Sadly No Knitting

Unfortunately there will be no knitting content in this post. I will explain why in a bit. However I wanted to share these photos with you and hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I do. This week the kids were off school so we went down to Monterey for several days with my folks. For those of you who aren't familiar with California, Monterey and it's better known sister city - Carmel, are on the coast of California about half way down the state. It is a gorgeous area and I always like going there although we don't get there very often. It is truly a gorgeous destination. As you drive along Highway 1 on the coast, I am always taken aback by the sheer wonder of it. Even though I live mere miles from the coast, I don't often get to the ocean. Whenever I do, I am always in awe. It's just amazing to me that I can be driving along and a few feet away is literally the edge of our country! I mean that's it. Turn right, drive a few feet and you are in the ocean. The gynormous (yes I got that word from my kids) Pacific Ocean. I don't know why it always amazes me so but it does. While in Monterey we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

(or the 'quarium as Master J would say) which is one of the best Aquarium's in the world. They have the most amazing sea life there and lots of opportunities to touch and learn. One of their best exhibits is the jellyfish exhibit. They have all sorts of jellies and have them in tanks with lights that make them look so incredibly beautiful. It is really a sight to behold. Also they have many amazing creatures such as the seahorse pictured here. Of course no trip would be complete without a trip to the yarn store so Mom and I went to Yarn by the Sea, the yarn store in Carmel where they sell not only yummy yarn but designer chocolate! I mean what more could you want out of life? Now for the "no knitting content part". That was the only bad part of the trip. I had been scouting out photo shoot locations for various knitting projects and Saturday morning I packed up the projects, grabbed the camera and headed out the door only to - GET WET! Yes it had started raining, then pouring and it didn't stop! I was so disappointed!! I was really looking forward to sharing pictures of "knitting by the sea." Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back!

Just Shrug it Off

I was watching Knitty Gritty one night and saw this adorable shrug that appeared to be fairly quick and easy and looked like something Miss K would like. I've never knit anything even remotely like a sweater before but decided it was time. Not wanting to spend time making something she wasn't going to wear, I made her watch part of the show and she said she really liked it. Check - she likes it! So then I picked out the yarn (green of course) and showed that to her. Check - she likes the yarn. Next as I was knitting it I continually tried it on her and each time asked her if she liked it. Check - she continues to like it. And then (of course you know the ending to this sad tale) when I finished and put it on her she says, "It's OK, but it's too bad you didn't finish it while it was still cold outside!" WHAT??? It's only in the '60's and clearly a shrug isn't exactly a fisherman's sweater! She doesn't seem to like it. I don't think she is going to wear it. I'm so disappointed but maybe she'll change her mind. Oh well, I guess I'll have to "shrug" it off!

Fabulous SP10 Strikes Again

I got a fabulous box from my SP10 Secret Pal this week. Previously she sent me this adorable Vogue book on felted items. Sure enough there are several things in there that I can't wait to make. NOT that I need more projects but there is this adorable plaid bag and . . . Then on Monday this big box arrived. What a nice way to start the work week. I opened it and found the most wonderful things. First it was all organized in these nice need sections. Then I opened each one and found surprise after surprise. This AMAZINGLY soft and gorgeous Art Yarns silk yarn. The colorway is just scrumptios with the purple, teal and yellow. Any suggestions on what to make? Then there were two gorgeous skeins of Noro, hand lotion, candles and these totally cool gloves with polka dots to put on your hands after the lotion. They are so cute but they were too shy for a good photo. THANK YOU SO MUCH to my wonderful SP10 pal. You are so good to me. I love all my gifts and can't wait to use them!

Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring! Whatever your denomination (or not) this is a great time of year. The sun is out more often, the weather is warming up (most of the time) and the flowers are beginning to bloom. This time of year always feels like the start of something new to me. It is a great time to think of fresh knitting. It's time to put away those hats, scarves and wrist warmers and turn to spring knitting. I've started knitting with cotton - not something I've ever done before and I highly recommend it. It is so soft and the colors are amazing! Also it seems to be cheaper than some of the other yarns out there. So far I've only knit wash cloths but they are so quick and fun and they lead to instant gratification. Maybe next I'll knit a tank top or spring sweater! I think spring is a time to make new knitting resolutions just like New Year's. It's time to take on a new challenge, knit a fresh new item, just get out there and knit! So happy everything to everyone including Happy Spring Knitting!

