Picture pages

West Coast Represent!

Totally what the hardcore WC's do on their days off from the hood. MINIGOLF! Dig that dyed blue water.

See.. the dog DID come with!

Obliagtory art profile at Chemainus (home of awesome burrito guy Pierre!).

Myspace angle. But aren't we cute?

Hey look.. BALLZ. Hahahahahaha I am so 15.

Jakes new Daddy.

Someones gonna get spanx-ed.

Max as an only dog.. pre Pickles.

Zombie Simpson me. Thanks to photshop wizard Chris.

Max.

Pickles.

Knitting pictures coming soon.

Mable, Pickles and Max

Mabel (thanks Trish :))

8 skeins of Just Bamboo by Sirdar. My own pattern and can I say WOW! The mock cable (get it.. Mabel?) is so much fun to knit! This is by far the girliest thing I have ever designed. Super fun.

Now for more gratuitous dog picturrrzzz....

My shy leetle Pickles. YEAH RIGHT! A rare moment of repose.

Max who is still wondering when this interloper is finally going to leave. YEAH RIGHT!

And really.. DOG BUMS.

They are getting along really well for the most part. Pickles is already sleeping in our room at night with Max. We are leaving him to roam free in the house when we are gone with no real accidents. Knock wood... all is well. we love our dogs! :)

Introducing!

Pickles Chewbacca!

We went to meet him last night in Airdrie and knew it was love at first sight. We brought Mr Max, and they seem to get along amazingly well.. even if Max is a little boggled at the puppy-ness of Pickles. Our first night went really well.. no crying at all and we slept like babies. Pickles is a Yorkie Bichon Cross, and he was born on the same day as Jake! He is 5 months old and weighs about 8 pounds. OMG NEW FAMILY!

Stay tuned for "The Further Adventures of Max and Pickles!"

OMG I am so one of *those* people.

Pictures speak a thousand words right?

And this one says YUM!

Alrighty then.. lets get the knitting content out of the way shall we? I have been a busy little beaver this month. Truly Canadian. First lets go in order yes? You have seen this, but it looks ever so much better on the busty gal at work..




She has nothing on me I know, but still beggars and choosers. I wore this a whole lot on the Island as the weather had was pretty sketchy at the end. Rainy and damp, perfect sweater weather! We had a couple hot ones at the beginning, but not so much at the end. Which was ok as we came back to super hot, gross sweatyness. Like now. +33 ish. Yuck. Oh well.. in a few months I'll be bitching about the cold. /shrug.

This is out of the Reynolds Mandalay 100% Silk, it took a mere 5 skeins, and knit up in less than a week. I think it will be lovely (and WHOOPS! I forgot to steam block it!) over a little sundress (that I have yet to find, but that's just another reason to go shopping right?) in the evening. I learned the applied Icord from the ever fabulous Dana, and think its a new fave for sure. Its a lovely finished edge, and make everything look so Jackie O. Very sweet.


See what I mean? Nift-o-rama! I did the increases on the wrong side and like the way they came out too. Lots of texture.

Now for another foray into lace-ish knitting for me. This is SPECTACULAR if I do say so myself. The yarn, the pattern, the WOW factor is high for me you see. The first two photos are unblocked, and I thought they were pretty nice until...

I GET IT NOW!! OMGWTFBBQ! Holy crisp gorgeousness! This is sosososososososo pretty! And makes me want to knit more lace. I think the darkside is calling. It was the pattern on the seasilk too if anyone was wondering. Easy and fun to knit, and weighed nothing on my lap even in the most sticky situations. MOAR PLEASE!

So as far as Island yarn goes: I went I saw I came away with some. but not a whole lot. I picked up some Koigu for (again) the lovely Dana who made sure my house didn't burn down/get infested with zombies and pick up my mail. And some of this:

It is on its way to becoming an off the shoulder top down (maybe sleeveless/cap sleeved) top. Its a woven ribbon, and is nothing like anything I've worked with before. I'm digging it. Its nice and light and makes a pretty fabric as I click along.

The vacation was well deserved by all and was enjoyed immensely. I can't find the snaps on the puter yet (CHRIS WHERE DID YOU HIDE THEM!?) but will post some fun when I do. The wee dogga had a fantastic time, and travelled very thankyouverymuch, and was the belle of the ball. Chris' Grandma in particular was quite taken with the "darling little doggie" she affectionately called him. He was doted on and really loved the whole house having carpet. :)

Now its back to real life...

when will I win that lotto dammit?

Simple really

Et Voila!

