Secret Pal 11 Contest

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
The needles LMAO - I would have to say the YARN! LOL I'm sorry I'll try again, the PATTERN?!?! ok ok I know be serious I know! - I would say Stitch markers, and I like unusual or special ones :)

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project? Everytime I head out the door I take some sort of knitting with me, you never know where you will be, what will be happening, and who you may have to "talk" to if you don't have something to do! But sometimes, if I know there are yarn stores around, I would bring nothing, act overwhelmed from packing - make my hubby feel guilty - and then head to the yarn store for something new on HIM! works almost 99.9% of the time :)

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot? LYS spot? Wool and Company is my favorite knitting stores - its the Cadillac of yarn stores in my area (60+ miles) but its close! I will travel anywhere and everywhere for a new yarn store :) If you are talking favorite spot to just travel that would be "home" Michigan to visit with my family.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it? ummm, I don't really have a favorite, I like all types of books and I usually get them from the library, if I really like it once I have looked through it then I will or may go get it. I really liked "Knit it! Felt it!" so after I checked it out, I ran to Joann's and purchased it!

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)? nope

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be? I would say deep red. I love red, it would be my favorite color but I would go with a deep red if it was the only color for the rest of my life.

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do? nothing, I would keep going, knitting is all about style. Maybe the mistake would make the project! Plus I'm slow enough that I wouldn't want to start all over!!!

8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever knit? no laughing, on the football side line. My DS plays football, and there is his mom, knitting away. I have tons of moms ask me to knit things for them and of course I offer to "teach" them!

Flood of 2007

Felted Bag Contest

1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why? I like cascade 220, patons, and hand dyed yarn. I like "soft" wool. I have had scratchy and YUKE!

2. Name one person in the swap who is not from the U.S. and tell us where they are from, and link to their blog. Chrissie P. from Singapore

3. Find one person in the swap who has a dog, and let us know the name of their dog(s) and link to their blog. Jayda and Flex they are soooo cute :) Alana R.

4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog. How about Judy . . . beautiful brand new grandson named Donivan Cade.

5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why! (Yea, I know part of September and November are technically fall, but for this question, only October and November matter!) I really love November. I enjoy getting ready for Thanksgiving, cooking, decorating and being with friends/family. My favorite day in November would be the Friday after Thanksgiving where my hubby and I are up together by 3am, eating breakfast, preparing our ads and heading off to SHOP! Then there is Saturday when I'm standing in line at Joann's for fleece, yarn and anyother craft that is calling my name.

Football and Knitting

FOOTBALL TAG ALONG!

FINALLY! I found a group that incorporates Football and Knitting :) this should be a fun group. I'm always knitting during my DS's games. Plus Football is always on here every Saturday, Sunday and Monday - whatelse is there to do but knit :) I actually have started watching more football. Here is my #1 Football Player :
Yes that's his first SACK of the Year! This was DS first game on JV this past Saturday. He moved up to Varsity this week. Way to GO!



Lets not forget about them Cheerleaders!

Back to School

Monday was the first day of school - HIP HIP HORRAY! DS went off to 6th grade, DD went off to 2nd grade and DFD kindergarten. Now its just DFD#2 and I home chillin . . . knitting, knitting, beading and of course laundry, dishes and dinner making.

Froggin

I frogged the sock . . . I know I know I should have just keep knitting it till it was done. It looked "whole-y" to me. So I frogged it. I started another purse . . . I know another purse . . . but I said to myself, "self, whip up a quick purse to take your mind off the sock" LOL. So I knitted up the bottom, picked up my sides and hopefully will finish by Friday so I can use it this weekend.

Darcy, Julie, Trisha and I are going to a Scrapbook Expo. http://www.scrapbookexpo.com/ in St. Charles this Saturday. This should be fun :) We will be doing some shopping of course. Scrapp'n, bead and yarn stores are all near by - something for each of us.

