~ Knoobie Knitter ~

THANK YOU!!! The raffle is now closed.

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:02:00 +0000

Vinnie's Raffle was a HUGE success! We raised over $2200 dollars for 4 Paws Sake!

The four winners are being notified, and selecting their prizes. I will post all of the details (winners and prizes chosen) within the next few days!

Thank you, again, for being a part of all of this! I am still amazed, thrilled and truly humbled by the generosity of so many whom donated. Words seem inadequate.

Raffle, Raffle, Raffle! VINNIE IS HOME!!!! Who wants some WOLLMEISE, PIDDLY BAGS, or perhaps some other GORGEOUS YARN???

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:37:00 +0000

After nine days in the doggie hospital, our beloved Vinnie is home! It was determined that he had IMHA brought on by a severe reaction to being vaccinated.

RECAP: Upon seeing Vinnie's photo at the 4 Paws Sake website, our family felt that we could give Vinnie (Schnauzer/Poodle = Schnoodle) a loving home, and decided to be his foster family with the intent of adopting him. We needed to make sure, prior to just jumping into the adoption, that he would work out with our other (very old) dog, Bridgette. After going through the application process, Vinnie came home with us, and we all fell very in love with him. He was a PERFECT match!

Two weeks into fostering him, he very suddenly became extremely lethargic, stopped eating, playing, etc., and, within a few hours, was urinating almost straight blood. We contacted 4 Paws Sake, and got him to the 24 hour animal hospital.

Vinnie's blood-work came back showing him to be dangerously anemic. I don't know vet lingo, but his blood was at a 9, when a normal dog's is between 40- 49. He underwent a transfusion, and was tested for a number of different blood diseases and disorders. Some of these tests had to be sent to the University of Michigan to be run. He was a VERY sick dog, and we really didn't think he'd make it.

4 Paw's Sake vowed to stand by Vinnie, and continue to pay his medical bills, no matter what, to find out what was wrong with him, and get him better! Cindy, president of 4PS, was on the phone with his vets daily, and with me, keeping us updated. Finally, Vinnie is back home with us...a bit on the thin side, but getting back to his old self a little more every day!

TODAY: His Vet bills, with ongoing blood tests, medications and treatments, are over $2,000. Even after the discount that the vet gave to 4PS, the bill is still over $1000. THAT is where the RAFFLE comes in!

In order to raise money to help pay for Vinnie's Medical Bill, as well as to support the MOST AWESOME 4 Paws Sake organization, I, with the help of some great friends at Ravelry and Yarn Haven, am holding a raffle. Here's the deal...

For every $5 you donate to 4 Paws Sake, using the 4 Paws Sake DONATION PAGE (paypal), you will receive a ticket into the raffle to win one of the four lovely (and most desirable) prizes listed below. For every $20 you donate you will receive ONE EXTRA ticket ($20 = FIVE tickets). Here's how it will work...

THE RAFFLE

1.) DONATE: Go HERE and make a donation using your PayPal account. You MUST use THAT page to make your donation/buy your raffle ticket. For every $5 you donate to 4 Paws Sake, using the 4 Paws Sake DONATION PAGE (paypal), you will receive a ticket into the raffle to win one of the four lovely (and most desirable) prizes listed below. For every $20 you donate you will receive ONE EXTRA ticket ($20 = FIVE tickets).

When the PayPal page pops up, enter "FRIENDS OF VINNIE" in the long blank box that says "Item," and enter your donation amount in the "unit price" box.

2.) FORWARD your donation confirmation page from PayPal (the one that will show up in your email) to FriendsofVinnie@gmail.com This will serve as your ticket entry. This will also be the email addy I use to contact you, should your number be drawn, to get your mailing address and prize preference. Also, forward me your RAVELRY user ID if you have one. Feel free to send me your blog as well!

That's it! It's THAT STINKIN' EASY!!!!

The GOAL is to reach ~~$1,000~~ $2000 in donations!!!

