic of the work that's in the machine right now hopefully felting itself to beauty!

A bit of this and a bit of that...

Well, I realized that it's been quite some time since my last posting here. I've accomplished quite a bit (in my humble opinion anyways!)
My Irish Hiking Scarf was finished some time last week and I've been awfully glad to have it done! After much concern about it being un-wearable due to scratchiness, I am relieved to report that as promised it did soften after washing. I think it could still come out nicer, but the mercury took a nose dive again and it's been too bloody cold to be without a nice big scarf here in "WinterPeg." In the pat myself on the back category, I have had lots of compliments on the scarf and it's colour, so yey me! I'm tickled especially given the fact I wasn't overly thrilled with my first attempts at Kool Aid dyeing. As for Samus, well I am mighty pleased to announce that I made it! I actually accomplished my goal of getting the body finished by Robbie Burn's Day (January 25th)! I'll save pics of Samus until I'm completely done, so you'll have to wait on that one!

I had to take some time out of knitting last week to make G a new National costume for her highland dance competition that was on Saturday. I'm a little embaressed to admit that I bought the Dress Red Scott fabric back in July in Calgary at InterProv and just never got around to it. Was a little panicked when I realized it was Wednesday night and she needed to wear it on Saturday, but it got done and looked really pretty! It's a nice change for her seeing as she's worn the same Royal Stewart costume since she was eight! I even took my camera to the competition so that I could take a pic of her in it with her hair all done, but as per my ususal, I left the camera in my purse the whole time and didn't think of it till later that night when she was in her jammies, just out of the shower. Maybe next time.

Back to all things knitty.

As I had suggested earlier, I've been quite busy lately! During Friday's bus ride to and from work, the dance competition (of course when G wasn't dancing), waiting through the show she had to dance at on Saturday night, and about another hour on top, I managed to finish this!
Yes, it is one sock! Rather funky yarn if you ask me. It's Bernat Sox in Hot Tamale. I really couldn't decide if I liked it at all, but it was in my stash (my sis had unloaded it on me from her stash) and I figured, well... why not? I think G will be the likely recipient of them when I get sock #2 done. She seemed to be quite taken with it, and I'm tired of her being the sock thief!

Tonight, whilst watching Coronation Street, and two episodes of friends I made a camera bag for G's digital camera.

All in all... a good knitty week! Now, to plan some goodies for my SP8 swap partner, as well as figure out what pattern I want to make for my International Tote Exchange partner.

Neglected UFOs

Earlier I forgot to post the picture of my UFOs. A requirement of the Stash and UFO Bust-Along. So here they are. Samus and my Irish Hiking Scarf. I'm really pleased with Samus, and I've neglected my IHS for so long I now feel a sense of guilt.

Also, in other news, I've been trying to take pictures of my FOs from 2006 and add them here on my blog. Today I had J's girlfriend K bring over my version of Pasha. I made him last year for J to give K for Valentine's as he couldn't find the perfect stuffed penguin for her. I am still quite proud of Pasha as it's the first project I was ever brave enough to change the type of yarn on. He is made out of two differnt types of eyelash and then crafter's cotton. Apparently he's been well loved.

I really don't think I've got a big problem

So, as discovered and already mentioned on Stash & UFO Bust-Along, I don't think I have nearly the stash problem that I feared I did. Really, I only have 128 balls of yarn. That's not really that much. (at least not in my humble opinion) I even found a couple surprises of yarn that I'd forgotten I had. Like Christmas, it was!

You see? It all fits nicely on my bed...

(BF)G apparently thinks 128 balls of yarn is alot. Little does he know. Ha ha ha! He'd probably be afraid if he knew just how bad this little addiction could be!

In other news, I finished two pairs of wristwarmers for G. They took no time at all really.
Fetching only took me two days. I started them Wednesday morning before work and had them done Thursday evening. I want to make more. What's not to love about a quick pattern like that? And G loved them so I was even happier.

I showed the girls at pipe band on Thursday evening and we were thinking that maybe it would be good if we made each a pair to wear when piping outside in the winter. Our bass drummer who is a knitting fiend like myself was making her own pair of wristwarmers, from Dr. Who, I think she said. She'd already made fetching in the fall, but the new pattern was really nice too! Hmmm.... I see many, many wristwarmers in my future! Ha ha!

Well, here's G's hands posing with one of each wristwarmer. The colour isn't as bright as it should have been so you can't really get the idea of the pattern, but I thought I'd post it anyways!

In other news, I almost forgot to mention, now that G's wristwarmers are done, I am back to focusing on Samus and my IHS. These are both projects that I'm using for the It's Not A Gift KAL. I needed something to draw my attention back to those two projects... after all, I think they've been on the needles since November. Is it wrong to use the same projects for multiple KALs? I wonder? I hope not! Especially since those two are definately on my Stash and Bust-Along KAL as well. I think that what ever it takes for inspiration should be fine!