I am pretty freakin' happy with this loverly FO. I did a few alterations to the pattern (and who knew no gusset under the arm would work.. but IT DID!) like changing the sleeves completely to my taste. It fits beautifully, feels divine and looks spectacular. I will hopefully get some better pictures of this soon, the bed makes for shit model I know. As for whassup next, I have a little shrunken cardi in mind made of this lovely:

Which was de-stash score from the lovely Morgan (who I miss! Damn you work getting in the way of socialising!). Its Reynolds Mandalay 100% silk. I think I may have an addiction to the smell of silk right now. I keep taking deep huffing like breaths of it. Its only a problem if it interferes with your daily life yes? So far I can do this without attracting too much attention to myself. Ha!

In other news.. the trip to the Island looms near and I am so on top of things its scary. The wee dogga is going to the vet to get heartwormed and flea proofed. We have a soft carrier for him lined up, and I even have someone coming by to check the mail. Who is the organised person? Strange.

We bought a Wii! It is sucking a little bit of knittng time away but I am careful not to overdo it as I already can see how one could develop a freakishly oversized bicep if one isn't careful to switch up hands. loser.

AND Sephora opens today. Well its their *soft* opening at 6 pm tonight, the grand one is tomorrow. I have told Chris NOT TO BE LATE HOME TONIGHT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE! Walking past it Monday I noticed the paper all off the windows and I almost crashed into the door. The ladies inside laughed at me. Whatever.. if Bath and Body Works ever opens here.. I NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AGAIN.

here's hoping!

:)

Not a cat person

I know.. nickname is kittin. But I have never been or ever expect to be a cat person. BUT



I have died from the cute. Ok, blogger won't let me embed this so just double click on it to go to YOUTUBE and watch it for yourself. DIE FROM TEH CUTE.

There will be actualy knitting content on here soon. I am almost done the Knitted Simple Bodice and it is luscious beyond belief. Urban Silk.. I less than three you.

Ravelry!

Got my invite today and indeed it is all that and a bag of chips! Too lazy for pretty links..

http://www.ravelry.com/people/kittin

Be there or be square. AND..

I don't know if you will be able to see this well but my Dad thought it was awesome enough to scan and send me. THAT is a true knitter. Way to go!

Puppies on the brain

Squee!

Everywhere I go I am surrounded by puppies. Do you think someone, somewhere is trying to tell me something? ;) Better than babies I reckon..

Accomplishment!

And it's done! It was a super fast fun knit this one, all alpaca, all the time. Top down (why do I even bother to say that now? WHY?) hip length cardigan. Very fitted, with eyelet increases. I have to say this was a titch hairy, but I gave it a wash and pushed some hair conditioner through it now its snuggle city. The colour is truer in the shots below.

Thanks be to work and the mannequin/light. I'd never get this done with it. Speaking of work.. OMG. Today I went a bit bonkers and bought another sweaters worth of this:

But in a more khaki green colour (10). It has the most fantastic hand, soft and luscious. And the shine, did I mention the shine? As I was pricing this to put out I just kept thinking, "Hello there my next sweater!" and before I knew it was in my knitting bag whispering promises of gorgeousness. I am a whimpering pile of something when it comes to silk. Oh yes. This will go fast, mark my words.

Which reminds me.. I have a whack of silk coming from Hip Knits. Kerrie was kind enough to dye me some aran weight in the colourway Kiss. Pink you know. Like almost everything lately. But I do love my pink. Its in the post as I type and I cannot wait to get my frantic little paws on it. SILK!

We are venturing out west next month and I am in the possession of a GC to one of the Islands Treasures, Mad About Ewe. I am all aquiver at the possibilities!

May babies

In honour of the newest link on the sidebar.. OTTER MADNESS!!!!

May has always been an awesome month. The first buds of spring, lilac trees, may trees, super hot +30 days, the snow... the joy of living in Calgary. You know, same old, same old. But it also a month filled with birthdays and anniversaries and general cause for celebration. And really.. PRESENTS!!!!! I have the most amazing friends.. I really do.

Worlds cutest strawberry mug (that had a FANTASTIC sbux card in it mwah!) from Michelley. She knows me all too well. Its a sickness is the coffee love. This was a toffee gingerbread latte and it was SWEET! kiss kiss.

Then on Friday who shows up, cool as cucumber and all pleased but Miss Morgan. Fresh with a new job and full of piss and vinegar. No surprise there huh? She tosses this oh so casually in my bag without a second glance and remarks in her Morgan like way. TAKE IT. IT'S FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY. Since all smart women are maybe a titch scared of that growl.. I happily obliged. SO EXCITED to get to this I tell ya! I see Island knitting there I do.

