I Caved....again!

And it was wonderful. All told, I spent less than $40.00, so I'm tickled pink (and yellow and a variety of other colors). Here's the new "baby stash."

I Hear Voices in my Head

...whenever I'm in a yarn store. There's an angel saying, "No! No! Dana. You've got projects to do and more yarn in the basket. Do not be tempted!" Then there's that other voice that says, "Damn the torpedos! You've earned this. Shop 'til you drop...you know it's fun!"

I was standing in Yarn Theory this afternoon and decided to compromise with my alter-egos. I went to the sale section (yes, 50% off) and found some luscious yarn, Wings and Shepherd's, Colour 4 Me. Now on principal, I already had all the "baby yarn" I needed, but I decided to (a)indulge and (b) not feel guilty because it was on sale. My parting thought was, "The devil wins today." Two hours later, I learned that my cousin, David, is having twins (in addition to my other cousin, Chad, having a baby too).

Ummmm....Sorry God.

(And thanks for the new reasons to buy fiber!)

...

Sittin' & Knittin'

It's been a blessedly quiet couple of weeks and I've just been sittin' and knittin' lately. Our recent highpoint was Andie's first formal dance. (The principal of her school said not to go out and buy fancy clothing and/or formal wear, but my child turned deaf ear to his statements). The "princess" would not be satisfied with anything less than a new dress and new shoes (she made a run for a pashmina shawl and evening bag, but I shot her down as the dance ended at 5:30 p.m.) ;)


The morning of the dance, I was "pleasantly" awakened at the crack of dawn to do hair and makeup. The end results are below....








The "Moderne Baby Blanket" is coming along slowly, but surely. Pardon the photo (my camera likes to turn the color white into some sort of neon affair).

Arghhh...the Guilt!

Dear Marianne,


I have not forgotten you. I know it's difficult to believe, but I promise you, it's the truth.

I have been knitting up a storm, but lately, the "wool fates" have been working against me in a big way! Pictured above are two pairs of clogs. I made those for you. The first pair (the smaller of the two sets) shrunk when felted, but not enough. In addition to that, I wasn't wild about how the two fiber colors blended and said, "Not small or pretty enough. I'll make her another pair."


I made the second pair and loved the color (the photo doesn't do them justice). I have boiled that rat bast*** pair for hours, with and without baking soda (to soften the water), to no avail. They refuse to shrink any further.


In a nutshell, your slippers are running far behind schedule and I APOLOGIZE for that. I have ordered a wonderful yarn that I know will shrink to the appropriate size (having used it before). I'm waiting for it to come in and as soon as it does, I will knit it up and get a pair of woolen slippers out to you. My only consolation during this whole process is the thought that it's very cold where you live and you might actually still get to wear my slippers this season.

As promised, here is a photo of my "stitch marker earrings." All I did was buy a simple pair of silver hoops and slip one of your stitchmarkers onto each hoop. As earrings (and stitch markers), they're adorable. I wore them for the first time last Friday and received not one, not two, but three unsolicited compliments!

Thank you too for the beautiful new set of markers you sent. I received them Thursday and did a dance when I saw them. They're GORGEOUS! Your talent and generosity continue to amaze me! THANK YOU so much!

While I've been waiting for your yarn to arrive, I started a Moderne Baby Blanket. I'm using the field trip yarn I purchased and so far, so good. I've never attempted a project this big and it's a little scary.

Also photographed is Liberty's contribution to the project, a mauled needle!

Again, thank you the markers and beautiful socks. Your slippers will arrive, I promise, soon! XOXOX, Dana

It's A Girl! It's a Girl!

Meet angelic Emma and Isabelle.

They were born on February 25th (both my son's and father's birthday). They and their older brothers, Connor (age 2) and Jacob (age 4) live near us and Andie and I have been enjoying their company enormously. In fact, we've been having so much fun with all the kids and their mother that we're ready to pack our pillows and sleeping bags and move in with them. LOL (Just kidding Kim!)

Here are the more photos of the girls, modeling their Mason Dixon bibs (thank you Becky for teaching me how to properly finish the pattern)!

Back in the Saddle

Here's a bit of the field trip "fiber" being used. Amongst the goodies I purchased with the "Sock Sisters" was a couple of balls of Sugar 'n Cream. This is a very simple washcloth for my cousin's baby, along with a bib from the Mason Dixon Knitting book (whose completion directions I don't understand and need guidance). LOL

At long last, I'm starting to feel like myself again and am finishing up some blogger gifts, so I can't publish those photos. For fun though, I took a leaf from Marianne's blog and played with her uploads. The results are below:

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Your Driving Is is: 64% Male, 36% Female

According to studies, you generally drive like a typical male. You're confident in your driving skills, and hardly any situation gets the better of you. And while you may have a few tickets under your belt, you're still a very good driver.

Do You Drive Like a Guy or a Girl?

You Are Wonder Woman

A true goddess, you have the strength and skills to rule the world. You're one sexy amazon... all of the superhero guys are fighting over you!

