A Little Knitting...yup.

I don't actually mean that I've only been doing a little bit of knitting....that's actually FAR from the case. I've been knitting my little fingers ragged on various projects. Wanna see??

1. Button-Up Neck Warmer (finished!)



Yarn: My handspun (alpaca/merino/silk blend with green angelina, sportweight, 15 wpi)
Ravelry link to more details and pics HERE.

2. Tiny Shoes (finished!)



Yarn: Ackres Acres Bunny Blend sportweight angora in pale fushia and rose
Ravelry link to more details and pics HERE.

3. Mya's Jacket (finished!)



Yarn: Acker's Acres Bunny Blend sportweight angora in pale fushia and rose
Ravelry link to more details and pics HERE.

4. Baby Bear (finished!)



Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in brown
Ravelry link to more details and pics HERE.

5. Gigi's Socks (in progress)



Yarn: Sereknity Sock Options, one of a kind colorway
Ravelry link to more details and pics HERE.

6. Fudge Swirl Cabled Sweater (in progress)



Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in colorway 6206

7. Baby Yoda Sweater (finally finished!)



Yarn: Rowan All Seasons Cotton
Ravelry link to more details and pictures HERE.

8. Lizard Ridge Afghan (in progress...part of the "A Year in a Blanket" group on Ravelry)



Yarn: Noro Kureyon
Ravelry link to more details and pictures HERE.

9. Grown-Up Booties (finished!)



Yarn: Lopi in fushia
Ravelry link to more details and pictures HERE.

P.S. And, before I forget, some WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL gifts from my other friends that I wasn't able to share before:

- A Namaste Zuma bag in the Eggplant color and a gorgeous cupcake soap from Brittany...and the BEST card ever!! (Wish I'd taken a picture of it!)



- Two skeins of Alpaca Silk and a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy (have NEVER knit with it before...can't wait!) from Caroline...and also another awesome card...with sound!



P.P.S. And, my oldest, Tim....got his license last Friday!!! Yay! Passed both tests on the first try! I'm so proud of him!!

1000th Amanda Hat!!!

It's official.....

The Amanda Hat has been knit over 1000 times!!!!!

Holy crap!

I've been keeping track on Ravelry of the number of people who have been making the Amanda Hat and this week, someone has posted the 1000th hat.

Woo-hoo!

Her Ravelry name is Avalonne - a lovely gal from Austrailia. You can visit her blog here to find out more about this interesting knitter.



I'll be sending Shelley a special gift in the mail as a prize...

Honorable Mentions for Amanda Hat knitting:

1. Feliciah on Ravelry - who was very close to posting the 1000th Amanda hat - and who has made at least 3 so far. Her blog is here. (She will receive a SleepyEyes pattern of her choice...either the Radiance Lace Headbands, Lisha Lace Scarf or the Lovely Waters Tablerunner pattern.)

and

2. Kermit on Ravelry - who has made the most Amanda Hats in the history of the pattern - I love how she used so many different yarns, as well. It's great to see how differently the hat looks with various fibers and weights. Her blog is here.

I would love to hear how many Amanda Hats that you've knit up and which is your favorite. Dazzle me with your creativity! And....keep knitting those Amandas!!!

(Thank you sooo much!)

P.S. VERY soon.....lots of knitted FOs and more birthday gift pics to share. Yipppeeee!

OMG....Birthday Explosion!

Since I'm sooo tired from this whirlwind of a birthday weekend, I can only post in choppy sentences...hopefully, they will be semi-coherent.

WHY I AM SO LUCKY

1. On my birthday, my hubby watched the kids so I could go to yoga class, made me a fresh (and yummy) salad with his own two hands (!!!) and helped the kids to make me No Pudge Brownies (only 2 points each!) for my birthday cake. As well as supervising over handmade cards and craziness.








Tim got me a iPhone charger for my car and made me my own personalized Magic card -from the card game:



And Ben got me the most surprising and FANTASTIC gift - a Fairy Barbie Doll with a matching card that says, "Happy Birthday from Fairytopia!" or something like that. (If anyone has Barbie patterns that they'd want to share with me, send them ASAP! LOL!) P.S. I named her "Honey".



2. My sister and parents came over to celebrate my birthday and brought lots of yummies, gifts of pretty clothes and gift cards and played with the kids all day. My sister, Kim, bought me a gift that I can enjoy for many months - a box FULL of Lush beauty products (which I drool over) - a solid perfume, a lip balm, a soap and a bath bar. YUMMMMM! (and made me a card....using crayons...so cute) I was surprised when my godfather and his wife came over to visit, too, and it was so great to see him since we hadn't seen each other for at least 6 years. Everyone went in the pool, had pizza and just had a super time.



