Thursday was the last day for students a teachers in NYC. As much as I love the kids and my work I am SO glad to be out for the summer. I have not blogged in the longest time because --- well no real reason--- I just didn't! I read blogs every day and I always mean to blog then I get tired and something else calls me away.
I've been doing lots of quilting and some knitting but really more paperwork from school and yard work and cleaning etc. I spent part of the weekend at the beach with my family and celebrated getting out of another school year of Friday by getting a manicure and a green tea pedicure! What a luxury!
I taught myself how to do a new heel from Wendy Knits and have been playing around with making hexagons from Jelly roll strips. As a math teacher this really interests me. I think I've learned more about angles from quilting and molding then any class!
Well I'm off to do some dinner stuff then I am going to knit and hopefully finish one sleeve of Mr Green Jeans in red start the last sleeve!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
May 25th
WOW, two weeks since I blogged! When I first started this blog I thought I would blog every day or at least every few days. Then I thought well every week, NOW unless I'm in a swap which requires it I could go a month or more. Why is this? I read other people's blogs just about every day. They aren't doing stuff for the most part that is so wildly different from me. They work, commute, garden, knit, deal with family stuff but these people I've decided are writers. They can take the same every day things we all go through and make it seem interesting. OR they are photographers who can take delightful pictures of the world around them that just sucks your eyes right in. So me I'm a teacher, reader, knitter, quilter. I can explain well, and break learning task down to make them easier to master, and I read so my mind is full of ideas, and my knitting and quilting is (IMHO) very good but without pictures how do you communicate it? SO for me all the things I good at don't make for a particularly interesting blog!
Having said all that I've been busy for the past two weeks, work is busy and very interesting. I'm taking a class to learn the Mel Levine , All Kinds of Minds Program. Even though I am nearing retirement I still love to learn new ways to do my job better.
Work on sheet rocking Caroline's upstairs sitting room continues -- so dust still continues! I've rearranged part of my kitchen and really like the change AND I weeded and mulched my flowerbeds. Some years I don't get to do this until school is out and then they never really look like they should.
I've still plodding along on Mr Green Jeans in red -- just about finished with the body so all I have left is the sleeves and button bands. I'm hand sewing the bindings on three baby quilts. One is for the grandchild of my friend who passes away in January. She had asked me to make a quilt for her a few years ago and I got it mostly finished then my husband got sick and with hospice and whatever I put it aside. I don't know who it was originally meant for but it does seem like a blessing that it can go to this grandchild. The other two are for a friend I work with. She had twins in NOVEMBER and is still waiting for her quilts. There is really no excuse so I do owe her something else as a "I'm so sorry!".
Well this has gotten so long that even I am loosing interest!
Having said all that I've been busy for the past two weeks, work is busy and very interesting. I'm taking a class to learn the Mel Levine , All Kinds of Minds Program. Even though I am nearing retirement I still love to learn new ways to do my job better.
Work on sheet rocking Caroline's upstairs sitting room continues -- so dust still continues! I've rearranged part of my kitchen and really like the change AND I weeded and mulched my flowerbeds. Some years I don't get to do this until school is out and then they never really look like they should.
I've still plodding along on Mr Green Jeans in red -- just about finished with the body so all I have left is the sleeves and button bands. I'm hand sewing the bindings on three baby quilts. One is for the grandchild of my friend who passes away in January. She had asked me to make a quilt for her a few years ago and I got it mostly finished then my husband got sick and with hospice and whatever I put it aside. I don't know who it was originally meant for but it does seem like a blessing that it can go to this grandchild. The other two are for a friend I work with. She had twins in NOVEMBER and is still waiting for her quilts. There is really no excuse so I do owe her something else as a "I'm so sorry!".
Well this has gotten so long that even I am loosing interest!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all those mothers and children who are celebrating! I just finished my part of Mother's Day at my house. For the last few years, I've been doing a Mother's Day Brunch at my house. I make tons of muffins and scones, homemade waffles with real whip cream and fresh strawberries, tons of bacon and sausages and mimosas. This year the weather cooperated and we ate outside using the new table, chairs and umbrella my kids gave me for Mother's Day. I sent everyone home with bags of muffins and scones, the dog ate the few leftover bits of bacon and sausage and it's 5:20 and I already have the tablecloths and napkins in the dishwasher! My daughter and I may go out for Japanese food later or we may just stay in! Steven is working in Florida for a few weeks and he called very early to beat his sister in saying Happy Mother's Day!