Okay...WHAT ARE THE PRIZES??? There are four prize groups:

"GOOD DOG"

Wollmeise, Compari Orange, 80/20 Sock Yarn (purchased during the March Loopy Ewe sneak-up) and an adorable "Good Dog" Piddly Bag from Piddleloop as well as a gorgeous zipper pull, Puppy Stitch Markers, and "Friends of P" buttons! This prize is valued at over $65. Thank you to Jen and Wendy of Piddleloop for donating this one of a kind bag and adorable accessories!

"PUPPY LOVE"

Wollmeise, Frosch 80/20 Sock Yarn (purchased during the March, Loopy Ewe sneak-up) and "Puppy Love" Piddly Bag from Piddleloop! This prize is valued at $50. This bag also has a grommet (not shown) to pull yarn through should you choose. Further views of this bag can be seen here.

"MALAMUTE"

Yarn Pirate, Malamute, Sock Yarn and "Blue O's" Piddly Bag from Piddleloop! This prize is valued at $50. This bag also has a grommet (not shown) to pull yarn through should you choose. Further views of this bag can be seen here. Thank you to TTOWNKNITIOT for the donation of the Malamute!

"VINNIE 'S PALS"

Yarntini, Vintage Stripe, Fingering Weight Sock Yarn, 3 Skeins of Sarah's Cashmere Yarn , Jelby Stitch Markers, a Yarn Haven Small Project and Yarn Tote. Special thanks to SIGH, Jelby and Yarn Haven for these donations! This prize value is immeasurable...This particular Yarntini yarn has gone for as much as $100 on eBay. The rest of the prizes in this group are valued at $85.

On April 30th, 2008, I will draw a number using the Random Number Generator to determine the four winners. The number chosen first will have first choice of prizes; the second number drawn will have second choice in prizes; third number drawn will choose of the remaining two prizes, with the fourth number drawn receiving the remaining prize. Any donation received after 11:59 PM EST, April 29, 2008 will NOT be entered into the raffle.

The winners will be announced here, on this blog, on April 30th, 2008. Each winner will be contacted and notified of their prize options after the previous prize has been claimed.

None of the donations can be refunded once sent.

SPECIAL THANKS to the following shops and individuals for donating their time, skills and products to help Vinnie: Piddleloop, TTOWNKNITIOT, Jelby, SIGH, and Yarn Haven! Also, thank you to the stinkin' AMAZING folks at the "Friends of P" group at Ravelry, and Yarn Haven for just being AWESOME!

The RAFFLE will begin at 1:30 PM EST, on April 9, 2008.

Please feel free to link up your blog or website to promote this raffle and cause! The puppies NEEEEEEEEED you!

WE DID IT! YOU DID IT! THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!
Okay...wow...still in shock....moving onto the the next part of this plan.

The NEXT goal is to hit the $2000 mark! This money, I have been assured, will go to cover all of Vinnie's rescue expenses, initial exams, vaccines, etc. The rest of the money will go to help
MARLEY <----------------Click here for Marley's story.

One of the gals at Ravelry, MYGIRLROBOT, created this button (resize it as needed) to be Vinnie's official "button." You are more than welcome to use it on your blog, ravatar, in emails, whatever! You can snag it by taking it from here, or from flickr.

Mo!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:36:00 +0000

As many of you know, our very sweet, new dog Vinnie has been extremely sick and in the animal hospital since Friday night. We are very, very worried, and are awaiting test results that will help determine what, exactly, is wrong with our poor boy. Please, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers...he has been through so much these last several days, including a blood transfusion. I cannot even go into detail because it saddens me a LOT.

So today, while out and about, I came across this lovely angora goat. He reminded me of Vinnie...sigh. He and I got to talking, and discovered we have so much in common - especially our love of fiber. He has agreed to live with us, and become my knitting buddy. Ain't he the cutest? His name is MO (short for MoJo).

Hurry home, Vinnie. We all miss you so stinkin much!!!

