Well Christmas came and Christmas went and it was all pretty much a blur from here. We had a nice Christmas, but is always seems too busy and too rushed and just in general too much. We were all sick with head colds and that makes everything harder. I'm going to make sure that this year I have all of my gifts made or bought as I go through the year, because otherwise I'm not going to make it through another season.

Now for the new year: I'm not a resolutions kind of girl, but I do like lists (ok I LOVE them) and I do set goals. I'm tired of all the regular goals that are on everyone's list - you know - clean house, more time doing whatever, lose weight - not that I don't need all those on my list too, but some things go without saying. This year my list will read a little like this:

Appreciate even when annoyed
Love especially when challenged
Be Patient in the face of trial
Learn from everyone especially those who are most different from me
Be the kind of friend that I want to have
Leave things better than I found them

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

IT IS FINISHED!

No - not the Christmas knitting, but the sweater that shall not end. Anna's Leaf Peeper sweater is complete. I didn't do the leaves - instead I crocheted some flowers and a butterfly and attached them to the pockets instead. It turned out really cute if I do say so myself. I promise pictures after Christmas. Right now I have to finishe boxing up my craftroom and moving downstairs so Anna can have her room for Christmas - so gotta run...

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

We won't speak of it...

Christmas knitting that is - it's come to this - if you get a handknitted gift from me this year - you're damned lucky! I've had the flu AND in-laws this weekend & week so stop your griping and say "Thank you" for that giftcard - right!

It's really not quite THAT bad, but pretty darned close.

Well I got this gift for a single girlfriend of mine from this site (at the time you could buy hunky bachelor versions) and thought - won't this be funny - everything important is covered by a cute little star sticker and we'll all get a laugh right? Well honey let me tell you - this guy needs a bigger star sticker. It's truly embarassing how much hangs out from behind the not-so-little star sticker. Oh - I'll give it to her anyway, but now it will arrive with an explanation and uproarious laughter rather than just a little giggle amongst girlfriends.

I'm off to continue knitting - I do have just a couple of things left that MUST be finished, but I'm not going to kill myself on everything else.

My Honey has promised to set up my camera software on this system and help me post pictures, etc. so hopefully I can be and all grown up blog with pictures and everything for Christmas (or shortly thereafter).

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

1 more down!

I'd like to forget how many to go, but alas - I must make a list so... here goes:

Crochet afghan - thought I had another week (maybe two) turns out they are visiting THIS Saturday

Sweater for Toby (top down raglan on size 17 needles) - no big deal

Leaf Sweater finished for Anna and one more seamed up for her (all told about a days work)

Hats & Mittens for the kids (maybe - I might get away with putting that one off until after Christmas)

House Socks for my Mom (easy chunky yarn on size 11 needles)

TWO - "Wrap & Roll" Jackets - I get to take the easy way out on these and make them on the knitting machine - SUPER easy!

I'm sure I've left numerous things out and I've already cut the handknit gifts list WAAAY down - so I think I might just make it - that is if I can get MOST of it done before this Sunday as next week I really MUST clean the house.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I'm not behind...

I figure it this way - if I cop out and send everyone giftcards or movie tickets this year - then I'm not really behind on my Christmas knitting - I'm ahead for 2006. I tell you - with 10 days left it's looking better and better. The only problem is all those gift cards require cold hard cash!

I have finished 2 hats and a pair of fingerless mitts this week (okay - it was yesterday) and I'm a buttonband and pockets away from Anna's sweater (the sweater that will not end) being finished. Surely I've knit more than that in nearly 2 weeks? Maybe there is something I'm forgetting? Maybe it will come to me?

I'd better keep at it.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Finishing...

It seems lately that I knit and I knit and I never finish anything. I don't quite understand it. Has anyone else experienced what I am now calling "The Event Horizon of Knitting?"

It's as though the closer I get to the end of a project the longer it takes to actually get there - time (knitting time that is) moves exponentially slower for an, as yet, undetermined reason. I haven't even cast on new things that are getting in the way or anything. It's really weird!

Anna's sweater (which should have been finished ages ago) will get shoulder seams and at least one sleeve picked up tonight. I hope I can knock it out by the end of the weekend (shouldn't be a problem since the seed stitch insanity is finished).

I DID rescue my brother's sock from time out and carefully unknitted several rows thereby removing the pre-mature toe decreases and it's moving along as well.

