Mom's Floppy Hat

My yarn (Sugar N Cream) in Mom's favorite color (Hmm wonder where I get my purple craze from?). My painstakingly asking everyone in Philadelphia if there exists a simple knit pattern for a floppy hat (which doesn't) because I kept screwing it up and there was no way in hell I was going to finish it before my parents left for Hawaii, which they do tomorrow at 9 AM. In walks my hero, Aileen,who took over the knitting of this project so that it would be finished before January 2010. Mom doesn't need the hat in 2010.

The hat is GORGEOUS I might add and will cover Mom's face perfectly which is exactly the job it needs to do.

Can't have Mom wear a straw hat, now can we?

THANK YOU AILEEN!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday and we celebrated with pizza cake and ice cream. Not sure who the birthday dinner was for, him or the grand kids. My sister called from Florida which brighten up dad's day. My parents leave for Hawaii on Sunday. They are going for a wedding and then their first real vacation in a long time. They truly deserve it.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Got my KVVS Pal!!

I am so excited! I got my Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap pal this morning and I am thrill to have this swap really moving and shaking. I remember when I started chatting with Jessi and Anne about this swap and persuading them to host with me. A little arm twisting and 150 tourists later here we are! WOW Is all I can say.

You can never really say you are swap addicted till you host one of these babies yourself, LOL.

When I was in Disney last week, I snapped this:

It was like a "sign" I was supposed to be doing this swap or something being from Philadelphia and all. You should have seen me laughing hysterically in the middle of Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. Should have seen the looks I was getting too. It is actually cast from the same exact mold as the one we have right here downtown. This one is considered second generation. Amazing! The Princess and I will take a trip to see the real thing when she is finished with the camp later this summer for my tourist.

What Color Is Your Aura?

Your Aura is Violet

Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don't always use it! The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach

What Color Is Your Aura?

So don't question my taste in yarn color because it obviously comes from the color of my aura, LOL

Yarny Goodness

Ordered Today. On Sale. Gosh I love Cotton yarn.

Dog Days of Summer

Because if you know me, I cannot pass on a GOOD swap (I do not knit socks so I do not do those swaps) I think there are still spots open so if you run on over you can sign up for the Dog Days of Summer Dishcloth Swap

Here are my answers to the questionnaire:

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

2. Have you knit dishcloths or dishtowels before? Yes, I have.

3. What are your favorite cotton yarns? Is there a cotton or linen you’ve been dying to try but have not? I LOVE Blue Sky, Tahki and Cherry Tree Hill. I just received some CotLin from Knit Picks but, I have been actually dying to try Corn Fiber.

4. Are there any cotton yarns you don’t enjoy knitting with? Does such a thing actually exist?

5. What type of needle do you prefer using? (Metal/Wood/Plastic) Rosewood and Bamboo

6. What other projects do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? Right now I am really enjoying baby items and little bags but I love to knit lace as well.

7. Do you have other hobbies or enjoy other kinds of crafting? Soapmaking, painting, making chocolates, crafts with my kids

8. What kind of treats do you like? Chocolate? Candies? Nuts? Yes, Yes, and Yes. I actually really LOVE milk chocolate

9. What colors are your kitchen and bath decorated in, if any? kitchen is blue and white, bathroom is very neutral tones

10. What are your favorite colors and what colors do you dislike? Favorite color is lavender but I am on a desperate hunt for a variegated non-animal fiber yarn that is green and lavender but I can't seem to find one any where (they all have mohair or wool or silk which I can't use) I'd even settle for green, lavender and pink which combines the three colors of the three girls in my life. Least favorite I'd say rust.

11. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Other beverages? Mojitos? j/k Iced coffee in the summer tea all year round

12. Do you have any kids (human or pet variety!)? I have two very precious girls. Does my husband count as a child?

13. Do you have any allergies? Animal fiber yarns like wool, mohair, cashmere, etc. I just stay away from all animal yarns to be safe 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.

14. Please share 3 tidbits about yourself that you think your pal and other swappers might find odd or interesting.
I am swap addicted. I not only do knit swaps but I also do soap swaps.
I have a warped sense of humor
I am a Disney fanatic, especially Goofy with a growing attachment to Tinkerbell (thanks to my Miss Sunshine) You should see my kids playroom :-)

Plain Vanilla

I signed up for a Plain Vanilla KAL that Cass is hosting. We will be making the above sweater. Pretty plain but, I am actually making it for my sister (she knows) and I am going to make it a brighter color. I am kind of excited to get in on a KAL from the get go and not have to play catch up, which I never really do. Might actually get me to finish a project before a year ;-)

I just need to order the yarn and pattern and then I will be good to go!! Hooray!!