Meet Our New Alpaca!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:41:00 +0000

I swore it would be a cold day in HECK before we got a second dog. Denial is a beautiful thing. Meet our new alpaca, VINNIE!

He's a rescue ~~dog~~ alpaca, two years old, and perfect! He's a Schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle)! He's a big, long, cutie pie! He belongs to Bizzy...the poor deprived child has been wanting her own dog for quite some time.

Here he is modeling Cara's finished socks! They were done in Lisa Souza's hardtwist merino - Mars Quake.

Thanks for lookin!

Just Call Me Mother Nature

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Now that I have finally finished a pair of mittens for myself, the temperatures will most assuredly be warmer. No need to thank me....t'is my pleasure.

Odd and Loose Ends

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:56:00 +0000

I don't think we've had enough snow yet. Seriously, folks...I run my errands every Tuesday, all afternoon, and end up at knit night in the evening until about 8:30 or so. EVERY STINKIN', TUESDAY, there is some sort of white, lumpy precipitation, be it ice or snow, attacking the earth from skies above! I literally slid home from knitting on Tuesday night in my ~~sleigh~~ minivan. It all started out as freezing rain, and ended the next morning as this:

Okay...got THAT out of my system. So remember all the socks I had hoped to deliver to the gals in California upon my arrival? Well, Jessi's got done:

...but Cara's didn't. I was having far too much fun socializing on the airplane. Ya meet the most "amazing" folks at 30,000 feet. So, I'm finishing up hers and mailing them out ASAP. Almost there...

Just finished up my February block for Ellie's afghan, and need to get started on March.

Something I've been meaning to show you...Becky knit these (modeled by Bear) wonderful Fetchings up for me, and presented them to me at the knitting retreat. They were coveted by all. Thank you, again, Becky.

In other random news....Hubster and the girls presented me with a new camera before I went on my trip. The family camera is far too big to just toss in a knit bag - this one is JUST what I needed. Bizzy picked out the color. Yea, I'm cool.

I used it for all of my California pictures, and they turned out to be GREAT! So, thank you, again, dear family.

Speaking of family...I attempted to fix the red-eye in this pic of Bridgette, but had some trouble. Sorry if she looks a bit creepy. In any case, here is the obligatory PET PHOTO of the WEEK.

Thanks for lookin' everybody, and stop on in for coffee sometime!

Honeys, I'm Hooooooome!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:57:00 +0000

Hi gang! I had SUCH a wonderful time in California hanging out with Brenda! We stayed at a gorgeous hotel, ate delicious meals, drank delightful spirits, drove up into the mountains, shopped, walked the beach, took in all the sites, enjoyed The Oscars, laughed, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed.....all without being arrested! Yay, US! Thank you so much, Bren, for being a superb hostess, and most spectacular friend! This was a much needed change of pace and TREAT for both of us!

We visited every available yarn shop in Ventura County, including Santa Barbara! In complete and total honesty, I love my little Yarn Haven more than any of them. I would describe a few of the shops more as yarn "boutiques" as they had these fancy shmancy shops, but their yarn selection was very limited and/or the yarn was so "exclusive" that it was completely unaffordable. Overall, this was a good thing in limiting my purchases. Here are a few of the ones I ended up welcoming to the stash. There are a few more that have yet to be photographed. The ones I'm showin' you now were taken on the railing of the balcony off our suite.

...a couple of lovely skeins of worsted superwash from Lorna's Laces purchased at
Anacapa Fine Yarns in Ventura. MMMmmmmmm.

Next up: more Lorna's Laces in a sport weight purchased at
The Loop and Leaf in Santa Barbara. Brenda picked out this one.

Here's a closey of it (pretend I wasn't so tacky as to get the price in the pic).

This one is called Jellyfish, and is from Dashing Dachs. How can
one be at a beach resort and NOT buy a yarn called jellyfish!?!