Fall Felted Bag Exchange

How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom? I have been knitting for about 2.5 years and I love it. Crocheting is once in a blue moon. I learned how to knit from one of my best friends . . . Julie :)

What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting? I tried felting right away because I heard it hides mistakes. Once I started felting I couldn't stop.

What are your favorite colors? Any you hate? I love browns and jewel colors. No pastels here!

What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!) I love all types of purses. I enjoy making the boga bag and trying new patterns. I love medium sized handles, i-cords, wooden handles, or metal handles. I haven't done much embellishing on purses . . . I think time is an issue for me.

What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting? I'm using a small bag right now that is green and yellow with metal handles. Yes its knitted and felted. Yes, I carry a separate bag to carry my knitting but its a store bought bag :(

What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? ponchos, scarves, just starting socks

What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum) I love working with circulars, anything but plastic :)

What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make? cable purse . . . . cables scare me

What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with? ummm I don't know

What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? I basketweave, bead, scrapbook and take pictures

Besides yarn, do you collect anything? shot glasses :) and mice figures

What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to? love chocolate, not much on hard candy. nothing salty unless its chips. Don't hate anything and I'm not allergic to anything that I'm aware of.

Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!) I have 4 children, 11 year old son (who loves to knit and does purses too), 7 year old daughter (who wants to knit but isn't patient enough), 5 year old daughter and 16 month old daughter; one black lab who is 9 and of course my loving husband of 13 years :)))

What kind of project best personifies you and why? purses, i love to change up my purse because everyone notices it :-) great conversation piece.

What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer! The colors. I love the fall colors, trees changing and the fall evenings.

Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery. 1. Purchase a bigger house for my family (my youngest two are my neices that we have taken in and its a little tight here but worth it); 2. OPen a yarn store :) 3. Make alot of people comfortable.

DOUBLE Pointed Needles

Well, I think I know what I need now, some double pointed needles! LOL. I only have my one set. I would love some bamboo/wooden sets. Sizes 2 and up. I found a mitten pattern that calls for a set of size 10 double points. I will be on the lookout now.

I'm thinking about picking up "Sentational Socks" book. I think I may take a traditional sock class. My stitches look spacie on my current sock . . . could be because its my first one! LOL

Toe UP Sock

Here is the first part of the toe up sock! I'm so EXCITED. Yes, this is the toe part. Now I will be working the bottom/top of the foot and then moving on to the heel. I'M LOVING THIS! I can't wait to complete a pair of socks.

Don't worry I will be posting pictures as I complete the first sock.

Back to knitting . . .

Stitches

Sue and I headed up for Midwest Stitches yesterday. WOW! Talk about a ton of yarn . . . . . . . its funny when you have extra money nothing seems appealing to you but when your broke you want it all. I came home with 3 bags :( I did good I guess. I picked up some Noro - Love noro - a grab bag of mixed yarn - I'm going to make some scarves out of this picking 3 or 4 and using large needles to knit it up quick - some sock yarn! I took a Toe up sock class. I THINK I understand socks! I'm going to be working on it today when DFD takes a nap. I then picked up a book called Cast On Bets Off, a murder mystery with addi-turbo needles - LOL. The author even signed my book and of course I decided to pick up one for my SP11! I also picked up a "Lamb Chop" for my SP too - he looked so cute. Sue and I really enjoyed ourselves.

I'm looking forward to next Saturday, DS, DD, and DFD have their first game. Its picture time. Then the following weekend its the Scrapbook Convention with Darcy!!! I don't think I need anything cause I have a ton but I'm just looking forward to time away with my girlfriend. Maybe Julie will be able to come too!