The Sunshine Exercise Program

Can you say 50 laps around the playroom? Up the stairs around the living room and back around the playroom? The child just won't calm down and go to sleep. She is off again.....

Tea Swap Goodies Arrived!!

My Tea Swap box arrived!! I am so excited!! Cecily was my partner in crime this go around and she definitely spoiled me with some lovely Purple Crayon from KnitPicks and very exciting Hot Pink CotLin which I have been dying to try also from KnitPicks. She also sent me to very yummy looking teas which I hope will help calm and sooth the mind. Thank you so much!!!

Trip Review

My sister's husband got a great opportunity to move to Sarasota so off they were moving to Florida. What a whirlwind move. Within 2 months they were all moved and I am already back home.


My sister asked me if I wanted to drive down with her since my Mom couldn't leave work (she's a teacher and is retiring this year). I thought what a great opportunity for a vacation since I haven't taken one since I was pregnant with the Princess and it would great to spend some one on one time with my sister which we never get to do anymore. AAA's direction takes us right through Walt Disney World, my favorite place on Earth I took it as a chance to stop there as well so we planned that as part of the trip.


We left Sunday morning and drove straight for 10 hours with barely any complications except two accidents in Virginia and spent the first night at a lovely Best Western just passed South of the Border in South Carolina. Monday we took it a bit slower, spent some time in St. Augustine Florida and got to Orlando by 6 PM. After checking in we went to Downtown Disney. Gosh I love that! The first day we spent at:





I am on the left, on the right is my sister. Now you can see why I say it is so easy to knit for her.

We did Epcot and Magic Kingdom and drove to Sarasota on Thursday. Beautiful town. White sandy beaches, wide open spaces. Just lovely. I did get some knitting in and worked more on my baby hat and almost finished it. Started two little bags but I really wanted to start and finish one for my sister which I did.

She even used it a few times while I was there. She can fit some money, her keys, ID and credit card in there and it is perfect for a beach community. Well, I think so anyway. I will finish all the projects I started down there. It is weird for me to have 4 projects going at the same time but being in the car I wanted to have easy things to work on. Plus being in the plane I didn't want to have to cast on or have to cut anything. I think I was over prepared, LOL

I did go to visit the two LYS they have in Sarasota. I did like one a whole heck of a lot more than the other just for the "feel" of it. It was funny, to me, though, neither were too familiar with the blog world. I bought some Crystal Palace Bamboozle in Strawberries and Limes that I had never seen before.

Came home to a mess from the hubby. The kids came home on Saturday and were so excited to see me especially Miss Sunshine.

I am now frantically working on my pairings for the KVVS and I got some packages from non-knitting swaps I need to open (can't wait!!). It is good to be home though.

Home Sweet Home

I got back home tonight. So now I have knit on a bus, in a car and on a plane. All three very different and interesting experiences. At least I know knitting doesn't give me motion sickness like reading does, thankfully.

It is good to be home. I missed the girls. They loved all their presents especially the goodies from Disney, of course.

I am tired and probably going to sleep soon. Will post pictures tomorrow.

It is good to be home.

Spent the Day with an Old Friend, a PenPal of Sorts

When I got pregnant with the Princess 7 years ago, I went online and found a wonderful group of women who were also pregnant and due in the same month as me. We were all part of a message board and chatted together, shared stories, compared notes and helped each other through a lot during that time and have stayed together for the past 7 years of our lives as our little ones have grown. Some have come and gone, of course. Some have had new babies (like me), some have gotten divorced, remarried, moved, all the ups and downs of life and we have all been friends through all of it. About a core 30 of us for the past 7 years. Sort of modern day penpals in a way. Chatting away about our day to day lives, the ups and downs of our child who was due to be born in October of 2000 but also the rest of it.

I got to meet IRL one of the women of this group yesterday because she and her daughter (and the rest of the family) live in Tampa which is 1 hour from Sarasota. IT was AMAZING. We have known each other for 7 years yet have never seen each other face to face. She had never met anyone IRL from the group before. I was the first one. I am lucky enough to have someone who lives near my parents home and we get together often. It was great to chat face to face. What a fabulous experience! It will be great next time we come to visit my sister because I can bring the Princess with me and the girls can meet too.

It was definitely a great day!

Greetings from Florida

I am in the final length of my trip. Drove from home to South Carolina in the first day. There was a bit of traffic due to accidents but that was about it. Then the second day we took a short detour in St. Augustine. Some very cute little shops in a very cute little town. Made it to Disney by 6 PM. Gosh I LOVE Disney World. Felt guilty for oh say 30 seconds for going without the little ones. We went to EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, of course bought the little ones tons of Disney goodies and made it to Sarasota today by noon.

