Thanks For Giving!

Giving #1: Thanksgiving is next week here in the states. We are planning to go to my mom and dad's for the holiday and the attached weekend (I mentioned this in my last blog - but I wanted to bring those people up to speed just in case they are new to the blog that I like to call my life) to celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas in the same weekend. We are calling it "Thanks for Christmas" - Ok, maybe I'm the only one calling it this, but if I figure if I keep saying it, that it will rub in and vernacular will catch on. So needless to say since we are leaving next Wednesday and I need to have all my Christmas shopping for my side of the family done. Sheesh.....now that is pressure. I know that I said that I was going shopping last weekend and I did do a lot of window shopping to price some ideas - but nothing was purchased, well at least not for other people.... We bought new shoes for both my husband and myself (it was buy one get one half off - so it would have been a crime not to get 2 pair. OK, we probably didn't both need to get 2 pair - but you only live once). Plus we bought a movie for my husband and a new pot for my out of control aloe vera plant that is now so large that I can't even water it. Note: the pot is still just sitting in my living room unpotted - but I put it next to the plant to give it hope. So, we did manage to purchase things - just not for other people. So this is the weekend. Shop til you drop weekend...

Giving #2: My husband just returned from a business trip to France and being the good husband that he is he brought me home gifts! I got French perfume (ooh-la-la), a make up bag with samples of a lot of different cosmetics, hoop earrings, a T shirt, and bottle of wine. (I think he loves me). Here's a picture so you can see all the loot:
Giving #3: I have gotten some great e-mails lately and I'd thought that I would give them to you so that you can laugh too!

Black November

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop

My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop

Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow

He told me there was something that I had to know

His look and his tone I will always remember

He told me of the horrors of Black November



Come about August, now listen to me

Each day you will get six meals instead of just three

Soon you'll be thick where you once were thin

You'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin

Then one morning while you are all warm in your bed

In will burst the farmers wife to chop off your head

She'll pluck out all your feathers till you are bald and pink

She'll scoop out all your insides and leave you lying in the sink

Then comes the worst part he said not bluffing

She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing



The rest of his words were too grim to repeat

I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat

And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked

I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked

I began a new diet of nuts and granola

High roughage salads juice and diet cola

As they ate pastries chocolates and crepes

I stayed in my room and did Jane Fonda tapes

I maintained my weight at two pounds and a half

I tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed

But it was I who was laughing under my breath

As they chomped and chewed ever closer to death



Sure enough when Black November rolled around

I was the last turkey left in the whole compound

So now I am the pet in the farmers wife's lap

I haven't a worry so I eat and I nap

She held me today while sewing and humming

She smiled at me and said "Christmas is coming"

Got a Neck - Need a Cowl I Say!

I was going through other people's blogs and came across one that had a pattern for a cowl - AKA neck warmer (I apologize that I can't remember which one blog I found it on. It's funny how when you are looking for a site that you've already been to, how hard it is to find your way back. The net is definitely a super highway, and just like in real life, I seem to be lost.) . And I said to myself, "Self - that is a great idea!" The pattern actually used alpaca yarn that I had in stock from my last shopping trip with Nancy and called for exactly one skein - which again, I had just the perfect amount (which is why I still had it - because I needed 2 skeins at least to make a decent scarf - which when I bought it I hadn't realized). It was as if the knitting gods had looked into their pattern books and said, "On this day Angela will knit a Cowl with thy alpaca yarn-th that-th she-th already bought-th and then-th she-th won't be wasting money-th." (It's kind of funny that the knitting gods have a lisp - probably why they like to stay at home and knit :-). Plus I kind of needed a tiny break from the sweater that I'm also knitting, which is just on the knit- purl stocking stitch body part that gets a bit tedious. Plus I'm really trying to open my horizons to having several projects going on the same time so that I never get that feeling of panic when I go search for the next project to take on. So I know that you are getting anxious to see how the cowl turned out, so here it is:
I know you say that it looks good on arm - but does is it really functional around a neck? Since I'm having a bad hair day, George the wonder cat said that he'd step in and model even though he pointed out that he already has quite a full set of hair on his neck that keeps him quite warm. So without further ado, George the Wonder Cat in "Do I really have to put this on?":
Poor George - He is such a good cat - but more importantly such a great knitting model!

