Warning_ Photo Heavy Post!!

So, this is what it's like to try to make money off something you used to do for fun?

I still need feedback about pricing: overall cost for production: ~$6-8 dollars each. Time to make each bag: 30 minutes. Any ideas?




all of them...so far (add 8 tonight!)











Close up of my favorite (so far)




















PC's favorite (he likes red)



















Pumpkin's favorite (she was pawing at it)




















Inside:



So, want to see what our girl has been up to? (gratuitous cat photos ahead!)


and this is what happens when I said "look cute for the camera!" I think we found her calling...


And here is the crocheted hat I made in 1 1/2 nights (started at 9pm on Sunday, worked for an hour or so, worked last night for 1.5 hours....) I would share the project but i got it from a friend at the Knitting Guild. I think she's teaching it as a class, so I will ask permission for the pattern details!

Yarn: 2 skeins Noro Kureyon (I had 2 skeins) of Color #134
Needles: Size K hook (aluminum)--- I would use a smaller hook or denser yarn
Time: 3 hours? if you crochet fast.
Overall: LOVE It! going to make a few more as gifts!




Top of the hat looks cool, no? I don't think it needs a blocking, but it might look better... I am imagining the next one as a 3 strand of mohair, wool and silk... you need about 200 yds of each. :)

Imagine the possibilities!

And then there was none...

None meaning energy, or lack thereof. I can't believe it's been a week since my last post! Since then I have:
1. done the scariest thing professionally that I thought possible
2. attended an industry conference (see #1, it's all related)
3. took a leap into the world of entrepeneurship (more tomorrow)
4. finally got my bum in gear and am doing Weight Watchers the "real way" (no more half-assing around here... oh, the google hits from that one)

Mom's sweater grows.. I am in the "boring part"--- the middle of the trunk.

I started a crocheted (gasp!) hat last night--- will post the finished photo tomorrow.

Sewing 15+ small purses for sale (oh my!) at a flea market/craft thing this weekend (putting them on a table with a friend who sells jewelry)

Working on knitting PC's sister's scarf for Christmas.

Opinion:
how much would you pay for a small (about 6 inches wide, 7 inches tall, 3 inches deep), hand made (lined too!) purse with two cotton handles?

$15?
$20?
$25?

Be honest people! I will post some photos tomorrow, and then you can re-vote if you like.

:) Mini

Something Happened When I Moved in with PC...

I think I finally got my priorities straight. Does this make sense? My house is mess, but I have read several books. We eat healthier and I prefer to cook than go out for dinner. I worry about whether or not I have enough apples for PC's lunches than if I washed the windows. I had this feeling this weekend that I sorta finally feel like "me". Strange, no?

An example: I am notoriously early (20 minutes before the party starts-- in my car in front of your house? yeah, that's me. With the gift you told me not to bring.) and Saturday I was just all kinds of late. I left the house late. I picked up PC's mom late. I got to my friend S's house late. We got to the fair late. We left late. We ate late. And you know what? I didn't care.

No photos of the fair b/c well, I checked the camera before i left and the batteries were dead. I looked for the other batteries (how I got late to start with), but no luck. They are charging now.

I did knit some more... more photos this week.

Also, thanks for the white wine suggestions--- I am thinking of using a big crazy straw in the bottle to eliminate shaky hands while cutting steeks. :)

Oh, and PC and I celebrate our 4th anniversary (dating) this month and I got an early present... a gorgeous silver and opal ring (oh!! ) and an ornament for our tree this year ( our first tree!).

Christmas Knitting/Crafting List:
1. Norweigan ski sweater- mom
2. Cabled sweater- Dad
3. Golf club covers- both brothers
4. quilt--- friend returning overseas
5. scarf/glove set--- sister in law
6. PC's parents... hmm... tough one! will have to think about this some more!

:) Mini

See what a little Stitchin' and Bitchin' can do?

So, after missing 2 weeks, I was off to SnB last night. A very productive night it was! I got a lot farther than I expected! The bottom motif is now DONE! Now, I am in the middle section of all green with a white stitch every 3 stitches, every 4th row. :) Easy enough for car knitting... not boring enough to lose my interest. Any bets on when this will be done? (Hint: what you see is 4.5 inches) There is a yarn-y prize for the following correct bets:

Contest 1:
when will I finish this sweater?

Contest 2:
how many glasses of wine will I need to do the steeking?

