Less Than One Week

OK 5 days from now I will be almost Flinging in Missouri at the Loopy Ewe Spring FLing

. It is going to be a ball....Wendy of WendyKnits , Cookie A Claudia from Woolmeise, Stacy from Tempted Yarns, Numma Numma...and others of knitting fame will be there. Goat Lady and I have become email friends and I am so excited to meet her.

I have received my bag from the Big Bag KAL and Swap from Cindy. It is the perfect colors for me...so many wonderful things inside as well. My pal's bag will be winging its way the day I return from the Fling.

Projects for the Fling will be Wendy's Homework, Coookie A's homework, Rogue, a Tam I think I will start from the silver yarn from Tempted Yarns, my ongoing glove, and a pair or two of socks.

I am in the Loopy Ewe Swap second round and have received Janice aka JarLady as my Pal. Janice is Sheri's good friend and it is a bit intimidating. You are to knit something for your Pal with yarn from the LE....I already have started my project but of course cannot post it.

I treated myself to the needle binder from Namaste, it matches my knitting bag from the LE. I purchased it from KPixie which is one town over and I received it less than 24 hours after ordering!!!I must check out if they have a real store

I also won a prize from round one of the No More Humdrum Mittens Swap. Deb sent me the much coveted pattern for the Fiddlehead Mittens and yarn to make them. They will be glorious!!!!


My Harry Potter socks are done and will be mailed by the end of the week. My box from the second mitten swap is making its way to me. It is from Katie of YarnLove, yes that HyarnLove...I can't wait to see what I get. The mittens are made for DS1 GF per my request and katie hand dyed and spun the yarn. Oh lookie, here is the package. The mittens have a top that buttons off, they were designed by Katie, the yarn is lovely and silky soft and look at the wonderful yarn she sent!! WOW!!












OK I am on the 4th of 6 in a row then a night off one last shift and off to Missouri.


Puppy update, 3 weeks since his ;last appointment, we have had him 4.5 weeks, he is 15 weeks old and is up to 32,5 pounds...lordy. He is so cute and is scheduled for his surgery(yes that surgery) the Monday I return from the FLing.

This is some Malabrigo I purchased on EBAY. It is called Hummingbird...I am a sucker for green/violet colorway.....

DH has passed along a request for one of these, a laptop wooly jumper

Puppies,Boys,Sparkle, Spring

WARNING!!!! View at your discretion, questionable puppy picture below.
Thanks for your kind comments about our adorable puppy, Oliver. He had a playdate last week with my DBs 2.5 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniard?, Molly. She is the sweetest little girl. I am not an animal person, my normal response 17 days ago would have been nice dog, can you leave her in the car? Now, with having Oliver, well, you dog folk know. I held her and played with her,DH was amazed. SHe obeys and walks beside you and stops when you stop. Look at her dear face


OK so I am fast going from one puppy for each son to one for each of them and maybe two for us...heehee So here are the questionable pictures, actually only one...this is how a happy puppy sleeps apparantly...note the smile and the ear hanging out side :)



Db took some pics of a boy and his dog, isn't this terrific? This boy waited 18 years for his puppy, his brother has waited 23 and will be getting his bull dog in two or three months.

The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling is less than three weeks away!! I am so excited...I have become online Pals with a few of the ladies and can't wait to meet them in person. GoatLady has a menagerie and is a dog trainer...the suggestions she has been offering are great!!! She is such an interesting lady and we share a lot of the same opinions on things so I am sure our time together will go much too quickly. We have received our homework assignments from Wendy
and Cookie. I am attending a top up class with Wendy and a design class with Cookie. We are going to Loopy Central, sorry ladies there will be no yarn left after that!!!! One of the Flingers is Stacy of Tempted Yarns....I didn't even know she was THE TEMPTED!! I just got my order in from the last Sneak Up and managed to grab three skeins of Tempted Yarn Glamour Girl...they have real silver in them? See the sparkle?

The colors are Branded, Puppy Love(of course) and Boop Oop a Doop

Some Fiesta Baby Boom in Rhubarb(not sure why I got this, LOL)but it sure is purty. And there was an appreciation gift for Groupies, an exclusive pattern and most sweet and delicate stitch marker.

Also from ETSY dealer Crash into Ewe , I got these yarns with silver in them, from the top going clockwise we have Garnet, Amethyst,Amethyst(again)Iolite,Fire Opal,Marcasite and Blue Topaz. Aren't they exquisite?

