Ravelry, Now What?

I've been on Ravelry for about a month now. I'm still not sure how to use it... or what exactly to use it for. I certainly haven't figured out how to post photos.

Joanne said to use Ravelry to find patterns for yarn I own. That could take a while. My stash is HUGE!

Linda is using Ravelry to showcase her designs! Way to go, Linda! I'm just not there yet.

New topic and new project: my second Audrey (from Hot Knits by Melissa Leapman) sweater! It is about 1/2 complete. I am finishing up the fronts (hopefully today or tonight... yes, I do lead the exciting life on New Year's Eve!)

I am attending a hogamanay parade in Portsmouth, and then we'll hang out for a bit of Scottish and maybe some Irish Ceilidah dancing at a friend's house. But I don't plan on staying to ring in the New Year. I want to finish this sweater! I have my priorities straight.

I made the first Audrey sweater from Blue Sky Alpaca's organic cotton. Great colors... much pilling. *Sigh*

The new Audrey is from Merinos Otto. It is beautiful. Great knitting, and no stupid mistakes this time. :) I learned from my mistakes on the first one!!! Amazing how that can work... sometimes.

I guess, I'll break out the camera one of these days and post a few photos. :)

Fall Semester is Officially OVER!

I just finished grading on one of the most work intensive semesters since I first started teaching. I need a new mantra... NO! NO!! NO!!!

Little knitting or reading had been completed since Oct. However, many of the rooms in my house were stripped of icky, old, smoke-stained wallpaper, and the house was painted. Off-white. Yes, I know.... boring. My house is dark, and I wanted it lighter. The painters were... ok, but s-l-o-w.

I bought a HUGE entertainment center... that looked small in the showroom! Now I must move all the cable and computer wiring to the other side of my loooooooong living room. However, this requires, not Cox, as one would expect, but an electrician. I called a guy... who promised to call this week. Isn't it Fri.? I mean come on?!?! Still no guy.

Christmas decorations... are not up... because I am waiting for electrician guy to come over.

I need a break, but instead, I'll be working hard to finish up Christmas gift shopping... forget ALL about Christmas knitting this year... This has been one of my least productive knitting years. Heck... it is probably one of my least productive years.

No knitting photos... though I am on the sleeves of my Audrey sweater. :(

A few items on today's to dos:
1). Call electrician... new guy... tired of waiting on other guy. Maybe I can find electrician girl/gal/woman. Surely a female would understand the need to return a flipping phone call or ten.
2) Call friend who wants to set up a "get together" before she goes to Fla. for Christmas.
3) Pick up new glasses. Why can I see and read the newspaper some mornings and not others? Based on the info. from my optometrist, old age eyes making inroads into my life. Yeah, she said it in a much more pc manner... but the meaning remains the same.
4) Go to VWC to pick up pay stubs. I thought when I opted to have automatic deposit, the stubs would go to an online format as well... NOPE. And I have been cheerfully ignoring all their emails on this subject, thinking: Well, I took care of that! Uh... NO I didn't.
5) Deciding whether or not to call a student who failed the class to explain why she failed... let's see: NO papers were submitted on time, and when they were submitted, there were no citations ... aka plagiarism. 0 + 0 + 0 = heck even this English teacher can add that in her head. She has been calling my office and emailing... Her main claim, "Well I worked hard and I was there almost every class."
6) Meet son shortly after noon to check out the 5.0+ mm wetsuits for Bruce for Christmas. He just broke the zipper in his current. Now you may think this was bad, but it wasn't; unless Bruce buys a new wetsuit in the next 10 days, we will be able to get him a gift he actually will use!
7) Pay bills :(
8) Start the house cleaning process... STUFF is still in odd places from the painters ... so some things must be moved before cleaning.
9) Call Ed. Tech. VP to get info. on an the itunesU proposal I'm working on. This is likely to be a phone tag marathon, which could go into next week.

I'm sure I'm missing a thing or two...

I know I need to do some work on my TCC website, and on the Faculty Senate website, and I need to prepare material for next semester in all my classes... but with the exception of #9 above, I am taking the day off from teaching.

