tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68809749141485089842024-03-13T15:53:42.935-05:00Tinking ITThese are just my ramblings...if you listen long enough, I eventually say something clever and insightful...totally by accident of course....Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-55654238860358609312010-06-20T11:20:00.013-05:002010-06-20T12:20:34.407-05:00Happy Father's Day, Dad!<p>In honor of my dad, on Father's Day, I want to thank him, for everything he's done for me. So many things, too numerous to name all, but a few stick out in my mind. He probably won't remember these events, but I recall them vividly, and they've stayed with me.<br /><br />Dad, thank you for:</p><ul><li>teaching me to value education.</li><li>teaching me to use logic and reason, and for using these in specific life lessons</li><li>when Grandpa died, I asked you if there was a GOD, and you explained to me, that there was. You pointed out, that, "by definition, good cannot exist without evil."</li><li>when my high school friend got pregnant, you pointed out that "two wrongs, don't make a right," in reference to her getting married. May not seem that dramatic today, but in the early 80's, this was an atypical reaction, especially from a parent.</li><li>not allowing me to date and go to parties, unsupervised, while in high school. All the reasons you gave, well, they were the exact reasons I wanted to go out. DOH! You protected me, from myself. </li><li>for the way you handled my first experience with a cigarette, <em><strong>in the house</strong></em>. Wow! I don't know which crime was worse. Smoking? Not good, only 16 years old. In the house??? In Vick's immaculately clean, beautiful house, that she herself, a smoker, wouldn't even smoke in? I about knocked you down, as I ran to the bathroom, to get sick. When you questioned me, I fessed up. You simply asked if I'd ever do it again. I told you I wouldn't (and for the record, I didn't do it again, at least not for more than a quarter century) . You decided I'd learned my lesson, and didn't tell Vick. THANK YOU! </li></ul><p>A confession, I did sneak out, one night (er, at least one). Some friends and fake ID's got us into a nightclub on Mt. Baldy. It was great, other than the car breaking down on the way home. I got to see <a href="http://www.blogger.com/joan%20jett%20and%20the%20black%20hearts">Joan Jett and the Blackhearts</a>, before she made it big! </p><p>You also taught me alot, about the value of money, so I thought you'd appreciate this brief news story.</p><p></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><object width="440" height="440"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://media.theonion.com/flash/video/onn_player.swf?videoid=14346&embedded=true&host=http://www.theonion.com"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://media.theonion.com/flash/video/onn_player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="440" height="440" flashvars="videoid=14346&embedded=true&host=http://www.theonion.com"></embed></object></p><br /><a href="http://www.theonion.com/video/us-to-trade-gold-reserves-for-cash-through-cash4go,14346/">U.S. To Trade Gold Reserves For Cash Through Cash4Gold.com</a><br /><br />And, for your special day, take some time off and relax, dad! I love you! Hey, maybe I'll knit you a tie!! :)<br /><br /><p align="left"><object width="440" height="365"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/paA0cm7gOJQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/paA0cm7gOJQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="365"></embed></object></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-52815401243244258362010-04-01T14:22:00.005-05:002010-04-01T16:10:29.086-05:00Free Wollmeise!!!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FLOKhkIIwecb9Mh8SxPbPfxEmKD7ey2tThtegf1Y_wwQ5aTXuJ62l2nQfBwdEWRdRh7RCfS_F6V23fyhNTkhz7kfkyahaBGiYJZM34NAA-gPAZwOCT2NVnMSMkwtzE9oI4wbB3u-qutm/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455278722322527362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FLOKhkIIwecb9Mh8SxPbPfxEmKD7ey2tThtegf1Y_wwQ5aTXuJ62l2nQfBwdEWRdRh7RCfS_F6V23fyhNTkhz7kfkyahaBGiYJZM34NAA-gPAZwOCT2NVnMSMkwtzE9oI4wbB3u-qutm/s400/002.JPG" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;"> Be sure to follow the blog </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">(see to the right) -----></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">To follow the fate of the Wollmeise! </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Will it be Free'd?</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;">April Fools!</span></strong></div><br /><em><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Wouldn't it be nice though? I think I'll save my pennies and try and actually do this before too long! It really made people happy. :)</span></em>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-11517144970444435942010-03-31T05:05:00.014-05:002010-03-31T07:36:42.997-05:00Malabrigo March Madness and So Many WIPs!<p>Well, I'm almost to my <em>one year anniversary of the knitting journey</em>! Wow! I can't remember how I spent my "down" time before I started knitting. So many non-knitting years, just wasted!<br /><br />One year ago tomorrow, Pamela was set to have the baby, so I bought a "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A0P6A4/ref=oss_product">Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting</a>" DVD. On April 2, 2009, while she sat in labor, I sat and enjoyed the DVD, it was quite productive and made time go quickly. The DVD was great, it started with how to hold the needles, so simple, you would think, until I realized I was completely wrong....Best money I ever spent. I left the hospital with a Grandson, and without the DVD -- I passed it on to one of the nurses.<br /></p><p>I finished <a href="http://ravel.me/TinkingDeb/srm">Mom's birthday mitts</a>! This was a great knit. The pattern is <a href="http://www.dancingewe-yarns.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?display=action&emptyoverride=yes&template=PDGCommTemplates/DE/freepatterns.html">Susies Reading Mitts</a> and is free from <a href="http://www.dancingewe-yarns.com/index.html">Dancing Ewe Yarns</a>. I made these from just over one skein of <a href="http://www.littleknits.com/categories.php?cat=595">Malabrigo</a> Twist in Indiceita colorway.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3E2_GBthSpfMdRB0slnfyZoYWLuipNiLmcsTRs1TM35KybwIoViWXEoML1XmZPG9kjFetZEL2MmSQZMqk9MtZ-X6dbosYLgA5bVA-3Eg5KxrVVSTFfwRjXCXijmgmufGniBWuD2jbY-F/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454739295699888722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3E2_GBthSpfMdRB0slnfyZoYWLuipNiLmcsTRs1TM35KybwIoViWXEoML1XmZPG9kjFetZEL2MmSQZMqk9MtZ-X6dbosYLgA5bVA-3Eg5KxrVVSTFfwRjXCXijmgmufGniBWuD2jbY-F/s400/006.JPG" /></a><br />I'm also working on a cardigan for <a href="http://ravel.me/TinkingDeb/owc">Shaylin's Graduation present</a>. It's out of some beautiful silk that was gifted to me by my ravelry friend, Gwynneknit. This is another free pattern, it is the "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/orange-wave-cardigan#">Orange Wave Cardigan</a>" from Jennifer Lang.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaPA5sSnJFYDhmTBUxfswDQ3hQyFet4nDRMAhJb-xwuEqfzs6RY6LUbYXWeyttUBAZN-h0chEuZfSG-VnokYx0MhSHZqMo0kkAzL98SsYU3uojbNz2sYHsnvE8LTeSWNIu7CieNKxA_ce/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454739046679728962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaPA5sSnJFYDhmTBUxfswDQ3hQyFet4nDRMAhJb-xwuEqfzs6RY6LUbYXWeyttUBAZN-h0chEuZfSG-VnokYx0MhSHZqMo0kkAzL98SsYU3uojbNz2sYHsnvE8LTeSWNIu7CieNKxA_ce/s400/001.JPG" /></a><br />One of my most <a href="http://ravel.me/TinkingDeb/gc">ambitious projects</a> is part of the Malabrigo March Madness. I'm not exaggerating the madness part. I must have been crazy to cast on so many projects at once. This is the <a href="http://www.knitscene.com/issue/spring-2010/geodesic-cardigan.asp">Geodesic Cardigan</a>, made from <a href="http://www.littleknits.com/products.php?cat=596">Malabrigo Lace</a>, in colorway Burgundy. I hope to finish this before I retire. Wow...knitting lace, takes fingers far less clumsy than mine! LOL<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S7Mfm1cMT4I/AAAAAAAAAYM/6BExfzSuHN8/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454738325716619138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S7Mfm1cMT4I/AAAAAAAAAYM/6BExfzSuHN8/s400/009.JPG" /></a> And <a href="http://ravel.me/TinkingDeb/sb">one more</a> for the Malabrigo Family...this is my <a href="http://kelbournewoolens.com/springtimebandit.html">Springtime Bandit</a>. Another great pattern!