3. This may sound ridiculous, but I was extremely touched and excited when I received a huge number of Happy Birthday wishes from friends on Ravelry and Facebook - whenever I'd check my email, I had more messages from friends -new and old. It made me feel very loved and special on my birthday.

4. And last, but definitely NOT least, my thoughtful and generous friends celebrated my birthday (as well as Caroline's) on Friday night at work where I was given cake (delicious homemade pink cake with jam made lovingly by Jackie) and a monstrous amount of awesome gifts. Shown here simply, but cannot be thoroughly explained on how fantastic they are when given in a huge lot in one night. (eeee!)

- Jackie's gift of a gift card to Homegoods (my favorite place to shop!) Yay!!!


-Hilary's gift of a crocheted cupcake (0 points!) and the BEST Maple chicken in the world. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. You are the BEST, Hil!!!


- Julie got me 2 cones of the luscious Zephyr to make the christening gown and the most adorable tiny crochet keychain with my name on it (Jules, I screamed when I got your package!)


- Three books that I've REALLY wanted - Lora got me the Journal Bliss (I cannot wait to get started using those journal tips!), Karen got me the Vintage Baby Knits (with a pattern for a christening gown that I HAVE to make!), and Marion got me a Book Lust journal because she knows that I'm a book slut and must have this. LOL!


- Maureen gave me two skeins of Cascade Pastaza for the Otto bear!


- GiGi gifted me with 2 skeins of Katia Mississippi 3 in gray and pink for the Mouse from Ysolda's book...and helped me pick out the colors...she's so good at that ;)


- Donna and Christina gave me 2 beautiful Sereknity rovings that I wanted - so perfect!


- Laurin gifted me with a Mary Kay bag full of pedicure items and a bag of Gummy Maggots (very silly, but yummy)...


I'm in shock because I've been told that I have 3 more gifts coming...OMG...it's a birthday gift explosion!!! W-H-O-A.

Every year, I am more and more grateful for all of the wonderful, thoughtful and caring people in my life. This year, they (you!) WOW-ED me and made me appreciate how lucky I am even more. Thank you, friends!!!

BIG HUGS!!!!

P.S. Many thank you notes/emails on the way shortly....I'm just catching up with normal life today!

P.P.S. I also got this yarn for THIS pattern:



P.P.P.S. I also have details about 2 FOs that I need to blog about...but I'm falling asleep here. So, if you're dying to see them sooner, go HERE and then HERE. Like 'em??

Meeting Ysolda!

I had the utmost luck yesterday when Yarn and Fiber hosted the amazing young Scottish designer, Ysolda Teague, at the store while I was working. Woo-hoo!!!!



As soon as I could get Ben on the bus, I raced over to the store, just in time to get the almost last copy of her new book, Whimsical Little Knits. It's the cutest little book and chock full of adorable (like the designer), fun and easy to knit patterns. I poured over the book last night and searched through my yarn stash for all yarns that I could use for her patterns. (If only I could STOP starting new things...ugh!)



I found at least 3 sets of yarns for 3 separate projects from her book. I decided to start one last night...the Grown Up Booties pattern. I'm using Lopi in a vibrant fushia and hope to finish one of those slippers tonight at knitting group.



Here is a less-than-attractive picture of me with Ysolda...(why do I have that expression? what's up with my hair???) It was the highlight of my week to meet her...and to try on her beautifully designed berets/hats and squeeze those toys. (All of which I want to make, by the way)



Other things I've been up to:

1. Finished the back of a sweater for myself (FOR ME!!!) - the October Frost cardigan by Lisa Lloyd from the wonderful book, A Fine Fleece. Would love to make everything from that book!! I've used Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran in a pretty purplish dark pink (you can't tell how pretty the color is from this picture).



2. Finished the Baby Yoda Sweater today (well, sewing it up today - hoping to bring it to knitting tonight all fancied up). It wasn't as quick as I thought it would be to knit, but that might be because I was using a cotton blend yarn. Though, the Rowan All Seasons cotton is pretty awesome for a cotton yarn....it's very close to, if not identical, to the Lion Brand Cotton Ease. I think Rowan has better colors, though. There's also lots of sewing up to this small sweater, which I tend to cringe over. The pattern is very nicely designed and written - so I would definitely recommend it for those of you who love to knit baby sweaters and don't mind the sewing up.



Do you like it so far...in pieces? LOL!