Well, I should go on upstairs and do something about organizing that stash of yarn (that not terribly large stash), so that at some time I can go to bed tonight!

No willpower

Earlier today I signed up for Stash & UFO Bust-Along. Sounds like a fantastic idea and goodness knows I need to start using up my stash rather than buying more and more yarn. However, that being said...

I am weak. Very weak. I went to Ram Wools this afternoon for buttons. But alas. They have a 30% off everything sale and I folded like a cheap shirt. (And none of it for my bf's sweater, which was the one exception I was going to make) However, let it be said that the wool I got was for something for my G. Maybe that falls within the gift category, that according to the rules is perfectly acceptable if you don't have the required yarn in your stash already.

But there I stood in the line up at Ram Wools feeling somewhat guilty about my serious addiction to yarn, when all of a sudden a rebellious sort of thought came over me. It was as if the proverbial light bulb whet on over my head and I thought, "Well, I can buy this Cashmerino Aran. No one can stop me. It's only one ball, and besides the bust-along doesn't even start for another few days, so there."

Agggghhhhh. This is truly a sign of a problem.

I think I am just going to slink off upstairs and get that pattern for the armwarmers for G...

Happy New Year

2006 went out with a bang, or more aptly a smash as vandals broke my rear window of my van sometime between early evening December 30th and the morning of December 31st. Now these would be thugs are really quite adventurous given that during that time period we received 30cm of snow approximately here in the 'Peg. What a mess. Not only had to shovel the drive so the van could get out, I had to shovel the van out itself. Today's endeavor was to get a new window put in. Oh what fun. I've now paid almost as much to Manitoba Public Insurance in deductables over the last year as I do for insurance. A whopping $900.00 for 2006. Sigh.

However, 2007 is bound to be better. I used some insurance in the manner of the custom of first footing by making sure my eldest son was first through our door after midnight! He fits the tall (over 6ft. now), dark is definately covered by his almost black hair and well I certainly find him to be a handsome devil if I do say so myself! Now, I realize we didn't really follow tradition (I had nary a lump of coal, bun, or whiskey), but J is definately not a doctor, minister nor grave digger and his eyebrows do not meet in the middle so I figure that his being such a fine candidate for first footer cancels out the fact that I was lacking in the other necessary parts to the custom!

As for our postponed Christmas celebration we did not, as someone had kindly suggested after my last post, wait until Ukrainian Christmas, but instead celebrated on December 30th, the morning after the kids arrived back from Calgary. We had a lovely morning, and the kids all agree that it had been worth the wait! It was good to have some noise back in the house! (BF) G and I had found it awfully quiet in here while the kids were away!

So, tonight is the last evening of my Christmas holidays. Sigh... Hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go tomorrow morning. I don't relish doing my ususal crazy running dash for the transit bus between transfers once again, especially as the forecast calls for +4 and rain tomorrow. Could be mighty slippery - and goodness knows I don't run well to start with. Picture if you will a mad flailing about and huffing and puffing and you will have an approximate image in your head of what I tend to look like when running. I'm a disaster! Although, by summer I may become an excellent sprinter after all at this rate!

As it's my last night to enjoy holiday freedom, I am getting back into Samus. I've finished the bottom cabled band, picked up the stitches and have started to the stocking stitch body. (One can accomplish much whilst waiting for a rear window to be replaced!) I am going to sit in front of Coronation Street tonight on the telly, and knit to my heart's content. Well really I suppose in the next half hour before CS comes on I should make some supper for the kids. Apparently they place eating much higher than "Mom's knitting time" Such nerve! ha ha!

Wishing one and all the very best for 2007!

PS: Was totally foiled in my TV watching desire tonight. Coronation Street was replaced with.... urrrggghhhh.... hockey. BAH. (OK. I know it's like blasphemy here in Canada to not appreciate hockey or to at least not keep my lack of appreciation to myself, but we're talking about Corrie here darn it.) Got lots of knitting done anyways though. Whoo hoo me! A good several inches of stocking stitch has materialized on the needles for Samus. A good several more to go. Setting a wee little goal for myself... let's say have the body done by Robbie Burns Day. I figured since I'm knitting Samus and have already discussed other Scottish customs, I might as well stick with a Celtic theme! So yep. Here I go! I decree that the body of Samus (ooohhh that sounds actually kind of gruesome) will be done by January 25th!

Christmas has been postponed

Well, here it is December 26th and I'm still not sure when we'll have Christmas. My kids' grandfather took seriously ill the night before he was to travel to Winnipeg to spend Christmas here. So instead of him coming here, the kids went with their Dad to Calgary early Saturday morning. I'm not sure when they'll be back, but I promised we'd wait to have Christmas together when they come home. Wasn't much in the spirit for festivities without them here anyways!