Knit Out and Crochet too 2007

It was a good day today, but boy was it hot and sticky! The rain waited though, so it was all for the best.

I met fellow, but more diligent, blogger Kemtee from Drive by Thinking. :) She had her lovely daughter HSH with her. Not a bit of knitwear was on either of them.... I wonder if the steamy weather had just a little to do with that?

Knit Out and Crochet too 2007

Again, with the no photos!!

I am working too many hours, grading too many papers, and knitting too little. :(
But I am glad to check out what everyone else is doing.

The TKGV's Knit Out will be held 10/6/07. Don't forget to come out. I just helped sort all the prizes. There will be many cool give-aways.

See you at the Farmer's Market in Virginia Beach, at 10:00 - 3:00 this Sat.

a bit of knitting

I know it isn't much, but here's some of the knitting I have completed lately. All other recently knitted items look... much the same.



I haven't started on the Audrey sweater from Melissa Leapman's Hot Knits. I can't make the Wed. night knit alongs. :( Teaching this kiddie lit class for VWC sounded good at the time, but I think the knitting time is better for my mental health. If I lose my mind this semester, everyone will know why.

Anyway, I haven't done more than knit the swatch, muddle through the math....because I wanted to use Blue Sky Alpaca's cotton yarn for the sweater... I must pay for this change by fiddling with math.

A colleague and I had to go to Va Tech today for a meeting. Because I need the knitting time, I almost asked him to drive... but it is my car... and I didn't do it. Ten+ hours of lost knitting time. :( So.... I now feel compelled to go knit.

Knitting felting in the washer

Pictures soon, I promise. I've knit (my own patterns...yeah!) a few items for felting. After the first wash, things are looking good, but they need another round. I'm sure I'll be adding a few more items.

I still have to find buttons for my friend's baby sweaters. I'm just not loving anything I find.

On a totally different topic, I was saddened to read that Hilly Kristal had died Tues. Oy! Oy! Oy! Where would punk be without CBGB? And you know I LOVE that old punk rock.

Should I, or Shouldn't I?

Would What Not to Wear come get me for this?

It is in the new Folk Style book.




Go here for a better look:
Folk Style

Photos of Newfoundland

OK... I am bad. I have a few knitted things in the works, but no photos. And as one of my local knitting buddies says, "It's all about the photos!"

Here are some of the photos I took in Newfoundland. I particularly like the one I took of the Narrows from The Rooms. Very nice light.

Lobster feed the night before we left Newfoundland
A visit to Paradise
Swimming at Manuels River... FYI I did not swim.... too cold for me. But my teenage son sure didn't seem to mind.
The Narrows of St. John's, Newfoundland
They were singing, "I Had a Hat When I Came in"
Hi Mom

I'm Back

I went on vacation. I did knit some, but I gave the bunny, booties, hat, and baby sweaters as gifts. I'm working on another one right now. So, I'll have photos soon.

Jewish Mother

The show went well! Yay! Jeremiah did an interesting move.... stood on his amp to jump at the finale... but the amp was on wheels tonight... so it rolled. He hit the stage on his back, kept playing, and kicked up his legs to entertain the crowd! The kid has chutzpah! Where did he come from? I never had this self confidence at 16.

We also heard a great band tonight: Murphy's Kids. These guys are worth the bucks, and they are playing at the Peppermint Beach Club in VB on July 21. I'm going, with my son and at least one car load of kids. Will I see you there? Bring your knitting.

The "more seasoned band" sounded like they were trying too hard. They were unnecessarily vulgar. All of us left because they used a derogatory term for women... and those of us at my table who were paying for the evening food and drinks for 8 or 9 people were... you got it ... WOMEN! We left. I, and the other women at our table and at other tables who were doing the paying, can spend our $$$ elsewhere.

bit 'o braggin'

Pick it up! Pick it up! Can you tell this post is not about knitting?

TS, and the other Couch Jumpers will be playing at the Jewish Mother on Sat. July 7th, at 8:p.m. Ska bands Jackmove and Murphy's Kids will perform, The Couch Jumpers are the opening act.


