nearly august
I can hardly believe we are just shy of August. So many things I thought this year would bring, and most it didn't. I believe that some of these things were for the better good, I hope that autumn is much better all around, here's hoping. I adore fall, as unchristian as it may seem, I absolutely adore Halloween, crisp air, apples and cinnamon, oatmeal cookies, stews and soups. Trying to think positive. I'll miss the pool though.
Nothing too exciting this weekend, we had to stay indoors for specific reasons, and so we watched some shows, played games. I did some digi scrapbooking with a great new kit Robin Carlton is doing, teamed up with another great designer, but I can't release any more than that as it's not out yet.
1 1/2 skeins left to knit, wanted to be done by today, but didn't get much done this weekend. Ah well, not sure yet what I will knit next. Shopping around for the swaps I'm in and looking at patterns. Planning out lots of things I want to knit on my desktop.
I haven't posted a picture since the beginning of the month of my sis and nephew. Too cute!
Three kids together, wth three faces and smiles... that never happens. Maybe it's my lucky day, heh.
The younger two were playing in the tent and sticking light brights up their nose. *sigh* Jeremy told me about when he was a kid one of their friends would stick peas up his nose so he wouldn't have to eat them, and they were playing one time and he couldn't get one out. eewww.
Our school area all cleaned up and photographed, looks nice I think. :) I've been doing lots of researching this weekend on the curriculum and plans for the year, that's all at my other blog. But I wanted to update on the book recommendations I asked for!
A comment was left to check out Trelease, and WOW that place is amazing! Thank you knitted bookworm!. At MDC a mama asked this yesterday and someone recommended Lexile which is pretty neat too. It uses their ranking system to do difficulty of text, you can also do searches looking for a specific range and get their recommendations. It doesn't tell you if the content is fantastic, just the reading level.
The kids loved Charlotte's Web - 610L, and we just started "Because of Winn-Dixie" last night and that ranks 610L. So I think it should go over well with the kids, they've seen the movie sometime ago and really liked it. I got the book at clearance back when the movie was in theaters, and Ari found it on the shelf.
I can't think of anything else to ramble on about, so I'm going to head out to the pool, to enjoy the sun, and lounge around; wear the kids out enough that they all nap, and enjoy peace and quiet. A weekend cooped up makes for ornery kids.
Friday, July 27, 2007
after many hours...
of squinting, reloading, and adjusting, I finally got my new design for my web business done. Woo! I really like the new look, I simplified it for the most part. Happy it's up and done, if you happen to see any errors, this girly would appreciate a heads up! I'm going to go hang with the rascals and hope to work on my skein-for-the-day blanket at bedtime.
click here to check it out!
Thanks for looking!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Heads up first, I'm offering 10% off at Dragonfly Lily, my little web design & graphic shop, from commercial to blogs. This is good through August 4th.
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My Hogwarts Swap Pal did this quiz below, and I thought it was fun enough to give it a whirl myself.
| You Are a Soy Latte |
 Yeah, you've got a bit of that healthy hippie thing going on But you're more Kate Hudson urban bohemian than Phish groupie You're worldly and well traveled.. and you know where to get the best coffee in town. All your experience makes you a compassionate person - and a caring girlfriend. |
Today was sooo long, not really terrible. The kids just woke up cranky, and fighting with each other. Naptime was great! I enjoy the hour or so I have in the afternoon to hang out with Arianna. Then I made a great dinner, and we watched Narnia, by near consensus. William wanted to watch Superman, but he happily agreed. Rootbeer/Orange/Strawberry floats during the movie. It was a pretty relaxing evening, but man, they were so much today!
Narnia is the first novel I read aloud to the kids, I'm thinking of what to get for this fall, we never finished Ramona goes to Kindergarten, so I plan to ether borrow that from the library again, or just buy some. The kids all really enjoyed it. But by far their favorite was Charlotte's Web, I'm looking for a book in that kind of easy read format to read after Ramona. Any suggestions?
I finished my Broadripple socks. This pattern was very simple, I didn't mind knitting it the least bit while watching Friends at night. I didn't really relish the time with the yarn, Knit Picks Dancing. It wasn't as soft as I would prefer. So I wasn't over the moon as I knit these, but alas they are done, and I like them. I think they will hold up well, they aren't the softest socks I own, but they are better than store bought socks.
