Busy, Busy....Again

Fall, a time for hay rides, apple picking, pumpkin carving and the oh so wonderful craft show. My busy season has begun! This year I am trying different things in my product line, doing some of my same shows and one or two new ones.

Getting everything thing made and ready is both fun and a ton of work. Deciding scent color shape, packaging... all the things I love. Now that everyting is in my "warehouse" I have space to really spreadout and have energy to work.

The princess has really taken an interest in the family business this year and has come up with two products of her own this season that will also go on display. I am so excited!!! One is named for our new fish, Sparkles, and is a heart shaped glycerin soap with fish embeds. The other, which she did a lot more "research" into is named for my nephews' dog and is an all natural dog Shampoo with tea tree, peppermint and lavender essential oils called Daisy's Doggie Shampoo (all of our products are named for females). Her grandmother's dog tried it and is already a fan!!

The Princess also helped me with several new soaps like Pumpkin Creme Brulee, Spearmint Eucalyptus, and Oatmeal Milk and Honey (I think half of this batch is spoken for, right Anne?). Also made some Shea butter lotion and tried my new fragrance Blue Musk that is little and fresh and I just LOVE it!!.

I have a few more weeks till my first show and a bit more work to do but, I think it is going to be an exciting fall season.

Topic of the Week for Fall into Autumn Swap

I can't believe I didn't answer my own topic of the week. Sheesh, what kind of hostess doesn't that make me. No one answer that :-P

Now that it is getting cooler here, it makes me think of apple picking and hay rides. Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah?

I can't exactly do the hay ride thing unless I take some allergy meds before I go therefore I tend to avoid them but, I do love going to the Orchards and going apple picking. We have a few really good ones near us too. Nothing beats a homemade apple pie or crisp made with apples you picked yourself, YUM! I actually just made one and ate it with some yummy tea from Mary. I also love pumpkin pie, which I make as well just not with fresh pumpkin. I keep telling myself one of these days but haven't yet.

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are two of my favorite holidays but the "before we get there" part are pretty stressful. So, I don't exactly count the days. Yes, we are already in the who brings what and were is it going to be "discussion". Oh what fun.

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap

The questionnaire is up for the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap being hosted by Anne and Holly. I am very much looking forward to this swap. Okay, when am I not looking forward to a swap? (shut up Jessi)

It is a nice long questionnaire and I am going to answers as best I can in hopes that my pal really pays attention because besides my allergies, I celebrate a different holiday during the season.

Coffee

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!) I am half Colombian so I really prefer Colombian coffee

Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee? I did have a grind and brew coffee maker but, I gave it to my Mom so I no longer have a grinder :-(

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee? I am not into mint coffee but I do like a pumpkin latte every so often. I like Mocha, hazelnut and vanilla on occasion as well.

Do you enjoy special blends? As long as it is Colombian ;-)

How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? My Colombia relatives call me a traitor but, I like splenda and milk in my coffee

Decaf? NEVER

Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer? Unless I am drinking real espresso from an espresso cup, then a coffee mug

Winter and Holidays - PLEASE be descriptive! Your pal will need this information to be sure to put together a package you will enjoy!

What is your favorite part of Winter? That it is only three months long ;-) Winter break? I can go visit my sister in Florida? Hot chocolate

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday? I celebrate Hanukkah, Wahoo it is 8 days long!!

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree? No Christmas, no tree, no Hanukkah bush, no lights, no decorating, no angels, no Santas, no Reindeer, no snowmen (I am hoping you get the idea)

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package? If you can manage Hanukkah themed items that would be wonderful but, I know how difficult that is so winter or even a hot chocolate themed package works

Do you collect anything? Besides yarn? Disney type items like Goofy and Tinkerbell

Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snowflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect? Dreidels (Hanukkah related spinning tops) and Hanukkiahs (menorahs specifically for Hanukkah)

Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats? I do wear scarves and hats

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat? holiday - gelt (chocolate coins) winter - hot chocolate

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory. Although I have many holiday memories and I am sure some that stick out more in my memory nothing is more meaningful than the first time the Princess could recite the blessings over the candles all by herself. I was in awe. Miss Sunshine chimes in as well now and they sing songs. It just makes my little family complete that can say the blessings themselves and enjoy it so much. They can't wait each night of the holiday when I pull out the menorah, fill in with each candle and we say the blessings together.