I'm gonna be blogless this weekend but Monday, I 'll have photos from the NH Craftsman's Fair.... oh, the craftiness!

:) Mini

Mini Needs Your HELP

So, last night, PC and I went to the movies... to see Lady in the Water. M.Knight Shyamalan is a director that I usually like (minus the Village... God, that was awful) and I did enjoy this movie. I think PC put it best last night when he said "I liked it, but I dont' know if I would recommend it."

Huh.

That kinda says it all. There was a family in front of us with 2 pre-teen girls and at the end of the movie, one was laughing (we thought crying, then we figured it out). She thought the movie was absurd. Huh. It took me until I was in the shower this morning to figure it out: she didn't see the "fantasy" in the movie. So, I am asking all you out there: do you think there is a generation fast approaching adulthood that has lost the ability to IMAGINE? I think of my 16 year old cousin, who has her books on tape (doesn't need to imagine the teachers at Hogwarts voices), cable in the classroom ( don't imagine the French Revolution... we'll show it to you)... and I wonder... will we have a generation where CREATIVITY will be without IMAGINATION?

Moving on to my creativity (and, yes... I have a wild imagination... I enjoy reading books instead of audiobooks b/c I can "see" and "hear" the story myself, although I do see the draw to knit and "read" at the same time)...

I am 1/2 way through Pattern 1. I am really happy with my plan to reverse the coloring and make the Green the primary color and the white the accent color. I really like the colorwork.









Now, with Pattern 1, you start at different places for different sizes. The "middle" size (this is so not a REAL medium) for a women (dame) is 264 stitches all the way around. That's 132 for the front, 132 for the back. The pattern starts at an odd point... and the pattern asks you to "work Pattern 1, starting at appropriate arrow and work for FRONT. Stop, go back to appropriate arrow and work again for the BACK. stop at 2nd st marker." Huh. Well, you end up with this weird portion at the join:
Join for Front/Back










Join for start (back to front)










The overall pattern for Pattern 1:











I did the "smart thing" and charted it out in Excel and I think I see what I get... a little "mountain" at the joins. Does this make sense to anyone out there? Should Norweigan sweater patterns be continuous all the way AROUND the sweater? Or just for the FRONT and BACK? Help. I need help. I don't want to rip (this shows 2 hours of my life), but this is for my mom. :)










Pumpkin says "please help my mommy. She was playing with string and locked herself in the COLD room and wouldn't play with me... she was mumbling about a chart..."

Payback?

It's amazing what a few bad days at work can do to you, isn't it? A short update: my work has always been out of control with new people, new titles, new everything and I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Add the heat and humidity that I hate so much--- cranky Mini. An upset belly sent me to bed early last night ( as Stephanie would say " i needed a lie down") and I got a chance to work on this:

I feel like I might need to explain what it is, but then again... no. Here's a photo of what it is going to be (in the photo, the white part is where I am putting the green and the red is where I am putting the white).

It's a DROPS design from Garnstudio... it'll be my first STEEK... can anyone help me??? it's for my mom for Xmas and I am really excited about the steeking, but I am going to need help!
:O)

Sorry for the delay-- work interrupted life

This is the red bamboo that my SP sent... isn't it gorgeous? It's a real wine-blood-luscious-red.














My Knit Sock Kit Swap pal (Jeane-- blogless) sent me some gorgeous Crown Mountain Farm sock yarn! Isn't it pretty? I pet it every night before bed... :)















She also sent me a great felted bag... She included the extra yarn to make a handle (so I would have it be the length I wanted!)-- how sweet! This yarn is fantastic! It's like an Icelandic wool and it feels heavenly! She also included the Elenora sock pattern (one I really wanted!) and a nice note introducing herself. :) Thanks Jeane!















I got this sock pattern off the Posh Yarn website... it's a slipped stitch cable... what a great idea! This knit up so fast that I am past the gusset of the heel in just 2 days visiting with friends in Maine.














