Graduation-Celebration-Vacation...

My daughter graduated pre-school this afternoon,(yes, I cried). Tomorrow we will be celebrating her birthday at the roller skating rink(thank goodness it's inside, since it is supposed to reach 110 degrees), and today is my first day of vacation! Hooray! I'll try and post some of my new projects by Sunday. Have a great weekend y'all!

Knit Swap Kit Swap

Yay! My kitter got in touch with me yesterday, so here are my answers to the questionnaire. This is such a great swap. I'm looking forward to all the creativity that this swap produces.

1. What are your favorite colors? Deep reds, pinks, and oranges, & greens, purples and black.
2. Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks? Yes. Only about 3 months.
3. Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Multicolored.
4. What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? Wool. I haven't really tried anything else, yet.
5. Where do you usually knit socks? On the couch at home, in the breakroom at work, and on the bench during my daughters ballet class.
   
6. How do you usually carry/store small projects? In a small silk bag, or my small basket from Trader Joes.
7. What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? Since I'm fairly new to socks I can't really say I have a fave, but there are sooo many I want to make. I just got the Sensational Knitted Socks book, and I love it, so many ideas!
   
8. What are your favorite sock knitting techniques? See answer above.
9. What new techniques would you like to try? I'm up for anything!!
10. Do you prefer circular or dpns for sock knitting? DPN's.
11. What are some of your favorite yarns? For sock knitting I've only used Claudia HandPaints, but I just got some of Scout's Hurricane sock yarn, and picked up some MegaBoots stretch for my husband.
12. What yarn do you totally covet? I really like Malabrigo, because it's so plush and fluffy and I love their colors. I also like just about anything with a good amount of cashmere in it.
13. Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? Ummm. Again there are so many, I just can't decide.
    
14. Favorite kind of needles(brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I like wood or bamboo dpn's for sock knitting, but my fave needles are addi's.
15. If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Manos del Uruguay color 115.
16. Do you have a fave candy or mail-able snack? I love anything with caramel in it. I am also addicted to Altoids Raspberry,Tangerine, and Apple flavored sour candies.
17. What's you fave animal? Ring-tailed lemur.
18. Do you have any pets? What are their species/names/ages? Yes. A border collie named Ansel, he is 11 years old.
19. If you were a color what color would you be? RED.
20. Describe you fave shirt? Black v-neck t-shirts.
    
21. What is you most inspiring image, flower, or objects in nature? Right now I'm obsessed with clouds. I love to photograph them in black and white.
    
22. Tell me the best quote you've ever heard or read. "Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all but take you by the hand."-Margaret Bourke-White.
    
23. Do you have a wishlist? Yes, on amazon but I haven't updtaed in a couple of months.
24. Anything you'd like to share with the group today? yeah! let's get this party started!!
    

Cocktail of the Week

The Mary Pickford

1 1/2 oz. light rum
1 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 tsp maraschino liquer
1/2 tsp grenadine
1 maraschino cherry

Combine rum, pineapple juice, maraschino liquer, and grenadine in a shaker half filled with ice cubes.
Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass and top with a cherry!

Sit and watch a classic, and in no time you'll be feeling like America's Sweetheart!

Camera on the fritz !

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile but my camera is on its last leg and now I can't even get my card to read in the reader! Aaaaargh! Here's what I've been up to: I just packed up the box for my One Skein Secret Pal and it should get to her by the end of the week. I just purchased what looks to be a great pattern book from Knit Pixie called Barefoot Knits in which I hope to find great patterns to knit for my bebe girl. I'm halfway through my 1st scarf for the Think Pink Challenge, halfway through 2 socks in different yarn, and occasionally I pick up my sweater and try to work 6-8 rows before getting bored and stick it in its basket. Since I 'm unable to post current photos, here are some I meant to post in the past but never got to get around to. My bebe in crocheted cowgirl hat from the cover of the Happy Hooker book, my mom in "Mini Poncho" from Interweave Knits, my birthday stash from friends and family(thanks, i *heart* u guys!), and my bebe getting luv'd up by debbie stoller on the train. She is still trying to figure out how the lady from mommy's book came to life and went to Berkeley with us, (Deb was wearing the exact outfit, head to toe, that she had on the cover). Hopefully I can get this camera thing worked out by the end of the week.XOXOXO.

