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?

Orchid Baby Sweater, An FO

Isn't she Sweet? She is complete! My goal was to finish her before I left for my road trip and imagine that, I actually did it!! Miracles never cease to amaze. Onward and upward, literally.

I casted on for the first of many baby hats this afternoon. A new yarn for me too. Mission Falls Cotton. A friend from Knit group gave me a little trick for guesstimating how long for the tail for cast on and I tried it and guessed almost perfectly!!! I was so happy!!! I only had to do it once. Yippee!!

Coffee Knitter's Swap 2 Package Arrived

My swap package arrived and I took a quick photo of it. I think I might take the Phoenix with me on my trip. It is one I have wanted to try and I recently came across a cute little drawstring bag that might be ideal for a small skein of worsted weight yarn. Or it might be idea for a soap sack someone pointed out to be recently. Hmm, a soap sack, who would have thought ;-)

My Tea swap partner is on vacation, so I will probably hear from her when I get back from my trip. She got her purple explosion from me already. Funny how they paired two people who love purple together. (Jessi you know I love you too) Speaking of Jessi, I hope I am not too bored with her away on vacation the rest of this week. I am actualy going to miss her.

Dilemma

Okay, I have this little dilemma. I leave next Sunday on my first "real" vacation in 7 years. I haven't gone away from my girls for more than 2-3 days, ie a long weekend. I am also going with a non-knitter, my sister, in the car for a two day drive where I will be doing most of the driving since I have the better sense of direction and then staying with her and her husband down in Florida, their new home helping them get organized, etc. So I do not know how much time I will have to knit. I do know we will be spending 2 1/2 days in Orlando (HOORAY!). I did already scope out, online, the two knitting shops in their town and my BIL graciously found them for me already. He has already been down there for three weeks since his job started already. I will have free time once down there to go visit the shops, perhaps Friday.

My dilemma is what do I take project wise? I don't want to seem rude to my hosts and be knitting all the time. I was planning on taking three hanks of Mission Falls cotton to make 3 baby hats from the "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" Book. Then I found this cute bag pattern I want to make from an old magazine but am I getting to ambitious or am I not taking enough? HELP!!



On a side note, this little cutie was born last Tuesday. Her big brother is one of Miss Sunshine's best buds and her Mom is one of mine. Her big sister and I had been keeping company every Monday while she and Mom went and got checked out. She does look just like her big sis.

She is the proud new owner of the Pink N Yellow poncho and matching hat. I have to get mom to take a picture of her in it

No Sheep For You for June Arrival!!!

Can I just repeat how much I LOVE swaps? With the No Sheep for You Swap a secret pal sends to you a skein or hank of non-wool yarn in both June and July and does not revel him or herself until the second month.

Above is what my pal sent to me for June. She obviously reads my blog and knows I am hosting the KVVS sending the "Cast Off" book, how fitting!!! I have been dying to try linen but Euroflax Wet Spun 100% Linen from Louet? Only but a dream!! In purple? Thank you, you wonderful No Sheep for You Swap Pal, you!!! This swap is AWESOME!!!!

Half Days

The Princess has an entire week of half days this week with the last day being the most ridiculous one of all with her going in at 9 AM and getting out at 11:15AM. uh, why bother? I know I really shouldn't complain. A lot of kindergartens are half day all year. For her she is on vacation already. I am not quite sure what they are doing over there. Finishing up I guess. They didn't have any snow days so these are all extras. In my mind anyway.

She is already dreaming of packing her bag for the mountains and dreaming of walks in the woods, swimming in the lake and climbing trees. While I am helping my sister move to Florida, the girlies will be in the Poconos with my Mother-in-law.

Of course I have been half tempted to take the Princess with us so has my sister. My sister and the Princess took a short drive yesterday to run errands. They are two peas in a pod. They look so much alike. More like Mother and daughter than the Princess and I do and their personalities match more too. It will definitely be great when she is a teen and doesn't want to talk to boring old Mom. However, none of that would be fair to Miss Sunshine so the Princess is staying home.

Half Days, who come up with that idea?

Enablers

I really shouldn't say anything about enablers because I am one of them. I mean I have definitely done my fair share of enabling especially to Cass, Anne, Jessi, Sally and many others.

However, it gets to me when yarn companies like Knit Picks email me with the words "YARN SALE" in huge almost neon flashing letters. Of course I have to run right on over and check it out and almost whip out the credit card to buy something even though I am taking a road trip next week where I will be stopping in Orlando, one of my most favorite places on Earth. Thankfully, my favorite yarn from them, Shine Worsted nor CotLin, one I am dying to try, are not on sale. Credit Card SAVED!!!

