UPDATES

OK, so I will try and get this posted before naptime. Back to work tonight. Let's see...yarn.

I received this lovely package as we were leaving for the airport two weeks ago. I brought it with me but didn't manage to start the lovely sock.




This was my Hogwarts Sock Swap Kit from Carrie aka Dharmafey. She is a glorious Etsy seller. I have purchased much of her Cosmic Fibers yarns. They are wonderful colorways. The bag she made is a wonderful Polly Juice print on one side and stars on the other. The yarn is dyed from onion skins and she got it from another dyer. The pattern is a lovely lace pattern, I also received KP dpns, yea! Really pretty stitch markers, bookplates and a lovely note. I was well spoiled that is for sure.

I also received my Hufflepuff socks from the Hogwarts Sock Swap . My partner kept her identity very secret, Nymphadora Tonks turned out to be Mandy . She, amazingly enough, knit my socks from yarn from Carrie!!! Isn't that terrific? Mandy sent along some beautiful CP bamboo dpns,a Cookie A pattern(woohoo), Regia yarn, tea, jelly beans(I know the package looks diminished,it arrived that way honest,perhaps the owl ate the jelly beans?)Can you see the stitch markers? FANCY!! A lovely note written on yellow and black fabricy paper. The teeny tiniest little HP sock on a keychain. Mandy sent the pattern for that and knit the sock from the same yarn.













I wasn't too worried about no yarn in Ireland as I knew this was on its way to me..









I purchased 10 skeins of NORO Silk Garden from one of the terrific knitters on another KAL I am in(Dale) and she included an 11th skein!!! Thanks so much Brigitte! And is it my luck that the new Knitty has this pattern for SG?

I also received these two yarns...the TV YARN is from my past spoilee JANA. She has since opened a dyeing studio and has got herself a tidy little business going. She is an ETSY dealer and is just starting to send her yarn to dealers. It is terrific yarn that I had the pleasure of sample knitting with. This yarn is Grey's Anatomy, how could I resist? I have never seen the show but working in an ER, heehee. Also the brown Cafe Au Lait yarn is from Etsy dealer SeeJayne Knit. Glorious, no?

I will wait til next week to update finished objects and works in progress as I want to post some Ireland pics:
SO here are some of the yarn shops that were closed:

Here is an assortment of pics of the gang and interesting places.Thanks so much for looking!

Still On Ireland Time

I knew the 5 hour difference would come into play but....I went to sleep 1am my time and have been up since 4 am my time....guess I should do some knitting. Speaking of...I finshed the second sock of a pair, first sock of a pair x2 , one leg of Socks for Soldiers, the straps of a bag and one third of a sweater back whilst away. It is tough to plan what to knit as Ireland is stricter on getting needles through. I purchased the most perculiar needles before leaving for the trip. They are plastic and unbreakable and the most unusual colors. They took getting used to and seemed to go slow but within a few hours they were very entertaining. I was using an orange set in a red/orange sock I was knitting, very novel to coordinate your needles..lol. There were 5 of us with 4 cameras and I guesstimate 4-5 GB of photos were shot. Much downloading and weeding through. We had such a great time. The boys bought "Irish hats" and DS1 had a beard anyways, but DS2, 17, forgot his razor. I think it should be a law that men have facial hair..heehee...anyways. Man, they looked terrific with their hats and beards. My boys are grown up and wonderful people to hang out with. DS1GF is such a doll. She is wonderful to my sons and DH and me and I am so happy she is part of our family. We didn't want to give her back to her family. DH is 6'6", a big football player sized man, we were "upgraded" to a fullsize van, and OPAL?? It was a stick shift which I was willing to drive but he could not fit anywhere else in the van, he had to drive without sneakers on his size 16eeee feet. The way back seat was a jump seat and once luggage was packed hardly room for anyone. DS2 and I switched off that seat and front passenger. He is 6'4", I am 5'9". Poor little 5"1" GF sat behind DH as only her little legs would fit. DS2 sat behind passenger. If you were the jumpseat passenger you could not see out the left side windows as suitcases obscured your veiw and on the curvy crazy roads you were attacked by the suitcases...it was still a ball though.
I know much talk no pics, this is what I can manage for now. Perhaps later tonight as I go back to work Thursday night.

