Catching up on Blogging!!

Don't know if you could tell or not, I'm on a roll getting caught up on my blogging. Kids are spending the night with their Auntie Toni, Hubby isn't home from work yet. T.V. is off, I'm listening to Belle of the Ball Podcast. Please read my many post from tonight. I'm off to work on the Minutes from our Preschool's last board meeting.

Ballet and Tap

My DD is taking ballet again this year, she is also trying Tap for the first time. She is having a blast. Here are some pictures of her first class. She will be having a recital in Dec.

Football

My DS is playing his first year of Football. He is on the Jr Varsity for his middle school. He is number 39.

Preschool

My DD started Preschool last month. Yes I'm alittle behind.
She is having a wonderful time. I work in the classroom once a week, I'm also the Secretary of the board, Class Rep.
Here is my baby girl on her first day of school.

Busy Swaps on Raverly

I'm been busy particapting in swap on Ravelry.

I was in A.S.S.S 2008 Swap which stands for Autumn Sock or Scarf Swap.

I got a lovely package from KnittyKnitterton. 2 skeins of Jojoland Melody Superwash, Pomme de pin Socks, Knitting Magazine (cute stuff), Stitch Markers, Pumpkin Spiced candles and candle holders. Now I need to learn to knit sock toe up. Thanks Bobbie

I also join the Amazing Lace Swap. I was spoiled by seamsheavenly. She got me 3 skeins of Gloss Lace from Knit Picks in Cypress, Stitch Markers, Calendar, Melon Candle, Evelyn Clark's Deciduous Lace Shawl, Steeler Calendar and Steeler Caution Tape. Thanks for the awesome package!!

My lastest swap is Dish Cloth Round Robin Swaps. bluepalmettotree sent me a package of Dishcloths. I took 2 dishcloths and put 3 back (I added an extra one). I then mail the package to Memeto12 and she will pick out 2 or 3 dishcloths and add to the package and send it down the line. We have 12 people in our group.

Here are the dishcloths I picked.

Final SP12 Package

This is my package from my SP 12 pal (KnittingGnome). I got the EZ's The Opinionated Knitter, size 2 16" KP needles, Clover Yarn cutter, sample of Soak, Sugar'NCream Cotton and Reese Cups(didn't make it into the picture).

SP 12 Package

I know I'm late posting...

I got a great package last month from my SP12 partner.

Got EZ's Knitter's Almanac, wool wash, journal, notepad, bookmark, cotton.

I started a dishcloth today with the cotton. Can't wait to make something out of the book.

Can't wait for my next package.

Oh Where did the Summer go!!

I can't believe I didn't blog all summer.
The summer is a bit of a blur...
I did finish my first pair of socks in sock yarn for a swap at my LYS.
I started working on the Celtic Knot Stole. I put it on the back burner to finish the socks.
My LYS also started The Great American Aran Afghan KAL in June. I only got the first square done. I'm hoping once DD starts preschool, it will free up some knitting time.
I've also been working on a Shrug for DD. It should be done soon.
I just felted a backpack for her also. They both should be ready for the first day of school next week.

Not sure what my next projects will be. My Lovely LYS got me some Claudia's Handpainted sock yarn in the Steelers colorway. I'm think of making Mock Cable Rib or Charade. I also want to start the MS4. I have some KP Shadow in Vineyard Heather. Still deciding on beads. I have some opaque rainbow or silver lined grey. I'm going to knit up the swatch with both bead and see which I like or not.

Ballet Sweater

I finally finished my DD Ballet Sweater. I started in February, it was a quick knit. I just didn't know how to sew all the pieces together. I told my LYS owner, Beth, that I was going to whip stitch the sucker together and be done with it. She told me NO!!! We met up on day for the girls to play and she showed me how to seam it the right way. I'm glad it is finally done. DD is happy too. She wore it to ballet practice tonight.

SP 12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I'm still try new yarns. I love the wool/alpaca blends and soft merino wools
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
nothing really
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have KnitPicks Option so I store my needle in their case they came in.
Crochet I have a pencil bag I use.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
My Grandma taught me in 2001 but didn't tell me I was purling wrong. So all my stitched were twisted and I couldn't get my decrease and stuck to come up right. So I got discouraged. A few years later I searched the internet and found out what I was doing wrong. There has been no stopping me since.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I would say I'm in the middle of beginner and intermediate.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes
5. What's your favorite scent?
Cucumber Melon or Coconut
6. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yeah
Favorite candy?
Reese Peanut butter cups, white Chocolate Kit-Kats
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I crochet(not much anymore), sew, quilt, learning to garden.
Do you spin?
Not yet.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
9. What's your favorite color(s)?
Teal, pink, turquoise and any combo of those 3 with brown.
Not to picky on colors
Any colors you just can't stand?
Not a huge fan of bright reds and oranges.
10. What is your family situation?
SAHM of 2(son 12 he will be lucky to reach 13)(daughter 4) or 3 if you count Hubby
Do you have any pets?
Yes, One Cat
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear Scarves, no on the others.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Dishclothes, baby items, socks, cables, just starting to get into lace knitting
13. What are you knitting right now?
Lace stole, scarf and a square for the Great American Aran Afghan.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, They are the best gift to get!!!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circulars, my favs are KP Options
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have the metal set of KP Options and 1 pair of the Harmony Needles.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yarn winder yes, not on a swift. ( really want one)
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Crocheted Ripple Afgans (2) about 2 or 3 years old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Snowmen, Pittsburgh Steeler stuff, Fancy Tea Cup, Tea Pots ( and I don't even like to drink tea... LOL
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
any book my Elizabeth Zimmerman(don't have any of them), Harmony needles in size 2 and 3
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Creative Knitting and Interweave Knits
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
How to fix my mistake without ripping out my knitting.
22. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes, but still have to knit a pair in sock yarn. I've made 4 pair in worsted weight yarns.
What are your foot measurements?
I wear a size 8 shoe.. my foot is 9.5 inches long
23. When is your birthday?
March 23
24. Are you on Ravelry?
Yeah, who isn't??
If so, what's your ID?
Betsy023

ISE6

I got my scarf Friday...

