PURPLE IS SOOOO MY COLOR!!!

And I finally got a purple egg.  Excited does not begin to describe it.

Please give the egg a click so we can watch it hatch and grow into a gorgeous dragon.

THE SURPRISES KEEP COMING!!!

There was a knock at my door and this was waiting on my porch when I opened it.

I was puzzled.  Because I couldn't remember ordering anything.  Then I noticed that the return address was from Germany.

Ah Ha!!  I had an order that had been made several weeks ago, that I had completely forgotten about.  I couldn't even remember who had pointed me to this wonderful yarn dyer.  And now here it is.  And boy oh boy am I glad I ordered this yarn.

I have no idea what's in the water in Germany.  But between "KnitBox" and "Wollmeise",  I'd have to say the most vibrant yarns I've ever seen in person have come from German Dyers.

Wouldn't you agree?

And I have to say, my camera is no where near being a great camera.  So these pics barely do justice to this fabulous yarn.  And the brilliance and vibrancy of the colors.

First chance you get go and check out KnitBox.  

Believe me it will be worth the trip.  Just don't blame me if you actually buy something.  That's all on you!

Will the yarny goodness ever end?  I certainly hope not!

I also got copies of the pics that my friend S. took yesterday.  She got a great pic of the cake.  And luckily got not one pic of me crying.  But she did get a great group shot.  I think a few people were missing from the photo though.  I'm not sure, there was so much going on, and I was so emotional.  I'm not sure who all was there.

I got eggs.

I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS EVER!

If there was ever any question about that, it was solidified yesterday. My friends are so much better than I deserve.

Yesterday, they took me to Threadbear in Lansing to take classes on sock knitting with none other than Cookie A..  That's right Cookie A., of the famed "Monkey",  "Pomotomus" socks on Knitty.com and many others.  As if knitting her would not have been awesome enough, she was kind enough to pose for pictures with us.

Here are S. and i posing with her.


I was able to take a picture of her at a calmer point in the day.

Here's a pic of my sock from the toe up with a gusset class.  I loved this technique.  Cookie is a genius.

I caught A. working on her sock.  She was a little chilly that's why she had her hood up.

I was trying to take a picture of Amy and I with my camera.  But I failed.  And lastly, I caught M. deep into her sock knitting.  I think we all learned allot, and had a very good time.

After class I went off to do some shopping.  While without my knowledge the birthday surprises were being set up.  I was under the impression that the classes were my present.  Boy was I wrong.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, so I don't have any pictures.  I'm waiting for my friends to send me the pictures they took.

It started with a cute card signed by all the girls who were there.  And then came one of the big surprises;  a gift certificate to Threadbear.  For much more than I'm worth, I might add.  My friends are the greatest.  Even though they made me cry.  (Which I'm not at all happy about, and have vowed to make them pay for.  lol)  And then there was the cake.  They had it specially made for me out of my favorite desert, "Tiramisu".  I couldn't believe it.  I love Tiramisu!  It had a huge yarn ball on it with a sock and knitting needles.  And boy oh boy was it good.  afterwards we drove back towards home and had dinner at a diner style restaurant called Cheesebuger, Cheeseburger, and it was definitely the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

What a great day my friends set up for me.  I can only imagine how much work it took to pull it all off.  So if I didn't say it before, or didn't say it enough, I'll say it now and again,  "I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD!  AND I TRULY DON'T DESERVE THEM!"  But I am so glad I have them.

Love you guys so much!  Thanks for making my birthday great, and my life better with you all in it.

S.

FINALLY A FO

I'm really starting to feel like an utter and complete knitting failure.  I have not had a FO since this one!  That's right my friends I have not finished a project since March of this year.  That would not be bad if the projects I was working on were very difficult or time consuming, but that has not been the case.  The problem is, I just haven't been able to stop casting on new projects.  So to that end, I decided I would not allow myself to cast on another new project until I finished an existing UFO.  Which was very hard to stick to considering all the yarn I have acquired over the last couple of months.  But I'm so glad to say, "I did it!"  I actually finished a UFO.

I present, my first FO in almost six months.

I cast on these Nanner socks for my sister back in June.  And were put down after completion of the first sock, for no other reason than to cast on some new project that had caught my eye.  It's really a shame too.  The pattern was very easy to memorize, and produces a lacey pattern that I absolutely love.  Thank You Miss Wendy, of Wendy Knits!  You Rock!!!  And so do your socks!

Once I picked the socks back up, it only took me about two or three days to finish them.  I'm such an idiot sometimes.  These could have been done months ago.

Pattern:  Nanner Socks, by Wendy of Wendy Knits

Yarn:  Socks That Rock lightweight, FOO FOO colorway (discontinued)

Needles:  Knitpicks fixed circulars, size #1

As a reward for finishing an old UFO.  And thanks to the combination of a Plurk by my good friend M. (aka BelovedOne), and the purchase of a gorgeous cashmere blend laceweight.   I cast on the "Wisp" scarf from Knitty Summer 2007.   And I'm in heaven.  At least for the moment.

The yarn bowl was a purchase I made a few days ago, after reading about them on a friends blog.  Unfortunately I can't remember who's blog it was.  Thank you, Knit Witch.   She has some gorgeous Yarn Bowls available.  And her turn-around from order to my door was less than three days.  I suggest you run out and get one first chance you get.

Now back to knitting.  Have a great weekend!  I'll have loads to blog about on Monday.  Sunday is going to be a really big day.

AND THE PRESENTS KEEP COMING!!!

  This is some gorgeous lace weight, 100% Bamboo fiber.  I ordered from Patternworks.