Speaking of Maine, we headed up to visit with friends this past weekend in Kennebunk (yup, right near the Bush compound) and the rain gave us plenty of time to knit/read/watch baseball. Our friends are starting a small business where they make and sell beaded necklaces and earrings. I'll see if I can get some photos of them and see if M might want to put some up for sale here. :) After we left our friends on Sunday, PC and I were off to Maine Open Farms! Sunday was a day where farms all over Maine opened up their barn doors to let people see what farm life is like. Where did we go? Sea Hill Alpaca Farm. The wool seen above is from 4 different alpacas and is their coat color. Each "skank" is 75yds-ish. It'll be a fair isle hat for moi. I have been knitting--- I will have more photos later. My SP spoilee got her present and she's happy! YAY! I am working on my KSKS bag this weekend (yarn and tools are already selected!)... so it'll be on the way next week I hope! I also have to shop for my Yarn Aboard II package... oh, the yarn!

:) Mini

Secret Pal

Ode to my Secret Pal...

Oh, Secret Pal, with your Post-Its so bright,
how do you know how to make my night?
Your inside knowledge of what will make me coo
was very obvious when I saw the red Bamboo!
Patterns for chokers and mini socks that block
are perfect gifts for someone who like to "rock a sock"
Pumpkin was shy, not wanting to appear a zealot
but she meowed "can we have the pattern for Carrot?"
Carrot, it seems, has met a nasty fate
Pumpkin overloved her--- she doesn't look great.
Tempted by chocolate mousse, she quietly waits
While Mini pets the Bamboo and contemplates.
So, if dear Pal, you have a good think
send the Carrot pattern along, quick as a wink.
Pumpkin has Luke, the fish, that you sent
but when Carrot's around, we don't know where he went!
Carrot is a friend that we carry and lick
PC can't even distract her with her other friend, Stick.

Photos of my SP package tomorrow, the camera died (again....anyone know a GOOD rechargeable battery?) and the batteries are a-chargin'.

Thanks for the great package!

:) Mini (&Pumpkin)....

Umm, I really do need to to make a second Carrot for her. She's holding the Fish hostage.

Oh, you want pictures?

Here' s the baby sweater before I wrapped it up (button installed about 2 minutes before i left for the shower!)








Doesn't it look lovely?








A closer-up of the collar and the mismatched buttons
I had two white pearl and 2 pink pearl. I think it looks cute!



The lace detail...oh, so girly!!!







FO details;
Pattern: Oat Couture "Crocus" Sweater
Yarn: 1.5 skeins of Cotton Fine in "Pink a Boo"
Needles: Size 1 and 2 Susan Bates alumninum straights
Comments:
I would totally do another Oat Couture project-- easy and well done instructions.

What else did I do this weekend? Older brother #2 turns 30 soon, so we thought we'd throw him a party! (umm, me and 50 people?) It went off without a hitch and here's my favorite PITA (pain the a$$) at age 3.













And, PC and I were off for some "us time" this weekend (about damn time too!) and we turned off the cell phones and walked through Government Center, Quincy Market and then onto the waterfront. Several cows later--- this one is my favorite! That's right people! Mini, live and in person...on her own blog! We went on a whale watch out of the aquarium.
Lunch at the Central Harbor Legal Seafoods (If it's not fresh, it ain't Legal!) and dinner at b.good. Bostonians: check out b.good for some good healthy "fast food"... these guys are great!









What a great weekend! I might need a little bit more sleep tonight...

Found Out...

Yup, that's right. I've been found out.

Don't worry it's only my "little cousin" Jason....

Little my butt... he's like 8 inches taller than me. He's been taller than me since he was 4. And I have to say, there is no one better to dance with at a wedding than my cousin Jason. (I dunno if he's single,but if he is... I'll start the bidding soon... :) )

Oh, and Jay? That guy called "PC" well, you know who he is and what he looks like. :) I am trying to protect his identity, Witness Protection and all that...oh wait. That was on of Jon's girlfriends? ha ha ha.

Shoot me an email so I can have your address so I can properly harass you from afar :)

All together now: "Hi Jason!"

Everyone leave the guy a nice big hello in the comments... He and I grew up pretty far apart (Mass and Pennsylvania--- yeah, I know, I'm luckier.. ha ha ha) but we have always been kindred souls as well as cousins. He's a great guy and I say "Welcome Cuz!"

Now, I can maybe put some pressure on him to come up and visit. Ahem.

And yes, I am 28. I'll fix it today. Pretty soon I'll be 29, but not before PC turns 30! Ha ha ha.

:) Mini

Home at last...

Vacation was wonderful! Thank you to everyone who left me a comment saying "have fun" or sent an email wishing the same! Oh, and b/c I am a native New Englander and never thought to mention this:
The White Mountains are in New Hampshire, about a 2 hour drive from where I am now. It's a goregous place with many mountains and valleys and hidden ponds and waterfalls. It's huge. It's also part of the Appalachian Trail.