Close up:

Now, I must ask y'all to hang in there with me while I show you a few ~~million~~ other shots from my trip. There are ooooooodles of them, but I will attempt to post only a portion. If you'd like to see everything, they can be found HERE at my flickr account. I give you fair warning that I became completely obsessed with the little grove of palm trees at the end of our hallway - so feel free to skip all two thousand shots of those.

Here's our hotel:

Here's the back...we were right on the beach!

This is the view from the end of our hall. Every morning (as we walked down to the MOST scrumptious breakfast buffet), this is the scene that greeted us:

Me, texting pictures from the beach:

Our walk to the beach:

These (Bird of Paradise) were everywhere around the hotel:

The grounds were AMAZING!

Resting after yarn shopping...poor Bren:

The view from one of the higher elevations in Ventura:

...and lastly...for Ellie and Patti who LOVE to make fun of my fat little toes...

Speaking of Ellie...special thanks to you and hubster for staying with the girls while I was gone. I couldn't have enjoyed myself without knowing you had things under control!!!

Thanks for looking, everybody! As much as I enjoyed myself, I have missed many of you bunches! Keep warm and see you soon!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:58:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, Kate sent me one of these charming gifts, and then Becky graced me with one yesterday. In the spirit of progressive blogging (and cuz I'm s'posed to), I will list my 5 to pass it to (yea, yea...it should be 10, but, as a wise knitter once said, sue me).

Okay, now that business is out of the way, onto the knitting. I'm workin' hard to get all my socks done before I head off to CA. Somehow...no idea...I ended up going backwards on one of my socks after turning the heel. Duh. Gotta rip that little booger out and try again. Anyway, here's what's going on:

See that lovely yarn on the far left. That's Sarah Lou's sock club yarn for March! I really like it.

I had a wonderful time at the knitting retreat. See?!?! Apparently lots of folks enjoyed it! So glad.

Okay, lovlies, I need to get a move on cuz today is cleaning day. Joy of joys. Thanks for stopping by. Later, dahhhhhlings! (Couldn't resist, Kate.)

I have found MY president!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:01:00 +0000

I am a proud new member of the Fibertarian Party!!!

What can Dolores do for you? Please read below and than ask what can't she do!?

This was a statement to the press:

"Now, my campaign promises. Unlike the other candidates, I readily admit that I'm in this for the bling. Free travel by private jet, a huge expense account, my own office, and a posse of humpy bodyguards in suits and dark glasses? Betcherass. So just tell me what you want, and I'll want that, too.Let's get the ball of yarn rolling with a few suggestions collected by my press secretary, Harry.

Elizabeth Zimmermann's birthday will be declared a national holiday.
All fiber-related purchases will be fully tax-deductible.
Knitting will become a mandatory subject in American public schools.
Government subsidies for the establishment of independent yarn shops in high-need areas.

*You don't even have to live in America or be American. After a stay in the White House, I'm thinking world domination might be a freakin' hoot.

All credit goes to this man! He's brilliant!

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz...

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:17:00 +0000

Currently recovering from knitting retreat
...will update soon.

Nuttin' but SOCKS!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:44:00 +0000

So we're preparing for up to ten inches of white, lumpy, frozen rain over the next 24 hours, and I'm really wishing I'd made myself some toasty, warm mittens! However, it was not to be, and I will end up in store bought gloves, hat, and scarf as I venture out into the frozen tundra tomorrow. hee hee.../drama!

Without further ado, I present to you....some socka, socka, socka! Glen received a pair of warm house/sleeping socks to keep the toesies warm all night long. If only I could knit a muzzle for the snoring (did I really just share that thought with the world?). I used some stashed KnitPicks, Wool of the Andes, in Cape Cod. No, his feet are not normally in "first position." He did the "special" pose for the camera.