Come down to the Jewish Mother, this roadie mom will definitely be there. I will be embarrassing (only slightly) TS by knitting during all shows. ;)

Small Swag

Here's the teeny tiny amount of swag purchased in Knitting Addiction.
I plan to make three of these:

See... remarkable, and awful, boring restraint.

I have been looking for the big purchase for TS. A car. So yarn $$$ must be saved. Bummer, huh?

Road Trip reprise

Our road trip was TOTALLY EXCELLENT, but I have no photographic evidence because I forgot my camera. :(

Knitting Addiction does have some cool stuff. I really liked the comfy seating at the front of the VERY large store. She also had a brag book for her knitters to show off finished projects. I met two fairly new knitters, both of whom are creating beautiful items.

We bought... I bought in moderation.... sigh! A yarn diet really cuts into my desire for a yarn free for all!

Patt increased her trunk stash... yes, you read correctly. This woman has more stash in the trunk of her car than some people have under their beds. As this is only her TRUNK stash, this means she ALSO has yarn in her house... probably everywhere! I did take a photo of the trunk stash on my cell phone... Now I have to figure out how to down/up load it. :)

The weather was beautiful, the company remarkable, and the yarn shop well worth the trip. In all a fabulous summer day.

Road Trip

A bunch of the women from Ewe Knits will be taking a road trip to Knitting Addiction on Sat. We're going to maul fondle maybe buy yarn. Don't you just love that maybe? I had planned to drive, but TS and his band play at Phil's Grill that evening, and he needs my car.

*SIGH* When his plans interfere with my knitting plans, I know it is time to car shop for him. UGH! I've been hunting pilotonline.com and the AutoTrader. Andrea suggested CarMax, so I am looking there now.

Ignore all directions

A bunch of us at Ewe Knits started a knitalong last night. The Alexa Wave Shell is beautiful, but HUGE!

My first cast on wrapped around my front, and 1/2 way around my back.

I am a petite person, and I usually have to size things down a bit, but this moves down from 108 stitches to 80 stitches for the front! Ack!

Dona noted that many patterns now come in plus sizes; why not petites too?

hot knit knitalong

A bunch of the Ewe Knit regulars have been discussing doing the Audrey sweater from Melissa Leapman's Hot Knits.

I just looked up the yarn used; it is Lion Brand's Kool Wool. I don't want to use Kool Wool, but the specs are: in st st, with size 10.5 needles, 13 sts and 20 rows = 4". So, as soon as I return from the conference, I'm going through my stash. ;)

Knit in Public Day

June 9th was a beautiful, sunny day here in Va Beach. Bobbie, over at Ewe Knits had a BYOC (chair) and we sat to knit in the well-shaded, breezy walkway in front of the shop.

I won one of the drawings: knitting needles (circular and straight), water bottle, and special detergent for my precious knitted items. Cool, huh?

Groovy Girl (I CANNOT find her link now!!!) showed up, and I recognized her from her blog.

Andrea was knitting Adrienne Vittadini's, Alexa Wave Shell. It looks great. So.... we started talking about a knit-a-long. A little later, the Temptress quietly walked into the shop and bought yarn.
Wellllll we couldn't be outdone. So, we set it up with days and times, and in a very short time, you will see many of the Ewe Knit regulars sporting the Alexa Wave Shell in various color combinations.

Here are some of the other knitters:

Babies

I finished one and almost finished another baby sweater.



I made this one for a cousin in Newfoundland, and I just finished another one for a friend in California. They will never see each other, so their outfits won't clash. I like the version on the model, my cousin Benjamin. He's my first cousin's son, so what does that make him? My first cousin, once removed is my bet. Once removed means one generation down right?

I finished the sleeve on the yellow baby sweater, and now I have to move to the button band.

I'll be flying to Boston for a work conference next week, so I won't be working on anything big. I have some nice Fleece Artist sock yarn that I bought in Toronto last year, and I think that will be my travel knitting. I have some tiny Brittany needles that should pass the airline test.

