Secret Pal !!

Finally, I got into a Secret Pal swap. I've always missed the ones before and now I can't wait! This is going to be so much fun. I have more news about my latest projects but it's really late now and I have to be up at 430 (aarrghhh.) So more tomorrow.....happy fiber day!!!!

Need 35 Hours a Day

It is unbelievable how fast 24 hours can go! We both work 40 or more a week, then for the last two months we have been away for the weekends. Except for two. This weekend I said I can't go anymore. I have to have some down time from the outside world. DH didn't feel well anyway, stomach thing, so we stayed home all day except to go eat. I was so happy. I spent the whole day on the couch knitting and watching PBS. Between work, husband, kids, knitting, spinning, guild meetings, and the usual house stuff I need at least 35 hours in a day. Imagine how long a week would be. Friday would take forever to come around. Maybe we should leave it at 24.

Anyway, I ditched the cabled scarf pattern. After ripping out the fifth time I said this puppy is going to plague me no more!! Still working on the merino shawl, and the hug sweater, and I have finally started a tote bag. I'm doing it in LambsPride (it will be felted) and I'm going to try some needle felting around the top. I've been wanting to do a bag for a while.

Must go now, it's after 12 and the screen is blurring. More later......

On the Needles

A Hug sweater in 100 % cotton. Kind of a blue/green with specks of white. Coming together nicely.
A shawl in Feather and Fan pattern from 100 % merino, in lavender. This is going to be nice and light and lacy, but still warm I think.
Last, a scarf in forest green with colored specks of red, yellow and deep blue. This is worsted weight wool superwash. It's a nice pattern with cables and kind of a basketweave.

Weekend!!

Finally! I didn't think it would ever get here. This week has been so packed I HAD to have a day to decompress. And wouldn't you know I couldn't sleep past 7:00 this am. Course it is better than getting up at 4:30. Then my husband says he wants to go to the flea market at the fairgrounds. I'm thinking, the last thing I want to do is walk around for several hours. But we went, (I didn't say anything) and I had a great time. We found some great stuff. I bought two perfect tables for the living room, some really great earrings, a toe ring, and a so pretty glass frog paperweight for my daughter for Christmas. The colors in it are georgous. This is by far the best flea market I've ever been to, so many unusual things. So then we both came home and slept for two hours. Not bad for a Saturday. More later.....

Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair is Coming!!

For those of you who don't know, the SAFF is coming October 27th through 29th. This is a great fair with lots of vendors, classes, animal competitions and so on. There are some great teachers and classes are really reasonable. There is also a fiber art competition, (my guild is organizing this year.) Go to the website to see what is going on that weekend. Just type in SAFF in your browser and it will take you to a link.

Oh I didn't mention where it is. Asheville, NC. What better place to be in October than the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's fall, the air is cool, the leaves are gorgeous, I Can't Wait!. Just let me know if you need more info.

Work, Work and More Work

You know you are a knitaholic when you think about going home to knit while you're at work. Oh well, maybe one day I can get a job knitting, or spinning, or both! More later, been a long week and I need to put my feet up.

Better Week

This week has been better. Partly because I actually went to the beach for a whole 24 hours!! WhooHoo!! It was nice, a little too windy but warm and nice and beachy. I hadn't been in probably 3 years. Went to Atlantic beach on the North Carolina coast. It's really a nice place to go with a family. I did have to come back and work the next day but now I'm off for four more days.

I have hardly done any knitting. I've been working on the front of my sweater for a whole week and I've still got a couple days more to finish. I haven't even started anything new and I finished my mother's shawl two weeks ago. It is definitely time to go shopping. I saw a scarf pattern using Moonlight Mohair and Trellis together. I am not big on scarves but it was georgous. Might be something to try. I need some new needles too. More circs and a couple of cable holders. I would like to try learning cables.

I went to a new group meeting for spinners and knitters. It was so interesting. I have never tried spinning but I think I would like to. I especially think I would like to try dyeing. I love color, not color that is gaudy, but fresh and springlike is great. I also like jeweltones a lot.
Well, I've bored you enough. More tomorrow, pictures too!

HOME FRONT

So I guess this is where I tell you about me and the kids and the husband and the cat and the fish/snails. Oh, and the mom, my mom. I am an RN on a med/surg floor. Graduated from nursing school last year. I like the job although it can be incredibly stressful, hence the knitting therapy. My goal though is to get to Labor and Delivery, that calls to me. It should since I have five children of my own. In order by age, (that's how I remember their names) Adam 24, Alex 18, Jessica 16, Michael 11, Jacob 8. And that is and forever will be the end of that list. I love them dearly, they are my heart.

I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. He tries very hard to make me happy. He always puts me first, which spoils me terribly but who am I to protest? Especially since he is not complaining about my mom staying with us for a while. She is looking for a house which is not a short thing, and could be a very long thing, but we'll get there.

The cat is a rescue from the pound, a great big orange tabby that weighs in at 20 lbs. Her name is Miss Kitty. I know that is sooo original but she is older and I had no idea what her name used to be. The fish is just Fish who lives with two snails, who are just The Snails. I mean we didn't name the snails. Of course Fish won't be Fish long if Miss Kitty has her way. Enough for now, I'm sure the knit pictures will be up soon.

KNIT THERAPY

Hi again!
So, this morning has been frustrating. One daughter home sick with something, I know I'm a nurse, but she hasn't resurfaced yet so we'll wait and see. Got to get some pictures on here but I'm ashamed to say my daughter will have to show me how. (No, I do NOT feel old.)

Knitting Front:
I'm working on a sweater, my first one. I have to say it's going pretty well. Finished the back and started the front. No problems yet. Fingers crossed. I'm using TLC cotton/acrylic. Inexpensive yes, which is good for a first attempt, and it feels great. I want it to be a good weight to wear on cool summer nights or fall. The swatch came out great.

I found a terrific book for new knitters, of which I am one. It's called The Learn to Knit a Sweater Book, by Jean Leinhauser. The instructions are so clear you can follow them without rewriting or reading 50 times. Several different styles are included so I should get plenty of practice.

I'm dying to try those felted clogs I've seen on one of the websites. They are so neat looking. Anyway I've finished one scarf out of the eyelash yarn, kind of frustrating to work with. I mean you can't see the stitches. And I just finished a shawl for my mom. I did that out of Patons Bohemian in wine. It worked up really pretty and is wonderfully soft and warm. She was pleased with it so that's what counts.

Just Getting Started

I am, as it says, just getting started here but I promise I will work to get this thing up and running quickly. I need the therapy!! I'll be telling you a little about myself and the things that cause me to tick, especially knitting, and I hope to meet lots of new friends.