I received my first box from the Punk Rock Gift Exchange. My secret pal revealed himself as Jerry from Twisted Knitster. WOW do you see how grandly the things are wrapped? There is an Elvis Costello CD(never released)and a handmade reversible project bag, some Posh yarn in Phoenix,(I have never had Posh yarn before-yummy) a skull necklace and some spun just for me yarn...spun by Jerry himself....how awesome is that? The yarn is a glorious purpley black. I am very spoiled indeed. Thank you Jerry!!!




I have sent my PRGE package, finished two squares from the Great American Afghan book, for a secret project


halfway through Big Bag, cast on Rogue,finished first sock for Harry Potter Sock Swap, cast on Monkey Sock, and started gathering things for the 4 Seasons Swap. WOW....and I was supposed to be cutting back this year. I am waiting on my mitten box, but I think I know who my spoiler is and she is very busy.
I am through with the first mitten but haven't taken an updated pic...I love this pattern and colorway almost more than the black one done earlier.

On my Way To Work but.....

OK, is this the saddest face ever? WE had a bath today...his nails need trimming, so tomorrow he has an appointment for trimming and another bath,massage,brushing,etc....I think I should get the massage!!
He is so darn cute I can't stand it...ooppsss he is whining, maybe a run outside before I leave for work...

A Brief Interlude

OK, whilst I get my knitting updates in order I will give a puppy update. We have owned the monster for 12 days and he has gained nearly 6 pounds!! He is adorable, good, loving, a quick learner and here to stay.

Also, thanks for you kind comments about the return of my DN from Iraq. He is spending much deserved time with his DF,DM and DB. I am hoping he will come visit the new house soon.
I have ordered the dining room wallpaper so will be updating within the next few weeks, then on to the bedroom, then living room. then to build the deck...woot!!!

He Is Home

Happy Easter!!!

Monkey Sock Swap 4 Questionnaire

The Measurements:
Shoe size: 6.5-7.5
Foot length in inches: 9 inches
Circumference: 9.25

Yarn Preferences
What are your favorite colors? Jewel tones
What color clashes with your wardrobe? Nothing
Do you prefer solids or variegated yarns? Either
What are your favorite brand sock yarns? Dream in Color Smooshy, Cherry Tree Hill, Cider Moon, Cosmic Fibers, Duet
Is there a new sock yarn you really would like to try? Farmhouse, Posh

Cookie A. Patterns
List the patterns you do not have but would like to receive: Rhiannon

Allergies
Do you have any allergies that your pal needs to know about? (animals, fiber, sensitivity to smoke etc.) No
Will you knitting be exposed to animals? 1 dog
Will you knitting be exposed to cigarette smoke? No

Shipping
What country do you live in? US
Are you willing to ship outside your country? Yes

PRGE Contest

With a little help from my partner...I give you

Green Day-Espionage

A sleuthy Felted Hat

NOFX -She's Nubs

Creepy adaptation ofZombie Doll with a modification of bloody stumps


Perhaps even knit from Blackberry Ridge Nubby Rag Yarn

Weezer -Hold Me

First suggestion for the man in your life Man's Thong

And not to neglect the ladies Corset pattern from WHite Lie Designs

Definitely a joint effort.

Mittens, Spring Fling, Puppy and Life

OK, I am so out of whack, we have been tending to Oliver in shifts almost. We brought him home Saturday. He was the perfect gentlepup on the ride. He had been shaking and DS2 calmed him down and covered him up. When we arrived home and took him out of the car, he promptly jumped back in...oh dear. He was wonderful until around midnight and started with a cough(I thought for attention so sent DS to my room to sleep) but it got worse and he started vomiting. We took him to the vet earlier than planned and he has a touch of kennel cough. After a day of antibitotics and cough suppressant he is an amazingly adorable pup. Minimal accidents, he has staked claim to his crate and lets us know in plenty of time when he needs to go outside. He is a puppy and a little nippy but seems to be willing to be trained and directed.





He was monster puppy compared to the other 7 pounders and he clomps in at 20, he is now 22+, lordy what have I got myself into?
I received a Mitten package from No More Humdrum Mittens Round 1. AN Angel named Krista sent some exquisite Aranish mittens, Happy Feet Yarn, a neat pattern, Soak and some other items. My partner flaked out, although she claims to have knit the mittens and was preparing to send them. Anywho, having been the angel in a few other swaps I truly appreciate the time and kindness of Krista.