Finally, an update on my weight loss (for those of you that I haven't bored already....he he)....I'm almost up to 70 pounds lost, but the amount per week is sadly slowing down now that I'm closer to my goal and I'm desperately trying to make the 75 pounds soon. I'm exercising like a madwoman, so it's not that. Ian thinks I should eat more and my WW leader has suggested eating more protein since I'm doing so much exercise and weight training. Hmmm....we'll see.

Other things I've tried to boost myself up for weight loss:

-Lots of water
-Changing up my foods every week
-Less carbs/snacks and more fruit and veggies
-More Yoga and Aerobics, plus weight training
-And, of course, knitting a lot in my spare time. (Must be burning some calories during that time, right???)

Any other suggestions?

Ian and I went to a wedding/renewal-vow ceremony last weekend and I found a great dress. Jackie helped me to pick out my shoes and I think it all worked out well. What do you think?



Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend - it's my 36th Bday on Saturday, so I'm planning on having some F-U-N!!!

Tim's 16th Birthday Party and New Pattern

Tim's 16th surprise birthday party was a HUGE success! Not only was he surprised, he was SHOCKED! He actually turned pale when he figured out that the party was for him. All of our closest family and friends were there and, even though it was horribly hot in the playroom, it seemed like everyone had a great time. The little kids all played together and everyone else chatted, ate hot, crispy pizzas and devoured their own ice cream sundae creations (complete with gummy worms, m&ms, sour jelly lifesavers and endless other sweet, gooey toppings)....well, except me. (I was very good and didn't have any yummy treats)

Some show and tell:

Tim and my sister, Kim....after he got over the shock



Tim's "Flame" cake, with very messy red and white frosting




Tim opening his gifts and Ben walking in front of him with his balloon and chips



Tim received some fantastic gifts - mostly gift cards (the BEST gift for a teenager), hilarious cards and money. The Super Mario Brothers sound maker was also a favorite gift - both him and Ben have been going around the house making "mario moves" and playing the sound effects. So funny!

I couldn't have pulled this party off without my Mom & Grandma bringing the snacks and ice cream toppings, Jackie picking up the birthday cake for me and Hilary taking charge of the decorating while I took a shower. Whew! Thank you!!

I can't believe he's getting so old!! My baby boy......

Now...

onto my NEW pattern!!!

The Lacy Recyclibag



It's available for FREE here on my blog (see right sidebar of home page under PATTERNS) or as a FREE download on Ravelry.

Here is the description of the pattern:

"Although I’m sure most of us try our best to forgo plastic bags at stores, there always seems to be a small stash of them hanging around the house, am I right? And usually there’s no good place to put them. I’ve designed this bag to hold all of those excess plastic bags attractively and compactly in your kitchen or pantry. It holds a surprising number of bags and will expand to meet most of your plastic bag storage needs. You could even make a longer one or wider one, if necessary. It’s a fun, quick and economical knit using only one skein of a springy, soft organic wool. Enjoy!"



The pattern uses only 1 skein of the Green Mountain Spinnery "New Mexico Organic" yarn and size US 6 & 7 circulars for Magic Loop or DPNS. It's quick, easy and fun with a little bit of lace to keep you interested and an opportunity for some embroidery at the end if you'd like to add it. You can make it in any of the "New Mexico Organic" colors to match your kitchen, or whatever room you want to put it in.

So...what do you think???

16 Years Has Gone by SO Fast!

I can't believe (well, maybe I can....) that I haven't blogged in SO long! (Do I always say that???) I feel like I'm being sucked into a time warp of too-much-to-do-not-enough-time. Have you ever felt like that? Ugh. It's frustrating!

But, besides being busy, I've had a pretty productive and really nice month.

And here are the reasons why:

1. I'm up to a 63 pound weight loss on WW in the past 6 months. I'm hoping to reach my final goal by October 15th, which I when I first started. Yippeee! I'm very, very lucky because Ian is incredibly supportive of me - he gives me compliments every day and cheers me on even with the smallest of weight losses - like 0.2 or 0.4. I love you, Ian!!

2. I got a new haircut and I really like it. I wasn't sure if I was going to at first.....it's really short....but, I've gotten so many compliments on it. And - most importantly- the hubby likes it.



3. I finished the Amy Beret by Diane Mulholland - using my 2 ply worsted weight Polwarth handspun (which was AWESOME to spin, by the way) - and, although it doesn't really look that great on me - I loved knitting it and it was really fun to make. Diane is a truly talented designer. I just bought two more of her handspun patterns.