Next up, also out of the stash, one whole sock for Bren...yes, she has two feet, but I was held up by the fact that two of the same colorways with two of the SAME dye lot numbers ended up being very different colors. However, one call to KnitPicks, and shazam! They were on it! They sent me two other balls, free of charge, to try to match to the original finished sock. Luckily, one of the balls is pretty close, and should work out fine. I really like the KnitPicks, Felici, Pebble. Hmmm...looks like it's currently a goner and out of stock!

The great composers have not yet given me their thoughts on the sock, but I have assured them that since they lack legs (haven't told them about the arms yet), they will not be required to wear any sock(s) I may present for their inspection. Isn't that Brahms a hottie?

Also on the needles, some really neat yarn that I've never used before, but was given as a gift. Please say hello to Lisa Souza's Hardtwist, Mars Quake! It's a DK weight, and is coming together swimmingly on size four needles!

Lastly, but most definitely not least-ly, are these stunning, self-striping, socks from Adriafil, Knitcol, #49 (Insert imagination here, and pretend that you see the adorable, fun socks that will come from two balls of this lovely yarn purchased at Yarn Haven.)

Thank you for stopping by, and please send yarn should I be trapped in the white, lumpy death that is headed our way. According to this guy, we're in for a doosey. Yea...I'll believe it when I see it, too! Bridgette is not concerned.

I can't believe we ate the whole thing!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:59:00 +0000

Yes, friends. My oinky little family, myself included, ate the ENTIRE chicken pot pie. We're talking nine inch pie plate here! We are all ashamed...very, very ashamed. In any case, the girls created a wonderful dinner and dessert to celebrate this very special US holiday!

Only problem was that I forgot to take a picture of the pie in pan, and had to grab Bizzy's before she finished her pie to take a picture! I'm not looking to win any awards with THESE pics!

Here's dessert...CHERRY pie!

I was so thrilled that I remembered to take and post pictures, until I saw Her Queenship's pies! Grrrr....the jealousy spews from my eye sockets!!! Roadtrip anyone?

So after checking out Kate's blog (thrilled that she had acknowledged Pie Day) I went to Ms. Becky's blog. She TOO had a pie in the oven...a Paula Dean pie to boot!!! Woot! WHAT a day! Do I DARE go check anybody else on my little ole' blog roll? Hmmm..not so far, but there are two hours left until midnight! In any case, National Pie Day was a resounding success here, as well as in the Pushing Daisies group @ Ravelry!

For National Pie Day 2009, I think we should each consider knitting up this little gem!

Thanks for stopping by!

Public Service Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:51:00 +0000

National Pie Day is upon us once again. This Wednesday, January 23, has been deemed National Pie Day by The American Pie Council (Thank GOODNESS somebody had the forethought to put together an official council on pies!). TAPC suggests celebrating this monumental day by performing "Random Acts of Pieness." Said acts can be found on the National Pie Day website.

While I am still debating which pie(s) I will be serving for dessert on Wednesday, I am quite certain that chicken pot pie will be the main course for dinner. Perhaps for dessert we'll have an apple pie or a peanut butter pie...I'm undecided at this juncture.

In any case, I wanted to give each of you fair warning in order that you might plan your menus ahead of time to honor this most cherished day. For those of you who would prefer to "pick-up" a pie, my personal favorites are the pies from Bob Evans, or, in the freezer section of your local grocery store, Edward's pies (The turtle pie is quite decadent, but do not gaze upon the nutritional values.).

WARNING...Please do NOT confuse National Pie Day with National Pi Day held to celebrate the mathematical constant π (pi). The latter is held, most appropriately, on 3/14.

Even if you are not here in the United States (**cough** Kate **cough**) I would encourage you to partake of this most scrumptious of United States holidays!

Challenge: Post a pic of your pie on your blog, and earn 15 bonus points!!! Happy pie eating!!!

I Made a Hat Tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:25:00 +0000

It is for Bizzy, and she seems to like it a lot!

Details: yarn, needles, pattern to follow in my next post. I'm too sleepy right now, but THANKS for looking!

I Wear my Sunglasses at Night, so I Can, so I Can.......