So here I am in Sarasota. I did get some knitting done. Just about finished a cute little bag for my sister. All it needs is the handles. I will need to take pictures of it before I leave because its new home will be in Sarasota.

Next few days will be about getting my sister organized and maybe some touring or relaxing then home on Sunday to my girls who are having a blast with grandma. Next time they will just have to come too.

On The Road Again

On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again

Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

(by Willie Nelson)

Be back next Sunday

Hello, Do you Like My Hat?

"I Do, I do Like your hat" (A quote from one of the Princess's favorite books to read)

I started my vacation knitting a bit early since I finished Orchid already. This is one of many baby hats I hope to complete this week. Shhh, I might even finish before we leave tomorrow....

Does it count as a vacation project if the kids already left but it was knit at home?

My Big Girl Finished Kindergarten

Where did the time go?!?!? She went to school today a Kindergartner and came home a big first grader. They sent her home with an excellent report card too. I am very impressed!! Best subject: Reading (uh, no surprise there, LOL).

They did send her home with almost all the paper work for the fall and first grade though. I was like, uh, hello? Doesn't she get to even enjoy one day of Summer vacation?! A Summer reading list, math work book, summer activities so they don't forget work they have done all year. Impressive, yes but let them be kids for a day or two. Also my shopping list for school supplies. I better find a good spot for that so I don't lose it which would be typical of me.

Time flies as they grow up....sigh....

What I am taking. Knitting wise

I finally decided what I am taking. I have enough yarn to make three baby hats. I found a very cute bag pattern for a knit in the round on 16" circulars that the bamboo that Cass sent to me would be perfect for. Cass also sent to me earlier some other yarn that will make perfect soap sacks that I have a very lovely drop stitch pattern that looks simple enough but I've never made it so I am bringing that too. I also have this gorgeous rainbow cotton that I think I want to make a little drawstring bag out of.

I think that will be enough to keep me busy. If I even get to any of it. I mean Disney is involved here, LOL. Now to decide what clothes to pack.

Score!

I went to visit a knitting friend this morning and she gave me a slew of knitting patterns that are knit all-in-one!! Yippee!!

She lent me a copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise and sent me a link to a Knit along which, of course, I put in my favorites collection. Amazingly I have never made it before. Amazingly I have never made a lot of patterns before, LOL

There is a Mother and daughter pattern in the pile not that I am about to knit a Mother/ daughter set but all that needs to be done is seams sewn. Several very cute baby patterns, a baby jacket. I did borrow a pullover pattern, yes, I know so against my theory for babies, but it is cute.

I think now, with everything, I definitely have enough variety, LOL. These babies are never even going to meet each other but, if they do they won't be offended that I made them all the same thing.

My Gripe for Today

I went and checked my email this morning and was so excited because I had an email from Knitter's Review and it was an in depth review of yarn from a company they saw at the TNNA. I was so excited!!! Being like all knitters, I am a yarn addict and need to read about new yarns to see what will be next on my wish list and perhaps when I get back I will have made a small dent in my stash and need to make a small purchase. Well, it could happen!

As I scroll down the newsletter I see Highland Wool Alpaca, Merino wool and Alpaca, 100% Merino Alpaca, Mohair and silk, 100% Silk, and another 100% merino wool. You know where this is going. Okay, where is the vegan yarn? Where is the non-animal fiber yarn? If I were to actually knit with silk, which I don't, there is only one option and it really did not appeal to me because it was a "fancy, unique" texture and the reviewer classified this as a novelty yarn and recommends stranding it with another yarn. Uh, hello? Which other yarn?! However, I do not knit with silk.

Oh well, scratch yet another yarn company off my list of companies to buy from. Credit card is saved yet again.

Baby Knitting?

So I went to knitting group tonight and my knitting buds are helping me with my latest obsession, baby knitting. I had decided with the 4 (or is it 5) babies that are due in the next 6 or so months to friends I wanted to make some sweaters but make them so that all I would have to do is sew the sleeve seams if that. I really didn't want to have to be bothered with sewing fronts, backs and sleeves. There are TONS of patterns out there other than The Mason Dixon Kimono and the 5-hour baby pattern that I had fun playing with.

One friend let me browse through her Debbie Bliss book and one friend wants me to come over so I can look through her library for the Baby Surprise pattern and she has several others that are knit All-In-One that will be perfect. Going there tomorrow.

Maybe I will even knit a few extra baby goodies to have on hand since they are much quicker projects than adult ones and smaller than ones for my kids ;-) Eventually a baby will be born who I will need to give it too, right?