Knitting content ahead..

Top down seed stitch raglan in Phildar Pure Laine 3 1/2. Superwash YES! Bad (allegedly the same phhhht) dyelots? YES! I know you can see the line in the first photo.. evryone can see the damn line. But I think something will eventually be done about it. It fits like a dream and will make an excellent fall sweater. I'll deal. I love how the seed stitch collar continues down the raglan increase. I'm really pleased with how this came out.

Deeply ribbed (for my pleasure!) superhero arms sweater. Done in Knitpicks Gloss (cocoa) 2 stands held together. It took less than 10 balls so it was about a 40-ish dollar blue light special. Go strong Canadian Dollar! GO! This is spectacular on. And has the most amazing bit of lustre. I am really impressed with how smooth and next to the skin soft it is. I loved it and even though some people think that 8+ inches of 2x2 ribbing is all kinds of crazy, it was soooooo worth it. YUM!

On the needles now... mystery pinkness. I will spill that it is from Elann (Aracaunia Alpaca) and is yet another 40$ BLS. This is going to be a scrumptious bit of knitting if I do say so myself. Just wait and see..

In other news.. the shop will be closed for 3 days this week so I have a whole week off! I should maybe make some home improvement plans. Not that this will get done or anything, but I'd sure like to paint the bathroom. Hahahahahahaha! Riiiiiiight............

Se7en

Seven random facts about moi?

1. I eat frozen berries almost every night. Stupidly delicious. With Edible Oil Product too!

2. I was an accountant for a short while. Using a calculator is easy but Math is Hard! This was pre-computer age too. Bow down to my mathlete skillzor.

3. I think most good music must have loud screaming guitars in it. Hey electronic stuff has its place, but give me some good old Social Distortion/GnR/Queens of the Stone Age (HELLO JOSH HOMME!) any day. And with the exception of Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Dwight, I hate me the country music. Both kinds, country and western. HATE. I have to say my tolerance level has increased as I age. A *good thing*.

4. I have never been stung by a bee or wasp. I stepped on one when I was 3, but I reckon that was self defense for it to sting. Hence I am a little bit over scared of them. Like flappy hand, dance of fear scared.

5. I wear slippers all the time when I am home. I like my feets toasty roasty.

6. I taught myself to read when I was 3. According to my Daddy, I would sit on his back as he read the paper at night and one day he realised I was READING to him. At three. In grade 1 I was reading at a High School level and correcting the older kid who was *helping* me.

7. I am utterly addicted to all things The Office (US). Please, someone watch this show so I have someone else to babble with, my husband is just not enough. Go PAM!

Thanks Marnie!. I have no idea who else has been tagged, so please feel free to sign on at will...

Happy May long sweethearts!

Of cupcakes, dyelots and love

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Random snaps of the food from book launch. Um how come figs are so good? Not as sweet as a cupcake (which I will cop to eating at least two of. Not nearly as many as Chris, but why mess with the master?) but fantastic with a nice smelly goat cheese. Mmmmmm.....


I have finished another sweater in Phildars Pure Laine 3 1/2. Its quite lovely, but I am having some um, issues. Ok its not Lion & Lamb but that is neither here nor there, its the colour that has me confused. All the same dye lot, but not the same colour. Really.

Its not that easy to see (and the spawn is being absolutely no help at all this morning, damn his teenage moods) so this pic will have to do. There is a definite colour change. Like 2 shades. I took this into work yesterday and with some help decided to emphasise it. Celebrate it if you will. Ok, not really celebration worthy I know but lets take it where it comes. You'll see the finished result soon. Really.

Today is May 8th right? Its mine and Chris' 8th anniversary. It should have been later but the year we got married was the year the new Star Wars movie came out and we could not compromise that opening day. I am so not kidding. One of the many reasons I love my man.

According to About.com:

8th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Traditional Anniversary Gift: Bronze or Pottery
Modern Anniversary Gift: Appliance
Travel Anniversary Gift Ideas: Casino Visit

Um hay! That casino trip sounds MIGHTY FINE! Chris got me a spectacular cashmere sweater (on sale! WE LOVES A BARGAIN YES!) and he is getting a quick joystick charger and faceplate for his X Box 360. We are such buckers of tradition.

I love you Chris with all my heart.

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows..