4. I've gotten ONE WHOLE PANEL of my Lizard Ridge Afghan done! I need to make at least 4 full panels before Christmas (I'm in the A Year in a Blanket group on Ravelry) and then add the trim in Cascade 220. Most of the people seem to be making only one square a month but, for this blanket, I need to make 2 a month - there are 24 pieces (at least) in all. The first panel is huge! About 10.5" wide by 72" long. Yikes! Should be sooo warm, though. And, really, I think it's gorgeous. (It's for my oldest son as a gift)



So.....the only thing that hasn't really gone my way....is.....dun dun dun.....

THE DAMN DRAGONS!!!!!

I am incredibly irritated with the Hai-Riyo knitted dragons. They were such a fun, quick knit and I was excited because the yarn was nice to knit with and all of the pieces were very easy.

BUT....(a big but)....

They are a pain in the ASS (yes, ASS!) to sew up! My boss had already made one and told me how hard they were, but it was her first knitted toy, so I thought that maybe I wouldn't have such a hard time. I was very, very wrong.



The pieces are in a bag (for both of them) and I'm trying to get together my courage to continue sewing them up again. Hopefully (for the kids' sake), it'll be before I die. (Maybe)



I was also planning on getting out a new pattern for Earth Day on the 22nd, but (alas), it was not meant to be. Maybe next week. I'm planning my oldest son's 16th Surprise Birthday party (eeeek!) for this Saturday and I'm slightly freaking out.

There is so much to do and I'm doing it all myself....balloons, ordering cake (thank goodness Jackie is picking the cake up for me!), favors, decorations for the house, banner, food (ordering pizzas and getting ice cream for the sundae bar), drinks, cleaning the house, uncluttering the house (harder than cleaning!), and trying to keep all of this from Tim. My mom is bringing some snack stuff for me (thank you!!!) and ice cream toppings. Ian and I still aren't completely sure what we're getting him for his birthday, either (it's actually on May 7th) and that's up in the air for now.

But, I can't wait to see his face when he comes in the door. He thinks I'm having my knitting friends over for lunch. He he!!!

Well, wish us luck on the party and I'll have tons of pictures to show next time. And, hopefully, the FREE pattern will be done by then.

I hope.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Happy Bloggiversary to Me!!!!

Yipppeee! It's the 4th Anniversary of my little baby blog. Well, it's more of a preschooler now! he he

Here are the posts from every March 31st since I started this blog, if you're interested in reading them. Most are boring, but one might be cute!

2005 Blog Post...about Lobster Pot Cashmere.

2006 Blog Post...about the Baby Breeze Cardigan.

2007 Blog Post...about a new podcast and visiting The Yarn and Fiber Company.

2008 Blog Post...about the Dragon Scarf and the Phiaro Scarf.

My blog posts have definitely become less frequent since I started, but I think my skills have improved and my interest has definitely deepened. I love spinning, too, and have completed three handspun yarns for projects since January, which is a miracle, in my mind. LOL! I've actually had this obsession with crochet lately and I have this feeling that I REALLY want to crochet the Sweet Pea baby blanket (it would be for me....he he) shown in the newest Lion Brand catalog. But, maybe with something other than that yarn. But, I'm not discounting it. The colors are pretty cute. I wish the Cascade 220 Superwash came in the same colors as the 220 regular. Then, I'd be using that in a second!

Anyway, not much going on this week so far. Been doing a lot of yoga (I signed up for a class at the Yoga Sanctuary in Windham, NH and it's a great class), exercising and trying to lose 2 more pounds in the next 2 weeks. One of my goals is to lose 60 pounds in 6 months, which ends April 15 th. Wish me luck!!!

Knitting: Working on finishing up Tim and Ben's Hai-Riyo dragons (see progress pic at start) before Easter. They're very easy to knit, but have a lot of little pieces and there'll be a LOT of sewing up.

Spinning: Just finished knitting the Amy beret with my 4oz. of Polward handspun (red/pink) and hope to post pictures very soon- just blocking it on a plate now...had NO idea you had to do this.

Quilting: Didn't start on my quilt yet, but I think I'll start it right after my birthday in May - that way I'll be done with all of the knitting toys I'm making and I can at least start cutting up my blocks and figuring out a layout for them. The colors are soo pretty and soothing. I can't wait to get going on it. I know people have said I'm crazy, but I'm going to do all of the quilting by hand. Though, I might do the piecing by machine. We'll see....

Anyone have any great tips or links for very easy, patchwork quilts? (not tied, though) I've never made one, so I'll take all the help I can get. Thank you!!!!

Hug Hug, Kiss Kiss
oooo, xxxx