Sunday Reflections

I am still working on the top for my sister. It will obviously not be complete for when my Mom leaves for Florida October 14Th but, I am hoping that it is finished when my sister comes home for Thanksgiving. Crossing my fingers and praying is more like it. I really need to find more sit down, quiet time to knit. I just can't seem to find the knitting time. Perhaps when all these holidays are over and I get my head wrapped around this other stuff going on I can find some knit time.

I did actually cast on for my dishcloth for my swap partner as well. I casted on and frogged like three times but, I think I am FINALLY happy with the pattern I am working on now. Actually, the Princess helped me settle on something I could like. She is really good at that kind of thing. She is really good at selecting scents for soaps and balms too. She helped blend one of each that smell so good, Pumpkin Creme Brulee Soap and Bergamot Blended Balm (it isn't named yet because I told her she could name it). Now she wants to make a Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil Doggie Shampoo so that is on our to do list.

I finally had a bright spot in my baby knitting, I get to make something not girlie!!! One of my closest friends is having a BOY!! After 7 baby girls to knit for, I FINALLY get to knit for a baby boy! I am so excited! I ran out and bought a green and blue variegated yarn. I actually thanked her for having a boy even though I realistically know she didn't have anything to do with it.

So much to do, so little time

Smile, While I Take Your Picture

My Hostess for Secret Pal 11, Shelby, emailed us yet another contest. Yes, you probably guessed it is a flash your stash type contest. Well, I store my stash in plastic bags and in containers like this:

I decided to lay out most of my stash on my bed. I didn't include the partial and half used stuff.

As you can tell, purple and pink are very prominent. Oh and none of that is wool or other animal fibers. It is all lovely cotton, bamboo, soy, corn and lots of Blue Sky Cotton, of course. Some might end up in the hands of my swap pals because I included that in the photo as well. If you look closely, my Interlacements is in there and so is my Blue Heron.

Last picture, obviously not stash but an update of Tina the Tortoise. A few have emailed me for an update of our little babe

William Tell Overture for Moms

My Mom sent this video to me. I usually am not one of these forwarding type people unless I think it is hysterical or really needed. I have felt this woman a lot lately and I guess my Mom really thought I needed a pick-me-up so i am going to share it with you. I figure every Mom out there probably sounds like this in a condensed way one way or another ;-)

Enjoy.

Topic of the Week for Fall into Autumn Swap

Autumn has now officially begun here in the States!! What is your favorite thing about Autumn/Fall? Why?

Funny you should ask (I did didn't I, LOL)

There are a few things I love about Autumn. I love taking long drives and watching the leaves on the trees take on new colors and change. The deep magentas and reds, rich yellows and oranges, the deep browns and coffee colors, even the various greens you see. Then I like to watch my children make huge piles and jump in them over and over again. Their laughs and giggles are contagious.

Autumn is also a HUGE birthday season for my family starting with....... me!!! My birthday is October 3rd (eek next Wednesday) and we usually have a family dinner of my choosing which my Mom makes because I tend to chose a Colombian dish. My youngest nephew is the day after mine and he is turning the big 3. Roughly a week after that The Princess is celebrating the big 7. Then towards the end of Autumn my brother and his lovely bride are each celebrating truly big birthdays this year. They are each turning 40 this year and they are going to spend a few days in Las Vegas to celebrate.

One of my favorite non-religious holidays is during Autumn as well, Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving for many reasons but this year will be extra special. My sister and her husband, who live in Florida, will be coming u North to celebrate with us. It will be nice to have them home for the holiday. Holidays to me mean family and it wouldn't be the same if they weren't here.

I Love a Few Of My Neighbors

Probably not for the reasons you think. If you read my blog, then you know we have a lovely tortoise named Tina since August 6Th. She eats most green leafy plants and you can buy her romaine (not iceberg), kale, Endive, Radicchio, turnip leaves, and spring mix from the local super market. However, if you don't spray your lawn, which we don't, you can collect what most consider weeds right off your lawn. We pick thistle, plantain or plantago major, clover, Hosta, mulberry and her all time favorite dandelion flower and leaves.