I gave my sisters and mother and grandmother "a green bag of goodies" They each got a reusable shopping tote filled with handmade soaps, a knitted facecloth, some "ShamWows" gotta watch late night infomercials to know what that is ! I received a beautiful pitcher of polish pottery and some lovely flowers.
My friend's husband is rebuilding a closet for us in my living room. He already fixed my backyard gate, two broken drawers in my kitchen and re nailed a piece of siding that was flapping. His next project is going to be sheet rocking what used to be a storage spot as a hanging out room for Caroline. If he wasn't my friend's husband I'd marry him!!!!!
And now I'm going to go upstairs and put my feet up and knit on my Mr. Green Jeans sweater.
I gave my sisters and mother and grandmother "a green bag of goodies" They each got a reusable shopping tote filled with handmade soaps, a knitted facecloth, some "ShamWows" gotta watch late night infomercials to know what that is ! I received a beautiful pitcher of polish pottery and some lovely flowers.
My friend's husband is rebuilding a closet for us in my living room. He already fixed my backyard gate, two broken drawers in my kitchen and re nailed a piece of siding that was flapping. His next project is going to be sheet rocking what used to be a storage spot as a hanging out room for Caroline. If he wasn't my friend's husband I'd marry him!!!!!
And now I'm going to go upstairs and put my feet up and knit on my Mr. Green Jeans sweater.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
What a week!
This week was one of those weeks where anything that can go wrong went wrong. I had Monday off as a comp day but I spent the day doing errands, chores and getting set up for a medical test that I had to complete on Tuesday.
Tuesday, I left my house a few minutes late because I just could not get out of bed, then got gas, went to the bank, picked up coffee all because I was leaving early to finish up this test and so NO carpool. So I was about TEN minutes later then normal and I was one of the first cars to get stuck on a bridge behind an accident which closed the bridge for THREE AND ONE HALF HOURS!!!!!! Because of where I was I could not exit. SO I knit and knit (thank God for my pocketbook sock) and then squirmed and squirmed because of a nice venti coffee!!!! So I got to work HOURS late did some work to set up a yet another standardized test and turned around to come BACK to NJ to take my medical test.
Wednesday was a normal day but wild because of a meeting we were having on Thursday morning at 7:15. The day ended nicely with dinner with my daughter. Who knew sushi could be so relaxing!
Thursday, as soon as my carpool partner got in the car she started feeling dizzy and lightheaded. We went into work and after my meeting she was doing much worse and Wound up taking her back to NJ and spending the entire Day shuttling her around before finally taking her home AND in my rush to leave I FORGOT MY KNITTING at work!!! Fortunately, her MD had a delay in seeing her and we went to my house where she rested and I grabbed an emergency dishcloth to work on!
The rest of the week was alternately boring, or frustrating (new company doing a cable installation----NO COMMUNICATION---between the people who set things up and the installers!!! BUT enough on my whining I did get a quilt finished for a friend at work even though I missed the shower because of ALL the time the installer took!
NEXT week has to be better! although with all the work I have piled up I'm not sure how that can happen!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Spring Fling Yarn & Coffee Swap
Let’s pretend for a minute we all live in the home of our dreams, have land, and don’t have to work so time is unlimited! It’s Spring planting season! What would you grow? A little veggie garden? A bed of bright spring blooms? Or is your thumb so far from green that the only thing you’d be planting is your tushy into a nice chair on the porch to get some knitting or crocheting done in the nice breeze?
Well, I would like to think that I would plant huge beds of flowers. One of my goals when we moved into the house was to always have flowers available for cutting BUT in reality I am a very lazy gardener. I slap in beds of annuals and enjoy the perenials that struggle back each year. I really prefer to plan my bottom at the beach or Starbucks and knit and talk!!
