Birthday Redux and Clearing Out

Anna's birthday was wonderful and lots of fun. It was really simple - the way we wanted it. Anna had a GREAT time, we all did. After everyone went home, the house was relatively tidy again, and the children were all tucked in their beds - I had a mini-meltdown. Special days are great, but part of them (a bigger part than I expect most times) really SUCKs without my Mom.



Sorry to open so somber; on to good stuff. I finished Anna's birthday socks - one toe has to be reworked as I apparently got carried away and knitted it too long - damn CSI!

Friends, my craftroom is a nightmare. It's perpetual state of cluttered, yet manageable has developed into full blown chaos. So, I'm clearing things out! I've already emptied 3 bins (you know the ones - big rnough for the kids to sit in and pretend it's a boat) of stuff and will be emptying out even more as the week goes on. WooHoo! It feels really good.

I've been reading a book (ok I finished it in a day and a half) Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston; it's enlightening. Now I am not one for metaphysics, but this gal has changed the way I look at and think about how clutter (and mess) affects my life. She's got some great insights and I am enjoying the process.

I am planning now for Make-a-Day October. That's my own little catch phrase. The idea is to make something everyday. To sew, and knit, and scrapbook, and cook, and craft with the kids everyday during the month of October. My goals are to finish up some languishing UFOs and also get lots of gift sewing completed BEFORE the holiday craziness.

I want to do this not only to avoid holiday rush and enjoy making things, but also to use up some of the things I have in my craftroom and see what else I can get rid of, because if I am not using it - I don't want it cluttering my mind and my space.

Looky what Andrea made me!



It's a felted pumpkin; isn't it cute? Sorry for the blurry photo - it's still pretty dark in here and I wanted to post the shot.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Happy Birthday Anna!

My girl is 6 today. She''s growing up and changing too fast, I can't wait to see who she'll be tomorrow, but I wish I could.



Not much time for posting today - what with party making, etc. We're just having dinner at home - Chicken noodle soup by request (salad and fruit by requirement) and then presents with Grampy and Uncle Michael.

Cake - frosted
Gifts - wrapped
House - as clean as it's going to get for my dad & my brother!

Now Bring On The Fun!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Blocked Out!

Hey - here's the pink/orange wrap all blocked and ready to go:


And here's what we did this week:

Our first visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It was really nice and lots of fun. The way it's designed you really don't get a perspective of how enormous the place really is, which I'm nt sure is a good thing, but it is beautiful.

Guys don't forget to join Socktoberfest (I'll get my button tomorrow). It's lots of fun and I hope to get lots done.

I was commenting on another blog about Christmas knitting and how I'm not doing it. I've already begun buying giftcards for Christmas gifts. I am knitting and if there is something in the basket that suits someone special then goody for them, but if not - that's ok too. I think this year the holidays are going to be hard enough without adding more stress. Knit for the fun of knitting and for special people - NOT for deadlines. When you knit or craft for a deadline it often sucks the joy right out of the process.

So here's to a happy holiday season for all (yes it's early) with ease and true enjoyment! And forgive me if you run into me in the shop while I'm working and I am all about "Holiday Knitting" - come on it's retail and we've got to pay the rent!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I Finished Something!

I finished the pink wrap - Now I need to block it and clean up the ends tonight (I'll post pistures then). It is really pretty and it was fun to work on; now I'll have to learn how to do ACTUAL entrelac. I am going to make the Lady Eleanor Shawl out of the purple/olive Silk Garden eventually.

I am almost to the heel on Anna's second sock. I'll be finished in a day or two and then wrap them up for her birthday. Then on to Toby's second sock - actually I need to rework the toe of the first one as well so maybe I'll finish those by the weekend.

Do you guys know the Lime & Violet podcast. They are truly laugh your a** off funny in a different way than Knitty D & the City (my faves). I am finally caught up and waiting anxiously for the next one. I LOVE listening to these podcasts - it's like sitting with girlfriends!

I am not going to be at knit night for the next couple of months. I am worrking an Emmaus weekend and the team meetings fall on Thursdays - bah!

Katey, Laurie, and I have some fun things brewing so stay tuned for more information soon. Shhh! It's a secret!

BTW: (totally unrelated) I want one of THESE! I might have to pick one up SOON!!!