Three of my neighbors don't spray their lawns either and told us to go ahead and collect "food" for Tina off their lawns as well. In fact, they let us know before they are going to mow their lawn so we can collect stuff and put it in baggies for her. Since we have had Tina, we haven't really had to buy her too much food because between our lawn and the few neighbors she is eating very well. I also have one friend nearby who has a prickly pear plant, no fruit just the pads. Its a cactus and Tina LOVES it. I guess it reminds her of the desert.

I am glad I have a few neighbors who remind me of the neighbors I grew up with. Who are friendly and are, well, neighborly

Sunday Musings

The fast yesterday went as expected. Around midday it gets rather rough and after feeding the kids you really wanted to just grab their food but, of course, you don't. The princess stayed at my parents house for the afternoon so Miss Sunshine and I took a walk, in the heat, making things not so pleasant. When we went back to the Synagogue for evening prayer and activity for the kids I was actually fine. They did a great program for the kids and gave them all light sticks/necklaces to walk into the main service with when they turned out the lights and all you could see was the kids and the candle light in the front. Then they blew the Shofar, Rams Horn, sounding the end of the holiday and fast. It was an amazing experience and Miss Sunshine was right in front of the gentleman blowing the horn.

The Princess and I did have our discussion. We decided we will still do the can collection for the Food Pantry and give our Tzedakah (charity money) for Thanksgiving Dinner for those living with AIDS. One of our new projects this year will be helping my Mom and Dad out a bit in their home. My parents, although not too old, have had numerous surgeries between the two of them and can't do a lot of bending, going up and down the steps and picking up after their younger grandchildren. So The Princess is going to help out with that as much as she can without being asked or without much prompting. One of her other decisions is that she wants to go to family services at Synagogue more often. We have gone a few times this year already and she has been enjoying it. Makes me very happy that she wants to go with me.

On a different subject, I went to a GREAT little stand today Adriana's Caravan (look Chan, I got you her website and I told her about you and she wants to meet you too!!) which sells fabulous spices, oils, ingredients and the kicker, TEAS. I went specifically for my Knit One Tea Too Swap pal, today, with her questionnaire in hand and Rochelle was a fabulous help with everything. We picked excellent teas and accessories. Then, I thought, let me take my Vegan Pal 2 Swap pal's questionnaire too since she was interested in various spices and Rochelle definitely has those. Boy, did she ever!! She helped me pick a few blends I would have never selected on my own. I could have definitely found things on my own mind you but not this unique.

Look at me, I am getting swap organized!!

Day of Atonement and Reflection

Tonight, for several people, after a small feast, begins a day off fasting. This means no eating or drinking from Sundown tonight to Sundown tomorrow night. It is a day of atonement, reflection, confession and meditation.

Some observe the holiday with just the fast and think that is enough. Most who observe this holiday do it by the numbers. Go to synagogue, say the prayers they are told to say end their fast and then go back to their lives as if nothing ever changed and repeat the same thing the following year.

I try to take the atonement, reflection, confession and meditation, all four pieces seriously and try to include them all in my day. I do go to synagogue and say my prayers but, I also try to reflect on the year and do a lot of meditation. The Princess, Miss Sunshine and I will spend some time together tomorrow outside talking, walking and discussion our Mitzvah (good deed) project for the year. We have done some great ones in the past (Locks of Love, Food Pantry, Dinner for those living with AIDS) so I can't wait too see what we come up with this year.

I wish for everyone peace in their homes, health of their bodies and our troops to come home.

Gmar chatima tova! May you be sealed in the Book of Life.

What is Your Pirate Name?

Something a bit fun this morning, LOL

My pirate name is:

Captain Mary Rackham

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.

part of the fidius.org network

I have the BEST Chocolate Swap Pal

Okay, it does help that my Chocolate swap pal is one of my bestest buddies Jessi, LOL.

Yummy chocolate AND Yummy Yarn. Jessi sent me not one but TWO yarns on my wish list. Isn't she the greatest?

This is a close-up of the gorgeous Panda cotton. Say ooo and ahh over the green and purple.

This is a close up of the wonderful Maizy in shades of green. A terrific corn and elastic nylon yarn.

Oh and some of those truffles have been eaten, Miss Sunshine thought the needle holder was a skirt and the mouse pad had a picture of the girls in it and I am using it right now.