And to see the lace detail a bit better, they need to be on...
Immediately after, I cast on my Aayla Baby Blanket pattern for the next on my list. Once this is done I can breath easier, the shower is August 19th. If I do a skein a day, I can get this done by Monday. That is the goal. Below is one full skein, about 7 inches.
Azure and Burnt Sienna in Knitpicks Crayon Yarn
Credits: Girl Next Door ~ Granola Girl kit by Robin Carlton & Christy Lyle, more credits here.
Ah toes! I feel confident enough in my toes to wear them naked on the grass and in flip flops. I've seen my fair share of disturbing toes in my life, and I'm happy that mine do not fall in that category, at least in my opinion. I'm sure going to miss summer! I'm working on plans for first grade curriculum, and once August hits, it's going to be getting ready for "back to school" again. Our camping trip in mid-August has been canceled. I'm a little sore on the subject though, and don't want to get into it.
We've been brainstorming ideas on what to do that weekend instead, a few ideas: Adventureland & visit Darci, Minneapolis to visit Ikea, though I'm really hoping to hit the Renaissance Faire this year, and could save Ikea for that trip or we could go to the Faire in Wisconsin/Illinois because it's that weekend, Minnesota's starts a few weekends later. Camping at the local state park is the last idea at the moment. We'll see, it just all depends how the cards fall.
There was something that did go on this week that totally slipped my mind! Sunday morning, we are all up and ready for church, when we find that Carli is missing! Arianna had let her out, without realizing. This was 10:30 a.m. at 2:30pm we were home and she was bathed. She was out on the bridge part of the interstate! I had called Animal Control and Humane Society to let them know she was missing, and it was Animal Control that called to say someone had seen a doxie. When I got there, eight or so cars were parked along both sides of the interstate, two police (including one on a motorbike) were there and Animal Control. One of the guys had jumped on Carli to stop her from getting hit by a car, and she had bit him. *sigh* It seems everything has been ok with this, and she is on 10 day quarantine in the home.
I bookmarked some biscotti recipes to try in the nearest future. Husband's home now, going to hang out with him.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
back again
Wait! I didn't really go anywhere. Fareway for groceries, Target for my fair trade coffee that I love so much... but I haven't left town, or in that matter really done anything that exciting. Today was the first day that was warm enough to pretend we were going to go swimming (been in the 70's, and too cold for kids.. yah that). But were unable to for different reasons. Maybe tomorrow.
Last night I was planning to get in bed and watch a documentary, Michael Moore to be more specific, since I've read a lot about him, but never seen any. I actually like interesting documentaries, some I can't get past the first 5 minutes. I might consider that I'm just getting older so boring things interest me now, but I've always liked learning/knowledge/thinking in general. So nothing new there. ;) Jeremy got home early though so it didn't happen, I'd think maybe tonight, we'll see.
I can't believe it's almost August, I'm having serious sadness over the end of summer. I'm not ready to be cooped up inside, I'm not ready to slow down, and have free time, I'm not looking forward to any of it. Two things are keeping me smiling for fall though (always need that silver lining right), Arianna starting first grade (WOW) and baby Landen being born. Erika asked me to be in the room when she delivers, so I'm doing some reading up to be useful for her. I feel completely honored. My own births were far from my hopes or dreams, yah, crazy sounding, unless you or someone you love has been through a less than stellar birth... then I think you might have an idea where I'm coming from.
The other day we walked to Dairy Queen, and played at the school afterwards. This is the highlight of the kids' summer, and not something we do more than a few times, might lose its specialness or something. We get in line, and the kids all are happy with twist cones and one chocolate, child size. But against my recommendation, Jeremy happily orders them a small dip cone... we left 40 minutes later, and they didn't even finish them, and the mess... awful! He got the bathroom duty for that one. ;)
A few older pictures from Arianna's last baseball game, this was before I left for Des Moines, but I didn't get them uploaded til recently.
Arianna concentrating and looking ready for the ball
William showing his gum, I have pictures from Justin's wedding 2 years back where every picture of Jeremy he looks pretty close to this... cracks me up.
Dirtier than the boys, this girl attracts dirt.