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:02:00 +0000

...watch you weave then breathe your story lines.

FINISH it, my eighties fiber friends.....you know you want to!!! Don't ask me why. It just popped into my head when I decided to update! May it play on in your heads the rest of the day! Who knew that Corey Hart was a weaver!?!?

Seems like I've been doing a lot of knitting lately, but I don't have a lot to show for it. Hmmm.

Let's see now. There's Bear's other mitten - YAY, we have a pair! They really are the same size...it's just the picture is distorted....IT'S TRUE! I tried to get her behind me so that it looked like they were MY hands while taking the picture, and, well....now that I'm posting them...they look kinda funny. LMAO!

Working on hubby's other sleeping sock. Somehow my yarn tangled, and I just don't feel like dealing with it right now.

I'm heading out to California to see a friend soon, and I want to take a pair of socks to her and to her two daughters. I'm thinking that socks are the hostess gift of the future! Anyway, they're in PEBBLE, Felici, from Knit Picks. I must be an incredibly lazy knitter, because this whole fingering weight thing goes REALLLLLY slow. The socks I make for her girls will be a heavier weight since time is of the essence.

One more thing I wanted to throw in....MY DEAREST KNITTING COMPANION...my cup of tea in my dog mug! PLEASE, please, please take a picture of your favorite coffee/tea mug, and send it to me. I'd love to post a little collage of them here. C'mon...it'll be fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Like a HEAT WAVE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:00:00 +0000

The high today is 68 degrees...in January...in northern Ohio...Woohoo! So far it's sunny, but I can see some rain clouds off in the distance. Hopefully the rain will hold off until after Biz, Bear, and I can take a walk.

Good thing I knit up these warm, cozy mittens for Bizzy! (eye roll) These "Just My Size" mittens were knit up using worsted weight black wool (some half used skein) and Noro Kureyon (209). As you can see, at the time they were finished there was a serious need for them (aka snow). Had a little trouble with gauge, so one is a teensy bit bigger than the other. Shhh...that's where the knoobie part comes in.

Just finished a first one for Bear out of worsted Lamb's Pride (Jack's Plum) and Schoeller and Stahl, Baby Micro (Lavender). BTW...all yarns and patterns available at YH.

Hubby is to be the proud recipient of these bulky weight socks made from Knit Picks, Bulky Wool of the Andes (Cape Cod). Sheesh...man feet are big!

And, lastly for your viewing pleasure...Here is the current block I'm on for my "Block of the Month" class. I'm a little behind, but catching up! It's being worked in Manos del Uruguay, Putty.

That's all for now, my most favored peeps! Happy knittin'!

Welcome Back!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:18:00 +0000

I have been screwing around with my blog for days and days, and getting nowhere! For now, I'm sticking with THIS layout cuz if I don't, I'll be tweaking forever, and never post again!

I had to stop posting after Thanksgiving, cuz I was so busy knitting up Christmas gifts, and I didn't want to post any of the progress, in case they'd be seen by one of my gift recipients.

Here's a quick rundown:

For Mom:

...a hat and scarf out of Lamb's Pride Bulky, Mountain Colors Mohair Loop and Mohair in Sunburst...

Of course, I made her model it immediately after opening. Isn't she precious?

Next, I made her a Lucy Bag out of Blackberry Ridge, Sierra Madre in the worsted weight with the short handle. I found the perfect button at Yarn Haven.

Next up, Doug got a cozy warm hat made from Lamb's Pride, worsted, Onyx, and Plymouth, Encore, worsted in a bright orange to match his Kubota tractor. (Bizzy is modeling for the close-up pic.)

Isn't he adorable? He likes it!

What else have I been workin' on? Wellll, my friend, Brenda, in southern California claims that the nights get really cold out there, and that her feet get cold. Soooo, I'm makin' her some really fun, thick, warm socks out of Lamb's Pride Bulky, Blue Skyways. I just finished the second one, and with any luck (and the postman), she'll have them in a few days!