I, who am NOT a morning person, am leaving for this trip at 4:45 in the morning. ICK! I SAY I will go to bed early, but somehow, I just know, it won't happen.

Go Look At Rose-Kim knits

You have to see this: Rose-Kim Knits: Thursday's are for What the Hell is This? You want Thurs. May 31, 2007.

Enjoy!

Photo editing extraordinaire

Just a little while ago, when I was supposed to be grading paragraphs, I was seeing what had been added at Rose-Kim Knits. She mentions a new free online photo editing site called Picnik. I've tried a few of these before, and most are s-l-o-o-o-o-w.

Once I loaded Picnik, I noticed the link to flickr. I clicked, I selected this dark photo. (TS forgot the flash.)

Look what Picnik : did in less than 30 seconds!


And this: to this:

I am very impressed. How about you?

Now I not only can thank Jessica for her entertaining, "Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?" but also for turning me on to Picnik.

A Little Knitting

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean, I don't care what the reviews said, I liked it. Went with TS and some of our friends, plus I had 3 hours of mindless knitting... What is not to like?


I finished the almost made to gift status scarf. This yarn Cashmere/Silk Melange from School Products, is fabulous. So.... it won't be a gift... I am keeping this little mistake stitch rib number for me.

I'll be ordering some more of this yarn though. At $10 a skein, it is a steal.

In baby sweater news, I have only sleeves to go.

Not so instant gratification

It is a good thing I started an IG baby sweater last week. It has been so busy around here that all progress ground to a stop, even on that quicky sweater. My niece is staying the week with me. She and my son are in the same grade, and attend the same school, but adding one extra person to the mix, especially during the first week of the summer semester has really put a dent in knitting time.

TS had to go to court to receive his "real" license yesterday. It is official; he can drive on the streets of VB.

I'm off to meetings all day, and as I am chairing them, I won't get any knitting done.

Tomorrow, tomorrow...

The Couch Jumpers

With several other bands, The Couch Jumpers played tonight at Club Relevant. The sound was excellent, and tonight was the first time they were not among the openers. They were the act right before the headliners. Very cool.

Thanks to Club Relevant staff; they worked hard to make sure each band's sound was just right, and they worked the lighting and fog machines so every band received professional treatment. At first I thought $10 was steep for a show aimed at teens, but these folks really worked hard for the young bands. Very nice.

bragging pics:
TS

New trombonist: Josh

Michael

Jason

TS again

band


And a good time was had by all... OK. The parents and less, shall we say avid fans, sat and stood along the walls. But we still thoroughly enjoyed the music.

Babies Everywhere

I am getting some IG knitting baby sweaters for three different future babies. After knitting Starlight, they are speedy quick.

My niece is pregnant, and due in August. My cousin Susanna is due in July, and so is my friend Carmen.

My plan is to make one yellow, one white, and one green. I'm playing with a sand stitch pattern. for the top, and plain reverse stockinette for the bottom. I started the yellow one tonight when I went to Ewe Knits for a little knitting time. I'm already at the underarms. I love knitting baby sweaters.

What to knit?

I am currently contemplating my next garment. (I noticed Wendy is choosing her next fun project.)

I have some Purled Llama silk that is calling me.

I see a shell... fairly simple to show off the hand dying. But I need to do math to determine whether or not I have enough. Grumperina does it well. I don't. I can see myself finished up to the armpits...and running out of yarn.

In the mean time, I am working up some felted items for a show later this year. More info. to come.

I've also started a scarf from School Products. I am using the middle yarn in the photo. It is fabulous yarn...silk and cashmere, and it's only $10 a skein. My very simple mistake stitch rib scarf is going to feel and look far more expensive.

Starlight

I finished Starlight. Check it out. It is my new favorite sweater. :)

First Destash Sales

I know posting twice in the same day makes me look as addicted to my blog as some teenagers are hooked on MySpace... not naming any names TS or Dancer Niece.

But I wanted this to post separately, instead of in the last one.

I sold my first two sets of yarn on Destash... I already feel the slimming effects. I had responses from the first day! Very cool.