I did a trade with AJ who is hosting the Sock it to me sock swap, I did a few buttons for her, and she sent me some stitch markers. They are soo cute! She has the same pair for sale here and etsy shop here.
Broadripple socks nearly finished, almost ready for the toe now.
Yesterday our internet was out for a lonnng time. Once you notice you don't have it, you find yourself checking more, even though you wouldn't be on anyway! Well I had to make my grocery list by hand!
That is not something you will see again in my house for a while. ;) Though I actually didn't mind, and got a little excited whipping out my many recipe books, and planning stuff out. I also found that Ratatouille is an actual recipe, just thought it was a weird way to make Rat, french sounding, or something. recipe of one here. There's a picture too... I'm not sure I'll be trying the recipe, I considered halving the one from Better Homes and Garden book and then take the kids to see it... but we'll see.
I wanted to make the MagKnits Saturday Market Bag, but wasn't completely loving the pattern. I just saw over at crafster, that someone made it with adaptations, and I love the changes! Two straps, narrower, much more my style. You can view the changes here. I'm a nerd, I'm excited to get to the Farmers Market downtown on Saturday, woo! Fresh produce, fun people!
I made my list of knits I want to do and started making my yarn list of what to get at Knit Picks, I only go there a few times a year, to get the free shipping, and it usually lasts quite a while. My stock pile of yarn would say I don't need any more yarn, but sadly it's sending the wrong message. I can't make anything that is on my list, with the yarn I have now. Maybe someday I will join one of those stash buster groups. I think though that I'm ok for the time being, when my stash looks like this below, then I'm sure my husband would enforce some kind of rules on me. ;) This is not my stash, I wish I had that at my finger tips!
picture from Mochimochi, click here to view more pictures
Found this song by accident, I used to love Sarah McLachlan, I'd actually like to get any of her cd's since mine are lost from back in the day. My song of the moment though is by Three Days Grace, Let It Die.
I got the kids all in bed, read them a story, and think I'll just go watch a show & chill out. or talk to Darci on AIM, thats what I did last night too since I ran out of time to watch a show.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
how about some substance?
After two entries for the swaps I'm in, I thought I'd take a moment to add an entry with substance! We'll see, I'm lost in my head for the most part, and have a cute little girl who wants to watch gilmore with me. Good thing I'm a fast typer, this should be relatively
First, completely silly, I did an elemental quiz. Why? Well someone at mothering labels herself as fire, and I thought, I wonder what I am! I think it fits me pretty ok. THen I took a Type A, Type B quiz, and ranked a 41, which put me right near the middle, apparently pretty balanced. I feel balanced, I don't fall over too much. ;)
What is your dominant Element? (A serious personality test, for a change)
My friend Kris crocheted a top for Aislyn, its adorable, and matches her daughters perfectly, I just loved the colors and apparently am a huge copy cat. :)
Ais showing off her cuteness
Yes, she knows shes cute, it's really awful when she's in trouble.
Then here are two things I bought while in Des Moines, I absolutely adore the color orange, its good to eat, smells great, and looks fabulous. So when I saw a pair of orange pants that did not look like hunting or construction gear, I grabbed them. Green being my second favorite color, I grabbed a tank of that too. I heart turquoise too, and got a great dangling necklace, not pictured.
Making some slow progress on my broadripple socks, waiting patiently to get into ravelry. Here's my stats that haven't changed in the least.
# You are #11735 on the list.
# 5531 people are ahead of you in line.
# 6992 people are behind you in line.
# 32% of the list has been invited so far
My song of the moment, Darci if you haven't listened you should. I'm not a huge Fergie fan, but my sister tuned me into this song, and I really like it. We heard this song in Des Moines while on the balcony, me and erika were like oh yes thats good.. darci was like huh? what? there's a sun? :p
That's all I plan to say today, not really what I'd consider a high substance entry, but I'm ready to get off this computer.
Hogwarts Business
I signed up in the nick of time for the Hogwarts Sock Swap, its closed for new participants, but people who were in it last time can still sign up again. It's really a pretty nifty idea, she does it by first years/second years, and there are different packages for each year, so its not boring.
Heres my questionnaire.