Nothing sweeter than an FO is there? 2? Even better. I woulda had three (which is a magic number ya'll!) but I got irritated at the yarn and pulled it out, but more on that later. For now, in chronological order.. Helens Lace Shawl in Tickled Pink. This was easily the most fun you can have knitting lace for a lace-a-phobe. Spectacular results, no charts (I know, I KNOW CHARTS ARE YOUR FRIEND right D?) no fuss, no muss. Short rows with no wrapping and turning, and if the pattern was written a teeney weeney bit clearer (you move that damn marker every row ok?) it would have been sublime. Ok it really was sublime. And fast. Did I mention fast? Because holy helena handbasket this was SUPER FAST. Like BULLET TRAIN fast. I loved it and want to knit more. The extra super cool? It is such a gossamer light whisp of a thing it is easily worn as a straight up scarf. Pulled through ala the french girl chic style. It is so yum. I definitely see me making more of these.

Oh and I also got 9 repeats of the pattern out the ridiculous 1200+ yards. The pattern says to do 6, but 9, well 9 is so much more a magic number innit? I have maybe 20 feet left over. I hate to waste dontcha know. Look at that yummy little fringe at the end? Isn't it just sweet? I didn't block this, and don't think I have any intention of blocking. I like the semi scrunched look, and think it actually works in this case.

Next is this smashing little summer weight cardigan I designed just for this luscious yarn. Its Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in Mineshaft and if you haven't had the pleasure of touching this stuff.. I just don't even know what to say. It has maybe ruined me for all other yarn. It has the the softest hand, and feel almost cottony but with a smoothness and bounce that is hard to believe.

I was especially thrilled with the button band. After one small mishap that involved me pulling out the finished band (and OMG I DIDN'T CARE the yarn really is *that*nice to work with) and getting some advice (pick up 2 out of every 3 stitches for worsted or bigger yarn vertically! Thanks Amy!) and going down 2 needle sizes (and some corner mitering thanks D again), it came out exactly like I'd seen in my head! Shocking when that happens eh?

A quick steam block and it was more than ready to go. I am so absolutely pleased with this. It fits like well.. like it was made for me ha ha. Really though the side shaping is perfect, the 3/4 length sleeve is fantastic and I just couldn't be happier. Oh and it took less than a week and less than 5 skeins. GO ME!

Now I have to ask you all in deh blogosphere.. its a serious question ok? About um.. Socks That Rock. Now I come to you with an open mind, I have knit socks before. Worsted weight socks even. Using... um.. I am almost scared to write this... WOOL-EASE. Ok its done. No big right? I am the girl who knit her first sweater out of Lion Brand Homespun (and I'm sure its keeping some homeless guy really sweaty right now. It got donated so fast it was almost a bending of the space time continuum) so long ago huh? But I digress..

Ok, now you all know that I picked some STR up in Edmonton a while back . The purple skien I wanted to make a mini clapotis out of. In fact I was almost done it up until yesterday. I had been merrily knitting away since Saturday on it. Now I'm not sure if I am going to be tarred and feathered for this (SERIOUS QUESTION HERE-->) but does this stuff not seem all that soft? In fact does it feel gasp*plasticky* to anyone else? I thought because I had been knitting with manna from heaven nothing would feel soft like that again and was really enjoying the colour if nothing else and really hoped it would soften up after a good wash/block. But upon getting it out of my knitting bag to show a customer at work yesterday she remarked in the same thing. HAVE I BEEN SUCKERED BY THE INTERNETS? Or am I taking yarn snobbery to a whole new level? Aside from the fact that I unravelled the whole thing due to some user error.. I am now a little alarmed at this turn of events. Maybe socks need to be um.. sturdy? I dunno bloggies.. it is possible that I am ruined isn't it?

On the needles now (not a clapotis!) is a pullover Weasley Type sweater out of Phildar Pure Laine. Just started the collar last night.. will update when have more to show.

PSA

Book signing at Make 1 Yarns this Saturday. 7 pm. Come one come all! Maybe you can get Felt up all over :)

xoxo

me

HOLY SHIT!!!

Go HERE!. Buy this FANTASTIC BOOK. Check out my AWESOME PATTERNS (and photo!) and MARVEL at the amazing-ness that is all there. Big shouts to Dana and of course Amy who is teh awesomest of all.

OMG PUBLISHED!!

Happy Zombie Day!

Max says Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it.. and to those of you who don't, Happy Zombie Day. Stubbs says: Eat your brains chocolate and be good now!

Remember.. yarn is always an option for gifts too :)