Dreamscape Reviewed in Spin-Off Magazine!!!

OMG - found out from my friend, knitting and spinning guru, Vicki (who taught me how to spin!), last night that she'd opened up her newest Spin-Off Magazine (Summer 2010) and saw a full page (page 18) review on my Dreamscape book!

How friggin' awesome is that??



I think the review was pretty great and the constructive criticism was definitely helpful concerning the photography. I mean, Ian and I aren't professional photographers (it's just a hobby, really) and I was going more for a certain artistic, vintage style and look...rather than close-ups of the stitches.

I thought we did have some stitch definition with the photos (especially since Ian tried to keep only the knitted item in color, with the rest of the photo "aged"), but I'm sure I could've added extra pictures with more focused details of the knitting - if I'd had the time and extra money, of course.

All in all, I was thrilled with the review and I want to thank Jean Lampe for taking the time to look at my book. Thanks so much!!

I was also super happy to find my Fireball Horseshoe Cap in this issue as well (must.buy.more.copies!) on page 88. Another full page description of the hat that I knitted out of my handspun, using Ivy Brambles' corriedale fiber in "Fireball" colorway (love it!). That was a quick, fun and adorable knit.



Whew - what a day!

I also wanted to share with you some pics of my Liquorice Shrug by Megan Marshall.

I needed a shrug to wear with my sleeveless black dress for a friend's wedding a couple of weekends ago and found this pattern - which I loved. You pretty much knit two of the same pieces (well, one goes the opposite way) and sew the seams. Great pattern and pretty easy to knit. The only thing I had trouble with was with trying to knit this in 2 weeks (just made it - finished it on the DAY of the wedding!) with size US 3 needles. I'd give it a little more time next time, I think. LOL!

Here are the details:

Yarn: Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace (used a little over 2 balls)
Color: Black
Needle: US 3, 24" circ
Weight: Fingering (I doubled the lace yarn)
Changes: I made my shrug with longer sleeves. Instead of the sleeves being 16" long, mine were 22" (8" of the sleeve actually goes over the back of your shoulders, so my sleeves were actually only 14" long) and I omitted the crochet trim. I liked the more "flowing" look of the ends of the sleeves - made them look more like bell sleeves that way.

Here's me in the shrug (in the hotel bathroom, of all places...jeez!):



and me with my sexy, handsome hubby, Ian in the reception hall at Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH: (Ian was one of the groomsmen...oh, the tux...the tux!)



I think that's all the news I have so far. Oh, Ian bought me an adorable Hello Kitty (Janome) sewing machine for my birthday on the 23rd (turned 37!!) and all of my friends got me the most amazing gift cards and sewing things so I can splurge on fabrics and such. I have the BEST and most thoughtful friends ever!!! : D

If any of you are looking for my Dreamscape book, please look on the right sidebar to my homepage (http://sleepyeyesknitting.blogspot.com) for 3 online shops to buy my book: My Etsy shop, The Yarn and Fiber Company and Willowgate Yarns. You can also download the pdf of Dreamscape off of my blog (sidebar, using Paypal) and/or on Ravelry.com here.

Would love it if you'd pass the word on! Hugs to you all and Happy Knitting!! xoxxo

Saturday with Clover....and Yarn Basket

I had a rare treat on Saturday. Spending time with fantastic friends, visiting a yarn store and....most important of all....finally meeting Clover in person!!!

After many weeks of deliberation...we finally had a date we could all agree on to meet...Julie, Jackie and I....and, of course, Clover. LOL

Jackie and I drove up to Maine early in the morning and met up with Julie at her house (which is wonderful and very "Noolie-like"). We were greeted at the door by the little one herself...and, let me say, she's even more adorable in person than in her photos, if that's possible. She was a bit scared of us, I think, but was happy to let us sit and watch her play. Every second we were there, I wanted to nibble on those toes and squeeze those cheeks of hers...ooooh, the baby urge was strong!



I had knit Clover a little teddy bear before coming up and was able to give it to her in person...I think she liked it. She chewed on the ear almost immediately ; )



I love the picture of her at the start of the post...it's like she's saying to me, "Yeah, I'm on to you, lady. I'm going to accept this bear, but you're still a very suspicious person...."



This one's very cute of her playing and smiling....

When we had to leave, I was able to sneak a kiss to the top of her head (though she made a funny face...lol). I can just imagine how difficult it is for Julie to leave her when she has to go to work...oh, the strength she must have to leave that cutie ; )

After sadly leaving Clover, we all went to Portsmouth to the grand opening of the Yarn Basket. They're in their new location now...on the corner of Hanover and High Street....almost directly across from the parking garage, which is very convenient.



The place was not quite as big as I'd imagined, but definitely bigger than their old place. It still has that wonderful, friendly feeling and we were greeted right away by the new owner and by our argyle sock teacher, Jay Allen...one of the nicest and best knitting teachers around.

We had a great time shopping for yarn (see my loot below), chatting and soaking up the soothing (but also exciting) yarnish atmosphere. Because it was the grand opening, we were treated to a complimentary cookie (which I have to say was the MOST delicious cookie I've ever eaten...shortbread with royal icing maybe...I was dying for another one after eating mine at home) and a sample container of Soak wash.

Julie got some great yarn to make the Blue Sky Alpacas Fish toy for Clover, Jackie got enough Lopi in a super gray heather to make a DROPS jacket and this is what I got:



(L-R) 2 Skeins of Classic Elite "Lush" for a scarf, 2 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas "Brushed Suri" for two "KeyHole Scarves" (this yarn is soo soft, furry and has bamboo in it!) and a mini crochet hook...not sure what I'll use it for, but maybe to pick up dropped stitches?

We were famished after shopping and ran right over to The Friendly Toast. Although we had to wait for about a half and hour for a table, it was so worth it! I had the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich ever with homefries and a drink called, "The Pinky"....appropriate name, huh?



It was a frappe with a mix of chocolate and vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries. Oh, it was so good!

Jackie and Julie had some very interesting and yummy food, too. We were stuffed when we left. (But that did NOT stop us from visiting the chocolate store next and devouring some yummy chocolate covered strawberries, though!)

The day was so relaxed, so non-stressful, so....well, just wonderful! I think we all deserve a day like that...at least once in a while, don't you?