GoatLady(Harmiarit ?sp), my pal in the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling Swap sent a delightful package with a magnificent project bag, Chibi, Chocolates, notepads, bunny, balm(smells good enough to eat),Addis in the shorter size for my glove knitting(yea!!)...there may be one or two more items but I am doing this from memory, LOL. GL is a wonderfully kind lady who has a lot of animals and is a dog trainer, lucky me. She has already been so kind in answering my questions and offering advice. The SF is 5 weeks away and I feel I will be going to meet a new friend.
I am making another pair of Tiffany mittens for the Latvian KAL ....I loved the first ones I made and passed along so was pleased to make another pair. The yarn is from my stash, too. Next we will make the Sea Mineral Mittens and have think I have stash yarn I want to use for them.

The new LE Sock Club sock caught my eye right away and I have CO for that. I adore CTH yarn and that was the yarn sent with the wonderful pattern. I finally wound a ball of the DIC for my Rogue for the DIC Kal on the LE thread as well. Sheri is an amazing woman and keeps us busy all the while finding grand yarns for our perusal and purchase. I can't wait for the trip to Loopy Central as part of the SF.
I have spied Foxie so will be returning to finish him up, a little each day, Maybe when he is done, Mermaid will see it is not a painful thing to be complete and will show herself.
I sent theDaina mittens out to my pal for the No More Humdrums Part 2. This was also an easy to do pattern with row changes very easy to memorize. It is another pattern I will make again.

I hope all are well, looking forward to spring and get all the yarn you desire.

Oh, LE had offered Wollmeise for about 7 minutes last week. I missed it again, I managed a skein months ago, but the repercussion poor Sheri gets because it sells so quickly is mind boggling. It is yarn, lovely yarn, but yarn. It won't bring world peace or feed the hungry. it is yarn. Sheri does her very best to always provide the best in customer care and it amazes me that people can get so bent out of shape over not getting a yarn. OK, down from the box now.

He Will Be Home Soon

My DN is coming home from his second tour in Iraq very soon. It doesn't need to be said how proud we are of him and how frightened we have all been for him. My DB, his father, asked that we email him with greetings of welcome to present upon his return. I was trying to think of what I wanted to say and finally came up with this. This is for my nephew, a Marine.

I have wondered oft ,
During the course of my life
About people and war
About living through strife
About the people who help
Be they real or pretend
I wondered what I would say
To the Green Hornet or to Superman
How fast can you fly,
How far can you throw
When someone is in need of help
Just how do you know.
What time do you wake,
How much do you sleep
Just what kind of hours
Does a Superhero keep.
Does your cape ever need cleaning
Do your gloves become torn
When you run, it is so fast
Do your shoes ever get worn.
Is it difficult to carry
The people you help out
If I need you do I call
Or do I just give a shout
These things I have wandered
For many a year
What would I say to a superhero
If he would sit and be near
Then I stopped thinking so hard
It was so clear to me
What I would say to a superhero
Is Welcome Home Gregory

Belated Birthday Gifts to Me

OK, I have lusted after this pattern for a few years now

and decided since this was a BIG birthday year I would treat myself. There are 58 skeins of yarn involved here.
The seller substituted for the no longer available Rowan's and I think did a wonderful job matching colors!! Isn't that just a glorious coat? I cannot wait to make it...I may have to allow myself to knit on it one day a week. I want to wear it now, of course when it is done it will be too heavy but there is always the fall....

Also, why have you all been keeping this yarn a secret from me? I still had a credit in my Loopy Ewe account and wanted to pick up something secret and saw this.

When did Trekking start doing this? Why have I been in the dark about it?Trekking Hand Art in Tundra and Feuerland
AND also from LE some BEE-YOO-TEE-FULL Regia silk in natural...can't you just see an aran pattern worked up in that? I can, I won't do it but I can see it, LOL!!!

OK, I am sure you noticing I am avoiding the inevitable. I have painted the last bit of woodwork around the door frames in the kitchen and built Oliver's crate. I have blogged twice and played with yarn, made the bed, put away dishes and now must run to the old place for another load of things, including clothing to wear to the wake. My DH's uncle was only 3 years older than me, he used to take care of my DH when he was a boy. I am 9 years older than DH. I think it hit him a little harder as his DU was so young. DH has been asked to be a pall bearer..he will now help carry the uncle who carried him. DH is a very big mush pot....it is very endearing so I believe if I analyze myself I would find I am grabbing a few moments of carefreeness before I must become quite serious. I must run, get DS2 as both boys will make an appearance at the wake. They are great guys, DH is their step father, though you will never ever hear the term used....they are concerned about him and will support him any way they can. Have a terrific day folks, I imagine at the end of the evening I will be looking for a distraction and will return here to you knuts.