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S7MfPdu5SQI/AAAAAAAAAYE/hiCD6sO31Yk/s1600/001.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tc1_AEtm3ITA0LxS8WMwG6aqKC0eSA20-8-b01YQOre9Zxm1OoecZofUH-ZoxPic3j-vc-r5Q3ZUevYV1bs6_yzMlwW7iG6vLR1PrfkdYz9-UbW0ZzFLrM86WrOtF-cun1VGyuF0xrHU/s1600/springtime_bandit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454750912189310994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tc1_AEtm3ITA0LxS8WMwG6aqKC0eSA20-8-b01YQOre9Zxm1OoecZofUH-ZoxPic3j-vc-r5Q3ZUevYV1bs6_yzMlwW7iG6vLR1PrfkdYz9-UbW0ZzFLrM86WrOtF-cun1VGyuF0xrHU/s400/springtime_bandit.jpg" /></a> </p>And finally, the last part of the set I'm working on for Grandma. These are some <a href="http://ravel.me/TinkingDeb/cm">beautiful mitts</a>, made out of the <a href="http://www.littleknits.com/categories.php?cat=595">Mal Silky</a> in "Lillita" to match the Beret and scarf I finished earlier this month. I feel like I've been a knitting fool. These have been tough because I'm not a dpn person, and I've never knit on anything on size 2 needles. Ouch!<br /><p></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6u1vt5CyXGgYvQjCssiayEvBkbEmsWwx6AqjEtioA29ngDOcvMIfgjo2J0IG9BIcRmPdugiKKGj2KatKyAI1ZxxUBmnftnziS75cyzWLNkuxDlhrHolff9f3NeXa5wyIU5BFz5g8g6BU/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454758051938420274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6u1vt5CyXGgYvQjCssiayEvBkbEmsWwx6AqjEtioA29ngDOcvMIfgjo2J0IG9BIcRmPdugiKKGj2KatKyAI1ZxxUBmnftnziS75cyzWLNkuxDlhrHolff9f3NeXa5wyIU5BFz5g8g6BU/s400/013.JPG" /></a><br /><p>I've got so many WIPs right now, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Hopefully, now that Malabrigo March is about over, I can start wrapping a few of these up!<br /></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-31216066758290644982010-03-28T20:12:00.013-05:002010-03-28T20:40:44.977-05:00Yes, I've Been Bad...I haven't really wanted to write in my blog. I've been just knitting up a storm. I've gotten a lot accomplished, so I'll have to do this "update" in two parts. Part I will be, items I've finished since the last post. :-)<br /><br />I finished John's Jacques Cousteaux Hat, I really like the way it looks, but it is pretty big. He wears it, so I put this in the win column. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVntJe0jgWGZyKyPo59NYcmGJ6bAvPO2lJCdpl3yAojG5-gHfNKuN01aug38myzLIJ3rHHMikfa9EKiuYJImV5jAyaNnN2ECeu720qOiu04qa29KslAMagUyAZeFgHi9nsdoGWYUcv0njb/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453860144300205346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVntJe0jgWGZyKyPo59NYcmGJ6bAvPO2lJCdpl3yAojG5-gHfNKuN01aug38myzLIJ3rHHMikfa9EKiuYJImV5jAyaNnN2ECeu720qOiu04qa29KslAMagUyAZeFgHi9nsdoGWYUcv0njb/s400/004.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lt5T8r0eU-o6VjbfIoB__vFDtCIIuWtFy7FNsOcsqtBvjadHgW5P6HyszuxcAz7ZLREK59islqwNci9pxCSenZagER71M1qhpyCS9DqC37YzOxK0gKFScdjicX0rqsoqFMJdzDDwXuCq/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453859925897503810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lt5T8r0eU-o6VjbfIoB__vFDtCIIuWtFy7FNsOcsqtBvjadHgW5P6HyszuxcAz7ZLREK59islqwNci9pxCSenZagER71M1qhpyCS9DqC37YzOxK0gKFScdjicX0rqsoqFMJdzDDwXuCq/s400/002.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I finished the Casual Kaitlyn for Pamela. This was a test knit for a fellow Raveler. I really enjoyed this, and it was a very quick knit. I made a few mods. I didn't put the trim on the end of the sleeves (Pam's request), and rather than long sleeves, I made them shorter. Also, I added waist shaping, and added about 5 inches to the length. So, rather than a short top that shows the belly, it's more a long tunic, to be worn with leggings. <br /><div/><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdhw0LicOHbb9Q8gH8kxgPvqDW8HxQvDiPITIDhzpuiSc2eCCQ7IXOkRsOC9sLZKo7udiNNvRjQWneI0Y4jKFbNBK5jUCXEcfrs1pPkm0dGN39S3Ds-TDB3FExlp1KI0zKZwMFO7sBUJg/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453859431881350594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdhw0LicOHbb9Q8gH8kxgPvqDW8HxQvDiPITIDhzpuiSc2eCCQ7IXOkRsOC9sLZKo7udiNNvRjQWneI0Y4jKFbNBK5jUCXEcfrs1pPkm0dGN39S3Ds-TDB3FExlp1KI0zKZwMFO7sBUJg/s400/012.JPG" /></a> I caught the Malabrigo March Madness Bug. I've been casting-on and knitting Malabrigo projects like crazy. This is the first one. It's a Grace Lace Beret, out of Malabrigo Silky, in colorway Lillita.<br /><div><br /></div><div/><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG29PXSiPzYqUboQJe7Z1MCM41Fve2Wr1vmr5Qtbusiu65Y1HJdqnSbgayN7iT0dXcl6Okl7RFn9bx6ZqoDb-vpheqaCGocXCEY_YSBD5-pkqUDKCNPQNVFlYH0yGVHAbTa8r-bXrHFH9a/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453859114986366322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG29PXSiPzYqUboQJe7Z1MCM41Fve2Wr1vmr5Qtbusiu65Y1HJdqnSbgayN7iT0dXcl6Okl7RFn9bx6ZqoDb-vpheqaCGocXCEY_YSBD5-pkqUDKCNPQNVFlYH0yGVHAbTa8r-bXrHFH9a/s400/013.JPG" /></a> Here is the rest of the set I've made out of the Malabrigo Silky. I really like the way that it's comign out. The scarf matches the design of the hat very closely. I'm not done with the mitts yet, but they are in the pic to show their progress. </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453858449198949026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVmrAgqA9r8pUe8hZmt3flCbCLI2Hcv4jTYF2GL2zuYER-PbOliZJn6SWReWZCET0A2WqbzrjuSssUB6t04zI-7NWyhjJQXmb2EugGtOor65hohWL12_lXln2teAJoq6LwxNxcY7xVJ4d/s400/012.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div><br />Here are some gloves, made with Malabrigo Chunky, in colorway Verde Esperanza. I got some Malabrigo Worsted in this same colorway to make a matching scarf. I'm thinking that this can be a Christmas present for one of my Grandmothers. <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD_4MOiykH1laT9x2A52EyBekShByzlej6r1n-sgyxPfhPAAQQxrp18IUcz3_U8Hyk2JpR4QVHAnYAtZVD7Bdfwhyphenhyphen34_pqHx9MaXOljr5ewER7BhgLFL_pXQAO94K6tlrF2nyf7wnrGYW/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453858928304922370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD_4MOiykH1laT9x2A52EyBekShByzlej6r1n-sgyxPfhPAAQQxrp18IUcz3_U8Hyk2JpR4QVHAnYAtZVD7Bdfwhyphenhyphen34_pqHx9MaXOljr5ewER7BhgLFL_pXQAO94K6tlrF2nyf7wnrGYW/s400/004.JPG" /></a><br />Here is a cowl out of Malabrigo Worsted, colorway Indigo. </div><div><br /><div/><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQNazHCxQxS91gPVcSJUy3dWk9ntboboVjHfywrqgAEc7jzBNyidM4PB2hPkavM5kwGa8bZgeXdWVmhnJcM7gpBylR5-U_eoeP-Wfkf8eT9jNF-eb0RyvAONoi4qZvzewrZ-qKpvXETwp/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453858178652865682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQNazHCxQxS91gPVcSJUy3dWk9ntboboVjHfywrqgAEc7jzBNyidM4PB2hPkavM5kwGa8bZgeXdWVmhnJcM7gpBylR5-U_eoeP-Wfkf8eT9jNF-eb0RyvAONoi4qZvzewrZ-qKpvXETwp/s400/001.JPG" /></a> And my Daphne Hat out of Malabrigo Twist. I have to admit, I think that the Malabrigo Twist is my new favorite yarn. All the Mal is so soft and squishy, but I especially like the way the stitches pop when using this yarn!<br /><div/><br /><div/><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S6_-00QYLNI/AAAAAAAAAWo/-NU3vxY47FQ/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453857857102949586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S6_-00QYLNI/AAAAAAAAAWo/-NU3vxY47FQ/s400/001.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Almost all of the preceding knits were made with yarn purchased at <a href="http://www.littleknits.com/index.php">Little Knits</a>, oh what bargains she has, and the best customer service!</div><div><br /><div>So, that is Part I of the update. Next part will be what is on my needles. I have to take this in managable chunks, so that I don't over-whelm myself (or you!). </div><div> </div><div>Also, for future reference, it is so much easier to prepare a blog post if you upload the pics first, manually add the <div/> tags, and then put in the text!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-53940012676692262122010-02-09T22:59:00.009-06:002010-02-09T23:33:34.556-06:00Too Cold and More Winter KnittingWow! It's been cold here. Too cold for me. Of course I'm cold when it drops below 75 F. We are forecasted to have snow again on Friday. Snow. LOL.