So far, I have resisted buying more stash from Destash, but that is because I TOTALLY missed the Koigu. I really like the springy feel and stunning colors of this yarn.

To help keep my resistance, I've given myself a goal. At the end of this week, I'll post a little more of the stash I may never get to, and if I sell $200, I'm going to allow myself a little splurge. Fair, right?

I Finished Starlight

In case you didn't see the title, I finished Starlight!!! It looks and fits great. However, I can't seem to get a decent shot of it on me. I'd never make it on MYSPACE, would I? As soon as TS returns from school today, I'll recruit him to photograph me in this beauty.

Charm, in the same book as Starlight, is also calling me.

I have some yarn almost the same color... two pale green sweaters... I'm just not sure about that. But the color is incredible.

Neighbors with a View

I was just on MySpace... to find the dates of my son's next gig to email to a friend, and of course... I became distracted and looked at some of his friend's pages... and some of the photos they have. Ummm ... yes, I know I am supposed to finish up some grading.

I found this.


This is my tree... in the fall. The neighbor's son labeled it something like "beautiful tree...too bad it's not this color all year." ;) So I admire their spring dogwoods, and they admire my maple. cool trade, huh?

Why didn't you join us?

Hey Loretta the lurker, why didn't you join us and knit on Wed. night? ;) There you were buying beautiful Koigu, and heck, needles were certainly available. The Wed. knitting group at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns are a lively bunch; you'd enjoy them.

I figured out buttons!

Are you impressed or what? It did take m-u-c-h fiddling about, but I did it.

I also posted on Destash. So, maybe my reduction plan will soon allow me off the yarn diet.

But... check out the Cashmere merino from School Products that was just listed there.... and Misti Alpaca listed further down. Temptations... I keep telling myself stay the course.


I am finished grading for today, more will arrive online tonight and tomorrow. The end is near... and the new beginning.... summer semester is also only a few weeks away.

For now, I'm going to bench press, and then I'll work on Starlight... I finished the sleeves! Time to put it together and finish the front bands.

Shout Out to Bill M

I work with many great people at TCC. One of them, Bill M., teaches computer classes. When TS wiped out my hard-drive, I emailed Bill to determine whether or not the info. could be saved.

He did it! I don't know how... though I must admit he tried to explain.

Bill also, kindly, reminded me to backup. So.... now I am, but I have tons of stuff on the disk, so it will take a while.

Buttons, buttons, who's got the buttons?

Well I don't have the buttons. I guess that is another item to add to the to do list: Figure out how to add buttons on blogger, so I can add Destash... and really make it visible.

And I know this doesn't count:




I know Grumperina has a tutorial. I just need time to get the tutoring.

Starlight at the end of the tunnel

Yes, I am finally near the end with Starlight. Committee work, grading, and computer woes, have really s-l-o-w-e-d this project down. :(

I am up to my arm pits, usually not a good thing, but in this case a very good thing!


It is final exam week... so I won't have much time. Add to that 2 committee meetings and a going away dinner for a friend, and well... I am over booked again this week.

One HURRAY! I was accepted on Destash

Yes! Cash for, well not all, but SOME of my stash, because all would
1) clog Destash, and they would kick me OFF
2) cause me to have a nervous breakdown
3) cause me to restock... rapidly. (I bet my LYSs would love this).
4) all of the above.

As I tell my students, when "all of the above" is a choice... it has a good chance of being correct.

I took some photos today, and on my list of things to do tomorrow:
make them look good
carefully read the instructions to post on Destash.

Cursed Dell Still Not Right

A friend from work was able to save, we think, all of my documents and programs. YEAH!!! But guess what is not there... my internet drivers?!?! I didn't even know the computer had drivers for the internet. I thought it was a program. But whenever I try to access the interenet... I get the same *@%* message...

In the mean time I am backing up the files and preparing for my next attempt at fixing this problem. And it is exam week.

Doesn't it just figure?

Knitalong in Memory of Mary Read

FYI

Here is one way to give in memory of the Hokies.

CURSED DELL TECH SUPPORT

ARRRRGH!!!

