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 :)

Home again

Ok first things first.. a couple of snaps of the shawl I am crazy in love with. So simple, so lovely, so great a use of Manos.. (colourway Agate, about 375 g as I used a titch of it for something else)



Work has such great natural light yes? The pattern is here:

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/shawls-shrugs/feather-and-fan-comfort-shawl.htm

And did I mention it is a FREE PATTERN (and I am too lazy to do a nice tidy html pretty link.. deal ok?)? Can't beat free with a stick now can you? And even though the picture is um.. well lets just say I was told to embrace my inner poncho ( I<3 Leanne), it can be so much more than that you know? I LOVES it I do.. In fact it has inspired me (along with another lovely and fabulous woman Nancy) to look at things like this:


With a lot more seriousness. Like serious enough that maybe that pink skein is sitting in front of my TV right now calling me. Of course it has competition.. in the FORM OF..



Sigh.. so much damn yarn.. so little time. This HAD to come home from work with me last week. It really really did. I haven't felt the siren pull of something like this for a long time.. now I have enough for a sweater. A scoop neck cardi I think, but we'll see. This bit of heaven has made me its bitch. Oh yes it has.




Just in case you thought the trip up North yielded nada.. you were so very wrong. These are destined for others, and there were 2 more, but someone (MARILYNN) couldn't wait and had to scamper in on her day to off to collect her booty. She is too cute.

These are for me. WTF? I don't do sock yarn!? Well I DEFY anyone to resist the siren call of Socks That Rock, because even the non sock yarn Betties (and yes there are a few of us ok?) can go for a HEAVY WEIGHT! Ok and that Lorna's had to sneak in for its close up too. Chris picked the blue out for himself, and I duly promised to *eventually* make socks for him. I also made him leave River City Yarns when it came time to pay. He agreed handily. I love my husband. I really do. :)

We had a fabulous time up in the Chuck we did. we saw lovely family, ate ridiculous amounts of food, went shopping and best of all we made a really sweet new friend. Here she is, Princess Toshi.




She is a very well travelled pup, from Australia and has now achieved permanent resident status with Chris' Aunt Norma and Uncle Tom. We think she is very lucky to have them. :) She is a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix and just as nice as pie. Nicer in fact. She warmed up us and even deigned to sit with Chris for his morning OJ.

What a gorgeous doll she is! Max stayed with my Mum and Dad, but will be introduced next time we go up. We think they will get along famously.

What did you do this weekend??

Thankful

I think sometimes I need to be reminded to be thankful for what I have. I know we all need that kick in the pants once in a while so why not document it?

Today I am thankful for these monkeys. Now what? You say? Well jeeze, lookit them! These are Telus (which we hates with the flaming passion of a thousand fiery suns, but that is really neither here nor there right?) monkeys that have yet to be corrupted by the evil machine. By evil machine please the sentence previous to this one ok? And holy hell who doesn't like cute pictures of animals? Why do you think cuteoverload does so well? I bet even Mussolini and Satan liked/s puppies or kitties right?

AND as usual, I am thankful for :

This mornings offering is a cinnamon/french vanilla latte with cinnamon/splenda topping in a mug made by me. Oh yes, I threw this back when I was taking a wheel throwing course. My last one in fact. I have been missing pottery lately, not that knitting doesn't fulfill me, it really does, but something about wheel throwing seems magickal. I dreamed about wedging clay last night. I think its a sign no? Besides, you can NEVER have too many sturdy thrown mugs right?

I am also thankful for Baby Panda Mei Lan who keeps me happy and amused for many hours of the week. Honestly, when I feel stressed out, I click on PANDA-CAM and a few minutes of watching her sleep, play or just be a panda is enough to reduce stress and make me smile. Don't believe me? Try it for your self. The link is on the side there. AND I found a couple other panda cams the other day! WHO KNEW?!?

And finally.. this:

OMG HOW CAN ANYTHING BE SO CUTE?

Today's post brought to you by the letter R, number 4 and sincere lack of cynicism. Happy weekend all!

As promised..

Momma Panda says I love you too Mei Lan..

See I told myself I COULDN'T update until I took, and posted these fine pictures of Chris in his new fancy sweater. He is *such* a good sport isn't he? The sweater sure came out nicely, and he has ACTUALLY WORN IT! Its enough to make me wanna knit.. no wait a minute.. don't start down that road again Missy!