I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!

Cocktail of the Week

Cherry Bomb

ice cubes
30 ml gin
15 ml cherry brandy
15 ml lime juice
15 ml cointreau
1 tsp grenadine
dash bitters
pineapple juice
pineapple wedge

Half fill a cocktail shaker w/ ice.Pour in the gin, cherry brandy, lime juice, cointreau, grenadine & bitters. Shake well & strain into a highball glass half filled w/ ice. Top up with pineapple juice & garnish with wedge. Kick back and enjoy the ride!

Let's Go To The (Yarn Shop) Hop!

On Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 12 semi-local shops had their 1st Annual Yarn Shop Hop. This gave yarn enthusiast everywhere the opportunity to visit "new" shops while enjoying discounts, raffles, and other little gifties just for walking through the door. Although I only made it to 8 of the 12, I really enjoyed myself and had fun checking out the stores with my daughter and my friend Marcell. Here are some of the places we visited and the things I found:

Be Sweet-Brushed Mohair in Lemon, and Lana Gatto Mohair in Pale Green from The Yarn Shoppe(50% off on the lemon!).Organic Cotton Kit from My Secret Stash. Black and Hot Pink hanks from Rio De La Plata, and (2) solid (1) striped of Freedom Wool( also 50% off) from Auburn Needleworks. I also found Malabrigo in Mandarina from Knitique (maybe for a secret pal), some fabulous Alchemy Alpaca in Koi Pond from In Sheep's Clothing, and some Chocolate Cherry Sock Yarn by Claudia Hand Painted Yarns at Frog Pond Knits. We started early and made it to the last stop just 10 minutes before they closed shop, and I could not think of a finer way to spend the day....

One Skein Secret Pal Exchange

Answers to the questionnaire.

1. Which yarn is most like your personality? MANOS del URUGUAY color-115. The label reads "sometimes subtle, often dramatic". I find that it can be sometimes plush and soft, sometimes itchy and scratchy, and sometimes thick or thin. I often relate to this yarn.
2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with? I usually knit with reds, pinks, and greens. I buy whatever jumps out at me. My mood often decides the color.
3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic yarns? Variegated-Yes, Magic-No.
4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns? Mostly wool and cotton, but it really depends on the pattern. I've been using lots of wool lately since I've been in somewhat of a felting frenzy.
5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls of yarn? No preference. I own a swift and ball winder.
6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in trying them? Yes.
   
7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year? Quite a few. 10 felted purses-bags, 6 and a 1/2 hats, 2 kids ponchos, 1 blanket, beer cozies, legwarmers, 1 sock, 2 wraps, 6 scarves, and I am halfway through a handful of others, including a cardigan for myself and a ballet wrap for my daughter.
8. Will you be knitting any gifts this year? Yes. For birthdays, babies, and the holidays.
9. What is your favorite One Skein project? So far my fave is the Felted striped tote. I used Manos, Lopi, and Rowan. I love the way the different yarns came together for a funky felt with lots of shape and texture. I'm also addicted to the clutches, I've made 4 in the last 2 weeks, they are so fast and easy!
10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it? My husband would say too much, but I'm always looking for the perfect yarn. I store them in long, flat rubbermaid containers under my bed and in taller ones next to my nightstand.
11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never use or part with? No. The reason I purchased it was with the intention to create something to show it off. If I give away a yarn I love knitting with I'll usually just get more! Each season there is something different I fall in love with. I'm just plain fickle.
    
12. Do you knit less of differently in the summer? I don't knit less, but i definately knit lighter, smaller items .
13. Do you belong to any knitting groups (online or offline)? I'm in a knit/crochet group that meets weekly called Chicks with Sticks.
    

Hey Cats and Kittens, skip dessert and try this decadent drink. A tribute to Debbie and her book of the same name I give you:

The Happy Hooker

1 oz Kahlua
1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
1 oz Godiva Chocolate Liquer
1 oz Creme de Cacao
1 oz Chocolate Vodka
1 oz Raspberry Vodka
3 oz half and half

Mix together in large shaker with ice.
Shake, then strain into an exotic cocktail glass and enjoy!

