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???

New Podcast! Episode 15: Pattern Palooza

After braving a broken power source on my laptop, a podcast script outline that completely disappeared, slightly cranky kiddies and many weekend visitors, I finally, finally finished up the new podcast! Woo-hoo!

I think I was a bit rusty with recording and had a few sound "blips" here and there but, overall, I think it went o-kay. You'll have to let me know. I was feeling a bit silly last night, so I added a couple of funny songs to the podcast...hope they bring a smile to your face.

I haven't got much new to show you in terms of photos of knitted or spun projects at the moment, but I'm sure I'll have more after my deadline is past.

I do have one AWESOME piece of news, though. Got an email last night from Tasha asking if it was okay to talk about my Lisha Lace Scarf on Lime and Violet's Daily Chum. I mean....ahhhhhh! Is it possible for anyone to actually say the word "no"?

First, I screamed and made Ian drop the carton of milk he was holding. Then, I had to explain why this was so super fantastic (for which his response was something like, "I didn't understand a word you just said. Calm down and talk to me in a voice that doesn't hurt dogs' ears.") and, THEN, I called Jackie and to tell her the news but not sure now that she actually understood my loud babbling....maybe because I told her the news and then said I had to put Ben to bed now and hung up. I can just picture her sitting with the phone to her ear saying, "Huh?"

Before I end, I'll leave you with all necessary podcast links:

PODCAST

You can download it on iTunes under "Sleepy Eyes Knits", HERE or from the right sidebar.

"Lisha Lace Scarf" CONTEST Rules

Listen to the near end of the podcast for more information, but here is the general info:

-Buy ANY Sleepy Eyes Pattern from July 1st to August 1st to be entered into a drawing for your very own skein of Sereknity's "Luxe", 100% cashmere, fingering weight yarn! (perfect for the Lisha Lace Scarf!)

Patterns are available for purchase on my blog home page, Ravelry and also One Planet Yarn and Fiber under Black Pearl patterns (Haiku Flower Socks) or Yarn Botanika patterns, (Radiance Lace Headbands, Lovely Waters Tablerunner).

-The more patterns you buy, the more chances you have to win.

-EMAIL ME (very important) when you've bought a pattern, just in case I don't receive the notification from Paypal...and I'll add your name to the list of entries.

-Second and third place winners will also be chosen...with luscious yarns or other goodies...as prizes.

-Winners drawn on August 2nd and blogged/notified that week.


SPONSORS

Sereknity and Sereknity Boutique

Actual Size Creations

Lora's Keyhole

Down To Hearth Soap by Ericka

Wow....NEW STUFF!

1. Keychains from Lora's Keyhole

2. Debra's Garden Needle Gauge Pendants

3. Kamibashi String Doll Gang

SONGS

Oland with "I Heard Boobs on Howard Stern"

The Fump with Robert Lund, "50 Ways to Lose Your Luggage"

Let me know what you think of the new podcast or if you have any suggestions or comments!

Gina ; )

FO Friday: New Sleepy Eyes Patterns!!!

I'm SUPER excited to share two new Sleepy Eyes Patterns with you today. The first, is named after one of my closest friends, Laurin aka "La La", whose love of the Karabella "Boise" yarn (and the color purple) inspired me to design these mittens. (Well....also a new shipment of this yarn to Yarn and Fiber Co....he he)

The second pattern was a wonderful opportunity to spin up some of Sereknity's gorgeous hand painted fibers....which was a pleasure to spin as well as to feel. I used the handspun yarn to create a simple, but beautifully elegant scarf pattern...which reminded me very much of the owner/creator of Sereknity, my dear friend Heather.

Below are the new patterns and descriptions. Please feel free to download both (links on right under Sleepy Eyes Patterns) and I would love for you to email me pics of your finished projects. Both are also listed on Ravelry, so I'd love some comments on the patterns there, as well.

La La Mittens



Scrumptious, orgasmic yarn and a simple slip stitch cable pattern make these mittens perfect for a holiday gift for that very special someone. Takes only 1 skein of Karabella "Boise" and size 5 or 6 needles. Luxury and beauty without breaking the bank!

Note: I used size 5 needles because I am a pretty loose knitter, so try both in a gauge swatch and see which size is closer to the gauge. The pattern is written so that it's easily adaptable for dpns, 2Circs and Magic Loop. (I used ML for test knitting these.) The size shown is the smallest size, but comes in a larger size as well. The mitten is easily made longer on the wrist/arm by adding an extra inch or two to the cuff and making another repeat of the slip cable pattern on top of the hand. Very adaptable for any size hand.




