Vacation

My husband and I took the week off to do some home improvement projects.

On Monday we installed a microwave/hood over the stove. Of course, it ended up taking all day. We had electrical issues and re-routed the electric. Then, there was not enough clearance between the bottom of the microwave and the top of the stove, so we raised the cabinet three inches. Nothing is ever easy! Monday marked the third anniversary of the closing of our house. Where does the time go?

On Tuesday, we demo-ed the masterbath. We took out the cabinet and the vanity. Again, not as easy as it sounds. Let's just say the saws-all is our friend. We then hit several stores and finally settled on a light that we like.

On Wednesday, my father joined us. We installed the new vanity cabinet and marble counter top to discover that both the wall is crooked and the vanity was cut at an angle. After much debating and processing, my husband cut the sheet rock and slid the uneven part of the counter top into the wall. We also installed the light and fixed the overhead light that hasn't worked since we moved in.

We are currently taking a quick lunch break. I also have LOTS of knitting news and will post again with knitting content.

SOLD!

My mother owns a small business and when I first started knitting I put some scarves in the retail section of her business for sale. This week I sold the very first scarf I ever made for $30. It was a Paton's Bohemian in copper (I think) held with a strand of red fun fur. It was very narrow and very long and I thought it was very funky looking. I loved that scarf and often thought of keeping it, but none of my coats matched it. I am also over the fun fur phenomenon. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was sold. Hopefully the buyer is enjoying it!

My friend and I met up and I got her started on her Booga Bag. She is doing the bottom and handles in a blue Lamb's Pride and the body in Noro Kureon (sp?) that has lots of blues and purples. I taught her the cable cast on and she is hoping to have the bottom done by Thursday when I will see her. Then, I can show her how to pick up stitches and do the i-cord.

I've been knitting a bit on my Sock Candy Toe Up Sock. Before I go into work today I want to plug away on my Gelato Bag that I ripped out while watching my DVRed shows.

The week after next my husband and I are taking a week off from work to do some home improvement projects. I'm not in love with doing home improvement projects, but I LOVE the results. Most of the work is in the master bathroom and kitchen. My husband wants to paint the master bath, but I think we should wait until spring when we can have the windows open. I hate the idea of living and sleeping in the fumes. We will see!!

My Beautiful Babies

This is Bentley curled up between Portia's feet in the morning sunlight on Christmas Eve. This is one of my absolutely favorite pictures and it is currently the wallpaper on our computer.

On Monday night I was going to audit a 2 hand 2 color class that I took last winter. I never finished the project and now I have forgotten the technique. By the end of my work day I was too tired and cranky and I just wanted to go home. I am hoping I can find the technique as a tutorial and refresh my memory.

On Wednesday night I took a class for a little felted purse called Gelato by Fiber Trends. I chose a lime green yarn in Cascade Pastaza and Donegal Tweed as the pattern calls for a double strand. The first 12 rows take some thinking and paying attention. I got through row 11 in class and last night started to finish the 12th row. My numbers just wouldn't work out and I had some wonky looking stitches. So, I ripped it all out and started again. I kept telling myself that I would felt it so it didn't really matter, but it kept bugging me. I think that now that I am a better knitter I don't mind ripping back as much because I know I am capable of having a very nice finished result. I just don't want to settle anymore. This is now my front-burner knitting project because my next class is in two weeks. I want to be as far along as I can get.

Yesterday I was talking to my friend that made her first scarf. She said that she blocked it and was thrilled with the results. She sounded pleasantly surprised by the effects of blocking. She talked about wanting to start another project and I offered to help her get started on Saturday. The really interesting thing she said was "When I am watching TV, I feel like I should be knitting something." Well ladies and gentlemen, I think we converted another one. Mwah!!

Just Can't Get Warm . . .

I just can't get warm today. I am working 3:30pm-11:30pm as the Shift Supervisor which means that I drive from group home to group home while answering a pager. Sounds like fun, eh? I am going to go cuddle up under a blanket and watch my DVRed Grey's Anatomy before I have to go get ready for work.

Picture: our lilac tree during an ice stom taken by my husband

Finally!

Guess what? I finally have some pictures for you! :)

Here are my Cherry Tree Hill yarn 2 socks on 2 circs. They are a little big, but I still wear them. I loved the yarn. Can't say as much for my parents' shag carpet!

This is my mother's Christmas present. It is 16 stitches across and a p1k1 rib. She picked the color of Malabrigo that I used. I made the same scarf for my mother-in-law, except I also held a strand of mohair with it. The mohair gave me a headache. I suffered through the scarf and then vowed to never touch the stuff again! I LOVE Malabrigo and this is my first time using this yarn. I have purchased 7 more skeins since. :)

This is my Manos hat before felting. It is purples and burgundies. It was HUGE. When I put it on, it would go past my shoulders. I am still working on the embroidery, so it will be a little while before I post the after.

So, there is a sampling of my recent projects. I have a bunch of cool non-knitting photos so I will try to post one at a time to stretch them out in between my knitting pics.

I've been working on my log cabin baby blanket. The Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton is super soft, but it isn't as easy to knit with as the fibers I usually knit with. I usually only do a row or two and then rest my hands. This will be a loooooong project!

You Know You Buy Too Much Yarn When . . .

your LYS calls and asks what classes you would like to see on the spring class schedule. Yes, yes, it is true! So, here is my list Fiber Trends Clogs, Magic Loop, Clapotis from Knitty, Sheldon from Knitty, and Lizard's Ridge from Knitty. Most of these I could figure out on my own, but I really like taking classes for the community and the technical assistance. What else would you add to my list? I'm going to call back tomorrow.

Our weekend was WONDERFUL! We stayed at the Fern Lodge in the Adirondack's. They upgraded us to the best room since we had the whole place to ourselves for the weekend. It is without a doubt the best B&B or Inn that we have stayed in. AMAZING!

I know I need to post a ton of pictures. We got a new camera before Christmas and I haven't yet tried to download pics onto the computer. Let's see if I can motivate myself to figure it out tomorrow.

It is finally snowing in upstate NY and it is beautiful!