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Slytherin
2. Shoe size? 9 1/2-10
3. Foot Length? 10" length
4. Foot Circumference? 9"
5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
I'm not so much a brand name girl as I much as I am -if it works, great!- kind of girl. DPN sizes I have are - 2, 6, 8 I'm up for any size.
6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
not picky. :)
7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? N/A
8. Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? no fiber allergies, this is a pet loving home, no smoking though.
9. Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? I'm in the US, no preference on international.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
a game called -catch up-
Let's go from oldest to newest, which would be my Sock it to me contest answer.
Topic: Write a blog entry about why and how you started to knit. Extra points for adding pictures of your first knitted object.
I started knitting when my youngest was a month or so old, I bought a Learn to Knit kit from LTK while pregnant with her, and it didn't do me any good. So I put her in her sling, and sat at the computer casting on, and watching videos. Knitting at Knoon was the best resource for me, hands down!
I wanted to knit, because I loved the look, yarns called to me, and we cloth diapered and I didn't want to spend $60 for a pair of long pants to go over a diaper, I'd rather make my own. So that's what I did. :)
Old pictures, with my crummy old camera. Look at my peanut!
I was tenacious, and jumped straight into colorwork, see my holes, and how tight it's knit?
Then I jumped into ruffles on the purple pair, they were very wild, my mom nicknamed them the "wild pants"
The first hat I ever made, I winged it, and did a dragonfly embroidery, way big on her little head.
And just because, an old picture of my little cutie-patootie!
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I went to visit Darci with my sister, Erika. I figured one last fun hang out time before Landen is born this fall. We had a really great time, some things came up that we had to call the trip short, but before all that drama, the trip was wonderful. I have like no pictures from the trip sadly.
Before I left, I finished Ari's bolero, and I casted on the Broadripple sock, pattern at knitty.
So here's how I made the bolero, I couldn't find a pattern of what I wanted, so I winged it. I found this adult bolero and loved it. So I did it, but for my daughter.
what I did:
Measured loosely around her upper arm, I did 9 1/2" in circumference, it actually measures around 8 1/2" but I wanted it loser. I used Bulky, Sierra yarn from Knit Picks in the Bud colorway (discontinued), and size 10 needles, and I think I cast on 40. I worked 3 rows of ribbing, then I worked in the lace pattern linked above, skipping the second row though.
row 1: k1 (k2together, yo, yo, ssk) repeat lace pattern until 1 stitch left, k1
row 2: purl across (she doesn't, it's just what I did)
Work that across the arms, shoulder, and other arm, then do the three rows of ribbing and cast off. Basically you are knitting a wide long scarf, then I seamed it up starting from the wrist, to the shoulder, and then the other arm, wrist to shoulder. I made the sleeves a smidge longer, and by seaming to the shoulders, I can easily let it out some if I need to as she grows.
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Before I left, me and the kids spent an afternoon hanging out, we made Fried Green Tomatoes, the first pick of our garden this year. We used to eat these when I was a kid, brings back memories. I just wing it, with equal parts of cornmeal, flour, then some salt and pepper, and some milk to give it a thick consistency.
Then a cute one of Strider attacking Logan. He kept trying to get Logan to play with him, and then was attacking his tail, which just looks like hes sniffing his butt in the pictures, lol. Poor Logan, he was miserable.
Then some random cute shopping stuff I've seen around.
Vintage Filigree Earrings
Carry-a-Bag
super skinny stretch headbands
Check these awesome whimsy bags at Anny Purls, she's selling the pattern for only $6, and it's for all variations of the bags, and finger puppets! I absolutely adore this!!! Look at those little birdies, *heart*
Vegetarian Shoes
These are seriously too cute, imo, but sadly I got my moms size 9 1/2-10 feet, and they don't come in my size. Shrink giant feet, shrink! If only....
I did get some cute shoes and some hott clothes while in Des Moines though. Wore one outfit on our date night on Sunday, we went to the Hu-Hot, which sounds perverse when said quickly. We tried calamari, I only tried one part, not the bottom/tenacle part (puke), but Jeremy did. That and the scallops all tasted like crab to me, strange.
