Fetchings II

So, I finally took some good pictures of my other Ravelympic project. This was suppose to be a little too easy. Not much of a challenge I guess. It turned into a lot of work to get a finished product.
Originally I was going to make the Victorian Fingerless Mittens, remember the swatch? Well, I got started on the first mitten and decided that I really didn't like the striping. But I wouldn't have enough yarn to make the full sized mittens out of one color. I searched Ravelry and found someone that used the same yarn and wrote that she only used 1.15 balls of yarn. hmmm. I wonder if I don't do all the ribbing if I'll have enough yarn. Turns out I didn't.

Once I frogged it, I figured I would have to use the only pattern that I can think of that I knew I'd be able to make mittens from. Enter the Fetchings. I barely had enough yarn to make these. Even though I had 10 yarns more than the recommended Cashmerino Aran.

Pattern: Fetchings by Cheryl Niamath

From: Knitty.com, Summer 2006
Yarn: Louisa Harding Grace 50/50 Wool/Silk, in Teal

Well, they weren't what I set out to get in the beginning, but they are still beautiful. I think that they'll be the first finished Christmas present for the year. I'm not going to say who they are for. though. I have family members that read this. They will make a lovely present though.

As for the other two balls of the pink and white yarn. Well, I am still making the Victorian Fingerless Mittens. They are just going to be a mini version for Haley. Cause she is completely cool with having pink and white striped mittens.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Yarn

I was once asked what I collect. I collect snow globes for my daughter. They are a lot of fun. I've tried to collect other things: postcards, magnets, Hotwheels, salt water taffy...oh wait.. I ate all of that.

I have finally found the perfect thing to collect. Socks! Okay, sock yarn and then I make socks. So far I socks from have Arizona, and various locations in California. Living where I do, 15min from LAX, is helping with my traveling sock stash enhancement. All the family members going in and out usually see us and I can have them get me yarn from where ever they go.

My Dad and my sister, Charlotte, were both recently flew out. Charlotte was heading to Idaho/Oregon to visit family and my Dad was off to Florida to see his brother. I gave them both some money. list of LYSs and asked them to pick out any colorway they wanted. What fun, huh?

My Dad did a pretty good job. You know, being one of the guys that is like, "Huh, my kid knits and is obsessed with yarn. I'm going to try to ignore that. Now where is my model airplane paint in 'Steel Grey?' No, that's 'Metal Grey'"

I gave him a list of a couple of shops I googled in the Tampa, Florida area. Apparently my uncle lives about two miles away from this place. My dad's first experience with a yarn store and it's a good one. The yarn he picked out for me is J. Knits SuperWash Me Sock in Tampa. Because really, if he is in Tampa and there is a yarn named "Tampa," well that just has to be the yarn that he picks out for me. Cause it's so cool there is a yarn named "Tampa." Dad was very excited.With all of that said, I would like to say that I am completely not related to my father. Okay, maybe I did get some of my sense of humor from my Dad. I only say this because I think that my daughter may have inherited a little bit of it.Anyways, on with the Sisterhood part of this post. My sister, Charlotte is so cool. She is actually partly responsible for my love of yarn. She is the one that taught me how to crochet. A year later I taught myself to knit. Then I found some great knitting friends and was introduced to the LYS (that's Local Yarn Store, Char), Interweave Knits subscriptions, Ravelry and all the other good stuff that come with knitting. Charlotte hasn't had as lucky of an experience as I had.

Charlotte learned to crochet from our little brother in high school. Being in HS and so naive to the world and poor, their main yarn resource was Walmart. Now, not that I am saying anything bad about Walmart, they are great for cottons and novelty yarns. I just wouldn't buy my wool there and definitely not my sock yarn. Do they even carry sock yarn? Maybe I'm just stuck up, but I think their wools are a little too scratchy. I've been spoiled with my Malabrigo and Cashmerinos.