What Superhero Are You?

You Are Wolverine

Small but fierce, you're a great fighter. Watch out! You are often you're own greatest enemy. Powers: Adamantium claws, keen senses, the ability to heal quickly

Which of the X-Men Are You?

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Most Serene Highness Lady Dana the Sophisticated of Old Yarkhillshire Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I'm Off the Hook, Part Two

The story continues....

The kids and I left my sister's home on Monday and returned to our daily routines on Tuesday. I was still in a bit of pain, but it wasn't as uncomfortable and with being so very busy at work, I ignored it and kept moving forward.

2. Dana lands in the local emergency room. Wednesday morning, my abdomen would not be ignored. It hurt to cough and to breathe. Despite my absolute fear, terror and utter loathing of all things related to needles, I went to hospital. After multiple injections, withdraws, a CT scan and half a liter of iced-down contrast dye to drink (I almost would've preferred a shot in this case), I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. (Yes, Dad, I do see the writing on the wall and will change my ways). In a nutshell, I have consume more fiber, less red meat and more vegetables. I left the hospital Wednesday afternoon feeling nauseated, exhausted and more than a little disgusted with myself. The sour mood carried over the next couple of days, but then something wonderful happened and it just brightened my week immeasurably.

3. A lavender scented bit of Heaven was found in the mailbox. Yes, Marianne's socks arrived and I was, quite literally, astounded. Made from a soft sage green Merino wool, these socks are incredible! They're as soft as they can be and the tiny, immaculate stitches are unbelievable. My photos cannot possibly do them justice, but here's an attempt.










Look at the lace detail!






And, as if the socks weren't enough, Marianne also included stitchmarkers and chocolate! I was floored... just floored... and the carepackage made a lousy week wonderful again.

Marianne, I can't possibly thank you enough!

I put the socks on my feet before bed on Saturday night and went to sleep. For the first time this winter, my toes didn't get cold during the night. Waking up Sunday morning (in a much brighter mood and feeling like my pre-illness self), I tucked my new socks between my mattresses and there they are right now. These are my "sleep socks." I only wear them at night. They've become, if you will, my "blankie" in only two short days. That's the honest truth. :)



The stitch markers are just as beautiful and I treasure them!
Again, THANK YOU MARIANNE!


P.S. "I'm Off the Hook," the title of the blog, refers to my situation. I now understand why you sockers love socks. Yes, there's a galaxy-sized diffference between Hanes and "Marianne's Magyckical Masterpieces." That said, I should eat crow. And more crow. And more crow after that. However, I must avoid red meat, ergo...I'm off the hook. LOL Now, would one of you kind ladies please e-mail me a very simple, straight-forward sock pattern? As soon as my current projects are done (yours is felting as we speak, Marianne), I'm going to try socks again. [Intense blushing in Bedford].

Again, thank you Marianne!

I'm Off The Hook, Part One

It's been a wonderful, awful, and unbelievable week. I've been "missing in action" lately or at least, it felt that way to me. The chronological order events, starting from last weekend up to today, are as follows:

1. Spent last weekend with Denise. After an almost year-long absence, I spent an incredible weekend with my sister and her family. It was fulfilling (a strange word, but appropriate) to see her again, spend time in her company, catch up, rant, gossip, giggle and snort. Over the previous year, I felt as though a part of me was missing and that part, naturally, was my sister. I finally had a chance to spend quality time with her kids and get to re-know my youngest nephew, Trevor, who will be two years old in June.

I didn't get a chance to teach her to knit; we were too busy just hanging out together if that makes any sense. Trevor also kept us very busy. The boy is a "blur". He runs from one activity to the next, charming everyone, from breakfast to bedtime. I genuinely tried to get a decent photo of him, but literally, all but two of the photos were a blur.

Trevor checking on my son. "Who can be asleep while I'm up?!?"

He slowed down for one other photo too. He was modeling the latest fashion trend, unitard with cowboy boots.

The one blemish on the weekend was the abdominal pain I kept having. I thought to myself that it was the chili I ate, cramps, or sitting/driving for five straight hours in the car. Depressingly, the weekend came to end and it was time to return home.

Missionary Knitting

It was originally planned that my sister, Denise, who recently moved back to Maryland from the suburbs of Denver would come to my home this weekend. Sadly, the plans fell through and she isn't able to make the trip to Bedford.

Imagining the combined howls of our children when they learned that we would not be getting together this weekend (not to mention my own - - I haven't seen my sister in almost a year), I gamely decided to brave the wilds of Washington and Maryland again. I'm going to make the trek - - five long hours in a car with with a pair of "Are we there yet?" kids.

For the last year, Denise has heard all about my knitting...probably in excruciating and unwanted detail. It's something she admires, but has never tried. She likes the product, but doesn't know the process of it.

I have a goal. I'm going to teach Denise how to knit this weekend and if she doesn't like it, then I'll rip all the hair out of her head (just like in the old days). LOL One of the keys to knitting, in my opinion, is loving the fiber running through your fingers. With that in mind, I wondered if there were any LYS' in Denise's area. A quick online search and LO and BEHOLD....I struck gold!

