Category Archives: Yarn

ill with a view

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I can only speculate and say that I think that one of those cute cherubic cheeked children from the birthday we attended on Saturday infected me with their cooties and here I sit sick as a dog.

I’m stuffed up. Runny nose. My head hurts. I drool when I sleep. My throat is sore. I’m tired. And I think stress has fiddled with my immune system and made it just made me a little more susceptible to the common cold.

I’ve tried Sudafed Day. Sudafed Night. Chamomile tea. Cold water. Soup. Crackers. (A few chocolate chip cookies, I’m currently addicted to Chips Ahoy with M&M’s.)

I’ve developed cabin fever a little early in my isolation. I’ve been trying to knit, keep my nose from running, watch television re-runs of “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Chopped Champions”. I took a morning nap, approximately ten minutes after I woke up this morning. I even missed an Anthropology exam. Yes, I’m sick.

Luckily, I have a good view.

{Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu in Thraven colorway, for the BMFA Traveling Sweater cardigan. YumO!}

Color

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I realize that it’s Tuesday and I’m a bit late to blogging about the weekend but we had one amazing Saturday.

The morning was a bit scurried. We took Rogue to get her Rabies shot. This is only her third ride in the car and it was a bit rough going at first. Once she got the hang of it her nose prints were all over the passenger side window.

While Jem was at the skate park I had a thought!

A brilliant thought.

How about a slumber party?

I went to the grocery store for provisions: two flavors of ice cream, Cool Whip, Hershey’s Chocolate Fudge, Mrs. Robinson’s Butterscotch Caramel sauce, popcorn, sodas…

And balloons. We had to have balloons!

I set up the house. I lit candles. I dragged the kids twin beds to the living room and then brought out all of our pillows and blankets. We picked out scary movies (“Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Freddy vs. Jason”). We played truth or dare but no one really wanted to shave their eyebrows or streak the apartment building. (Who would?)

It was one of those rare nights when we didn’t have to think about Jem’s ADHD or if Scout would make a mess. It was nice having an impromtu party and we’ve already planned for a Tea Party with lemonade, tea, little cakes and sandwiches. And a Beach Party.

And just sweeten the pot:

{The Plucky Knitter Handpainted Fingering Merino: Saturday Jeans, on top, and Don and Betty, on bottom. Destined to be some kick ass socks! Maybe party socks.}

All That Matters

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Spring break is almost over.

The weather can’t decide between windy and warm or cloudy and cold.

We have been spending more time eating out for dinner. It gives us more time to enjoy the Spring afternoons.

I take naps earlier in the morning so Scout and I can spend the afternoon making chalk art on the walkway. Sometimes we just color with whatever medium is closest to us.

I took off a little too much time from the gym. I feel bad about that.

I studied quite a bit of my Western Civilization book. Not so much studying of Poli Sci or Women’s Studies.

I finished reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult.

I started an herb garden and planted some very pretty Gerbera daisies.

I’ve been feuling my unhealthy stash obsession.

And fabric obsession.

Easter Weekend

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I’ve been awake for a while. It’s still early. (8:17 a.m.) And it’s raining. It was supposed to rain sometime last week but instead it glossed over us and came a few days late. It started late last evening. Just a few drops here and there. By 11 o’clock last night we had a full on storm raging. It’s a nice change of pace.

Our weekend was bogged down by a lot of errands (mainly to the grocery store because we always manage to forget something). And a little bit of studying (though I admit there wasn’t as much progress on this task as there was distractions to every thing else).

My mom, Shawn and I stayed up late Saturday night. We watched television together, ate dinner (I made Sweet and Sour Chicken special for my mom), and put together two overloaded felt baskets together. Cadbury cream eggs, Robin’s Eggs, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Pixie Sticks, Dove bunnies, Peeps (both pink bunnies and blue chicks), Solid Chocolate bunnies (the first two melted in our hiding spot). There were eggs filled with money. And there were toys! Bubble makers and a special edition box of baseball cards. Yeah, the Easter Bunny was suckered.

He apparently had some influence on Shawn too.

Shawn went a little crazy for me. He bought me the new DVD version of Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” (one of my faves) with all kinds of candy. Candy, which, I don’t have to share.

