Multitasking....or not!

Have I ordered the yarn to finish the baby blanket? ummmm.....Nope. Have I finished the sock? again, Nope. Have I finished unraveling my Goodwill sweaters? Come on, you can get this one.........Nope! But I did do this:

Your Linguistic Profile:

55% General American English

35% Yankee

5% Dixie

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Exciting, huh? Makes sense since I grew up in New England but spent a bit of time in the South. Don't know what I expected it to tell me! I found this when I stumbled across a fellow CT knitter. Check out Emily's blog!

So about those Goodwill sweaters...........I've unraveled the front and one sleeve of the white one which has produced approximately (I say approximately because I was measuring the lazy man's way while unraveling.........by wrapping from hand to shoulder) 521 yards. Does that seem right? Anyway, taking apart the sweater is not as easy as it would appear. I was too nervous to just "cut without a care in the world" as stated by Ashley at Neauveau (who I mistakenly referred to as the "kittyzoo" in a previous post. Sorry, Ashley!) I'm sorry I have no pics! Camera batteries are dead and that's one more thing on my list that I DIDN'T do!

What I DID do was take my mom to brunch for Mother's Day, along with my sister and her family. We went to Painted Pony in Bethlehem, CT. It was pretty good but I wasn't feeling well so didn't get my full 'brunch experience' which was disappointing. Everyone who knows me knows that if there's a buffet, I'm taking FULL advantage! I'm talkin multiple trips and multiple courses but alas, not this time! Anyway, despite the fact that I have 4 other siblings residing in the same state, I end up "in charge" of organizing some sort of outing for mom. I prefer brunch and I prefer buffets so that's what I choose. Problem is, I havn't been blown away by the last THREE I've chosen! My sister insists that the brunch buffet I need to experience is at Dakotas but can I ever call for reservations in time? Of course not! I don't know why they leave this stuff up to me! But mom was much appreciative (each time, even!) so that's (almost) all that counts ;-)

Update........

........for lack of a better title!

First and foremost, the SP4 reveal was last weekend and I've yet to reveal myself nor has my SP revealed to me! I'm waiting for an order to arrive so I can send my final giftie out to my SP. I wanted to reveal with the giftie - and I'm assuming my gifting SP might be in the same boat - but I feel horrible! I think I'll send her an ecard just to let her know I'm still here!!

In knitting news, I had set a deadline for myself to finish the baby blanket by this Sunday.......good news: my progress, shown below (sorry my pics are so dark!)

Bad news: I've run out of yarn and it's not stocked in the local stores so I'll have to order it. There goes that goal!

I have been making some sock progress...I finished the heel flap last night! YAY! I have to say that I do enjoy sock knitting BUT I haven't really learned anything! Well, I've learned how to graft so I suppose I've learned SOMETHING. What I mean is that I've heard knitters talk about different sock properties, for instance double knit heels which I assume means a reinforced heel, but since I'm just following a pattern with no explanation I don't know if that's what I've got or not! My heel flap pattern called for "slip 1, knit 1" Is this a double knit?

BTW, anyone notice anything odd about these socks??

Last but not least, we all know that I've set my sights on some summer tops but alas, I have no yarn budget! Don't shed a tear for me yet!!! I've been doing some research on recycled yarnand took a trip to my local Goodwill yesterday! Three sweaters on the top, from top down: dark brown 60% cotton, 40% acrylic; heathered-blue 62% cotton, 30% acrylic, 8% polyester (Liz Claiborne); and cocoa 67% silk, 30% acrylic, 3% other fiber (??). And my favorite on the bottom: white with blue & orange stripes 60% cotton, 40% acrylic. I'm contemplating trying my hand at kool aid dying on the white yarn. I should not be allowed to wear white! I realize that this appears to be a lack of spring/summer colors. All the springy colors were acrylic but I do like browns and this IS my first attempt. I'm just happy that I might have yarn!!!

So I've checked the seams and they appear to be "good" seams aside from a neckband or two. Donnie has offered to construct a kniddy-knoddy of sorts for me and I've read kittyzoo's tutorial on wrapping a skein of yarn. Only thing I need to know is how to turn a skein into a ball suitable for knitting WITHOUT a yarn winder! Any suggestions???

Well, I'm supposed to be getting the house clean so I can start unraveling!! Wish me luck and I'll post my progress!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMS OUT THERE!!

I'm in lust.........

......with this!!!! It's absolutely stunning! Never mind the fact that it's completely impractical for me. Nor do I have any clue as to how to read pattern charts. And the yarn seems to be available only at Artfibers in SF. What does that matter?? It's gorgeous! I found it at the Summer KAL blog (which I plan to join as soon as I finish the *&^#* baby blanket!!!!!) I also like this and this. Marnie's pretty cool!

So let's add that, that and that to my summer knitting options, shall we? I'll sleep on it.

INSPIRATION!!!

You'd think I'd be smarter than this..................last post I explored the possibility of a seasonal knitting habit and for good reason. I hadn't been posting, not much knitting going on and I thought I'd lost the DESIRE to knit (gasp!!) Well lo and behold, as soon as I started catching up on my blog reading, guess what I found??? Yup, you got it! INSPIRATION!!! So, you may ask, why didn't I turn to my fellow bloggers sooner? Well, the answer is simple...........I'm an idiot! But I must admit, even my favorite blog sites did not produce the inspiration to finish this baby blanket!!!