  I ordered this skein from the Loopy Ewe, which is the only place I've seen it available.  That's right folks,  The infamous "Heritage" - Cascade Yarn's Hand Painted Sock Yarn.  The colors I chose are fairly muted, but I love them and can't wait to knit it up.  It's so soft and smooshy against the skin.

BIRTHDAY  S E X!!!

I know... but I couldn't resist the inference.  

My birthday brought with it lots of stash enhancement.  Locally and internet purchased.  I love having an excuse to buy things I've been wanting, but would not have bought otherwise.  So here's my Birthday SEX.

First is a book I've been eyeing for a long time.  I had a bit of a hard time deciding to get this book.  But I figured it was now or never, so I bought it.
  I can't even find the link to these books anymore.

Then there was all the yarn.  I know some of my color choices will have my friends thinking WTF!  I'll just say, "no, I have not lost my mind!"  I will say that I have gone lace crazy, though.  Which is insane since I've only completed one lace project, "Charlotte's Web", and it's not even done in lace weight yarn.  I just couldn't seem to resist all the beautiful lace.

I've also gone on a mission to attain some luxury yarns.  So far not as much has been accumulated as I would like.  But thanks to Sarah's Yarns, The Loopy Ewe and Knit Around (in Ann Arbor), I can say I have some luxury in my stash. 

So without further ado:  I present my birthday S-E-X!

 I think these are going to make several really cute cowls or hats.  Not sure yet which.   With this yarn I hope to definitely make a warm and cuddly scarf for myself.   The natural colored tie-dye is going to make a perfect cowl for either my aunt or my sister.     This silk/wool blend should be perfect for a mom project, just not sure what that is yet. This beautiful cashmere is going to make the most airy "Feather and Fan" scarf.    This yarn was ordered and purchased specifically for one of my knit friends birthday.  Green one of her favorite colors.  I hope she likes it. I'll need to go on a hunt for the perfect one-skein patterns for these gorgeous yarns.    Not sure if these will be sweaters, shawls or wraps.  I'll have to do a few swatches to see if anything comes to me. This yarn is definitely destined to be something for my sister.  She loves gold.  And is one of my few family members that I think would actually greatly appreciated a knitted gift.   What to make with navy blue lace?  I don't know either, but I couldn't resist adding it to my stash.  This cone, and this cone of lace weight will have to become shawls.  I'll be doing a serious search on Ravelry to find just the right patterns.  I'm thinking I need to pick up some beads to match also.  

   These two lace weights will also be in line for a couple of great shawls.  Or maybe presents for some friends interested in knitting lace. The main reason I bought this yarn was because of it's earth friendliness.  Processed and dyed as eco-friendly yarn.

That's it, or should I say that's enough.

Happy knitting to us all.

S.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Up and ready to make this day great!

I posted my first actual 365 pic on my other blog.  It's really cute.  Check it out.

See you guys later.

S.

IT'S TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY...ARRRRGGGG!!!

My pirate name is:

Mad Dog Bonney

Part crazy, part mangy, all rabid, you're the pirate all the others fear might just snap soon. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

I LOVE TAKING THESE LITTLE TESTS!!!

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Glorious Goodies Have Arrived

I had intended to rant about the joke that is my job.  But I decided it would be more interesting to all those concerned to talk about all the goodies that I received over the last few days.  And boy oh boy have I had fun fondling and playing.

First is my "Loopy Ewe Sock Club" package.  Would you believe it, a "Cookie A" pattern and soft and squishy yarn from "Snitches".  The sock pattern is as fabulous as all of her other beautiful patterns.  And the yarn, a club exclusive (I think) called "Muddy Waters".  It's a cool shade of blue with small portions in a beige colorway.

Thanks to one of the fabulous ladies I knit with on Tuesdays I checked out, and purchased two skeins of yarn from "Angora Valley Yarns".  Both skeins are from the "Nymph" collection.  One is white to blue, the other is white to gray.  Both are absolutely gorgeous.

As ridiculous as it may sound, every year for my birthday I make several "just because I want it" purchases.  This year I chose an iPod Touch.  The main reason this is a ridiculous purchase is that I already have a perfectly good 5th Generation 80gb iPod Classic.  But what can I say, I wanted one so I bought myself one.  And I have to say, I'm glad I did.  I love it.

I love being able to get on the internet.  It's great having a larger screen to watch movies or music videos on.  And also there are some really cool games available for it.  I love my gadgets!

I wanted several doggie bags for my walks with Harley.  This one I found on etsy.  Fashion Victim has some great things available.

And I also purchased another "Gabrielle Lace Keeper" from "Julip Bags".  I have several lace UFO's, and tons more that I want to knit.  So I figured what the heck, buy another bag.  And I did!  And as is always the case with Amby's workmanship, the bag is perfect.

* * * * * * * * * SPOILER * * * ALERT * * * * * * * * *

And now, for the shipment I've been waiting impatiently for for almost three weeks.

My "Wollmeise Sock Club" package arrived yesterday.  But since it has to be signed for, I had to wait until I got off work today and went to the post office, to actually get my hands on it.

And as has been the case with the wonderful "Claudia", the yarns are glorious.

The extras are fabulous also.  They included a gorgeous sock pattern, a ruler, and a set of beautiful wood dpns.

Without further ado.  I present, unfortunately, some not so great pictures.  As has been stated by several other bloggers.  Pictures just don't do this yarn justice.  But I did the best I could with what I had.

Yeah for me!  One of the skeins is purple!  I love PURPLE!!!

Not so yeah for me.  The other skein is green.  I hate GREEN!!!

But no matter what,  I have to say a hearty thanks to "Miss Claudia" of "Wollmeise"!  You are my hero!!!

More to come later.  I hope!

Happy knitting!!!