Love you Jessi and thank you for everything!!

Another Swap?

Am I crazy for wanting to sign up for yet ANOTHER swap?

I saw this swap called The Mystery Theme Swap and it sounds very cool and different. It isn't a secret swap but what you will receive is a surprise/mystery. In the question you put in 3 different "themes" of what you might be interested in receiving to give your partner some idea but it is a total mystery to you. So it could be a color theme, a state theme or even a treat theme.

I have too much on my plate right now swap wise.... or do I?

Topic of the Week for Fall into Autumn Swap

Ah.. a new week, a new topic and this week I am going to need it because for me I have been lacking in the posting. Also, I am in a plethora of swaps so it does not only help one swap partner, it helps many ;-)

When you knit or crochet dishclothes, washclothes or face clothes, what do you use? What size needle or hook? Wood? what type? Metal? Plastic? A specific Brand? Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Is there one you are dying to try? Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the time for clothes? What is so special about it?

(Who comes up with this stuff? SNOL)

I knit washclothes predominately with wooden size 7US. On a rare occasion, I might be known to use my very old, original pair of metal ones that my grandmother used to teach me on way back when. I think the wooden ones are Clover but, I can't be sure and I don't remember. I definitely have no clue what the metal ones are but they definitely came from Woolworth's because I was there when she bought them for me (and the lovely orange and yellow acrylic yarn to go with it.) I love the wooden ones because they and I have made probably over 100 washclothes together over the years. They are warped, feel right in my hands and they don't get too jealous if I switch to another pair of sevens or even my very first pair of sevens.

I was going to say I am not really dying to try any new needles till I went and visited Jessi's blog this morning and saw the oh so gorgeous Harmony Needles. I wasn't going to go look, I wasn't going to look, I really wasn't going to look, darn it I went and looked. The double pointed Harmony Needles from Knit Picks look amazing. As the Princess says, they are going on my wish list.

As for yarn, I am a stick to the basics type person. Knit with what you like, right Chan? I really like Sugar N Cream and Peaches and Cream for washclothes. I do not see anything wrong with them. You can catch a really good sale for one or the other at Michael's or AC Moore at least once a year and I tend to stock up. Besides, the colors they have go really well with my soaps. If you don't want to make a cloth with them, which are fun to do, you can always make a candy bag, LOL (I know Anne, addicted. I can't help it they are so much fun!)

Philadelphia Area Knit Out

After work yesterday, I headed into town for the Philadelphia area knit out! It was soooo cool! It was in the Pennsylvania Convention center and knitters, crocheters and other fiber fanatics took over one section of the entire Convention center (it is over 2 city blocks HUGE!). Everyone was super friendly helping each other out, giving help, there was a sweater doctor there, demos, raffles going on and door prizes to be won.

Speaking of prizes, a lot of the stuff, of course, was wool and other animal fiber-ish stuff but I had meet up with my good pals from my Wednesday night knit group (Hi Anne Marie, Maria, Robin, Beverly and my new friend MJ). Robin and Beverly made sure I won something Sharon Friendly.

Here's what came home with me:

This is 100% cotton yarn from a brand I had not heard of Creme de La creme but it id definitely my colors

Ebony and Rosewood US4 circular needles from Lantern Moon. Okay, I know you are thinking she hates the teeny tiny but they are gorgeous, aren't they? I can always use them for lace

The princess has already said these are either going to be candy bags or more baby hats. What do you think, Amanda?

I also had plenty of time to knit so I finished my Cotton Stretch Baby Hat

I then started working on my Sigma Tank for my sister. She is coming home for Thanksgiving so I would love it if I had most of it done, if not all by then. This is being done in the Pakucho Dark green. So far I am loving it!

Oh and see the cute little stitch marker? The little turtle? I got that from Jessi!

