Mail Day

Today I had the best surprise in the mail - and it was a good day to receive a package because it's -2º and the mailman delivered all the mail to the door since this parcel didn't fit into the mail box. Chelsea was kind enough to be my sock savior for sockapalooza 4 when my 1st pal flaked on me. And quite a sock savior she was! All this stuff was in the box with the socks she agreed to knit for me, Vesper sock yarn, Yarn Pirate sock yarn, a candle, pencil box, soap and a bead box with needle holders inside. Chelsea, I can't thank you enough for saving me from another year of flaky original sock pals.

The socks fit GREAT! And I really love the colors.

I completely flaked blogging about the pay it forward gift I received right before Christmas from Kristin. I adore the felted stocking you sent me and of course all the goodies tucked inside, which are loooong gone.

For the 3 of you who are waiting for pay it forward gifts from me...they'll be on their way shortly, I'm just finishing up.

Colder than Cold

It is -13º where I live and the news just reported that it feels like -40º with the gusts of wind we have. Every so often it sounds like branches are hitting the house but I think it's really the house yelling at mother nature with it's creaks and cracks. I wish I could just curl up in a ball under my blankets and wait for this to go away. I love Winter but this is just TOO cold.

In a Rut

I feel as though I'm in a bit of a knitting rut lately. Instead of all these fancy schmancy new projects out there like the bird in hand mittens, colorwork mittens, Icosahedrons and a pretty shawl here and there I've been knitting away on ordinary items like socks, felted bags and dishcloths. I really enjoy looking at the fancy knitted items and I give the knitters of those items a lot of credit because I know it's not easy but I think I'm happy enough just to stay here in my comfortable little rut...for now.

Monday Monday

Happy Monday!

National PJ Day

I stumbled upon this tutorial a while back and ever since I've been wanting to make one of these bags, basically a fabric bag using the pattern of a plastic store bag. Mine isn't perfect but it'll serve the purpose it is intended for. I can't help but think my Grandma would have loved one of these, she always toted things around in those nasty plastic bags. Kyle & I have been making a conscious effort not to use plastic bags from stores if we don't need to. The other day I had a cashier look at me like I was an alien when I told her I wouldn't need a bag.

I finally managed to finish the first bootee. I changed yarn to the squishier lighter green and then last night I got stumped at one point in the pattern. Kyle came home from Target with Guitar Hero for our Wii and knitting was all over for the night.

Isn't it interesting, when you have something you really should be working on you manage to do everything but? Maybe it's just me...

Undecided

Quite a few people wondered what yarn I was using for the Saartje's bootees. I began knitting them with a medium tweedy green Rowan Cashcotton DK (on the bottom in this photo) but I'm thinking I may switch to a lighter green yarn, the Cashsoft DK (on the top). Any opinions? The baby's gender is unknown, both yarns are machine washable, the Cashcotton is a bit less spongy than the Cashsoft.

Bootees

I started a pair of Saartje's bootees for a good friend of mine who has a baby on the way. I can't wait to find some really cute buttons for these!

Contest WinnerS!

The total amount of money I spent on yarn in 2007 was $112.89. That is a mere $9.41 per month! All of the guesses were over that amount except Courtney (she guessed $0!) but DJ was the closest with a guess of $222. So Courtney, since you were the closest without going over and DJ was the closest why don't you both email me your addresses and I'll send you each a prize. My email button is on the sidebar---->. Thanks for all the guesses!

One & Two

Less than 1 day remaining in the contest!

This is the 2nd and last hand knit item I gave as a gift this Christmas. These are identical to the ones I made for myself.

Pattern: Hand/Wrist Warmers by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha
Color: 61
Needles: Size 6 DPN bamboo
Started: November 23, 2007
Finished: December 22, 2007
Knit for: My mom

Casey Has a Wing Span

Today was spent relaxing and cuddling on the couch while watching a little football and working on some pay it forward gifts. I noticed Casey had a wing span and luckily my camera was nearby. He just crawled back up on my lap so he must like it up here. So. Spoiled.

And unrelated to this photo, I'm holding a contest. Guess how much money I spent on yarn in 2007 and if you're closest I'll send you a prize! Contest closes Friday January 11 at 5pm CST. Good luck :)

Can I Keep This Up?

On New Years day I started a project. A 365 photo project - a self portrait every day for 365 days. I am really going to try my hardest to keep this up since I think it will be mighty interesting to look back at it as I ring in 2009. Check out my Flickr site if you're interested in following me throughout the year.