1. Ch'naca Farm and Fiber Works. This baby is only 0.3 miles from her house!

2. Crazy for Ewe. 45 minutes away.

3. Stitch Today Knot Tomorrow. 0.6 miles away.

She doesn't stand a chance!

This is my favorite photo of us.

It was taken about 14 years and 100 lbs ago (in my case).

It's been a very quiet and pleasant two weeks. The focus lately has been on family. My daughter, Andie, celebrated her 12th birthday on 2.2.07 and the next day, we enjoyed a mother-daughter shopping & dinner expedition. It was a lot of fun and I'm stupified (that's a good word) at how quickly she and her brother are growing up and maturing. Skander will become a teenager on 2.25.07 (13th birthday) and I'm still in denial. :)

I've been knitting quite a bit lately, but the projects are for folks who read this, so I don't want to upload photos quite yet.

Now for the weather.... Bedford finally got snow last night and it was a nice compromise. There was enough white stuff to cover the ground and feel/look like a real snowfall, but the roads were clear this morning. At long last, winter has arrived.

Photographed here is my completed and long-since mailed Red Scarf project, an Irish Hiking. Swallowtail Shawl class starts Friday and I'm really looking forward it! I'm pretty nervous ("LACEWEIGHT?!?!," she says panicking), but excited too. Please wish me luck (I'm going to need it). Cheers all!

Making a Case Here

The "Temptation Twins," Dianne & Linda, have been making a subtle and sweet effort to encourage me to open my mind to sock knitting. They've told me how wonderful their teacher is (I have no doubt whatsoever), they show me pictures of their efforts (their sock patterns are lovely and the fiber colors...just breathtaking) and most intriguing of all, they're actually enjoying the process of sock knitting, itself.

My once firm anti-sock stance is somewhat wavering. Weeks ago, I wrote on M.'s site that I would run naked down Main Street before I ever knit another sock. I'm kind of regretting those words now and hoping that M. and Dianne won't hold me to that vow (they're gracious people, so I think I'm safe on that score). However, I still have a firm point to make...

Slippers are ART. I fully believe that design, ingenuity, colorcraft and skill go into making a sock, but I still believe that slippers are the superior calling and to make my case, I present the following:



Modern Art. Notice the ballerina is not
wearing socks.

Pop/Cinematographic (is this even a word?) Art.

In any event, these aren't the "Ruby Socks!" ;)

Danish Painter, C.W. Eckersberg, circa 1820

The Slippers of Cinderella by Aubrey Beardsley, circa 1898

Dr. Pozzi at Home by John Singer Sargent

(Again, he's not wearing socks).

Me at the thought of having a "Godiva" moment down Main St.

On the Needles

On the needles now is an Irish Hiking Scarf using Plymouth Encore. It's slow going, but what's nice is that I've memorized the "two row combination" and just have to do the cable knit on each eighth row.

The rows have become so familiar that I hardly have to check where I am, which was great last night because I was absorbed in "Heroes." (Yay! It's back!)

Pictured below (or wherever these things land) is a "Shredder Cap." Bedford's LYS owner/teacher/knitter extraordinaire is also the mother of an Air Force pilot stationed in Iraq. Son called mother and asked if she could make some under-the-helmet caps for him and his team members (squadron?). This is a very simple pattern that knits up quickly and makes a nice, warm skull cap.









Now for the weather. We had sleet. It melted the next day. End of story. (Sorry Marianne!) ;)

The kids made a foot tall iceman.

Happy Feet/Part Two

Here's Aunt Jo wearing her KnitPicks/Winter Night.

Here are my uncles, Ted & Steve. Their slippers were made from Yarn Barn's (Ebay) New Zealand wool. They're sage green and match what I and my kids wear.


Uncle Ted
---->





Uncle Steve
<-----

Missing from the photos are Gramma (Manos del Uruguay scarf/Wildflowers), my father, Edward (black felted slippers), cousins Jamie & Charli (Cranberry slippers), Joey & Tyler, cousin & nephew (Lamb's Pride hats), Kori (Lamb's Pride scarf) and Charli (Lamb's Pride hat).

I was having too much fun hanging out to remember to run people

down and take more pictures!

Happy Feet/Part One

This pair of slippers started out with Galway Paint and Galway in Periwinkle Purple. I purchased the skeins from Roxy's Yarn at Ebay, but didn't realize how well they blended until they arrived together.










The finished project.













Here's a shot of Aunt JoAnn in her new slippers & sitting on Aunt Karen's lap.

Karen's slippers were made from KnitPicks "Wool of the Andies"/Cranberry.



Below are a pair of KnitPicks/Hollyberry. Karen and JoAnn were supposed to get the Hollyberry slippers, but I overshrunk them and they were too small. It worked out for JoAnn's daughters, Jamie and Charli, because the small pairs fit them.

Slippers & A Bowl

It's been a knitting and felting weekend. What more can I say?

Happy New Year!