Now if I could just get the other 50 or so yarn companies to lose my email address I'd be a happy camper, ROTFL.

Saturday Mutterings

Yesterday morning I went to visit my very good friend who had just had a baby girl on Tuesday. The little princess is in the NICU because she is a little jaundice and and they are watching her just in case due to the fact that her mom's blood is negative and the baby is positive. We knew all of this ahead of time though. If all goes well, though, the little angel could be home Monday. She is the proud new owner of the Pink and yellow poncho and matching hat I made her a little while ago. She also looks just like her big brother and big sister did at this age. How cute is that?!

Between my good friend having a baby, finishing up my after school program our knitting group's first sip N knit (which was Wednesday night and oh so much fun!)and my mom's retirement, it has been a very busy week. My girls finish up school next week if you can call it that. The princess has all half days culminating with her last day being let out at 11:15 AM. What in the world is the point of that?

Today I hope to get to run over to Nordstrom's since it is their half yearly sale. Believe it or not I am going to look at fall kids clothes for the girls. Scary huh?

Tomorrow hopefully we are going to make Father's Day gifts for their one and only grandfather. Hand-dipped chocolates. He will LOVE it. Even though they won't actually see him on Father's Day, I will try to slip in a few extra trips over there this coming week before my trip with my sister and their trip to the mountains.

I will close out this posting with my closing part of my speech from my Mom's retirement dinner. I didn't want to put in my entire speech since there is a bit of inside jokes but to give you a taste.

What is a teacher? ~ by Barbara Cage

A teacher is someone who sees each child as a unique person
and encourages individual talents and strengths.

A teacher looks beyond each child's face and sees inside their souls.

A teacher is someone with a special touch and a ready smile
who takes the time to listen to both sides and always tries to be fair.

A teacher has a caring heart that respects and understands.

A teacher is someone who can look past disruption and rebellion,
and recognize hurt and pain.

A teacher teachers the entire child
and helps to build confidence and raise self-esteem.

A teacher makes a difference in each child's life and affects each family
and the future of us all.

A teacher is my Mom in her past in her present and in her future.

You Just Have to Love Swaps!!!

I have one swap right now that I am a more than little bit disappointed in right now. My partner just isn't what I expected and if I wasn't already an expert in the field of swapping (thank you soapmaking) I might slink away from swapping altogether. Then I get these AMAZING swap partners which makes it all worth while so I forget about the disasters. I had such a box arrive yesterday.

Cass, you are an ANGEL, for me in more ways than one, so from the bottom of my heart, I thank you very much!! I know that some of you read my blog to hear about alternative fibers because of my wool and other animal fiber allergies. Well, Cass is a Vegan, so she too does not knit animal and has turned me to other fiber choices. In fact, she pointed me to one vendor who I thankfully did not purchase from yet because lo and behold the EXACT yarn I had been drooling over was IN MY SWAP BOX

Cass sent me two hanks of 100% cotton from Sheep Of A Different Color, one in Cotton Candy, love, love love it and one in Purple Pansy. Hello? CAN YOU SAY PURPLE?!?!?! Also two skeins of GORGEOUS 100% bamboo from Plymouth Yarns and it says it is from the Italian collection. Can you say Fabulous?

Then Cass told me she thought I needed a helping hand so she sent me an Artist's, her Mom's, rendition of Cass's own hand. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! I am in awe. Let me just tell you. She tells me I can use this as a soap dish. Yea right. I am sorry an artist made this. It is going with my collection to save and treasure forever. That my good friend Cass and her Mom would think this highly of me to make something for me. I hope to be able to safe keep it long enough for my girls. First off, I LOVE handcrafted thing they mean the world to me because a bit of your spirit goes into each piece you make. Second, there will never be another like it. Sorry, I am very sentimental. Here is a picture of what she sent.

To keep with the theme, Cass knit a washcloth with a hand and heart in the middle. I attempted, poorly, to snap a photo of it. I think you can sort of make it out.

Cass also sent a lovely little gift for the Princess some bubbles and something else for Miss Sunshine oh and something else but the both ran off so quick I didn't catch it nor snap photos, sorry but they do say thank you very much Miss Cass. There was also a very pretty purple Vase but Miss Sunshine's doll house is enjoying it right now. Oh and some Sparkle bandaids which came in handy yesterday since Miss Sunshine took a tumble outside but that is par for the course.

Cass has signed up for the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap so since I am hosting it, I can make sure that her spoiler "vacations" her right because she definitely deserves it!!!

Thank you a Million times over!!!

The Summer dishcloth swap was an AMAZING swap to be in. I had the opportunity to spoil a very good friend this time around and got spoiled by a brand new friend whom I hope will continue to be a very good friend for a long time to come.

