Don't Worry - the Yarn is Saved!

For those who are wondering - yes we lost some yarn, NO we didn't lose everything, we didn't lose that much at all really. All the clean-up is finished and the plumber has a little more work to do today (new toilet, new inside waterline) and then we begin planning reconstruction AND remodeling. We've still got a great deal of work ahead of us and we're taking the opportunity to do some remodeling.

So - when we reopen we will be fresh and funky and have a whole new look!

REST ASSURED: ALL YARN IN THE STORE IS GREAT!!!!!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

The Great Flood of 06...

Well you see, there was a problem with the plumbing. Can you say UNDERSTATEMENT boys & girls - come on - I know you can.

Bottom line - plumbing/flood/gross/shop closing/plumber/sanitation crew/plumber/reconstruction/shop reopen - well in a week or two anyway.

So - what's new with you guys?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

"Nothing Feels Like Ephedra"

Are all of you getting those in your inbox too? Junk email is such a pain!

I'm back - we spent Easter weekend in TN - Friday in Knoxville spending the day with my Mom's side of the family and Saturday and Sunday in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. It was bittersweet as we were there to memorialize my Mom so parts of it were really hard - especially for my Daddy. We had a good time overall.




These are some pictures of the weekend. The ponies and the camel were outside our hotel and leave it to my Anna to spot the camel. For an entire day she wanted to ride a camel and we had no idea what she was talking about - then she said - in all the 5-year old wisdom she could muster - "See - right there. I TOLD you there was a camel." - So a camel ride it was. I didn't get much knitting done and being with the entire family I didn't get to search out knitting shops on the trip, but I did finish two little kercheif scarves that I'll photograph tonight at the shop.

Tonigh is knit night and I'm very excited. I was at a baseball game last week which was FUN!!! But I've been out of the shop for nearly a week and I miss it.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Shop Photos, etc.

Andrea and I visited Genuine Purl in Chattanooga last week and had a blast having a girls day! We went to a boutique with gorgeous iteams, but the best part is that Martha Jo (name of shop) is a button designer. She designs buttons (manufactured not handmade) for couture lines like Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, etc. and she also sells retail! It was really neat and we had a blast. Here are some photos of the shop in Chattanooga:






I'm behind on my Project Spectrum posting - I need to post my finished red/pink items and move on to yellow/orange. Maybe I can shoot those photos tonight and post them tomorrow.

I started the Leaf Lace Shawl last night with Cherry Tree Hill Merino lace. So far (a whopping 9 rows in) it's pretty easy. I had to put it down because I was watching T.V. and learning lace is NOT something to do whilst watching T.V. Maybe I'll get some quiet time today and have more to report tomorrow.

Andrea and I are going shop hopping again tomorrow - wish us luck!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

My Friend is Hurting

My heart aches tonight as a dear friend waits to hear further diagnosis about her mother. I have been precisely where she is and I know firsthand how helpless she feels. I know that God put us in this friendship for His purposes and am grateful for that. I wish I could do something to ease her pain. I know that I cannot - no one can. Please pray for her and send your virtual hugs her way.

Andrea (still blogless) and I did get to Chattanooga and had a GREAT time - more on that another day.

Thanks to all of you!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I'm Learning!

Hey I'm learning about blog photos - getting there right?This is a photo of my last thrift store finds
- lots of pre-felted and feltable sweaters and 2 sweaters to recycle the yarn from (the lower right pink & green). I really LOVE the sweater with all the letters on it and I think it will become my next knitting bag.

The pink and green sweaters have already been turned into this:

Not bad - two (plus) sweaters' worth of yarn for Anna for less than $5.00!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Going on a Bear Hunt

Well we're going yarn crawling anyway... Tomorrow Andrea(blogless) and I will travel from here to Chattnooga to Genuine Purl - who else knows that store? It's a wonderful place with wonderful people and I can't wait!!!! This is the only time I'm busting the "Use What You Have" April. This trip has been planned for quite some time and we are really looking forward to it.