Also working on this lovely scarf for my neighbor made out of Plymouth, Baby Alpaca which is a seriously soft yarn. The pattern is a freebie from Misti Alpaca.

Well, fiber friends, that's all for now! Hope you have a wonderful rest the week, and I'll catch up with each of you soon!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:03:00 +0000

Remodel Complete

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:36:00 +0000

Happiest of Happy Thanksgivings!!!

Tomorrow's Post....Today

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:17:00 +0000

Tomorrow has the potential to be a busy day, and I'm not sure I'll be able to continue the whole "once a day posting" marathon if I don't post it now. Thanks in advance for the unmitigated forgiveness.

First of all...Kate in Australia, this is for you. I was consoling myself this evening, and thought of your post yesterday.

...the knitting...

Well, since Bizzy got a hat, I had to start one for Bear. Hers is in Lamb's Pride Worsted and is being done in "Jack's Plum." It's a very deep, rich plum color that just shines! I've really become a fan of the Lamb's Pride line recently and since Yarn Haven carries a wide color variety, I know I'll be using it often. In any cae, Bear saw how I posted Bizzy for all to see, so she refused to model her "started" hat. Bridgette, however, being my very best friend EVER, agreed without a second thought!

...and then I said, "Hey Bridge, can you give me a side view?" Of course, she obliged.

Yea...I know it's just the brim, but it'll be done soon.

Also in the works, proof that I'm a loon (like you didn't already snicker that under your breath). Another Lucy Bag (I saw you roll your eyes). It's for my mama for Christmas. Using Blackberry Ridge's Kaleidoscope yarn in Sierra Madre, medium weight. I love the feel of this stuff.

I've got most of the bottom done, so it's just straight knitting from here to the strap bind-off. Shelly (worker bee and friend @ Knitting on the Square), I always think of you when I start a Lucy Bag...thank you for teaching me. I keep that pillow in my lap for the cast-on just like you taught me! You'd be so proud. hee hee.

Lastly, I'm workin' on that worsted weight sock...you know, the one being made with the yarn that was spread through my entire house. I would personally like to thank the bust of Ludwig Van Beethoven for being so willing to pose for this photo.

Hope y'all have a fun fiber productive weekend! Thanks for looking!

Ode to Bulky

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:58:00 +0000

Oh, bulky weight yarn, I love you so much.
You feel so firm and thick in my touch.
You make my projects seem quick,
And are ever so thick.
You don't soak up much cash,
Yet enhance my lovely stash.
Oh, bulky yarn, I love you so much.

See...I made a hat...quickly! Bizzy looks VERY THRILLED to model her new hat, doesn't she?

In other related news...I am an idiot. I completed the first sole and started the top for Doug's (best step dad evah) felted clogs. Well, DUH...you have to make them BIGGER when it's a size 11 man's foot. I was cruizin' right along making clogs to fit a women's 6 - 8 when I realized....UM, HELLO...BIGGER NUMBER in the pattern now. Ugh...these blonde streaks will always win out.

UGH! THE TANGLE!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:32:00 +0000

I've decided to slowly work my way through Anne Budd's book, Getting Started Knitting Socks (available at your LYS) , so that I'm not quite so afraid when I think about the prospect of knitting a sock without someone holding my hand. The first pattern in her book is a very basic sock pattern, done in a worsted weight yarn. Thought I'd give it a whirl! First things first...Reach into the squishy little ball of yarn, and find the center pull...no problem, right? Pffffft. Well, the yarn gods, Worstella, the goddess of worsted weight, specifically, must have been angered by my recent commitment to bulky weight yarns! In any case, the ball started like this...

...and ended like this...

...and this...

At one point, even Bridgette ended up in on the action.

Well, while it did slow me down a bit (dinner went from being meatloaf to spaghetti...and then later to pizza), I counted my lucky stars, and didn't fret too badly! I mean, at least it wasn't like Becky's Great Tangle of 2007. Sheesh, if she could endure that and not cry, surely I could toughen up a bit!