Charlotte had a bit of a more challenging time with the whole yarn shop deal. I guess it's my fault because I didn't give her a list. You see, Char was visiting with family and I had recently had a conversation with my Aunt about how cool her LYS is (Ravelry link). I just assumed that Char would go there.

I got a call from Char asking what type of yarn it was that I wanted. "Sock yarn."

"Yeah, but what is the brand?," in a very excited voice.

"Just go over to the lady that works there and ask her to show you where the sock yarn is. Then you can pick out whatever color you want for me," I said, a little annoyed. I had written all of this out for her and couldn't get why she was having so much trouble.

"Yeah, but I need to know what brand."

It is at this time I realized that when I picked up the phone, she had said she was in the fabric store. Wait. Did she say fabric store, not yarn shop?!? "Where are you?"

"I'm at Joanne's Fabrics." This was said with such pride in her voice.

"BACK AWAY FROM THE YARN SELECTION." I couldn't believe it. That is so not what I was looking for. Charlotte got the full description of a LYS. Walls covered in skeins, ladies sitting around knitting, the tempting scent of vinegar on the hand dyeds.

As I am explaining to her exactly what I wanted, I could hear my cousin in the background, "Oh, I know what she's talking about." Really, James? You didn't just take Charlotte there in the first place?

This warranted an immediate call to Aunt Wendy, who I imagine has dragged James into a few yarn shops in his lifetime. I called my Aunt and explained my concern for Charlotte. Wendy thought it was hilarious and informed me that she was going yarn shopping the next day and would pick something up for me. "Pheew," as I wipe the sweat from my brow.

Here is what came home to me. It's Mountain Colors, Bearfoot in Juniper. Wendy picked out the Mountian Colors because it's one of her favorites, I think. She pushed me for a color and I finally said green. I don't have green socks. She thought that was a great color cause it's so Oregon-y. Love it. Plus its called Bearfoot. haha hehe. Here is my ever so beautiful sister. She is just about as cute as can be. Plus, I got her to start crocheting again. Okay, actually, she wasn't allowed to divulge in a certain habit of hers that is hard to break, so she kept her hands busy with a hook and wool. Man, this is an awesome craft. We had so much fun together when she came home. Which of course included a quick stop to show off one of my favorite LYS. I mean, it's practically right next to LAX and if I take the right road, we drive past it on the way home. Thanks Dad and Charlotte. Love ya!

Bad Mom, Bad

Here is a little comedy for your morning. Because really, what is the use of having kids if you can't pick on them every now and then? This time just happened to turn around and bite me in the butt.

Haley went to the Queen Mary on Monday with her summer camp troop. I was very good and didn't mention it being haunted until after we were on our way home.

Me: "Did you like the Queen Mary? It's a really big boat, huh?"

Haley: "Yeah, it was alright. We didn't get to see the hotel, but we walked around."

Me: "Did you see the ghost?"

Haley: "There's a ghost??????"

Me: "Yeah, did you see the empty swimming pool?"

Haley: "No, there is a ghost in there? Have you seen it before?"

Me: "No, it doesn't like to come out if there are a lot of people. It likes it if you are all by yourself."

Hehehe. I so just terrorized my child. Now she'll be thinking about her brush with the Other Side. hahaha. I seemed to make an impression on my kid. So when Dad came home,

Dad: "Did you like the Queen Mary?"

Haley: "Yeah. Mommy said that there is a ghost on the ship. And it is in the empty swimming pool. And that's why they didn't take us there. And it only likes to come out when you are all by yourself..." (All in one breath).

Hehehe. I'm such a stinky Mommy. Well, she'll have to get used to it sometime, because I love all of that paranormal stuff.

-------------------------

This morning when I got up I realized that I had a voice message from late last night.

My MIL had called. She has a friend that is getting married in October and would like to invite Haley to be her flower girl. Oh, yeah..... and it's on the Queen Mary.

@#$* freaking frak &*#$ stupid ghost stories @3%!