Knitter's Virtual Vacation Questionnaire

I Have lived in Massachusetts all my life. I live just south of Boston, currently, but grew up just north of Boston.

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?

Hmmm....visit? I am thinking right now I would love to visit Washington state...I am actually thinking of it for next year's main family vacation. I just like the temperature and the architecture. DH did a 6week bike trip through the area many years ago and loved it.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?

Well, I just returned hours ago from two weeks in Ireland, I have been there before and to France, England, Canada, bermuda...I think I would truly love to see the Scandinavian countries. There always look so clean and crisp...

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?

Indeed, we have driven to D.C., Pennsylvania,New York, Florida, Georgia, Ohio.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?

I don't believe I have, perhaps when we took the Eurostar train from London to Paris. It travels under the Channel and we were in a first class car, 5 course meal, little lamps on the table, very romantic.....
5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
I think it may have been when we drove to Orlando in 21 hours, we spent a week or 9 days there with the boys and then their father flew down. We(DH,DSs and I) picked him at the airport and left him with the boys. They stayed a few more days and flew home. DH and I drove home by way of Cape May and a few other stops. It was a terrific vacation.
6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
Yes, every few years I would do the Freedom Trail, tracing a lot of history in Boston. I adore Boston and never mind being a tourist.
8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
If you checked out my blog you would think sock yarn, and I guess that is true lately. But honestly I love Aran yarn, Noro yarn, yes yes Noro yarn, both Kureyon and Silk garden. I adore silk garden.
9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Hmm.....acrylic has it's uses but not for me lately...
10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
Anything, everything, but I am in a sock mania lately.
11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Well, for Ireland I packed a bag, three no four different socks and a sweater.
12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
Everything, quilting, sewing,etc
13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
Not me, but DS has major nut allergies
14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
I love green, purple,burgundy....least favorite is pastels
15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Savory, sweet :)
16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
Have fun...

Over 3000 kilometers and no Yarn!

So DH figures we drove from south of Boston out past Denver in our two weeks in Ireland. Here is a brief synopsis for now as my plane landed a mere 4 hours ago.
Landed in Shannon drove to Cork
Blarney castle, DS2, DH, GF of DS1 kissed the stone.
Drove from Cork to Bray, County Wicklow....
Wicklow Jail, Avoca(place where Ballykissangel was set)Fitzgerald's Pub
Drove from Bray to Carlingford, County Louth
Stayed at a farmhouse for a week, various day trips...
Belfast, Giants Causeway(as far north as you go before dropping into the ocean)Royal Crowne Pub,Dublin,Trinity College(Book of Kells)we attended a very wonderful reading of the award winning book for 2007 at Project...more later,Belfast Zoo-HUGE
Drove from Carlingford to Bubeg County Donegal(again as far nothwest before falling into ocean
Here DH stopped at the Kilcarra Mill, they don't sell their yarn but the studio there did, HOWever they were closed for the weekend as they were renovating, we found a few other yarn stores, CLOSED, OUT OF BUSINESS, the few we did venture into had less yarn than me and what was there was acrylic
Drove from Bunbeg to Galway
Drove from Galway to Bunratty
So we did much much more than that, but for now I can't think. I will do a proper post in a few dats. But the money not spent on yarn was spent on Belleek and Tara, and still remains for some local purchases. Of course I came home to several packages of yarn from swaps, etsy, ebay, etc. So I don't feel I missed anything.
PICS to follow....