Superhero pose!

Checking his watch!

Peeking coyly..

I feel kinda silly as that had been finished for really long time now. Long enough for me to finish 2 pairs of mittens, 2 scarves, a BEAUTIFUL shawl (that I will take pictures of tomorrow at work because thats where I forgot it!) a ginormous square for a baby blanket (that I couldn't talk about until it had been given to its recipient, which DUH it has!) and adding to an afghan that is perpetually in progress. Brackets much? Anyways, I have been doing something really really radical lately too..

Knitting from my stash! OMG! Like totally freak me out! I am finding great joy in doing these small projects.

Mini Clapotis from Knitty. Used Cotton Silk blend yarn (lost the label sorry ya'll!) doing 3.5 repeats of the increase section. I love wearing scarves lately, the weather here is so wonky its a good thing to have one on you at all times.

I have knit a Clapotis before out of some seriously ugly super wash yarn my Mummy gave me (it was the same colour as my skin.. euwwwwww) then over dyed it. It came out kind of , um.. funny looking, so now the dogga sleeps on it. Think he knows he has a *designer* sleep blanket? I reckon he could care less.

Feather and Fan scarf out of a 100% wool yarn called Landlord that has been languishing in my stash forever. There are matching mittens to this too, but really they are not that exciting. I bought a gorgeous new coat at the Bay on clearance (Perry Ellis Portfolio! 70% OFF!) that was crying for new mittens and scarf to go with. OK it sorta matches the lining cause the coat is indeed black, but YUMMY!

I am really digging the feather and fan lately. Such a nice easy to do, looks harder than it is finish to it. Much like the Clapotis.

This weekend we are heading up North to see the Family and do some shopping. I shall be Hitting a few local Edmonton yarn shops (HELLO RIVER CITY!) and may have new and wondrous things to show you when I get back. Chris just keeps muttering three little words to himself.. I swear its the only thing keeping him going at this stressful place of work right now. POKER CHIP STORE. Apparently there is one in WEM, so guess where we are headed? Heh heh.

In other news: Make 1 Yarn Studio Turned 1 year old well.. today actually. But our party was on Tuesday night. I have to take minute to thank Amy and Sandra for having such an amazing shop, building such a fabulous community and having totally terrific taste in staff. (giggle). No, really though, you two are too amazing for words. I love you both to bits!

TAG! You're it! (it's ALL ABOUT ME)

Wow! I have been tagged by the beautiful and knocked up Tara. 5 reasons why I blog huh??

Reason the first:

I am an attention whore. No really. I know some of you will be shocked and dismayed at this startling revelation, but tis true. I like people knowing certain things. And lavish praise, oh yes LAVISH PRAISE!

Reason the second:

Its a great way to document my knitting skillz and what minutiae in my life I am currently obsessed with. You may ask why I don't have a paper journal? I find I am much funnier and less waaaah waaaaaah waaaaaah when I know other people are going to read it. I tried to keep a proper journal once, but when I went back and read it I was so mortified at myself I ripped it up. Public shame is a good motivator for me NOT to take myself too seriously. Seriously.

Reason C:

I too can avoid the mass email thingies. I like the family/friend units being able to catch up on stuff I would normally forget to tell them and know we still think about them. I LOVE they can see a slice of our lives. AND SOME PEOPLE WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS SHOULD START A BLOG SOON TOO OK???

Number 4:

I enjoy inflicting random pictures of things I am OCD about on you all. Cupcakes and kissing llamas? Coffee and balls of yarn? How else will you know what to buy me for gifts? Where else would you be able to access my amazon wishlist?

Finally V:

ALL THE COOL KIDS DO IT SO WHY CAN'T I?

Now I think I want to tag........... Michelle. You ARE ON BABE!!!

Ok now for the brass tacks: We have been having a little tornado of family stuff going on which is why I haven't updated re: Chris' sweater. But rest assured it is done. He has worn it, and I will post photos ASAP of him in his best Sears Catalogue poses in it. He looks MIGHTY SPIFFY if I do say so myself. Of course I am VERY biased. :)

In Other News:

Da Vinci Gingerbread syrup is a god among syrups. Don't believe me? Come on over and I'll make you a latte or cappuccino that will prove me right. See mine today? Look up there silly, its at the top o the page.

Happy weekend all... I do love you!