Yarn and Crafting

Do you Knit or Crochet? Knit

For how long? 29 years

Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? I prefer wooden needles

Circular or straight? I use both depending on the project

What sort of projects do you enjoy making? Prefer ones where i have no delay of gratification meaning I can knit them up quickly

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with? Cottons and soy

Do you spin or dye? No

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else? I make handmade all natural bath and body products

General

When is your birthday? October 3

Do you have any children? (Furry kind count!) I have two daughters 7 and 4.5 and a Tortoise (okay she isn't furry)

What are your favorite colors? Purple, lime for one daughter and pink for the other daughter

Do you have any allergies? Are you sure you want to ask that? ;-) 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.

8 Random Things

Ah yes, I just love to be tagged for these meme thinger ma bob do hickies. Thanks Jessi :-P so, here goes.....

1. Sometimes when the kids aren't home and I am procrastinating, I watch Little House on the Prairie

2. I love it that my little Princess is as an avid reader as I was at her age (and I still am)

3. I love to go to the Casinos in Atlantic City with my Mom. I just wish i had more money to blow there

4. As soon as I walk in the door at home, the girls and I kick off our shoes. All three of us prefer to go shoe-less.

5. I have no delay of gratification with new clothes, new items I've bought or even something I am knitting. This is probably why I prefer to knit something that doesn't take too long to finish.

6. I have been wearing glasses since I was the same age as the Princess is now but, she has much better eye sight then I ever did

7. It is getting to be too cold for me but, I can't see myself moving from this area any time soon

8. I have lost 50 pounds in the last 6 months

Hmm, now whom to tag....Mary, Holly, Melissa, Amanda, and Sally

Weekend Recap

Such a whirl wind weekend!! It was busy, busy to say the very least.

Let's start with Friday late afternoon, Friday night and getting ready for the Princess' birthday party. The party was at my parents' house so after school we went over there to make sure the house was spotless, toys picked up, furniture moved, chairs and tables arranged, all the paper goods set out and some decorations were hung. Pink and purple of course. My Mom and I, when all was done, sat down to a nice relaxing cup of Colada Roobios tea compliments of Mary in some fine china cups and relaxed a few moments together.

Saturday was the birthday party. We had 16 kids ages 3 - 10 playing games, having story time, had some Tina the Tortoise time, lunch and cake, backyard time and then home. Whew! Two and half hours later I was tired. Clean up took longer than the party. Doesn't it always? Princess had a BLAST with her friends and cousins. So did Miss Sunshine, of course. So much so, Miss Sunshine fell asleep in the car home which she rarely ever does. The Princess received a TON of craft projects including several bracelet makers, a perfume maker (so she can be like Mom), some paint kits and a ceramics paint set. She was allowed to open one and she opened one she could do without much assistance one of the bracelet set.

Sunday, Ah Sunday, I had been looking forward to Sunday for a very long time. It was a local soapmakers conference one state over. I was going to get to see several friends I had not seen in, well, a year or two. A few demos given on things I don't make so they were interesting to hear about. Not sure I am going to have use for the information but, it is always good to have the knowledge base. Some of my favorite vendors were there so I picked up some ingredients I needed or wanted to try. I also picked up some of my favorite Vanilla, some Tangerine Essential Oil, a new Lime fragrance that is very sweet and crisp smelling, a scent called Blue Musk that smells fantastic. The Princess wanted me to get some Blueberry and my favorite vendor told be he was getting an amazing one so I am very excited about that.

I won a ton of door prizes including a HUGE bag of goodies, some Black Raspberry Vanilla fragrance, some soy melts (hmm, I wonder where those could end up? Jessi, any ideas?) and a few other choice tidbits that you never know where they might show up).

Of course my knitting went with me. A few of the soapers knit but, they didn't bring it or consider themselves not good enough to knit in public. I told them next year I will give a demo. One of my closest buddies told me that she has a room for me in her home if I would come and teach her how to knit. BTW, she lives in Puerto Rico.