Blogging From Dublin

NO YARN we have been up and down the east coast and nothing, I don't know where they hide it, off to Donegal tomorrow so her's hoping

Socks for Soldiers and Update

OK, some of my swaps are finishing up so I signed up for a very worthy cause. My dear nephew ,a Marine, is going back to Iraq for an extended time. He was there before, with his fiancee, also a Marine, and gratefully they came back physically unharmed. He is a good Marine and feels this is what he needs to do. They were set to get married this fall tentatively and now he won't be back until April or May. I am so proud of him and his family for supporting him, but so scared for them all. I was searching the web for something to do in his honor and came across Socks For Soldiers . This is one of the busiest posting groups I have seen. The socks they are knitting and sending over are phenomenal in number. The "Sarge", Kim, has put so much time and energy into the cause. There is an approved list of yarns and patterns. It is truly amazing. You have the opportunity, after joining the group, to purchase yarn and even a start up sock kit. I just joined last week and made my order and seeing how busy "Sarge" is I said I was going away for a bit so not to rush to mail but if there was a chance to get it to me so I could knit some on a sock while in Ireland...well



Please take a moment and check out the group, sign up if you have the time to knit even one pair of Socks for Soldiers. Thanks so much.

At this time I would like to say a quick hello to a new viewer/reader of my blog, Hi Mark.

My Monkey Socks for MSS 2 are complete and ready to go. Here is a pic of one, the other is down in my car right now as I finished it at a lecture during College orientation. They are made with one of my favorite stash yarns . It is so nice to work with . I purchased it from Etsy dealer Kindred Spirits Yarn I love the yarn so much once I started knitting with it I went back and purchased two more colorways, which you can see in the previous post. Etsy dealers are wonderful, please do look and see what they have to offer.

I received my package from Knitters Coffee Swap 2. My swap pal was Sydney and she spoiled me to the umpth degree. She sent me two kinds of coffee from a library, A LIBRARY! That is too cool in itself..they smell wonderful and I can't wait to try them. I also received some wonderful orange cookies, thin, crispy cookies, yummy, ans some hard candies, Jo!!y Rancher$ and W3rther$. Those will be going on the plane with me Wednesday. Sydney sent some of the cutest coffee magnetic bookmarks, and a Chibi in a size I have never seen, the needles are smaller than my Chibi which is great as mine are often too big for sock grafting. There is a beautiful skein of yarn in purple and green (woohoo) from an Etsy dealer, yea!!! And a lovely postcard, but Sydney went the extra mile and noted my love of Eiffel Towers and sent a gorgeous ET journal and some ET stitch markers in colors that match the yarn, I am going to have to think she made them. See, one of the markers has the word Paris hanging from it to indicate the beginning of a round. SOOOOOOOO COOOOOL...Thank you Sydney. You have been a terrific swap partner.

Also in from a swap, the final package from Angela Marie my Punk Rock Gift Exchange pal. She has treated me to some wonderful things over the past three months. I am so fortunate to be blessed with her generosity. In this final package she sent me two felted bag patterns. I have seen the one before but not the Noni. I thought I had decided on the bag for my pal in International Tote Exchange 4, but now I am not so sure. Also there was two kinds of yarn. A beautiful turquoisey Cascade and some very interesting very soft roving yarn. I am going to fondle them a bit before deciding what they shall become. Now do you see the special treats? EXTRA SPECIAL treats.....look at the dishcloths/washcloths. I have assume Angela Marie knit them, there is one with a Devil knit into it and LOOK the EIFFEL TOWER!!! Isn't that fantastic?? It is amazing how well my partners know me. Thank you so much Piper , for everything. I hope to run across you again in a swap.

I have received a few more yarn purchases....once again Sheri at Loopy Ewe captured my attention with a Sneak Up. Look at the two yarns I purchased. There is Wooly Bully in the colorway "Fishing with my Father" to make socks for the man with the very large feet and Fleece Artist Seawool, I think the color was called "Harbour". It has sea cell in it and is incredibly soft. I can't wait to try it out. I also received "Gooey" from Merlin the Cat Yes she is an Etsy dealer with an incredible assortment of colorways. She also happens to be a test knitter with me forSocktopia A terrific KAl with monthly themes and exclusive patterns designed by MommaMonkey. Man she does incredible work...check it out.