Now, I need to preface this soon-to-be-long post: we forgot the camera. Yup. No pictures. BUT, I have searched the internet high and low, and I think you are going to be happy! ;)

First, here is where we stayed:














Conway Lake in Conway NH... we camped in our ole' faithful, the tent. It was a goregous site--- right on the water. We had a great view of the fireworks that the people on the other side of the cove (non-camping) were setting off nightly. Yup. NIGHTLY. Warming my toes by a fire, eating a marshmallow and watching fireworks.

Now, some of you fellow New Englanders are saying "did you go to North Conway?" (you non-NE's--- North Conway was outlet shopping Mecca for decades... today, notsomuch) And yes, we did! We shopped at Zep's and hit the 5 and Dime. We did go to Stonewall Kitchen and to
Harry and David. These two items made it into my bag. :)














We went swimming here:














Echo Lake State Park

Now, we were on a lake, right? But, the swimming area at Conway Lake was very small, and packed with children and boulders. Yup, boulders. There were these large boulders that the kids kept jumping off and tons of turtles. And besides, I like Echo Lake better. It's sandy bottomed, ultra clean, fairly shallow and never crowded.














Why does the Lake echo? Well, b/c of this large ledge: Cathedral Ledge. It's a tough climb, but you can drive a mountain road up most of it. It's fun spotting little specks of red and orange and yellow up there--- the climbers!


So, besides eating hot dogs for way too many dinners and counting marshmallows as a food group, what did we do? Something PC REALLY wanted to do. He was like a little kid the night before " let's hurry up and go to sleep b/c then when we wake up it'll be tomorrow and we can ride the train!".... it was great!
We rode all the way up to the Notch. 5 hours roundtrip--- and I want to do it again on my birthday. :) We saw all kinds of ponds, waterfalls, mountains, hikers (yup), historical sites, valleys and some turtles. PC was looking for moose, but alas, no moose.












This is the Crawford Notch station...there is only one more station up the tracks (~30 minutes north).

If you have hiked the Appalachian Trail all the way through, you have seen this: the Highland Center. It was beautiful. I would stay there any day! It was right next to the train station and across from Saco Lake. It was breathtaking!

This is from one of my favorite sites for photos... I love these pictures! This is the "notch". beautiful, no? So, that was vacation! A lot of stuff, but a lot of sitting too. I started a scarf on the way up the Notch train. I finished the baby sweater (photo tomorrow)... I am almost done with PC's sweater (from LAST YEAR)-- i want it Done.Done.Done. Last night we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean II . It was good... not as good as #1 but I am oh so happy to see there will be a number 3! _mini

Ahh!

Oh, my! Has it really been 8 days since I posted? Bad Blogger!

Everyone always says "I've been soo busy", but I have! I have been training all week at work and a family party, a cook out and now, tomorrow?

VACATION!

White Mountains here we come! Mini and PC will be camping in the White Mountains for an entire week... lakeside campsite, a snuggly tent, my honey... I am good to go!

No posting for another week... sorry! No computers while camping!

I will have some FO photos for you by then. :)

:)Mini

Summer of Stash?

So, I have decided that this will be the Summer of Stash for me. No, I am not joining the KAL. I have recently joined the KSKS (Knit Sock Kit Swap) and was in the Tea Swap and I am a secret pal. Any others I am forgetting?

What entails my stash shopping? Umm... I might have an amazing opportunity to purchase a new car at a VERY cheap price in December. Unfortunately, b/c it's such a great deal , I will have to do it in CASH. Simply, one of our corporate cars that is only used between our site in the Boston suburbs and Boston (it has less than 25k miles) will be for sale to me. :) For about 70% less than the blue book value. So, new car = no new yarn for a bit.

Also, another incentive... getting things knit. I have gone from knitter to yarn acquirer (note to SP: I love yarn... please feel free to send it, but I am talking very specifically about packs of yarn I have purchased for sweaters, etc.)

So, what am I going to knit? Besides socks? ( I have enough for a few pairs... sock yarn does NOT count as part of Stash... it's a rule.... ask Steph)

1. Samus
In orange. Just like the photo. :) I bought this lovely orange superwash at the Wild and Woolly sale LAST year
2. 3x chic
in green Rowan Cork
3. Bristow
in green Cascade 220 (for my mom)
4. Alice
in Cascade 220 Superwash in two different blues (for PC's mom)
5. this aran for my dad ( I love this!)--- it's a pdf -you've been warned.
this will be in a dark blue Cascade 220 ... very nice!