I've been planning sewing projects lately as well - like I said before - this is my very favorite time of year and I get really productive. I'll post pics as soon as anything is picture worthy.

I also organized my stash last week and whoa! I have lots o' stuff. Not as much as I imagined, but still... I put everything in large zipper bags along with the patterns and made a list of the projects I have yarn for. I'm not going to bore you with the list today (I'll save that for another post), but let's just say - I'd better knit faster! Might be time to break out my knitting machine and get somethings made up quickly.

One minor confession: I have enough dishcloth cotton to make 27+ ballband dishcloths from the Mason Dixon book. guess what everyone is getting for Christmas!!!

Shameless self promotion to follow:
After ordering 5 skeins of Andrea and buying all that Schaefer the other night please visit my Etsy shop and help me out. I hope to have a shop update in about a week!

Just because I am now convinced that every post should have a photo here's what happens when you give the 5-year old the camera (it's not flattering):



I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

WIP Friday (and then some)

I've been such a slacker about the groups I've joined, but I'm here now and I LOVE fall. I feel so motivated and energized. I've been working on this pink Mock Entrelac wrap for a little over a week now and I'm almost finished.



It's made from Kid Seta (which is like kidsilk haze or doceour et soie) and a rayon cord from Cascade called Fiesta. The cord either used to be called rio or is now called Rio - I'm not sure, but my label says Fiesta. It's really a very quick knit (if I'd work on it consistenly) and lots of fun. It is sooooo soft!

Also - I had fun at the yarn shop last night. Susan, our Schaefer Yarns dealer (I'm sure I meant Rep) brought her bags and bags of yarny goodness and this is what I came away with:


It's gooooood!
That's 4 skeins of Nancy in an odd-lot colorway to make a cardigan or a basic "sweatshirt" style sweater for yours truly, 2 skeins of Knitty D & Wendy's Favorite :Anne (the only two she had, which will be over-dyed), Another skein of Nancy to make a sweater for my little Toby-nater, and one skein of Soxie by Great Adirondack (not from Susan) in a colorway called "Caution!" It's hot pink and Lime Green with a little orange and acid green - really more pink than my so-so photo shows.

As if that's not enough yarn and money...

I am ordering though the shop ANDREA from Schaefer Yarns. It is gorgeous lace weight silk. This will be next years knitting as I am ordering 5 skeins of it at 1053 yards/skein. Go check out their color pages - they have GREAT colors. I ordered Andrea in Frida Kahlo, Catherine The Great, Gertrude Ederle, Indira Gandhi, and Clara Barton. I wanted a dozen more colors, but well - we have to eat.

OK - I've babbled as long as I possibly can - time to kick my day into high gear and finish up the things that must be done.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I always wanted to be a goddess

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!

I had another image in my mind's eye, but I'll take what I can get!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I found the Noro...

WooHoo! I found my missing ball of silk garden! It was WAY under the seat of my husband's car and he found it last night. Hey - Men who bring you yarn are HOT!!!

I spent some time this weekend dividing my stash into projects, packaging everything up with the pattern, and making a list of what I have in there waiting on me. I didn't log the sock yarn - part time shortage, part denial. The list is long, but really not as long as I thought it would be - Still - I MUST get knitting.

I am working now on a mock-entrelac scarf/wrap in hot pink and orange. It's pouring here so no good light for pictures today. I'll see what I can do later if it ever lets up.

Thanks for well wishes!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

5 Years and 6 Months

I've read many touching posts today remembering September 11. Wendy's is particularly poignant. I too remember the horror and anger and endless sadness of that day - of this day. I remember knowing that OUR world, America's world, was changed forever and wondering what was next. I remember feeling the unity of our nation as we mourned and as we looked ahead; surrounded by the spirit of patiotism. Today I feel very much alone.

Today my mom has been gone from me for six months. I am not one to dwell on the day my mother died - I celebrate her life, not her death. With everywhere I turn focused so much on today's date it's hard to believe that it has been six months; so long, but such a blur.

Little things still hit me sideways, like buying new shoes for my kids and realizing that we can't "go show Grammy." Or wanting an opinion on something before I decide. Or even finishing a crafting project without my mom to show it to. I haven't finished many things lately - Oh I've started, but somehow finishing just doesn't come as easily these days; it will always be changed.

So I've had a difficult day all around. My prayers are with those in harm's way and those who suffer loss or hardship. My freedom and eternal grattitude are owed to such and I am truly blessed and proud to be an American.