Now once we get her to want to be a flower girl, we have to try to get her back on the boat. (Last time it was 100 degrees out and Haley's nerves got to her. She threw up three times.)

What are the chances of that? Here's some comedy with your coffee. Would you like one lump or two?

Friday Regulars

Every Friday I change Haley's Quote of the Week. I figure this is a way to get me to post at least once a week, also. I just realized that it is so late in the day and I haven't made my way over to the computer yet.

We had company over today and I've been neglecting my floors for a while now, so there was major cleaning going on this morning. Followed by a snack and an hour nap. Our company has come and gone and I'm trying to get this done before our 4 o'clock playdate.

With finishing the Swallowtail, thanks for all the comments, I kinda am over the Ravelympics, but still have one more project to finish. So, here is what I am hoping the rest of my weekend will get to look like. A basket filled with yarn, a book I need to finish, my computer, and the PTA sign up sheet.

Last night was Kindergarden orientation. It should be a fun year. They pretty much told us nothing. We won't know who her teacher is until next Friday after everyone goes home. Just in time for school to start right after Labor Day. But we got to look at the room and know that we aren't allowed to let our kids cross the street by themselves. I let them know that I am willing to volunteer two Friday mornings a month. It should be fun, I hope (fingers crossed).

Here's a quickie of Haley. We set up her pop-up playhouse outside. It's complete with "carpeting" and furniture, tea set and even reading material. Too bad the kids only played in it for five minutes. I'm thinking about leaving it out for the whole weekend. It may give me more time to work on my knitting.

Swallowtail Shawl

I finished my first Ravelympics Event. The Swallowtail Shawl in the Shawl Relay.

I did over half of it in the first weekend alone. Lace is so much fun I can't put it down. Once I got to the Lily of the Valley Border aka. 200 stitches, my progress got a lot slower. That is a lot of laceweight.

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A Clark

From: Interweave Knits, Fall 2006 (I got it during the limited time free download)
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Cuarenta

In other news...

We have a little knitting group here in Manhattan Beach. I didn't start the group, but it's founder quickly abandoned it shortly after starting the group. I adopted it right away and made a few changes (no mandatory knits projects, traveling meet-ups) . We meet once a month and share our knits, chit chat, or just shop for yarn. It's small, there are four of us that meet regularly, but we still have a lot of fun together.

I finally got a group set up on Ravelry. I'd love it if any of you joined us. We are the Manhattan Beach Knotty Knitters. Okay, I'm done advertising.

Jaywalkers

I finally have an Fo to show you. These were finished up just before the Ravelympics started. I had a little trouble getting these started. First they were too big, changed needles and stitches. Then they were too tight. Finally cast on a good fit, but I couldn't make them too tall or I would of had trouble getting them on. I found it's not a very stretchy sock.

Pattern: Jaywalkers

From: Grumperina
Yarn: FlyDesigns Monarh in Raspberry Latte

But the striping looks so cool.

I'm just bummed that it is too hot to wear socks right now.

Inspiration

I have something to show you.Did you see it?

Here they're on the other hand, too.Did you notice that time? No, it's not my funky knuckles.

I'll show you both hands.You can't see it?

I guess maybe you have to of known me for the last 30 years. I'll show you a close up.They are fingernails. I actually have fingernails. I haven't had nails for, like, my entire life. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was a nail biter. But I'm so proud of the fact that I have finally stopped. I've had these nails since May 16th. That is the longest I have ever gone without biting all of my nails off. EVER. Three whole months.

Now you may wonder how I stopped and how I have an exact date to when I stopped biting my nails. And obviously I didn't go into a body cast that day. Though you may think that with the few knitting posts I have written.

You see, I'm a rather competitive person. Especially when it comes to my older sister. My beautiful older sister that has always had lovely long nails for as long as I can remember. You see, she was coming to visit me over the Memorial Day weekend and I just had show off the pretty, cute home, big TV, Pottery Barn, beach living, no nail biting life I lead. (The lies we tell).