I think there is one or two more things then I will let you go. My PRGE pal, Julia received her package so I can post a pic of the tote I sent. I love this little tote. It was a free pattern from Hello Yarn It was a very quick knit. Julie seemed to like it as well. She is a terrific lady and I wanted to send something special in her final box.

Finally, you can find Knitting Books in the strangest places. I was shopping in a local chain food store and there was a table with books marked down by 50% So I saw this immediately, recognizing the design of pattern and picked it up. Now keep in mind it was 50% off...yes 50% off 3.99!! Heehee

OK, for my Ireland trip I am bringing

Socks for Soldiers

Monkey Socks I am doing angel knitting for

Test socks for Socktopia

and Isabella

I will update upon my return with progress on these projects. It is two flights, airport time and two weeks of driving around the entire country. Hopefully this time they will not steal my needles in Ireland. Hope everyone has a a healthy safe blessed few weeks in my absence. Remember to hug your family and every so often put your needles down and listen to them laugh.

Very Looooong Update

OK Graduations, Prom, Class Night all done. It is a bit overwhelming having both boys graduate within a week of one another.

DS1, 22, hooded received his Masters in Art with a concentration in Creative writing, Magna Cum Laude...can I only hope you know how proud I am? Now he hopes to find a job in editing, publishing, copy writing. In a year or so he will pursue a second Masters, the degree of masters of Fine Arts is a very concentrated degree in Creative writing. He has been told if he continues with his thesis it could be published. Perhaps then his mother will get to read it, lol

DS2,17,Presidential Award for Academics, CoCurricular Excellence for attitude and helpfulness from the Ski Club. The day after his Senior Prom, day before his Graduation he started his very first job. This was a particularly heartfelt graduation as he was very sick, and continues to have many medical problems. It was a fight to get him to his first birthday and now at 17, he is starting his young adult life. He loves his truck, his friends, family and life. His School Ring has a fire fighter emblem on it. He choose that in honor of his Pa, my father who has been gone 2 1/2 years.

People have asked what I will do with an empty home. This surprises me as much as being asked if I was tossing my son out when he had turned 18. My DS1 will gratefully continue to live at home,as he finds his place in the working world, DS2 will dorm during his college years, but his room remains his room. My sons will always be welcome to live at home. I am not sure why this is not the norm in society any longer. Families have become almost throwaway commodities. It is bewildering.

Knitting updates,
Boxes, packages sent out.
Sample sox to Jana , prize for PRGE,SP10 box, Coffee Swap Box, Colorswap for May, Box to Felted Bag Pal. This week test sock for Socktopia-one pair, PRGE final box for Jules, Monkey Swap 2, next week HSKS. Then I will be off to Ireland for two weeks. WOohoo, of course I work 6 nights 10-12 hrs each in a row this week, then one night next week. I haven't even gone through clothes to pack yet. Gosh....
I am 1 1/2 socks done on Monkey 2, 1 sock nearly done on Hogwarts Sock, haven't touched glove in a week or any large knitting project. I have been sock rich for a few weeks, starting in July the major projects have to be come to the front again.
My stash is growing frighteningly fast.


I received my box from my pal from SP10, in the first box she sent that lovely Lobster Pot Yarn, this time I received the most beautiful yarn. I have never done the Potomatus sock from Knitty. I believe this yarn is the perfect yarn for the socks. Also had some other treats in the box.Look at the wonderful tote, I am thrilled with the kindness and generosity of my Pal.