There are very few open spaces in the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap so if you want in, you better head on over. Especially since there is only 1 week left for sign ups.

Very Quick Post

I received my Summer Dishcloth swap box and I would graciously love to thank my spoiler the way she so richly deserves but, alas, I did not have time today to snap pictures of my box today because I was extremely busy as I am at this very moment too. Since no one every puts the kids to bed, it is the Mom's job apparently. You actually don't really see me. This is me just passing through. So, Cass, much thanks, much love, dedicating a lot of a post to you tomorrow with very many pictures. I promise.

My speech tonight was a HUGE success at my Mom's retirement dinner which was also a huge success. I will also talk about it a bit in a post tomorrow. I will leave you with a picture of my Mom and me which is a rarity since I am rarely in the pictures, I am usually taking them.

I will believe that she is actually retired come this September when school starts and she doesn't actually get up in the morning to go to school and work every morning. I am sure she will be doing something, just not an every day kind of a thing. It was a very nice event.

Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap Questionnaire

Here are my answers to the questionnaire:

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? I have never been to Hawaii and I love the tropics. I have also never really toured the west coast. I have only been to California once, never seen Washington State or Oregon.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why? I knew when I wrote this question it would be a tough one for me. There are so many countries I have yet to visit and so many I would love to go back to. I would love to go back to both Israel and Colombia for family and personal reasons. The only country I have ever seen in Europe is England so I think I would like to travel Europe. See Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland..perhaps when my girls are older

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries? Yes, I have technically driven from Maine to Florida but not all in one trip. When I was younger my family did the PA to Florida trip numerous times. When I was a teen I drove with my grandmother from PA to Maine, then we hopped a boat and went over to Nova Scotia. I have also driven numerous times from PA to NYC and to Boston. I have driven from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, from Tucson to the Grand Canyon (one of my favorite trips, I have mentioned this before, with my sister) and my one time in California driven from San Diego to Los Angeles. I even drove with the Princess to Ohio to meet some of my Internet friends. I am actually about to drive my sister to Florida. I leave on Father's Day. I can't wait!!

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it? When I was twelve, we did a whirlwind vacation that started at my cousin's wedding in Panama got to experience seeing boats go through the Panama canal and then we took an 8 seater plane over the Pacific Ocean to a small island called Contadora. It is located in the Pearl Islands of Panama and simply breath taking

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why? This is a tough one because ever since I was nine months old I have been traveling. Do I say the summers as a child I used to spend in Colombia with my grandparents? Is that considered traveling? Do I say my 6 month trip to Israel? Do I say my many trips to Disney World? (I am a HUGE Disney Fan) Or my trips to Arizona with my sister? I have WAY too many favorite trips to pick just one

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
I live very near Philadelphia so it is very difficult not to play tourist here. We have so many wonderful museums, parks, history and culture that even if i didn't get out of town visitors often I would still go and see them often. Besides, how could you not want to go see the Rocky statue?

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker? I am both a museum visitor and an occasional beach goer but not a fan of the sand. I do love the smell of the ocean though

8. What's your favorite type of yarn? Right now my favorite is Organic cotton or soy

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn? any animal fiber because I happen to be allergic to it

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet? Right now I have been knitting a lot of baby items but I also like to knit lace, washcloths, hats and what ever interests me

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation? I rarely go on vacation but when I do I try to take simple projects that I can put down easily. Hats on circular needles, simple washcloths and extra project or two just in case. A few new pattern books to browse always come in handy too

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet? Soapmaking, painting, making chocolates, crafts with my kids

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise) Unfortunately, yes. 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.

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite? My favorite color is purple, any shade especially lavender. Least favorite is puce

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)? Definitely sweet, yummy milk chocolate

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know? I love doing these swaps and I love to travel when I can. I also love crafty gifts and exchanges. I am a process crafter not just with knitting but with all my crafts. I am very excited about this swap and I hope everyone who signed up for it is also!!!


There are less than 50 spaces still open in the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap so if you want in, you better head on over. We are in Bora-Bora right now.

Chocolate

I saw this on someone's blog and JUST had to do it since I am such a chocoholic, LOL You are Milk Chocolate

A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds. You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life. Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Baby Sweater Progress

Who ever wrote the original pattern that I am using for this baby pattern, well, I don't really like it so I have ripped a lot out. Often. This could be why this is taking a lot longer that the original author intended. I also have two very lovely distractions and one grumpy one. I figure if I keep posting pictures of the sweater it will keep me motivated to keep fixing it and knitting it. I am in the home stretch, so to speak, as I am knitting the body and this was knit from the top down and the sleeves are just about done. All the sleeves need is to have the seams stitched .