Well, I would like to think that I would plant huge beds of flowers. One of my goals when we moved into the house was to always have flowers available for cutting BUT in reality I am a very lazy gardener. I slap in beds of annuals and enjoy the perenials that struggle back each year. I really prefer to plan my bottom at the beach or Starbucks and knit and talk!!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Lots of Quilting done
I've had a relaxing week off from work, a day at the spa, a day yarn and fabric shopping but in between I've been sewing away. I've completed another shower giftfor a friend future daughter-in-law, a tote bag for my swap partner, finally found the quilt tops for another teacher's twins AND finished the quilt top for another teachers new baby. Now I have miles of binding to sew on SO I am going to sit on the couch and watch the DVR stuff I have saved and just sew.
I also put pictures of my finished sweaters up on Ravelery. I'm franhaz there!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Yarn Crawl
Yesterday, five of us from our Tuesday night knitting group got together and went on a yarn/fabric crawl to New Hope, Lamberville and Doylestown. We got together at 8:30 coffee in hand and set off. Linda set up the trip so I don't remember the names of any of the stores but really one was nicer then the other and each store was staffed by friendly people. We had a nice lunch, walked around New Hope and Lamberville and wished we had left more time to wander Doylestown. So now I have about another few years of projects ready to go on top of all the other stuff I already have at home! We are planning another one for the early summer to Princeton. We did make an error in trusting online quilt and yarn shop finders. About half of the places we wanted to go to were closed down!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thanks to my Spring Fling SwapPartner
Today I got a surprise in the mail, stitch markers. Beautiful red stitch markers. I just love them! Thanks !
I'm in three swaps right now and I think I am confusing my partners for each swap just as I've been confusing the hostess for the swaps. This is not the first time I've been in a few swaps at the same time but it is the first time I keep messing up!!!!
SO THANKS FOR THE STITCH MARKERS!
I'm in three swaps right now and I think I am confusing my partners for each swap just as I've been confusing the hostess for the swaps. This is not the first time I've been in a few swaps at the same time but it is the first time I keep messing up!!!!
SO THANKS FOR THE STITCH MARKERS!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
A Great Red Box Weekend!!!!
This week end I received two great swap boxes. One of the boxes was a Red Yarn Swap from Swap-bot.com. I received delightful red lace weight yarn AND matching red stitch markers. This is such a pefect red for me. Thank you so much!
I also received a box from Favorite Color Swap 3 (well just guess my color). This box was just jam packed with red goodness. Beautiful red yarn to make Mr Greenjeans,(a really sharpe cable sweater) and a back up pattern, two red journals and a matching organizer, a very cute red tiny tote bag just perfect for a pair of socks, a book of one skein patterns, a selection of WW treats, red! stitch markers, a cute little tin box and a handmade magnet flower, tiny sock blockers, and red patchouli soap just as I am running out of my own!----just enough to make my day. THANK you so much.
Now I'm fighting with myself not to start the melon stitch scarf/shawl in Victorian Lace (not sure of the title and too lazy to go upstairs and check!) or Mr Greenjeans in red. I have too much on the needles already so I'll try to knit the pinwheel steadily then relapse!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sleeping and Knitting
I'm taking a few days off from work because I finally went to see the doctor about my "allergies" and found out that I have a sinus infection and bronchitis! I've been feeling crummy for a while but just didn't want to deal with it. I'm also having some testing done on my thyroid which my expalin some of my tiredness. Or at least I hope it does. BUT anyway after all the dr stuff this morning all I've been doing today is sleeping and knitting dish cloths. They are small enough to handle and who cares if I drift off to sleep in the middle of one. The pinwheel sweater is just too big and bulky to work on in bed. I'm in a dishcloth swap and if I get enough done I'm going to give then to my mother, grandmother and sisters as part of my Mother's Day gifts to them.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Coffee Memories
I don't remember when I actually started drinking coffee. One of my earliest memories is of walking with my grandfather to an Italian Bakery/Coffee shop. He always had black coffee with lots of sugar and anisette in it. He would dip the tip of a spoon and give me a taste. As much as I liked it I was more interested in the Italian ices, the old fashioned creamy kinds with fruits and nuts in them and soft not hard. I also love the cookies I had there.
My mother is a tea drinker so only my father drank coffee when I was young in our house. In the morning he drank American coffee but after around 11:00 AM or so there was only Italian demitasse coffee in the small cups with a sliver of lemon and lots of sugar or liquor added! We also had two types of coffee pots-- the perc type for the morning and the Italian flip one for later.