So, I will be knitting these and some baby things along the way. I also need to finish PC's sweater. I know, I know... it was supposed to be done last summer. I am also looking to finish up the Bombshell sweater.

So, what am I taking camping?
1. Bombshell (this is an easy knit without looking pattern)
2. socks--- easy and portable!

There is also a "surprise" sweater that I am going to try my hand at designing. Yup, my first ever sweater design. :)

Oy... what have I gotten myself into?

Oh, the baby sweater is moving right along.... should be done this weekend!

A cozy for your Italian sports car? Aisle 8....

Y'know there is a saying "If you don't like the weather in New England, wait a minute". Now, it is supposed to mean "our weather changes a lot". Oh boy does it. Two weeks ago I'm wearing wool socks and a sweater and thinking about turning our heat back on in JUNE. Today, I am on thunderstorm watch and hoping that it doesn't break 90 F and that the humidity goes down.

It's too hot to knit. We need to rig something in the apartment to trap the AC in rooms we want it in. This is part of being a grown up , right?

Well, I haven't been knitting (well, not last night) but this girl has. PC would love me if I knit him a Ferrari (well, one that he could drive). But, it's one of those things that makes me think the following:
1. this took dedication
2. this took creativity
3. why would you do this?
















An interesting note, not only does this girl knit, she a "hooker" (mixed media project includes knitting, crocheting and embroidery). And some people think that only grandmas knit?

C'mon... she WELDED the frame on her own. So actually, it's a Ferrari Cozy?

So, it has been a LONG weekend! I was "working from home" on Friday while my brakes were fixed... it was ok-- a little muggy in the Boston 'burbs. Also, on Thursday, I received a SP package that I have been lax on blogging about (after 8+ hours with the computer on Friday-- i didn't want to turn on the box o' evil at all...) My SP (hi!) is great! She sent a new journal (already in use), cute post-its (already in use), coupons (I love this girl!), catnip for Pumpkin (umm... yeah, she's already got that in use... we may have to enroll her in CA "catnip annonymous"), and yarn!

That's Socks that Rock in "POP ROCKS"... this is TOTALLY GOING CAMPING! I have the PERFECT pattern for this! I can't wait! I'm sorry if I forgot to mention anything else from the box... oh! Sorry a candle! A VERY yummy smelling vanilla candle (on my coffee table... will burn it tonight)... it was all decorated with pines cones and potpourri (have the bowl for it... need to keep cat out of it.

So, how's that baby dress? Ok... here's the progress so far:




Pumpkin was "helping" me with the knitting this weekend. You can see, she is looking to see why I COMPLETELY skipped a design feature... in the original photo, you will see that there are 6 rows of garter stitch above the lace flower motif... then st.st. On MINE? Not there. Heh... design feature? So, I noticed this AFTER I finished the back (yeah, Pumpkin noticed it first... I didnt' until I was ACTUALLY reading the directions for the front right section. I dont' think the baby will notice.


Father's Day went well... we saw both my dad and the PC's dad and Grampa. We also took posession of two new AC units for the very hot and sticky casa de Mini y PC. Oh, what a miserable hot apartment this will be.... especially our kitchen. I don't know how I am going to do it... what do you make for a man who won't eat salad when you want to "not cook" or turn on the oven b/c it makes you open the windows in January it gets so hot? I dunno either. I am thinking a lot of taco nights--- and perhaps some "make your own submarine sanwich nights". Actually, I am hoping to make some stuff like Mac'N'Cheese and lasagna on cooler nights and freeze it back... then we can "heat dinner". :) So, that was our very busy weekend. We watched the US take on Italy for the FIFA world cup. We went to see The Omen. Good remake! Work kind of has had the proverbial shit hit the fan--- group members dropping like flies. (quitting, not dead). Going to be a rough summer...


If you are NOT my KSKS sock swap pal, then you probably don't care about this:

Knit Sock Kit Swap Questionaire:

What are your favorite colors?

all colors!

Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks?

about one year?

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?

multi I think... I don't have much solid for textural work

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn?

superwash wool

Where do you usually knit socks?

at work, at home... camping.

How do you usually carry/store small projects?