They've called everyday since going, and it sounds like they're having a good time out West, so I'm glad. Poor G was so worried about going. She was scared about Grandpapa and worried I'd be sad that she wasn't here. She wasn't going to go, but I convinced her in the end that she would regret not going. Their Grandpapa and uncle were so excited to be coming here to see them over the holidays and at least Grandpapa still gets part of his wish. He was having pretty major surgery yesterday (what an awful way to spend Christmas), but hopefully he'll be on the road to recovery soon.

People keep telling me what a "good mom" I am for letting them go. I did not "let" them go. There was no choice to be made. As I told the kids, their Grandpapa needs them, their Dad needs them and they need to all be together right now. I'm not a saint of course and I've had a rather blue time of things myself, but I know that the kids are where they need to be. And on Friday when I didn't know how serious the situation was I felt pretty selfish, wanting the ex to wait until after Christmas to go. As soon as he informed me of the what was really going on, I knew instantly that they had to go though. I must say I've had some guilt over my selfish thoughts too.

So. Christmas is postponed indefinately in our house. I'm not sure when they'll be back, but I'm keeping the tree up as long as I can. (It's a real tree, but it's still looking pretty good - we've been watering it like mad!). After all, just because the calendar says Christmas is on December 25th doesn't mean that it has to be. For me Christmas is about the kids, and so when they're back then it'll be Christmas. In the meantime, I will start knitting a couple of wristbands for the boys!

I hope all of you had a wonderful, healthy and happy festive season, whatever you celebrate in your family and that you will all have a wonderful New Year!

Know your limits and embrace them

We bought our Christmas tree on Saturday - there's nothing like a real tree! Of course G thought we needed the biggest, tallest one available (I did not - but lost out on that decision!) (BF)G complied with G's wishes and our tree almost reaches the ceiling! N, G and I decorated it on Sunday evening. It looks very pretty and so far the three cats have left it alone! (much to my relief) Hollycat is somewhat afraid of it, Sola likes to sleep under it and Squeeks had been completely ignoring it until last night when he decided he quite liked the taste of Christmas tree water. Crazy cats!

Between gift knitting projects, holiday baking, shopping, etc. I am quickly running out of time! I always figure I'll have more time than I do. How is it that time slips away so quickly and nothing seems to get finished in a timely fashion and then it's a mad panic???? Really I need to learn what my limits are and be a little more realistic with timeline goals!

I've not much to report on the knitting front these days! With getting ready for Christmas, I haven't had much time to devote to my WIP lately! I finished the Old World Booties just this morning - they're quite cute! And after work's endeavor today(while supper is cooking) is to finally sew up the white bunny slippers. Both pairs need to be delivered tonight! Nothing like leaving it to the last minute!

I have two more days of work left until holidays! Hopefully I'll get more knitting done then. Samus calls my name and begs to be worked on, as does my Irish Hiking Scarf. I really am wanting to get my hands and needles on the Sweet Georgia and of course there's the Southwestern Felted bag from Patons that cries out to me too, but I'm trying to be a good girl! I still need to do two pairs of teddy bear slippers before Christmas Eve. Once again... nothing like leaving it to the last minute! Ha! Ha!

Look what I got!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been trying to get near the computer since Friday evening to post this, but alas, time has not been on my side! I seem to be running out of hours in the day lately! But here it is better late than never!

My coffee partner sent me the loveliest package that arrived on Friday afternoon. Silly J signed for the parcel and then promptly forgot to tell me. Agggghhhh. I was home a whole hour before I knew it was there!



Anyways, I got the following wonderful items:
Mexican Coffee - very very thoughtful as I'd posted how my very favourite coffee ever was mexican!
Shortbread - Yum, yum, yum! One of my favourite things too!
Penguin Mug - Very cute and large! Perfect for a big ol' mug of coffee!
Homemade Strawberry Jam - The very best! Who cares about the rest! I love homemade jam! What a treat! You can't tell from the picture, but a lot of the jam has already disappeared onto my breakfast toast!
Ok, well not really who cares about the rest 'cause there was some delicious cotton yarns too! Such pretty colours!
Oh and I almost forgot - a fancy package of Hot Chocolate mix to share with the kids. (We'll see about that! Tee hee!)

Thank you so much "gigiknits" for thoughtfulness!

In other knitting news... I have come to a dead standstill on Samus and the Irish Hiking Scarf. Instead I've been focusing my attention on the woolies for the little ones for Christmas. I have the bunny slippers done other than sewing them up, and I am well on my way (finally after frogging back three times) on the first bootie from Interweave Knits Old World Booties. I am hoping to get two pairs of teddy bear slippers done before the holidays as well. Wish me luck - I seem to be running desperately short on time!

I just couldn't wait!

Look what arrived in the post today and was sitting on the kitchen table waiting for me when I got home!