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div>This weather is doing a number on my plants. We'll have 2-3 nice warm sunny days, then a week of freezing weather. Well, my hyacinths, tulips and Madonna Lillies are already coming up. They're all about 6" tall (some more, some a little less), but if buds start developing, I'll lose them all. That late snow we had last year, end of March, caused my Gardenia to not flower at all. Let's cross our fingers and hope that they develop really slow!</div><br /><div>I start on a <a href="http://typyp.ajatukseni.net/2008/11/12/jacques-cousteau-hat/">Jacquest Cousteau hat </a>for John. I've knit something for everyone, but him. He's so patient and helpful, I want him to have something really special. I'm knitting it in <a href="http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/Felted-Tweed.aspx?testid=6">Rowan Felted Tweed</a>, in color "Ancient." I know, pretty expensive for a teenagers hat, but it looks awesome so far. I know it's going to be my favorite man's hat when all is said and done.</div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436478779169233538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA2TMVSoC7J9R-iAUcVAfDMq-Qz6M8Fx2iRlcpVTKpkIrGhqHPGPTWgM61gzRuEoTBtAZ85RoDb18OCrUplfrFQguoQF_W1plkX8E-9-2_8EbGsRxgEpy97p16nvsyQJ8yuRE0DbTzBv3/s400/001.JPG" /></div><div>Also, I managed to pick up a couple more skeins of the yarn I used for Pamela's Flamboyant Mitts (<a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=1&item_id=29">Classic Elite Desert</a>, shade Northern Lights #2047). She wants a matching hat. I haven't started it yet, apparently, I have 12" needles in every size but the size I need. I've ordered some, so I should be casting on soon.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436479181766408978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_BLCq6loueWa1hXRHsGcr7Pn6vyGEb47tBdC8rVUFmE9NTbxLeriYRjlpvKViMV0B44NZu0Y6VgSSbRnjGD8j3_fhY7vXy2OF_cxuNUoGicSD4_7MVVkL71W2MvROst9hg7YR4IW_XAh/s400/001-1.JPG" /><br /><div>I started back on my "Experiment in Maybe." It's the wrong yarn, but I really wanted to try this pattern, and I didn't want to use really good expensive wool on it, so I used <a href="http://www.knittingfever.com/c/yarn/Esther-Bitran-andes/">Ester Britan Hand Dyes - Andes</a>. I have a lot of it, and I got it on sale at <a href="http://www.littleknits.com/index.php">Little Knits</a>. It's self striping, usually used for socks I suspect, but I'm getting a stripey type pattern. I should not wear horizontal stripes. LOL. But, again, I'll consider it a win, cause I'm making a hoodie for myself, and it's going to be WARM! I haven't finished up the shoulders yet, and I bet it already weighs 5 pounds. Imagine when I finally get the hood knit!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436477997366706818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S3I_71ZFAoI/AAAAAAAAATg/FTeBKN-h9o0/s400/008.JPG" /><br /><div>I've also started Vickeys Textured Shrug. It was supposed to be a Christmas present, but man, there is a ton of knitting. I'm already on my 3rd skein of <a href="http://www.elann.com/productdisp.asp?name=elann.com+Sonata">Elann Sonata</a>, and I'm still not done with the yoke. The knit fabric is gorgeous. The color is so brilliant! I think she will be very pleased. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436478421428716514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5nRHdHZiByiddUgskNEY3lkPPOaI-hM1AiFOYCk0mWBbTyDuFzN3GSoMbTTsYf8pScLvnqjkqVK0fcAGCzQ7gUDqBNyaoOtnmjJE7s7R1CKk2iGb6RfrIksFV9ARUuQ0BQ3nv_RaSa3X/s400/013.JPG" /><br /><div>I've not done so well on my yarn diet, but I've been destashing like crazy to help compensate. So, it's not a total loss, but still will be a net gain. </div><br /><div>Don't think I spend all my time knitting. I watch William a lot as well. So, what happens while Grandma is watching the baby? Hmmmmm, why not see for yourself. </div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436479919905182210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb3I0Yz0dE2aZ8N-vMRKjXqGRXzSsZ_Y4npgYqJb1yt8kxcof1n609gAg3UD-qzbw71D9vA300poazNNgQvYhQB1_YYzC2_sS9X8h4oF-3Qr834W11NOSJdymnNrsGLs9lM85lkmuvKPd/s400/008.JPG" /><br /><div>And for the not PG rated crowd, a special episode of Sesame Street...</div></div></div></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D8Vh9_Hi1kY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D8Vh9_Hi1kY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-70682674506835758102010-01-31T23:07:00.009-06:002010-02-01T15:27:49.674-06:00William and Wool and Hippie Gear<p>I've had a productive weekend. I managed to make not just one, but two hats for William, and mitts. The first hat I made him was too small, so I gave it to Lizzie for baby Jake, when he gets here. Should be anyday now!<br /><br />These wool hats were made from JL yarn. Not one I've used efore. I had a few surprises, for example, the yarn that appeared to be green and blue, surprised me with lots of purple. So, I cut a several purplish color sequences out, so the hat would be boy appropriate. I was a little disappointed with the colors in the yarn, but the texture and the feel of the wool was nice. It's very squishy and fairly soft, before first wash. It's really very soft after wash. It will be a good warm hat for baby hippies.<br /><br />Chris named the first one a "Hippy Hat" based on the colors. When we gifted the first hat to Dan and Lizzie, Lizzie sent us a "Thank you" for the "Hippie Hat." We never called it a hippie hat to them, so it seems the sentiment is prevalent. No dispute, this is the hippie hat, so one guess what I called the mitts. :-)<br /><br />The hat was made based on a pattern, but the mitts were pretty much improvised. A lot of things I'll do different next time. At the end of all the photos, I'll put my notes of how they were made. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433138833432672802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRPGWpJx6_kcYDg2XedkKC5yosI__TrEahyphenhyphenM3R0hrqh184UtHCh-PXQjGa50fMNNi1YCW0vo6pZTnkkr5Vtc4oME-iY5lwLKsTCzqS53ndgDscTJla0Ea5Loi3VIS27bG8Z5rBUEklmNq/s400/002.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433139204539429282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe1db9-aHni0GsEUdyGtqRex_61FUUYI4VOAgDYgmob9vAWUoy8uRKFSLak24oZC3XOknCEjqU8IBI1smMn-89CiXi1o3zF3ix2bNCaeux6JWATBuAr5YLYWRh16Pb-cSxLpsCoq2fUhh/s400/009.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433139394003210290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsSgsMYDRs-2945ryrm9Yu9Cs7Pbei_Ru8RpZOS7nHAylvWBzuua_2ocmLZ5196d1Nmrc8LNpT2qTUXgWNOG75e9HJc4hxnE6PrSA4p5McY_4_oT-mT5V1BNbi6XefmhWvK881r6_xlOE/s400/013.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433139570336802658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxWXfQGKXG8wz2LYW7QbGDtXLNBcGDmDopkFPphD7OFPDpKx10yr9m39TiywNVpKm1Cto0JGR6kqumOAnGq-IdinEQKZxe6XSnxvWnpMTGw0IZ6U-8Loff7ovoVVAMi4xeq3bH-j2l9b/s400/018.JPG" /><br /><p>Notes on the mitts:</p><p></p><p><br />Well, I thought I’d give this a try, I used “Mitts 101” from Knitty.com as a guideline. I’ll consider this a good first attempt. I know the things I’ll do differently next time, and next time won’t be too far away as these won’t fit for very long. LOL.<br /><br />Made for William, almost 10 months old:<br />Cast on 20.<br />Knit 10 rows of twisted rib (k1 in back, p1)<br />Begin St st. & Knit 9 more rows then knit in waste yarn for the thumb.<br />Continue St st until it measures 2 1/2 inches from the beginning of St st.<br />Decrease 2 rows (start of each needle k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog k), then knit one row even, Twice.<br />Decrease 1 row (same decrease pattern as above) and one more row even.<br />Graft.<br /><br />Next time:<br />Ribbing should be doubled (at least) I want this to go further up his wrists to cover any gap left by a jacket. It’s okay for now, but not great and no room to grow.<br /><br />I measured his hand and started the decreases at the exact point (2.5 inches) which is the distance from wrist to tip of pinky. If this yarn doesn’t grow, next time I’ll know to leave a little wiggle room, but he did seem to get a good grip (even without the thumb being done).<br /><br />He loves the gloves. I could hardly get them back from him. He wanted to keep feeling everything with the glove on.