I'll take pictures and have stash addition (like I need more yarn) photos to share as soon as I recover from yarn overload! Right now I'm going to get the kids in bed for naps, put in a load of laundry, and then knit - it's a glamourous life I lead huh? Hey it's mine and I like it!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Photos & More

Hi! Back from the outburst of the weekend and here on a beautiful sunny day looking forward to the week. I just added a flickr badge with my stash photos on it in my sidebar - click on there to see my stash - ok well most - well some of my stash.

I didn't feel it necessary to (admit to) photograph the two very large bins of redheart and various acrylic yarn that I have for crocheting afghans - when you're making and afghan for a kid believe me - it's going to be acrylic. Also I'm finding yarn all over the house. I keep going "wait I didn't get a picture" - I think some things are better left undocumented don't you agree?

I also need to post all the red/pink knitting I did for project spectrum - we're on to April and yellow & Orange - really? Yellow & Orange? Hmmm - maybe something for Toby - hey his orange sweater that's on the UFO list over there might get it. I'll come up with something.

Have I told you lately that I have/had the best secret pal EVER!!!! I'm afraid that she might have led me to the dark side though. April - sent me not one but TWO drop spindles and the most beautiful navy/multi wool roving ever - along with directions of course! THANK YOU APRIL!!! I'll get photos up soon I promise!

I've been looking at the flash your stash photos of others (BTW my honey thinks that phrase is entirely wasted on yarn and should refer to something much more fun - for him) and while yeah I have alot of yarn - I am not alone. I just wish my storage area was as pretty as this

Oh well you can't have it all I suppose - if you did where would you put it?

I'll have more photos of fun stuff tomorrow!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

WTF!?!?!?!

Ok - I'm more than a little angry! Heard through the powers that be today about THIS insanity and complete - ugh there are not words (scroll down to "hoppin mad" post). I'm too angry to speak without regretting the consequences so I'll let you all decide for yourselves.

Annie Modesitt is completely charming and we had a wonderful time during our visit and her teaching at our shop. We were so glad to have her and can't wait to do it again!

I'll finish my photos and "flash my stash" tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I'm in love with my postal worker

Today is a GOOD mail day! I received orders from Elann and Knitpicks. Last week my Amazon order (partial) and some scrapbook stuff arrived and this week - yarn yarn yarn!!!!

Yes - I know - retail therapy is no solution for my grief - but it's mostly a timing thing - my husband's annual raise/bonus came through last week so many of the purchases were already planned. The Knitpicks sock yarn glut (16 balls) wasn't on the list - but come on - cut me a little slack at least it's really inexpensive right?

Why you may ask - when I work at a premiere yarn shop would I ever buy yarn anywhere else? Well two reasons - We don't have the sorts of things I ordered and it was really cheap!

I'll have pics tomorrow - the flickr thing look really easy and with the exception of pics of my kids - looks like a fun option for blog photos.

Yesterday I posted about Cast-On - a podcast I've been enjoying immensely. If you don't have an ipod - not to worry - go here and it will tell you everything you need to know about how to listen without an ipod

Thanks again to all of you guys!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Getting Through the Day

Thank You all very much for your love and support - please continue. I'm getting through the day a little easier now, but still...

My secret pal sent me lovely pink flowers, and others have been kind and generous as well.

On the knitting front - I've made two tiny baby "Apple" hats (hopefully a photo tomorrow) and ripped out a few things and - shhh don't tell my UFO's - started a baby sweater. I'm going to learn how to use flickr this week - everyone is doing such cute things with it and I'm going to jump on the bandwagon.

I joined this for April and will hopefully embrace the "Use What You Have" spirit for longer than April - goodness knows I could stay in the house and not need to buy anything crafty for well a REALLY long time. What can I say - I like "stuff."

My friend Katey just finished a felted bag made from all Noro scraps. Check it out - it's really pretty. Katey is a self-proclaimed "Noro-Slut" and after winding 6 skeins of blossom (bought on sale - yay!) yesterday I am beginning to understand.

