Snow Baby Leg Warmers!

My dear knitting friends!   Happy Autumn!

Me and my boys!!!  (Tim, 22 and Benji, 12)

Holy crap, it's been over a year since I wrote to you last.   How is that possible?? (so many hugs)

But, first, how are you?  How has your year been so far?  What project are you knitting on right now?  What have you finished since I talked to you last?

I'm thrilled to say that I'm finally starting to knit for my own enjoyment...and not for "work" or because I have to "finish this for so-and-so".  Does anyone else ever feel this way?  Maybe this may lead to "starteritis" or even buying some new yarn (eek!), but...hell...it's WORTH it to be happy with needles and lovely yarn in your hands knitting something you absolutely love, right?? :D

And speaking of knitting something you absolutely love...

I'm even more thrilled (and honored!) to announce that I have a design in the brand new book, "One Skein Wonders for Babies" by the amazing editor, Judith Durant.  Woo-hoo!

The cutest knitting patterns ever!

My design is the Snow Baby Leg Warmers (page 189)...and I have to say...they are one of my most favorite new patterns.  The leg warmers are super quick to knit, very cute, practical AND, for a limited time, I'm offering any one Sleepy Eyes Knits pattern on Ravelry (including books!) for FREE when you purchase the Snow Baby Leg Warmers & Hat pattern!  Yay!  (It's also a sweet and thoughtful gift to knit for a baby shower and/or new baby.)  

For the free pattern coupon code, check out my Sleepy Eyes Knits Facebook page!

©Geneve Hoffman Photography

This book is SO cute, you'll want to hug it for hours...all of the adorable and super sweet photos of knitted clothes and accessories will make your heart melt...ahhhhh!!!!  :D

I've loved all of the One Skein Wonder books and this one is no different...maybe even my favorite.

Here are my 10 favorite patterns:

1.  Full of Love Sleep Sack (page 261)
2.  Fat Kitty (page 248)
3.  Tuck Me In (page 202)
4.  The Perfect Baby Bib (page 199)
5.  Poseidon Mitts (page 182)
6.  Little Ballerina Slippers (page 179)
7.  Easy Baby Bootees (page 175)
8.  Faux Seams Toque (page 145)
9.  Playtime Sweater (page 75)
10.  Trellis Lace Sweater and Hat (page 33)

The layout is clear, easy to read and the font (both size and type, which I think is important when reading a pattern) is perfect.   I wish I had all the time in the world to knit everything in this book.  My suggestion is:  pick 3 things (mine included...lol) and knit like the wind!  Keep these sweet items in a special place until you have the opportunity to gift them (because you know you will!).  Then, wrap the items in lovely tissue paper, tie with raffia and add a hand written card.   All set!

Did I also mention that I'm giving away free stuff??? (I bet THAT got your attention!)

(Huge thanks to Jessica/Zarzuela & friend for the gift goodies!)

Here's how to win this awesome gift stash:

1.  Read this blog post.
2.  Comment on this blog post (or Facebook contest post) with an answer to this question:
"Do you wear the things you knit?"
3.  Like my Sleepy Eyes Knits Facebook page.
4.  Like the contest post.
5.  (optional) Grab the coupon code to get your FREE Sleepy Eyes Knits pattern on Ravelry (when you purchase the Snow Baby Legwarmers & Hat pattern).

(Contest ends and winner chosen on November 1st, 2015)

Well, what are you waiting for?  Go now! lol

So many hugs and wishes of knitting joy :D

Love, Gina

Oooh...Website Makeover!

Hello! How is early summer treating you so far? Have you been keeping up with your knitting projects or have you put them aside for trips to the beach and bike rides?

You may not know this about me, but I'm not an outdoors type of person. My sister, Kim, always asked me to go outside with her to play basketball or ride bikes, but I almost never said yes. Poor Kim. A comfy chair, a book and a quiet space inside was my favorite thing to do. And it still is. (See below for pics) *grin*

But, sometimes, I sit by the pool when it's not too hot or buggy :)

So far this summer, I've been...

- Updating my website layout (My hubby, Ian, figured out how to substitute the old layout with the new - yay!)