<br /><br />Definately not a perfect job, but I still consider it a win!<br /><br />Note on the yarn: Will not buy again. I lost almost an entire skein of yarn to purple that had to be cut out. Didn’t expect purple on a skein that appeared to be all green and blue on the outside.<br /><br />Also, there was no consistancy between the color repeats within one skein, nor between the two skeins used. Same dye lot. I tried cutting out the purples, then as I started finding knots (one in one skein, 2 in the other) I figured why not try and cut color sequence so I could match the gloves, but the same colors used in glove one did not show up again for glove two. </p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-37148086949917400612010-01-25T07:44:00.011-06:002010-02-01T15:31:04.204-06:00Hotter Off the Needles and Buggy Things!I finished these this a.m. in time for Pamela to wear them to school. Pamela and school...wow! It's been a long time since I've said those two words together, in a positive way. I think she is as thrilled about going back to school, as I'm about the prospect that she finally realizes where her priorities need to be. So, to the Flamboyant Gloves:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430675705798317346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhXX-48DziP7BDumE7ecjltlEYTuxKWcL8-SAmqMMtYEylm-MxhXaOSo2ElF6KwXS5gRFTKqZVy5jOrpJrUH_hR6f4-ghBqsips1OxYPfkifFgWuBekA8DXHy2uXF352AcbUbVbarn3Ek/s400/003.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430675565024363890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S12ip0erxXI/AAAAAAAAAFk/Lwgn49-1iMA/s400/001.JPG" /><br />Unfortunately, I lost track of rows early on. I thought I counted right, I double checked 3 times, but with this thick/thin yarn, it's really difficult to see the twists, let alone "count" them. So, the end result is that one glove is about 1/2 inch longer than the other. I figure I'll block them to be the same size. I tried to match the stripes up, but the color repeat was not consistant. There was not another repeat of black to lavendar to pink, other than the cast-on on the first glove. I ended up with less than 1 yard of yarn left, and this is not in one piece, it's what is left from weaving in. All in all, I consider this a win.<br /><br />Pamela did wear them this a.m. I finished at 7:17 a.m. and she left at 7:29.<br /><br />I was trying to think of things that bug me. I'm happy to say, that I really couldn't think of many things, though. This is all that I could come up with:<br /><ol><li>When people say "fer" instead of "for" (guilty, but I try and catch myself!)</li><li>Like, when people, like, you know, say, "like" (aarrrrggghhh!)</li><li>Thin women who claim they are fat (okay, it's probably just thin women period, who bug me)</li><li>My neighbors who let their doggies out to poop, and they ALWAYS do it in my yard. We've been here 6 years, and they only poop in our yard...oh well, they're good neighbors, so we bite the bullet.</li><li>When premium movie channels show movies that were originally "Movies of the Week" on channels like "Lifetime" or "Hallmark" or any regular station for that matter.</li></ol><p>Not a bad little list. And I was worried that I woudn't be able to come up with anything. Apparently, I'm not as cheerful and upbeat as I thought. </p><p>So, on that note, let's try these notes:</p><p></p><br /><object width="340" height="285"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HdUeVAkzEas&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HdUeVAkzEas&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-79728685247405100812010-01-24T22:52:00.009-06:002010-02-01T15:31:37.052-06:00Hot Off the Needles!I've done some small accessory knitting this past week. Just a few small things to use up single skeins of yarn, or odds and ends. I've taken a shine to making mitts, at least as far as entertainment value, the quality needs serious work. All these items are highly functional, and have already been getting used these past few days (well, except for the Flamboyant Mitts shown last...they are still on the kneedles).<br /><br />This is my Manos Del Uruguay cap, as modeled by my loving husband. Aaaaah, isn't he cute?<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430536814455522914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLZ1NLZQAQ1R_Iyozd1-tGxqwvs9d8BHjVzq3LxQ5A7W8b7KYfKcjlrzY7s-4HQiPW44Bx76ut_7qx7eC8yEu_9E4IPFgL7xIGY7KV75RhNyqwvNV_dGyLzvPvtf6ewYqLqA0I95C7LyT/s400/004.JPG" /><br />I made these mitts to match the hat. They've both been really very warm. Combined, the two projects used less than 180 yards of yarn. That was a bit of a surprise, but the Manos Del Uruguay feels like an Aran weight to me, so perhaps this is right on mark.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430537122178490210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S10kvYsFX2I/AAAAAAAAAFU/gcjyuzGhAv8/s400/002.JPG" /><br />I've also started another pair of mitts for Pamela. She's named them "Flamboyant Mitts." I had one skein of Classic Elite Desert in colorway "Northern Lights." It's very pretty, but the thick/thin of this yarn (and the Manos) makes for a very irregular stitch. I think I'm ready to move to something more consistant in thickness, so that there is more uniformity in some projects for awhile. These mitts have been very quick. Just started yesterday afternoon, and both are done except for the thumbs and weaving in the ends.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430538302150777490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S10l0EbZmpI/AAAAAAAAAFc/A4CkCKG_TjA/s400/006.JPG" /><br />Well, it looks like I got my post in for this week, just in time. I'll leave you with this closing thought....Be happy....this could be <strong><em>your</em></strong> kid!</p><p><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hi7TM87ksDI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hi7TM87ksDI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-60790892635933235992010-01-18T21:00:00.008-06:002010-02-01T15:32:29.549-06:00We Interupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming...I think that it is my ethical responsibility to include public service announcements. We must all work together for the good of our world! So, for all the knitters, and garment wearers out there, please be aware:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428280825856847202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wPoeWYJ6-JWw0durZ6BaN3W_vnT9voyvEo6ZBZ5Ju9pWllsi2ApH5KJz2NMYO9fCV0JiSLQXZpMv2q4Pyp_LNdT_QXoxnfUgYQoUUUwij66_CkNH8OyOk6L6JuiM8P0-2TCXgDYUCdu0/s400/muppetmurderwithcredit.jpg" /> And a little humor for our knitting enthusiasts<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6ZjMWLqJvM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6ZjMWLqJvM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />After reading the worst example of spelling I've ever seen, research was conducted, scientific of course, to ascertain the age of the author of said writing. After all, I don't want to make fun of a kindergardener. I figured, anything older than 3rd grade would make it unacceptable. Well, in fact, it was a 20 year old. Not a single word was spelled right. Even the word "do" was spelled "du." Gotta love the public education in America today. No child left behind. Just make the standard, "no standard" so all just get a pass...<br /><br />Someone suggested the poor thing use spell check. Well, it appears that even spell check has it's limits... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428282524708617762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XlbpZxrlHJErPnea4H-hw90TzyzI4f94E2kAkhLbAGCl3uBnJhZNrLTKSEZpG8KkALBST2T3n6f5ha7u_TNw2cBlisKx6JfC_NdowRxi-lArto7cm1SjMe-rRWT0UI7gQQ9BKsFamuGz/s400/ms+error+msg.png" />Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-39133006420525265572010-01-14T18:54:00.014-06:002010-02-01T15:33:16.264-06:00Resolution Update!Okay, first things first, obviously I've already gotten off to a poor start with the "write in my blog once a week" resolution....but I have an excuse (to this, I hear in my head, my father's voice saying, "Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one...")..