The Dell Techie Geeks, housed somewhere in India, told my son that installing new operating system disks would NOT erase personal data!!!!!! He did it! I am so screwed! Everything for my summer classes was on there. Yes, I can recreate... but it will take weeks of hard work.

My final exams were on there. Again, they can be recreated... but more time.

All our music has been deleted. DAMN.

And all photos are gone.

I am FREAKING mad. I talked to 3 different levels of support/management... and no one could do more than say how sorry they were.... OH yeah... and they'd be sure to talk to those two technicians so that they wouldn't make that mistake again!!!! How EXACTLY does this help me?!?!

The next level up Geek is supposed to call me on Tues. I want them to pay for Drive Savers, and I don't care how much it costs them.

GRRRRRR!!!!!

Seriously, does Mac outsource their tech support?

Virginia Tech

I just visited Rose-Kim Knits to check our her weekly "What the Hell is This?" ...aside... Thank you, thank you, thank you... jessica for the entertainment, especially this week.

On Tues., she said: "I'm tired of our response to violence. All the endless obsessing over the killer and searching for something in his behavior that will explain the terrible thing he did. The headline "VA Tech Killer Had Mental Problems" just makes me think, 'No shit.'"

Me too.

I too am saddened by the deaths and injuries to these young people and their professors. I am sickened by the violence wrought by one unbalanced individual.

But I too am tired of our response.... actually, I am a little angry at our collective responses to such violence because I think the on air, and other media obsession with such individuals....encourages other unbalanced people to follow on this path.

And that most definitely is NOT our goal. TV stations, radio stations, and other media sources must "sell;" it doesn't mean we have to buy. I refuse to look at the images, or read one word about the killer.

I will read and think about those lost and their families.

And I will vote for sensible gun control, because the Virginia Tech massacre truly should not have happened.

cursed dell

After a week, many phone calls, downloading programs, turning "stuff" off, turning "stuff" on, and generally talking far, far too long to tech support at Dell, my USB drives and printer are still not talking to my computer.

This all started when my son's Dell DJ (mp3) died. This is the third one, and we have a warranty, so, no big deal.

BUT when he received the replacement, the pop-up said..the DJ had been bought for use in a foreign country; therefore, it wouldn't work in the U.S.

Back to the Dell help lines... after hours of work, the decision was to ship this one back and have another replacement sent.

In the meantime, my DJ stopped talking to the computer.

Another call to the help lines.... and so it goes.

Anyway no photos this week because of the cursed Dell.

I am beginning to lean MAC.

TS is Officially Driving

Jeremiah is officially driving now. He's taken his first ride in my car without an adult! He drove to Moe's Music to take in his small amplifier. He caught it on fire!

Monday night we saw Great Big Sea. They were great ;) (one person who shall remain nameless... who reads...but doesn't comment... asked: was that an intentional pun? ... hmmmm..... you KNOW me.... what do you think?)

I cannot believe the theater didn't sell out! In Newfoundland we wouldn't have even gotten close to them! Here in Norfolk, we sat right on top of them. After the show we chased them down at their bus. These guys are Canadian superstars, yet they stood for photos with us, and chatted kindly with the kids and all the people out there waiting. These guys really are superstars.

I am volunteering at the Spring Craft Market at the VB Convention Center. I am knitting, and knitting, and knitting, on the Starlight Sleeves. I am up to my elbows. ;)

Yesterday, my computer decided NOT to recognize my camera or printer! Therefore, I cannot add photos tonight, and I won't have time to figure this out tomorrow. Maybe my wonderful TS can figure it out.

I hear people with Apple computers do not have these problems!

Turkish Cast on, Toe-up, socks on Magic Loop

I have a finished object... or does it count as two because they are socks?



Call me anal, but it bothers me that the stripes aren't matching exactly.

I took Joanne F's. sock class at Ewe Knits. She is an excellent teacher, and provides clear handouts with both well-written instructions and clear photos. She's well prepared, very organized, and patient as all get out. What more could one ask in a knitting teacher? Thanks Joanne.