Roman Princess Scarf



A perfect scarf pattern for your handspun yarn (or any light bulky yarn you are keeping for something unique/special) and knits up especially well with handspun of a semi-solid colorway. The ribbed/drop stitch/cross pattern is very elegant, but also simple and easy to remember. If you've been dying to try knitting up a project with your handspun or one skein of luxury yarn, this would be it. Looks wonderful for any occasion....I've even made a couple to go with various outfits I have. You deserve to feel like a Princess for a day!



Note: I used Sereknity's hand painted fiber in the "Bonfire" colorway for this pattern. I fell in love with this fiber and the way it transitioned from one subtle color to the next. Also visit her Etsy Shop for more fibers. For the pink scarf, I used a handspun angora/merino, which creates a soft, fuzzy halo the more you wear it. Very quick to knit!



And, finally, I finished spinning up, setting and finishing my handspun that I created from Oceans of Fiber's "Geronimo" wool/mohair blend. Did I tell you how much I enjoyed spinning that fiber? I MUST get more of this in another colorway. It practically spun itself!



What do you think? It came out to be almost 190 yards of 2 ply light worsted. I'm planning on knitting Tim a hat for the winter with it, to match the green mittens I'm making him in November (Month of Mittens!!!). I'm calling this yarn, "The Jolly Green Giant".

And, now, onto my two in-progress spinning projects:

1. Sereknity's "Lilacs in Bloom", 50%lambswool/50% angora fiber. I'm spinning it at a fine wpi....probably between laceweight and fingering. It's softer than clouds and I can't wait to feel the finished yarn when it's done. Sooo lovely.



2. Sereknity's "Smouldering Embers", romney/corridale/merino/leicester lamb/silk blend in such rich, deep colors. This yarn will end up being a bit "tweedy" and since some of the fibers are a bit on the short side, I'm spinning it more of a sportweight single at the moment. I'm in love with the way it's coming out and think that this might make a really gorgeous sock yarn for the winter, once I'm done with it.



After I finish these two, I still have to finish poor Donna's Ashland Bay merino from WEBS and I'm DYING to spin up more Lambie Locks (in aqua and fushia) from Oceans of Fiber. Mmmm.....

Having a bit more trouble with my "tennis elbow" and it gets worse the more I knit. I'm trying desperately to finish up my Sahara and Tim's sock is just about at the toe. I'm frustrated because, after organizing all of my pattern collection, I realized how many fantastic patterns I have and want to knit and.....THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH TIME!!!!

I guess I could stop reading, but....that would be MADNESS! I tell you, MADNESS! Speaking of reading and books, Laurin has finally enabled ME for once and got me to join the new site, Good Reads, which is like Ravelry for bookworms. Not quite as spectacular, but I'm addicted none-the-less and have been going there almost as much as on Ravelry. Eeek! If you're ever on there, add me as a friend- I've love to see what you're reading.....

Okay, well, it's almost time to get ready for work and, if you can believe it, I am REALLY excited about it! Well, of course you can believe it. The Yarn and Fiber Co. is soo great. Remember, if you're ever in the area (Exit 3 off of Rt. 93 in NH), please pop in for knitting and shopping on a Friday night. Would love to see you!

Have a great weekend! G : )

"Lovely Waters" Tablerunner

I'm so excited!!!! My new pattern is published....the "Lovely Waters" Tablerunner. This was one of my more time consuming, but rewarding patterns.

"Company coming? And most of them are knitters? No need to fear....just whip up this beautiful and useful tablerunner and you will dazzle your guests without even trying. Perfect for your dining room but can just as easily be for a living room table or dresser top. Enjoy knitting this unique lace pattern as well as creating your own design for the beaded fringe. Voila!"

Here are the details:

FEATURES:

-Thick, square center piece for placing your vase of flowers, bowl of fruit or main dish for a meal.
-Beautiful zigzag lace pattern flowing from each side of the center square towards the ends of your table.
-Gorgeous beaded, fringed ends...I used glass and swarovski crystal beads to match the yarn.
-The lace sides can be made longer or shorter, depending on your table length.
-Takes only 1 skein of Yarn Botanika DK superwash merino sock yarn (around 400 yards) or Yarn Botanika Radiance DK Merino/tencel handpainted yarn.

You can buy the pattern from me (see "Buy Now" link on right) or at One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Check out the One Planet Yarn and Fiber Blog for more details and pictures, as well as some of their other lovely yarns that would work with this pattern.

PICTURES: (these are not on the pattern, I took these myself)

My Favorite



Square Center



ZigZag Lace




Beaded fringed edges



Overall look (took this in my dining room!)