<br /><br />Quiting the Red Bull took quite a toll on me. I slept almost a week straight. Only waking for a few hours each day. It was rough. I finally broke down and did decide to allow myself one soda a day, so I didn't have such a shock to my system, making such drastic changes all at one time. (I also quit smoking as well, but didn't list this, as I never really felt like a smoker, no one smokes in the house, and I primarily only smoked at work, to get out of my office cage, but I decided since I never really "want one" why smoke any at all? So I dropped those completely...haven 't had one since last year....in another month or so, I can consider that I did quit!)...<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>well, back to the one soda a day. This definately helped. I now wake up in the morning and actually get out of bed....LOL....</div><br /><div>Since I decided to allow small amounts of caffeine into the diet (still, no Red Bull yet this year) I have exercised almost everyday, and I keep increasing the time I exercise...hopefully I'll see results soon. Also, now that I am awake, and among the living again, I will try to get on track with the one blog post a week resolution!</div><br /><div>I made some mitts for Pamela this week, to go with her hat...</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426768130703438290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S0_A3NT9MdI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Fo98C6n40xI/s400/004.JPG" /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426765880694179826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgnRCwjB3ZFfFZXYGkZwc1NlnJm-lXDSG3-iGaCF8BgX5b1y8E6F8mQ_6VPJZd_MZ2LJ_9kuR9d9-hsUPBxmuENwkJR23SsDV4NfIkKC3mw2omhLS3xoJ-HJLLutQ7nsQCj4DCdU-YNmS/s400/003.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426766486979404722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnHK85OakpeD0xNaAczBtVOvgJ5YniJy9vquq8xKMCOqhI5uU4NwlfVyV4BnmlHBnWGH4QaArShYfTO78qjFlUwAeIEEuKdgpMOakbSqIZ7slGx-epWtVFJhvoqd8P23sXiGGSzGCWv-j/s400/new+new+new+028.JPG" /></div><br /><div>I also made a hat for Christopher, to go with his beer shooting mitts....these have really gotten a work out!!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426793292374964882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6heUC4mFpmkHNubE8ci_yGV_YnzkAvFoV6gzk96bxEFYXsAcevqF-ZvI8OGqt21CNAkoZRBfV03yLMAKrWLOOo7UtYfQLH3lhmnQWcKo2H2hV16xzuC6bk9zJKiaPYhsINKaIKPvLrmK-/s400/007.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426793688081268482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/S0_YG19qfwI/AAAAAAAAAE0/rMHUkHQWLN8/s400/002-4.JPG" /><br /><div>I joined a Kauni KAL, but haven't managed to participate. My new schedule of helping my daughter with William while he is at school is pretty intense. I've only gotten as far as winding the first skein of Kauni...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426767766841722498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe0kLxSm2O6Be6HS0PjfwKxMEXJHDLy5r9GMCGJoKPGPkrone3Mg17-eaOmh5o9F00jLXG3YScKEAiWomi4BICxVYKI9YKJK3k5P_4rhjzwBqnwbyUZnHQR-0IlrUMscHr1123slCF-Aw/s400/002.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Watching William has been fun. The biggest hurdle I have, is keeping him from biting the dogs nails (I've heard of biting your own, but the DOGS??) LOL</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426769086516056722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo4Whiow57FKJIJHG_73lkI4IKo8fr8vJvmCzR5wfvR6Wx9Xc0-io4RpVl-8nzA_-4yOPpJDFeVkjhH_BeRHtumak9saXe8mj_ii3-oWZQITigy6j4Vx0qISaKhGK5gnnXo6TWgl-bR9P/s400/008.JPG" /> </div></div></div></div></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-90366874964501590462010-01-01T22:07:00.008-06:002010-02-01T15:34:32.446-06:002010 New Year's Resolutions<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Happy Happy New Years to Everyone!</strong></span><br /><br />I am ready for an awesome year! So, resolutions? Well, nothing too shocking, several are recycled just packaged differently, but they have all been given considerable thought.<br /><br /><ol><li>Lose Weight!! Must lose weight. Not talking about dieting, it has to be the whole package, because this is aweful. I have the time and opportunity, so I am committed to this. I have identified my motivation for this, I'll list them at the end of this list. If you want to join me in any of the ventures, please, let me know! I'd love to have company!! </li><li>Exercise daily, everyday. I'm getting older, and I don't want to start feeling it. I need to make a point to get regular exercise daily, I won't commit to daily time, because I want to take various opportunities throughout the day to get my blood flowing. So many way: wii sports and games, walking with the baby, walking with the handsome hubby, free weights, I need to take several breaks during my day and be active!!!</li><li>No more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull">Red Bulls</a>. OUCH. Okay, don't tell DH, but I was up to 3 a day before Thanksgiving (for about a year) and managed to bring that number down to 2 a day since then, but now it's down to ZERO. </li><li>No more Soda. Period. Water, and only filtered water from the tap, will be all I drink from now on. </li><li>Spiritual/Intellectual growth daily. I will spend time, everyday, to reading something that will help me to grow, on the inside. I have plenty of books around here. I will be starting with "<a href="http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/Home/home.htm">The Purpose Driven Life</a>."</li><li>Everyday I will make a point to notice, identify and acknowledge something that someone else has done or contributed to make life better/happier/more pleasant, and let them know. It has to be sincere, I know that I will be able to find something everyday. It can also be a memory of something that I recall from years ago, but only today have come to realize. </li><li>Knit more, buy less yarn! </li><li>Learn to speak with a Scottish Accent</li><li>I will write in my blog at least once every 7 days. There it is. You knew it was coming...</li></ol><p>So, these are my completely attainable, highly achievable goals for this year. I'll work on a template, so on my weekly posts I can post my progress/status on these. </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Means and Motivation for Goal #1</span></strong></p><p><strong>"Yarn Diet-Diet" </strong></p><p>It's a "Yarn Diet" Diet....How is that for a catchy name? Basically, I need to control the new yarn coming in, as well as lose weight (I've gained 25 pounds since I quite working in August!!!!). Obviously, my big resolution is to lose weight, but you could modify and use something like this to acheive whatever your New Years Resolution is!!!<br /><br />I am a firm believer of success through rewards, smaller, more frequent rewards. So I thought I'd combine the two ideas...this one sounds good to me, lots of incentive and I get yarn if I'm good, lose yarn if I back pedal. I bet there are others out there too, who could use something similar to control the stash growth and weight all at once. Maybe we could collect ideas here!!<br /><br />January 1 a.m. is my start weight.<br /><br />Rules:<br /><br />1. Weigh-in is each Friday. There is a<br />48 hour re-weigh that can be called<br />by either party, to allow for things<br />like water retention or just to be<br />sure it's an actual stable weight.<br /><br />2. For every 10 pounds of weight I lose,<br />DH buys me a sweaters worth of yarn<br />of my choice. Ceiling price is $60<br />(if I choose a more expensive yarn, I<br />must pay the difference).<br /><br />3. For every 5 pounds I gain (from the<br />latest weigh-in weight) I have to<br />forfeit a sweaters worth of yarn to<br />my DH. I can't destash or use that<br />yarn as long as it's in the forfeit<br />state (can't even pet it).<br /><br />4. If there is any yarn in forfeiture,<br />DH does not buy me new yarn, I must<br />select a sweaters worth of "forfeited<br />yarn." No new yarn will be bought by<br />DH until all forfeited yarn has been<br />earned back (making the incentive<br />that if I backpedal and put on 5<br />pounds, I must again lose 10 pounds<br />to get it back....kewl, huh?)</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Motivation for Resolutions #1-4</span></strong></p><p><a href="http://bodyforlife.com/challenge/whatis.asp">Body For Life</a></p><p>While the prize is no longer $1 Million, $25K isn't something to laugh at, and again, I have no excuses not to commit to this completely. I have the time, need and commitment (yes, I know, I need to be committed). </p><p>If you want to join me in the Yarn Diet-Diet or the Body For Life, let me know, just give me the signal!