- Trying to find a distributor for my knitwear design books (I finally found one - Small Press United!)

- Creating and updating new patterns (Crossing my fingers for my current lace shawl design to be accepted. This is some of the yummy Plucky Knitter yarn I'm using...)

- Helping my oldest son get an internship for the summer (He finally got a job at DEKA Research...woo!) Here is a pic of us together on his 21st birthday in May:

- Cleaning out my closet (Omg...the horror! I finally created a little nook for myself where I can knit and read. Yes, in my closet! lol)

The hallway in my bedroom opens up to the closet area/bathroom, so I can use half my closet for yarn/clothes storage and half for books and knitting nook.

- Knitting daily on my Year in Temperatures Scarf (I look forward to it every day...so much fun to add to my routine.)

- Thanks to the awesomeness of Ravelry, I found out that I was the 91st Raveler to join! (super cool)

- My youngest son Ben, hubby and I went to the Skrillex concert and it was amazing! (Except for the tall people getting in my way...I always wish that I could bring a small step stool with me...)

- And, on May 23rd, I turned 41 (horrors again!), but now hubby Ian and I are BOTH 41. (At least I have that 5 or so extra months of feeling young...lol.)

So, I think that's about all that's new and interesting in my life since April. Hmmm...mostly, doing a million things at once and stressing out over things I probably shouldn't. (Calgon, take me away!)

I've also been inspired by my dear friends, Jessica and Heather, to get back into a daily yoga routine. And, truly, that's helped with some of my health issues AND with clearing my mind (and helping me to relax). Yay for amazing, helpful friends!!

You can get hear more about what I'm up to (and see some interesting knitting links that I share) on my Sleepy Eyes Knits Facebook page.

I'd love to hear what you've been up to and what you're knitting on now. Share away in the comments below :D

Barnes & Noble Loves ME!

Hellooooo my lovely knitters!

After much frustration over my website blog (no one could leave comments! whaaaa?), I decided that I would just go back to my old friend, Blogger.

So...WELCOME!!!

There is so much that I would like to share with you. As you know, I LOVE lists, so I will start with that :D

1. I have almost finished all of my Kickstarter gift knitting (for those who donated to my Kickstarter project). I only have one more item to knit. Last week or so, I finished the "Ridgeway Pullover #302" by Cabin Fever for my friend, Chip. I loved using the Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky yarn for this sweater (great color and nice to knit with). I really hope it fits him nicely.

2. I (if "I" means my hubby, Ian - lol) updated my SleepyEyes app (FREE on iTunes!) - so you can now purchase and download both the Wonderlace and Dreamscape books, as well as 4 other patterns (Mari Lace Cowl, Lisha Lace Scarf, Bobbi's Birthday Scarf, Lotus Heart Socks)...plus at least 15 free patterns, too :D

3. I've also started creating individual patterns from the Wonderlace book - the first being, The Loralee Cowl. It's available on my ETSY SHOP...yay!

4. I love Sparkle. Sparkle makes me very happy. With that in mind, I designed a very cute (and girly) scarf pattern called the "Princess Sparkle Scarf". I'm hoping to finish up the pattern tonight so I can add it to Ravelry :) You may not be able to tell how wonderfully sparkly it is from these pics, but it's soo great.

5. Keep checking back here and on my Sleepy Eyes Knits Facebook page in the next week or so for a new CONTEST! I'm trying to get more reviews on Amazon.com for my Wonderlace book (and Dreamscape) and I will be giving away a super awesome prize for the winner of the contest. PRIZE - a gift certificate to an online yarn store and PDF copy of both Wonderlace & Dreamscape (for you or for a friend).

6. I want to thank all of my supportive and loving friends for keeping me company at my trunk shows/book signings. Although it's incredibly wonderful to be in a yarn store all day to sell my book (especially when they store owners are friendly and helpful), it does get lonely and sad sometimes. There are issues of "When can I leave the table to go to the bathroom?", "Why does that lady look so irritated over my patterns?", "I wish someone would bring me lunch.", "Should I ask this person if they want to buy a book or not pressure her/him?" and, always, "Why does this person have to say that they dislike lace knitting (and give a million excuses why they don't want my book) while they are browsing through my book???".