Things I love about my country:

My gift of choice, to say what I want, live where I want, worship whom I want, work if I want, and follow the leaders I choose.

My Flag, and ALL that it stands for and the price at which that comes

Things I love about my Mom:

Her Generosity, and the spirit of giving that outlives her.

Her Words, that I hear in my head and heart and in my children's prayers.

I wish I had a better picture to share, but this is one she would love of her with Anna Christmas 2001. She loved my babies so!

Mom I miss you!

Being so vulnerable is difficult for me at best, especially to those I know personally, but I know I can share with you. Thank you for indulging me and for supporting me.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

"Pardon Me Boys..."

Is that the Chattanooga Choo-Choo? Why of course it is! Fun was had by all and little more will be disclosed - it's the "girlfriend's oath" afterall. We laughed and laughed and laughed some more. A few things were determined to be universally true.

#1 You don't need to be drunk to have a GREAT time.



#2 Other people might think you ARE drunk if you're having too good a time.

#3 Starbucks is NOT a library

and last but not least


I'm so glad I went and I'm glad to be home. I so enjoyed my time away and will be knitting and sewing furiously with all the items I bought. I'll have more trip photos tomorrow and shots of the "Loot" from the weekend as soon as I get some decent light - it was overcast today.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful holiday weekend (if U.S.).

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

As Promised...

Pictures! I have pics of finished projects.

I finished the knitting on these silk eye pillows


LONG ago, but just got to sewing them up and sewing/filling the lining. They feel WONDERFUL! Silk - La Luz silk from Fiesta (leaftover from Stephanie's shawl for the shop). One is filled with flax & lavendar and one is filled with flax & peppermint - YUM!

Also here are some things I've been sewing:
Cool Card Cases:


And Zippered Pouches:


Both the cards cases and the zippered pouches are for sale in My Etsy shop. Check them out and buy them for your friends (then keep them for yourself).

I had another chiroprator visit today and I cannot express how happy I am that I can finally knit pain free (relatively) again. WOOHOO!!!

Tonight is knit night and I am excited about it, plus I'm travelling this weekend to a ladies retreat and am looking forward to that as well.

I don't have any cool Pokey pictures today, but believe me she's a doll. Pokey is my special puppy. She's very sweet, and very pretty, and well she's pretty. I love her and she makes me laugh out loud!

I'd better go fix my hair - normally not something I worry too much about but, I got caught in a downpour and it needs some serious help.


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I can Knit! I can Knit!

Finally! I can knit again. I've had shoulder pain for the poast few months hat just would NOT get better. After a visit to a chiropractor and lots of "snap,crackle, pop" It feel soooo much better. It's still not right, but it's getting better. I go back tomorrow for more twists & turns and hopefully lots less pain.

I was able to knit last night and some today - I just have to take it easy still - so I've been sewing. I haven't got any finished pictures for you as everything is in progress.

Are you guys as addicted to Project Runway as I am? I didn't watch until this season, but I was quickly sucked in and now can't wait for each new episode. I am not a fashion kind of girl, but I love the creativity and sewing plus the characters are "FABULOUS!" It's not on until late tonight so until then I must "Carry On!"

I'll have pics and a BIG shop update tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Calling Amy Nunmaker...

We intterupt your regularly sheduled blogging for THIS important message:

Amy N. I need your email address please

Thanks!
amy at thedements dot com
I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

And You'll Always Have a Neighbor....

(You'll always have a pal - if you ever navigated on the Erie Canal.)

WARNING: Only a true friend could reveal to you the things I am about to share.

Nearly a week later and I'm still tired from our Knit All Night party. We had the BEST time. Many thought we were crazy, dorks, stupid, you name it they thought it, but let me tell you - WE HAD FUN!!!!

It was truly insane with tons of people and food and yarn and prizes. We laughed and told jokes (some funny some not so much, baaa!) and we ate and knitted (well they knitted) and shopped and learned new things about personal grooming - it was very educational!

Now after about 1 a.m. all "rules" (not that we follow them anyway) go out the window and pretty much anything goes. Including this:



That's Katey and as I only arrived in time to take the picture I have NO idea what was going on and I was afraid to ask, but it was funny so here you go!

Then there was Marybeth - who's inquiring mind wanted to know...



