Merry Christmas

Or Happy Saturday. =]

= )

I just smile everytime I see these guys I made them just before surgery. I do believe the pattern is from the blog Jelly Wares. I'll link back when I can get to sit at the computer.

Snow?

There is a halo around our moon tonight (google it I can't link from my phone and no sitting at the computer yet for me)
"halo around the moon, rain/snow will be soon"
(yes that is our moon and no you can't see the halo in it. I couldn't zoom out far enough to catch it)

It only took 4 days

Here is a teacher gift. It is the Breckenridge Cowl. I had made one before for my mom and it was a really quick knit (started and finished during a hockey game). This one took a little longer =)

Update

I am laying here in bed listening to my kids sing Queen. Granted it is " we will rock you". But hey it is in my opinion better then most music out today. ( ahhh I am turning into my parents. They used to say that!) anyway I am pretty sore and bruised. More sore then pain. Each day better then the last. Today I could actually go potty by myself!! =). It's the little things you know?

Sadly no knitting has been going on and I only have till wednesday for three if them ( they're teacher gifts). They are the only gifts I am going to stress over. Everything else will just have to go with the flow

: D

Sent from my iPhone

We finally had snow

And judging by my girls big smiles they loved it. We had so much fun walking to school on this morning that we were late. Oops. = )

In other news. I am minutes away from another surgery. Gotta love smart phones. I am blogging from pre op. : )

well

the trial was great. so great in fact that the doctor squeezed me in for the permanent one on the 16th. That is a week away. This just happens to be really surgery, not an outpatient thing. So basically I am trying to get everything done by the 16th since I am not sure of what I am going to be able to do afterwards. If it works as well as the trial I am golden. Just wish there was a way to push Christmas back.

In other news winter has showed itself (though it looks like it will be temporarily since it will be in the 50's in a few days) I made these last year and they are really warm.





Cascade 220 (grey) and Noro silk garden, a set of needles and my brain = these mittens. They are a little snug but when i wore the yesterday the grew just enough so there were no to tight.

How I spent my morning

After getting up earlier then I have since I was breastfeeding, to travel to the lovely hospital this is what I came home with. ( I am still groggy so hopefully all makes sense). This is a Spinal Cord Stimulator - trial version. I have electricity running into my spinal column to over stimulate the nerves so the pain is less. I know I haven't really talked about my back here before but for almost 2 years now I have been in a LOT of pain. The doctors can not fix it so it is all pain management at this point. I can tell you right now the only pain I feel is my very sore back muscles that spasm every so often. The other pain that has caused my life to be hell- not much feeling of that. I am in love with that little wire. = ). Hopefully this has been enough writing to hide the picture. Sadly that wire will come out on Monday = (. But if all is ok by Monday I will get scheduled for the permanent one.

Spark

Here is the finished sweater


It was a test knit and it is up (and if you check it out here you will see a certain someone)


The only mods I made was to undo the ties and make a frog closure. It makes it easier for her to close it



The new owner of said sweater is impatiently waiting for it to dry. =)

On my way to get milk tonight

This is what I saw. It was not the only house, just the one I could safely take a picture of. Plus I had to take radio station out of the car's memory. It is just too early for 24/7 Christmas music. Funny thing is,well besides it not even being thanksgiving yet, is that the house a few houses away from this one still has Halloween decorations up. Too early people!!!

1 Down 1 To Go

(better pictures soon)

This has got to be one of the strangest things I have bought. My son had a field trip to the Bronx Zoo. As our little group visited the gift shop I came across this little handmade notebook. It wasn't until after that I read the note card on the back.

The paper is made form elephant poo.

No lie. Here is there website.

Love the name - Mr. Ellie Pooh's Elephant Dung Paper. Even the pencil included is recycled from found pencil and hand sharpened.

(Yes you can actually see the grass that passed through the elephant in the paper. There is no smell and it is sanitized)

Onto the sleeves!

My little helper

Progress

Well there has been some in the purple sweater. I am on my second out of a possible three. Not quite half way. This is a test knit. It is called Spark. I tested the adult version called Flint. Yes I know I don't think I showed any pictures. I think I am going to redo some of it. I get more into that when I get it.
Oh and the blue sweater well there has been progress on that too. But, it is a Christmas gift and even though the giftee knows all about it- I still want to keep it as much as a surprise as possible so expect limited pictures

Is it possible

To knit 2 sweaters in a month? We shall see!

Ok America

I voted. Did you?

The big bad

Hershey!! I was walking the kids to school and loved how the sun was turning the Hershey into a wolf. Yes Hershey is wearing a sweater (and yes I knitted it). She actually needs some help keeping warm when it is 40 degrees out.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Yeah it has been a while. ; ) Lots of stuff going on.







= )

I have something to say.....

I want to say this. It may come out a mish mash of words but I hope the point is there.