I was fortunate enough to get into the Sneakup at Loopy Ewe this week(whilst waiting for DS2 to come in from the prom)...I received these yarns. Cider Moon Icicle Yarn in Asbury Park(fav)Lost,Wild Honey, Sweet Potato Pie(yum)



,Gypsy Knits (poor knitter's cashmere in Blue Moon(?for Seduction socks),Fleece Artist in Woodlands. and All Things Heather in Dorothy(I'll click my heels together three times when I wear these)

Last week I got some Panda Cotton in Cinnamon and Fall herbs, the cutest little balls o yarn I have seen.Also from Loopy Ewe

Also over the past two weeks I was really lucky to get three colorways from Sock Duets, A Swell Yarn Shop

in Sailor Girl,Crocus and Lizard Rock.

Also I found the name of the Etsy dealer I purchased the orange from the Monkeys are being knit of, it was one of my favorite stash yarns and although the orange was not available for replacement I did get Lilac Purple and Soft Purple and Green from Kindred Spirits Yarn as well as Iris from Mindseyeyarn

and Midnight Passion from Fearless Fibers Seeing a theme there with purples? Oddly enough the Kindred Spirits and MindsEye came the same day.

My Colorswap box from Ashley, she sent me three skeins of Noro Silk in a purple green colorway.Also, some really cool items in green and purple the absolute two best colorways there are. I am so grateful for her generosity

OK I am finishing a bag for the Felted Bag Swap and a secret for the PRGE, which I will post once it is received.
This is a draft I will add links, better descriptions,pics in a bit, also I will correct spelling, LOL.
Oh one more pic, DH thought I would like to try dyeing my own yarn and knows my love of Louet so he presented me with this

Is he an enabler or what? Of course the colorway happens to be in his favorite color of blues, LOL.
I so appreciate anyone who has made it all the way to the end of this update. Thanks for reading and remember to hug your family...

Gryff Socks

My pal knows who she is so just a few sts...heehee

WOOHOO

I have swapped this week, at work and am off Saturday night so will update this blog then. Memes, FO, received boxes(thanks SP10),graduation info, etc,. etc.

HSKS TRIVIA

Trivia! 5-13-2007
Trivia
1What's the name of this potion?This potion has the colour of molten gold, and while exposed to the air, large drops will leap like goldfish above the surface without spilling.
Felix Felicis
2Which book is this line from?"Harry and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other; what if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excrutiatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?"
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
3Who utters these words?"Oh I am glad I'm not on duty. I wouldn't fancy having to go and tell the Irish they've got to stop celebrating."
Mr. Weasley
These were not so easy....

Mysteries and Updates and Bragging

Do you see that lovely purple yarn?...I don't know where it came from. It arrived Monday, no card, no name on the return address from IL, I thought perhaps my pal from Colorswap as May is purple. No, not her. I am baffled. It is gorgeous, thank you to whomever sent it my way.
The middle yarn is Cider Moon in the June Carter colorway, isn't it yummy? I got this from

Loopy Ewe I have seen there is a Johnny Cash colorway as well. Does anyone think I can possibly resist that in the future?

The other yarn is from Bright Dyes in the UK, it is in the Harry Potter Griffindor colorway. I have several yarns from Etsy dealers in the Griff colorway. They are all so gorgeous. I have to doublecheck that name and source when I get home.

Alrighty then, look at the next pic. It is the first shipment from the Loopy Ewe Sock Club . The yarn is called Skinnydipping and has some bamboo in it. Sheri also sent along some Kool Aid(many of us thought we had to dye the yarn) in Lemonade, a cute sheep soap, some Kisses and do you see that bag, yes it is one of the lovely clear plastic zip bags offered on the site, however, this one says Loopy Ewe Sock Club. COOL!! The pattern is one from Wildhorse Farm Designs

designed for this yarn. The pic shows the sock in the exact yarn, another way cool!