Clinique make up case and Trek swapped giraffe bag

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns?

free ones! No, I like ones that are fairly easy to remember... and have a lot of stretch, I like my socks snug.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques?

magic loop and eye of partridge heel

What new techniques would you like to try?

toe up and two at a time on magic loop and picot edge

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting?

circs for magic loop

What are some of your favorite yarns?

Lorna's Laces, Lisa Souza, Crown Mountain, Shelridge Farms, Socks that Rock!

What yarn do you totally covet?

the new Crown Mountain line of sock yarns and ALL the colors of Shelridge Farm. :)

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?

Any of the Vintage Sock patterns...

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?

Addis Size 2, 1 and 0 32 inch or 40 inch

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be?

Crown Mountain superwash--- handspun tightly and just slightly unusual.

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?

I heart all things popcorn ...

What’s your favorite animal?

Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages?

I have a cat named Pumpkin... she's 3 but oh so teeny.

If you were a color what color would you be?

orange...

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s)..

Ahh.. the cigar brand t-shirt that I stole from PC on our 2nd date (oh, I just let a HUGE cat out of the bag there!)--- I have slept in it almost every night since.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?

I love the work of Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and Edward Weston.

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read.

"if we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research"-- Albert Einstein

Do you have a wishlist?

Nope...

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today?

I'm so excited to begin this swap!

Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?

I have this song stuck in my head... Get.It.Out.

So, I finished the 16 row repeat of the crocus pattern for the baby sweater last night as well as planned super-secret-party. The baby sweater is on US2 and feels like it'll move right along.

Famous Last Words.

Pictures tomorrow.

On other subjects: I have been doing Winsor Pilates for three days now. Each morning, our alarm goes off at 5:15 and PC wakes me up. I get up, put on a bra and pants and drop to the floor (after feeding Pumpkin, of course!) and begin my Pilates. I am only doing a 20 minute workout (with a circle.. that thing is really cool) and PC and I will be walking every other night for 30 minutes + (at the least). I was initially concerned about the Pilates thing. There is only one move I cannot do and it's a hard-floor issue not a me thing. So, I am going to buy a soft exercise mat to put under my Yoga Mat. I am finding that working out is really making me feel good. Already. Anyone have any advice for Pilates? I think I might have to get a 2nd video by the end of the summer! :)

We are eating healthier and I am cooking healthy well-balanced meals for us. I am cutting my portion sizes and PC's working on his. He is off to join a gym down the street tonight. My goal is to start to lose some weight and then with the walking and the Pilates--- I can take a yoga class at the studio down the street from work. I am considering the pros and cons of Weight Watchers. I have had good success and not so good dealings with them. I feel like I need to learn to eat healthy and eat proper portions and find a balance between eating what I like and working out on a more regular basis. I do think I have found a way to have more regular exercise. In the winter, I will probably sign up for a class at the Y or something b/c it'll be too cold to walk... or will it?

Amazing what a little self improvement can do?

:) Mini

Does Anybody really know what time it is?

I have this song stuck in my head... Get.It.Out.

So, I finished the 16 row repeat of the crocus pattern for the baby sweater last night as well as planned super-secret-party. The baby sweater is on US2 and feels like it'll move right along.

Famous Last Words.

Pictures tomorrow.

On other subjects: I have been doing Winsor Pilates for three days now. Each morning, our alarm goes off at 5:15 and PC wakes me up. I get up, put on a bra and pants and drop to the floor (after feeding Pumpkin, of course!) and begin my Pilates. I am only doing a 20 minute workout (with a circle.. that thing is really cool) and PC and I will be walking every other night for 30 minutes + (at the least). I was initially concerned about the Pilates thing. There is only one move I cannot do and it's a hard-floor issue not a me thing. So, I am going to buy a soft exercise mat to put under my Yoga Mat. I am finding that working out is really making me feel good. Already. Anyone have any advice for Pilates? I think I might have to get a 2nd video by the end of the summer! :)

We are eating healthier and I am cooking healthy well-balanced meals for us. I am cutting my portion sizes and PC's working on his. He is off to join a gym down the street tonight. My goal is to start to lose some weight and then with the walking and the Pilates--- I can take a yoga class at the studio down the street from work. I am considering the pros and cons of Weight Watchers. I have had good success and not so good dealings with them. I feel like I need to learn to eat healthy and eat proper portions and find a balance between eating what I like and working out on a more regular basis. I do think I have found a way to have more regular exercise. In the winter, I will probably sign up for a class at the Y or something b/c it'll be too cold to walk... or will it?