My mother is a tea drinker so only my father drank coffee when I was young in our house. In the morning he drank American coffee but after around 11:00 AM or so there was only Italian demitasse coffee in the small cups with a sliver of lemon and lots of sugar or liquor added! We also had two types of coffee pots-- the perc type for the morning and the Italian flip one for later.
More Hospital Knitting
I have trained myself in the last few years that when I need to run to the emergency room or a doctor's visit I NEVER go without my knitting. This weekend we had a small scare with my grandmother. She looked like she was having a stoke but it turned out to be probably Bell's Palsy. She is pretty miserable and can't use most of one side of her face but is certainly is better off then if she had a stroke! This required two visits to the hospital with her this weekend and I did get lots of knitting in. I finished two dishcloths for a swap I'm in and finished one sleeve of my pinwheel sweater with about 3 or 4 inches to go on the other sleeve then back to the hundreds of stitches long body!
This Sunday we were stuck in between two women who were very particular about the types of pain medications they wished to receive. It was interesting---- both were on their cell phones having loud conversations using words my 96 years old grandmother rarely hears and were only writhing in pain when either a nurse or someone else was around! At one point my grandmother thought it was me talking that way! Knitting helps keep you sane in situations like that!!!
This Sunday we were stuck in between two women who were very particular about the types of pain medications they wished to receive. It was interesting---- both were on their cell phones having loud conversations using words my 96 years old grandmother rarely hears and were only writhing in pain when either a nurse or someone else was around! At one point my grandmother thought it was me talking that way! Knitting helps keep you sane in situations like that!!!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Current Knitting
For the Spring Fling Yarn and Coffee Swap the question is asking if we switch from winter to spring knitting. I don't think that I do really make a switch because I rarely knit something really geared for spring or summer. When I'm knitting at the beach I will not take a huge afgan but I don't knit those anyway!When I want something warm to snuggle under I make a quilt. For a few years I was on a sock jag and socks are perfectly portable and seasonless. Now I'm back to knitting sweaters. Maybe I need to think of some lighter tops!
Signs of Spring
I'm in New Jersey and Spring is certainly popping up here. I have a few clumps of daffodils up in the garden and a whatever other spring bulb got planted out there and continue to struggle up every year in spite of being neglected. My peony plants have lots of shoots, there are green leaves pushing their way up and the flowering tree buds are just ready to open. Now everything has been just like this is years past and a freaky round of snow or freezing weather nipped it all BUT I'm hoping we have had a end to all that for this year!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
April 5th
Another busy week and weekend finished. Friday I took some comp time and left work at 12:30 and met up with some knitting friends for lunch and a few hours of knitting. It felt like such a luxury!!!!! Went home took a nap and knit on the pinwheel sweater.
Sat. flew by with getting my nails done, borrowing a beautiful shawl to wear to a wedding and going to the wedding of a teacher I work with. Beautufyl bride, and a great wedding.
Today, slept until 9 then started the grocery, errand, cleaning cycle and I've done as much as I'm going to do today SO I think I'll go upstairs, put my feet up and nap and knit. Such an exciting life!
Sat. flew by with getting my nails done, borrowing a beautiful shawl to wear to a wedding and going to the wedding of a teacher I work with. Beautufyl bride, and a great wedding.
Today, slept until 9 then started the grocery, errand, cleaning cycle and I've done as much as I'm going to do today SO I think I'll go upstairs, put my feet up and nap and knit. Such an exciting life!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter
Happy Easter on this early cold Easter. The last time Easter was this early was 93 or so years ago. This only person I know who was around then was my grandmother and even she was a child!
This will be a quiet day for me. My son is still in Florida working. Caroline and I were supposed to go upstate to spend the day with my family at my sister's house. I've had a little bit of the colitis I had in the fall so I've been staying close to home these last few days. I really want to get into work this week so I think rest and fluids at home is better then travel and holiday foods!
The silver lining is that I get to work on my pinwheel sweater for another chunk of time. I put the edge on a holding yarn and started working on the 1st sleeve. I tried it on and I think I'm going to like it. I would love to have it done for that sweater period that leads into summer. A few years ago it was my goal to have a pair of hand knit socks for every day I wanted to wear socks. I do and it's great. Now my goal is to have a handmade sweater or shawl for each time I want to wear one.