When a friend comes to visit me, there's MUCH less of that and I have someone to talk to when the people working in the shop are busy. Usually, I stay all day at the shop, so even company for an hour or so means a lot to me. (PLUS, it gives the impression that my trunk show is awesome...lol) I want to thank Melissa W., Lora K., Heather H., Sarah S., Jessica L.W., Kerry P., Jackie W., Julie R., Patti V., Trudy & friends and Edith H. for visiting me, giving hugs and keeping me company. (I hope I didn't forget anyone!) You are wonderful friends!

When knitters come to yarn stores just to see ME and my book, it is AWESOME! I can't express how it makes me feel that someone cares about me and my work. It usually only happens once or less per trunk show but, when it does, my day is made. Seriously. It's like a huge hug - on the inside :D


7. I want to thank the incredibly talented (and super sweet) Joanna Johnson of Slate Falls Press for the interview on her blog last month - not only was it lots of fun, but it was such a thoughtful and helpful thing to do. I have all of her design books and I love them all. If only I had more time to knit every single thing from all of her books. I received my copy of the new "Green Gables Knits" and the book is really beautiful. I hope to do an interview of her on MY blog soon!

8. Last, but not least, I finally heard back from Barnes & Noble Bookstores and they are going to carry my Wonderlace book!!! I am THRILLED!!! Beyond the moon. After the rejection of my first book, I was discouraged, but my friends encouraged me to try one more time...and I'm very, very glad that I listened to them! Woo-hoo!

With love and many hugs,

Gina
xoxo


P.S. My Wonderlace book is available on my Etsy Shop, Amazon.com, Ravelry.com and Artfire.com...and, soon, Barnes & Noble! Yay!!

Happy New Year 2010!!!

Happy New Year, Friends!!!

I can't believe 2009 is already over. In a way, I'm totally glad. It was a good year for me, I think, but so so busy.

(Can't believe how BIG my boys are now, too!)



I've still got a list of 10 things that I really wanted to get done this year that I didn't do. Like:

- Finish Reconciling the checkbook
-Clean out Ben's closet
-Clean out art cupboard
-Organize my yarn stash (which I'm sure will be a month long project)
-Donate old toys
-Buy a pretty rug for the kitchen
-Get a knitting corner set up for me to relax in (with new comfy chair!)
-Finish all pairs of hand knit socks (at least 5 singles to do!)
-Clean out and organize my freezer (fridge part is done!)
-Force (a-hem) Urge Ian to clean out the garage

But...maybe I'll get to those things THIS year...right? (right?)

The list above aside, the Year 2009 has been very productive for me.

(sorry, few pictures at the moment and very few links - I was trying to get this post done fast!)

I've published and printed my FIRST DESIGN BOOK - "Dreamscape":



-At my first trunk show at Fresh Purls yarn store, I sold about 34 copies of my book! It was one of the most awesome weekends ever!
-In the first two weeks that I had my book available, I made all of the money back that I spent printing the 100 copies!
-Soon, I'll be able to have another 100 copies printed (with an ISBN number this time!)
-I'm so grateful for everyone who helped with the book and for everyone who bought a book or pdf...THANK YOU!!!!

I've knit and finished 54 PROJECTS:

(must remember to add the new ones to Ravelry!!!)

-Amanda Hat in Ivy Brambles Superwash Worsted (tulips)
-3 Crocheted Dishsoap Aprons (various yarns)
-Golle Molle Baby Cardigan in Rowan Pure Wool DK (white)
-Lizard Ridge Afghan in Noro Kureyeon (many colors)



