Knottykitty Knits

BOO!

2008-10-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

I've always been afraid of stranded knitting. Stranded knitting is not my friend. When you are a lefty, knitting right-handed, except for holding the yarn in your left hand, but not knitting Continental style, the prospect of adding an extra color strand or two is too horrifying to even consider. Stranded knitting is scary.Yes, I've seen many projects that I would love to have knit---if only they

Can someone please tell me....

2008-10-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

What species of bird is THIS?Rat Bastard! And in broad daylight, no less! Sorry for the slighly blurry pic, but it's hard to get a good shot of vermin while doing the squidgy-gross-out dance at the same time.I must say, the little bastard has skilz, though. While sitting on the sofa I watched him shimmy up the pole and leap onto the feeder cage, then squeeze his ratty bod through the bars and

Slam the Storm Doors, Stella! Hell Has Frozen Over!

2008-10-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

And as rare as Hell actually freezing over, comes a blog post from me! Don't fall over in shock! Yes, there's really a blog post here! Go ahead, rub your eyes. Still there. Not that I think that there is necessarily anyone around to even read it, but hey, I can live in denial about that fact. I run the rest of my life very successfully by spending lots of time in Egypt, so why not extend that to

It's Summertime!..Right?

2008-06-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Time for a weather-related rant! (If you want to skip by that, there is knitting at the end...)Yep. It's the good ole' summertime....every-freakin-where else except here! What are we having here? They're calling it "JUNuary." Heh. Very funny. It's been a balmy high of about 53 degrees and raining here all week. And I don't mean a light, warm summer rain either! We're talkin,

Back from blogging break...

2008-05-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a looooonng winter here in lovely Washington State. So long, in fact, that it finally managed to suck the will to live out of me.....well, not exactly the will to live....but the will to do anything that took any kind of creativity or imagination whatsoever. Or any energy. Or actual effort. Well, you get the picture. And that snow in April didn't do anything to help the situation,

I love Springtime!

2008-04-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Today is April 18th.It is 34 degrees outside right now.It is both snowing and hailing at the same time...and it's sticking.And oh, I forgot...the wind is blowing.More predicted for the weekend.Yay. It is Spring, right?I would just like to say, for the record, that this does not make me happy.Ugh.ETA: Forgot to mention the thunder and lightening, and to deliver the photographic proof....

The Felting Fairy administers the Smackdown

2008-04-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

So I had this idea to make a felted cat bed. Not an original idea by any means, but I've been wanting to make one for a while and finally decided to do so with some Noro Big Kureyon that I got for a great sale price. But I didn't want just a regular, small cat bed---I wanted a bigger cat bed!I have knit many a felted basket in my time---granted, most of them smaller than what I was planning, but

Video Magnifique

2008-03-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this YouTube video by the band, Tricot Machine? Watch carefully, as each frame of the the knitting actually changes! Inconceivable for me to even contemplate that much knitting for that little exposure time. Do you think they were all knit by different people, or that just one or a few did a LOT of creative tinking and frogging? Do you think the changes could be computer-generated?

We Love Surprises!! - Part II

2008-03-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

Usually surprises are far and few between around here, but the past month has been a bonanza of surprises! Did I say I love surprises? Oh yes, I think I did...Here's the latest surprise to show up in my mailbox last week---the Defeat the Winter Doldrums swap box from my lovely and generous pal, Katie! It was hard to fit all of the contents in one picture...Wow, what a box! Katie sent a fabulous

In which she proves that there really IS knitting going on...

2008-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

If you read my blog, you would think that I spend all of my time wrangling minions, untangling ravaged stash, returning damaged stash and acquiring more stash, with no actual knitting going on. Well, yes, most of my time is spent in these pursuits, but not all of it. While FO's are scarce at times, there is occasionally a little actual knitting that goes on around here. I recently joined the "

A minion's work is never done...

2008-03-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

As cute husband was heading out for work this morning, he came across a certain minion engaged in what can only be described as felonious activity of the highest degree. He found said minion on the floor with a blob of what was once a skein of Frog Tree sportweight alpaca, arms shoved in up to the armpits, nuzzling the yarn with his pointy little nose (can't say as I blame him for that part).I'm

We Love Surprises!!

2008-02-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

While reading one of my favorite blogs, Chickenlips Knitting, Sharon posed a question in her post about Rod Stewart that only an older-than-dirt person like me would probably know the answer to. It wasn't a contest, but just a question that amused me in my ancient-ness, and so I answered in my comment.Imagine my surprise when, while later reading her next blog entry, I saw my name mentioned at

Thanks, Nikki! :)

2008-02-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I entered a contest on Nikki's blog, and I won! I was so excited to win her contest, even though my history with blog contests has not been the greatest (more about that another time, so as not to detract from the thanks to Nikki and the display of goodies...).Nikki was so sweet and actually "stalked" my blog to see what I might like. So not only was she nice enough to send a

My Warm and Fuzzy Heart(s)

2008-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Valentine's Day. Not so much for the commercially-required purchased shows of affection for our loved ones (paper valentines, flowers and chocolate, all marked up 500% in honor of the occasion), but rather for the celebration of my favorite iconic shape---the heart! I am a lover of all things heart-shaped and Valentine's Day simply gives me an excuse to combine my love of

Ketchup

2008-01-29T12:41:00.000-08:00

No, not that kind....Just a little blog post catch up. There have been knitting and things going on here at the Minion Ranch, but I've just not been in the mood to take and edit pictures and actually blog something (read: lazy). I guess I could partially blame it on the evil Enablry Ravelry, which has become an incredible time suck and procrastination device for me lately. It seems I sometimes

Now, THIS can't be good!