This will be a quiet day for me. My son is still in Florida working. Caroline and I were supposed to go upstate to spend the day with my family at my sister's house. I've had a little bit of the colitis I had in the fall so I've been staying close to home these last few days. I really want to get into work this week so I think rest and fluids at home is better then travel and holiday foods!
The silver lining is that I get to work on my pinwheel sweater for another chunk of time. I put the edge on a holding yarn and started working on the 1st sleeve. I tried it on and I think I'm going to like it. I would love to have it done for that sweater period that leads into summer. A few years ago it was my goal to have a pair of hand knit socks for every day I wanted to wear socks. I do and it's great. Now my goal is to have a handmade sweater or shawl for each time I want to wear one.
Friday, March 21, 2008
A Day Off
This whole week I've been working extra hours at a test scoring project so I've been working from 7 to 9 plus commuting so there has been no time for knitting but today I am off from work and so I slept late, sorted through mail, I'm doing laundry, went out to lunch with my daughter, took a nap and now I am going to settle in with a few netflick movies and just knit the afternoon away! My replacement knitpick needles came in so I'm good to go!
Spring Fling Yarn & Coffee
Coffee
1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
I only use whole beans when I have a choice!
2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
I love my coffee the stronger and darker the better! No Decaf for me!
3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
My usual everyday coffee is A&P whole beans.
4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
I drink coffee for caffeine and pleasure!
5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
Some flavored coffee are OK with me but not too sweet or exotic. I drink my coffee plain.
6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
I drink from a huge mug.
7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
I love my coffee strong and dark in a large cup with a cube of ice popped in it. I love to take my coffee out to the garden or to the beach.
8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
I would love to eat the richest, sweetest pastery going but I'm trying to keep on Weight Watchers so I usually eat fruit or a vitalicious muffin.
Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet?
I knit, I can crochet but I hate to actually do it.
2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
I love to work with natural fibers, wools, alpacas, silks cottons. I love Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Malabgigeo Yarns etc!
3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
Right now, I working on a pinwheel sweater using a Tahki Windsow tweed yarn.
4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I love rich reds, blues and greens. I also love interesting neutrals but really don't like yellow or orange or any neon colors.
5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I usually match my needle to my project and switch between adi, knitpicks both in metal and harmony wood and bryspun which actually are my favorite. I just love that sprongy little point.
6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
I have enough measuring tapes, and kitchner tip card for several lifetimes. I never use needle end protectors or stitch counters so I have pleanty of those. I would love some pretty beaded stitch markers.
7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
Now this is hard, because you have named two yarns that I love squishy sprongy sock yarn like Socks That Rock and Malabrogio. I would probably sell my shoes or something to get both!
Spring
1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
I'm in NJ so we are getting peeks of spring but it still is pretty cold and we are still waiting for Spring.
2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
I love liliacs, I have a few bushes and while they are late in the season when my liliacs bloom and scent the air I REALLY know winter is over!3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
I work in a school, as a staff developer so for me when it is spring I know that summer is not too far away.
4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I might take a walk along the beach or work in my garden.
5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
I am influenced by rain and dark weather. I'd probably spend the day indoors drinking coffee and knitting and napping!
Odds n Ends
1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
I collect quilting fabrics especially charm packs and batik and depression prints. I also love polish pottery mugs.
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Iodine
3. Do you have pets?
Three cats and a dog who really thinks he is the King of the House
4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I have participated in many swaps in knitting/yarns and soaps/handmade lotions etc. I've slowed down in the past year. The last three swaps for me are A World of Tea 2, A Dish Cloth Swap (a first for me) and a Favorite Color swap (Red)5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
I use up lots of time poking around blogs. I think my favorites are:
The Yarn Harlot
Tilt-A-Whirl
Mode Knit/Knitting Heretic
I've met briefly all three of the ladies who write these blogs and I enjoy reading about their knitting and families lives. But I drop in and out of reading many other ones.
1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
I only use whole beans when I have a choice!
2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
I love my coffee the stronger and darker the better! No Decaf for me!
3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
My usual everyday coffee is A&P whole beans.
4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
I drink coffee for caffeine and pleasure!