I am finishing up a previously pushed aside pair of fingerless mitts and those should be finished this week as well. I can't wait to have some of these things off the needles not only because I will be that much closer to finished Christmas Knitting, but also because I can start knitting mittens and hats for my babies who want warm wooly things that "Mommy made." Sometimes all the craziness makes sense - if only for a fleeting moment before they start bonking each other on the head because on one person can play the drum at a time (whose birdbrained idea was it to buy children a drum anyway...).

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

I am truly Blessed!

I am thankful for: (the short list)

My parents, although life's circumstances have not brought us the health and happiness we see in our picture of the future, I am blessed with parents who love and and whom I love. I still learn from my Mom and Daddy everyday - may I be as loving with my children as my parents always are with me.

My husband, who will get up at 5 a.m to take the doggy out (for the third time that night) just so I can sleep - may I always be as thoughtful and considerate of him.

My children, who are more precious to me than words can express - God please make me worthy of Your gift.

My Brother, who is the most loving person I've ever known - may I return that love to him in a special and meaningful way.

My Doggies (& the fishy too), they are often naughty and they wet on the floor sometimes, but they are warm and always there to love on when needed most - May I be there for them when they need me ( especially during thunderstorms).

My house, it's warm and dry and messy and in need of repairs, but it's safe and it's mine - may I always make our house a home.

My Life, It is busy and full of joy, pain, laughter, tears, excitement, calm, accomplishments, failures, expectation, disappointment, learning, lessons, fear, and boldness! I thank God that my life is not how I pictured it so many years ago - as always - HIS picture is better than my best dream and I am Truly BLESSED!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all - Love to you!
AmyDe

STOP YELLING!

Oh wait - not you! I mean my kids. Boy have they been at it for the last two days. It must be something in the weather change or maybe the water or maybe I'm just edgy, but phew it's been wild around here. All of this as I try to gear up for Thanksgiving and my mom's birthday and the church events, etc.

On the knitting front:
I'm well entrenched in Anna's sweater and let me just say that I am seriously tired of seed stitch right now. Even I, the "I hate to purl!" girl am longing for the blissful areas of yellow stocking stitch. At knit night last night Stephanie reminded me that we talked about it originally and decided that it would be just as precious in all stst - needless to say the part of my brain responsible for storing that tidbit is presently awaiting it's punishment.

I've designed several projects for the yarn rescued from the frog pond earlier this week and my list grows thus longer - at least I don't have to buy the yarn for these.

As mentioned in earlier posts we're moving some rooms around including the craft room and I've been sorting yarn, etc. I have a BUNCH of yarn. Who doesn't right? But really folks - I have way more than I ever remember buying and I don't forget those sorts of things. Most of what I had forgotten was ebay purchases - maybe something about not actually feeling the yarn AS I bought it...?? Who knows - the fact remains that I've got some serious knitting to do before I go buying any more (yeah we'll see how long that lasts).

I'm reading Vintage Socks right now and it's really cutting into my Christmas knitting deadline so I'd better have Casey take it away for a while so I'm not tempted to drop everything and knit the Gentleman's socks for my brother.

Hey be sure and keep Stacie on your mind and in your prayers as she had a big day today!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

The Frog Pond

This weekend I swam in the frog pond. I frogged a sock, a child's sweater, the front of two more children's sweaters, a pink idea that turned out to be a monstrousity, and the beginnings of a felted purse for a class that never happened. SIGH!

Now I feel so much better - I have yarn and ideas instead of failures and mishaps mocking me (thanks Steph) from the frog pond. There is such weight lifted off my shoulders and I feel like I can accomplish things again - it's very exciting.

I also finished five more Christmas gifts this weekend (don't ask how many I have left to make).

I bought Red Heart for a crocheted afghan (another giftlift item) and will begin work on that tomorrow night during CSI, etc... Hey I know - "Red Heart??? Don't you work at the best yarn shop in town?" Yes, but it's cheap and it lasts forever and that's the kind of yarn I need for these giftees so...

I've got many more items on my gift list so... On with the knitting!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Sometimes The Tuths Caomes in Strange Packages

Not Usually a big fan of the little quips, but this one was fun - and if you know me well....

Your Birthdate: May 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined. Your sincerely and honesty shine through in almost every situation. Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you. You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively. Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness Your power color: Navy blue Your power symbol: Shield Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Latest Meme

I succomb...

Favorite Yarn:
That's tough - especially working in a yarn shop - I seem to have a new favorite everyday. On the list are definitely Zara Plus (the entire Zara line), Tartelette, New Tweed, Cotton Classic, and Sockotta (oh who am I kidding - ANY good sock yarn)

Favorite Needles:
Addi Turbos - no question! (I like cheapy metal needles too - Bamboo is too slow) although my Handturned Rosewood crochet hook - giant afghan sized - is lovely too.