There are people out there who are !@#$% idiots.

From a certain one down in Florida who wants his 15 minutes of fame. To men and women around the world who kill in the name of god. People who think they are better then everyone else because of __________ (fill in the blank) We are all humans. Regardless of who we love, worship, eat, or what ever.

You see my best friend who is like a sister to me is from Eygpt. She is Muslim. She covers her hair because she wants too. We have had many discussions about how stupid the world is. Yesterday we sat together watching our children play together worried about the world.

Then she tells me that some one where she works told her that she was stupid because she covers her hair. That because she covers her hair she is going to bring bad attention to herself. She was upset I could tell but she said she just let it go. She thought this woman was her friend.

I am raising my children to see people for who they are, not what they do. It just amazes me that in this day and age we as a race can not get over that we are all the same.

I am not religious at all but I do know this. No matter what religion is practice, Love thy Neighbor and No killing seem to be on the top. Remember WWJD? I liked it. Not because of the whole Jesus thing but because it made people think for a second.

I know I am rambling, It just really upsets me that my friend who is one of the most generous and loving person on this planet is being harassed because she wears a scarf on her head.

Yeah!!!!!!

In less the 12 hours my 3 angels will be in school!!!!!!!!!

Maybe now I can get things done? maybe?

Recap

It has been busy here. Finally can catch my breath.

A certain Hershey has made herself at home. She still has some bad moments - like the car. We took her to a baseball game where dogs are allowed and had a hard time in the car. She had fun there was loved very much and was better during the car trip back home. Loud voices also seem to cause her to hide but she is much better. Of course her good moments she is just a ball of love to everyone.

We had a birthday in the family


Had to include the picture cause well to have all four kids in one place and all smiling, well mostly, is a rare event = )

Last but not least. The Boy's baseball season is over. The team went all the way to the silver medal round and had a pretty good last game. The other team won but that does not make this momma any less proud. This was the first year for summer league and there is a ton of pressure to win. I could so go into my "they are only 8 or 9 what is your problem ...." speech but I will not.

My Boy very tired but happy.

=)

Ok?

Why do I need a spindle?

Asked the Hubby. Why to spin at the baseball game of course. : ). My
little home made spindle made from my junk drawer- a chopstick, a
pushpin, 2 washers and a little rubber band and this puppy spins. Of
course I have nothing to compare it to.

Using the Brain

Well things are not going as planned these days. My Doctor has told me that I am no longer cleared to work and told me to file disability. That in itself is depressing. I am 33 after all but there is nothing that can be done about my back and it will get worse on its own let alone under stress of working. Still it is not easy to take.

Anyway I was surfing the internet and reading all about the Tour de Fleece (I have been spinning as much as I can but I am still spinning my brown Llama and well it looks brown- though my other yarns are drying so soon I will have pictures.) anyway back on my track. There are amazing yarns being created on a spindles. Now I once tried a drop spindle and well I put the drop in drop spindle. Well I figure after spinning on a wheel for over 2 years I just might be able to be able to use a drop spindle again. There are plenty of "How to make a Spindle" on the internet. My first attempt was not great and had my youngest asking if that is why they are called drop spindles. I understand the principle of how one is made and went about making my own. 2 heavy washers and a chopstick later I had a spindle that I could keep going.( the smaller of the two with the fluff still attached)

I know not a great picture but it was the best I had.

I never thought

That I would look forward to 85 degrees. But I am. I am again at the
ball park. Baseball 5 days a week, which at first I thought lots of
knitting time but with this heat wave so not happening. Maybe tonight
though we have a nice breeze and I have a better project-cotton- that
I am working on so just maybe just maybe.

Excuse this interruption....

Last night my son and his team won. This mean they qualify for the gold medal round. = )

Here comes the bragging part. He hit a triple, batted runs in and stopped 2 runs from scoring and stopped the other teams rally.

Ok I am done for now. = )

Happy 4th!!!

Ahh 4th of July. It amazes me how time is just flying!! Things have been a little busy here so how about some bullet points! - aka not much time and I am being a little lazy ; )

1. Yesterday the Tour de France started which means The Tour de Fleece started too! I did spin yesterday and did get a good amount of spinning. Today not so much but I did try hand spinning so at least I attempted. Hopefully tomorrow I can spin some more (do you hear that my back!)

2.My spinning companion.

as always

3. It has been busy because of this guy

My OMG he looks like a professional baseball player and what the heck happened to my little boy!

Summer ball. Like I mentioned last time he made summer league and this was taken before the first game. White uniform and the catcher position equal never white again.


My #11 in action!!!

This boy of mine is going to be 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in a week! I know moms out there will agree with this but I swear he was just a baby the other day. Summer League is taken very seriously here so there have been baseball 5 days a week which for this Momma means knitting. Well when I can I should say. They are playing the seed round and having played 2 games they are 1-1 with 1 more game to go. It gets exciting and well my gauge is everywhere!

