Well, Anne and her mom arrived Saturday evening. There's been no time for blogging, and I'm back at work today, so yet another post without pictures, but maybe I'll have time to fix that tonight. Saturday evening, we went to the store in search of Harry Potter themed treats, found none, but did bring home the makings of a quick dinner. Hubby grilled hotdogs (Hebrew National, the best, in my opinion), Ingrid added two different kinds of potato salad, and I underdid it as a hostess and baked some "oven chips" (potatoes) and dumped the new Cool Whip cheesecake filling into a graham cracker crust.
Sunday was the first day of our yarn crawl. I'll post more about that once I'm home. Ingrid also whipped up a beautiful granny square, which has been snatched from my mother inlaw's clutches - probably just temporarily - with the firm announcement that it must be photographed for my blog before she can have it. I should finish up my Dishcloth pal's cloth tonight, and perhaps it can get shipped on Wednesday, when I once again return to work. Oh - and a little plug for the next dishcloth exchange... Sign-ups begin June 20th, on the same site.
Tomorrow, we head to Northern VA and DC. More yarn crawling, the meeting of a pal of Anne's, and then I'll head home and leave them to do the really touristy things on Wednesday. DC was a great college town for me, but I'll be back next month for another mini-visit, and I really must pace myself. (Read: I don't care if I never see the Washington Monument up close again.) Thursday, we'll do Jamestown and shopping at the outlets in Williamsburg. Yarn crawling will be included, of course!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
I Can Take a Hint
Blogger has a ghost in the machine. I wrote a post, wasn't sure I wanted to actually "publish" it, and poof! My internet connection died. It came right back, but when I tried to spell check the post, Blogger ate it.
So, you'll get the short version, as I need to get back to cleaning and such, so that I can relax and enjoy Anne and her mom in a few short hours!
I realized this afternoon that my dislike of orange and purple could be related to the fact that both were school colors of mine, although I am happy to report, not at the same time. Orange and black were my Junior High's school colors, and purple and gold were my college's colors. I hated both combinations, while in between, loving the red and grey of high school. Go figure.
And that's all of my ponderings you get, because I still have to wash the sheets for Anne's room, and then some. The brave gal is going to bunk in my stepson's room, as he won't be using it this summer. Pout. He's growing up and has his first summer job!
So, you'll get the short version, as I need to get back to cleaning and such, so that I can relax and enjoy Anne and her mom in a few short hours!
I realized this afternoon that my dislike of orange and purple could be related to the fact that both were school colors of mine, although I am happy to report, not at the same time. Orange and black were my Junior High's school colors, and purple and gold were my college's colors. I hated both combinations, while in between, loving the red and grey of high school. Go figure.
And that's all of my ponderings you get, because I still have to wash the sheets for Anne's room, and then some. The brave gal is going to bunk in my stepson's room, as he won't be using it this summer. Pout. He's growing up and has his first summer job!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Short Rows
Well, I'm not really going to write about short rows. I'm going to review a couple of books, as I promised Devon I would review them before her return. As she gets back tomorrow, I'm out of time! I never used Cliff Notes in school, but a cousin did, and "short rows" seemed like a nice, knitting-related fit.
First, there's Charmed Knits. There's something for everyone in here, whether it is by your skill level or your degree of addiction to things Harry Potter-ish. There are somewhat nonsensical, fun items like the wand cover (my names, not the pattern names), Weasley Jumpers, bookmarks, socks... I don't know how applicable they are to those not so Potterverse obsessed, but as I am also a member of a Harry Potter discussion forum, I can see myself knitting up a few of the patterns for my similarly obsessed friends. If you are into costumes, or have little ones into Harry Potter, there are some great knitting projects inside. There are other items applicable to everyone, like the bookmarks and hats, which could be striped in any two colors you like, a messenger bag that would serve any Muggle well, and much more than could easily be adapted to a non-Potter-ish function in your life.
The other book is Not Your Mama's Felting. You might recall that I selected it as my prize for a contest. It certainly broadened my felting horizons. I'm looking forward to sharing it with Anne while she's visiting, but it is NOT a book for someone looking for page after page of felting patterns to knit up. There's a cute idea for felting an old boyfriend sweater into a little, laced-up the back, fitted number. Then there are the felted soap balls, which appeal to me, because I love those little "vanity" soaps, but they are slippery, and they aren't so pretty after my hubby washes his hands with them after servicing the lawn mower or something of the sort... There are a few patterns to knit and then "full", but the first section of the book is just for generalized information about felting, needle felting, fulling, and more. Honestly, I'm not at all sure I would have purchased the book on my own, but it did challenge my rather narrow view of felting.
First, there's Charmed Knits. There's something for everyone in here, whether it is by your skill level or your degree of addiction to things Harry Potter-ish. There are somewhat nonsensical, fun items like the wand cover (my names, not the pattern names), Weasley Jumpers, bookmarks, socks... I don't know how applicable they are to those not so Potterverse obsessed, but as I am also a member of a Harry Potter discussion forum, I can see myself knitting up a few of the patterns for my similarly obsessed friends. If you are into costumes, or have little ones into Harry Potter, there are some great knitting projects inside. There are other items applicable to everyone, like the bookmarks and hats, which could be striped in any two colors you like, a messenger bag that would serve any Muggle well, and much more than could easily be adapted to a non-Potter-ish function in your life.
The other book is Not Your Mama's Felting. You might recall that I selected it as my prize for a contest. It certainly broadened my felting horizons. I'm looking forward to sharing it with Anne while she's visiting, but it is NOT a book for someone looking for page after page of felting patterns to knit up. There's a cute idea for felting an old boyfriend sweater into a little, laced-up the back, fitted number. Then there are the felted soap balls, which appeal to me, because I love those little "vanity" soaps, but they are slippery, and they aren't so pretty after my hubby washes his hands with them after servicing the lawn mower or something of the sort... There are a few patterns to knit and then "full", but the first section of the book is just for generalized information about felting, needle felting, fulling, and more. Honestly, I'm not at all sure I would have purchased the book on my own, but it did challenge my rather narrow view of felting.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Across the Rainbow Bridge
I apologize for the multitude of posts today, but this too deserves a stand-alone post. Anyone who reads this blog at all regularly knows that my dear friend Anne is the reason I knit and blog, or at least, the reason I got into both at this point in life. She's in need of some TLC right now, and I'm so grateful that her mom is with her.
If you know Anne, you know that she had a sweet canine pal named Maddie. A while back, Anne realized she couldn't meet the very special needs the vet felt Maddie had, so Maddie went back to the rescue and into a foster home, with a family trained to care for ailing pets. The short version is, that Maddie wasn't able to recover and Anne learned today that Maddie has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Please stop by Anne's blog and help lift her up through this difficult time.
Maddie, I hope across the Bridge, you've finally learned to play, and you can walk, run, jump and eat, eat, EAT! without pain.
If you know Anne, you know that she had a sweet canine pal named Maddie. A while back, Anne realized she couldn't meet the very special needs the vet felt Maddie had, so Maddie went back to the rescue and into a foster home, with a family trained to care for ailing pets. The short version is, that Maddie wasn't able to recover and Anne learned today that Maddie has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Please stop by Anne's blog and help lift her up through this difficult time.
Maddie, I hope across the Bridge, you've finally learned to play, and you can walk, run, jump and eat, eat, EAT! without pain.
For Jessi
Hmmm... Folks, I do read my comments, and when you leave an email address, I try to email you back, even if it is just to say "thanks." That being said, sometimes, a comment answer needs a post, so here we go...
Regarding the felted bag swap:
1. Did you send your May package to your downstream swap partner?
I sure did. I've mailed the bag too. Please see http://cerddinen.livejournal.com
2. Did you receive a package from your upstream swap partner? If you did receive a package, did you let them know that you received it?
It is on the way! My partner was nice enough to email me a few times, and also noted that she's a busy gal, so I wasn't expecting extra-lots of emails and such. I will certainly email her, leave a comment on her blog and post on my own blog when the package arrives. In my book, that's simply good swap behavior.
There's lots more I could say on the subject, but I'm at work and need to actualy *DO* work.
I do want to thank you for your kind words about my bags. I think a lot of us are rather critical when we eye our own efforts, so it's great to hear that positive feedback. Thank you for being so supportive and so inspiring!
Regarding the felted bag swap:
1. Did you send your May package to your downstream swap partner?
I sure did. I've mailed the bag too. Please see http://cerddinen.livejournal.com
2. Did you receive a package from your upstream swap partner? If you did receive a package, did you let them know that you received it?
It is on the way! My partner was nice enough to email me a few times, and also noted that she's a busy gal, so I wasn't expecting extra-lots of emails and such. I will certainly email her, leave a comment on her blog and post on my own blog when the package arrives. In my book, that's simply good swap behavior.
There's lots more I could say on the subject, but I'm at work and need to actualy *DO* work.
I do want to thank you for your kind words about my bags. I think a lot of us are rather critical when we eye our own efforts, so it's great to hear that positive feedback. Thank you for being so supportive and so inspiring!
HSKS Trivia
"Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies."
Voldemort to Dumbledore.
And that my readers, is the question and answer for this week's contest. House points for Ravenclaw, please!
Also, to my pal - I haven't forgotten you! I'm working on goodies for your package, and I will cast on for your bag later this week. It's the next project my queue. With a little luck, it will be on its way to you sometime in the next week or so!
Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap Questionnaire
1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?
Oh, that's a toughie. There are so many... Maine. I've only been once and I was kinda' along for the ride on that one. Washington. It's just so different from my image of the West Coast. Montana. Big Sky Country. Texas. So many friends and family there. (I'll quit there.)
2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Again, can't do just one. Scotland, because I want to see the ancestral home and more. Ireland, because it's such a great mix of the pastoral and urban cities. New Zealand, because I miss my cousins, and with all those sheep, there must be great wool, thus, great yarn... Greece, because it's the one place I feel I must go or I'll really be missing something.
3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Oh yeah. The favorite example would be the cross-half-country trip around 1992, to a wedding in Chicago. "Life is a Highway" was a Top Forty hit, and I will never hear it without thinking of Rebecca and that trip!
4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
Nope. The only islands I've been to are off the Virginia coast, if that counts?
5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Any of those summer trips in college with Rebecca.
6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
LOL... Yeah. I live next door to one of James Monroe's holdings. I work at the foot of the back side of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. We have a host of great, local wineries and vineyards, a couple of unique museums, and I love to share it with friends!
7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
Mostly beach comer with a dash of museum visitor thrown in. Since I can't ride the rides anymore because of my back, amusement parks just get on my nerves.
8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
Sock yarn! Or did you mean a brand, or particular fiber? I really don't have a favorite. I like to try different yarns, different brands, and maybe when I've been knitting for more than just over six months, I'll develop more opinions.
9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Novelty yarns. Otherwise, everything has a purpose. Acrylics are great for soft, easy-care baby items and such. I didn't really enjoy knitting with Noro Kureyon, but the finished results are nice enough to make it worth the trouble.
10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
Right now, I only knit, but I'm hoping Anne's mom (two different blogs, there) will teach me to crochet in a few days. But that wasn't the question. I love socks. I like felted bags an awful lot too. Dishcloths are quick and fun. Hats aren't bad. I'm going to cast on for my first sweater/vest shortly, so I'll get back to you on that one.
11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Dunno. Won't be an issue until July. I'm assuming socks, and maybe a dishcloth?
12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
I scrapbook. I make cards/stamp. I used to cross stitch and needlepoint but have no interest in either right now.
13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
Not really.
14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
My favorites are greens, reds, blues, pinks... actually anything except orange or a strong yellow. Those are my least favorite, and I'm not crazy about purple or lilac/lavender either, but I love pastel pinks and blues.
15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Sweet, sweet, sweet!
16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
Not really. For matching me, I do have dogs but I don't smoke, if that matters.
ETA - I live in central Virginia.
Oh, that's a toughie. There are so many... Maine. I've only been once and I was kinda' along for the ride on that one. Washington. It's just so different from my image of the West Coast. Montana. Big Sky Country. Texas. So many friends and family there. (I'll quit there.)
2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Again, can't do just one. Scotland, because I want to see the ancestral home and more. Ireland, because it's such a great mix of the pastoral and urban cities. New Zealand, because I miss my cousins, and with all those sheep, there must be great wool, thus, great yarn... Greece, because it's the one place I feel I must go or I'll really be missing something.
3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Oh yeah. The favorite example would be the cross-half-country trip around 1992, to a wedding in Chicago. "Life is a Highway" was a Top Forty hit, and I will never hear it without thinking of Rebecca and that trip!
4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
Nope. The only islands I've been to are off the Virginia coast, if that counts?
5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Any of those summer trips in college with Rebecca.
6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
LOL... Yeah. I live next door to one of James Monroe's holdings. I work at the foot of the back side of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. We have a host of great, local wineries and vineyards, a couple of unique museums, and I love to share it with friends!
7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
Mostly beach comer with a dash of museum visitor thrown in. Since I can't ride the rides anymore because of my back, amusement parks just get on my nerves.
8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
Sock yarn! Or did you mean a brand, or particular fiber? I really don't have a favorite. I like to try different yarns, different brands, and maybe when I've been knitting for more than just over six months, I'll develop more opinions.
9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Novelty yarns. Otherwise, everything has a purpose. Acrylics are great for soft, easy-care baby items and such. I didn't really enjoy knitting with Noro Kureyon, but the finished results are nice enough to make it worth the trouble.
10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
Right now, I only knit, but I'm hoping Anne's mom (two different blogs, there) will teach me to crochet in a few days. But that wasn't the question. I love socks. I like felted bags an awful lot too. Dishcloths are quick and fun. Hats aren't bad. I'm going to cast on for my first sweater/vest shortly, so I'll get back to you on that one.
11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Dunno. Won't be an issue until July. I'm assuming socks, and maybe a dishcloth?
12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
I scrapbook. I make cards/stamp. I used to cross stitch and needlepoint but have no interest in either right now.
13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
Not really.
14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
My favorites are greens, reds, blues, pinks... actually anything except orange or a strong yellow. Those are my least favorite, and I'm not crazy about purple or lilac/lavender either, but I love pastel pinks and blues.
15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Sweet, sweet, sweet!
16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
Not really. For matching me, I do have dogs but I don't smoke, if that matters.
ETA - I live in central Virginia.
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