As you can see, the kids got their own.

And as a “Easter gift to myself” I bought some fiber goodness last week.

I plan on using it (Berroco Inca Gold) for an Eastlake sweater. I also was finally able to grab a large bottle of SOAK Aquae so I can block my sweater. (The Minimalist Cardigan is done. It simple needs a bath and some blocking.)

And because Easter reminds me of Dalton, I decided on a little memorial piece.

I’m also happy to report that I made my very first (but certainly not last) Bourbon and Orange Pecan Pie. I had to take a picture from the recipe though. That’s how good it was.

And while I’m technically on Spring Break I believe my relaxation period has come to an end and it’s time to get back to normal living. At least the laundry and the dishes are done. So should I hit the books or do some knitting? After all, it’s only 8:32. I have plenty of time.

Just Plucky

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That’s how my mailbox has been looking lately. Just plucky. And I’m lovin’ it.

{Plucky Knitter MCN in Colonel Brandon.}

{Plucky Knitter MCN Superwash in Early Light.}

And just to prove to you that I’m not just buying yarn, I’m using it too.

{Simple Things by Mary-Heather in Sundara FSM in the Presidential Inaguration colorway.}

Other stuff that’s Just Plucky:

* I finished my Minimalist Cardigan but it needs to be blocked and seamed.

* I earned an 86% on my first Poli Sci exam. (The breakdown of grades: 12 A’s, 9 B’s, 3 D’s and a couple of F’s.)

* I finished reading Shutter Island and started reading Jodi Picoult’s new novel House Rules.

* I am nearly finished sewing a recycled pair of jeans that had a huge hole in the butt. (I still can’t figure out how the hole got there.) The jeans have turned into a cute pleated skirt. Without a hem. I still need to hem the bottom.

* I started our “spring cleaning” for the year. We have ways to go.

And with that I think I should start working on the windows. After I knit.

Thursday

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You know, one of my most favorite things in the world is to get packages in the mail. It’s a nice bit of suprise when I unlock the metal box and there’s something unexpected (and fun). It’s twice as nice when there are two packages sitting in the box (and a magazine) just waiting to be opened.

A bunch of fibers. Though not the same media. I plan on having a very creative weekend. Inspiration is calling my name. I can’t ignore it.

{Michael Miller Hedgehog Fabrics, 11 fat quarters destined to become a very owly type quilt. For me. Nuff said.}

{Sundara Fingering Silky Merino in Presidential Inaguration. I’m thinking of turning this into a Simple Things.

{Sundara Sock in Carnival Caper. I’m not sure what this is destined to become, but I loved the colors so how could I not add it to my online basket? Right?}

Work Week

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Ever have one of those days where you are working around the clock to keep up with a schedule to the minute? How about two weeks of non stop working around the clock?

That’s what’s going on in Casa de AJ.

  • I started school last Tuesday. I am still on the waitlist for my Western Civilization history class. (It’s a very long story. I won’t bore you with the details.) But I am enjoying my classes. It’s a lot more work than I ever remembered. Then again it’s been six years since my last graduation.
  • I also restarted my sewing classes last week. My machine and I don’t have much of a love affair right now. I’m currently working on a turquoise mini tunic dress. I’m hoping I’ll have it finished tomorrow. And then it’s on to Scout’s Easter dress.
  • I am sticking with my gym work outs. Since last month I’ve lost about 10 pounds. I have to say that I feel so much better now that I’m eating better. I’m still sore with the work outs but I really enjoy it. (How many people can say that?)  Plus I can go swimming in a pool that’s actually heated. (Our apartment building boasts a heated pool but Shawn and I joke that the pool is actually “solar heated”.)
  • Slowly, but surely, I’ve been working on my embroidery. Nothing to show you right now though.
  • I finished reading Wicked and Someone Knows My Name. I’m currently reading The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
  • I’d like to say that I was actually knitting but my Minimalist Cardigan has been sitting by the wayside. I am working on the sleeves. Slowly. And my Ravelympics projects? Well, I have the yarn. Now if I could find the time.

{Sundara Fingering Cashmere Merino in “Sardinia”.}

Illcation

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I wasn’t on a vacation.

I was on an illcation.

You know, when you are ill and all you can do is lay down and sit up for limited amounts of time.