-Tim's Felted Clogs in Cascade 220 (red and black)
-Ian's Felted Clogs in Cascade 220 (dark gray)
-Fabulous Scarf in Ivy Brambles SW Worsted (tulips)
-Lacy Recyclibag in Green Mountain Spinnery Organic Wool (natural)
-Spring Savasana Socks in Ivy Brambles SW Worsed (spring meadow)
-Amy Beret in My Handspun (reds and pinks)
-Hai Ryo for Tim in Berroco Comfort Worsted (red) and Berroco Lumina (black/red)
-Ericka Scarf in Noro Kureyon sock yarn (long and narrow)
-Another Ericka Scarf in Noro Kureyon sock yarn (wider)
-Baby Bear Felted Teddy in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Worsted (brown)
-Baby Yoda Sweater in Rowan Wool Cotton (light teal)
-Plain Jane Socks in Sereknity Sock Options (Berry)
-Monk's Sweater for Teddy in Noro Kureyon (226)
-Grown Up Booties in Reynolds' Lopi (fushia)
-Tiny Shoes in Bunny Blend Angora sportweight (lt. pink and fushia)
-Mya's Sweater in Bunny Blend Angora sportweight (lt. pink and fushia)
-Button Up Neck Wrap in My Handspun (glittery blue)
-Hap Blanket in This and That Farms' Cormo Silk chunky (natural and Sereknity "Escape dyed)
-Kraken in Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 SW (yellow and cranberry)
-Sea Urchin in Katia Mississippi 3 (hot pink)
-Spider in Cascade 220 (black and red)
-Buttercup in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool (bright blue)
-Icing Swirl Hat in Misti Alpaca Chunky (dk, turquoise)
-Mousie in Katia Mississippi 3 (gray and pink)
-Quant in My Handspun (various pastel colors)
-Octopus in Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 SW (turquoise and yellows)
-Elephante in RYC Cashsoft DK (gray blue)
-Sea Star in Cascade 220 (pink)
-Sea Star in Cascade 220 SW (yellows)
-Brown Lizard Ridge Square for Roger's Blanket in Cascade 220 SW (brown)
-Helmet Liner in Cascade 220 (camel)
-Cowl in Cascade 220 (camel)
-Horseshoe Cap in My Handspun (pinks and oranges)
-Sweet Leaf Adult Hat in Lamb's Pride Worsted (turquoise)
-Immortal Stole in Cascade ECO+ (red) and SWTC Jezebel (black)
-Immortal Stole (half and half with Kerry) in Cascade Eco+ (pale turquoise) and Ivy Brambles Shetland (dark turquioise)
-Lena Hat in Wollemeise Sock yarn Wool blend (Red Hot Chili)
-Roman Princess Scarf in Malabrigo Worsted (fushia)
-Amanda Hat in Malabrigo Worsted (butter)
-Persephone Beret in Cascade 220 (coffee)
-Persephone Beret in Anny Blatt Angora Super (pink)



-Persephone Beret in Cascade Pastaza (white large)
-Persephone Beret in Cascade Pastaza (white small)
-Persephone Beret in Cascade Pastaza (dark gray small)
-Soleil Shoulder Wrap in Spunky Eclectic Lace Merino (Walking on the Sun)
-Spellbound in Gedifra Ayala (gray)
-Chimera in Valeria di Roma Angora (white)
-Chimera in Cascade 220 (pink)

I've spun 5 HANDSPUN YARNS:

(on my Ashford Joy)

-2 ply fingering of Sereknity 100% BFL in "Blue Hawaii" for DonnaD (355 yards)
-2 ply fingering (20 wpi) of Icelandic Lambswool/Mohair from Fresli Farm (hand dyed lt. turquoise by me) (515 yards)
-2 ply lt. worsted of London Wul Fiber Arts 100% Polwarth in red-pinks for Amy Beret (245 yards)
-2 ply DK of Sereknity's 50% Lambswool/50% Angora in "Lilacs in Bloom" (98 yards)
-Single ply DK of Ivy Brambles 100% Corriedale in "Fireball" for Horseshoe Cap from Spin Off (160 yards)

I've read 45 BOOKS:

(my favorites were BY FAR the ones written by Dorothy Whipple!)