</p><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rPkrGFiMXmo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rPkrGFiMXmo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-62272537455829594062009-12-31T23:35:00.017-06:002010-02-01T15:35:16.362-06:002009 - A Knit Odyssey<p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Wow!!!</span> What a great year! I'm amazed how each year gets better and better. They're all good years, but somehow each new one tops the last! I owe this to Chris, he's taught me so much, and made me so very very happy (now I'm talking like I'm in a fairy tale, and who knows...maybe I am?)<br /><br />My last official post of the year 2009 will be a year in review, an odyssey of sorts. So, in no particular order, the high (and low) lights of 2009:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Things Heard Around the House this Year</span></strong><br />Pamela:<em> "Chris do you want me to make dinner tonight, or do you want something <strong>good</strong>?"</em><br /><br />Pamela: <em>"Does water go bad?"</em><br /><br />John: <em>"Robert, what did you get the speeding ticket for?"</em> (duh, illegal parking maybe?)<br /><br />John: <em>"I don't need to take sex ed in school, I already know all about General Herpes and the clapper!"</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Wonderful Additions to Our Family</span></strong><br /><em>(in order of their arrival to us!)</em><br />Fleece - the best puppy in the world...so loving and tolerant, we are so glad she picked us!<br /><br />William - What a joy! I'm not biased at all, but truely suspect he is the worlds most charming baby, and also the most intelligent, and the cutest and....LOL<br /><br />John A - What a wonderful surprise! I'm so proud of this young man and how much he cares for and loves his son!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Things that I've Learned</strong><br /></span><em>Never</em> drink and knit<br /><br />Winning an online argument is like outsmarting the dog, no real pride in it<br /><br />We can live quite well on one income, the second is gravy (and yarn!)<br /><br />You can never have too much yarn<br /><br />I learned to knit!!!!<br /><br />Ravelry is awesome!<br /><br />Ravelry is a time suck!!!!! (how many exclamation points can fit on one line???)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2009 Finished Objects</strong><br /></span>(excludes any WIPs, they will have to count in the year completed)<br /><br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/Sz2Wrvft8sI/AAAAAAAAADk/0npNoFGsROc/s1600-h/Chris.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421655204651987650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/Sz2Wrvft8sI/AAAAAAAAADk/0npNoFGsROc/s400/Chris.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I wonder how many miles of yarn this is? (and I should mention, this isn't ALL of the FOs, just the ones I have pics of...)<br /><br />Speaking of miles of yarn....these are the yarns I've managed to collect and hoard for 2009 (and I've only been knitting since April!!)!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/Sz2lt23nScI/AAAAAAAAADs/4xV8pCdbPLA/s1600-h/Yarn_2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421671733665417666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/Sz2lt23nScI/AAAAAAAAADs/4xV8pCdbPLA/s400/Yarn_2009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Happy New Year!!!! On to 2010!</strong><br /></span><em>Tomorrow: New Year's Resolutions....do you suspect one of them might be about the blog??? LOL</em>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-18080109414079264062009-11-11T22:44:00.005-06:002010-02-01T15:36:02.229-06:00Haven't ForgottenI haven't forgotten my blog, but I had this grandios vision of recording my adventures ripping out pamela's Adagio sweater and sharing. Having not worked out all the details, of affixing the recorder to my forehead, I've managed to avoid posting.<br /><br />I am committing to posting tomorrow. I've finished a few things and am quite pleased with them. I did a hoodie for Chris, hoodless and pouchless at his request. It came out beautiful (er...I mean manly!) He loves it...I feel like a little kid at Christmas. It made me feel so good, that he likes it and wants to wear it. Happy Day.<br /><br /><a title="Chris&Fleece_for_Web by TinkingDeb, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinkingdeb/4108246930/"><img alt="Chris&Fleece_for_Web" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4108246930_f8ac4f8765.jpg" width="305" height="500" /></a><br /><br />I promise, tomorrow I'll write a full post, and at the least, I'll get a few still shots of the cutting of the sweater....Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-49920067331010664042009-09-30T03:13:00.012-05:002010-02-01T15:36:51.131-06:00Some Smiles and Lots of Rippin!I didn't work on many of my existing projects this week. Primarily, I focused on a hoodie for Willilam. It was a first for both of us. His first hoodie, and my first hoodie to make! I started it on Monday and it was done this afternoon. It was cold enough for him to wear tonight. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387171380534913922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sYEcjmrnXWuEXUTJkKiAffpPRZp_PrrJzM-IgxBUQ2SK8e7tsA_WY8zt1fvBikWH_Nlx335kTcVk0ZSKeFoo9EHet6Lmt0EqOgqP8RDupO7TnYm4cSvzTdUIITiwhyphenhyphen3Eq2Qmuu7a014y/s320/013.JPG" /> Another nice suprise was that Christopher kept going on about how cute it was, in fact, he asked if it would scale up to his size. He doesn't want the camoflauge though. He actually spent time looking for colors he liked. He sent me three choices. Wow!!! Something I can make for him and he will wear it! Woooo Hooooo! Maybe I should make a matching one for the baby so they can abe twins?<br /><div><br />I (almost) finished Pamela's <a href="http://caron.com/projects/tweed/sst_offsh_pullover.html">off the shoulder cowl neck</a>. It's designed to be a shorter type sweater, and that's what it is. Unfortunately, Pamela wants it to be longer. Arrrgggghhhhh! I'm posting it as finished for now. I haven't weaved the ends in yet, but until I rip it, it's kinda-sorta-almost done. LOL. That's going to be sooooo much ripping! Ribbit Ribbit! </div><div></div><div></div><div>Does anyone know a better way? I toyed with the idea of casting on more ribbing, but figured it would look pretty bad, and this is some very soft and luxurious yarn -- lama and silk Adaigo</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387172835777182434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPVWOW4jSZrdLqnq0Hjqx4yWSpD8JfOSlGteA7CP07HvJZMSpU83gMjtu0bL5qkmt9JEQm0UQCT4pGVQoICGM3H3vTvAuF6XaA0PkN_IkNXC0xmzrQ4DRKFWMdiymmBP3d6FvtDDCdiCn/s320/002.JPG" /> So, I suppose, I do have a bit of a devious streak. To make myself feel better about having to rip back so much of this sweater, I thought I'd share a few pictures of Pamela from the past week.<br /><br />My darling, graceful, elegant daughter, has trouble walking sometimes. Something about her feet must confuse her. Well, quite a commotion last week in the living room...John came running in my room, desperate to get ahold of my camera. I gave it to him, mildly curious as to what all the excitement was. I've posted the pics below...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387175236600212274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyStVooSUgczfVYY7CKBRPq0KzfDhVyiBSDApGGhWAojK8ZmYoeSVmcapDD5qrkT_e3KtoMMEj1bUbzIdafE2-T4F1WN6Zjycsk6Dq0HITHcaxhCakaK695_NtGq_9CNEd0wzZwxr743BL/s320/pams+dumb+ass+001.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387175752820813266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/SsMXzgF7bdI/AAAAAAAAACw/AdpuMfHL9-4/s320/pams+dumb+ass+002.JPG" />It seems my daughter tripped and landed in the laundry basket. Yes, she made a full basket. Then to add insult to injury, she couldn't get out...I'm not sure why, but no one was in a hurry to help her. Go figure....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387176210399546466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJPthuiLMG9GCa7BujzAplB_weUib9lvnHKNH2qA5vogxLJY9aJup1TzH97IfJBgcyIroPMAQBIHN9JSjk9Uoq810Fw9ewYIR0xISAb8-aGXp4uOOjAUskqznUUnMsvfPLHUWtkRsM-He/s320/pams+dumb+ass+003.JPG" />And, guaranteed to make you smile...I want this to be my new ringtone!