Worst Project Ever Knit:
I'm note sure - I can think of a bunch of things, but I have ripped most of them out and started over - Oh wait! The purple Bagsmith kit from He** That stuff is so hard to knit and it's in what I fear to be eternal time out - even if I rip it out the materials will NOT be reused for knitting.

Favorite Pattern:
I like plain old socks patterns - any of them - I think that the magic formula of sock knitting is incredible and always fun. It's predictable, rythmic, and always just right.

Most Valuable Knitting Technique:
More of a philosophy - Boldness. Working at the shop we get many timid customers with problem projects and I have learned that the boldness to yank the needles out and rip back with abandon is rare.

Best Book or Magazine:
Traitor I may be, but my very favorite book is The Crochet Stitch Bible (cat out of bag - I crochet too!)
Interweave and FCEK are always fun

Favorite KAL:
I've only done Soctoberfest so far and it was fun. Warm Hands is shaping up nicely too.

Favorite Blogs:
Sandy, Stephanie, Stacie, Lolly, and more

Favorite Designer:
I like Debbie Bliss & Debbie Ware for the Kids and I Love Joan McGowan-Michael - so very femenine

Knit Item I wear the most:
I've always given everything away - I have some yarn in the stash for a Chris Bylsma sweater for myself though

That was fun!

Thanks for Listening!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Shame on Me....

I'm a bad blogger lately - sorry! I've been knitting, but I never seem to finish anything so I've been feeling rather dispondant about blogging. I'm STILL working on Toby's sock #2 (had to rip a bunch out and restart from heel turn) and until I find more yarn My brother's socks are stalled.

I have been cleaning things out lately though. We're moving the craftroom to the playroom and setting the kids up in individual bedrooms. Translation: LOTS of work! I've got more yarn than I care to discuss (esp with my honey) and I'd better start making it into finished projects ASAP or I'll have to stop shopping - and who wants to do that.

Anna's sweater is coming along nicely. The back is almost finished and once I get back in the groove it will work up quickly (if I can endure all the seed stitch along the top). I've got a bunch of things that need to be frogged and reworked and it's bogging me down. I've also got some seaming to do that's lurking in the wings. I know I should just buckle down and do it all one step at a time, but instead I just keep crocheting washcloths for the children and for Christmas gifts.

I think if I can get things in better order here (everything is topsy turvy with the remodel) then I can crank out several Christmas gifts in a hurry and not feel so overwhelmed.

On other notes Casey LOVES his job at The Weather Channel and he is so happy - which makes me happy too!

I'm going to post a list of Christmas gifts that I need to make and then cross them off as I complete them. Hopefully being accountable to you guys will help motivate me and I won't experience the Christmas Crunch we all know so well.

Anyway - thanks for forgiving my slack blogging ways!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Finished!

I finished Toby's socks (almost - one toe left to do) and I felted the two bags for the shop - they are still wet. I need to buy size 1.5 needles for some wool socks for my brother's Christmas presents. The sockotta sock #1 is finished and #2 will be cast on this week.

I'm really trying to get Christmas gifts out of the way - I've got a couple of afghans to crochet, but they are fast and easy to do while watching TV so I'll probably start one of those this week to.

You know - it's funny how each week starts out with such possibility for most to end up swo dreadfully far from what we planned. I suppose that's the way of it. One of these weeks I'm going to plan my week and execute everything on the plan - when that happens I suppose my life will have grown very dull - which might be a welcome change!

Off to make the list for today and wrap up lose ends (no pun intended) on a few knitting projects so I can get going on the new ones!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Mittens, socks, and Shawls, oh My!

I've joined another KAL - for mittens this time. Sandy is hosting this one and I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to make mittens for the kids out of leftover Zara Plus wool that I have in my stash. Hey it counts for stashbusting too - Yippee!!

I also joined Sandy's Charlotte's web KAL. Everyone seemed to have som much fun making that last year I thought I'd join in - it's a good way to go ahead and get my MIL Christmas gift out of the way for next year - plus it's an excuse to drive to Chatanooga to visit my friends at Genuine Purl b/c we don't carry Koigu and I'm not too likely to shop at any of the other 10 or so shops in the area. - Besides I've been looking for an excuse to get up there.

Little Girl Munchkin has an ear infection. It came on fast and hard yesterday afternoon so she'll be off to the doctor ASAP. Toby's socks should be finished on time - I made one completely and it's too small so I started a larger pair and they are going very quickly - easy to knit for tiny feet.