-They Knew Mr. Knight by Dorothy Whipple
-Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
-Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple
-The Priory by Dorothy Whipple
-The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
-The Chinese Shawl by Patricia Wentworth
-Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Riechl
-Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
-Fortune and Fate by Sharon Shinn
-The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula LeGuin
-Wuthering Heights (thank goodness I finished this one!) by Emily Bronte
-To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
-Hitty: Her First 100 Years by Rachel Field
-Jamaica Inn by Daphne duMaurier
-Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield
-They were Sisters by Dorothy Whipple
-From May Sarton's Well by Edith R. Scharde
-Poison in the Pen by Patricia Wentworth
-Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
-The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
-Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
-Teatime for the Traditionally Built by A.McCall Smith
-Olive Kitteridge by Katherine Strout
-Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
-The Cricket in Times Square by Gregory Smith
-Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
-Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
-The Secret Woman by Victoria Holt
-The Tree Book by Mark Ryden
-The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler
-Journal to the Self by Kathleen Adams
-The Sweet Life by Laura Stoddart
-The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
-Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program by Christabel Zamor
-The One Hundred by Nina Garcia
-The Black Opal by Victoria Holt
-Secret for a Nightingale by Victoria Holt
-Seven for a Secret by Victoria Holt
-Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt
-Daughter of Deceit by Victoria Holt
-The Shadow of the Lynx by Victoria Holt
-Quatrain by Sharon Shinn
-The Black Swan by Phillipa Carr
-Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
-Handmade Home by Amanda B. Soule


I've also lost 93 POUNDS on Weight Watchers:

-Still an ongoing process, but I'm keeping at it. I'm losing much less per week and sometimes none at all. But, I'm not going to give up...and I WILL make my goal weight in the next 6 months!!!! (crossing fingers!!)

I want to let all of you know how much I appreciate all of your support, comments and love that you send to me through Facebook, Ravelry, my blog and email. You are all AMAZING and thank you so much for reading my blither blather every couple of weeks or so.

Have a TRULY MAGICAL 2010 and hope all of your wishes come true!!!!

My Day Knitting Orenburg Gossamer Lace

OMG....I cannot tell you how fantastic a day I had yesterday. Ian generously took the day off so that I could take a gossamer lace knitting class in Newburyport, MA ...with none other than the famous Galina Khmeleva, author of Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls.



There were about 8 of us in the class (including Cyndi, Julia, and Kelly and Cheryl from my spinning group) and we were so lucky to have the class at Merrill Place, a historic home near the port...now a lovely inn run by Ruth Ann. The class itself took place here in the dining room...complete with a crystal chandelier!



We had the most delicious lunch: freshly squeezed lemonade, Hot and Cold peanut noodles, chicken ceaser salad, another salad, squash with rice & pears, homemade buns made also with squash (I think), fresh veggies and cheese/crackers. There was also cookies and cheesecake for dessert. YUM! Half of us ate outside on the steps (it was such a gorgeous and sunny fall day) and the other half ate in here on the porch with Galina and her husband. (This was also where the luxury yarn shopping was later on....oooooh!)



Meeting Galina was a treat....she is matter-of-fact, very funny (she had us with tears in our eyes at one point) and extremely talented. She was more than happy to sign books, explain the lace knitting as carefully and patiently as possible and gave me a big hug at the end of the class. I would definitely take another class with her....the three day lace knitting sounded like a blast!....what a wonderful teacher she is.

We were blessed with a nice, long, leisurely lunch after a couple hours of introduction to the history and technique of Orenburg lace knitting and then.....there was SHOPPING!!! I'm kicking myself now that I didn't take a picture of all of the handknitted Orenburg lace shawls she was selling. Why, oh, why didn't I????

I took pics of-

The rainbow color circles of Zephyr laceweight displayed on the table (the yarn some of us used for our triangle lace sample):



Julia taking a picture of me:



Cyndi knitting her lace:



and even this cool stone cat on the porch:



But not shawls...oh, what is wrong with me?

Anyway, I able to finish more than half of the triangular Orenburg gossamer lace shawl sample before we left. The purple Zephyr is just so wonderfull silky and soft....oooh! (This is the border with "tooth" edging, the start of the shawls.) The picture at the start shows a square sample I did using KP Alpaca Cloud...both samples are knit using size 0 needles. (I truly wish I'd used a 1 or 2.)