Now I think I am caught up. The holiday season is a bit hectic for me but, I will try to to stick around a bit ;-)

I am Surprised, I am known for my KIP

I had an appointment today at the doctor's office today, the same one I go to about once every month or so, but because I was going to services right afterwards, I didn't bring my knitting with me. Three or 4 people sitting there who I see often waiting at the same time as me asked, "Hey, where is the knitting?" I guess I am getting quite the little reputation, LOL

I did take some time while waiting and help someone with how to find some other patterns, other than scarves, that is, that she can make with two needles that are simple enough for her to do since she is a beginner. She was surprised how much there was out there like mittens and slippers that she could still knit with just straights. I told her I'd print some out for her for my next appointment since we seem to be on the same schedule ;-)

If I couldn't actually have been knitting, at least I was talking about knitting :-) Oh and the migraines are getting a bit better too

I FINALLY FOUND IT!!!

First and foremost, for all those who celebrate, Shanah Tovah V'Metukah, A Very Happy and Sweet New Year!! May you be written in the book of life.

Okay, some of you know I have been on a hunt for Lion Brand Organic cotton locally but, to no avail. Every time I went to Walmart, JoAnn's, AC Moore and Michael's I would look and ask. Not sure why I could not find this stuff any where locally. I had just about given up my local search and was going to taken some of my birthday money next month and order some online. Today The Princess and I went to get some simple things to finish a school project and I wasn't going to look because we were there for one purpose and one purpose only. Lo and Behold out of the corner of my eye I saw it, Organic Cotton!! They JUST got it in!!! I bought 2 skeins of pink (of course), 2 skeins of green (of course) and two skein of an all natural brown.

I am so excited!!!

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

Flag of Honor ™
This flag contains the names of those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9.11.
Now and forever it will represent their immortality.
We shall never forget them.

September 11 Fatalities and Casualties
Not including the 19 hi-jackers.

2,973 deaths.
24 officially listed as missing.
2,337 injured
World Trade Center: 2,602 dead and 24 listed as missing.
343 firefighter deaths.
75 police deaths.
2261 injured.
American Airlines Flight 11: 88 dead.
United Flight 175: 64 dead.
The Pentagon: 125 dead.
76 injured.
American Airlines Flight 77: 59 dead.
Shanksville, Pennsylvania
United Flight 93: 40 dead.

All courtesy of The Ships Project

Topic of the Week for Fall into Autumn Swap

Topic of the week for the the Fall into Autumn Swap: Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?

I don't happen to switch yarns during change of seasons. When it gets colder, warmer, etc. I don't really change what I knit with. I knit with what I like and what I can knit with and just hope to get the opportunity to knit with something unique and different. When I first started on my knitting journey, all there was for someone like me was acrylic. See I am highly allergic to all animal fibers and that includes wool, cashmere, alpaca and, yes, silk. All that was left when I was younger was acrylic from Woolworth's (Anyone remember that place? Gosh I miss it). Now when the manufacturers come out with these wondrous organic cottons, cotton blends, corn, soy, bamboo, yes Jessi, Anne, and Chan, even linen and hemp I have to buy them and try them. So, back to the question, I really only switch yarns when someone comes out with a new yarn or i hear about a new yarn like Rowan Calmer. Now three people have told me about that one so, I need to try it. Or Crystal Palace Panda, a bunch of people have told me about that one and I have fallen in love with the Seascape color but have yet to try it.

Haircut

While the Eagles were busy losing today (I do not want to hear it, I will delete your comments if you make them about the Eagles in a negative fashion), Miss Sunshine got her haircut. She HATES to have her haircut. One of my closest friends comes over with her kiddos and makes no promise that the cut will come out straight. It always comes out adorable, btw. Sorry I don't post public pictures of my kids, long story.

Miss Sunshine is one who doesn't sit too still for anything, imagine trying to cut her hair. I give my friend a ton of credit and she has been cutting her hair since Miss Sunshine is one. The first time we were thrown out of the salon my friend works for, Oh that was a nightmare (Ugh!) Well, technically, asked not to come back with that screaming yelling child. Mind you, I don't go there to get my hair done.

In the meantime, I am having fun putting together my half of the swap pals for the Fall into Autumn Swap. My goal, to get my matches done before Anne (shh don't tell her I am technically done in hard copy and just need to input them in the computer)

I GOT SPOILED SP11 Style!!

Such wonderful goodies!!! Except for the yarn, everything else is handmade by my pal!! How cool is that?!?!?!