<br /><br /><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwq19p-jjaSMv0Wkc7c6SJ6Y2bwgFpQ9eQtcao48dxFuQyD1SurPAQHwnydUAubAg7ctPIUur7iOietUyIwjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Adorable, eh?<br /></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-403959071962878452009-09-22T01:59:00.009-05:002010-02-01T15:37:39.111-06:00What an Awesome Day!You know, sometimes you take things for granted, we all do. It's all part of the hectic, crazy, busy lives that we all lead. Then there are the times when it hits you, I mean really <strong>HITS</strong> you, just how fortunate we are. I had one of those days today.<br /><br />It rained again today. That's been the status quo now for 2 weeks. The basement has not dried out completely, but there does not appear to be any new flooding (yes, it was underwater last week, after one downpour dumped 2" in less than an hour). When I woke up this morning, I could smell the mildew-y air from downstairs as soon as I entered the living room. Three fans, a dehumidifier, and cleaning the carpets, still had not erradicated it.<br /><br />That said, today was, in fact, <strong>terrific</strong>!<br /><br />I started my day by lighting a lavendar candle in the living room, and then proceeded to knit. I've started the cowl neck on Pamela's Adagio Sweater. I just have to knit the cowl ribbing for 5 more inches, then weave in the few loose ends on the neck, then it's ready to go! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_s66L-6qDcdxK75ORXPkLfgy-oVFhki4LGeXChKTNeLpa11V8ROz-_vy8j0wvu4qiN3I1DvaixWmWQbb4CdWn7_IN4zn5wYqDMI2dRHV3fwGRakW4buZQ7np5tKhFDpgH6ySHHvIVM_zK/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384427554442041138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B0DIFUSN8DTI2SeExwS7AW1iBx1qqxv5hPdduxZr1gjL9WsG3Qz-piyjhAMLch-cQww2u_iKGirPP5hWRC8CFo0EWGYFIiTvSDKDf60J_hezWNBB-tSUJBp4IGOuUHEcoWCBI1G2V9KE/s320/013.JPG" /> Caities shrug is about 2/3 of the way through the ribbing around the collar.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384428834767538738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5knl918B-tx1utC5L7VcbwGTfZe6fbXmEOTqPyCfw989djBgo5C9KypQi_-ljUz9yts4Pnwc4uyOfVrRsScbyNc_aCWB3moNMjiUjepqKOaM0KmcUln8Agf8mhRDfKlsXQFEwnLpPmIr8/s320/009.JPG" /> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHEacluTyBSX_Kx_ZzZNE8KctdPdE61B2LXzAr5befY5mvpZg7OTuYbWb3e5MGth9yU0DBen7phkPUKq5zKjrDBehyRFdbPlJWHdUi5EyPWUD9ml7r_viOyf28FRozLsiOZc8DeSDsjpD/s1600-h/010.JPG"></a></p>Only thing left on my little black jacket is the buttonhole band and the button band.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384426622772311730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zzQk1KsLQo0/SrlTfEl_9rI/AAAAAAAAACA/WfNnXhUxBjg/s320/034.JPG" /> Three projects, so near completion! Yippee!<br /><br />I took a break from knitting, and did my Pilates. Yup, I actually got some exercise in. Since Chris and I started our daily walks, we've had rain everyday, so they have been suspended. Figured, it was time to get some exercise (does tinking count?) so fired up the wii and did some Daisy Fuentes Pilates. Not bad, I recognized, and was able to do, all of the exercises. Great Day!<br /><br />Then I started some of my famous homemade split pea soup. Yum. It's been so long since I made it, I was informed that they don't call them "ham hocks" any longer, now they are called "pork hocks"....is this some type of pc thing? Were the hams offended? Did the pork feel slighted? Not sure, but no problem, Chris hunted them down and they made it into the pot shortly after lunch time.<br /><br />I walked by William, sitting in his swing, as I went to blow out the lavendar candle (afterall, we had homemade split pea soup simmering for the day!!!! Can't buy a candle that smells that good!) William had been fussing, and as I walked by, he arched his back all the way back and reached out for me...<br /><br />I melted. He stopped fussing the minute he saw me and was straining to get to Grandma. Oh come on!!! Now, if I could bottle that feeling, I'd make Bill Gates look like a pauper! Just the thought that your mere presence makes someone so happy, that they <em>want</em> to spend time with you... and that doing so will make their day....wow.<br /><br />Just got me to thinking how darned lucky I am. Pamela gets upset because she thinks William likes to play with me more than her sometimes (I explain it's because all I have to do with him is play, she has to take care of him....). He is always so happy to see me. Then there's Chris. Anyone who knows Chris, knows that he is a stern, rather serious looking man. He has that 'no nonsense' Marine look to him. But everytime he looks at me, he smiles. After all these years, he still gives me the sheepish, playful smile. Wow. Then there's Fleece. Heck, she is so happy to see me, she won't stop licking me after I come in the door. LOL. There are times I think I need to towel off, if I can get someone to pull her off of me. Three important members of my family, all so happy, just to see <strong>ME</strong>.<br /><br />Honestely, what more do we need?<br /><br />I was playing "super william" with the baby, when he spit up an extrordinary amount. I had him over my face, flying, as I saw the erruption. I got him down safely, but not before my hair, my shoulder, my back, the bed, my pillow, and poor baby William had all been covered with second-hand milk.<br /><br />Who cares? Pamela cleaned up the baby. Laundry started early (heck, I've got a washing machine, not like I had to go to the stream and beat it on a rock) and then I got the luxury of an extra bubble bath and hair washing today. I mean really.....what's to be upset about....I got an extra bubble bath out of it! I put this in the win column.<br /><br />It was a truly perfect day.<br /><br />The split pea soup was wonderful. I got to chat with Cassandra at length today. Chris made a surprise dessert. Yum. I got to do more knitting! I got the color of Linus that I wanted when it went on sale this a.m. Turned on the t.v. and '2001 A Space Odyssey' was on.<br /><br />Today was a typical day, and you know what, I take them for granted all too often. I know I like my life, and I know that I'm lucky, but today was one of those days where I could really <em><strong>feal</strong></em> it. I plan to have all my days like this.Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-52948551859087190162009-09-11T02:51:00.004-05:002010-02-01T15:38:04.143-06:00Hi, my name is Debbie...and I'm a wip-aholic...<br /><br />It started off innocent enough. First I only had two wips (works-in-progress) going at a time, but I handled it so well. What could one more hurt?<br /><br />Then I got a new yarn and pattern I just couldn't wait to try. I had it under control, and I knew what I was doing. I wasn't just recklessly slipping another project into the wip category. I'd have projects, spaced apart so that they were all in different stages of completion, and it wouldn't be long before one of them was finished, so this last one wouldn't really count...<br /><br />The plan was great. No one could really tell. My "working basket" next to my bed was over-flowing, but it was hidden from sight, no one would see it unless they went looking.<br /><br />But, then, before I could get one of the now 4 wips completed, I found myself actively seeking another project to start. This time, I didn't add it to my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TinkingDeb">project lists on Ravelry </a>(I'm <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/TinkingDeb">TinkingDeb</a> there) right away. I kept it hidden away to myself. Sneaking time to work on it. Stealing time from the other projects ahead of it.<br /><br />I'm not hurting anyone, I like the variety. I am a social knitter. I don't have a problem. I choose to have more than one wip at a time. I know what I'm doing! I do not have a problem! I simply enjoy being able to switch yarns and stitch patterns frequently. Keeps me from getting bored.<br /><br />Then a friend looked at my projects page. She about fell out. I really believed that I had things under control, and then she went and commented on my 6 wips. Six???!!! How did it get to be six? After all, I wasn't adding all the new ones to the wips page. How could I have lost count?? How many wips do I have? I have so many that now I don't even know for sure...