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!!!