I also made a purchase last weekend to make some Christmas Stockings (I bought them on Patternworks.com if you are interested) to hang out for Santa. I have always wanted to make some hand knit stockings like the ones I had growing up. Ours didn't have this much pattern - but they reminded me of them and that's good enough for me. Plus they look big enough to put some really great stuff in- but small enough so that Santa doesn't have to break his back bringing it down the chimney. Plus, if my present is too large for the sock - he knows he can always just prop it up next to the fireplace or under the tree. Plus jewelry should have no problem fitting into the stocking (If anyone talks to Todd, that would be a good hint as to what I would like this year :-).
I'm going to try to put our names on the Stockings in place of one the Peace, Love, or Joy spots. I actually ordered the Peace Stocking - but in realty they are all the same pattern (minus the words) with just different color placements.

Well, since my side of the family has decided to celebrate Christmas on Thanksgiving - we are holding our first annual "Thanks for Christmas" celebration. I have to go shopping this weekend to get ready. If you need me, call my cell because I'll be at the stores. I'm hoping they won't be as crowded as when I normally shop. Plus the stores started decorating before Halloween here (the city of St. Charles already has their street lights decorated with Christmas trees!) - so I shouldn't have any problem finding presents. Wish me luck.

This Week Just Flu By....

I hope that you were feeling better this past week, than I did. I have viral gastroenteritis - which is a fancy way of saying that I have the stomach flu. Don't worry, I won't go into the gorry details, but needless to say that my coworkers should thank me for staying home the two days I did. Plus everyone knows that work is a fart free zone :-) at least it should be. You have to admit it's hard to take someone seriously if they are lighting them up every other minute. I went back on Wednesday - because three solid days of being completely alone (because my husband was of course traveling during my illness) was enough to drive me back to work.

I did manage to get two things accomplished -

1. I watched more than my fair share of daytime TV.
Here is a quick synopsis:

• No Bob Barker - now that is disturbing. You would have thought that they would have at least repainted the set!
• The View - a bunch of women talking at the same time. I think now that the blond chick is going on maternity leave that the show may have a chance.
• Oprah - is on at 9am in the morning. What?! She was on at 3pm where I used to live so needless to say, I missed her every day.
• Dr. Phil - is like watching divorce court. Two people arguing with the good doctor stopping them to give his quick quip and letting them go at it again!
  
• Tyra Banks (Wait was that the chick in the Fresh Prince of Belaire?)- not bad - I think she's trying to edgy - but I'm not sure it's working. And what's with the bangs? Yuck.
• Montel - no change.
• Ellen - she is funny - well except for the whole crying jag about her pooch.
  
• Soap Operas - I think that last time I tried to watch one of those I was in college and I think that it had the story line. I know it had some of the same actors - which made me feel old because they were teenagers back then and now they are old and some have gotten fat. Wow - that was an eye opener!
  
• Reruns of reruns - there is a mind numbing amount of old shows on daytime TV.
  

I'm not sure of how many brain cells committed suicide by this onslaught of bad TV - but I think that I'm just starting to recover now.

2. I got the sleeves done for my sweater. Both of them! I have to admit that I thought that I would have been able to get more accomplished than just the sleeves - but I guess that proves that I was really sick.

Ok - here is a picture of one of the sleeves - but believe me I have another exactly the same.

Can you see the pattern at the top? I guess what I do is make the front and back of the sweater and do the pattern up to this same row number. Then I put them together and knit a yoke to the top of the sweater - the same way I had made that lady bug sweater. Isn't that funny that making that little sweater set me up for knowing how to make this one.

Before I go, I would like to thank George for keeping me company. There wasn't a time that he wasn't sleeping beside me or following me into the bathroom. If I did manage to leave him outside the door - - there he was scratching at the door. I always have this wild idea of what George does when we are not home and let me say that I'm glad that he was able to set aside all those plans and instead spent the days with me.

So here's to you George! Enjoy!!

Best In Show!