Secret Pal 11 Questionaire!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love wool. I really enjoy felting :) I must say please no acrylic. I have enough from when I first started knitting to knit blankets forever! LOL. I'm game to try new yarn . . . love surprises.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a great needle case my DH and DS bought for me 2 x-mas' ago. I love bags - to beable to put a project in and take with. (can't have to many bags . . .I always start a project and then start another)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I started knitting 2.5 years ago from one of my Best Friends - Julie :))) I consider myself "intermediate". I'm so excited I'm taking my first "sock" class next Saturday at Midwest Stitches in Chicago!!!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? nope . . . I usually don't buy books. I like to check them out from the library first - breese throught them - grab a pattern or two - and return the book. I don't have much room to store books.

5. What's your favorite scent? I love lily of the valley, flower scents - PLEASE NO VANILLA.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Sweet tooth -WHO doesn't. I love anything chocolate :) My favorite candy is jolly ranchers.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I love to scrapbook (please don't purchase any - I have a ton), I dye yarn ( http://www.extremeyarn.etsy.com ) , beading (I'm a Bead Retreat consultant) and my most recent craft is Basket weaving! and yes I LOVE IT!!!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Hip hop, R&B, Top 40, 90's (no country - sorry) Yes everything I own plays MP3's.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite color would have to be ummmm RED! shades of red, brown, deep green, deep blue and deep purple. I'm not to much into yellow, pinks, oranges or pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? My family situation, I have been married 13 years come October to a great guy - who puts up with all my hobbies. I have four children, 11 year old son - who knits, 7 year old girl - who would love to learn but has no patiences, 5 year old foster niece , and 15 month old foster niece. I have one dog, Tara who is 9.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes to all. I love to knit scarves, ponchos and shawls. I haven't attempted hats or mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? purses - then I felt them :) I also enjoy unusual scarf patterns.

13. What are you knitting right now? a large backpack (that has been OTN for almost a year now) a diagonal scarf and a purse

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, I love to see what others make and enjoy showing them off

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I have went to all circular needles, sometimes my wrists hurt when I use straight. I use my straight needles to teach others. I prefer bamboo or aluminum.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? YES! and if you don't you should! best investment I have ever made and kicked myself for waiting. (I have had them for about a year now.)

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I would have to say my backpack bag. Its going to be red, white and blue - I'm using feltable yarn and size 9 circular 24". There are 400 stitches OTN - ITS A BIG BAG! Some day I will finish it.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas - can't really pick just one.

19. Is there anything that you collect? wind chimes :) unusual one of course.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? nothing I'm dying to get my hand on . . . I will be at Midwest stitches next week so I may make a list and post later. I have a subscription to Creative Knitting - I love it.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? socks - which I'm going to learn next weekend! WOOHOO

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? going to be soooon. I'm a size 10.

23. When is your birthday? April 28th - Taurus

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? On what? never heard of this what is it . . . Do I need to be on it?

I'm so looking forward to this round. I have been involved in other SP's and had a great time and still communicate with my new friends. One I'm meeting next Saturday at Midwest. She was in NY and moved to Chicago and we are going to finally meet in person. Pretty cool huh. I'm looking forward to reading notes, receiving notes, packages and hints on who you are too!

Deck COMPLETE

Our deck is complete . . . DH and I finished up the final touches tonight by putting up some teekee lights and its done! all but the spindles on the steps. Maybe tomorrow. We look it. YES its alittle tall but we are happy with it :)

As you can see the children look it too! Jump'n in and making lots of splashes! We are going to have a "fairwell to summer" party late August or early September. Chicken, ribs and hotdogs; potatoe salad, fruit salad and pasta.

Michigan Pictures

Better late then never . . . here are some pictures of the trip to Michigan. We had a great time. We went straight to my mothers, then went over to my sisters house. My niece is having a baby! then we were off to my other sister house for the remainder of the week. We went to the beach one day (where my nephew is a lifeguard), we had a blast there! (or at the least the children did).

The kids went go-carting but no pictures this time on that. They swam in a jacuzzi and my other sister swimming pool. My niece and I had a good time making bracelets and shopping - yes my nephew went too and made a bracelet, neckless and earring set for his girlfriend :)

DH and I are planning on going for the holiday this year. We are thinking the week between Christmas and New Years.