I am quickly becoming a Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino fiend! I am making the EZ (that's Elisabeth Zimmerman - for new knitters) Baby surprise jacket and it's tons of fun. Hey two skeins of DB BC and some size 5 needles (that's where I got guage) and off we go. It makes it even more enjoyable that I got the yarn on sale YAY!

I sooooo need a swift and ball winder. I should just order them for myself through the shop, but that's alot of yarn money you know?

I am still working on the UFOs and am updating the list as needed. A few things have been finished, a few things have been frogged, and a few things have been - well - ignored. For instance I'm pretending that the bagsmith purse kit doesn't exist you see. I am doing this mostly because I hate the damned thing. Sure it's cute and all and the pattern is pretty good - no mistakes, kind of enteresting, not hard, but have you ever knitted with satin cording? Let's just say IT'S NOT FUN!!!!! It hurts my hands and it's slippery as h*** and I am really hating it - wait we're ignoring it - hating what? I'm not sure what you're talking about.

Oh well! I'm still here and I'm ok - I'm getting through the day and knitting. Oh BTW - if you don't already - go listen to Cast-On podcasts - they are great and fun and funny!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

To Let You Know

I'll be blogging sporadically for a while - hopefully more and more sooner rather than later as I have made so many friends through this medium. My mom passed away this past weekend. I need your prayers and hugs (virtual) for a while please. Thank all my friends who are local and are here for me - you are keeping me going.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

This Day!

Today has been a wonderful day! It is beautiful outside 75 & sunny with tons of flowers blooming, my children have been charming and well behaved and tons of fun, no bills were in the mail, and we spent the morning buying yarn from Mark & Susie @ Kollage.

We had a great time and have some really gorgeous things ordered. Mark & Susie are a blast and we really enjoyed their company.

Sorry about no pics yesterday - yesterday was - well hard. Knit night was wonderful and lots of fun and much needed releif after receiving heartbreaking news from one of my very best friends. Please keep my friend in your prayers.

I did take lots of pictures and will have them posted tonight after I get a refresher on how to resample them and upload them to our ftp. I'm a very smart and clever kind of gal and you'd think I'd learn how to do the pics, but somehow I'm just not interested in holding the information in my head yet. Hey it's more fun to hold on to stuff like we ordered "Romance" and "Blissful" from Kollage, and we just got in Sienna, Ananas, trio, porto cervo, and sesamo from Tahki.

Anyway - I hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Ode to Calvin & Hobbes

After reading Mochi this morning I was reminded and reunited with my very favorite comic strip & comic artwork EVER, Calvin & Hobbes. His creative genius was reknowned and the fact that he could no longer be boxed into the Sunday paper format is inspring to me. I still have a folder full of my favorite strips from the paper - they were pinned to my walls in HS & college and some days were all that got me through the day.

What is it about that specific time in our lives that seems so magical and so pivotal? I could wax on about discovering ourselves and new found personal freedoms, but I think it was mostly boys and frat parties. Yep - that was it - stale beer in a cup and cover band while dancing in the parks. A time of very little responsibility and lots of organized fun - and someone else was paying all the bills. - Hey let's go back to that - I was good at school and my professors liked me - yeah - let's go back to that.

Ah, alas reality sets in as the children profess their hunger. Oh well. The batteries are chraged and I'll be taking pictures after I make breakfast for the munchkins.

To be continued...

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

While my Batteries Charge...

For the camera! - Get your mind out of there;-) Anyway pictures tomorrow or later tonight as the camera batteries are completely dead - both sets so... I've been working on the snakey scarf in Karaoke yarn and two - yes TWO red sweaters. Hopefully one will be finished for knit night and I can take it for show and tell.

March is my UFO month. There will be no UFO sightings in April (at least not any of these) so here is a list of things to finish - many of them are little bits of things that are just hanging around and some of them are bigger projects that I really need to get off my franny and get done - so deadline it is! March is decision time for these projects - some of them may need to find their final resting place at the bottom of the glorious frog pond - guess we'll see how it goes.