And of course Amy N, Ginger, & Stephanie (from L to R) who laughed right along:



We did have a GREAT time and can't wait to do it again!

And to leave you with more funny pics here are some of my doggy Pokey. She's a sweet doggy and, well, she's pretty!

Pokey & The Frog:


Cute Right?


Now try the overhead shot:



Yeah - that's what I thought too!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Life's To-Do List

Grabbed this list HERE - it's fun - no typing just putting things in bold that you've done. It's fun to trace this one back and see what everyone has done. Some more are here and here;

Life's to do list - Completed items are bolded

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen an eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces or all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake Dead River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in aisles at Rocky Horror
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life

So What's Up?

The prizes ship out today - woohoo!

I am scrapbooking and making cards (Oh please! You knew I was a closet scrapbooker).

I am working with the kids on homeschool projects (lots of paint=lots of fun).

I am planning a trip (two actually).

I am NOT knitting - Boo Hiss (snake crying) as my shoulder keeps getting worse - YES I have an appointment!!!!

I'm not really sewing right now either as my craftroom is all but out of control, but I am working on it. I think I am mouring knitting. I know I am feeling frustrated by having all these ideas and projects I want to make, yet... Also - the craftroom is the converted garage (read no AC vent) and gets pretty darn hot by mid-day.

I do have several items on the table that will get finished this week. I'm feeling inspired and will be back at the sewing machine today!!! Yeah!

I am updating the SHOP today with some zippered pouches and card/coin holders. Time to start thinking about Christmas gifts guys....

That's all I know (sort of boring, huh?) for now.

Here's a pic of my girl when she was about a year or so old.



I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

And the winners are....

Kate A and ikkinlala! Thanks for playing. This was fun. Guys if you'll leave me a nother comment and be sure to fill in your email field it will send me your email address and I can contact you and find out where to send your prizes!

Congrats! and thanks to all!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

WOW WOW WOW!!!

Thanks All! What a response. Thanks to all for the well wishing and for all the comments. Boy - mention the word prizes and the lurkers jump right out into the open don't they? Cool!

I'll pop the names in a hat tonight and draw for prizes when I get home from knit night. I'll post the winners first thing in the morning! I can't wait. Is it wrong for me to be as excited about giving prizes as I hope you are about winning them? Who cares! I'm having fun.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Blogiversary - YAY!!!

Happy Blogiversary to me! It seems really weird that I blogged for an entire year. I looked back at my first post a moment ago and I realize now what an incredible journey these past 12 months have been. Some really good and some really bad things happened this year, yet I am still standing - unreal!

Thanks to all the new friends I made. It's so much fun! I really didn't know what this blog adventure could bring. I made many new friends and feel so very fortunate for that. I look at my world differently and with more perspective from knowing such a diverse group of people through the blogs; to me that's invaluable.

My outlook changed. My husband's career changed. My desires changed. My children (really) changed. My home changed. My family changed. I changed.


I look forward to a new year and new friends and new changes. So enough of all that goopy stuff ON WITH THE PRIZES!!! YES, prizes!

As is customary with blogiversaries I have prizes - good ones too!
Leave me a comment before Thursday @ 10:00 EDT and I'll put you in the drawing on Friday.

I'll be sending out two sets, each consisting of:
a mini tissue holder, a coin purse/card wallet, a zippered pouch, and some more goodies that I am working on today (you'll have to wait until tomorrow for photos of that).

Just a preview.

Thank you for joining me for the ride. I hope you stick around!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

"Hot Like Fire!"

Anna: "Mommy will you please roll my window down. I'm hot like fire."

It IS 'hot like fire' and as such I've been doing - you've guessed it - absolutely nothing! I haven't crafted much - the room needs straightening. I haven't shopped - please, dragging two children out in this heat and in and out of carseats UGH! I've only done enough dishcloth knitting to REALLY make my shoulder hurt - which is not that much these days. Mostly - we're sitting on the couch watching movies, random TV, reading, listening to music, and catching up on podcasts. Woohoo!

Knit night is tonight and I have a few ideas for that, but it's guild night and lots of people probably won't be there so...

Off I go to educate my children in our air-conditioned comfort. If only webvan was still around - then I wouldn't even have to leave the house for organic produce!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Be Safe...

Be safe as you travel tomorrow, friend. Call me when you've rested. Love to You!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe