Believe it or not....

I figured I should sign in and blog one last post for 2008.

Life has been more than hectic, frenetic, and definitely enjoyable but with some challenges. As I write this less than an hour from the new year I am nursing a serious back spasm. It hit today, and between, rest, epsom salt bath, arnica, and cold packs, I am able to be sitting upright for awhile.

I have done lots of knitting, and am proud of that. I went back to working in the stockroom of Coldwater Creek and love that!! My knitting group Yarn for Breakfast is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. What a great crew of fiber folks we have. We really enjoy our time together.

My stepsons are all doing very well, and Rick is really enjoying his work and travel as well. Hoping maybe to make it to Hawaii in the new year... we shall see.

I promise to do more posting as my life returns to some semblence of routing in the coming couple weeks.

I wish All of you a joyous and healthy new year. I look forward to keeping up on all your wonderful blogs, and ravelry posts.

Cheryl

Voting = 12 rows of sock knitting

Yep!! I VOTED!! not only did I help elect a president, but I got 12rows knitted on Rick's socks as I stood in line. It took me approximately 1.25hrs from arrival to departure. Luckily I had a lovely lady in line behind me, and we chatted while I knit - which brings me to the fact that Ricks sock have a funky all knit band around them, because I got distracted. Oh, well, they shall be called... the "Election Socks" from hence forth.

I then went and had my acupuncture treatment, went to Bed, Bath, & Beyond for a spice shelf for the new cabinets, and picked up my free S-bucks plain old cup of decaf. Now I need to do some phone calling about some fund raising stuff I am involved in for the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra. What a great organization they are, and with a phenomenal conductor who really brings the best out of each and every kid in the group.

I should also be finishing the first part of Dad's 2nd slipper tonight or tomorrow night (depends on the kind of night my patient has). Then I can start Mom's - just to give me a change of color from brown.

Pictures soon, I promise.

Can You Believe It??

I am making some serious progress. Although, I guess I need to maintain some humility or the Knitting Goddess will think I am being boastful and smite down in my tracks. Then where will I be.

I have manged to finish the first of Dad's slippers, and plan to do the second one this weekend. We shall see, best laid plans of mice and men... it is after all a 'Matt' weekend, which means we are usually quite busy with running about and lording over homework issues. I shall do my best.

I must admit that once you have made one pair of these the next ones seem sooooooo much easier. The pattern just flows like melted Nutella on a crepe (mmmmmmmmm)

Anyway, I have also made some progress in the kitchen re-do: I am very pleased with the colors (just ignore the messy parts of the picture)

Yes, I still have quite a bit to do, but don't they just look so pretty. Now there is the rest of the kitchen worth of cabinetry and all the doors except 2. Oh Boy!!!!!

Wow, have I ever been remiss...

Yep, that would be me... so to make up for my remiss-ness I shall post some lovely pics of things that are going on in my world.

So, first we have said Treadmill socks. I definitely like them, and they fit fairly well, even though with the exact same weight of yarn, one sock is decidedly larger than the other. Apparently I knit more loosely while walking. Go figure...
Next we have - Taaaaaa Daaaaahhhhh - Yep, you got it!! The Dashing Diamond Pullover!!!! It only took me 7 months to finish this off. I must admit that I am fairly pleased with the outcome. I have worn it multiple times, and gotten numerous compliments on it. It is a very comfortable and flattering sweater. In fact it looks much better on than when it comes off. Once I take it off it looks like it is wider than 2 of me put together. Unfortunately the sleeves seem to want to keep growing, so I am contemplating a small hidden bit of elastic either across the back of the neck and shoulders or under the arms to help keep them where they are suppose to be.
Last but not least is my Baby Surprise Jacket done as KAL with the Yarn for Breakfast group. Go figure, a KAL that I completed in a timely manner.... the mind boggles. I really like this one, and LOVE the fiber. It is Plymouth DreamBaby. It is a micro fiber and nylon blend. Very soft and squishy and drapey. Now all I need is some buttons and this will be off in the mail to it's almost 1yr old recipient. :)
That is all for now, I am in the process of getting pics of the blanket for my niece (who will be 9mos by the end of the year) and some socks I am working on, and also maybe even an update of the Shawl I am working on.
Then it shall be holiday knitting and there will be no pics of that... wait, most of that is for my family who don't have a clue about blogging (my Mom & Dad). I am going to make felted slippers for them as they live up in the colder area of the country.

Hope everyone is well and knitting up a storm in order to keep those thermostats down at a reasonable temp. Oh, speaking of thermostats - My DH and I are in Furnace Wars this year - we are competing against each other.... chances are pretty sure that I will win this one. Does any one know, do little tiny space heaters count as losing???

Stay warm and knit happy

Fiber CSA in the running

Hi All,
I need some help with a friend’s farm and fiber CSA. I know how well Ravelers can band together and vote for something. So, I’m asking you to help vote on a company’s web site for Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm to win a $5000 technology upgrade. MVFF is the first community supported agriculture model that deals with fiber in the country. Part of it’s success is due to all of you on Ravelry! Thank you! Well now they’re up for this grant and they need 400+ votes before midnight tomorrow so I’m asking you to help me and take a minute and vote. You don’t have to register or anything - just click! The Farm’s ravelry group is MVFF Groupies and to vote just go HERE. Thank you so very much!

Thanks in advance for all your time and typing!

This is such a great opportunity for The First Fiber CSA in America. Susan is great, and you can check out the blog anytime even if you are not a shareholder. She really is doing a great job!! Being able to have web cams in the birthing barn and such will be totally awesome.

Just a Quickie

OK, so here's the deal...
Yes, I am still among the living (at times over the past 2wks just barely)
No, I did not finish the sweater in time for Colorado Springs, but it was waaaaaay too warm to wear it (heck I didn't even feel like working on it, it was that warm).
Yes, I have made more progress on the Bamboo Monkeys
No, I have not worked on the baby blanket at all
Only minimal success on the Treadmill socks (which tell you .... minimal success on the treadmill)

My current plan....
Get back on track with getting my house cleaned up (been languishing way too long)
Get back on track with the treadmill (hence also the treadmill socks)
Get back on track with painting in the kitchen. I am so thrilled with the one wall that I have been just oooogling that one wall and ignoring the rest.

I figure I should quit with 3 "Get back on track"s That is a good starting point. Now all I have to do is get of the dag gumm computer and get crackin'!!! :)

Here I goooooooooooo

You Asked For Them....

Here are the pictures of my most recent accomplishments thus far:
First we have Dashing Diamond Pullover. I just have to seam the shoulders and add the sleeves (which #1 is currently on the needles). I have to do a bit of adjusting, as my body is large enough for a large, but my arms are too short for a large. I am still hoping to have this done to take to Colorado next week. I am taking on the Harlot's mentality that anything is possible if you are determined enough.

On to: The Treadmill socks. Technically they should already be done... what does that tell us??? Yep, you got it, Cheryl has not been doing her treadmill time.... we will just leave it at that.
These two projects were cast ons that jumped the line. The Bamboo Monkeys are just because I felt like a color change and a pair of Monkeys just for me. The baby blanket... well that due a few months ago. Her sister's blanket also arrived several months behind schedule too.

I have also started working on my Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend (DAAGBF) lace shawl from Goddess Knits. I was truly surprised at how much easier it seemed to work on. Then again I have finished another lace shawl of Renee's and multiple other projects since putting that project into hibernation. Hopefully there will be some nicely updated progress after my trip next week.

Catch you all soon

All Things are Relative

So, here you have the woman who can walk 3.1mph on the treadmill and knit socks simultaneously, but early this summer, could not walk across a parking lot without stumbling and falling and ending up totally brush burned to the point of being unable to work or knit for almost a week. Then today I manage to re-prove the fact that just plain walking is beyond me... yep - I went walking across the yard (ok loping) trying to avoid the sprinkler and stepped in a hole in the yard and twisted my ankle!! I really think someone is just going to have to take me out back and shoot me soon. :(

Must admit though on the knitting front I am making great progress on my Dashing Diamond Pullover. I may very well be able to wear it before Thanksgiving this year.

I have spent quite a bit of time ooohhhing and aaaahhhing over lace shawl patterns that can be accomplished with 1 skein of Wollmeise sock weight yarn. I have 3 skeins and at least one of them I would like to be someting other than socks. We shall see.

Well I am off to spend some more time with my Beloved on this our 8th Anniversary. Can hardly believe it has been - 8yrs already or only I am not sure which. It is just really great to have him home with me (to take care of me when I am klutzy).

Hope you are all enjoying this final weekend of "summer"

OK, maybe I should be afraid...

I have mentioned previously that I knit dishcloths while walking on the treadmill at 3.2mph. Well, today I tried something new, I was knitting on my Peaks n Valleys socks while walking 3.1mph. Granted I was knitting on the gusset and it is just a plain old knitted foot (on 2.5mm needles), but I felt pretty good about not dropping any needles and still keeping my stride.

So far I have been maintaining most every day on the treadmill. I am now up to 45min and 35min of that is spent at my 'fat burning heart rate'. Although, I must admit, I find that when I am consistent with walking, the scale tends to go up instead of down. I am not sure I understand that, but I am hoping it will soon start going the other way.

I guess that means I need to CO Rick's other Blueberry Waffle Sock, and I also need to start working on my Diamond Sweater. I can honestly say that making the clogs during the Olympics really helped boost my determination to finish these other projects. It also told me that I am quite capable of casting on and completing a project in a reasonable amount of time. Then again I did have some car time.

Future projects for travel to include finishing my Lace Shawl, and making clogs for each of my parents, and possibly even re-working the cable cardigan for Rick. I am just not happy with it, and I am feeling more brave about starting over and making some of my own adjustments.

Life as a travel widow (he is currently in Korea then onto Hawaii) is settling into a routine of knitting, ceiling preparation for painting, and working extra shifts to hopefully get a bit ahead in the $ department. While I Love Him dearly, I must admit that I do enjoy being here in the house on my own (well sort of on my own, I do have the girls to keep me company). Since I am the only one in the house these days they seem to follow my EVERY move.

Hope everyone is well, and....
Ellen - I love the look of the Bohus
Rachael - I am off to watch some Buffy
Jessica - When are you coming over to visit my stash?

btw- not only did the clogs change feet after felting but the ankles got bigger with felting and they also got closer to the camera - not sure how that happened.

Just a quick pic update

Hey all!! I have heard from some of you that the pics are not visible in my last post... they are clear as day here on my computer, but now that Rick is back home (for 63hrs) I have absconded with the camera for a quick edit to my blog pics of the clogs.
Here they are in comparison to the pre knitted size as well:




















OK, so Blogger is being a total goober and won't let me put these just where I want them, and in the order I want them, so here they are and I have no more patience..... ha-frumph!!!

Oh BTW I am still working on my other Peaks n Valleys sock, but last night I had to frog a reasonable amount in that I realized I had only knit 1/2 of the heel flap and then proceeded to turn the heel and do the gussets. The sock just didn't look right and I couldn't figure out why. Suffice it to say, that I really should not be doing anything that requires counting while at Yarn for Supper :)

PS Having just posted this blog, blogger decided to post my pics right where I wanted them... go figure!

...and the Gold Medal Goes to,....