I've been promising patterns I know I know - they will be here this weekend along with photos (I hope) and another fun surprise.

I missed knit Night b/c of little munchkin, but it's fine I'll catch up with everyone next week.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

More More More!

I've been making progress - Yippee! Toby's birthday socks are underway and will be completed on time (good thing he has little feet) Michael's socks are down to the toe on one and almost ready to cast on #2 - I AM going to need more yarn - like 20 yards (aggravating). I have two bags to felt today or tomorrow and hopefully one more by the end of the week.

I'm going to try and use up stash yarn as much as possible. I know I know we've all said that before right? Well I have enough yarn to make several sweaters for the children that will fit thiss year and next, but not after that so... I'm getting to work on it. I still have about 10 Christmas gifts to knit and am working those into the list (good thing most a quick & simple) There are only 69 more knitting days until Christmas!

I love this time of year - it's getting cool and is crisp in the morning and evening, but still nice during the day - actually it's been a little too hot during the days lately near 80. Sometimes I think fall will NEVER get here.

Well I'm off to work on those socks and find some more yarn - I need something to show for socktoberfest right?

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Armed and Dangerous

Well maybe not too dangerous, but armed with the snazzy Sock Wizard software and a "Sock It To Me" cheater's card I am ready to finish Michael's socks. I need to do a little more math and plug some numbers into my new software to calculate if I'll need another ball of yarn, but the liklihood that I will need more is high.

My arm aches from all of the knitting I've been doind since Sunday. In defense from all of the new yarn we're receiving at the shop I'm trying to make samples as quickly as possible (also to impress my employers by making lots of neat-o things very quickly). My wrist hurt so badly when I woke up yesterday morning that I feared knitting impossible for the day - alas a little time and a few painkillers (OTC only I promise) later I was back in business.

So far this week I've made Chris Bylsma's NaStasha Bag (not yet felted), Designs by Shelley's Pink Lady Bag (not yet felted), a Magic hat, My brother's sock #1 completed, and another felted project cast on. Hopefully I'll finish the felted bag, and a little wristlet purse before Saturday so I can spend some quality time with my new sock books & software and get some more things (personal - not shop) cast on and in progress. After all There are only 73 more knitting days until Christmas!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I have a confession to make...

My brother's birthday socks (which are now for Christmas) have been stalled and on the back burner. I was so afraid that they were too small. I finally picked them back up and got them to a point where Casey can try them on and he says they fit fine - so... Off I go again on the socks. I am going to need more yarn though so I'll have to find that, but just knowing that all the effort isn't a waste and that the socks will fit when finished has renewed my knitting spirit and I'm on my way to finished with sock #1.

I finished the fingerless mitts yesterday and they are very cute. I'll probably make one more pair for my SIL and that's one more name marked off the Christmas list. Wow - at this rate I should be finished with Christmas 2005 gifts in about March of 2006.

The shop looks so nice and we are STILL getting in new yarns everyday. Nashua yarns came in and are GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait to make a felted bag with LOTS of novelty yarns and the new striping wools.

After Christmas I am going to make myself a sweater. Yes indeed a sweater for me. I got the yarn today (it's been on BO FOREVER!!!) Cascade Sierra in lime color #10. I am going to make Chris Bylsma's MidSummer's Aran Sweater and make it a little longer. I LOVE this pattern and can't wait to work on it, but I must get Christmas out of the way before I begin.

Hopefully the socks for Bro (pending yarn hunt) will be finished by next weekend and I cna move on to some new socks. These have all but broken my will to knit socks. Next I'm going to learn to knit socks on 2 circs so I can teach it at the shop. I LOVE my dpns, but people want the 2-circs method so I'll give it a go. Which is your favorite?

Time to knit while the house is quiet for a while.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Wow what a week!

It's been an interesting week around here. Last Thursday Anna (5) nearly knocked her two front teeth out - so after an emergency trip to the dentist - where he told us we can expect Anna's teeth to turn dark and potentially fall out - Mommy waited until the kids were napping and had a mini meltdown. Better now though.

On the knitting front: The wristers for my SIL are almost finished (after about 3 false starts) My brother's socks are still stalled - I have fear that they are not going to fit. I made a store sample of wristers from another yarn and pattern - much quicker and easier, but not quite as nice than the one's I'm doing now. We've stocked all of the yarn that was in the store last week - it looks FABULOUS! Then yesterday we received 4 more huge boxes - Nashua, Tahki, and some gift items from one of our accessory vendors. Now we have to find a place to put it.