Amazing what a little self improvement can do?

:) Mini

Since Wednesday....

I have:
1. attended a potluck for the MetroWest Knitting Guild
2. went to SnB
3. got a new cousin (new baby!)
4. saw my dad (doing well!)
5. have made surreptious plans to meet my bro's girlfriend to plan a super secret party.
6. thought PC had conjunctivitis.
7. done 2 Pilates workouts
8. walked for 1/2 hour
9. lost 4 pounds
10. found the PERFECT baby sweater pattern for a friend of PC's shower:




Crocus Sweater from Oat Couture

I plan to knit it with Size US2 in Cotton Fine (Brown sheep?) in Pink...

Perfect for a first little girl and the first baby of the "group", no?


I am hoping to cast this on tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully by the time SnB happens, I'll be done with the back and onto the fronts!

I am making 2 5-hour baby sweaters in cotton (Tahki Cotton... the best baby knit), one for a co-worker and one for the new cousin (see above).

My sweater? Umm.. not done. I am planning on taking it on vacation in July and finishing it there. Hopefully I will be taking that and some sock yarn and a whole lot of books. Camping for 6 days with PC--- can't wait!

The Crocus Sweater will need to be done and washed/ blocked before we leave on July 1 b/c I have to go the shower the day after we get back. If time allows, a bonnet and booties to match. I am making the 6 month size and putting a little girly dress with it from a boutique nearby (and 2 books). I love baby showers!

Progress soon!

:) Mini

To My Mail Person: I'm sorry and thank you

So, last night, I am coming home from an appointment and I call PC. He says "you have hit the mother load of packages today". Hmmm...

1st: from my Tea Swap Pal : Teresa from Knitting the blues! ( I read you!!!!)



She sent me 4 teas from Adiago (Chocolate, Vanilla, Peppermint and Spearmint), one tea named after an author, the book the author wrote, green tea with citrus, a card (made by Cara!), a package of tea sized chocolate cookies, ....


2nd package: also from my Tea Swap Pal! (she forgot to add the yarn)the yarn is Koigu KPM (2skeins!) in a gorgeous blue... I am thinking of adding it to 2 skeins of alpaca with a twist (white) that my SP from SP7 sent me.... a very cool two color hat???

I was totally blown away! Teresa--- thank you!!!! I cannot wait to try these teas! Good thing is a rainy week and therefore knitting and tea go hand-in-hand on rainy days!

3rd package (yup, a third!)

My knives. PC ordered me a set of knives from RONCO (yup, the informercial guy!) and I have to say, I am in LOVE. I really love to cook, but prep work is tedious and frustrating with subpar knives. So, I had purchased 1 "good" ($30) chef's knife and a set of knives that came in a butcher block from a discount store when we moved. The steak knives broke. Another knife broke. So, enter the RONCO knives. PC also got me the knife block which is cool b/c all the slots are marked "chef" or "bread" or "filet". I am in love. A chop and serve knife! I am so excited!

a meme: (saw this on a few blogs)

1. Who was your best friend? Probably Heather. We were never really good friends until that year.

2. What sports did you play? Cheerleader for football and basketball... before y'all start in on me... cheerleaders had to run laps, practice 4 days a week for 2 hours and travel with the team...and be perky. all.the.time.

3. What kind of car did you drive? Senior year I had my own car... a 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88- you couldn't go over 45mph and I had a radio that I could slide out and put in my locker.

4. It's Friday night, where were you at? Cheerleading! MHS football was Friday night and basketball was Tuesday and Friday every week.

5. Were you a party animal? Nope. Not even close.

6. Were you considered a flirt? No.

7. Ever skip school? Once. And it was "senior skip day" (we were "allowed" to skip) and on my way to breakfast with friends, my car broke down and I had to have my mom come pick us up.

8. Ever smoke? yup

9. Were you a nerd? Uh, yeah. I was always reading and I didn't "fit" with any one group. I was a cheerleader, in the honor society and got good grades. I didn't do drama or anything like a "club" b/c I worked while in school

10. Did you get suspended/expelled? Never.

11. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Oh, no... but my mom can! She went to the same high school!