I really like the WildHorse Farm Designs, the heels are terrific, the instructions are very clearly written with both charts and written directions for the design portion. In fact, these two socks are WFD patterns. they are sample socks knit for Jana of WhiteOakStudio . I met Jana through a swap a few months back and she has opened her studio. Her line of yarns is hand dyed based on tv programs. The pink sock is Sex and the City in the pattern of Metropolis and the other sock is Out of Africa in the Stillwater pattern. Her yarns are very unique and fun. It was an honor to sample knit for her.

Here we have a Mr Potato head calendar DS gave me a few years ago. Each month features a naked potatoe and there are many stickers to dress him up with. This was my offering for March. I have many more MPH items and will add them by weeks end. Why MPH you may ask? Well, when my first son was born I used to sing to him, "I made you , you know it's true//etc..." That is the MPH song.
Speaking of first born son, tonight, Wednesday, at the age of 22, he will be receiving his Masters Degree, woohoo, quite an accomplishment. Both of my boys were spontaneous readers before the age of two, beyond my teaching by the time they were 4. Second DS, 17, will be graduating High School next week and attending his brother's alma mater in the fall. So cool...the robe of the Masters recipient looks very Harry Potterish. If DS consents I will post a pic later.

OK, for now, that is it. I have been tagged for two memes, wondering if they are the same meme, then what does one do? I will check them out and answer them by weekend.

One More Photo

I also collect dishes, so so many, but I love this bowl and it is better filled with chocolatey goodness.

Totes, Toppers and Towers

OK, the tote is tremendously gorgeous! I think we are celerating in a few days so I have decided to line it, altho I would love dMIL to see the inside....hmmm...maybe make the lining but sew it in at the celebration? Yes, yes that will do. The felted height is 13.5 inches and width is 17.5 inches, that is quite a bit of downsizing...but it is tremendous. Here are some pics outside and inside. And yes it is standing on its own in the center pic.

I like to felt two things at once so I had a few inches to go on this hat. Bummer there are no prefelting pics as I finished it in the basement. But, I could pull it past my shoulders. I still need to shave a bit but I love it. The yarn is tied in the shaping I will remove when completely steamed and dry, I used it to close up the crown a bit...I thought it would turn out firmer, it is pretty firm yet soft. Cool eh?

Then one of my Pals asked for pics of the things I collect, two being Eiffel Towers and Mr Potato Head. My DH proposed to me at the Eiffel Tower, I have always loved Paris. The circular wood piece is a hand burned lid to a box DS GF made for me. Do you see my terrific ET stitch markers from pal Monica. The tile we purchased while in Paris and when I tiled my back splash I put it in. (we also got a pair of green glass doorknobs on Portobello Road in London which are on my dining room door)
I still need to photo MPH but he is in several places but I will get to him tomorrow.
Oh update on DSs truck, we checked the truck over when we purchased it but you can only eyeball so much. Turns out calipers, rotors, brakelines a few minor things. The brakes were so thin the mechanic cannot legally let it back on the road, yes replace all that. I almost feel badly I got in on the sneak up at the

Loopy Ewe

being so blessed with the good fortune of my DSs safety. At times like this I like to believe my DD is watching out for him from above.
Hug your family folks, you just never know.

Don't Sweat the Little Things

I was stressing a bit as to having the tote done for MIL bday today(it is and is drying, needs straps sewn on), having socks done,(ahead of schedule on that)getting home in order(just about except attic and minor bedroom things)and DS called. He is a fairly new driver, we bought him an older pickup, which he adores. He has just passed the 6 month mark where he is allowed to drive other young people. He is a very conscientious driver, safety minded,(mother who works in ER and brings home stories of warnings nagged). DS was in the drive through line at Mickey D's and felt a pop as he stepped on brakes so he pulled into a space and gave a call. The pop was his brakeline....ten minutes in either direction of time and he would have been driving in a somewhat busy area with two of his friends in his truck when he lost his brakes. I am blessed that he had the good sense to not push the issue and try driving or that he didn't hesitate for a minute to call home. I am blessed that way with both of my sons...So the tote and the socks and the attic seem less important right now. Don't sweat the small stuff folks....