Sweetness all around

There is nothing sweeter than a picture of a cupcake is there? Ok maybe eating said cupcake.. If you look over to the right there ----->
Yeah over there where the links are, there is a cupcake blog that I look at daily and have a little sigh of pleasant wishiness (wishiness? Did I just say wishiness? Well yes it looks like I did!) for a cupcake filled day. This is every day mind you. Today it seems especially apt. I got my first Valentines day card not from someone in my family yesterday and can I please just take a mo to thank the lovely and fabulous Dana. I LOVE GODZILLA! How could you know? XOXOXOXOX!

I remember the excitement of holidays like this in school. Who would you get a Valentine from? What would it mean? WOULD I GET CANDY? All the important questions of the universe hinged on a heart shaped mailbox made of construction paper hanging on my desk. Now its much more low key, but the sentiment is still there.

This may run a close second on the cute scale.. how sweet are these babies?


Happy Valentines everybody.. if you don't have a special one in mind you can be mine!

Progress in progress

I finally got around to taking the in progress pics I have been wanting to. Damn, if Chris wasn't so tall this puppy would have been done ages ago. As it is, the ribbing just kept growing and growing. A little longer.. just a little longer! The body is finally done and now I have a sleeve and a half to go. I like sleeves, they are great TV knitting.


I really can't whinge enough about how fabulous the Lorna's Laces is. Honestly, its like the super luxe workhorse of the knitting world. It take a frogging and keeps me blogging (groan). I do have some yarn on the way from Knitpicks that I am planning to make into (gasp) another sweater (gasp) for me. Its their sock weight yarn called Gloss (70% wool, 30% silk) and I thought I'd triple it up to make a decent weight for me. I am too impatient to do a sock weight yarn sweater. It would be beauteous no doubt, but SO FREAKING SLOW. So I did what any good slacker would do, make it bigger so it goes faster. Should be here in a weekish or so (Thanks Dana xoxoxox!) and then I will see if my vision matches the actual yarn. Riiiiiiiiiight. /eyeroll

Now I need to take a few minutes to welcome little Miss Lily April into the world. See, one of my pals sisters was one of the women who needed to be flown to Great Falls Montana for some neo-natal care we (in the richest city in Canada, in the wealthiest province) couldn't provide. A shame that is, but all is well so far and Little Peapod came into this world with lots of strangers cheering for her and making their good wishes work in her favour. For a full account please see:

The Ex Nomad

(or Master Dana/Dana2 as we fondly call her) is the proud aunty, and we have set up a little preemie hat/clothes/donation bin at work thanks to the tireless efforts of Terra. Situations like this make me sad, but mostly mad at our sorry state of health care. But this is another post for another day when I am feeling much more RANTY. Right now, I am pretty ok with most things and I think you can credit this little guy for making me see the lighter side of everything.

I hope the snow stops soon, even though the shovelling is good exercise.. I can really do without it.

WOW!!

Just a wee shout to let you all know...


IT'S HERE!!!!!!

I ordered my new love on Wednesday and what should show up today? ..

YES!!!

Have a nicely caffeinated weekend all. I sure will :)

Its COMING!!!!

Oh my stars and garters.. I broke down and made the call. The Saeco Gran Crema is on its way. I just spoke to the loveliest of men (hey.. whoever fills my coffee needs is a lovely whatever ok?) at :

www.espressotec.com

and he assured me that DHL will be picking it up in 30 or so minutes than it will be whizzing off to me. Thank all the deities. The coffee I have been subsisting on is wicked strong. ;)

Why did this take so long for me to decide you ask? Well I had a rotten case of food poisoning this weekend (5 pounds gone in 12 hours bad ok??) and coffee was nearly the last thing on my mind. I was so queasy that I couldn't even KNIT. I KNOW. Madness you say.. and I agree.

The sweater is coming along still. Not nearly as fast as the last one, but I am blaming that on the poison too. It was a knit free weekend. Weird.

The weather is turning nasty here, I am watching the gusts blow down the street sideways. Yucky ducky.

Stay warm Possums!!

I've got a case of the Fridays

Which is far better than the Mondays right? Maybe I just need more pieces of flair? Mm. In any case...

The Good!