I started knitting (for store) some "house socks" out of Artful Yarns' Circus those are quick and should be finished before the weekend.

We've been working on the house and getting the kid's rooms sorted out while moving the craftroom/classroom to the finished garage - it's been tiresome and busy. But we're getting things finished one by one - now if I could just get someone to haul off the tree lying in my backyard...

I promist that this weekend I'll figure out how to post pictures, etc. to this crazy page and get some fun things going. I also have a pattern or two to upload, Casey will help me figure all this out - he's the "Computer Guy."

I can't wait for knit Night tonight - lots of fun!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

I am SO tired...

But the shop is looking GREAT!!!!! The rebuild is complete and the space is bright and crisp and HUGE!!! We're pricing and stocking and pricing and stocking and well - you get it. I can't wait for knit night tomorrow.

I've been working on fingerless mitts for my SIL Christmas gift and still working on the birthday socks (frogging these may be in my near future - thinking lately that they may not fit). Like many others in the blogging community I just can't seem to settle in on a great project right now. Maybe it's the weather or the circumstance of the country or just my own restlessness, but things are not coming easily for me lately on the knitting front.

I hope that now with the build complete and soon with the yarn all restocked that I'll settle in for some really great fall & Christmas knitting.

I'd better finish the mitts tonight so I can mark one more name off of my Christmas list.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

So they are late...

So my brother's "birthday" socks are not finished - BIG surprise. They will be finished next weekend. I would finish them by this weekend except everything is on hold while we get ready for Anna's birthday party.

We're also moving the craftroom to the current playroom and creating a seperate bedroom for Anna - LOTS of work before the weekend. Needless to say the house is a mess and most of my knitting is on hold.

The shop is even a mess and my projects there are on hold while we expand and rebuild. The construction is going well, but there is so much to do. Then after it's all built we have to stock everything - YIKES! Busy Busy Busy!

In the meanwhile I ordered more yarn from Knitpicks and a pattern for 2-needle fingerless "gloves?" . The yarn is to make the "gloves" and andean silk to make a bolero jacket for Anna - from Debbie Bliss Junior Knits book.

I hear the laundry calling me now (ahh domestic bliss).

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Ever Try...

To do something in a hurry and it turns out all wrong no matter how many times you try it? WELL.... so it has become with the "birthday socks." I cast on 5 times and ripped out every one. I used bigger needles, I used smaller needles. I used more stitches, I used fewer stitches. I used a fancy cable patters, I used a standard sock pattern. Still NOTHING worked!

So, I changed yarn to good old Plymouth sockotta cotton/wool/nylon blend and am working with it - tried and true I get the correct guage and KNOW that the socks will fit when finished (which may be Christmas - this remains to be seen). I know I shouldn't have started a rush project on a new yarn - it was just so yummy and pretty that I wanted to use it. Guess we'll save the wool cable socks for Christmas - they will wear better then anyway.

On a brighter note: I GET TO GO BACK TO KNIT NIGHT THIS WEEK!! Sorry for yelling - I'm just VERY excited about it. It's been two months and I really miss going. Ahh - finally! Now I must work on the socks.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Socks on the Fly

Well I cast on for my brother's socks this morning - I should get some serious knitting time this weekend and need it to get these socks finished. We'll see if they can be birthday socks or if they will get relegated to Christmas. Wish me luck!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Working on Now

I'm working on a new felted tote bag out of Tahki's 127 print in 4 different colors - it's coming out pretty nicely. I'm about to cast on for My brother's birthday socks (which may end up being Christmas socks) and I've got the plush vest and afghan going - the purple purse is on indefinite hold!

I've got a pink multi-yarn monstrosity that I need to turn into something gorgeous within a couple of weeks - lots of untying and frogging involved with novelty yarns - ugh!!!

I'm glad to see the total for Katrina relief growing so rapidly - thanks knitters!!!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Updates Updates Updates

For those of you who are interested we have been inundated with new arrivals at the shop: Please stay tuned for more details. We're also expanding next week and the AC is FINALLY going to be fixed as well.

My finished project list continues to grow - most recently with Toby's orange sweater, and 50% of a cotton chenille flower washcloth. I will cast on for my brother's birthday socks this weekend and hopefully get them well underway.

I received my knitpicks order and my ybtb order this week and am trying desperately to stay focused on what I've already got going. The brown socks for my bro with the KP yarn may be enough to satisfy my "use the new stuff NOW!" urge - we'll see.