Celia from Berkeley CA made me Spindrift Scarf out of Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Rare Gems colorway.

Feather & Fan pattern and Kidsilk Haze in Pink, some yummy chocolate, magnets from Interweave Knits.

Finished Quilt Blocks

I finished my Buck a Block from last year. I really enjoyed working on them.

Now I need to decide how to set them in a quilt top. I'll proably put them away for a while until the mood strikes to put them in a quilt top.

I think I have my quilting bug out of my system for a while. Now need to decide what I'm going to work on. I have a bunch of stuff I wanted to get done this month and I think I only finished one of them.

My goals for April are
Finish my Mariner socks
Finish Ballet Sweater
Finish Baby Blanket(Finished)
Finish Del's Gloves
Start Lace Baby Blanket
Start Mystic Light Shawl
Make some Mariner's Dammit Dolls

Knitting Slump

I'm in a knitting slump. I finished a crochet baby blanket for my first niece on Sunday and have been in a slump for about a week.

So yesterday I decided to work on my Buck a Block's from last year.

They are made with Thangles. I have all the block ready to be sewn.

I finished 1 block last night and 2 blocks today.

Hopefully I'll get out of this knitting slump soon.

I have a bunch of KAL's to get caught up on and baby stuff to knit for my niece.

Mariner Socks

I started my sock today while watching the game. It was a good one. We WON!!! It's so nice to have baseball back. I got about 16 rounds done. I'm using a pattern from May 2008's Creative Knitting. They are Ribbed Anklets. I think I'm going to work on them during home games and work on some Dammit Dolls during Away games.

New Keyboard

I ordered my new keyboard !! Stopped by Office Depot and saw this one and really like it. Came home did a search on New Egg and found it cheaper. Hopefully I'll get it before the weekend.

Goals

I'm going to try an blog at least once a week.
I've really let the blog go.
I'm going to update projects, KAL, Groups,Blog I read.
Once I get a new keyboard I'll start working on updating.
My beloved keyboard started to die on me. B,M,P, Shift and Enter stopped working on me. So we took it apart and circuits are fired.
I might get out tomorrow to look for a new one. I have a crappy one that I can use for now. But it's a pain use. I haven't the backspace this much since I learned to type. I would got today but it opening season for the Seattle Mariners. Can't wait to watch me so BASEBALL!! I think we have a great season coming up. I'm going to be knittin a pair of sock in custom dyed sock yarn in the Mariner's colorway.

Have a GREAT Day ALL!!!!!

First Year Anniversary

Yay Me!!!
I've been smoke free for a year!!!!!
Never thought I could make it this far!!
I spoiled myself with some trekking sock yarn and a figheadh sock pattern from my favorite LYS the Yarn Stash in Burien WA.

Was going to post pictures but our SUN has gone away, I think it going to rain. Can't get good pictures when it grey outside. Yep I live in the Pacific Northwest. But I love it here

Sock Yarn Swap

We had a sock yarn swap on For_the_Love _of_Socks yahoo group. I got a wonderful package from Mary in MO. There was 2 hanks of handspun yarn and 2 skeins of Lane Cervinia yarn, Sunshine Sock pattern(free), notebook and pen, row counter and stitch markers.

Thanks for the package Mary. I'm still getting your's together. I had to teach a beginner's crochet class this week. So I'm alittle behind on my mailing.

Defeat Winter Exchange

I got a wonderful package from my Secret Pal Hilary from Winnipeg Canada.

I got 2 dishcloths, yummy peach smelling soap, patterns for the dishcloths, Strawberry Kiwi Crystal Light tube, and 2 skein of Bernat Bamboo yarn. I'm going to do a Ravelry search to see what people have made with it.

Thanks Hilary for the AWESOME Package!!!!!

Birthday Cake

Tomorrow is my daughter's 4th birthday. I can't believe she is getting so big.

She is in love with Ruby & Max by Rosemary Wells. She loves the show and the books. So her request this year was a Ruby & Max Cake.

After a couple of back breaking hours I got it done. It turned out really cute.

She loves it!!!!!

Defeat the Winter Doldrum Exchange

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
Both
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
My KnitPicks Options
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
Haven't found one I don't like yet
Is there any that you've been wanting to try?
Bamboo
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)?
Kitchen is a lt. sage green, kids bathroom is Rubber Duckies, My bathroom shells
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns?
Pinks, blues, purples, creams, tans.
Least favorite?
Red and oranges
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends?
Living in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle I don't mind the winter, except for it getting dark so early. I like snow but I'm glad we don't get it that often. I enjoy bundling up is sweaters, sweatshirt and blankets.
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps?
Surf the net or watch a movie,knit or crochet
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps?
Pepsi or Reese Peanut butter cups
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa?
No to all three. I try to stick with crystal light and water
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do?
A ski logde with a big fireplace and comfy chair that I would sit and knit all day.
11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of?
Don't like the smell of smoke. I've been smoke free for 11 months

Spiderman Ghan

I'm late as usual. I finished my nephew's Spiderman Rippleghan today.

Thanks to Ravelry, I found this ghan, mitten and a hat. I'm making the mittens and hat for Christmas 2008. I'm going to start the mittens this month. I belong to A Loose Knit Group, who's project this month is mittens or gloves. The object of this group is to help you get a head start on knitting your Christmas gifts or any gifts you need.