<br /><br /><sigh>Maybe this is something that might, someday, become a problem. Surely, now that I'm aware of it, I'll be able to get a handle on it. I'm stronger than my need to constantly start new projects. When the voices tell me, "Must try new yarn.....need to make this pattern now!....The size 4 needles are lonely, pick them up and start something..." I will be rational. I will not surrender to these urgings, these cravings. It's mind over matter.<br /><br />I don't intend to wait so long before my next blog post. I've started catching up on things around the house, and writing in the blog will keep me busy, away from the you-know-whats.<br /><br />Have to run now. I got this really soft mohair today, I'm going to cast on for a cute little tunic top for Pam now. I know it will knit up like a charm....Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-53189677694851000262009-08-24T18:23:00.001-05:002009-10-22T15:12:17.731-05:00Knitting Instructional Article: How to do a Knit an I-CordI'm knitting my first I-cord. This and the buttons is all that is left to complete the gentle lace cardigan for Grandma's Birthday. I found a great tutorial. I thought I'd share it. Also, a note about the pattern instructions, they say to use the smaller circular needles, but the video indicates that you MUST use double points. The video is from <a href="http://jimmybeanswool.com/">Jimmy Beans Wool</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=54">Knitting Instructional Article: How to do a Knit an I-Cord</a>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-23126718461169197662009-08-23T23:30:00.005-05:002010-02-01T15:38:28.053-06:00What Have I Been Doing?I really planned to be good with maintaining my blog, but I got side-tracked. I finally got around to checking out my Ravelry site...<br /><br />Wow!!! All the things I was working on putting together myself, for my own personal use, is already there, and a million times more!! It's wonderful. So, I had to get records of all my yarn, and pictures, then there are the projects (notice that my works in progress {wip} are on the right side of my page!!!), and my library...all that money I wasted getting John to scan some of my favorite patterns...They're already there!!! Yippeee!<br /><br />So, now that I'm about caught up on my rav site (I'm TinkingDeb BTW) it's time to come back here!<br /><br />I'll be posting more at length tomorrow, but wanted to explain where I'd disappeared to.Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6880974914148508984.post-33436923426351940702009-07-25T16:52:00.003-05:002010-02-01T15:38:39.399-06:00Favorite Online Shops and BargainsI’ve never really paid attention to blogs in the past, but a recent search for a pattern to make a blanket with the Alabama Tide logo on it landed me onto a very inviting blog. It got me thinking that maybe I should give it a try. I don’t have much to say, and definitely have no clue where to start, so I decided I would share my favorite online yarn sites.<br /><br />These may well be sites that others already know about, but I do feel quite fortunate to have found them. There are several factors that I take into account when determining if I like doing business at a site. Price is the most obvious factor that people consider, and it does make a difference. After all, who wants to overpay for something?<br /><br />To me there are two factors more important that price though.<br /><ol><li>Security. I always consider security of the site. I want to be confident that I will be the only one using my debit card online. If the information is not secure, you are opening yourself up to fraudulent charges on your credit card at the very least, and at most, identity theft. </li><li>Customer Service. The next consideration, and arguably as important to me as security, is customer service. I’ll pay a higher price to do business with people that seem to want to do business with me, that acknowledge that I’ve chosen to do business with them, and take that as a privilege. It should be treated as an opportunity to foster a loyal customer/merchant relationship that will continue. Word of mouth is still quite important to the success of a business. </li><li>Selection. Not as important as the other two, but duh, if they don’t have anything you want, all the other points are mute. </li></ol><p><br />These are my favorite sites and my observations/experiences with them. </p><p><br /><a href="https://secure.theblack-sheep.co.uk/">Black Sheep Wools</a> This spot has some great sales. For example, right now <a href="https://secure.theblack-sheep.co.uk/acatalog/KNITTING_WOOL_SPECIAL_OFFERS.html">Sublime Angora Merino DK & Sublime Kid Mohair</a> is £1.99 for a 50g ball. Now, here we need a bit of explanation, as it took me a bit to figure it out. The price displayed is Euros, but the price is converted in your cart to British Pounds (they estimate the exchange rate – this is explained on their site). So the £1.99 in Euros is becomes 1.73 British Pounds. They are a UK business; I can understand charging in their currency, so no big deal converting. Ultimately, the important thing, the one you want to know, is that that ball of Sublime will be costing you $2.84. You will find a free, efficient and accurate currency converter here to keep an eye on what you are spending while you shop/browse their site: <a href="http://www.xe.com/ucc/">http://www.xe.com/ucc/</a><br /></p><p>They have numerous other items on sale at all times. Lot’s of Debbie Bliss, Rowan and Sirdar. This is just an example of a sale that’s been going on for well over a month now. I’ve bought quite a few to stock up. As well as pattern books, also at much less than anywhere else that I’ve found. Their customer service is excellent. The only negatives that I can think of are international shipping and broken links on the site. The international shipping does not cost a lot, nor does it take that long. I get everything in under 2 weeks. But, if you are in a hurry, then this might be too long to wait. They are friendly, package your items up safely, and write you little notes thanking you for your business on your order. The broken links never last long, I suspect it happens when they are updating their site, as they are 6 hours ahead of Central Time zone here in US. The times they have been broken are typically the hours of day that updates would be made. I highly recommend them.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/">Jimmy Beans Wool</a> I just love these people and their wonderful yarn shop. They are a very customer oriented business. They have good prices, although they may not be the lowest all the time (especially when competing with a certain company in the UK – but Jimmy Beans has a far greater selection of items as well) but they still get a majority of my business. Why? Because, this is a company that deserves to stay in business, they truly like their customers and treat you as if they are fortunate to have the opportunity to have you as a customer. Sorry, but something so simple that has been missing in our society today. </p><p><br />I always get my order quickly and efficiently. In fact there was one time, over a holiday weekend, that it didn’t get here as lightening quick as usual, and they were upset (not me) and put a $5 credit in my account. There are times I’ve had questions and called them up and they’ve always sounded genuinely interested in helping me. Not just paying lip service. And I’m not unique in this area, read their customer testimonials. If you want to ask about a yarn you are thinking of substituting, call them, they’ll work with you. They give quarterly rewards based on 5% of what you purchased during that time, in the manner of cash back on a purchase of your choosing. They have ‘How To” tutorials and videos on their website as well as product reviews. They advertise that they are “your local yarn store, online” and that is just what they are.<br /></p><p>Since this post has become o-sooooo long, I’ll stop for now. There is one more site that I want to write about. Unfortunately, it’s like a Milo’s burger to me, I can’t figure out if I like it or hate it, so I keep eating to see if I can decide once-and-for-all. The experiences, along with the more than $600 I’ve spent there in the past 4-5 months deserves to be fully explained. </p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199105861744658008noreply@blogger.com1