KNITSTX!!!!!! yeahhhhh!!!!! Yes folks Knitstx has managed to not only commit to this event, but she has also followed through beautifully.... the knitting, the felting, the shaping.... the medal is hers until the slippers wear out.
She never could have done it without the faith, and prodding from her Gold Medal Companion JANEKNITTER!!!!! Way to go JaneKnitter!!! Although the photo finish needs a bit of updating as there is a better shot of JaneKnitter's Clogs.
So - how does it feel??? It feels great to have made it through and to have a great project completed - now all I need is for the weather to cool down and my feet to get cold and I will be set.
Seriously though, I think I will be making at least 2 more pairs of these for my Mom & Dad. Since I have already been told they are planning to keep their house up in Northeast PA colder this year due to heating oil prices. That and we keep inviting them here to "house sit and watch the girls for us". It is a sneaky way to get them to come south where it isn't quite so cold.

Now I am working on my sock #2 of the Peaks n Valleys Cuff sock. I am going to try to finish that before the end of the Olympics as well. No one will be able to stand me if I complete that one as well. :)

My Olympic Clogs - Round 1

So, here they are.... my Ravlympic Felted Clogs... BEFORE felting.

I have great faith in the felting process and am totally looking forward to felting these up really soon.

Although I did run out of the solid color yarn, mainly because I had to hold 3 strands together to get the proper gauge. So I subbed in a color that was really close, and after all, it will be on the very bottom, and not many folks will get to see that part.

Also here are the completed Clessidras - sans the changes to one of them from the heel flap down. I hope to do that soon, but not yet. If any of you are wondering, yes, that is me doing my best imitation of 5th Position in basic ballet. These 'old' joints no longer seem to want to do the turn out like they used to. I also think the fullness of my calf distorts the back panel and so you can't see the mock "laced look" in the photos. In real life it is much easier to see.

So Ellen when will you start yours??? :)

The Olympics have begun

Yep, I did cast on my Ravlympic project. They will be felted house clogs. Using Paton's purple and a multicolor that I cannot think of the name of at the moment. I am currently on holiday at my parents house in PA and will keep trying to work on my project as I can.

It is lovely here in PA, nice and cool, with continuous breezes.... I really miss this kind of weather, and being able to eat out on the back deck, and not just sweat simply because I am outside. One of these days I will be back in this type of weather... Germany perhaps.

As soon as I can get photos loaded onto the computer I will post progress of my project.

OH and BTW... Clessidra #2 is completed. Although I made some changes and will be frogging the toe to the bottom of the heel flap of #1, but not right now.

Yes, Mari, when it is all done we will have to have another Meet Up at my house. Then again when I complete the dinning room. :)

Taaaaa Daaaaaa

So, here it is so far.... my kitchen.

I am thrilled. Now if I could just get back into prepping the cabinets. I am thinking maybe tomorrow or over the weekend, there will be more going on in that department. I have my paint blocks, and just need a sunny day to actually see what the real colors look like in the room.

Need to post some Clessidra pics, but haven't gotten as much done as I thought I would. I am almost at the heel. Since you all have seen the pics of Clessidra #1, there isn't much point in showing you #2. As soon as they are a pair then there will be a pic.... I PROMISE!!!!!

Loving the fact that my home is filled with music everyday these days ... love having Matt here with us. He is a good influence on me. I am getting more and more accomplished every day. :)

We will be able to 'see' in our Kitchen

Hi All!! Yes, I did go knitting and YES it was wonderful to get out and see everyone, and laugh, and and have a lovely salad for dinner, and the itching didn't start until the end of the event. As of today I have been told I am "officially severely allergic to poison ivy". Went back to the Doc, and since the rash, and itching and red hotness are returning, he decided that I am going to have to wait this one out, because the oral steroids are not working for me. They worked for 2-3days and then the minute the dose was decreased, poof - there went the effects (except for the extra 5-6lbs they have left me with) :( So, the next time (which could be NEVER - as far as I am concerned!!) I get poison ivy, I have to tell them to give me a cortisone shot. Oh Boy.

But on to better things. The electrician was here today and on Sunday he is going to come and re-wire and install all new lighting for our kitchen, and because DH is willing to work with him and do some of the work as well he is charging us a reduced hourly rate. YIPEE SKIPEE!!! I envisioned a week of electrical work and a bill to match - hence double what I am trying to keep this renovation to. Alas Karma is coming in our favor. The island is all in place and we are already liking it. Once I am totally back on my feet (or using my hands and arms- as the case may be) the cabinets will be finished being prepped, and the painting will begin.

As for knitting, have not made as much progress as I would like. The stopping to itch, and just "not feeling like it" has slowed that down quite a bit as well. Tonight I go back to work, so maybe there will be some progress then.

Until then...Knit Well, Be Happy, and STAY OUT OF THE POISON IVY!!!!

I am going out Knitting Tonight!!!

I know you all think I am a bit nutters at the moment, but can I tell you I am thrilled to be going out to join the world again. I am being brave enough to take my funky looking self out in public, and KNIT!! I am not sure how long I will last, but I am doing it. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE my family to death, but am ready for some new faces. DH has be very patient and very tolerant over the past weeks. My sweet Matt acts as if my nasty arm and such doesn't even phase him - Bless his soul.

With that said, tomorrow there should be some updated knitting photos. I even got back on the treadmill - mostly to help process out all these nasty antibiotics and steroids that I am hurling at my system - and after finishing a lovely book called Twenty Wishes by Debbie MacComber I actually started knitting on a dishcloth for my second bout on the treadmill this afternoon.

Catch you all later....after knitting :)

Cheryl Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events...

Yep, we went from being a 42yr old klutz falling off my feet to covered in poison ivy all up the arm that was already not quite healed from the last event. Of course the poison ivy spread to the other arm and neck (but only a little bit). The next event was the poison ivy caused a cellulitis of my arm...
As far as I am concerned I am done now with my "Unfortunate Events"!!! Enough is enough. I have a kitchen that I am in charge of remodeling. Oh, btw - I am right handed, and where were my klutz wounds?? Right arm and hand.... and where has the poison ivy taken up residence??? My right arm - wrist to 1/2 way up my upper arm. Do you see where I am going with this? My time on the kitchen has been pretty nil.

Bless Rick's heart soul and knees!!!! With only a little somewhat able bodied assistance from me, the kitchen floor is now complete. He did an absolutley FANTASTIC JOB!!!!! In all fairness my wonderful young son, Matt, (who staying with us for a fairly good portion of the next 5-6wks) also helped his Dad with some of this event. In fact you will see both he and his trumpet in some of the following pictures.

First we have the floor as we have known it for 8yrs:

Then we have what all the floors have been for the past 40yrs:

Finally we have the finished product - of the floors that is.

The paint and cabinetry work will come soon. But alas we have to wait on some of it due to needing an electrician to come and evaluate and then rearrange some of our electrical stuff - you know, more than 4 outlets, and better lighting placement and so on.

Last but not least, here is the rest of said Wonderful Young Son...and his trumpet. He was supposed to be practicing.
May be once the swelling goes down a bit more on my arm there will be more knitting to be done. I can only do about 3 rounds on Clessidra before I have to stop.

On to the wall paper fun...

Hey Everyone, just thought I would brighten your day with some interestingly historical pics of what my kitchen once was.... or at least how it has been wallpapered over the years. Have I mentioned that I believe whoever invented wall paper should be shot?? Oh to have to remove that stuff...
So here we have the lovely 'chicken and duck country thing going on the border that was above the chair rail and around the entire soffit above the cabinets. The little pink heart stuff was below the chair rail and covering the soffit under the border.

The off white small flower motiff Contact Paper! was under the pink heart paper on the soffit, and under the chair rail section behind the fridge.

Need I say? THERE WILL BE NO MORE WALL PAPER IN THIS HOUSE... at least while I am still Queen.

It is all gone now, (until I move into the dinning room)

...and finally we have the historical paper that is behind the soffit above the cabinets:

I did say historical (or was that hysterical), anyway it was a timely find, Liberty Bells, Colonial Drums, Oil Lamps, and Tea Kettles. It all looks very 'Birth of our Nation-y'

As for the knitting front. Not getting as much done as I would like, but still making nice progress on Clessidra #2. Will try to make some major progress today and tonight, as I am a bit stalled in the kitchen.

DH is doing his part and getting the floor in place. I try to stay out of his way unless he needs my "able bodied" assistance. Speaking of 'able body', mine is healing fairly well from my spectacular concrete event. The palms are still painful, but most of the arm is fairly well on its way to be just lots of new pink skin. I am truly amazed that I did not actually end up breaking or seriously injuring my wrists. The only thing I can figure is that because I was holding things in my hands, and was going forward as well as downward - the force caused me to continue skidding forward and therefore I did not jam my hands directly down onto the ground but more of an angle. Rick said, but you said you wanted some time off... my response was that I still wanted to be able to knit comfortably, and if I had ended up in wrist casts, I don't think that would have been possible.

Have a GREAT holiday weekend everyone.

OH and btw, I am now the proud owner (or partial owner of a share of yarn from Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm). Rachael has said she would like to share in it with me, and if anyone else is interested I will gladly accept any offers of partial ownership.

Can I just say.... OUCH!!!!!

Well, here I am, 42 yrs old, and just haven't had enough excitement in my life lately (NOT!!).
So, yesterday, while I was waiting for Rick at work, (I spent the day there at the base doing some stuff that needed to be done - as well as enjoying a lovely summer day parked in the shade under a tree knitting to my little heart's content), I decided to go check out the base Library. On my way back from said place, I was almost at the car, when all of a sudden I performed a fairly perfect swan dive onto the concrete. Wallet went skittering, so did the car key, and the cell phone. I did one of those, twist your ankle, try to catch yourself on the other foot, except it landed in a bit of a hole, and then kept the momentum going very forward onto the asphalt. The result..... this:

Yeah, road rash, like I haven't seen the likes of in many a year. Except I don't remember my whole body hurting like this when I was a kid. Granted, I have a bit more mass pushing that forward/downward momentum now than I did then, but still....
I originally thought, "Wow, I got off pretty easy, 2 spots on the outside of my palms and the back/underside of my right forearm - no skinned knees, to skinned chin or nose - this should be fairly OK. I can tell you now, this morning, 16hrs later, I didn't get off so easy. I am right handed, very right handed, hence typing is working just fine, as long as I don't have to rest my hand on the mouse, or rest my arm anywhere except in midair. Although I can rest my arm straight up on my elbow, as the brush burn did not "turn the heel" of my elbow.
Oh, and by the way, the Library was not worth all of this, why, they didn't even have any knitting books!!!!!

Now, I must go onto say a huge debt of THANKS to my Knitting Crew at Yarn for Supper, which was last night. I got so much sympathy, and all the best kind, Good Friends, Moms of both young and grown children, it was very much appreciated. The marble pound cake helped too :)
I am so glad I got to go, because it kept my mind off it, more or less, kind of sort of, and I got some knitting done before things really started to stiffen up.

NOW ONTO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS: The kitchen remodel. Here are some pics of what it looks like now in preparation for the laying of the floor.

This process is to start this weekend, with the installation of another layer of subflooring to help insulate and improve the stability of the current floor. It will be nice not to hear everything shake, jingle, and otherwise rattle as one walks across the floor.

The middle picture shows the linoleum tiles that will then be installed through the whole kitchen & pantries.
This is the 'historic' part of the post. Can you say "Retro"? These are the 3 layers of flooring that were previously in my kitchen:
We went from the most recent Pink & Light Blue late 80's early 90's country decor...

...down to the late 70's/early 80's Burnt Orange & Harvest Gold (which I might add had a coordinating deep ripe banana gold/yellow paint on the walls).
Then finally the orginal flooring (circa 1970) thick linoleum tile with a coordinating petite floral wall paper that was actually contact paper.

In my next post I will show the many "seasons" of wall paper that I have come across. For now, my numerous aches and sorenesses are starting to harass me again, so it time to try to find a comfortable way to maybe do some knitting.

Semi-Self-Imposed Sabbatical

So here is the deal, my private duty case that I was working on Tues & Wed has dried up for the summer (main caretaker is a teacher), that leaves me with my Thurs Night Shift case. I actually have had several job offers, but have decided that I need at least a 2week sabbatical. Yes, it definitely puts a bite in the family finances, BUT I am using said time to do some extrememly time sucking things here at the house.

While I am not working so much that I am getting paid, I am working like a fiend to save money. I am doing the prep work, and the demo work for some much needed, mostly cosmetic updates to the house. The current project is removing the butt-ugly early 1980's country style, pink and blue, chickens and duck wallpaper and border in the kitchen (of which, I forgot to take a picture of before removing and trashing). The bummer is there is also some sort of really old contact paper underneath it.

When that is completed I will move onto the dinning room and remove the pink and blue little flower motif walpaper and prepare to paint that room as well.
I must tell you, while I seem to have come up with a system that really works, boy is it rough on the joints. Especially when you are working over head for long periods of time.


On a better note, the weather here is gorgeous. Our temps have dropped into the 80's with lower humidity, and a breeze. Last night Rick and I actually sat out on the newly arranged front porch with Adult Beverages, and enjoyed a lovely happy hour while dinner marinaded. I could actually tolerate VA if the weather was like this more. Infact I turned off the AC and should have done that on Monday if I had been thinking more clearly, except for that really wicked storm that hit fast and hard. Everything would have been soaked fast by the time we woke up in the middle of the night.

Just because I can, here is an updated picture of the girls. They are not the best at remaining in place for photos. Actually, Naya does just fine, it is Misty that keeps doing the commando crawl to get closer to the camera.
Hope everyone is well, and soon I should have some more knitting updates. I have to knit to give my arms a break from working overhead, so I am getting some stuff done (as long as I turn the computer off now as soon as I am done here - otherwise I don't knit, I just come here and surf for a while)

Here She Is...

The one, and currently the only.....

CLESSIDRA
As usual, please ignore all the dots and spots on the carpet - that darn carpet fairy has still not visited my house.... hafrumpf!!
I must admit there are a few things I will change, if I decide to make another pair, but I guess I will post those musings on Ravelry.
On to #2, but I think I shall take a very short break and work on my sweater for a bit again. That way, I can maybe have it completed in time to wear it this fall/winter.

It's Getting Closer

I am almost finished with Clessidra #1...woooo hooooo. I should be able to finish it after I wake up later today. I have only the toe decreases to do, and I TOTALLY LOVE IT. I am actually eager to make the '2nd Sock'.

If I lived somewhere cold during part of the year, I would seriously consider multiple pairs of these in beautiful fall and wintery colors. Now all I need is another pair of black Svens to wear them with. I wore out my old ones.

Will post a pic later today, I promise! :)

I have seen this one too often to not accept it

Ellen just tagged me on this one, so here are my answers to the current meme:

The Rules - Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.
Since I don't do this very often, here goes:

1. What I was doing 10 years ago:
I was living in Phoenix and loving it. I worked Night Shift as a Critical Care RN and had a fairly solid Massage Therapy Clientele. I used to come to their homes and could easily put 50-100miles on in one day just driving around the city. I was also getting ready send my very best friend off to Virginia Beach so he could regain an oh, so, important relationship with his 3 incredible boys. Any guesses as to who that best friend might be????

2. What 5 things are on on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):
Feed the girls (who are being very patient); work on getting the house ready for the Winding/Spinning Gathering occuring here on Sat morn.; work on my Clessidra; rest - as I have aquired some sort of sinus-y throat monster thing (AGAIN!); eat some sort of healthy breakfast/brunch

3. Snacks I enjoy:
Suzi's Multiseed Flatbreads; Mr Krispys Rice Crisps; Trail Mix; Ritter Sport Dunkel-Voll Nuss; Fresh Baked Bread (mmmm time to fire up the bread machine)

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire:
Design and build our 'dream home' in AZ, have a permanent home in Germany as well; start up a 'No Kill' Shelter for dogs; and Open and maintain PACAAZ Fiber Farm & Studio

5. Places I have lived:
OH Boy this could take awhile. Conyngham, PA; Stroudsburg PA; Danville PA; White Plains, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Tannersville, PA; Bristol, CT; Morristown, NJ; Newport News, VA; Phoenix, AZ; Goodyear, AZ; Virginia Beach, VA.

So, let's see, who shall I tag??
1. Janey
2. Jen
3. Romelda
4. Viv
5. Queue

That should pretty well do it. I am off to let these folks know they have been tagged and then onto my list of things to do.

Clessidra Progress

I told you I was planning to make progress and I did!!! I am very pleased with the way they are coming out, except for the assorted errors and dropped stitches... but since I am not a perfectionist, this is OK with me.

So without further adieu.... My Clessidras thus far:



You might need to click on the images to see the detail of the stitches. But please don't pay attention to the carpet. I am really hoping the carpet fairy will pay a visit to the Griset household one of these days. :)

One more repeat of the 12 row pattern and I will start the heel, and next thing you know I will be on the foot, and voila, I will be done with Clessidra #1.

#2 Will not get started until the opening of the Olympics. That will be my Olympic trials project. Considering how long it has taken me to complete this one... I think 17 days would be pretty impressive for casting on and finishing #2.

Catch you all later.

Just for Ellen....

I will put down my sweater for this weekend... should not be a problem as all of a sudden it has turned to summer in the Tidewater area, which = heat + humidity. Being the green girl that I try to be, I am determined to try to go as long as possible without turning on the AC. With that said, the 100% wool carried with Kid Mohair sweater that is now large enought to have to lay on my lap whilst working it, is not the best option for knitting this weekend.

So, alas I shall commit to spending the weekend working on my Clessidras. That way I should have some serious progress to show Ellen (of Twin Set) by sometime late Monday. Especially since I have a 4-5hr car repair block of time that I will be stranded (cute pun, but no I am not doing stranded knitting) at, and "Oh My Goodness, guess I will have to knit"... at. Actually this will be good practice for the upcoming Olympic Time Trials coming in August. Since I have decided that I will attempt to knit and entire Clessidra sock in 17 days.

My knitting time is generally not consistently intent, so knitting an involved knee sock in 17 days actually will be quite a challenge for me. Especially since by that time I will have started a new job that probably will not allow for as much knitting as my current night shift job does.

Anyway, I am off to spend some time with family and my Clessidra.
Have a GREAT WEEKEND everyone!!

Here are some Finishes and updates

First we have Rick's Blueberry Waffle Sock (Jawoll Navy Blue). A long BWS I might add. I am soon ready to start .... "The SECOND Sock". I finally figured out a system that works for me. Since I tend to get bored with the sock after finishing the 1st one, I now knit one sock of the pair and then do another pattern, and then a third one. By the time I am done with the 3rd of the 1st socks, I am ready to start the 2nd sock of the 1st pair. Are you all totally confused yet??

So now the next one is my Peaks N Valley's Cuff Sock for me. Again this is the 1st sock of the pair. These are made of Fortissima Cotton, and I love the feel of them and the fit so far.
Next there are the ever growing Clessidras, the first view is of the Back and the second view is of the front. Once I can actually model it, then you can see the decrease bit on the side. Last but not least is the Dashing Diamond Pullover. I am totally hoping this is going to fit. If not, well I will be looking for some lucky recipient. It was getting easier, until today, since I am now at the main 'diamond-y' area, so we shall see.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend, and hopefully I will have more to up date soon. So far we have grilled salmon last night, and the plan is do steak either tonight or tomorrow, not sure yet.

Happy Knitting!!