Here is what I finished at the event:

Guess what it is ;-)

Renoir Landscapes Exhibit

Both my parents had gone to Temple University at some point. For Temple Alumni, they offer some wonderful programs and they are allowed to invite guests. This time around they offered a lecture from one of their Art professors and a private tour of The Renoir Landscapes exhibit that is currently at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Springtime (in Chatou), about 1875 © Private collection one of the pictures on display

It was a great experience! The lecture was terrific and the Docents gave such great and personal information about each time period and several of the painting. I truly wished they had these events more often.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY TO MY PRINCESS

Where did the time go and when did she get to be a young lady? My Princess turns 7 today!! She is getting to have cupcakes brought into school by me and having a family birthday dinner tonight at my Parents' house of her choosing. Her party is this Saturday with her cousins and some of her closest friends. The main attraction for the party? Tina the Tortoise of course!! She can't wait!!

Happy Birthday to my big girl!!

Waiting Room Dishcloth

I haven't posted an FO in a while. I think it is about time. I pretty much knit the entire thing in waiting rooms for appointments for both my daughters



It is the dishcloth for my swap pal in the Fall into Autumn Swap. I wanted to try something a bit different. Get back to my roots so to speak. Throw in a bit of a lacey feel and no pink or purple since it is for the Autumn. Now to remember what I did, write it down and repeat it some where else, LOL.

Tea Swap Goodies - The Photos

A moment of peace and quiet. Just a moment, to take some pictures of my goodies. You get a groups shot, a picture of my favorite item and, of course, a separate picture of the yarn.

Mary definitely spoiled me and the girls, don't you think? Both girls had decided to walk off with different items but, I told them they weren't allowed till AFTER the photo session. Thankfully, it is one rule they follow. Not even the yummy chocolates sprouted legs, yet.

Isn't he adorable? I collect ALL things Goofy (you should see our family room) Miss Sunshine loves him too and wanted to play tea party with him. Um, NO! He went straight into the China cabinet and back again after this photo. He is a PERFECT addition to our collection!!

Last, but not least, Panda cotton in Seascape. The picture does not do the color justice. Another one Miss Sunshine attempted to runaway with since this is her colorway. It is gorgeous!! Definitely a step in a different direction for me but a good one. One I really need I think.

Mary, thank you SO much for everything!!!

Intercambio Del Café con Algodón Durante Invierno

Coffee and Cotton (or Yarn) Swap During Winter or better know as Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap. Yup, that is correct, another swap!!

Sign ups do not start till October 24Th. So almost all of my other swaps with be complete except for Secret Pal 11.

The lovely Miss Anne and equally lovely Holly are hosting the swap.

Oh and how exciting! They added a link for Hanukkah patterns (Hmm wonder were they got those?)

Topic of the Week for Fall into Autumn Swap

I post the topic of the week and then don't answer my own question. Just goes to show you how much time I don't have.

Mary, don't think I forgot to take a picture of my goodies. I will, don't worry. I took these pictures last week ;-)

The top picture is a box where I keep my dpns, stitch markers, circulars, hooks, anything I can throw in there.

The bottom picture is my straight needles. The two pair of medal ones sort of in the middle are my original ones from my grandmother.

Knitting in the Waiting Room

It seems like I have been spending a ton of time in the waiting room of a doctor, a test or a therapist of some kind a lot lately. There is still a lot more to come too. When you have one daughter going through one kind of testing for her lactose intolerance and one going through testing for ADHD and getting OT you tend to get to see the inside of a lot of waiting rooms.

I think my entire dishcloth for my fall dishcloth pal was knit entirely inside a waiting room. I think the entire bottom half of my sister's top was knit inside a waiting room. I knit an entire preemie hat inside a waiting room. Now I have cast on one of my favorites, yes Anne, a Candy bag designed by Amanda.

Yup, going to sit in a waiting room Wednesday afternoon for a test for the Princess and yes going to be sitting in a waiting room for therapy for Miss Sunshine very early in the morning on Saturday. Good more knit time. Seems lately it is the only knit time I get.

I Received My Tea Package!!

I don't really have much time to give my pal, Mary the thanks she so justly deserves BUT, I wanted to write a very quick and gracious THANK YOU to her to let her know I received my Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap package today!! IT IS AWESOME!!!