Two skeins of Rowan Cotton Jean yarn, 100% cotton, a new one for me and I cannot wait to try it. The yarn is a very cool color called Hemp of all things and is a shade of purple, of course. A little felted sheep ornament which I have been holding from the little green string until Miss Sunshine ran away with it (at least I snapped a photo of it). I now have no idea where the little guy is. A gorgeous handmade purple little project bag which is already host to a baby hat. A hand knit washcloth made with Tahki Stacy Charles Cotton in Miss Sunshine's favorite color and she attempted to run off with it but, I stopped her. Last but not least a bar of handmade soap that smells like lemongrass from a new soapmaker, my SP pal. I love that!!

Thank you SP 11 Pal!! You are amazing!!!

Cool Statistics

By trade, I do market research so when I come across a statistic or am send one I usually find them facinating. My husband actually send me two that I thought my fellow knitters would find interesting especially since I rarely come across one where an expert would actually mention "gasp" knitting.

from Newsweek
"Tattoos and Knitting"
Both are discernible microtrends in America, says pollster Mark Penn. And they contain powerful clues to what’s happening in society.

... Between 2004 and 2005, the purchase of fashion yarn increased 56 percent. The fastest growing group of knitters are teens and twentysomethings. ...

... The microsurge in knitting among teens? It represents a turning away from the prevalent online obsession of most young Americans. “People are looking for new outlets of self-expression,” says Penn. “There is a premium on individuality that is rapidly rising.”...

How about that?!?

Hectic Week, Glad It Is Just About Gone

Well, I am glad this first week is JUST about over. Everyone thought I went AWOL but, this first week back in September is one of my busiest weeks and I don't even get to make soap :-(.

The girls go back to school - went very well with hardly an tears, any problems, new teachers, new classrooms and new schedules. They both seem to be happy but it is the very first week. I am going to stay optimistic.

I work for a religious after school program and that starts this weekend actually so we had orientation every day this week - I had to get my room organized, new supplies, bulletin boards decorated, materials organized and put in place, etc. I am also getting to teach an art class in conjunction with this program so I am very excited about that too but for now it meant more organization.

Then there were school meetings at Miss Sunshine's school and since I organizing their largest fundraiser in the fall I have to go to ALL OF THEM. What was I thinking when I volunteered? No clue. It will be so worth it because it is a Shopper's Night where some of the money is given back to the school and, of course, I will have a space there but right now it is the little details to finish up.

I did get to catch some of my Wednesday night knitting, thankfully. It was like a mini trip tot he spa for me. I so needed it. Sometimes I am so very thankful for having that knitting group. I little break from reality if i can get to it.

Next week, a little less chaos, I hope.

Thank You to All My Swap Pals!!

Since school started, I am the mad note writer to the girls teachers and I am usually frantically looking for paper. Not any more. Thanks to my wonderful, amazing swap pals, I have these wonderful magnet pads of paper. My fridge is covered in the them. All I have to do is go to the kitchen and there you go, I have PAPER!!! Terrifically, fabulous note writing paper!! Thank you all so much!

One less headache

Now .... to find a pen..... I know I have one around here some where *wink*

First Day of School...

One child extremely excited to be in first grade, got up extra early, got dressed, excited to ride the bus and excited to see her old friends at school. Got there, got nervous, only two old classmates in her class but still extremely happy and excited with her teacher and to be back at school.

One child threw the covers back over her head, did not want to wake up, did not want to get dressed, cried when I forced her to get up, made me walk her into into her classroom. Could have cared less who her teacher was (she is new to the school btw) could have cared less that her classroom was new, wanted to play with all the new toys in her pre-k classroom and did not want to do anything the teacher nor the assistant teacher asked of her except she found her name and actually hung up her school bag. Amazing.

One extremely tired Mama who has to do this all over again tomorrow, sigh! Where is the nearest day spa?

Really Need to Get Organized

Now I have my Vegan Pal 2 Swap pal. I think all that is left is the pal for Fall into Autumn Swap. That will make 5 swaps going at the same time. Oh My! Time to get organized!!

In the meantime, I still need to keep being organized on the baby gift front. I finished another hat, the one in the Fiesta Ombre.