So this is the front view modeled by on of the Princesses baby dolls.

And this is the back view of the sweater

Eerie how life size the doll is, isn't it?

I think I am going to make two baby hats. One to go with the red and purple kimono and one to go with this sweater. Those would be two great projects for my road trip with my sister. Small and compact, easy to transport and good for an airplane, don't you think?

My third friend having a baby in November isn't sure she is finding out the sex of the baby so I need a good cuff-to-cuff or all-in-one unisex pattern which I might have found in my 2006 calender and I have some organic sage Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton for that. Should fit the job nicely. I am definitely preferring these patterns where I don't have to sew on the sleeves later


The fourth baby isn't due till probably February so I am all the time I need to plan for it and there are the holidays before that. I posted on some one's blog that is has become the summer of baby knits. It sure has

The Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap is way past the half way mark. I am debating if I want to make Lime Margarita soap or Creamy Coconut Soap for the Occasion....

Clearing the Deck

Could one of these packages be for you? Might be... Could be... My Knitter's Tea Swap 3 is in there.... My No Sheep for You for June is some where in there.... My Dishcloth Swap is on there too... Some prize packages are in there.... A Knitter's Vacation Swap surprise is in there... Lots and Lots of packages are in there... One could be yours.....

I was a very busy lady yesterday packing and wrapping. Tissue paper flying, sticky tape and boxes every where. My scale got a workout yesterday, let me tell you. Boxes are headed all over the country this morning with all sorts of yummy goodness.



There are still some vacation spots in the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap. The rum is flowing the virgin daiquiri's are being poured too, if that is more your speed. Join us on some very scenic vacation hot spots on our virtual tour this summer...

More babies!!!

I JUST found out another very good friend of mine is PREGNANT!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I met her when I was pregnant with the Princesses and she was pregnant with her eldest and we were BOTH due at the same time. We actually met online at an online expecting club and realized we lived practically around the corner from each other. Then we both got pregnant again at the same time and I had Miss Sunshine and she had her little darling about a week apart. Now she is pregnant again for the third time. No, this time she is going it alone, LOL.

This means more baby knit items!!! Yippee!!! I have tons of time since I think she, herself just found out and is probably not due till like February. What is in the water these days? This makes my fourth friend having a baby with in a year of each other. Good for my knitting projects though.

Oh My Is It a Knitting Update?!

This is where I am so far on the baby sweater. I really and truly haven't gotten that much further. Life seems to keep getting in the way. Plus I didn't like the pattern too much so I had to adjust it to my liking, frog a little, write a little, knit very little. I like it a lot better. I still LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton. I still can't get over the irony of the name of it, LOL. I just love that I can use a yarn that has Alpaca in the name, hee hee. It is so soft I just love the feel of it. Love the color, Orchid, too, especially that it is for a baby girl and it is NOT baby pink.

I have three, yes three swaps I want to mail off next week to get them off my plate before I really have to start organizing the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap and before I drive my sister to her new home in Florida which we leave for on Father's Day (if you live off of route 95 between PA and Orlando give a little wave). I was organizing what I want to send and found a little surprise tucked away that I completely forgot about (don't you just love those?). it was part of a grab bag. Grab bags usually contain animal fibers but this one promised it wouldn't and it didn't.

This gorgeous yarn was part of the grab bag. It is from Cherry Tree Hill and called Souris Blanc colorway Water (it is hot pink, light pink, golden yellow, pale yellow and lavender) 100% Rayon 338 yards

My question is, what do I do with it? Any suggestions? I have no clue as to the gauge. A nice lacy wrap type thing? a scarf of some kind? Not a clue. Suggestion are HIGHLY requested, pretty please.

I am pouring drinks over at the the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap, so come join us.

Wonderful Purple Treats!!!

I had signed up for the Monthly Colorswap for May which was my FAVORITE color purple and I was treated with some wonderful purple goodness by Cheryl. She did an AMAZING job. It is definitely not easy to have me as a swap partner with all my restrictions from no animal fibers to the stuff I can't use in lotions and soaps. I definitely give my swap buddies a LOT of credit for their creativity.

From lilac soy yarn, to purple and pink yarn, to purple dpns, purple candies, purple containers, purple tea and even purple M&Ms, Cheryl went above and beyond with purple goodness. I am in purple heaven!!! I even folded all the tissue paper and set it aside because, you guessed it, she send all shades of PURPLE. Thank you so much Cheryl!!

Sign ups for the Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap are going on right now so head on over there to start your vacation