Last night was InsanKnitty, always the highlight of my week, and I took the opportunity to have Dale Ann felt up my clogs with their fancy shmancy felting machine. Voila!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a fabulous week! PEACE!

One is good...TWO is BETTER!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:42:00 +0000

Tada!!! Ahhhhh...the joy of a pair!

Now I realize that they appear large (silly, silly, fiber friends), but I haven't felted them yet! I must say they are warm though...Would it be wrong to sleep in them before felting them and giving them to Bear??? hee hee.

In other unrelated news: Sarah put me in the mood for pumpkin fluff last week, so I made some tonight....it was delish!!! Here's the recipe I used:

Pumpkin Fluff

1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1 3 oz. box French vanilla instant pudding mix (sugar free)
8 oz. whipped topping
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice or pumpkin pie spice

In a bowl blend dry pudding mix and pumpkin till light. Add spices, mix to distribute. Fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving. Enjoy!

I served it with grahm crackers...it was perfect!

Have a great day! Peace!

Jumpin' On the Proverbial Bandwagon!?!?

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 02:10:00 +0000

Sheesh...I'm such a follower! So, Kate in Chardon, AND Sarah Lou are both attempting to post DAILY, therefore, I'm jumpin' on the band wagon! Suuuure, I'll give it a try! Kate was inspired by this blog...not sure if the same goes for Sarah Lou. Anyway, yesterday I worked on Bear's felted clogs. Got one done, and another one started! Yay, me!

While I was working on the second one, I noticed my sweet little shadow, Bridgette, nuzzled up at the other end of the couch against the first one. Isn't she just so cute!?!?!

My knitting area got kinda sloppy this weekend. Just a plethora of all things knitting...and then some.

See the little coffee cup with the spoon in it? OMGoodness...Edy's Pumpkin Ice Cream! I swear, it was just one tiny scoop.

Okay...that should do it for today! Have a great week! PEACE!

PS...I also banged out this cute little hat on Friday night!

Onward Ho!

noreply@blogger.com (KTMay) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:06:00 +0000

Well, Halloween is ovah, and now it's time to get serious about Christmas gifts! After making a pair of the Fiber Trends Felted Clogs, for Bizzy, I've decided to make a few more pairs for presents. They're a fairly easy knit, once you survive the first row, and I think they're darn cute! I used Lopi by Reynolds and they came out pretty fuzzy, but perfect for Biz!

Before

After

Now...yea, they need a shave, but Biz really likes them all fuzzy and crazy looking.

Next, I make Bear a pair in Knit Picks, Spumoni and Lamb's Pride, Bulky, Rosado Rose.

Block of the Month class is tonight, but I wasn't able to go AND I need to finish up October's block before moving onto November's block. See...just a few more inches to go. It would have been done, but the felted clogs SUCKED me in!

Tomorrow morning I meet with Becky for the weekly Blue Creek Knitting Group. Yes, there are only two of us, but if ANY one of you would just show up, THEN three would equal a GROUP fer sure!

Halloween was last night, and I swore that THIS year, we would ONLY pass out candy. In years past, we've had themes, and light shows, and major planning. LAST year we turned the front porch into a pirate ship.

Well...as the evening approached, my heart started to palpitate, and I got this sick, uneasy feeling in my stomach. I LOVE HALLOWEEN! How could I EVER have thought we could just let this year slide by with nothing but a basket of candy!?!?!?!? NO! NO! ABORT! Turned out that the kids were feeling the same way, SOOOOO at 5 pm (trick-or-treaters would start to arrive in ONE HOUR), Bizzy, Bear and I started pulling out fabric, old costumes, my wedding veil and wedding shoes, and we made the most of it! Bizzy and Bear don't even GO trick-or-treating, but they are such great sports!

So, yea...a ghost, a corpse bride, and a creepy lookin...ME!

Are ya scared????