Then driving to the theatres, our blazer died. Oy vey! Ahh when it rains, it pours. At least its not pouring down my kitchen ceiling anymore, seems we did fix the plumbing completely. So we just got the fuel pump replaced on our car, we knew it was going out for about a year now, thank goodness we didn't have the kids with us, we were on the side of the road for about 2 hours before fil came with his AAA car, and got it towed for us.
Ahh... kids are wild, I have some junk I gotta get done today, and its already noon.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Sweet Shoppe - Blog to Blog
Your results:
You are Luke Skywalker
| You value your friends and loved ones, but can sometimes act recklessly because of your emotions. Occasionally you resort to whining. You look ahead to great things for yourself.  |
(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)
Click here to take the "Which Star Wars character am I?" quiz...
So close to being a woman :lol
a little of this, a lot of that...
Back from our weekend at Carm's, we stayed in their camper overnight. When everything was said and done we were the only ones who made it out there. Pretty nice and relaxing. We set up the big slide and the bounce house, and all the kids spent the day out there. Went to the fireworks downtown, sat below the bridge and were pretty close. A few hurt my ears, and almost everyone of them hurt the kids'.
Ais, Will, and Shay before we left for the fireworks.
I haven't done any layouts in a few weeks and decided to get some of those done yesterday among other things. Arianna got burned up pretty bad, so we spent the afternoon inside, and then went swimming after the house was blocking the backyard. Ais is swimming awesome, shes a little fish like her mommy.
Sweet Shoppe Designs has this awesome kit Girl Next Door that is just fantastic, there are even some quick albums too. It's all on sale at the moment, so check it out here or here for the album. You can purchase the kits separate too if you wish.
Sunday Layouts using the Girl Next Door by Robin Carlton & Christy Lyle
Erika's shower invitation, I absolutely LOVE it!
click here to view complete credits
Last scrap related item of business, over at skrpbkmom's blog, she has these awesome felted numbers up for download, as a free gift. So go get them & say thank you too ofcourse!
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Yikes, that got long winded and I didn't even really say much! Almost every knitter knows now that there is a big sale at knit picks for 40% off their books, this is crochet and knitting. I looked through and found quite a few that looked interesting, I just hate that they don't give more information on the patterns. Like the kid ones, only a few listed the sizes covered. I don't want to get one for kids that are in the wrong sizes. Frustrating, why can't Barnes and Noble have this sell, then I can visit my local store.
I wanted to make my girls a bolero for their church dresses, and they are too expensive to buy, when I am perfectly capable of making one! So my green Sierra (used in the cables) is now cast on for Ari's personal bolero. I've never made one, nor done an entire thing in a "lace" pattern, but I'm using bulky yarn. So I'm winging it, Ill post here what I did if it works, lol.
Homerun derby is on tonight! I got that and the All Star game set up to tape, we are hoping to get up to see the Twins vs Seattle in August, we shall see though. So much to do, so little time left.
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Theres been a lot of back and forth in the job area, our house is giving issues and more pull for us to stay here in corporate eyes. They don't want to wait for someone to sell a house, especially in a city where our house market is 2% below the national average, not horrible, but when the national average equals suck... its just not good. So many options and things that could happen here, that I couldn't even begin to force myself to write it out. We are just hoping and praying that it all works out, and that we are promoted BEFORE the holidays. Id love to have the nicer paycheck as of yesterday to be honest.
Going to go hang out with the rascals and practice baseball with them. Its in the 80's today, after a long streak of 90 degree weather.
Friday, July 06, 2007
finally some photos!
I joined the Cardigan for Merry KAL over at MDC. The biggest problem is the pattern is for size 12-18 months, and my little prince is 4 1/2. There is a woman who is going to size up the pattern to the size 5 for her child, but the pattern still seemed kind of complicated. Not in a way that I couldn't do it, but in a way, that I may prefer a less seamed item, because seaming = no fun in my book. So late last night I searched the www for the perfect hoodie, sized 5-6 (so it lasts lol), and that buttons up (or zips I can easily adapt that), but it had to have a hood, since I've never knit one, I wanted to make sure it included instruction for one. And I preferred it was made out of worsted or bulky yarn, as I want this to be a fall jacket for the little dude.