UFO's:
Wooly Stripes felted bag
Karaoke Snakey scarf
Michael's socks (Yes - THAT pair)
Toby's orange sweater
Mom's bulky pink house socks
Silk eye pillows
Lining & Ribbon Handles for Paintbox bag
Ribbon for Equinox stripe basket
Beaded handle for Easter basket
Pink Wrap/Shawl (it's been laguishing so long I had totally forgotten it)
Christmas stocking - toe & felting
Baby sock (#2 of pair for shop)
Pastel ankle socks (had to do something with all that yarn from the baby sock no?)
Anna's mohair/silk poncho -(finished & wearble, but still needs a few more flowers)
Purple Bagsmith Bag (what an albatross)
Seams in blue "Elaine" sweater (I had to rip the seaming out as it was UGLY)
Purple Baby bootie (seam the mate to the one in the shop)
Red "Laser" Sweater
Red Cotton Sweater
Susan's Afghan (crochet - but needs a little redesign)
Handles for 127 print bag (I REALLY HATE I-CORD!!!!!)
Zipper for Karoake felted pouch

See - most of those things are little and easily checked off, but I'm going to be busy getting everything else finished. Man it will feel good to check all these things off the list. Are you guys "LIST People" too? I find it so satisfying to mark things off - there's probably a self-help group for the level of obsession that I seem to have, but hey - it's still serving me well right now so...

Hey later this month, as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (train - what train?) I'll post a list of my stash and projects I want to work on - if I face it all in print right now I think I'll fall over. I need to figure out how to post the UFO list in my sidebar so I can keep track & mark things off.

Tomorrow pictures - and I'll tell you about my doggies.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

What a Week

It's been a long week here. I know I promised pictures, but... soon. I'm feeling better - thanks to all!

We had Annie Modesitt in the shop on Friday and we had the BEST time. Annie is delightful and charming, full of wit and wisdom and she taught us a few knitting things too *grin*. I hope everyone enjoyed her as much as I did.

We're building a new bed for Toby right now so I better get back to that - I LOVE Ikea! but wanted to send a quick update!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

AAAACCKK!

Anyone remember Bill the Cat? I am having a truly aaaaccccckkk! day. I am short tempered (moreso than usual - stop laughing) and cranky and just in general scattered. What should be a perfectly enjoyable day - gorgeous outside and all - is well - just an effort.

This week started out on the wrong foot anyway - I'll spare you the details of stomach flu - and although it was fiendish - at least it was fast. I spent 24-hours sick and 24-hours on the couch recovering and am now trying to pull myself together enough to seem human. Meanwhile I'm being a crappy secret pal and am behind on other things too.

So I've decided. I have decided that today will be better.

I will stop yelling at my children - who, no matter how much it seems so, are NOT out to drive me over the edge and are really just being 5 & 3.

I will stop freaking out that the tiny post office nearest my house (nevermind the fact that there are 3 more within 15 minutes) is closed from 12 - 1 for lunch - (hey we don't close for lunch) and that my secret pal and other buddies - along with the coffee company, the book club, and the phone people, won't have their mail soon enough because I didn't get there until 12:34 and I didn't feel like going back after my other errands.

I won't worry if my kids have to drink kool-aid instead of milk for breakfast AGAIN tomorrow because the aforementioned 5 & 3 year old angels were not about to make it on a grocery run - hey wait maybe I can get Casey to do that one on the way home - depends on if I can hold out the extra 15 minutes it will take him.

I will try to stop holding my breath from when said 3 year-old went to the bathroom at the shop and brought 2 4-foot fluorescent lightbulbs crashing to the ground all around him when the toilet seat lid tumbled off the hinges (oops). You just can't get to them fast enough when things like that happen.

And - I won't cry too much when I have to rip out 4 rows of silk because I missed a set of increases that far back and yes - believe me I've tried to fudge it - it matters, and it must be ripped out. I suppose that's what happens when you try to knit while you are still sick and should be in bed.

YES. I have decided that today will be better - today WILL be better or I'm going to hurl something through a window just so I can hear that satisfying crashing sound (not satisfying when your children make it). Too bad knitting doesn't make that sound when you rip it out - wouldn't it be more gratifying?