As an aside: I MUST HAVE Yarn Harlot's new book (yes I'm that far behind - I've just realized she has a book)! Catching up on her blog was immensely entertaining and I need more!!

I also just realized (okay, I admit it.........I am slow) that I have 6 subscribers!!!! All but amethyst muse has remained private. Let me know who you are!! The curiosity is killing me!! In any event, thank you to the 6 and to everyone else who happens by on occasion despite the fact that I haven't been very consistent so........

To you 6 and others, I send out a plea for assistance. My SP4 sent me some great yarn for a spring scarf (see previous post) and I'd like a pattern that's a little different. With the ribbon yarn, I think it most definitely calls for some sort of drop stitch.........any suggestions??? I also need a great spring project. I picked up the latest VK and Interweave yesterday but nothing was really ringing my bell...........I did find Sylvia on the Berroco site. Very cute but I worry about all that garter stitch....remember my attention span, people! I'm also considering the Honeymoon Cami but I'm a bit more topheavy than Julia........what do I do about bra straps? I also like the Ribbon Cardi that Fluffa! made last year. What to knit, what to knit! Opinions and other suggestions requested!!!

LOSER!!!!!!

I am a HORRIBLE secret pal!!! My wonderful SP sent me this awesome spring yarn a little while ago and I haven't shared my goodies!!! I don't deserve her :-( THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Secret Pal!!! I should also mention that she sent along some great looking chocolates.........Donnie scarfed 'em all down before I could snag a piece but he said they were yummy!!

Show above: proof that I've finished at least one sock and my progress on the baby blanket. I swear I shall never knit another baby blanket again!!!! It's tedious and goes on forever!!!! If I haven't mentioned this before, my attention span is about as long as a gnats lifespan so this is a difficult project for me!!

I will AGAIN apologize for not posting sooner. I hate to admit it but I seem to be a seasonal hobbiest........for shame. The weather got warm and I became obsessed with gardening!! For the first time, I've started plants from seed - well, I shouldn't say for the first time.....on occassion, I've dumped some annual seeds in a pot and they grew....sort of. What I mean to say is that I've actually started plants (perennial & annual) from seed BEFORE the season started so they're ready to plant this Spring! This may not be a big deal for most but quite an accomplishment for me!

Other things that have kept me busy.............

I purchased this GORGEOUS leather couch on ebay for $150!!!! If anyone remembers an earlier post, I tossed all my off-white slipcovered furniture in exasperation, in search of something easier to clean. YIPEE!!! I really didn't think I would get such a great deal.......it's in awesome condition!

AND...........MY FAVORITE............

MY NEW (used) CAR!!!!

Nissan Pathfinder, leather interior, sunroof and Bose stereo system!!! I don't think I've ever mentioned my previous vehicle (Explorer). Don't get me wrong, I loved my Explorer when I got it but it was becoming unreliable, it was a bit banged up and all I had was a radio (music is very important to me). I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!

Spring Has Sprung!!!

I know this to be true because my Secret Pal said so!!! Thank you for the card, SP!!! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted!!! I'm so ashamed!! I've been so busy with the pageant, etc but that's no excuse!! I have been working on the baby blanket and I finished one sock some time ago...........I swore to myself that I would only post pics of finished items and that means TWO socks!!

In gardening news (yes, also an avid gardner!!!), I've started seeds!!! Annuals: Flowering Tobacco, Marigold, Portulaca & Pot Marigold; Perennials: Checker Mallow, Columbine, Coreopsis, Pincushion Flower & Rose Campion; Biennial: Foxglove. This is my first major undertaking with seeds, most of which I collected myself. We'll see how it goes. There's a really great gardening website that I use to journal my gardens: Dave's Garden. Check it out! Oh, and look for my journal - just go to the memberlist and search for member "ksmith7965"!!

In knitting news, I picked up my first copy of Interweave Knits........it was at my local grocery store!!! And also K1. As for K1...............ummm..........well. Interweave was pretty good. There may be one or two items I'm interested in.

Okay, I PROMISE, PROMISE, PROMISE a regular posting schedule - if anyone cares!! :-)

Soo-prize, Soo-prize!!!

Look what came in the mail for me!!!!!

A gift from my Secret Pal!!!! Hooray!!! One skein of "Trekking (XXL)" sock yarn in a beautiful variegated forest green (my favorite color!), blues and teals, tins of Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and Hand Salve, a canister of Raspberry (my favorite fruit!!) Earl Grey whole leaf loose tea, an adorable Tea House tea infuser with its own tray, gorgeous beaded stitch markers (no more plastic circles for me!!!) and a lovely card!

Here's a closeup of the yarn:

Isn't the color gorgeous?!?! It feels wonderful!! Hmmmmmmmm.......who shall be deemed worthy enough for these socks??

Secret pal: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Your choices were absolutely spot-on!!

In other SP news, my secret pal received my gift and says she loves it! I'm so HAPPY!!! I love this..........