Finally after much searching, I found one. I've actually seen this pattern before, and wanted to do it, but had forgotten. This is why I need to organize better! Jack Hoodie, it costs a mere $1.29. Its worsted, I'm going to get it in the Superwash Merino - Dublin color. Sets me back a bit, though cause I'm heading to Des Moines on Thursday for a few days, and don't want to spend my whole paycheck before I even get there!
I practiced my very first cable!! After frogging it three times, I finally was able to read the chart, and while it requires more concentration then my normal projects, this hoodie for Merry, absolutely needs them, so it's something Im willing to do. :)
And lastly on the topic of knitting, I whipped up a cute garter stitch, fringed belt. Made this on the fourth so her cute shorts (shown in picture) would stay up on her tush. She has two pairs of shorts that don't have the inside "belt" system, so this helps solve that problem.
Dad brought up the pool he gave us while he helped fix our plumbing, this is the set up process, still not 100% done (read pump needs to be set up), but me and the kids have swam in it a bit and love it! Heading out there again today. Now THIS is summer! I grew up swimming every.single.summer of my life and honestly it hasn't seemed like summer since I grew up. It's also great practice, and a reminder on pool care, which my dad put me in charge of at the great age of 14.
A snapshot of the fourth, I forgot about my camera and didn't take many pics. Gosh it was a fourth to remember, lol. Erika and Harold came out, we went with the inlaws, sil and her sister, and then some friends of mil from church. By the time the rest got out of the Uni Dome parking lot, we were home. Crazy.
Then lastly, some belly pictures of my sister and nephew.
I'm using the heart picture for her shower invites. It totally wigs Jeremy out, he HATES belly buttons. He thinks people will freak out getting a belly button picture in their mailbox, do you think so? I won't make it 8x10 size. ;)
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Sock it to Me Sock Swap - Questionnaire
1.What are your foot measurements? (Please give shoe size, length and circumference.)
shoe size 9 1/2-10; 10" length, 9" circumference
2.How long have you been knitting? How would you rate your experience? (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced.)
3 years, I don't know what would rank advanced, but I know for sure I'm intermediate. I like projects, in general that knit up rather quickly, and can be done without paying too much attention (aka watching movies or drop to help kids). Lace for instance seems like it might need too much concentration.
3.What is your favorite color? Your least favorite color?
This is way hard for me! I absolutely love color. You can't lose though with autumn colors, oranges, reds, greens, Halloween colors, oranges, blacks, and purples. I also love ocean/sea colors, of blue and green, and maybe some brown in there. Brown paired with lime and or blue is one of my favorites. I steer clear of pastels though.
4.Do you have a favorite fiber? What type?
Probably wool, soft wools. I love Manos (who doesn't) but I also love knit picks (not the andees), I love pima cotton, alpaca, merino. I love trying new yarns! Soft, soft, soft. Thats what I love.
5.Do you have any allergies to certain fibers?
Nada.
6.Do you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? (If so, provide the link.)
No I don't, I have a notepad file with projects I want to do, patterns I want to buy.
7.What techniques, if any, would you like to learn?
I want to learn to do cables, I want to make the Cardigan for Merry (for DS), and have a cable pattern I want to try. So that is what is my next hope/plan. **wish me luck** I'd love to learn to knit two socks at once too, that would be sooo great!
8.Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks?
Yes, most definitely. Anything coffee related is golden here even chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate covered pretzels are also a big hit. Then anything citrusy like starburst or skittles. And dove chocolate is pretty good too.
9.What is your family situation? (Children, Husband, Pets...etc.)
yah, all that. 3 kids, 1 husband, 2 cats, 2 dogs.
10.Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Metal, plastic or wood?
For DPN's I like wood. For circular knitting I use these interchangeables from Hobby Lobby that are I assume a metal type (I have #'s 4,6,7,8,10). I really like those for circular knitting. My Bamboo circs always snagged my yarn. I have one set of wood sock needles, size 2.
11.Besides socks, what are your favorite items to knit?
I'm enjoying and trying to get yarn/patterns to make some sweaters for the kids, I'm hoping to get a few Knitting Pure and Simple patterns. I've read great things about them. I like knitting quick accessories, like belts, tank tops for the girls, some toys, if they dont require a ton of seaming. I love knitting in circular, and patterns done in the round are always welcome!
12.Is there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try?
