Wednesday, June 22, 2005


My first package came today from my secret pal! I got: 2 crackled glass candleholders (purple and green, my faves!), tealight candles, yummy chocolate (I better eat it before hubby snags it), 4 beautiful glass stitch markers in green and purple, and a nice card.


Here is a close-up of my beautiful stitch markers!

What a great day

Today is my day off, so I slept in for a change (10:00!). I stopped at my office to drop off clean sheets, and there it was...a package from my secret pal! Woohoo! Great stuff. If only it came yesterday, I could've showed off at my knitting group. Oh well, next month. But I can show y'all what goodies I got.
Anyhoo, then hubby and I went all over town trying to find the people to talk to about zoning the house for a home business. And when we finally found the right place, they were like, go ahead. No problem. The only "restrictions" were I couldn't have any employees, and my sign coldn't be bigger than 1'x1'. How easy is that? So we can start construction anytime now. Honey....honey....where did he go?!
I have to get my a*s in gear and go shopping for my secret pal. I was going to go today, but after sleeping the morning away, there wasn't time. Hopefully Saturday, or next Wednesday for sure. BTW, how in the world do people differentiate between their secret pals? You know, the one sending you gifts, and the one you're sending gifts to? I dunno.

Monday, June 20, 2005


Here is the next project I'm going to work on, in Flash yarn. Project is from Knitter's magazine Winter 2003. What's really neat is that the sleeves are detachable, so you can wear it as a vest or a sweater.


My current projects are for other people, but I'm making this for myself ASAP! I looove all the cables on it. Pattern is from Interweave Knits Fall 2003.


This is the poncho I want to make, eventually.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Good knitting week

Well, I actually got quite a bit of knitting done this week. I'm about an inch away from starting the shaping on the neck of hubby's cardigan. I'm hoping to get my yarn from Patternworks next week (or maybe I shouldn't, then I'll be forced to keep working on hubby's project).

Oooh, I'm so excited! I found out (on KR forum, thanks girls!) that Joann.com has a 50% off online coupon, and I'm finally getting a yarn swift! For $30!

In case you didn't notice, I finally figured out how to add links in my sidebar, and I obviously went a wee little bit nuts, but I think it looks OK, don't you?

I'm going to be moving my massage practice into my home! I've been wanting to, but hubby dragged his heels until a few days ago. He finally realized how much $$ we'll be able to put towards bills, yarn, the house, yarn, etc., when I don't have to pay rent for an office space. We're looking to have the room ready for me to move in in September. Did I mention I'd have more money for yarn?

And last, but not least, I got the name of my Secret Pal! Woohoo! She lives in London, which is neat...I've always wanted to go to London (maybe I should send myself there as her gift..maybe not). She's also an avid photographer, and so was I. I majored in photography in college until I changed directions and went into massage therapy instead. I've talked briefly with my pal (who's going to send me knitting stuff...my new best friend), and I should be getting a package from (her?) soon. Mmmmm, knitting presents from strangers....fantastic!

Monday, June 13, 2005

Monday again?

Well, the weekend is over, and I didn't knit one stitch. I did go and see Mr. and Mrs. Smith, though, which I highly recommend. My husband didn't like it because the action scenes were unbelievable, but when are they? It was a great comedy, from my point of view. And any chance I can sit in a theater and watch two hours of Brad Pitt, I'm there!
I ordered some yarn from Patternworks a little over a week ago for my next project, and the color wasn't quite what I wanted, so back it went this morning. I'm going to try "Flash" in colorway "Lapis"....can't wait to get it! Any package I get from Patternworks, KnitPicks, etc., is like Christmastime for me, even though I know what's inside :)
Well, I have some time this morning, so I think I'll knit a bit. I'm hoping to get the name of my secret pal before Wednesday, so I can go shopping on my day off (for both of us, of course). And a cheery "Hello!" to my secret pal! Hope to hear from you again soon!

Sunday, June 05, 2005


Yarn makes the perfect pillow!


Taffy was so excited to be in the photo of hubby's sweater!


Here is a closeup of the stitch pattern.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

All about me

Still trying to get around to taking pics of hubby's sweater WIP....

I'm trying to get into the Secret Pal 5 (last minute, I know! They stopped taking entries last week, but word is there's still room...keeping fingers crossed). I figured I'd go ahead and post their questions, just in case I get in. Even if I don't, I know you wanted to know all this stuff about me anyways, right?!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Not really. I'm getting away from the acrylics, but I'll still use them for certain projects.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I crochet, have for 15 years. That's how I got into knitting...I got bored with crochet. It was too easy, and I needed a challenge. I don't spin, and I'm really trying to keep from learning anything about it (my to-do list of knitting projects is long enough, thank you!), and I don't need something else to spend money on!!

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Smoke! And some strong, flowery perfumes.

4. How long have you been knitting?
About 4 years (wow, doesn't seem that long!)

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, Amazon. Lots and lots of knitting books on that list!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I'm really picky about scents. Has to be light (like Coconut Bay candle from Yankee, also love their Apple Cider scent)

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
OMG, give me chocolate and I'm one happy camper! (not white chocolate, though). And candy, cookies, cakes...sigh. I'm on Weight Watchers, though, so only little bits of this stuff for me!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
None, I'm sticking to knitting exclusively right now.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like the older stuff, mostly pop/rock, some country. I also like classical and new age music.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Favorites are purple and green. Red looks good on me. Hate yellow, pink, most browns.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married, one cat.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To stay happily married, hopefully have a family. Keep working in a career I love.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
No favorites yet! I'm using Plymouth Encore worsted right now, and I really like it. I especially like working with yarn that's machine washable, because any FO that has to lay out to dry will have cat hair on it (I swear she has a yarn radar).

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Scratchy wool.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Shawls, definitely!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Shawls, sweaters (especially with lots of cables!)

17. What are you knitting right now?
Sweater for hubby. Waiting on more yarn for another sweater and a clapotis.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Love 'em. Have a pattern picked out for one....I'll make it eventually.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular for everything except socks.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have a Denise set (which is plastic) I use for everything I can. Straight needles I get in aluminum. I've never tried wood.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes, sometimes. I actually made a pair of socks as my first project, because I saw the self-patterning yarn in a catalog and just had to have some for myself.

22. How did you learn to knit?
Books.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a year. It's a Christmas afghan I started for an auction, but never finished. I promised it would get done this year...we'll see!

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
The kids on South Park are hilarious! Favorite animal is the stingray.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas. Family, friends, good food, presents....what could be better?

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Knitting books, cookbooks, picture frames.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Easy Knitting, Knitter's.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
They're all on my Amazon list!