I also ordered some clearance Patons Fresco to make kid's sweaters from - it should be here next week. I think I may need to do that "yarn diet" thing I keep reading about, but with working in the shop it's like being on a low-carb diet and working in a bakery.

Casey's new job is still FABULOUS!!! They are instituting a company-wide telecommute day (considering gas prices and other things) on Wednesdays - the day I work in the shop and need someone to watch my Toby! Praise GOD! Can it get better?

I'm hoping to put up pictures this weekend. My cousin Taylor (15) will be here and I'll use her as a prop - uh model for some pics.

I added the Katrina Releif button - please find more info about that here and help as you feel led.

That's all I know for now.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Tag - I'm It

Thanks Stephanie for tagging me:

10 years ago Casey and I were in Disney world. While we were there (and blissfully unaware) the OJ trial verdict was handed down, and hurricane Opal hit ground as we flew home - now Casey has to fly with valium.

5 years ago I was 8+ months pregnant with Anna when my Daddy fell off a loading dock, broke two ribs and proceeded to nearly DIE when one of the ribs severed the artery in his diaphragm. ICU for nearly 20 days - Daddy went home the day Anna was born. I was going to the ob/gyn once/week by now and they kept telling me "take it easy - it's time to relax and coast on in now..." YEAH RIGHT!

1 year ago We opened the yarn shop, meanwhile Casey was killing himself working 20 hours/day trying to get a computer program finished for tyrants who THANK GOD!!! he doesn't work for any longer. We are so grateful that God gave us new opportunities!

Yesterday We had sit-down dinner out as a family at a regular dinner hour (not possible 1 year ago - or even 1 month ago b/c of working too much)

Today is the next to last Thursday that I have to miss "Knit Night" at the shop - I ordered clearance yarn online so I don't feel deprived ;)

5 Snacks I enjoy popcorn, chips & salsa, cucumbers with herb cream cheese and prosciutto, marshmallows, Coke

5 Songs I Know all the words to Particle Man, King of the Road, Night & Day, You Don't Know Me, Run for the Roses

5 things I'd do with $100 Million Money can't buy the one thing I want most in life - my mother's health back - other than that I really just want to be out of debt - which we are working on!

5 things I will never wear Lauren says "never say never" but I disagree ;) a Tube Top (even with the eventual results of "Curves" - the girls won't go for a Tube Top), G-string undies (ouch!), Flip-flops (I seem to have something against 'thongs' in general), white after Labor Day - regardless of what the fashion mavens say, and blue eyeshadow (at least not since middle school - I promise)

5 Favorite TV shows Does CSI count as 1 or 3? Does Law & Order count as 1 or 3? Stargate SG-1 & Atlantis (aslo referred to as "Hunky Daniel" show), Crafters Coast to Coast, and oh kill me now - Everwood.

5 Favorite Toys Knitting needles - esp my DPNs lately and my beloved Addi Turbos!, Cell Phone - even though I'm still unsure of how to retrieve my voicemail, CD Player, TIVO!!!!!!!, My Red KitchenAid Stand Mixer

5 Biggest Joys My beloved & my Babies (that's 3) and 2 of my three dogs - it's always 2 at a time ;) one is usually in trouble at any given moment.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Getting it all Completed

The ankle socks, Toby's orange sweater, and the soldier's helmut liner all finished today - I even reworked the toe of ankle sock #1 - it was too pointy for my satisfaction. I would have finished the Christmas Stocking, but it has gone missing.

The handspun/hand-dyed silk lace weight yarn has been frogged and will actually be used for a lace shawl sometime in the near future (must search out a great pattern) and I am about to cast on a couple of birthday gifts in the morning. I even did laundry - what's wrong with me?

I guess cutting back my hours at the shop has helped free up lots of time and energy. I now only work Wed & Sat and it is very nice. I've missed my kiddos more than I realized. We're getting caught up on Dora and Story time very quickly! I LOVE it!

I hope to update my blogsite this week and weekend with some pictures, etc. Stay tuned!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Progress So Far

Twisty Cable Scarf (our of Baby Alpaca Grande - yummy)

Tartelette Self Fringing Shawl
Casey's afghan (long term project - not worried about getting finished anytime soon)
an ankle sock (#2)
Iceland felted clutch (finished to use as "before" sample in shop)
Felted Christmas Stocking (only the toe decreases left to finish)
Silk Ruffle Scarf (has been frogged and will become lace in the near future)
Purple Purse from you-know-where (anyone else crazy enough to try knitting with satin cording?) 30% finished but it will keep
Elaine baby sweater
Scarlet baby sweater
Plush chidren's vest
Two crocheted purses
Toby's Orange sweater
Soldier's Helmut Liner

If I get any decent knitting time today I can finish just about everything (that will finish) on my list.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

I must be dreaming

It seems that after about Tuesday - I'll have NOTHING (except Casey's afghan and the purple purse from you know where) left on the needles. Oh wait - I just remembered the Plush baby vest - I may not finish it by Tuesday night - phew! I was getting nervous.