Well, somewhere around the beginning of May I decided that I needed to grow my nails out. And there they were a week before my sister was coming to visit. I had to wait for so long before I could bite them again, that they actually got a little stronger. I've actually have stopped biting my nails. I file them weekly to keep them looking nice. I absolutely love it.

So how did I stop biting my nails? Pride and Stubbornness. Whatever works for ya, right?

So how does that inspire me? I've saw this on other blogs and decided that if I could stop being a nail biter, imagine all the other good habits I could start. The things I could do. I've decided to make my own 101 in 1001 list. It'll get it's own post though. See you around.

101 Things To Do In 1001 Days

Here is my list of 101 Things To Do In 1001 Days.

I tried to keep it from becoming a "ToDo" list, cause I already know the stuff I need to do. I tried to keep it fun. I picked out things I have never done, or at least not since I turned 18. Stuff I have always wanted to do. Things to make my family's life better and make others feel good.

Because...
...I Love My Husband
1. Go on a date with my husband twice a month
2. Go to lunch with my husband twice a month
3. Take a picture of us every month
4. Spend a night at a B&B
5. Write a love letter
6. Go star gazing on the beach
...I'm a Mom
7. Go to an educational place with Haley once a month
8. Have baby #2!
9. Get up early to get good seats at a parade
10. Go to the library once a month
11. Do something out of the family magazines once a month
12. Introduce Haley to three family members she's never me
...it's Good for Me
13. Read one book a month
14. Eat salad for lunch three days a week
15. Walk two hours a week work up to five + hours a week
16. Lose 2lb in fat, gain 5lb in muscles
17. Take a yoga/palates class
18. Take a spinning (the bicycle type) class
19. Go church every Sunday for three months
...it's Good for Others
20. Give blood
21. Send a package to Any Soldier each Christmas
22. Volunteer (Kindergarten every Friday That is enough volunteering for a lifetime)
23. Read to the elderly/sick
24. Do a walk for charity
25. Write a thank you note to one of my high school teachers
...I have Friends and Family
26. Call everyone on my "Weekend Minutes" list every weekend
27. Write 10 handwritten letters
28. Plan a surprise party
29. Give 10 "just because" gifts
30. Remember and acknowledge the birthdays and anniversaries of friends and family
31. Send 10 cards in the mail just because
...I'm Non-Crafty and Yet I Knit
32. Stash down to zero and keep it down
33. Learn to Knit Continental Style
34. Learn three new things in knitting that I've never done (- knitting with both hands at the same time -intarsa)
35. Teach 10 people to knit (1/10 - Charlotte, )
36. Make a scrapbook
37. Take a dance class
38. Learn to crochet well -- enough
39. Meet a famous knitter
40. Build a birdhouse/feeder
41. Make a quilt
42. Draw a self portrait (compare it too my age 14 and age 19 self portraits)
43. Finish the cross stitch I started in 1996 and frame it
...I Want to go Somewhere Once in a While
44. Visit a winery
45. Go to Missouri to see Kelly (she stayed in Idaho. Go there instead.)
46. Take a tour of Los Angeles
47. Visit my mom's grave
48. Go to Nebraska to visit Wendi and Debbie
49. Go to Idaho to visit family
50. Go to Catalina
...I Like Stuff that Taste Good
51. Cook one new meal a week
52. Bake a cake from scratch
53. Bake a cheesecake from scratch
54. Take a cooking class
55. Try six new restaurants each year This one is soooo easy
...I Haven't and it Could be Fun
56. Identify 100 things that make me happy
57. 100 Facts about me
58. Identify 25 things I like about myself
59. Publish something ( letter to editor, photo, story, poem, etc)
60. Go to a book signing
61. Take a photography class
62. Watch 10 sunrises
63. Have a picnic once a month
64. Write and illustrate a children's story
65. Host a game night
66. Create a time capsule to open when I'm 50
67. Go on a ghost tour
68. Go to a family reunion
69. Go camping
70. Own a little black dress
71. Walk in one of the local 10Ks
72. Learn to ride a bike again...need to buy the bike
73. Take my MIL to the Pantages theater
74. Take my Dad to a USC game (Okay, Dad took me, but it still counts)
75. Write a short story
76. Color some of my hair pink
77. Go to a dog show
78. Solve a Rubik's cube
79. Start a fire without using man made tools
...I Should
80. Stick to my chores each week
81. Plant a tree
82. One day a week, leave the TV off
83. Spend a weekend without tv/internet once every other month
84. Get a puppy or a kitten or both
85. Don't use paper towels - did this for a little while
86. Learn Spanish
87. Read the Bible
88. Have a girls night out regularly
89. Go for a hike each month for the spring/summer months
90. Host Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner for the whole family (Thanksgiving 2008)
91. Have a maid come in twice a year
92. Buy a House
93. Have a garden that isn't kinda dead
94. Learn how to meditate bought a book for Dummies
95. Go to the Farmers market regularly
96. Pack a lunch for work for a week, make it a habit
97. Buy flowers for the house once a month
98. Do 101 sit ups/crunches every morning
99. Take a class at the community college
100. Write a letter to my state representative
101. Write an autobiography

