Finally Home & questionairre update

We're finally home - we ventured to WDW (Walt Disney World) for 8 days and are finally home and working on laudry catch up. We had a great time and took lots of pictures. Finally got a cardreader for the camera (bought wrong one must exchange this evening) so pictures will be forthcoming.

Update to the SP7 questions - on the family question - maried, 2 kids, 3 dogs NO fish - our Lucy fish beta didn't make it through the trip - not sure why, but he's a fond memory now so...

Anyhoo... Got a great gift from my friend Dana S. - handgrown(?) hand dyed, handspun alpaca from New England. It's black and it's soft and fine and very yummy. It was a Christmas present that came with rules - I have to make something for myself with it. Now to figure out what.

Also got a giftee in the mail today from my SP - some fun red/pink/cream stripey wool yarn. It's single ply and soft and yummy - I have about 165 meter of it and now will have to think of a project. THANK YOU Secret Pal!

I'm sending a giftee off to my SP this week as well - shh! can't tell you what it is. I hope she likes it.

That's all for now!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

SP7 Questionairre

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

I like any yarn that is quality - this does not necessarily mean "yarn-shop" yarn - believe me in the shop where I work we have seen some doozies from the high-end companies - I like yarn that is soft, drapes well, and wears well.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I crochet and would LOVE to learn drop spinning, but as yet have not ventured down the spinning route.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Anything & Everything - from handmade cases to the top drawer of the iris cart.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I'm an intermediate plus skill level, but many of the projects I really like are very simple - they can be knit quickly and comfortably - without a lot of complication. I like attention to detail and excellent finishing, but I'm not into lots of complex cabling or fair-isle - too much work and the kids tend to outgrow the project before it's off the needles.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes - Amazon and knitpicks (I think - I'll update them both this week)

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Vanilla, Cinnamon, CITRUS is always good!

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I like candy (don't need to eat it, but...) I like sour candy - sweettarts, jolly ranchers (not peach), white chocolate, and Godiva strawberry cordials (can't eat the cherry ones - allergies)

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I love to sew and I craft things with my kids all the time.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

MP3 yes - Harry Connick, JR (but I have everything recorded already), Peter Cincati, Ray Charles, Broadway Musicals, Buddy Greene (Christian artist), Allison Krause, Dianna Krall, They Might Be Giants (again I have the whole collection) - Wow that's a strange conglomeration huh?

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

RED!!!! I also love pink, purple, Green - not crazy about blue, can't wear earthy tones, I really love most colors.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married, 2 Kids Girl 5 Boy 3, 3 Dogs, Fish

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

None of the above, but I love to make them all for the family and friends

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

That's too hard a question! I like wool bunches and any soft wool is always a good choice - though living in the south where it is currently 69 degrees on January 9 - wool can be tricky. I love sock yarns - lately Lorna's Laces - though all yarn is good yarn!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I really do like them all - not crazy about yarns that look like you killed a muppet to make your sweater, though even those have their place - but other than that...

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Socks are always an obsession - weird to me though - it must be the yarn. I also LOVE to knit for my kids so anything fun and preferably washable (even if just by hand) is a good choice

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Sweaters for my kids, socks, and baby things

17. What are you knitting right now?

2 pair of socks, a baby sweater, 2 scarves (for shop), and crocheting an afghan

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

YES!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Either

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Metal or hardwood - I use turbos and old metal needles mostly (for speed)

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No, but have access to both at the shop.

22. How did you learn to knit?

From a book and with a little help from a friend.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

6 months? It will stay UFO too - purse kit from H***

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Keroppi (now discontinued) from the Hello Kitty line is a favorite, Maisy Mouse and Miffy the bunny are alo favorites (gee I have kids - who knew?) LOVE Mickey Mouse, and Figment. Favorite animals are doggies and favorite birds - can't choose - they are all so wonderful - Cardinals, Blue birds, Robins, penguins, Hummingbirds, parrots - any bird is wonderful

25. What is your favorite holiday?

I guess Valentine's Day, but NOT for romantic reasons. I really hate the pressure and how sickly sweet things can often get, but I love red and I love pink and I love hearts and since the first day of Spring is not technically a holiday - I suppose Valentine's Day tops the list.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Not specifically - I like lots of things, but don't really focus on any one item or theme.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Interweave is the only one I have right now.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

LOVE Koigu - have none right now, Books are like heaven, and nice sock yarn is always a hit!!! (Oh and on a non-knitting note - I love Japanese craft books like Zakka)

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I think I'd better practice what I know for now.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I wear a size 8 wide shoe - I'll update with more accurate measurements soon

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

May 4

Outlook for 2006

I've been going through books and magazines and making lists (for my cute little S & B design journal) of the projects I really like. I've thus concretely determined what I already knew to be true - too many projects, too little time. That's ok - at least there is a plethora of inspiration to draw upon.

I think this year's gift knitting begins now. I'll knit things (from the stash of course) and put them in the Gift drawer - then come holidays I'll be ready right? OK - pick yourself up off the floor from laughing so hard and share in my delusion for a bit - let's call it willful suspension of disbelief. I mean come on - we'va all watched an episode of Star Trek and enjoyed it for the hour - let me enjoy this for a moment anyway. It's good to dream big right?

Oh well - all this is just a diversion from the cleaning, washing, etc. I should be doing. Hey it's working for me so far!

I've completed 2 scarves (almost 3) - they are for the shop - I don't normally make scarves for any other reason - a pair of fingerless mitts, and a cute child's vest that had been in the frog pond for a WHILE (finally ripped it and started over - it only took two days to finish the whole thing) and today is only the 6th. Hey, at least I'm having fun in my delusion right!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Year In Review

Borrowed idea from here :
Bags: 6
Hats: 8
Sweaters: 5
Socks: 3 pair
Scarves: 20+ (I lose count at the shop)
Fingerless Mitts: 5
Ponchos/Shawls/Capelets: 4
Flower Washcloths: 4
Booties: 3 pair
Items for myself: 0 (I'll work on that)

It seems like I've done more than that and I'm sure that I have - I'll update the list later after I've been back in the shop and can look around at everything we've made.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

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