I've left about 1/3 of the ankle sock for completion during an orientation meeting for Anna's new art school (I'm told it's fairly excruciating and I should bring LOTS to knit). I'll also cast on the last sleeve for Toby's sweater tomorrow morning and try to keep my hands off of it until meeting time.

I'm down to the DPNs on the soldier's helmut project and then just a few rows of picked up ribbing until completion. Good grief! I may have to resort to housework - someone please stop me :)

I'm going to get everything wrapped up and then re-evaluate where I'm going from here. It's really time to start knocking out the Christmas gift list and I have two birthday gifts to knit ASAP. Those will definitely be among the next group of "to do" items.

I don't know what I'll do if I get everything knitted in time for Christmas w/o a meltdown - there's still time though :)

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Ok - so I'm also over ambitious - sue me!

OK OK - the sock isn't finished by this morning - it will be before the weekend though - I was getting an ache in my wrist. I did finish most everything else that I had planned though - it would probably help if I hadn't cast on a new project in the middle of it all, but that's what happens when you work in a yarn shop. Stuff comes in - you get excited and you START a bunch of stuff. Unfortunately - you then have to finish it all.

Fortunately the new project is a baby sweater on size 17 needles (it's really cute). I'm making it out of Skacel's new yarn "Big Ball" I can't wait to see it finished. I also know that there is a project waiting for me at the shop. When I arrive this morning there will be a soldiers helmut project waiting for me to start and finish ASAP. Maybe the sock will be finished by the end of the weekend instead of before, but one way or another it won't move into next week.

Off to watch Heffalumps.
I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Moving Right Along...

(anyone else remember the Muppet Movie?) I seem to be on a music theme lately - go figure?

Anyway, The heel of the ankle sock is turned and hopefully (kids cooperating) I'll finish it up before work tomorrow. I've got lots of knitting to do yet, but it's fun and I'm checking items off my to do list of Christmas gifts so...

Casey's first day was GREAT! He is so happy and when 5:30 came - everyone left and actually came home. That's something that hasn't happened in 5 years. Now we can actually have a family dinner at a reasonable hour - it is all very exciting.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

And so it Goes, and so it goes

"And so will I soon I suppose" Sorry - a little Billy Joel flashback there. The self-fringing shawl is finished and turned out gorgeous - Tartelette is one of my very favorite yarns. My Aunt will love the shawl for Christmas.

I'm turning the heel on the ankle sock and should have it finished tomorrow. One sweater is seamed and the other is waiting for the children to take a nap today. I'll also finish up the toe on that felted stocking (it's only been waiting since last Christmas right?) tonight as all I have to do is transfer to dpn and work a few more rows. Things are getting checked off my list one by one and it feels great! Of course I ordered more yarn Saturday night so I'm not really stashbusting huh?

I ordered from knitpicks and ybtb.com From knitpicks I got yarn to make a lace shawl for a Christmas gift and sock yarn - also for Christmas gifts. From yarn by the bag I got some thick & thin wool to make more sweaters for the kids - I was going to get one color and make a sweater that I could hand down from one child to the next, but Anna wouldn't be swayed from the pink - so they'll have matching sweaters in different colors. Now I just have to keep knitting (and faster even) to get everything finished by self-imposed deadlines.

On a new note: Casey started his new job today and I am a nercous wreck waiting to hear how it's going!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

So Far...

OK - so far I've finished the twisty cable scarf and the iceland clutch. The Self-fringing shawl will be finished today and I'll get to working on the last ankle sock. I'm going to do all of my seaming tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

On The Needles:

So currently I have the following projects "open" or on the needles,
Twisty Cable Scarf (our of Baby Alpaca Grande - yummy)
Tartelette Self Fringing Shawl
Casey's afghan
an ankle sock (#2)
Iceland felted clutch
Felted Christmas Stocking (only the toe decreases left to finish)
Silk Ruffle Scarf (may get ripped and become something lacey)
Purple Purse from you-know-where (anyone else crazy enough to try knitting with satin cording?)
Elaine baby sweater (just needs seaming)
Scarlet baby sweater (just needs seaming)
Plush chidren's vest
Two crocheted purses (just need seaming, lining & handles)

With the exception of the afghan, the plush vest, the silk scarf which has a dream of being a lace shawl, and the purple purse from - well, you know - I hope to have everything finished by the end of the weekend. I might have forgotten to mention that I'm obsessive and that I knit really fast. We'll see how it goes - the seaming projects may do me in.