Put $1 in a jar for each completed task (point system for the weekly stuff) joint with $0.25 a day for 1001 days. Do something really fun with it when I'm done. End date May 13, 2011.

What made me laugh out of all the other lists I read. There were a lot of learn to knit and go to the dentist. That's almost all I do.

Ravelympic Training

Are you signed up for the Ravelympics? I've been training. See here it is. I had to figure out what stripe combination I wanted. With the pink, white and blue, I'll be making Victorian Fingerless Mittens in the Mitten Medley. This has been my plan for about three months now. Yeah, I signed up a long time ago. I started reading through the pattern at the beginning of the week and I realized that it uses size 3 and size 6 needles. With worsted weight I may finish this project before I even begin.

So, I signed up for a second event. I signed up for the Shawl Relay and am going to make a Swallowtail Shawl. I figured that this will be a challenge because I've never made a shawl or worked with lace-weight.

I'm excited about the Ravelympics and can't wait to follow all the knitting action of those of you that are participating.

Weekend Round-up

My Saturday started with this little guy. Meet Chase, my husband's best friend's baby. He was born Friday. It looks like his hand knit beanie is going to fit great and now I'm wanting to make baby socks. Maybe for Christmas.Then it was off to California Adventures with the family. What I found funny was actually in the vineyards.I wonder how much the kitty had to pay to get in? Sorry the picture is bad. I had to stand up on top of things and the plant wouldn't get out of the way.Everything was wrapped up with the circus on Sunday. I'm so ready for the family to just stay at home for a month and do nothing. Is that going to happen? Heck no. I have my dad and sister coming into town tomorrow and Ravelympics starts on Friday.

Another Busy Weekend

We had another busy weekend that will need to be broken up into different posts in order to get it all in. And it started off with a bang. Quite literally. Into the side of my car.

Friday morning laundry revealed that my favorite trousers were coming apart at the seams along the butt. That meant I needed to squeeze in a trip to the mall before heading down to Orange County for the weekend. It's hot there and I didn't want to have to wear jeans.

So, in the mall parking lot, as I was looking for a spot, I was backed into. The guy wasn't paying attention. He said he was thinking about something else and didn't see me in my honking huge SUV. Darn it.

Well, now I have to get new trousers, bermuda shorts, three new tanks and a new shirt. I had a 40% off coupon and a $50 gift certificate. I got $200 worth of stuff for $77. Not bad for shopping therapy.

That evening the family was off to Disneyland for the weekend. I opted out of the family crazy running around a theme park. I needed a little "me" time. I got a massage, ate salad and wine for dinner and then had dessert. It was so nice.