Is there anybody home???

As of late...no. We have been wicked busy around here. Lot's of camping, traveling, and summer fun. But no fear...I have been knitting. I finished the pair of tulip socks...am about 1/2 way done with convertible...can't remember if there was anything else that I was working on being that it's been about 2 months since I last posted.

So far this summer I have knit 3 pairs of socks, am working on pair # 4 and 5. Pair four are my camping sock, I am only working on them when camping...ah knitting memories. As for pair 5...well I am a little frustrated with them. I had to rip out the pair and I was almost to the heel flap...grrrr.

I have knit a baby blanket and dress for my cousin who just had a baby girl. Will post pics later. and am working on a tank from 'Interweave Knits".

Well the monkeys are calling for breakfast, so I had better get my butt moving.

Happy Fourth!

FO's

So the socks are finished...gave them to my mom a week ago. I didn't get a picture, I'll try getting an action shot this weekend. I have the baby jumper done as well, all I need to do is find some buttons and snaps. I have started the blanket and am hoping to get it finished this weekend. I don't have any picts, we still have a housefull of boys. So next week, when I have more time, I will try posting some picts.

Everyone have a Happy Easter...and safe travels!!

Soundtrack of my life...

Cruising some of my other blog reads, I came across this at darksideofknitting and thought that with my husband's and my taste in music, plus the fact that I am a former elementary music teacher with 3 year old twins, the musical shuffle would be quite interesting. So here goes...

Directions: If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?
1. Open your mp3 library
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press Play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the Next button.
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool.
7. Don’t skip songs.

My Movie:
1. Opening credits: Places I've Never Been- Mark Wills
2. Waking up: Year of the Parrot- Primus
3. First day of school: We as Americans- Eminem
4. Fight song: It's all in the Game- Van Morrison
5. Breaking up: Turn Your Lights Down- Bob Marley and Lauren Hill
6. Happiness: Big Time- Big & Rich
7. Life’s okay: The Body Boogie (Plank Road Publishing...hey I told you I was a music teacher!)
8. Mental breakdown: Baby Come Home- Kid Rock
9. Driving: No Need to Come Back- Elsa Hill/ Leon Bolier
10. Flashback: Amazing Grace
11. Getting back together: Philadelphia Chickens- Sandra Boynton's Imaginary Musical Review
12. Wedding song: Under the Influence- D 12; Eminem
13. Birth of first child: The Friendly Beasts- Cedarmont Kids
14. Final battle scene: Help!- Howie Day
15. Death scene: Surely Justice- Daryll-Ann
16. Funeral song: Rapture-Iio
17. End credits: Stop the Rock- Apollo 440


I have to say that I find this little exercise quite amusing and pretty much right on to how life has been going these past few days. Next week, more knitting picts and fun activities...this week, 4 boys all under 14 in my tiny little house for one whole week= not much time on the computer, so I am done for now. TTFN

Progress

Last night I was able to make some serious progress on the second sock. I am about 1/3 of the way done with the tulips on the back. Unfortunatly I am not able to work on charts with the boys around, so I will have to wait until they go to bed tonight to finish. I am hoping to finish the sock by tomorrow. Today, while they are awake, I will work on the layette. Easier pattern to pick up and put down as needed.

I have also made some progress with the blog. I have figured out how to add some things on the side bar. But I am still at a loss for those cute little "widgets", "pixies", and buttons. I am hoping to figure out how to add those.

For now, that is all I have. It takes me quite a while just to make a simple post. Until I get the hang of this blogging thing, I supose it will be that way.

Time, Time, Time, is on our side

Yeah right, well about 3 weeks have passed since my last post, and I am not much further along than I was. I have one sock done and am about 1/2 way through the second. I am pretty sure that my mom will just love these. I will be seeing her this coming Saturday, so they WILL be done by then (especially since her B-Day was on the 5th of this month).

Here is the finished sock and her mate. The pattern is "Tiptoe through the tulips" by Stepahine Pearl-McPhee (http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTtiptoe.html)

The yarn is "Palette" 100% Peruvian Wool from Knit Picks. I love working with this yarn, and it comes in so many colors! For the price ($1.99/ skein) I can see me ordering a lot more of this. ;)

My lace pattern has made little progress, but I am still hanging onto the hope that I can get if finished in time for Easter. The pattern is "Convertible" by Rebecca Hatcher (http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTconvertible.html)

The yarn is a "Lace Cake" from Cabin Cove Mercantile (http://www.cabincovemercantile.com/). We are talking about hand dyed, hand painted 100% Merino Wool. I am totally smitten with this yarn. This is my first big lace project and am so happy that I got this yarn. It also came with a little satchel of fresh Lavender that I am keeping in my bag. It feels so soft and smells so beautiful. This is my relax and knit project.....just wish I had more time to work on it and relax.

The last project is for a baby due in mid April. I am using a little summer jumper pattern from coats and Clark (http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Knitting/Projects/BabyChild/LW1397+Summer+Fun.htm).

I have got the legs done, but have a long way to go. I am hoping to add a blanket, booties, and hat to the ensemble before I have to head down for a visit in May. I am hopeful.

Well, the kiddo invasion has begun, so that is all the time I have for today. I am hoping to have some major progress pictures to post this week, but the hubby is out of town this week for work (poor sap had to go for a week of training in Hawaii.), so we will see.

Some Progress

So, I haven't gotten a whole lot of knitting done, but I have gotten a lot of stuff done. I finished a quilt that I was working on for my boys' pre-school auction this weekend, so I will hav some more time on my hands. I also finished a pair of fingerless gloves w/ a skull motif on them for a friends B-Day. The house is finally clean after us all being sick and then going out of town for a week, and I have the laundry pretty much caught up. This leaves me with some time to get the good stuff done...Kniting! I have 3 projects on the needles, and I am hoping to make some progress this week. (Maybe I will figure out how to post some pictures of them). I am working on a pair of socks for my mom's b-day, a layette for a friend of mine who is expecting, and a lace shawl for myself. This last one has been on the needles since before x-mas but I keep putting it aside to get gifts done. My goal is to finish it before Easter so I can wear it then....we'll see, wish me luck with that.

Ah-choo & Grrr

Not much knitting going on lately. We have all been sick. Why is it that mom's always get it last? I would much rather get sick first, that way I have the energy to take care of two active Bubba's. When you get sick last you feel like poo and you have the kids on the mend w/ even more energy than normal b/c they have been sick. Grrr.

I am equally frustrated on the knitting front. I am working on a pair of over the elbow fingerless gloves, and I think the pattern is cursed. EVEN though I have swatched it (twice). Even though I have customized it to the gift receiver's measurements (and checked the math 3 X). It just doesn't seem to be turning out. I am about half way done (the second time) and if this one doesn't turn out, I think I will have to give up. Which really saddens me b/c the receiver's B-Day is next Tuesday and I really don't want to be empty handed.

So this dilemma brings me to a question. Other than weight and gauge.....what other considerations should me made when substituting yarns?

Weekend fun

So I was looking forward to a weekend of knitting and painting. Instead I find myself with two little sickies, who want nothing but to sit on mama's lap. Has anyone discovered a way to knit with two clingy 3 year olds? Plus, the hubby is off Ice Fishing (a much needed/deserved outing, just bad timing).

Better luck next time....right?

Out of the shadows...

So, I am a former lurker, who hasn't "come out" because I am a little technology chalenged as far as blogs go, but figure what better way to learn but to jump on in. So here I am big big world of knitting blogs.

If anyone has any tips on starting your blog, adding all the bells and wistles on the side, or even pictures, let me know...like I said, I have no clue. It's sink or swim, here goes....