Secret pal-yness May 28, 2005

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

Not really a snob. I don’t like Red Heart, but do like Lion Brand cotton. I’m not a big fan of 100% acrylic, mainly cause it’s not soft. Cascade Acrylic is tho, so no, not a snob!

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I can crochet an edging, but that’s about all. I have a drop spindle, but don’t know how to use it.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Allergic to dogs, smoke…. and really really itchy wool. Oh yeah, and nuts. But not chocolate!

4. How long have you been knitting?

About 2 1/2 years… non stop for 2 of them!

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

No. Should I?

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

Lavender, Gardenia, Jasmine, Green Tea, Lei Flowers

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Does the pope wear a funny hat?

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

Jewelery making, sewing, decopauge, simple scrapbooking, I’m learning embroidery and want to learn to quilt.

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

I love almost all music. not a big country or pop fan.

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

I love red. And lately, I love purple (although I used to hate it!) Greens and blues are wonderful too. I don’t look too good in yellow, and I detest pink (although I fear it may grow on me….)

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

Married to a delicious man, two cats. No kids.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

Well this answer relates to the previous answer…. I want to be a mother. We’ve been at war with infertility for what feels like forever and are preparing to venture into the terrifing world of InVitro.
Other than that, I’m pretty satisfied with my life. I’d love to travel more, but the only person that will be travelling with my money will be the fertility specialist! hahaha

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

Hard to sasy I have a favorite. I love love love love alpaca. Love silk blends. Love cotton blends. Love soft wools. Honestly, I’m a yarn ho.

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

Not a big fan of novelty yarns, fun fur and the like.

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

Well since we’re in a heat wave, I’m looking at tank patterns. But I knit my first sweater this winter, and am hooked. Also, love to knit socks!

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

I just love to knit. Sounds corny, but it’s true. Since it’s not the holidays, I love knitting things for me Otherwise, I’m knitting for others. Which I love too.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Honeymoon from knitty, Ribby Cardi, and a pair of socks. And as soon as I have a better pattern I’ll be knitting a sweater for my MIL.
18. What do you think about ponchos?

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circs all the way.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo and plastic. Aluminum makes my fingers numb.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

YES!

22. How did you learn to knit?

My Nana taught me when i was 11. I knit a doll blanket. And never knit again. Then a few years ago, I bought a book and taught myself again.. haven’t stopped since.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

On the needles, or in a bag? I have a few projects I bought the yarn for, but still havent’ started yet (maybe 6 months). On the needles… maybe 2 months. I have a lot of projects in the air, but i like to finish too.

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

I love cats and frogs. Not into animated characters tho.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Well I’m a leo, so my fave holiday is my birthday. I love halloween! love to dress up and have an adult beverage!

26. Is there anything that you collect?

I’m not much of a collector. but I do love pretty chopsticks ( use them as hair sticks) and I love budha related art.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Interweave knits (gift from my beloved MIL) and Vogue knitting (an exchange with a kick ass friend!)

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I love books. love books. LOVE BOOKS. I can’t think of any I’m dying for…. but if I do, I’ll make that Amazon listy thingy

I must say I’m super excited to get started with the secret pal! I haven’t had a secret pal since… gosh, High School I’m sure. I love a good secret.. and a good suprise!

ATTENTION! ILLNESS ABOUNDS! May 25, 2005

Have crafty ADD. Started Embroidery. I know…. My craftiness is a sickness. Picked up some cheap napkins at the craft store clearance rack… and a pattern from sublime stitching

Ooh La La! 

Sweater for my MIL has to be frogged and re-knit. The pattern sucks. SO… Now I’m looking for another pattern… hopefully I’ll get back to it before too long.

Working on Ribby Cardi. Love it. great pattern, good yarn. Using TLC Cotton Plus. I really like it! It’s soft, and mucho affordable! The body will be black.. and the sleeves….

Ribby Cardi Sleeves 
Back to crafting!

So Amanda asked how my May 13, 2005

So Amanda asked how my mom like the shawl… She loved it! She acutally saw it on line before it arrived cause she is a curious little monkey. She should be sending me a picture with her in it.. that I’ll post… so you can see the mother of the dork

I finished knitting my MIL sweater last night, but it’s blocking, and will hopefully be seamed tonight, before I pack it up to go to the wedding. I still have to weave in and block my Clap… and I think I’m going to get another pin like the one for my mom’s shawl to wear with it…

Hopefully I’ll post from Michigan…. Anyone recommend a good shop in Lansing? (besides Threadbare Arts… it’s around the corner from my MIL house.. and I LOVE IT!!!!!)

Monkey is home! May 10, 2005

Little monkey, named Ruby by her new friends, has arrived at her new home… boy she sure looks happy, and well loved.

Marcus and Ruby 

hugs! 

Awwww they love eachother!  

Sure does make me happy to give a monkey to a good home!

Mom’s birthday/ Mother’s day present May 3, 2005

I finished my Mom’s birthday present! It’s the Cobweb pattern from Magknits, knit with Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool, and Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I love how it turned out! Here it is after blocking… hanging in the stairwell.

shawl in the hallway. 

Here is the dork modeling it.

Dork in the shawl 
Here it is lounging in my back yard.

shawl in the back yard 

Here is the closeup of the pin I bought for her mother’s day present.

close up of shawl pin 

I love my mom.. she rocks the house. She’s funny, and talented and caring. She gives and gives and gives. She taught me how to love, how to be crafty (one of the best things in the world!) and she is the one who first told me that she who dies with the most fabric (or yarn in my case) wins. My mom taught me to love the environment, and to respect others. She encouraged me to follow my heart, do what I love, and love what I do. She has been so supportive of my choices in life, and is always the first to tell me she is proud of me. She has been loving and supportive in our infertility challenged life. I love my mom. She rocks the house. (Mom, if you’re reading this… guess what, I love you.)

Elwood has a new friend! May 3, 2005

However…. she belongs to someone else… She is yet to be named, I’ll allow her new owner to name her (aren’t I kind!) Here is Elwood saying goodbye to her.

Elwood and his new buddy…. 

Now she’s winging her way to Ontario Canada! She’s going to have to learn to speak Canadian, eh?