I FINALLY settled on a pattern combination for what I want to make for my sister only to realize I don't have size 8US 24" circular needles. I REALLY want to do the entire thing in the round instead of having to do a front and back, lots of seams etc, etc, Bummer. I am going to have to either call around to see if anyone I know locally has them so i can borrow them or buy them. Grrr

So in the meantime, I cast on yet another baby hat. I got the pattern from Ravelry to try it called Cotton Stretchy Baby Hat because it called for Cascade Fixation and I had a skein of it from Cass . It calls for 60 stitches on circulars but that stretched way too much. I know there is elastic in the yarn but still. I frogged it and went back to just dpns. Much better. I also did a first and put that bit of info in the editors notes on Ravelry. If this is supposed to be a beginner's pattern, just go straight to dpns and don't ask the knitter to stretch so much.

Last day of summer vacation today. Wish us luck for tomorrow.

One of Our Own Hit's the Big Time (sort of)

One of the swappers from the last Dishcloth swap, Kt, has gotten herself published, that is correct here folks. We all dabble in pattern writing but Kt actually got one of her patterns publishes in MagKnits September 2007 Issue.

The pattern, Skirtcicle, is a cute skirt pattern for little girls (Hey! I have two of those!!) Knit in cotton, a yarn I can definitely use. I am so thankful it is designed in something I am not highly allergic to like most patterns that will come out from now until spring time.

So, stop by Kt's blog and tell her congratulations and then go check out the way cool pattern!!

Fall Into Autumn Swap and Questionnaire

I am so excited for the Fall into Autumn Swap because this round, I am co-hosting with Anne. You know I LOVE swaps, hosting is just one of the added benefits

Here are the answers to my questionnaire because even though you host, you still get a secret pal :-)

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it? Knit How long have you been knitting\crocheting? Technically since I am 9.

2. Have you made dishcloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? I have knit them before and i have used them myself, given them as gifts and I even sell them with my soaps (I have a soap business Sharon's Soaps N' Stuff )

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ? I LOVE Blue Sky, Tahki, Pakucho and Cherry Tree Hill. I was just told about Rowan Calmer and now I would REALLY like to try it.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? I like both straight and circular and prefer wooden, Rosewood and Bamboo

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much? Favorite color is lavender but I have been know, thanks to my daughters to like deep pinks and green (either lime or Kelly)

6. What do you like best about Autumn? My birthday, my oldest daughter's birthday, the color of the leaves changing

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! Pumpkin definitely and apple

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? I didn't oversleep but I wasn't jumping for joy

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the time frame of the swap) The kids do go Trick-or treating but we don't really celebrate Halloween like put up decorations or anything

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? Hmm, that is a tough one. Definitely chocolate, Tastykakes, black beans

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;) i have two daughters, a tortoise and a husband who acts like a child ;-)

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? Definitely non-animal fiber, colorful, soft, easy to work with

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? facecloths

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays) Thanksgiving. There is no religious aspect to it, our family gets together and is thankful for everything we have, my oldest and I collect cans and donated then to a local food bank, we also donate to a local organization that prepares meals to people living with AIDS, and some of my best holidays memories happened at Thanksgiving

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? Animal fiber yarns like wool, mohair, cashmere, etc. I just stay away from all animal yarns including silk. I am also allergic to lanolin and silicone (you’d find them in body products), cats, most dogs, cigarette smoke and fresh cut grass. You asked.

Happy September!

Oh my, it is September already?!? Where did August go? My kids start school on Tuesday already and I go back to teaching in the after school program. I have orientation Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I have third grade this year. I am looking forward to it since I also get to teach an art class as well.

As promised, here is a picture of BOTH baby booties. Model, one of the Princess's baby dolls. I can never get rid of these dolls because they make excellent baby models ;-)

This is the hat I was working on at the football game. Pattern of my own invention. Same yarn as the baby booties, Bamboozle. Definitely worth a try and a re-buy. Very easy on the hands, soft, pretty and has some elastic to it. Not too shabby.

Next project on the needles, well, it is another baby hat (oh my, shock, surprise!!) Peaches N Cream Fiesta Ombre. Don't worry Amanda I have more of this lovely baby for some candy bags. It is really a very nice colorway and really liking how its "stripes" are coming out.

Not quite sure what is next......