2008-01-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

So, imagine the picture here if you will:After a successful mission that day to find the perfect yarn in the perfect quantity (1,500 yards) for the upcoming Secret of the Stole ii KAL, and have the yarn ready in time to start in just a couple of days, the knitter sits at her table, happily winding her four fresh, new hanks of mmmmmm-Malabrigo Laceweight (in the Roanoke colorway) into luscious

"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" swap questionnaire

2008-01-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

Just joined the winter swap that I mentioned in my last post. I need something fun to look forward to this winter, since it seems like it's never going to end this year!Here are my anwers to the questionnaire:1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?I knit almost exclusively these days. I know how to crochet and enjoy it, but can't do it without flaring up the tendinitis...2. What types of needles do

Just a quickie!

2008-01-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

For those of you who feel the luvs for the dishcloths and washcloths like I do, found a new swap you might be interested in. "Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Dishcloth Swap is starting up soon. I know I'm having some major winter doldrums this year, so the swap sounds like fun!Registration opens January 11th, and if you want to enter their first contest, go leave a comment by Thursday (tomorrow) at

A New Year, and our first installment of "Ask Ms. Kitty!"

2008-01-05T10:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Toe-cat and Technocat had a little party, and of course the paparazzi captured the following candid drunken picture (I know they had to be drunk when this was taken, because no self-respecting minion would ever be caught on film with a bow on his head unless he was crocked)...Intervention followed when they recovered from their hangovers and they have promised to go into

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

I wish all of you love and blessings, and someone to stay warm with....

Fit problems

2007-12-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here's the finished and felted moebius basket that I showed in the unfelted state a couple of posts ago...I think it turned out pretty nice. I like the way the yarn pooled into a lightening bolt pattern around the basket. I was sort of envisioning it as a cozy cat basket, where perhaps a sort small cat could have a cozy little nap. Though, it was an experiment of sorts because I really had no

Tempting

2007-12-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

Here are the world's most impossible socks---impossible to knit on without a microscope and a giant halogen boom light, impossible to finish for some reason even though I swear to buddha that I have knit 5 trillion rows on these freakin things since I started them at the turn of the century, and impossible to photograph. This would be photographic attempt #15,378.....and #15, 379....You will

"How About A Nice Number Two?"

2007-11-29T16:21:00.000-08:00

Warning: No knitting content, and if you are easily offended by bodily functions or lame scatalogical humor, read on at your own risk....Has anyone seen that Supercuts television commercial where the giant robot hairstylist chases customers around holding huge, sharp scissors? And when the customers try to say what haircut they want, the robot repeats over and over again, "How about a nice number

Knits for the Slumpedy Cure

2007-11-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

What is a girl supposed to knit when she is in a slump? Hmmmmm......If she is feeling slumpy, she can't really take knitting too seriously for a while. Can't go around working on anything intricate or complicated while in a slump, now can she? That would be too tiring to contemplate while feeling slumpy.I guess the answer to the dilemma is to knit items that are, well,...a little silly perhaps!

Slump Day

2007-11-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

I'm in a slump.And as such, it would be fair to say that any blog post written by someone in such a state will undoubtedly by somewhat, well,...slumpy. I'm just sayin' is all, so don't go blaming me at the end when you've been exposed to slumpiness and try to say no one warned you.I'm declaring that today is the official, unofficial Slump Day. I need to name it and expose it, bring it into the

And now for something completely different...

2007-10-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

How often do you see something like this?Pink fried eggs? Pink crop circles? Or if you are old enough to have had one already, your breasts after your last mammogram, perhaps? (or as I like to call it, a grab-and-smushogram... if you've had one, you know why!).October is breast cancer awareness month, and what better way to help get the message out there about getting your mammogram than to knit

Bye-Bye NBRO.....and More Contest Winners!

2007-10-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today is a happy, happy day for me, and perhaps a happy day for a couple of other people, too, depending on how they feel about being a winner in my recent little contest!Before I announce two more contest winners, I must announce the big news that makes this such a happy day for me......I quit my job at the Nurse Boiler Room Operation!! I understand that some people may view the loss of my

Happy Birthday to the Toe-cat!!....and contest winners!!

2007-10-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late hour of this post, but with working this weekend, it's been a busy couple of days. But not so busy that I couldn't announce two winners of my Belated Blogiversary and Birthday Big Basket of Balls Contest. And what better day to announce contest winners, than on the first birthday of the Toe-cat! Yes, little Toebi is one year old today!!! What a character he has grown into! He

Thanks!