So, you Lovely Knitters....tell me what you think!! Can I shamelessly beg you to buy this fantastic pattern? LOL!

Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments about this pattern. I'd be glad to answer : )

Podcast 12: Lace Race

Good morning, wonderful knitters!

I'm excited to say that I've cast on for the Myrtle Leaf Shawl! The lace cast on wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be...but that Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb is sooo thin!




Here is the button for knitting lace in May (please link back to me)....which can include knitting the Radiance Lace Headband....so grab the pattern, yarn and size 4 needles and start knitting! The Radiance Lace Headband Contest ends May 31, so remember that as well ; )



Also, check the side bar and this post for the Sleepy Eyes Tipsy Sock pattern...download for free....would love to see the socks you knit!

Go to the Sleepy Eyes Etsy Shop and buy the very last skein of Alien Invasion sock yarn....100% superwash merino...beautiful twist and 440 yards of fingering weight dreaminess!

If you liked the music on this podcast, here are the talented artists to look up....

Love = Action with "Waves" and Beatrice Ericsson with "Starting All Over"

WEBSITES to VISIT for LACE:

Knotty Daisy for her gorgeous "Fir Cone Wrap" and progress on a new lace project.

Knit Picks for Options needles, lace patterns, yarns and books.

Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Shawls and Scarves from the Best of Knitter's Magazine

A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swanson

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls by Martha Waterman

Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby

YARNS:

Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud

Spunky Eclectic Laceweight

Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb

Rowan Kidsilk Haze

K1C2 Doceur et Soie

LACE PATTERN WEBSITES:

Heart Strings Fiber Arts

Fiber Trends

Knitter's Review Lace Tutorial

Heirloom Knitting Lace

Hope you become inspired to knit some lace this month and I'd LOVE to see your works in progress or finished lace objects!!!

With love, Sleepy Eyes : )

FO Friday: Sleepy Eyes "Tipsy Socks" pattern!

So, what do you think? My first REAL Sleepy Eyes pattern in .pdf form. Here are the details:

Title: Tipsy Socks
Yarn: Sereknity Sock Options sportweight, 100% superwash merino, 1 skein (246 yards)
Colorway: Pretty in Punk
Needle Size: US 3 [I used (2) Knit Picks Classic 24" circs]
Price: FREEEEEEE!

How can you get this pattern?

Two ways:

1. Go to Sereknity and download there... and also buying a luscious skein of the lovely Heather's sportweight sock yarn.

2. Click on the picture below:

Here is a close up of the "Tipsy" slip stitch pattern:



Here is the finished sock on my footsie:



When you make a pair, PLEASE email me a pic and I will add you to the Tipsy Sock Gallery. Speaking of galleries, did you see the Radiance Lace Headband Gallery? Check on the right side bar. If you've bought my pattern, you could be the next one up!!

Podcasting Update:

I will be putting out the podcast on the 30th, so please keep an eye out for it. It's called, "Lace Race". I can't believe it's taken me so long to put it up....whew....lots of busy, busy, busy!

Have a great weekend and grab that pattern! Share with your friends! G : )

Utterly and Completely Disappointed

Okay, so you know how I've been hinting about my awesome, new pattern release? Well, it's been delayed for about 3 more weeks. I have to admit that, as the sensitive (and blubbering) idiot that I am, I cried. (I know...I'm pathetic)

I had the pattern and project done at least a month ago and have been waiting (trying to be patient...not one of personality traits I find easy) for it's release. The photos took the most time and all the details that go along with it.

I don't know how much I can say...I certainly don't want to bad mouth anyone or cause any ill feellings...but I can't help but feel so utterly disappointed, sad, angry and hurt.

I know...I'm probably over-reacting, right?

But, I've worked really hard on this project and design(s) and had been told for a while how the design would most likely be up yesterday or today. I guess I was premature in getting all giggly and excited with my knitting group on Wednesday (saying they could check out the website soon for my new designs). Now I just feel foolish.

I finally realized how difficult it is to work with others without being able to talk to them face to face....or even phone to phone. One minute, it's a raving email about how talented a designer you are, how great the patterns you've created are, and how super you are and, the next one, something completely different...the words truly chopping down any self-confidence I have as a newbie designer....and to a lesser extent...as a person in general....an email giving me the impression that I'm lucky to even be dealing with the company at all...which I can only hope is NOT the intent, but just my hurt reaction and incorrect interpretation of the email. (That does happen with email conversations, after all, right?)