5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
Some flavored coffee are OK with me but not too sweet or exotic. I drink my coffee plain.
6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
I drink from a huge mug.
7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
I love my coffee strong and dark in a large cup with a cube of ice popped in it. I love to take my coffee out to the garden or to the beach.
8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
I would love to eat the richest, sweetest pastery going but I'm trying to keep on Weight Watchers so I usually eat fruit or a vitalicious muffin.
Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet?
I knit, I can crochet but I hate to actually do it.
2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
I love to work with natural fibers, wools, alpacas, silks cottons. I love Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Malabgigeo Yarns etc!
3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
Right now, I working on a pinwheel sweater using a Tahki Windsow tweed yarn.
4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I love rich reds, blues and greens. I also love interesting neutrals but really don't like yellow or orange or any neon colors.
5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I usually match my needle to my project and switch between adi, knitpicks both in metal and harmony wood and bryspun which actually are my favorite. I just love that sprongy little point.
6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
I have enough measuring tapes, and kitchner tip card for several lifetimes. I never use needle end protectors or stitch counters so I have pleanty of those. I would love some pretty beaded stitch markers.
7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
Now this is hard, because you have named two yarns that I love squishy sprongy sock yarn like Socks That Rock and Malabrogio. I would probably sell my shoes or something to get both!
Spring
1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
I'm in NJ so we are getting peeks of spring but it still is pretty cold and we are still waiting for Spring.
2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
I love liliacs, I have a few bushes and while they are late in the season when my liliacs bloom and scent the air I REALLY know winter is over!3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
I work in a school, as a staff developer so for me when it is spring I know that summer is not too far away.
4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I might take a walk along the beach or work in my garden.
5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
I am influenced by rain and dark weather. I'd probably spend the day indoors drinking coffee and knitting and napping!
Odds n Ends
1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
I collect quilting fabrics especially charm packs and batik and depression prints. I also love polish pottery mugs.
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Iodine
3. Do you have pets?
Three cats and a dog who really thinks he is the King of the House
4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I have participated in many swaps in knitting/yarns and soaps/handmade lotions etc. I've slowed down in the past year. The last three swaps for me are A World of Tea 2, A Dish Cloth Swap (a first for me) and a Favorite Color swap (Red)5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
I use up lots of time poking around blogs. I think my favorites are:
The Yarn Harlot
Tilt-A-Whirl
Mode Knit/Knitting Heretic
I've met briefly all three of the ladies who write these blogs and I enjoy reading about their knitting and families lives. But I drop in and out of reading many other ones.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Quiet Day
Today has been a weird day for me. I drove my daughter to the airport at 3:45 at night or morning and was home by 5:45AM the time I am usually meet my carpool friend for work! I jumped back into bed but all day all I want to do is sleep. I've been working on my pinwheel sweater, I hope I like it, this is a totally new sweater type for me. There is a little more of me around especially in the middle then I like!
Both of my kids are in Miami, Fla right now. My son is on a job working there and my daughter is visiting him. I will be working this week from 7:15 to 8:00 plus my usual commute so I don't expect to get anymore knitting done after I finish up today's session. Yesterday the tip of my new Harmony Knitpick #9 popped off. I pushed in back in and called them and they are sending a replacement. I received a broken needle with my last order and now my set is having problems. I really like the Harmony needles but if they are going to be like the Brittney Birch and always broken maybe I NEED to return to metal!
Oh well, back to napping!
Both of my kids are in Miami, Fla right now. My son is on a job working there and my daughter is visiting him. I will be working this week from 7:15 to 8:00 plus my usual commute so I don't expect to get anymore knitting done after I finish up today's session. Yesterday the tip of my new Harmony Knitpick #9 popped off. I pushed in back in and called them and they are sending a replacement. I received a broken needle with my last order and now my set is having problems. I really like the Harmony needles but if they are going to be like the Brittney Birch and always broken maybe I NEED to return to metal!
Oh well, back to napping!
Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire
Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire
1. What are your top three favorite colors? Red, Blue, Green
2. What crafts do you really enjoy? I LOVE to knit, quilt and do red work.
3. What products do you really covet? I really would like some more stitch markers.
4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? I enjoy reading, working my garden,I love the beach.