And the winner is . . . .

Thanks to everyone who left a comment and participated in my blogiversary contest. It was so great to hear from all of you! I'm very flattered by all your kind words on my knit items and photography. I put all the names in a hat and out came Brooke. Congratulations Brooke - I will be sending you a box of goodies soon. Brooke was my upstream pal in SP8 and what a wonderful pal she was. I also want to say hello to my upstream pal in SP10 in case she is reading. My new pal sent me a wonderful little Vogue knitting book on felted items. Now I have even more things on my "to do" list! This photo is yet another ballband bag I am making. I can't thank Monica enough for this great pattern. My friend likes pink and brown so I'm desperately trying to get this done for her for Easter - do you think I'll make it?

BLOGIVERSARY Contest

Happy Blogiversary to me! It's my party and I'll knit if I want to, knit if I want to, knit if I want to! One year ago on March 30, 2006 I started this blog. What a wonderful ride it has been. It has given me a great opportunity to combine my love of knitting with my love of photography and my love of flowers and nature. But most of all my love of friendship and the exciting opportunity to meet all of you! So as a special thank you and to celebrate, I'm having a contest. Either leave me a comment or send me an e-mail and let me know which of my knit items is your favorite and why. Or if you prefer - which of my photographs you like the best. If you don't like any of them just fake it! The winner will be drawn at random from all the entrants and I will send you a bunch of knitterly goodies. Be sure to let me know how to contact you if I don't already have your e-mail address. Thanks for playing and thanks even more for visiting my blog!

I'm so lucky!

I have returned from the frigid East Coast (see the photo at the bottom) to lovely spring weather. I had to go to Boston for the week for work but the delight was meeting my ITE II downstream pal Jennifer. We spent part of the day together on Sunday when I got the opportunity to have brunch with her and her wonderful family. Her kids were so well behaved and she has to coolest victorian syle house. It felt like we had know each other for years. To boot she gave me all sorts of wonderful gifts! She made the adorable needle holder pictured here and a really cool project bag modeled on the one recently in Knitter's Review. It easily holds 2 skeins of yarn and has a cool little strap to put over your wrist or the arm rest on a car of plane, and straps inside to hold the yarn. Also a neat-o little pocket on the outside for your various goodies. Then if that wasn't enough she made me an adorable dragonfly washcloth in purple no less and gave me a ball of purple Sugar and Cream! THANK YOU Jennifer for all the wonderful gifts!

We also found time to hit a few yarn stores both on the Sunday when I arrived and the Saturday before I left. We topped it off with a visit to the New England Flower show where we admired the various floral displays and discussed how their colors could be arranged in the perfect felted bag!

Spring has sprung so why am I heading East?

Spring has sprung in sunny California. The flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Today it is expected to be in the 70's. So why am I getting on a plane this afternoon and heading towards Boston? Yes BOSTON - where they got 2 feet of snow yesterday and they closed the airport??? Well duty calls and I have to go there for work so off I go. More importantly though, when I get there I'm going to meet my friend Jennifer in person! Jennifer was my downstream pal in Tote Exchange II. I'm so excited to meet her and her family tomorrow. We're going to have brunch and then a tour of Boston's yarn shops. I made sure there was extra room in my suitcase just in case I bought something (HAH - notice that - "just in case"!) I am so blessed with the friends I have made through the Tote Exchange. Among those folks is my pal Bonnie who just sent me this adorable wristlet. Isn't it totally cool? I just love it! There are more photos of her amazing wristlets on her blog. I'm taking it with me on the trip to carry pens and knitting supplies and so it can meet Jennifer too. THANK YOU BONNIE!!!

Hip to Be Square Part II

I have finished my bag for the International Tote Exchange III and have packaged it up and sent it soaring to my secret pal across the way. Many thanks to my good friend Carrie for giving me the pattern she designed for this hat. I used her pattern for the body of the bag, another pattern for the bottom and designed my own strap. I sure hope my pal likes it! I am sorry to see it go I must say. I really like the colors and was quite happy with how it turned out. Now I'm going to make one of those cool hats!

Sign Me Up!

I've signed up for the new Secret Pal 10 which is about to start and I'm looking forward to it. My first Secret Pal exchange was SP8 and I'm very thankful that I participated in it because that it what caused me to start my blog. Having a blog is a requirement for the SP exchanges. I have really enjoyed having a blog and getting to know all of you out in blogland. Also SP8 allowed me to meet my wonderful upstream pal Brooke and my wonderful downstream pal Lynae.

If you think of it, the Secret Pal exchanges are actually pretty amazing. Basically people sign up to send presents to someone else. I mean that's really all it is. You're not necessarily knitting something for them (unless you want to), you're just giving. I think it's so wonderful that there are so many people out there who want to give to others. True - you also get back (which of course is very cool) but still, it's hundreds of people signing up to buy presents for one another. Where else do you see something like that?

I gave SP9 a pass as I was too busy at the time. It's not like I really have the time now but I couldn't pass up SP10. So here goes with my questionnaire and to my secret SP10 pal - I'm so excited to add you to my warn and wonderful on-line knitting community. Welcome!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I have several favorites, cashmere, silk, alpaca, really anything soft. Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk is my favorite. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm not crazy about novelty yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I use plastic boxes for the straight needles and a binder with plastic zip compartments (like those ones you put your pencils in for grade school) to hold the circulars. I have an absolutely gorgeous holder for my best straight needles which Jennifer made for me.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for 5 years. My Mom taught me because I wanted to knit a blanket for my son before he was born. I think I'm an intermediate knitter.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Nope
5. What's your favorite scent? I like vanilla, lavendar, citrus, almond and any other yummy smells.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Are you kidding? Favorite candy? Anything Chocolate. Lindt balls, almond joy, Swedish Fish.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?I like to scrapbookbut I must admit that I havn't done much since I became addicted to knitting. Do you spin? No
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like rock, pop and cross-over country. I have fairly broad tastes in music. I can play music on my computer or iPod
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Purple, red, pink Any colors you just can't stand? I'm not crazy about dark green
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm married with 3 kids, 2 cats and a bearded dragon lizard named Saphira.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves, not hats, shawls, not ponchos and probably fingerless gloves (I do live in California after all).
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I've been in to felted purses lately but now want to make some shawls.
13. What are you knitting right now? Where do I start? Some felted bags, some scarves, a shrug for my daughter, a wrap, a baby blanket, a hat and my hyphen boy bag.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Depends on what I'm making but probably not plastic.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes
17. How old is your oldest UFO? Probably the afghan I started at least 2 years ago. It's all knit in 3 panels but still needs to be put together.
18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas although I like all holidays. I just like to celebrate and have fun with family and friends.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Not really.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I like Interweave but don't have a subscription.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Anything related to lace.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm hoping to make my first pair of socks this year. I have size 9.5 foot.
23. When is your birthday? November 18th - Scorpio Baby!

Project Gracious Parcel

I have finished my squares for Project Gracious Parcel. I found out about this project on someone's blog and thought it was really wonderful. This woman's husband is involved with Habitat for Humanity in upstate New York and so she makes blankets to go to the inhabitants of the new houses. I know there are tons of knitting charities out there and lots of places that make blankets but I liked the idea of sort of "knowing" where the blanket was going. The house they are building this spring is for a mother and her three children so she is making 4 blankets! I decided I wanted to make 4 squares out of the same yarn so they would each know they came from me but each square needed to be different. I used some of the wonderful soft yarn from Uruguay that I bought on eBay (remember that bad influence Bonnie . . .) The colors are brown and yellow and beautiful fall colors. It made me think of leaves changing on the East Coast. First I made one that was double seed stitch. It turned out well but it sort of looks like a pot holder and I wanted to make something a bit more interesting. So next I made the heart square. I got the heart pattern here. She has lots of adorable patterns for dishclothes but unfortunately most of them have too many stitches for a 7 inch square. The heart was the only one I could modify to make fit. But inspired by her designs I then made one with vine lace to think of the lovely trees and forests in upstate New York and the last one was in horseshoe lace for good luck. I'm excited to see how the blankets turn out!

Reporting In

Last week I got a real treat and I went to Stitches West for opening day. I am very lucky in that I only live about 20 minutes away from the convention center where stitches is held. Even more lucky, my Mom came with me and we had a wonderful time. It is so fun to share my obsession with my mother! Stitches opened with the author of Victorian Lace giving a presentation about how and why she wrote the book, her research in to victorian knitters and a fashion show of the shawls from the book. It was very interesting and absolutely amazing to me that she could remember how she made each and every shawl! That was followed by a luncheon where we met some lovely ladies from around the state and then we took a class on edging. I learned a lot on how to have a more finished item. After that, Mom and I hung out a bit and had dinner and then the best part . . . they opened the market from 7-9 p.m. for a special market preview only open to registered students. Two hours was not nearly enough but we zoomed around the market and checked everything out. I bought this gorgeous turquoise silk from Tess yarns to make a shawl (what can I say - the speaker inspired me). It was a splurge but I figure if I'm going to take all the time it takes to make a shawl it should be fabulous when I finally finish. Also following in the shawl obsession I bought this gorgeous golden alpaca and silk blend. I bought it from the folks who raise the alpacas so that's always fun. I also bought an beautiful dragonfly button that I will sew on to a felted bag I think. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend any of the other days of Stitches but I'm glad I got this one day. I really want to get started knitting with these fabulous yarns but I'm trying to make myself finish some items first. Wish me luck!

Snow Day

This week the kids had what we call "ski week" in California. It is always the week of the President's Day holiday and the story goes that the school's got tired of parents pulling their kids out to go skiing so they scheduled ski week so they wouldn't lose the funding for the unapproved absences. Whatever the genesis, it is a fun winter break. This year we took all of the kids to Lake Tahoe to go skiing for a few days. I had forgotten both what a major hassle it is to get everyone geared up to ski and I'd also forgotten how much I love skiing! The snow was fairly lousy but the weather was awesome and we had a great time. In addition it seemed that most of the state was in Tahoe for the weekend so we ran in to lots of friends. I started a cabled hat for horsey girl on the drive up and I love the colors but the cables are turning out wonky. If she doesn't like it when I finish I guess it will be a charity hat (it's still cute just not what she had in mind). And to make the vacation even better??? The newly remodeled Northstar resort has a yarn store in the village!!! Can you believe it? I was totally psyched.

Daisy, Daisy

Do you remember that old song? "Daisy, Daisy, tell me your answer do - I'm half crazy all for the love of you." Well last Sunday I got a special treat and Mom and I went to take a class at Knitting Arts in Saratoga on the Daisy scarf. Now we had been there before and seen this gorgeous scarf. We even bought yarn for it and got the pattern. So when I saw that they were offering a class my first thought was, "we don't need that - we have the pattern." But then I thought there must be some reason they were actually offering a class on the scarf. Well now I know why! There are some seriously weird stitches in that pattern. Purling and wrapping the yarn 3 times each. Then letting all the extra wraps go and knitting, purling, knitting, purling and knitting ALL IN TO THE SAME STITCH! And if that's not enough you wrap 3 times with each of those 5 stitches!!! Well I think the song shoud be, "Daisy, Daisy, what am I going to do? I'm half crazy trying to knit on you." We finally got it though and are starting to make progress. The interesting part is how different it looks depending on your yarn. My Mom is using Classic Elite Posh which is fabulous yarn that is 70% silk and 30% cashmere. That's the yarn the store used for their sample. I decided to use Blue Sky Alpaca. It's the first time I've used Blue Sky and it is wonderful but it's probably a bit too thin for this pattern. It is giving it a very pretty lacy look though! The top photo is Mom's scarf, the middle is mine and the red is the store's sample. The bottom is an edge that you knit at the end and attach. It's pretty cool too because it is knit long and skinny and then turned to sew it on.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you out there in knitting blog land! I post for you a taste of spring which I hope is on it's way. I am approaching my first year anniversary for my blog and I must say I have had so much fun meeting all of you and getting to know you in cyberspace. When I first became obsessed with knitting I began to wonder if something was wrong with me for thinking about knitting so much and for wanting to knit all the time. Then I discovered that all of you are as crazy as I am and it made me feel so much better! So this valentine's day I am filled with love for all of my new knitty friends and I hope that you all have a wonderous day! Thank you for adding to my life in a very special way.