12. Who was your favorite teacher? Ms. Packer, Honors Biology I. She taught me (the only freshman in the class) about cells and signalling and structure and I haven't looked back. She was the 1st person I knew who was passionate about science and their job.

13. Favorite class? Physics... we worked in groups at tables of 4. We "acted out" all of our physics work... Mary Brown was a fictious character that we routinely threw off the roof to estimate trajectory.

14. What was your school's full name? Melrose High School

15. School mascot? Red Raider (oh, so not politically ok,but one other town in our division had the same one!)

16. Did you go to Prom? yes, i went to my Jr. Prom with a senior from my bio class. He was adorable! I went to Sr. Prom with a friend.

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? Not a chance!

18. What do you remember most about graduation? Singing "My Way" by Frank Sinatra -- the whole class sang this standing on our chairs while the newly appointed principal gave his speech. He started talking, we started singing. Our old principal had been removed mid-year for political reasons and we loved him. He used to sing Frank songs over the PA each morning. Now that I think of it, there have been more issues with violence and behavior problems since he left. Example of discipline: destroyed a book? Stand in the lobby during lunch with a book on your head and a sign that says "I steal from other students by destroying school property". Creative. I also remember my mom getting mad b/c I refused to shake the mayor's hand when he handed me my diploma. My dad was very proud. Our mayor was being impeached for stealing money from the education budget and refusing to recognize girls' sports.

19. Favorite memory of your senior year? Sitting next to the governor as he explained to my principal (the new one) that I needed to continue my independent study ( I worked at the State House as a peer leader and this required a lot of time off from school--- ). And my principal trying to argue that I was not learning on my own (damn near perfect GPA, thankyouverymuch)

20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? Like everyone else, I have no idea what this means.

21. Did you have a job your senior year? I worked from the age of 14 to 17 at Dairy Maid- a soft serve ice cream shop two towns away.Full time in the summer and part time nights and weekends during school.

22. Who did you date? No-one.

23. Where did you go most often for lunch? The caf...

24. Have you gained weight since then? Doubled.

25. What did you do after graduation? There was a party at my house and 100 kids from my class showed up! I was surprised! So were my parents!

26. When did you graduate? 1995

what a week!

To everyone I owe an email to, I am sooo sorry. To my Secret Pal-- the cat loves your carrot/mouse more than ever!

So, I have some photos (read: proof that I still knit!)

Petal socks are done! Here they are in all their glory!

Yarn: Lorna's Laces, 2 skeins, Wisteria
Needles: Addi Turbo US 0, Magic Loop
Pattern: Jeanne Townsend





And this book is worth reading twice. Yup, if you were blessed with a curve and a nice "set" (lingo courtesy of PC), then this is for you! I am working on Bombshell in Topacio (60/40 cotton-acrylic on a size US8--- looks great!)










Here is the color I picked:









And this is what I did today. A friend of mine came by and showed me how to enjoy her craft: jewelry. Oh. My. Imagine a complete project that always fits COMPLETE in a few hours. I was amazed. I love this! Now, I am NOT going to give up knitting, I am, however, going to be making some for friends' birthdays and such.









Oh, I have been petting this for the past few days. On the left, two skeins of from Crown Mountain Farms, colorway "respect." It's handspun, hand-dyed SOCK yarn. I know. I'll wait while you catch your breath and pick your jaw up off the floor. Someone (God bless them!) is spinning SOCK yarn. Sock yarn is small. And you want it all even and then you want a great colorway. Dude. They got it. And... (sit down, this is the "big one").... it's SUPERWASH. Watch out PC, I might be in love. (PS_ note to PC, this is one of the ones you should note... nice present!)
The yarn on the right? Two skeins of Dorchester Farms sock yarn. This is from one Bookish girl who had a contest a bit back. Wendy, I cannot wait to knit this up!











So, I have been busy. I am sorry. And I owe a tea picture. I sent out my tea swap stuff last week. I am still waiting on mine (but this is prob'ly my fault b/c I haven't posted a photo). My swap pal was CatKnits.
I have to knit some baby things (two on the way, one that was due this week, and one born last week.... oh, I am soo behind!)-- anyone have super easy patterns? I am thinking booties and hats.

Get ready for daily blogging to be back again. I miss my outlet of blogging and now that I have this whole wireless internet thing going, I will be boring you with my adventures in knitting.

Love you all and have missed you terribly! I want to say, I need to reply to emails, so have a little patience with me.

:) mini