When the yarn TUBS (yes, tubs) were brought in, there was a frenzy of running, grabbing and fondling yarn. Oh, it was wonderful. The selection was something like this: (90% was laceweight)

-100% superwash merino
-100% quiviut
-Quiviut blends
-Silk/merino
-Silk/alpaca
-silk/angora
-100% cashmere
-silk/cashmere.....

I could go on and on....and the colors!....well, if you love lace and lace yarns.....there was something for EVERYONE! The only thing we felt badly about was that we didn't have enough money to buy everything we wanted.

This is what I got:



55% silk and 45% angora bunny....it's a 2/32 yarn (meaning 2 ply, 32 wraps of yarn per inch)....it's finer than any laceweight I've ever used and I hope I can do it. It's one of my goals to knit my own Gossamer Orenburg lace shawl...we'll see. Remind me in about 2 years, okay? LOL!

Before I forget, I want to say that I'm SO behind on my blog reading, so if I haven't commented lately, please know that I will soon. I'm trying to find a day that I'm NOT working so that I can get caught up. I have to say that, even though I love working at the yarn store, I'm having a difficult time keeping up. I feel like I never see my family because I'm working Friday nights, all day Saturday, half of Sunday and Monday nights....then my knitting night is Wed. Ahhhh!

A good thing is the sock class that I'm teaching is getting less difficult and I've only got 2 more classes. Thank goodness.

Another good thing is that the Friday Night Knitting Club that I'm hosting at the store is getting pretty popular. See the write up and picture of me (ugh...I'm not even smiling!) here.

Hope all is well with you, my knitting friends, and let me know how you think my lace is coming along....

Frantic FO Friday!!! (and fiber!)

Whew!! I can't tell you how absolutely friggin relieved I am that the center panel of my "Large Rectangle" lace stole (from Victorian Lace Today) is done!!!

THANK, THANK GOODNESS!!! I thought I was going to go insane knitting those 10 rows over and over. I have some serious knitter's elbow and I was thinking maybe I'd snag Sarah and see if she'd work her magic on it. (Pretty please, Sarah??)

Here is just some idea of the agony of my lace knitting (though I did enjoy it overall...just not in parts here and there):

1. 360 ROWS!!!

2. Such fine, fine yarn (have I mentioned this already????? LOL!)

3. 18 non stop hours of lace knitting (approx. 1/2 hour per repeat)

4. There is one horrid mistake in the whole thing that I just noticed and it's near the beginning....and, no, Laurin, I am NOT frogging this baby!

Am I happy with it? Yeah, I have to say that it is incredibly soft and really beautiful despite the agony I mentioned above. If I can figure out the knitted on lace border and blocking, I'll be good to go. (I think.)

So, what else have I finished, you ask?

Well, I finally finished my Wavy scarf!!! (It only took 9 months to finish....nothin' to it! LOL!) Here is Tim modeling it for me:



I'm super happy with the outcome, but not sure if I'd ever make another one. If I did, it would be for some kind of payment (money or yarn) and definitely in a different color. Not sure how lovely Blogless Amanda has knit 3 (!!!) of them, but she must have nerves of steel or something.

Also, I dyed some Knit Picks Bare Laceweight yarn in a slightly varigated purples/blues/lilac colorway and will be using that for a special project soon. I was thrilled with this yarn! It is super, super soft and dyed very nicely. Only $3.99 for 880 yards!!! I'll definitely buy more. (one tip, though....this yarn is slightly thicker than laceweight, but not quite fingering.)



What do you think??

Here's my progress on spinning the bamboo I got from Cayli, who bought it from the fab-u-lous HollyEEQ. I WUV BAMBOO!!!



I can't believe how wonderful it is to spin...when they say it spins like "buttah"....it is SO true! It's like spinning tencel, but without the burn....shines brighter than silk and is so much easier to spin than silk. When drafting, it just floats out of your hands like ribbons of shiny clouds. I'd love a bed lined with bamboo fiber! Mmmm.....