A note on the Importance of Guage

During March's Guild meeting, Jackie S. demonstrated steeks on Linda J.'s Norwegian sweater. Linda fitted the sleeves, and wore it to the meeting in April.

Doesn't it look great?

But Linda says looks can be deceiving. She recommended checking gauge when you move from one-color to multi-color knitting. Though we cannot tell by looking, Linda demonstrated that the top, stranded part of the sweater was much tighter than the bottom.


The thing is, all of us KNOW this.... but how often do we ignore this knowledge, and just forge ahead? I rip, and rip, and rip... because of errors with gauge... even though I know better. I guess I am on a slow learning curve on that one.

Snow in April, in VIRGINIA BEACH!

First of all, as all the locals know, we had snow today! Amazing! At about 9:00 April 7th, it was snowing quite heavily. I finally dragged myself outside to take photos at about 9:30, and awakened TS to come pose for a few.





My neighborhood is beautiful this time of year. Here's a photo of my dogwood tree in bloom.... tiny, but this is the first year it has bloomed, so I am excited and think it is beautiful despite the puny amount of blooms and the snow.




Now, check out my neighbor's dogwood trees in bloom.


My view definitely beats their view. ;)

Gathering of the Guilds

Last weekend, Tidewater Knitting Guild of Virginia participated in the Francis Land House's annual Gathering of the Guilds. My mom, Linda Johnson, and I set up. Here's a photo of us and some of our knits.
The spinners were across from us, and here's a shot of Faye R. at her wheel.

I could easily see my knitting in the baskets set up next to us.

Bobbie B. brought Peter Rabbit along. While she was there, she worked on Mrs. Tiggy Winkle. Bobbie's critters are beautiful, but I cannot believe the amount of sewing up required for each! UGH!

We had a good day, and look forward to next year.

Embarrassing

Picture this...
It is just before dusk...dim...not dark, and I was returning from grocery shopping and lugging the stuff into the house.
A man rode by on a bike, and in a deep voice, he said "hey there." "Yeah You!" I continued to carry the stuff and offered a dirty look.

He said, "Helloooo." I swear I didn't recognize him. Then he said, "Hi Neighbor!...Next door neighbor!"

Yep. It was my next door neighbor!!! AAAACK. It got worse. I told him, he didn't sound like himself... his voice isn't as deep as he had made it sound at first...but, thank heaven I didn't say that part.

He had on a bulky jacket. So, I told him he looked bulkier ... did not get to finish my sentence... He said, "Thanks!" Nope... not good.

After much hemming and hawing on my part... tongue in knots... could not talk.... URGH! escaped....

His hair is also a bit longer and so, he appears much grayer... At least I didn't say that.

THEN.... I called one of my friends, another neighbor. Her phone rang, a woman answered.... I said, "Hey... Omigod, you are not going to believe how I just embarrassed myself and insulted Chad." The woman laughed. Then as I told her about it, she punctuated the conversation with laughs and questions in the right places.

When I ended with, "Can you believe it?!?" She said no... and that I had the wrong number, but she was glad I had called because it was better than TV! Well that made the two of us laugh hysterically. I was fairly certain I had dialed the right prefix, so I asked if she lived in Thalia and would be able to mock me to all our mutual neighbors...

She responded, "I don't know where Thalia is." Whew... I thought...

Then she continued. I am from Utah. Guess where my friend's mother-in-law is from? Yep. Utah. But she thought I had dialed the wrong number! When I told her I really was calling for Lisa, she seemed quite surprised.... although she was answering Lisa's phone, in Lisa's house.

Now I am trying to decide whether
a) she was weird for carrying on the conversation.
b) I am weird... for all of the above.... and just having one of those days
c) all of the above.

When in doubt c out.

Swag photos

Here's my swag from Knittapalooza.

In the bag

and on the loose
.

Rio de la plata yarn and a pattern too. Thanks to Bobbie at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns for this excellent addition to my stash. I am thinking of using Sally Melville's stripes that aren't technique, and blend this yarn with either a navy blue or dark green every third row.

But first I must finish Starlight.
.

Knit, knit, knit. Why does work have to interfere with my knitting time?