4. Citron is in the bind off stage. I am doing a beeded bind off so I can only work in it at home. I worked on it for a few hours and well I am about 10% of the way done. I hope to be done before 2011.

5. Speaking of birthdays. My #11 got one of his gifts early

Meet Hershey

She is a sweet little terrier that has had a not to happy past we are finding out. she is good with the kiddies (prefers them actually). It is so sad in the animal shelter. If we had the room I swear I would take them all home. Hershey and Snickers are adjusting pretty well too. Hershey needs a little time to adjust I think. There are certain little things that other shelter dog owners can tell you let you know that the past may not have been so great. I can tell you though when you see that they start to trust you it is a heart warming thing.

One very proud Momma

My son made summer baseball. There were tryouts and he was rated in
the top. He is amazing. He has this natural catching ability that is
wow. I know I am his mom but Hubby and I are his toughest critics.
This is the first time were I can just sit and watch him and he just
absolutely amazes me!!

Current Project

Now that I have finished all the teacher gifts for this year (need to upload them) I have now moved on to something I want to make.

Citron.


(picture taken a few days ago. I am further then pictured)
I am Knitting ALong (KAL)-ing with the Stash Knit Down group over at Ravelry. (Yes I need them now more then ever)
I am using Malabrigo Lace held double on size 7 needles (see stash busting, 2 skeins of yarn instead of 1) I am almost at the end of the 4th repeat which just leaves the 5th repeat and the ruffle left to knit. Of course the number of stitches double in the ruffle and rouching sections so it does take a bit longer to knit them and of course purl them back.

Aaaaaand when all the knitting is done. I am doing a beaded Bind Off!!! Those beads are what is getting me through those long purled rows.

=)

Operation Fayfay

A little over a year ago my Hubby had to have his shoulder fixed. How much damage there was they were not sure until the doctor actually got inside. What fun! Anyway I was told I would see him again in about 2 hours. Reality was 4.5 hours later when he was wheeled back into the recovery area. The whole time I was a wreak. Kept telling myself they are just fixing his shoulder, but well I guess you could call it a very active imagination. Scary things, especially after the 2 hour mark and the nurses could not tell me why it was taking so long.

Well I knitted. I brought with me a beautiful and easy scarf pattern to knit. Fayfay


I was using a ball of handspun that had been sitting around for a while. It was pretty and well I had told myself to start using my handspun (still need to do that) I wasn't sure of how much I had but I figured I had enough for this lacey scarf.

Oh it was enough. I knitted most of it in the waiting room and finished at home nursing a very sore Hubby.


It needs to be reblocked. It is almost 10 feet long! I just kept knitting not even thinking that once it is blocked it will grow. It is lace after all. I just had too much on my mind at the time. I have bought blocking wires since I last blocked it and hoping that a re block will help. If I try to get more width then it should shrink the length (hoepfully) enough that the scarf is a little more wearable. If that doesn't work I may just have to rip out some of the length.

My Sheep's Hot Flash

Over at the "Cold Sheeping" support thread I fessed up that my sheep had a major Hot flash. Well I didn't want to post all the picture (many pictures) that showed what I bought over there but some wanted to see so I decided to make a blog post about it. (Very picture heavy)



This is what started it all. 5 balls of Cascade 220 in black for Skywalker's new sweater. As you will see these 5 little balls opened the flood gates.

In no order what so ever here we go:

Fleece Artist merino2/6 in ebony


Dream in Color Smooshy in "Good Luck Jade"


Dream in Color Baby in "November Muse"


Malabrigo Silky Merino in "Velvet Grapes" (to go with the other 4 I have)


LB Cashwool in "Charcoal"


Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme in "Brown"


Knit Picks Stroll Sport in "Clematis Heather"








Knit Picks Comfy fingering in assorted colors Marlin, semolina, honeydew, lilac, peony, peapod , and flamingo


Knit Picks Felici sport in "Sorcery"


Knit Picks Felici in "Rainbow"


Hand Maiden Sea Silk in "BLue Lagoon"


Dream in Color Starry in "Dusky Aurora" (it has real silver threads in it!)


Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in "Whitewater"


Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in "Black Purl"


Gale's Art BFL/silk in Stormy Seas (the only fiber I bought)

Well that is almost all of it. I am missing picture of 2 yarns and for some reason they went poof! One is just like the Clematis Heather except it is in worsted weight (4 balls of that one) and the other is also from Knit Picks. It is Elegance, which is a alpaca silk mix I believe in Barn Red (also 4 balls)

So there you go my splurge. All that yarn is equal to the amount I knitted last year. 61 balls or 12,761 yards or 7.25 miles. Oh boy!

ETA: I also bought hanks of Knit picks Bare to dye, but I didn't think you wanted to see that.