My goodies need to have a photos session, especially since Mary asks for it so nicely and so you all can be extremely jealous ;-)

Mary, you are the best!!!

SP 11 Pal Strikes Again!!

She tried so hard to get my package to arrive on my birthday and it was sooo close that I will give her the credit. Thank you so very much for being such an amazing SP Pal!!!

She sent a card game for The Princess and Miss Sunshine to share and a very pretty card. She also sent "Knitting for Peace" a book I have stared at in the Barnes and Noble but had yet to buy so even though I had not told anyone it was a book I had wanted to buy so thank you very much for it!!! I also received to hanks of Araucania Cotton, one in a dusty pink and one in a light purple. They feel extremely soft on the skin I cannot wait to knit them up.

Again, another wonderful, wonderful package that I love! Thank you!!!

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!

Thank you everyone for all your birthday wishes and e-cards yesterday! It all really did help make my day, it truly did!!

I did get that Starbucks, amazingly, did some knitting and had a great dinner of Colombian food at my parents' house with my daughters. I ignored all the hectic stuff going on around me, LOL

I also heard some wonderful news for my birthday. One of my close friends who is also my soap making mentor had her baby on Monday!! She had a beautiful baby girl. I am so happy for her and her husband! Thankfully her knitting is complete. I had made for her a throw blanket for the floor, a lilac Cardigan and a Heartbreakingly Cute Kimono. They live about 2 hours from me and I am supposed to go to the baby's Christening in December so I might just hand deliver her gifts then.

Now onto the next birthday. Today is my youngest nephew's birthday, he turns 3 today. Happy Birthday Little Man!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Yup, it is that time of year again, my birthday. Although, Miss Sunshine and the Princess always end up thinking it is a birthday for them since they get to have a special meal, birthday cake and my Mom seems to always come up with party favors for the girls.

I am hoping for traditional birthday drawings from the girls and then there is the traditional birthday money from everyone else :-) I do ask for gift certificates from the local yarn shops but, I get looked at like I have three heads so it became birthday money a few years back.

I am hoping to splurge on a Starbucks, get in some knit time and relax a bit if Miss Sunshine lets me till The Princess gets home. We will see if that plan works.

My "New" Full Time Job

Many of you have read about the marathons that little Miss Sunshine "runs" when I'd like her to do certain things or when I am trying to get her to go to sleep or settle in for the night. I joke about it and tease. However, if you can read between the lines you can read that she is hyperactive. Well, she actually has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Impulsive variety. So they think. All of her diagnosing is not complete entirely. This is one heck of a long draw out process. Well, as my Mom told me today, Miss Sunshine just because my full time job.

In just under a year from now, Miss Sunshine will enter kindergarten in public school. I want to make sure all our ducks are in a row and we know exactly what is going on with her and I can fight for her rights as best I can. I already know of one road block. Get this, Pennsylvania is one these states in which schooling is only required from age 7 till age 16 which they consider to be 1st grade. What does that mean? If the district decide to do nothing till she is 7, they can do nothing till she is 7. I know my school district is much better than that but, hence the reason Miss Sunshine JUST became my full time job.

She was funny in one of the waiting rooms today though. She asked, "Momma, You bring your knitting? Come sit here with me and knit. (she patted the chair next to her) I'll watch Dora so you can knit next to me." Isn't she the cutest? She knows when we go to an appointment out comes the knitting.

Topic of the Week for Fall into Autumn Swap

The first day of October! Gosh I just LOVE October! So many wonderful things happen in October and me getting one year older is NOT one of them ;-)

So the question this week is: Are there any recipes you especially enjoy having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially enjoy? (and this one I did not write, go figure, LOL)

I am enamoured with the flavors of Autumn. I enjoy a good Apple pie, a yummy pumpkin pie a delicious pecan. I love that Tastykake, a local cake company, comes out with a variety of apple and pumpkin pies this time of year that are so sinfully good. I try to limit myself to just a couple a season.

I do have to admit though, that since my sister and the Princess cannot have any dairy I have developed a non-dairy pumpkin pie for them but, I can't share the recipe because it has become sort of famous around these parts and therefore turned into a family secret ;-)

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