I don't know about your neighborhoods - but fall is a time for festivals and shows in ours. There was the St. Charles Scarecrow festival, the Mecum Car Auction (really a car show for those of us with less than a couple of hundred extra grand rolling around in our pockets!), the Naperville Octoberfest, etc, etc, etc..... We used to have friends that showed cats - that's something that I think everyone should experience at least once in their lives. If I have to come back as anything after I die, I want it to be a cat that someone takes to those cat shows. I'd have a special diet, my own special toys - which more catnip in them to calm a German Shepard, a very strict grooming regiment, no one would fix me or cut off my claws -only a gentle manicure will do, and basically I would be the single most important thing in the lives of the "owner" (I question at this point who really owns who!). In fact, we had a couple of friends of ours come down to the Chicago area just last week for a show of people who paint miniatures That is, people that paint small figurines (of every size and shape) that have so much detail that you can not only see the expression on their faces but also read the fine print on the buttons on their lapel!! Amazing!!! (Note: Before this I didn't even know what a miniature was, let alone that people in this country painted them. I guess that I just figured that the Chinese had this part of the market all tied up with the lead paint sales going through the roof in that part of the world!).

For me, there's two things that all these festivals and shows have in common.

One: They remind me of the movie, "Best In Show." If you haven't seen it, you must. Check out the link to the trailor (Yes, it's the blue underlined part above - also then I can show off that I have mastered linking). It really shows how we can get so tied up in our hobbies and interests that we can manage to lose a grip on reality trying to get the recognition for our accomplishments away from work. A once innocent hobby has taken a turn and slipped into the "that's a little weird" zone.

Two: They all have the same feel of people anxiously sitting around with their creations, things for sale, animals that have been over pampered, etc out for all to see (and purchase if they are for sale) while Customers - we'll call them evaluators - all browse around these booths of items to pick the one that they feel is the best. These evaluators show this "bestness" through their purchases - if not, their Oooo's and Ahhhhh's. These affirmations (all be it the necessary ingredient) make all of the time and energy worth the effort that it took to put on the "Show." Ah competition - "The Thrill of Victory - and the Agony of Defeat!" (Note: If someone doing these shows tries to tell you that it is for the money - they are fooling themselves. I bet that more money went into making these items then could ever be gained from their sale. If not into what went into the items for sale - more money certainly went into the excess materials needed to make more items. The more they make, the more they buy more materials - it's a vicious circle really. Now I'm not knocking this - I actually think that it is part of the life cycle of the art. The only people making the money are the people selling the materials. This is what drives the big box stores of the world!! This is one of the main reasons why we crafters need to buy things from the small, independent stores - they are most certainly run by people who are trying to support their habit!)

Did you ever notice that there is always at least one thing that stands out that everyone wants to buy?! And that this affirmation of accomplishment gets transferred to the people that are successful in picking up this item! Well, I just want you to know that the metal pumpkin was the "it" item at the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival and that I was victorious in purchasing said item. This I "accomplished" after about a 30 minute wait in line (in about 90F heat) with my $25 burning a hole in my pocket, my husband waiting patiently in the shade (God bless his heart), with anticipation as I watched the other women one by one carry away their prizes like they had themselves conquered the sale . Then after victoriously purchasing and obtaining this craft of the day, I realized that the metal pumpkin weighed at least 2 lbs and that I was stuck awkwardly carrying it through the rest of the fair. However, it was all worth it for every time that a woman stopped me as I milled through the festival to inquire where I had purchased such a "gem." So I know you all want to see it, so here it is:
The funny part is that this pumpkin is most definitely not hand made -Todd the engineer in the family, had great pleasure in pointing out to me. Ah easy come, easy go. It made the whole day worth it in my mind - and every time I look at it, I'll be reminded of my victory.

I also picked up a very nice Douglas Fir Picky Root basket that was definitely hand made by the man who was able to tell me everything about the basket - even the fact that he had named it! (See my last blog about naming your creations - not such a stupid idea - now is it?!). Here it is:

This was the Mountain Peaks Basket - as named by the artist - for the peaks in the front of the basket as well as the long tall handle (sorry I should have taken a bit of a different angle to show off the name - but you get the idea). This artist's enthusiasm almost took away the sting of that fact that at the end of the festival I saw similar baskets for about half the price. Darn it anyway!! (This would be our agony of defeat that day).

Before I go, George wanted to share his prize pumpkin - he figured if someone in the festival could take credit for a pre-manufactured item - so could he, plus any holiday that uses the word "treat" is number one in his book!