I was going to wait for Christmas! Really I was! Honest. But it sat there looking at me, taunting me with it's festive box and bow and I broke. I caved and thought I'd just take a little peak. Well a little peak led me to red tissue with sparkles. What's a girl to do? Especially one such as myself with absolutely zero will power. Even when I was little, ok really until I left home and got married, I used to get to open an early Christmas present - well admittedly it was on Christmas Eve just before bed, but still it was an early present, and what does it matter if it's twenty days earlier than I would normally have ever considered opening such a present?

So I threw caution to the wind and carefully pulled back the tissue paper to reveal this:



The very wool I have been coveting since I first laid eyes on it on Pick Up Stick's website! In the very colour I've been wanting too! How did Connie know? How I ask! Maybe she has a direct line into Santa! But all I can say is Teresa somewhere out there in knitty land has exceptional taste and Connie of Pick Up Sticks is amazing at pairing people up with their yarn!

Now. Can I wait till after Christmas to start knitting with Sweet Georgia's Handpainted Berry? It calls to me. Softly, subtly, but there it is, ever whispering my name. Urging me onto sock-y delights!

Busy busy busy!

I have so many things on the go right now and it seems like nothing is getting finished! I'm not just talking knitting either!

I started the new job at the University this week! Yey me, for getting through week one! I think I'm really going to enjoy the job - just need to get my bearings straight and I'll be fine! Starting a new job is always hard! Meeting all the new people (and trying to remember their names), finding your way around, getting to know new software and procedures... it all takes time - or so I'm telling myself! Everyone's really welcoming and friendly though so that's great!

I now take the transit bus too instead of driving. Still getting used to that! With all the snow we had on Tuesday morning, I ended up late for work by about five minutes! Aggggghhhh. Late the second day. What a way to make an impression. I now take an earlier bus - some days it manages to get me there really early! Not sure how that works, shouldn't busses be fairly consistent? Oh well. As long as I'm not late again then it doesn't really matter!

I've started plugging away at my Philosophy course again. The one I was supposed to start in August. My first essay on Plato's Apology is almost done (finally). I am Queen of procrastination. There is no doubt about that!!!!!! I had all the intentions in the world of actually emailing the essay to the tutor before school started in September. Hmmm. Good thing for distance ed! Although I've got three more essays to do before the end of my course date, January 31st. YIKES! Why oh why did I sign up for this course???? After this one is done, and I WILL FINISH IT, I think I'll take a break until next fall. Then I'll just start taking courses at the U of M. It'll be better that way - won't allow for so much procrastination!

In knitting terms, I've got several on the go projects (see above pic!). My Irish Hiking Scarf is coming along nicely - I knit it on the bus when I can, and do at least a few rows every lunch hour. I think I should be able to finish it before the new year. Next on the list is Samus! I'm so slow with the cables and am only half way through the bottom band, but I shall perservere. It's not a race after all. I'm loving the way it's looking though so far! I think once I'm onto the body of the sweater I'll really get going! I am getting a little faster on the cables now too, so my goal is to be working on the body by next weekend. The little pile of white and pink in the picture is a pair of bunny slippers for (BF) G's niece Alex. I realized this morning that when the pattern said "make 2" for the ears, they really meant make 4 in total! Agggghhh. How silly of me! I'm planning to start baby nephew Robbie, and (BF) G's nephew EJ's bear slippers this weekend! They're pretty quick and easy so should be no problem to get them done! After that it's onto Interweave's felted old world booties for (BF) G's nephew baby Logan, and then what to make for the other two boys (ages 6 & 9)???? Maybe mitts are best? Maybe a hat? I just don't know!!

I am mailing my coffee swap partner's parcel today. It contains coffee (obviously), yarn (rather obvious again), yummy things and a few other treats! I really hope she likes it and it gets to her on time! I love the idea of swaps! This being my first one, I don't really have experience first hand, but living vicariously through others, they seem like so much fun! I signed up for another swap, as well, but it's a bit different! All I had to do was purchase a ball of yarn from Pick Up Sticks and the owner will send it to someone, and will send me a ball of sock yarn that someone else purchased for swap. It's exciting! The owner said she'd send out the yarn on December 1st. I can hardly wait to get my mystery surprise sock yarn in the mail! All the yarns that we could choose from were lovely, so I'm sure I'll get something wonderful. I chose Sweet Georgia's Handpainted in "chinois" for my swap. I hope whoever gets it loves it as much as I do!

Well, it's time to go start the coffee and get ready for the day! N goes to his last robotics class this morning, then it's off to the Tartan Tea with G, then tonight is (BF) G's work Christmas party. Somewhere in there, I'd like to get some housework done, get some groceries (I've got Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard this week and the kid's came back from their Dad's last night - so I really should have food in the house!), and of course I'd love to have just a few minutes to myself for "Knitty" purposes!