5. Is there anything you collect? I collect Polish pottery, blue Wedgwood, quilting fabric, and old fabric items like doily, pillowcases, napkins etc.
6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? I am a Leo and I was born in 1951.
7.What are your favorite…
…scents/smells? I love patchouli, lavender, and spicy complex scents. I'm not a food scent person except for vanilla.strong>…
types of music and/or bands? I like classical music, Dylan and Simon and Garfinkle etc.…
authors?em> I read just about anything except Romance novels. I especially like mysteries, and try to read most of the books on the NYT best seller's list.…
animals?em> I have three cats and one dog. I'm a cat person the dog was my husband's best friend before he passed away. That little dog and I are still working out our relationship. He thinks he is king of the house. I have trouble agreeing to this! …
places to shop?em> I'm not a shopper in malls or department stores. I do love poking around in antique shops, flea markets. AND I LOVE going to yarn &quilt shops. My knitting group has been getting together every few months and taking a road trip to a new yarn shop. I do most of my yarn shopping either at Knitting Festivals or Conventions or online.…
season?em> I am a summer person. My family has a beach house at the Jersey shore and I could spend my entire life sitting in the sun, reading, knitting, swimming and hanging out with my family and friends.>…
<strong>em>yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies?em> I usually try to knit with natural fibers and really love knitting with wool the most. I have tons of lace and sock yarns and would like more worset weight interesting yarns. I collect quilting charm packs and jelly rolls.
…candies or goodies?em> I am back on weight watchers so any treats that I have need to be calorie friendly. I do enjoy interesting natural teas, and coffees.
8.
Do you have any wish lists?em> <strong>Peace on Earth, an end to World Hunger, Universal Education I don't have any online wish lists.
9. Are you allergic to anything? Iodine
10. Do you have any pets? What are they? I have one cat but I live with three cats and a dog.
11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here. I would really enjoy receiving something which is different and local to your area. I'm flexible and enjoy receiving surprises. My Ravelry ID is Franhaz.
1. What are your top three favorite colors? Red, Blue, Green
2. What crafts do you really enjoy? I LOVE to knit, quilt and do red work.
3. What products do you really covet? I really would like some more stitch markers.
4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? I enjoy reading, working my garden,I love the beach.
5. Is there anything you collect? I collect Polish pottery, blue Wedgwood, quilting fabric, and old fabric items like doily, pillowcases, napkins etc.
6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? I am a Leo and I was born in 1951.
7.What are your favorite…
…scents/smells? I love patchouli, lavender, and spicy complex scents. I'm not a food scent person except for vanilla.strong>…
types of music and/or bands? I like classical music, Dylan and Simon and Garfinkle etc.…
authors?em> I read just about anything except Romance novels. I especially like mysteries, and try to read most of the books on the NYT best seller's list.…
animals?em> I have three cats and one dog. I'm a cat person the dog was my husband's best friend before he passed away. That little dog and I are still working out our relationship. He thinks he is king of the house. I have trouble agreeing to this! …
places to shop?em> I'm not a shopper in malls or department stores. I do love poking around in antique shops, flea markets. AND I LOVE going to yarn &quilt shops. My knitting group has been getting together every few months and taking a road trip to a new yarn shop. I do most of my yarn shopping either at Knitting Festivals or Conventions or online.…
season?em> I am a summer person. My family has a beach house at the Jersey shore and I could spend my entire life sitting in the sun, reading, knitting, swimming and hanging out with my family and friends.>…
<strong>em>yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies?em> I usually try to knit with natural fibers and really love knitting with wool the most. I have tons of lace and sock yarns and would like more worset weight interesting yarns. I collect quilting charm packs and jelly rolls.
…candies or goodies?em> I am back on weight watchers so any treats that I have need to be calorie friendly. I do enjoy interesting natural teas, and coffees.
8.
Do you have any wish lists?em> <strong>Peace on Earth, an end to World Hunger, Universal Education I don't have any online wish lists.
9. Are you allergic to anything? Iodine
10. Do you have any pets? What are they? I have one cat but I live with three cats and a dog.
11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here. I would really enjoy receiving something which is different and local to your area. I'm flexible and enjoy receiving surprises. My Ravelry ID is Franhaz.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
