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....

Behind

OK some family emergencies this weekend...knitting time had a bit of a hold on it. Now back on track. I am at work, will post pics when I get home. The finished tote prefelting is 22.5 inches wide and 17.75 inches tall.,not including the base... It took much less yarn than I thought, had I not knit it doubled I think it would have taken a full 7 skeins though. But now I have enough yarn left for the bag I want to make for the ITE4...I already know which bag, just don't know who it is for, LOL. ANyways, I will be felting as soon as I get home...can't wait to see the bag then will decide if it needs to be lined ot not.

I am just about done with my second sample sock for Jana, need to email her to see if I can post pics here. I am also doing other sample knitting of socks.
I am acually right now sitting at home in basement felting...sort of like molting??

That is all the progress since Friday.

Lots to Blog About This Week

Update on the tote, no knitting yet today, at home, so this is while at work May 2,3,4. It is going to be huge and I can't wait to see it felt. Next pic will be off the needles, maybe Saturday night??? Maybe


OK yarn stash update:

I was fortunate enough to get in on 2 SNEAK UPS at the Loopy Ewe Look at this yarn loverliness.

From the top there are 2 skeins of Interlacements Tiny Toes in Fireplace Embers.To the right of that we have Cider Moon Glacier in June Carter(lucious) Back to the left under TT is Yarn Pirate in Primrose, then Seacoast Handpainted(from NH yea New England) in Cobbler(I want to eat it) then below that is Perchance to Knit in Bouganvillea with the most sparkly stitch marker, then my Loopy Groupie perk of the Opal in the perfect purple/black combo.

So now you are saying "Lucky Girl", right? Look

So what's the big deal? Wendy made a pair of socks with a yarn from Zen String Serendipity Yarn in this colorway. I had to have it and emailed ZS and asked to be informed when more was available and they contacted me before the dyeing and saved me two. Isn't that glorious?? Now why this colorway? My older DS , 22, is getting his Masters this month, he will be going into editing, publishing , eventually teaching. He has a very eclectic preppy style, wears sweater vests(no I haven't knit any recently)olives, khakis...and his name is BEN!!! Cool, eh?
The blue yarn you can see in the back is an Etsy purchase from Middle Earth Yarns , the colorway is Elfine River and came from Scotland, do check out the site it is grand yarn. There is more yarn from EBAY purchases and of course we mustn't forget the lovely Cascade yarn from my pal Angela in the PRGE shown behind the ME yarn and below.

I also received my copy of Charmed Knits, the book of Harry Potter knits...woohoo.

I keep losing battery power before I can photo my Mr Potato Head and Eiffel Towers are per request of one of my Pals.
I promise by Sunday night , Pal

Quick Updates

OK not all pics will be here now, I need to post this and then knit for a bit, then nap, as I have just returned from work, then...

I was so happy to get in on the sneak up last week with the Loopy Ewe ..the yarn was beautiful...I will post the pics in a bit. Then so kind Sheri from the same LE did an overnight sneak and I was at work and got two more skeins of yarn. I am so excited!!! I swear my hands are losing weight from all this knitting!! LOL, not that they were very big to start..I digress.

I am still plugging along on Foxie...I am sure he will soon deserve a photo session. I have been sample knitting for a past Pal, new friend. She has a line of yarns on Etsy called TV Yarns, the colors are very indicative of the shows they represent. I am 1 1/2 socks done. I will post pics of the socks after I check with Jana.

I am working on Gryffindor socks, Monkey socks, felted tote for swaps. Pics when they are completed.

I have had the yarn for the Felted Fair Isle Tote in the Holiday VOGUE Knitting since December. I planned on making the tote dor DMIL bday. I started the 1st of May, her bday is the 9th of May. I don't think she checks my blog or knows I have a blog so I feel safe in posting progress pics When this is done 14 skeins of Patons Classic wool be gone, buh buy

I received this 2nd package from my pal Angela from the PRGE. WOW what things she sent. Autumn Leaves lace sock pattern, two big skeins of Cascade in a heathered pine green, chocolates, address book, notebook, 2 year calender, photo album, pink sock change purse, CINNABON mints in a cute little tin. Pretty impressive, eh?

Oh,oh..I almost forgot..see that KAL over there>>>>>>>>.Karen's glove? LOOK!!

OK, for now that is it as cannot see anymore....must remove lenses, put on specs and knit 7 rounds on tote. I promise links and pics later.

Please Look At This Bag By Noni

Week 1 Question Felted Bag Swap

This Week's Question:How did you get interested in felting? Did you learn it from someone, see a bag you liked? Just want to try something new?
Hmmmmm...good question. I have thought on this a bit and I guess it was a long time ago I heard of this absurd practice of washing a knitted item and being able to cut it up. CRAZY...whay would anyone DO that? It took a very long time for me to believe it was ok. Truthfully I only accidentally felted up to the time of my last two tote/bag swaps. So I would have to say the bag I made for LIA was the first on purpose felting I did. There is a different level of amazement seeing something felted on purpose...it is a strange and wondrous process. I am at work and don't think I can access my pics...if I can later I will post the bag although it is down there somewhere....

Here it is

Look Here Kerry

Kerry, my hostess for SP 10 as asked we post a pic we took of our favorite spring flowers. I took this pic in DC when DH and I were there in April 05, the reason behind it was my DS's new girlfriend is allergic to roses and loves tulips. So I took the pic and had it enlarged with the thought he could give it to her. Of course they had just started dating and he thought it was too soon...well 2 years later she is still here and will be going on her second family trip with us. Last year 11 days to Florida, this year two weeks to Ireland. Brave silly girl...