Now go out and enjoy the fall shows before it snows!!

Lady Bug, Lady Bug, Fly Away Home!

So it all started in Flin Flon....the lady bug sweater pattern and buttons, I mean.

I got the lady bug buttons from my MIL aren't they cute as a button? Well....you know what I mean. The bag with all the bugs milling about makes me think of going to the zoo - with the animals all caged up. The knitting of the sweater releases them and sets them free (kind of profound now - don't you think!)....well, except for the whole being tied to the sweater so they stay in one place that is. Maybe again....not so much like a zoo at all - now that I think about it. Good, I was starting to feel like a member of PITA there for a second (Side Note: When I worked at Carolina Turkey's the lab manager used to tell me that I was a member of pita, which of course stood for: Pain In The Ass :-).

The pattern came from one of Jane's collection. I changed it slightly with the Fair Isle part of the pattern was green in the original - which I changed to black to set off the black in the lady bugs. Also the lady bugs had antennas in the original - which I took off because I have never seen a lady bug with an antenna! Sheeesh!!

There are a total of 19 lady bugs across the yoke of the sweater. (I actually got that term "yoke" from the pattern, but I thought that it made me sound very knitting knowledgeable so I just threw it into the bog very nonchalantly...it would have worked too - had I not had this aside. Douuh.....).

Take a closer look at the yoke - egg-citing isn't it?! Ok I couldn't resist the yoke joke.



























Now for the biggest critic of all - the George Smell test:
By George, I think he likes it!











Speaking of George, I think everyone needs a bit of George update. George goes through stages of when he is interested in different things. And George is very stubborn, when he goes through these stages he only thinks about that one thing and drives you crazy until he gets what he wants. So George has always been fascinated with water, but he has taken it to a new level. Since hearing on the news how bottled water is nothing more than water that has been sent through a filter and the bottles are filling up our landfills at a very rapid rate - we decided to purchase a Brita water filter/container for our refrigerator. It's very nifty and fits easily in our refrigerator and has a spigot so you don't even have to take it out of the fridge. But George loves it!!!! He loves watching the water come out of it. He loves trying to drink the water as we pour his water into his bowl from the container (yes, George likes cold water)! George thinks that if we are getting a glass of water for ourselves - that it is really for him and he trys to drink out of it! Now he thinks that every time we open the refrigerator that we are getting water so he darts his head into the refrigerator. So we are having races to the refrigerator on a fairly regular basis. Not only that - but now if he sees a glass anywhere in the house - that it must have water in it - so he trys to drink out of it. If the level is too low for him to get his nose to it - he has figured out that it just easier to stick his paw in the glass and knock it over. So....we are now having water spilled all over the house!! The other day, while sleeping - George spied the water glass next to the bed and spilled it right onto my pillow - while I was sleeping!! Good Morning!!

So that's what we have been up to. Water you been up to?

I've Gone Loopy!! But I'm Back.....

I can't believe that it is the middle of September and I haven't blogged since August! Where has the time gone? I know where I've gone. Well Loopy of course, which we'll get to in a minute. But the other places I've been since my last blog was a trip to Seattle and Vancouver for a week Beautiful!!! We saw ferry boats - in fact we rode on ferry boats. Darn McDreamy was right - Ferry Boats are Cool!! Cute and Right. Sigh.... We actually went to the building that Grey's Anatomy uses as this "hospital" - in fact, it's a news station right across the street from the space needle. I know, I was shocked too. I hate to break it to you, but it's just a TV show and there isn't an actual Seattle Grace's Hospital. Sigh....I know, I know...but don't worry the season premiere is just around the corner, we'll make it. I know we will... Oh, Just to prove that I am not just using Seattle and Vancouver trip as an excuse of why I couldn't write (as so many do. Right?). Here's a picture of one of the ferry boats that we rode:

Then a week trip to Flin Flon, Manitoba, otherwise known as knitting central. This is where it all started for me, the knitting I mean. So it's no wonder that this last time made me a little loopy. My MIL took me on a whirlwind tour of Flin Flon's needle crafts. And they are awesome! I can't get over all the talent!! I've already shown you the scarves and mitts that my MIL makes - which she is ramping up again to sell at the Toad. She took me into Factor's, which is a crafter's paradise. This is where I purchased a Loopa kit (along with a fabulous red jacket that I just love and have warn to work, where I've received several compliments on how cute it is. If you live in Flin Flon and want to see it, just ask my MIL because she bought one just like it!).