You think that's alot? Wait until you see the "next in line" list...

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

My Stash is Stressing me Out!

As I look around my room(s) at all of the yarn/projects I have amassed I am unduly stressed out. I have lots of projects that I want to finish for Christmas gifts, etc. I have lots of projects I want to make just for fun. Those two categories are fairly under control - it's the projects I need to make before my children outgrow them (because of course I can't get more yarn for the next size up) that are really starting to get to me.

I find myself racing to get it ALL done - or at least started (any monogamous knitters out there?) and then I end up with 10+ projects "on the needles" and if that REALLY causes me stress.

Unless I somehow figure out how to get my kids to stop growing (maybe if they only eat every OTHER day???) I guess our new T-Shirt motto is going to ring true for a while - "Life's Short...
Knit Faster!"

I'll Keep You Posted!
AmyDe

A Whole Day Off for Everyone!

WOW! Still not quite sure what to think of it all! Today is the first day that Casey doesn't have to go to work and it's pretty cool. We're not quite sure what to do with and entire week of luxury. Of course I'll knit, but I suppose there's more than that to see and do around here and those things can be made MORE enjoyable by taking my knitting with me right?

Still working on the long list of projects to finish, but I'm checking them off one at a time.

Time to go have sime fun!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

So Much to Knit - So Little Time

I've been making a list of all the projects to finish and projects in progress and it grows everyday. Sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy to try and knit something for everyone on the gift list this year and other times I'm certain of it. I'll try to find those progress bars this weekend to put on the side of the blog and maybe then I can keep track. For now it's off to church and then to a special Sunday Knit-in at the shop.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

He Got The Job!

Yeah!!! Casey got the job he's been wanting and it is so very perfect for him. PTL! We are very excited. I can't wait!

I've been knitting like mad lately and have several things to finish up this weekend. I've got a second ankle sock to knit, two children's sweaters to seam, a cable scarf to finish off, a small felted bag to finish (started while teaching a class today), a crochet washcloth to finish up, and 2 flower washcloths to seam up and weave-in ends. Not a great deal of work - just a little bit of many things. That's OK - I've got 2 hours of sci-fi TV to watch with Casey tonight so I'll get tons done during that.

I'm saving the sock for last as it's the project I most want to work on right now. It's my incentive project so...

I'll keep you posted,
AmyDe

Will the stress ever end???

Oh this stress of Casey Job hunting! He's been interviewing with one company for several days/weeks now and we should know within the week. The waiting is almost killing me! I've been knitting like a madwoman to keep myself sane and it's only barely working.

I've completed one cute ankle sock, am almost finished with the capelet in the current Creative Knitting (making out of Dune), am more than half-way finished with a giant twisty cable scarf made from Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande (YUM!), and have completed 3 cotton chenille flower washcloths (weekend knitting - only I rewrote the pattern so I could knit it on straight needles) all withing the last two weeks. - I told you I was insane!

I hope we hear today - I don't know how much more waiting I can take. This job is the answer to many prayers and we want it so very much. Casey will be happy there and that's most important to me (of course nearly doubling his salary doesn't hurt, but...).

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

If only there were more time!

I was just window shopping online for yarn and havecometo the conclusion that I could easily spend upwards of $2000.00/week on yarn - discounted at really GREAT sale prices mind you. If I had that kind of money I might consider spending it all on yarn as well, that is, if there were enough time to knit it all.

At some point Imust admit to myself that I can only knit for so many hours in the day before my children say- "Mommy we're VERY hungry." As it stands I have a hard time finding the children now as I've given up housecleaning in favor of knitting. Granted we can't have friends over anymore, but hey that would take time away from knitting anyway so...

Casey's interview went well yesterday and even WHEN hegets this job - the salary increase won't be enough to support my "window shopping" habit so...

I suppose sanity is relative anyway so for now I'm ok!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Hello All

Hello All & Welcome! I'm Amy and I work at The Purly Gates in Marietta, GA. I'm starting this blog to have a little fun and meet some new friends. I knit like crazy and am always up for a good laugh. Please read my profile to find out a little more about me. I'm having fun and am off to knit my nerves away (Hubby is in a job interview RIGHT NOW!).

I'll Keep you posted!
AmyDe