I'm thinking, would it be better to just publish my patterns myself? (which has been suggested to me more than once....either out of a desire to stop working with me (am I that horrible?)...or as a sincere suggestion of faith and attractiveness of my patterns...can't be sure....) Should I send them to MagKnits or Knitty or Interweave Knits or Vogue or something? Should I save myself the emotional turmoil and frustration and go out on my own....? Would I be better off or not?

I have no idea.

I've certainly felt a GREAT deal of gratitude for those having an interest in publishing my designs and for dealing with my ignorance of the "pattern publishing world", but I do have feelings and I wonder if others who design have felt that they are being condescended to and only tolerated, instead of appreciated. And, again, I am more sensitive than most people...so there's that, too.

All I know is that...in everything I do, create, knit or design...I put all of myself into it and that includes some pride and heart.

Boy...for anyone who read all of this, thank you. I feel better and it's a relief to be able to talk about it to people who will probably understand.

I am still going to be excited for the release at the end of March. The pattern(s) are still incredibly cool and I love them. If anyone wants to send me a cyber hug, I'm in sore need of one! Any comments or suggestions or commisserations? (Is that a word?)

HandSpun-Ky Socks

Woo-hoo!!! My first EVER sock knit with my own handspun yarn!!!! And, I have to tell you, I am LOVING this first sock. I can't believe how soft this yarn is! I really owe it all to Amy of Spunky Eclectic. She has corrupted me...really she has....I absolutely adore her and her yarn and fiber. I am a total Spunky Eclectic groupie...oh, a blog button might be nice!....and I have to admit that I'm loving her yarn a tad more than Socks that Rock....(gasp!). Can it be true???

I'll show you step by step (kinda)...how I went from fiber to sock numero uno.

Wanna see?

First, bought "Swamp Monster" roving (after much drooling and babbling at Amy) at the NETA Spa.

1. Drafted roving...see here:



2. Spinning up the singles.....singles are laceweight....30 wpi.......on my Ashford Joy:



3. Finished one bobbin of each single.....2 oz on each bobbin. They look COMPLETELY different because I separated the roving horizontally instead of vertically...but it was cool because each half was fun with the unique colors....first one, more green, brown and white and the second one, more blues, yellows and pinks/reds (bobbins are reversed in pic):



4. Skeined each bobbin to set twist...finished singles yarns:



5. Balled each skein on my nostepinne:



6. Plied the two singles on my wheel to get this 2 ply: (at 16 wpi...which is sportweight or light dk)



7. Created my own pattern (which I may try to send to Spin Off magazine...not sure) using size 4 dpns (didn't have 2 circs, damn it!) and made this first sock!!!



(It took me from Saturday morning until Tuesday to draft, spin singles, set singles, ply singles, set 2 ply, and dry 2 ply. I knitted the first sock from Wednesday evening to Thursday evening. I started my second sock last night and I'm hoping to be done with it tonight or tomorrow morning. I am SOOO excited!)

Here's a close up of the yarn knitted up:



In other news, my own Spin to Knit pal (the one I was gifting), Cayli, sent me the roving I bought from her....a very soft merino fiber in her own, handpainted colorway, "Flowers in the Snow". Isn't it gorgeous? I can't wait to spin it up!



Not only did she send me a sweet note with the fiber, but also a skein of her own handspun!!!! I'm thinking, "She's not supposed to be sending to ME!"....but she had been spinning some merino and plying with a beaded silk yarn that she dyed herself and I'd said how beautiful it was. And also that I'd like to try that technique sometime. So, she was amazingly generous (and friggin awesome) and sent me over 100 yards of this gorgeous yarn with glass beads to inspire me. Look at this!



Here's a close up of the beads:



Cayli, thank you, thank you so much!!! Doing this Spin To Knit swap has been fantastic because of you! Many hugs your way!

And, a quick pick of the finished bikini panties (from the White Lies Designs Nichole Lingerie pattern) that I gave to Jackie for V-Day. They came out very pretty and soft...and, apparrently, nice smelling, since everyone at knitting on Wednesday was sniffing Jackie's panties (she hadn't tried them on yet.....). We kept saying, "Wanna smell Jackie's panties?"...just to get people to do a double take at the next table at Barnes and Noble! Hilarious!!! We are SO crazy!



Finally, a quick snack recipe that I find to be terribly yummy and "almost" healthy for you. The kids love it, too.

I call it, "Goldrush":

1 cup of whole grain Goldfish crackers
1 cup of dried cranberries
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup of unsalted peanuts or almond slivers (you can't see them in this pic for some reason...I think they sank to the bottom)

Mix all in a big bowl or ziploc bag and enjoy!



Happy Shnacking! (and Knitting...and Spinning!)