Apparently I got food poisoning from a Subway sandwich the night that Shawn and I were going out for his birthday.

Luckily we bought his cake Thursday and I didn’t get sick until Saturday. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss his cake.

{It’s chocolate everything.}

There’s been no knitting. No sewing. No nothing.

Except for one thing.

There was shopping.

I bought some Dream In Color Classy for my Tea Leaves Cardigan. (I ordered from Eat. Sleep. Knit. and  I won a skein of Dream In Color Smooshy. Woo hoo!)

{Good Luck Jade.}

And then yesterday afternoon while I was checking my inbox I got a new message telling me that I was exclusively invited to my not so local LYS’ Sunday Sale from February 3-5. Meaning, I get to check out their sale stock first. Woo hoo! (Again.) I picked up some Rowan Wool/Cotton for my Sabbatical Sweater, a few skeins of Glacier Del Cielo for a top for Scout and a few skeins of Rowan All Seasons Cotton for a hat she wants.

And that’s it. I promise. Yarn wise, anyway.

I’ve kept my eye on a few new books,

all of which are going to get me in trouble because I’m already neck deep in projects. I’ve already planned two quilts and some feltie projects. And I have sewing classes starting next week. And I just recently found a little hole in the wall embroidery shop with the most gorgeous designs I’ve ever seen. I might need CA. (You know, Crafters Anonymous?)

The rest of my illcation was spent on sleep. I’ve been sleeping a lot. And you know what? It feels so good.

As for the “Meet Bob and Steve” contest! Our winner is: #4! Alisa! Alisa, email me at iknit(dot)ipurl(at)yahoo(dot)com, with your color preferences and once I get back to the sewing machine I’ll send along your customized kitty. Thanks everyone for playing! I’ll have a new contest up next week.

Til then, I’m taking a nap.

Loss For Words

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The past couple of days I’ve been at a loss for words. I’ve been waking up with these hideous headaches and absolutely no motivation to do anything. Of course, the dishes get washed and the laundry gets folded. But for the most part the wonderful wet rain has gotten me in a lazy mood.

It takes a little bit longer to wake up in the morning. I lay in bed, under cover, and listen to the drip, drip, drip of the rain as it hits the puddles outside our bedroom window.

I find that my afternoons have been filled with warming up in an oversized blanket and laying around the couch. I’ve even been known to fall asleep with Scout laying in my arms. Her light snoring is like a metronome. Spellbinding. Rythmic.

In the evenings I tend to come to life. It’s dinner time and the household is on edge. What will it be tonight? Chicken Parmigiano Strips with Spaghetti. Brown Butter and Balsamic Tortellini. Or maybe some Navy Bean Soup. It all depends.

And then for no known reason I’m off to bed at 8:30. I get back under cover and flick on the table lamp and I begin reading. Right now it’s Daphne. I slowly fall asleep thinking of Morgan and Luna, characters in a short story that I’ve been formulating.

Next thing I know it’s morning all over again.

But with this laziness comes a bit of a hidden depression. Maybe because the rain inhibits me from getting all the things done that I need to do. Like walk Rogue. She’s completely and utterly afraid of falling water. Or getting to the library to pick up some books for Scout (we read two to three at nap time and I’d completely ran out for three days straight). Or even getting to the grocery store because I completely forgot to buy some flat parsley.

Whatever it is I believe Shawn saw through it. So he treated me to a drive in the rain and I small shopping spree at the not so local LYS.

I’d decided to get some yarn for the Cedar Leaf Shawlette that I fell in love with. I mean, look at those little leaves!

{Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend}

I’d also perused the shop to see if there was anything I could do about substituting yarn for the Sabbatical Cardigan in this issue of Twist Collective. I didn’t quite find what I was looking for so I’m going to keep searching until I find the most perfect yarn for this gorgeous sweater. So instead, I decided on just one more skein of SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock because…well, because. I also snuck in a copy of the new KnitScene and the new Debbie Bliss Magazine because…well, again, because.

{SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock in Mist}

And just to prove to you that I haven’t been completely lazy, I have been using my sewing machine.

You’ll just have to wait to see what this is all about.

Til then: Stay Dry and Stay Warm.