I'm really wanting to try the Knitting Pure and Simple Patterns, a few that I have on my buy list are -> Hooded Vest; Neckdown Pullover; Bolero
13.Do you like to read? What are you reading currently?
I love to read! I actually just finished reading Anne of Green Gables (I heart Anne) and was reading to see if it'd be good to read to my oldest, or if it'd be a bit over her head. Harry Potter ofcourse, but generally I love classic novels, Jane Eyre is my favorite.
14.Do you collect music? (On an iPod or MP3 player.)
No iPod or MP3 player here, I listen to music on cd though.
15.What kind of music do you listen to?
All kinds really, rock, alternative, even some bluesy/folk type songs, classics like Petty are great too.
16.Is there anything you collect?
Yarn, dust, or maybe the dust collects me while I'm busy knitting, I collect a lot of blogs/patterns in my favorite links, its very long and out of control lol.
17.What are your hobbies, aside from knitting?
reading, digital scrapbooking, gardening, im sure theres more but im drawing a blank.
18.Are you participating in any other swaps or knit alongs?
I want to join the MDC Cardigan for Merry KAL, depends if I can master a cable, and I'm hoping to join the Hogwarts Sock Swap as well.
19.Do you have a favorite scent?
Autumn ones, like spiced plum, apple barrel cider (any kind of apple is good), cinnamon, those kind of autumn spices.
20.When is your birthday? (You don't have to add the year if you don't want to, LOL.)
March.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Back in the day, I bought a cd by Cake. I loved one of the songs, a remake of a classic, and while this had left my mind for many years, it came back to my mind a few months ago. I found myself humming and singing in this weird drone-style while working in the kitchen, vacuuming the floor, ... I finally found it for free on the web, since the cd has been long lost. Now you get to have stuck in your head. What happened to all my cds!?!?! It's worse then the missing sock syndrome, since cd's cost quite a bit more.
I asked in MDC for help on seaming shoulders without getting the hard uncomfy looking lump from the bind off edges. They suggested a 3 needle bind off, I'm going to have to try that on my next seamed item. One of the mama's recommended this site -> Knitting Pure and Simple for patterns, done in the round, minimal to no seaming. There are a few patterns I want to pick up, going to call my LYS, and see if they have them, since they aren't sold through the KPS website.
I just did a search at imeem, and found another cd I lost a long time ago. This wasn't a hugely popular cd, but I adored it. I'd love to replace this one actually, but it's hard to find.
Apparently I had a depressing teenage hood filled iwth romantic disappointment, lol, going off these two songs. ;) But at least I survive. :)
Lastly, some more recipes. Ive been making this knock-off bottled version of Starbucks frappuccino like you buy at the grocer's. I make it in a large pitcher, here's the recipe from Top Secret.
I just wing it - 1 1/2c. espresso, 1/3c. sugar, 4c milk, some mocha, probably 1/2-1tbl cocoa powder. Mix and put in fridge. :)
Lots of free knock-off recipes here at Gourmet Sleuth, here's the Mocha Frap. I haven't tried any from this particular site, and can't say how good or bad the recipes are. :) I love doing this kind of stuff.
We spent the past two nights out at the campground visiting my dad, roasting marshmallows, making cherry pies, and catching/releasing a bull frog and a painted turtle. We found the perfect camp spot for us personally, we've never camped there, but decided we should this summer, and its all close by, so Jeremy could go to work if he wanted even.
At the MDC homeschool board, they shared this link. There is this program called Study-Dog, that you download and it helps your kids learn the basics to reading through activities. It seems like a pretty neat program, drawback, it used to be free but now costs roughly $50. But alas, there is a site that still offers it for free, you can download it free here, there is prek-k, k-1, 1-2. I got all three to use with all the kids. I did the classroom downloads, so each can have their own "login" therefore keeping the report cards more accurate.
I have tons of research to do for first grade curriculum, I'm excited. :) I really enjoy it, I've always been a nerd for this. I was talking to my mom saying how I'd love a job that I could just do research. In high school/college, I was thrilled when the teacher assigned a research paper, or research anything. Heck, I adored writing papers period. I've considered going back to school, just because I enjoy learning, I might as the kids get older, do something. Just doesn't make sense at this exact moment, and what would I do? At this moment I'm doing exactly what I wanted.