A Bag is Blooming

I've been making good progress on my bag for my partner in Tote Exchange III. I'm combining two different patterns with some individual changes thrown in for good measure. One of the patterns was written by my friend Carrie but I've not going to give you a link to her blog just yet as I want to maintain some surprise for the final product. I sure hope it turns out well and that my pal likes it. So far it's coming out like I had hoped but I'm crossing my fingers that it felts well and I'm still trying to figure out what kind of handles to put on it. I'm having lots of fun!

Leapin Lizards!

I finished the Gekko scarf this weekend for the Jumpy Boy. I just think it's so cute. It's a kit from Morehouse Farms and they have the most adorable stuff there. The dark green yarn is their Morehouse Merino which is really soft and wonderful to work with. The bright green is another yarn which isn't as nice but looks good for the contrasting stripes. The feet were fun to do and the little toes are little 3 stitch i-cords! It's a very clever pattern. I gave it to the little guy this weekend and he really likes it. Now I might just have to make their dragon scarf . . .

Slow Progression

I have been working on my Hyphen Boy Bag for what seems like forever. I work on it for awhile and then put it down only to come back to it later. All I need do for inspiration is visit Judy's blog to see how wonderfully hers turned out. Anyone want to place any bets on when/if I'll ever finish this thing???

It's all about me!

I have been tagged by Bonnie with The Alphabet Meme. So here goes!

A - Available or Taken: Taken
B - Best Friend: I am lucky to have several best friends. I have Nan, Dede, Lee, Elaine, Aviva and most importantly Mom (a.k.a. Granny and even Carole to some!)
C -Cake or Pie: Pie (or better yet - Cheesecake!)
D - Drink of Choice: Arnold Palmer
E - Essential item you use everyday: lip conditioner
F - Favorite Color: purple
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: bears
H - Hometown: Walnut Creek
I - Indulgence: knitting in the middle of the afternoon
J - January or February: January - it always seems fresh and new
K - Kids & ages: 3 - 12, 10.5 and 4
L - Life is incomplete without: friends and family
M - Marriage Date or Most Memorable Date ( and why): the days my three kids were born werethe most amazing days of my life. That's the only thing that makes me sad that I won't be having any more kids.
N - Number of Siblings: 1 sister
O - Oranges or Apples: Apple - Fuji probably
P - Phobias or Fears: walking up or down steep stairs. I absolutely froze trying to climb the Great Wall of China
Q - Fave Quote: "The goal of life should not be to arrive at the grave in a neat, well preserved body but to slide in sideways with chocolate in one hand, a martini in the other yelling YEEEE HAW!"
R - Reason to Smile: my kids
S - Season: Summer
T - Tag 3 or 4 People: Brooke, Lynae, and Judy
U - Unknown fact about me: I'm with Bonnie - if you don’t already know it, I'm not telling!
V - Vegetable you don't like: CHARD
W - Worst Habit: I eat too much.
X - X-rays: OK this is a truly odd question - I have no idea!
Y - Your Fave Food: Chocolate of course, ice cream, steak, salad and berries.
Z - Zodiac Sign: Scorpio baby!

Photo brought to you by my DH who just returned from a business trip to Russia. This is a gorgeous cathedral in Red Square. Sorry for the blurry photo but it was night and he was freezing. He said it was incredibly cold, Moscow is now the most expensive city in the world and they do vodka shots at lunch! No mention of yarn stores though . . .

Good time for Gloves

Despite the lovely photo which was taken on our Mexican Holiday - it is cold and rainy in Northern California. That makes it a perfect time for gloves! Here are the beaded, fingerless "gloves" I made for my Mom for Christmas. They are the same pattern as I used for Horsey Girl I just cast on more stitches and knit more rows. This was the first time I ever knit with beads and while they are a bit of a pain, in general I liked it and I like the result. Mom seems to like them (or at least she claims she does)! Now I have a pattern for a pretty beaded scarf which I plan to get to one of these days!