I've only spun half the fiber so far, but I'm planning on spinning the other half and making a 2 ply fingering/sportweight yarn. If I get the yardage I think I will, I'm thinking of making a lace shawl out of it or mini Clapotis.

Hmmm...what else am I up to?

Oh, guess what I bought from Loop? An absolutely BREATHTAKING fiber called, "Kimono"....it's a handcarded 3 oz batt of alpaca, merino, sparkle and silk. You would not believe how gorgeous this is from my pic...click HERE to see better pics. It's driving me crazy....I don't know whether to just admire it, spin it or marry it. (I would. I really would.)



Oh, before I forget, my TWO NEW PATTERNS are now available in pdf form (free!!) on the right sidebar under Sleepy Eyes Patterns. Please check them out and print them out (full color makes them look REALLY awesome) and tell many, many people about them, okay? It's the "PicSock"....a cozy for your small digital camera or cell phone... and "Sweet Leaf" toddler hat. Comments?? Hugs??

Since Ian is still away in New Mexico, I am trying not to go insane. Tim is out of school now and....he is bored. My sons are both driving me to drink (well...just maybe some tonic water with lime).....all day long is bicker, bicker, bicker. No matter who I put in which room, how many hours they are out playing, or swimming or eating. Ahhhh!!!! (Jackie knows my pain.)

Speaking of Ian....

well, he loves geocashing. And he brought his GPS to NM with him. He tells me this morning that he went out after work yesterday TO THE DESERT with only 1 bottle of water and his GPS to hike.

No buddy, no extra food, no cell phone, no hat, no sunscreen, no first aid kit or supplies and.... no one he knows for hundreds of miles knows where he is.

K.

He tells me that he didn't really feel like following any trails (UM....am I the only one who thinks he is more insane than me?) and might have gotten lost for a bit. Um...yeah.

Luckily, he found a trail and was able to make it back without dying and raced into a Subway to get some food and water. He was so dehydrated that he could barely talk to order his food.

OMG.

You know, I TRY not to be a worry wort, but when he tells me things like this, I can only think that I may have to kill him for doing such dangerous things.

(sigh)

Anyone wanna trade three fertile males for a female alpaca or llama or something??

Podcast 9: I Heart Knitting Group

Hey Sweet and Sassy Knitters!

Another belated episode from yours truly. Hope you enjoy it! I'm adding links and a handful pics. For the next podcast, my 10th!!!!, please help me to write a mini theme song for my podcast and email me: gina@YogaGardenNH.com. The top 5 entries get put in another drawing for a FANTASTIC prize or prizes!!! (If you have an item or items you want to donate, please email me as well. I'd appreciate it!! If you donate, I will add you to my Super Silver Donator List....will add your name and blog, if you have one, to the podcast.)

Theme Song: Can be funny, serious, rhymning or not...be creative... but should sum up the "essence" of my podcast. ( If you record it in .mp3 form, you can send it to me and I'll put it on the podcast no matter if you win or not. Please include the words if you record it.) Should be short....about a minute or two at most.

Thank you and hope you enjoy the podcast!!!

Happy Knitting and Many hugs, Gina aka Sleepy Eyes : )


SPONSOR LINKS: (see right)

MUSIC:

Podshow Podsafe Musick Network

Love=Action with "Everyone's in this Together"

Mossback with "Annalisa"


PICS:

1. My second handspun sock



2. Wearing both socks



3. Down to Hearth soap (my Creamsicle scent) handmade by Ericka. (This pic shows the old packaging...the pics of new soaps in the muslin bags will be posted as soon as I can...)



Unrelated-to-podcast PICS:

1. Ben wearing his snowshoes...



2. Tim wearing his snowshoes....



3. Tim and Ben snowshoeing around the pool....




LINKS:

ManchVegas Knitters

Spunky Ecletic...home of Amy King's gorgeous creations

Julie of Noolie Knits

Heather of Yarnophiliac

My NETA Spa Trip blog entry

Gauge Lesson Shell from Knit Picks using the Twist yarn.


(*Remember to click on the link at the right under "Podcast" to download the newest episode!*)

Bye!!!!!