I think Mommy needs a drink with dinner - maybe I'll have Casey pick up orange juice at the grocery.


Sorry for the gripes - back to knitting tomorrow I promise - hey and pictures too!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Ahh - Fresh as a Wet Sheep?

Yep - my house is filled with "odeur du felting." otherwise known as wet sheep stink. I've felted two bags today and may do two more - that is if I open some windows and get some breathable air in this place. I've been having fun though.

Getting Up to date:

Pictures this week I promise, but until then - I've ben knitting like crazy!

I've finished 4 felting projects (all but the felting of 2) a baby sweater, a pair of funky house-slippers, the multidirectional scarf, have started a spring sweater, and another felting project. Of course I always have socks on the needles and will hopefully be finished with a pair or two of those by the end of next week. I need to make several class samples too including this and the leaf lace shawl (sorry - couldn't get the link to work).

Hey be sure and check out Stephanie's page and look at her pink lady serendipity shawl - Very Gorgeous!

Stacie hasn't been posting in a few days, but her hubby just got home from and extended training trip so who can blame her *wink* but be sure and check out the WOW scarf she's been working on too. I'm going to make one as soon as the rest of the bags are felted.

I can't wait for project spectrum to start next week. The sweater I'm making is red (everything I own is red) so I'm looking forward to getting it finished.

We have been getting more and more new things in at the store and have rearranged lots of stuff too. The shop looks great and spring is going to be a blast! I am already excited about June market and all the new ideas it will bring - see I have to knit insanely fast to get it all done!

I'd better go finish the I-cord so I can felt the other two bags before knit night tonight.

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe

Was It YOU?

Ok - I give up - who told? Which one of you told the flu police that I was feeling a tiny bit better? It must have been someone, because Saturday kicked it into high gear. If I thought I felt bad last week - whoa! Lookout weekend! Oh well - much better now - and I'm saying it right out loud - germs be damned!

I am feeling better and thanks to all of you who were on my side. I made a multidirectional scarf (Thank you Stephanie for the pattern) with the yarn my secret pal sent me (shown below) and will have a picture of it up soon.

The kids are crafting right now and I've got glue on my hands so typing is sticky!

I had a great Valentine's Day - you know aside from feeling kinda craptastic. I got a Whirley Pop - popcorn pan, etc. and an Ipod Nano - very cool! I got an email the night before that my favorite scrapbook shop is going out of business and EVERYTHING (fixtures & all) was for sale starting yesterday so I started the morning there - that was fun and we've got some neat new displays for the shop too.

I ended the evening at the 50% off sticker sale at Hobby Lobby - all in all - good day!

For those of you who might still be confused - I scrapbook too and I have an obsession with aquiring more "stuff" for scrapbooking - it's smaller and mostly cheaper than yarn (read: easier to hide). It's an insane obsession - like sock knitting - ahh I see all the little lightbulbs going off now *grin*

I hope everyone had a GREAT!!! Heart Day and I hope you ate lots of chocolate and other sugary goodness and had lots of fun. Stacie I hope your honey gets home quickly - better to celebrate late than never yes?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Don't Tell...

Ok - please don't tell my germs or the flu police, but I think (not certain mind you) that I might feel the tiniest - eansiest - littlest bit better. Let's not say that too loudly, but I think it's true. After a visit to the Dr. - which I NEVER do, but considering the asthma, - and 3 chest x-rays later (just to make sure there was no fluid in my lungs) it was my Daddy's homemade, hot & buttery chicken noodle soup that did the trick. Have I told you that I have the best Daddy in the whole wide world? I really do and you may argue that yours is better or just as good, but it just can't possibly be so (can you tell I'm more than a little spoiled?).

We're officially on the upswing of this flu bug and all it entails and we're almost out of the woods. Thank you for all your prayers and messages of support. I felt them all; and hey Steph - sorry about the shop closing Wed. - yeah it was me.

Here's to a better, brighter, healthier weekend!

I'll keep you posted!
AmyDe