I made another etailer order this past week. From an awesome little site called Skindecent!

http://www.skindecent.com/index.php

Now you all know I am a product ho enthusiast right? well this little lady blew me out of the water with her outstanding customer service and more importantly.. her PRODUCTS! Wowsa! I ordered a 3 pack of her Foaming Bath Butter and having just got out of the shower and using her Fresh Baked Ginger Snaps scent I am in LOVE. I also got them in Sultry as Sin and Brown Sugar. The liquid Shea came to me in Brown Sugar as well and French Apple Pastry (which made my mouth fill with drool when I smelled it) and is resting comfortably on my skin right now! I also tried her Eau De Parfum in Brown Sugar (are you seeing the theme yet?) and Sultry as Sin. I'm wearing the Brown Sugar layered with the French Apple pastry and I am making myself hungry. Fantastic site, can't recommend her enough! She even emailed me to tell me I forgot to include what scents I want for my FREEBIES! Marliss.. you rock my world you do. I love supporting small business and what a bonus if its Canadian! LONG LIVE SKINDECENT!

Last night was a UFC Fight Night (I LOVE YOU SPIKE TV), A new Ep of Inside the UFC and 90 minutes of The Office. Does TV get any better? Well maybe tonight I will catch up on my Supernatural (no laughing) and then it will be perfect. I get so excited watching the UFC, Chris just laughs. He is a lucky man isn't he?

THE BAD

My boyfriend died. No really. My beloved espresso machine starting shooting water out of what I assume is a broken seal and gave it up after EXACTLY one month of use. Rotten bastard. Back he goes and I am now in the market for a new love. A Saeco maybe.. like this one..

I hate being let down. Meh to you stupid espresso machine. London Drugs better be co-operative about this.. I'd hate to have to smack a bitch. Or would I? Any recommendations are appreciated. After I cry myself to sleep, I'll start looking for a new love.

THE UGLY!!

Nope no ugly here! I am cracking along on Chris' sweater and should maybe have some progress pix for ya'll soon. Damn he is TALL so it goes a little slower I say.

I am working tomorrow so if anyone is yarn hoing about I'll be there minding the shop and having a yarntastic day. Good weekend all...

xoxoxo!

FRIDAY!!!!

Not that Friday really means much to someone who doesn't work the Monday to Friday grind, but it seems there is so much fun in the weekends... Like this weekend for example. We have a superexcellentfun birthday Fete to hit which will involve much drinking and dancing. Tomorrow is the FIRST Make 1 Yarns pub night! Now that Calgary has totally made the leap into the next century and banned all public smoking in bars, it is safe to take yer knitting and booze it up. I sound a right lush eh? Well those days are over, I am an official lightweight nowadays. I mean I have exception to the rule times, but mostly, its a few drinks and I'm schonckered. God I love beer.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

-Max is on a carpet. A dirty really needs to be cleaned carpet, but yes, a carpet.

-The foaming wand (that sounds DIRTY) on my boyfriend espresso machine works like a hot diggity damn. Hence my obsession with lattes right now. I had a cinnamon one this am. Mmmmm........

-Max does indeed have superpowers. The power to super grovel, the power to melt all hearts with a square km, and the power to kill with teh cute. Oh and the power to annoy me mightily when I want to sleep. His weaknesses are limited to terrier kryptonite (cookies and all people food, which have all the power in the world over him) and bigger scarier dogs in the alley. VIVA LA MAX!

-Max will maybe one day have his own skul sweater. MAYBE.

KNITTING NEWS

I have finished the Malabrigo sweater. No modelled shots right now, I really can't take the pics of myself, it looks so My space :P So this is it! It was a dream to knit up, even if I did have to rip it back a few times to tweak it.

As you can see I am still hooked on the ribbed sleeves, Yup. The colour is just called Burgundy (how dull!) but Chris thinks it looks like wood grain, and I think it looks like Mars. I'd call it Red Planet if I was the Malabrigo peeps but alas, I am not. What do you think?

NEXT UP:

See this? How cool is this? I am the luckiest of the lucky to have gotten such a wonderfully coolio bag. AND that yarn? That yarn (Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in EMBERS) is right now at this very minute being turned into a v-neck sweater for Chris. Yum yum yum! Now in case you missed it:

Skulls!! Sorry for the craptastic picture, I don't know how to work the camera that good yet. Hells, I am lucky to have figgered out how to d/l the pics I take and re size em.

I hope you all have safe and happy weekend.. and I need to give a big virtual hug to our Morgan. You know you are loved sweet girl. Happy birthday!!