What is a Loopa - you ask? It's a whole loopa fun - that's what it is!
I know you've seen the loopy scarves sold at craft sales (at least I have - I don't know where you've been - but snap to it girl friend!). Basically you wrap the yarn around this U shaped plastic to form the loops, and then you crochet up the center of the loops so that they don't unravel (an unraveled, no loop scarf would just be a mess after all). It could be made with any yarn - but the stuff that it came with is super fluffy and soft. I think it'll make good Christmas gifts....But you be the judge - Take a look:
It even looks good on the door. Loopy Christmas garland - perhaps? Hmmmm....the loopy possibilities are endless, if you ask me.

Then we went to Jane's house. Now Jane is a knitting-maniac. She can knit anything. She had at least six projects going all at the same time! Cables, Fishermen Sweaters, Fair Isle, you name it she can make it!! When we got there and she had knitting activities lined up for us. In fact, in the first five minutes that we were there, we were dying wool. There are two methods to dying wool - one involves my MIL standing over a hot stove mixing wool in water with dye for an hour (This method only works when your MIL says she'll stand and stir stinky wet wool over a hot stove for an hour. I liked this method since I wasn't the one that had to do the mixing, but other than that - it seemed a little manual and hot!). The other, the kinder (but more deadly method) involves the microwave. We used the microwave method to dye variegated colors because there is less mixing involved. I mention that this method is more deadly, as I just read on the internet about how saran wrap (which was used) in the microwave gives off toxic fumes. Over all, I'd say that it's definately cheaper to dye your own wool - but is safer and more fun to to search out the right color of yarn at the yarn store of your choice. Looking is half the fun in my book anyway. It was really kewl to see how it is done - but at least for now I think I am a consumer and not a producer of colored yarn!

Jane taught me so much - the largest of which was 3 methods to cast on and when to use each method. Can you name them? Do-do-dodo-do-do-do (please sing the "do's" to the Jeopardy theme song. I'm waiting......OK) .

Now I knew two already -
1. Like regular knitting but you put twist and put the yarn on the needle.
2. The Long tail method
- and the third method she showed me - keeps the knitting at the exact tension as the rest of the knitting so isn't too tight or loose compared to the rest of the sweater - so is great for sleeves and bottoms. Are you ready?
3. You cast on like you are regular knitting and twisting and putting the knitting on the needle - except you put the needle between the stitches on your needle instead of through the loop. Shear genius! Now if you are saying to yourself - well I knew that - then WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!! WHY AM I ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW. LOL. I am making a sweater for my girlfriend's daughter and I used this method and darn if it doesn't work wonderfully!

The other biggy that she showed me was how to knit Fair Isle holding two different colors - one in each hand. Now I said show - because although I know how it is supposed to be done - I am not smarter than a Fifth Grader - because darn it's tough. The sweater that I'm making has a bit of Fair Isle in it... and I did it - but I am also slower than a fifth grader! But it looks good and that's what matters!

Then we went to Dar's house and she can do needle point like no one I have ever seen. Her pictures look like they've been painted. On top of everything - she gave my Hubby and myself a wedding gift of a picture that she made. It is gorgeous! I put it up the same day we got home and it looks fabulous!! Take a look for yourself:

Now I think that this is a famous picture... please tell me that I'm right (and not just because it's famous because it's in my blog) and let me know who painted it and if it has a title. You know those famous guys always name their masterpieces. Wait, a minute - now that is a good idea! I think from now on I too will name my masterpieces! So because I received these pictures today of a sweater set that I knit for my old boss's daughter, I will name them. Here we go:
I'll call this one - "THANK GOD THERE IS AIR CONDITIONING IN NORTH CAROLINA OR I COULD NEVER STAND TO WEAR THIS FOR LONG SWEATER SET!"

and then there's this one:
I'll call this pose, "GIVE ME A HUG AND I PROMISE THAT I WON'T GO SO LONG BEFORE I BLOG AGAIN!!! Talk to you all real soon!!!