Crocheter Hater? Knitta, Pleeze!

I *Heart* Debbie

Last Sunday my friend M, my daughter S and I hopped aboard the Stitch n' Ride train from Sacramento to Berkeley. Debbie was promoting her latest contribution to the craft world, "The Happy Hooker". During our trip Debbie shared goodies from the book, like the One-Skein Scarf from Denise Cozzitorto who was also on the train, (check out her super cute stuff at www.heydayfashion.com). Other projects we fondled were the Fat-Bottom Bag, Cupcake Top, Short n' Sweet Top, Knot Ugly Shrug, Bikini in a Bag, Prepster Jacket, Frou Frou Sweater, Fluffy Bunny Slippers, Cozy Pod Creatures, and the simply adorable Lil' Monkey Baby Hat and Matching Afghan done in a sock monkey pattern.

I think my first project from this book will be the In Bloom purse. The book describes it as the perfect pattern for folks with a short attention span who prefer almost instant gratification, and Debbie told us "it has just enough room carry your smokes, your flask, and your crack pipe."

Debbie also gave an impromptu crochet lesson to those of us who wanted to try and get our crochet on. Getting started was quite easy, at least compared to how difficult my first knitting lesson was. I also learned that crochet is much faster than knitting since air does half the work, but the biggest lesson Debbie taught me was that even the much maligned granny square deserves our respect! Happy Hooking!

I kick it Continental Style

Thursdays start my weekend, so in honor of another week of a job well done, I give you the "Cocktail Of The Week". I will post new drinks every Thursday in lieu of "Self-Portrait Tuesdays" (not much to see here) or "Favorite Food Fridays" (remember I'm domestically challenged). I hope you'll take some time to mix up a cocktail, put on your favorite tunes, chill, and enjoy all that is good around you. This one's dedicated to all the Continental knitters out there, you know who you are. Cheers!

The Continental

2 teaspoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
45 ml white rum
crushed ice
15 ml green creme de menthe

Mix the lime juice with the sugar & white rum in an old fashioned glass. Half fill the glass with crushed ice & pour in the the creme de menthe. Stir gently to combine.


That there's a rhythym in your heart and soul
A certain rhythm that you can't control
And you will do the Continental all the time
-Frank Sinatra

Happy Easter!

Here's a photo of hubbies easter treat.
A 15", two and a half pound solid milk, white,
and dark chocolate bunny.
Hope you had a yummy holiday!

Father forgive me...

It's been 10 days since my last confession - er um I mean post. To avoid the unbearable backlash from fellow bloggers (Violet) whom I constantly beg to update their blogs, I'm dropping mad rhymes posts to keep in good standing. It's been an interesting week, emotions running the gamut of depressed and pensive to overjoyed and validated. Maybe I'm just PMS-ing! Nonetheless, I want to give a shout out to my peeps and wish you all a fabulous day. The sun is shining and Ella Fitzgerald is playing in the background. I can't give you anything but love...

Welcome Aboard!

FIRST STOP: Procrastination Station . One of many hopes for this blog is to help me complete projects. I am the queen of procrastination. I could blame this on the fact that I am the mommy of a very active 4-year old (ballet, birthday parties, playdates), that I work full-time, that my commute takes me over an hour each way (although it's only 20 miles away), that I like to stay somewhat social (1 knitting group, 2 bunco groups, lunch & dinner dates with friends, etc.), and I love to spend family time with my FAMILY! But I digress. I find time to knit somewhere, somehow just about everyday. The problem I have is finishing. Some refer to me as the Project Ho-a starter of many projects, finisher of few! So here it is, a little preview to some of the projects I've started, and will eventually need to finish:

Ballet Wrap-Debbie Bliss

Felted Clutch & Bowl-One Skein

Emma's Lace Scarf-Malabrigo

Bristow Cardigan-Knitty

Cheers!

Here's to my very first post! Over the past few months, I have been so inspired and entertained by other blogs that I've decided to give it a go. So please fasten your seatbelt, and put your seat in the upright position. Oh yeah, before we take-off, I would suggest that you make sure your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device!