2007-10-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

I really want to thank everyone who left comments, birthday and blogiversary wishes and contest entries over the past week. Hope you'll stop by again some time and leave your comments!I had a nice birthday overall. Lolligagged around the house, stayed on the computer for way too long, took a shower at 3:00 in the afternoon, and then met my cute hubby and another couple for a lovely dinner at

I'm having a blast!

2007-10-01T22:19:00.000-07:00

Having this contest is so much fun! I am enjoying reading all of the comments so much. I'm still working my way through all of the links you've all provided and looking at all of your blogs (from those of you who gave my your blog address!).Holding a contest has definitely made my belated blogiversary and birthday week way more exciting than it would be otherwise. The contest continues until

Keep those CONTEST entries coming!!

2007-09-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

A very nice lady just emailed me to say that she had trouble linking to my blog to leave a comment. Perish the thought that someone couldn't leave an entry!My contest has only been going on for one day, and thanks to all of you, I'm having a blast reading all of your fun comments and looking at the links! And of course, I want everyone who wants to enter to be able to and have a chance to win

Time for a CONTEST!!....and some actual knitting content!

2007-09-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Don't fall over, but yes, this post will contain actual knitting content. But first, let's commence with my first ever, official blog contest!! I'm not saying it's going to be scintillating or anything....no creative geniuses live in the knottykitty domain, we are simple creatures here. It does, however, have an official name---In honor of my first blogiversary and upcoming birthday, it's time

I'm a Dork!

2007-09-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

While lying in bed last night and thinking about the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival (that I won't be attending this year, unfortunately), I realized that it was about the same time last year that I posted about going....which then led to the realization that this meant I had started blogging some time right before the OFFF, which meant.......WAAAAAAT? I missed my own dang Blogiversary! I guess as

'Tis silliness and mirth Thursday

2007-09-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

If any of you are fans of celtic music, or Irish and Scottish drinking songs, and also love your little sweet and well-behaved (but of course!) kitty(or kitties.....we are knitters, right?), have I got a CD for you! If any of the above applies to you, you really must check this out!If you browse around the site, there are samples of the songs, as well as printed lyrics. Very silly and very funny

I've joined the Yarnival!

2007-09-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

While perusing the new September issue of Yarnival, I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my blog entries has been included there! You might remember a little tale I told a month or so ago about the dangers of lurking too long around strange frog ponds? I submitted it a while back, but never heard anything---I didn't even know it was going to be included. Happy surprise for me! Go over and

A whole different kind of stashing

2007-09-14T11:42:00.001-07:00

Aside from full-time slavery at the nurse boiler room operation, I have a new time-sucker from my available free time for knitting and blogging....Whooo-hooooo! I got a new iPod, y'all! I mean, who has time to seam those poor, ignored un-felted clogs when I have 25 years worth of CD catalog to upload, podcasts to peruse, new tunes to shop for and pictures to catalog!!?!Very exciting new purchase

This may look like an innocent dishcloth....

2007-09-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

So I know you are thinking to yourself, "is she actually going to post a picture of another dumb dishcloth?"... The first and simple answer to that would be, "Why yes, of course I am! I love to knit dishcloths because they make me feel accomplished when I'm really not, and give me the warm, fuzzy feelings of an actual FO, which is something that seems to have become somewhat of a rarity around

Can you say "spoiled?"

2007-09-05T11:59:00.001-07:00

So, I thought cats were supposed to like to cuddle up together and sleep in a pile. Apparently, I would be mistaken in that notion. Because when it comes to the Knottykitty household, there will be none of that! Everyone seems to be happy now that they each have their own bed. And Lord knows, we wouldn't want anyone around here to go without their own special, individual place to sleep.....When

A fine day at Pt. Defiance

2007-08-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

I've had a few days off from work this week (hooray!) and on one of those lovely days (it's always a lovely day when you don't have to work, right?), cute husband and I decided to head south to Tacoma and go to one of my favorite little zoos at Pt. Defiance. If you've never been there, it's on a point overlooking the Sound and surrounded by miles of forest, trails, park, gardens and a marina.This

Happy Magical Wednesday

2007-08-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday is a good day. Wednesday is the day of my weekly day-off escape from the nurse boiler room operation. It is Wednesday today, and I am happy and free to knit or blog or sit around on my butt and do nothing (but that rarely happens---can't waste a good day!).However, Wednesday is also the day that I weekly sit and ponder if I really want to return to the nurse boiler room operation for

Hear ye all, a cautionary tale....

2007-08-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

All ye good knitters out there, pay mind to this cautionary tale....Once there was a girl who lived in a small village where there was no labour to be had. So she and her brave husband traveled far and wide together every day down the long road to reach their places of work, and traveled again back to their village each night. The girl had a great love for knotting of colorful, woolen string with

Poses, Noses, and something for my Toes-es

2007-08-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's really hard to blog when you seem to suddenly have no life other than getting ready for work, traveling to and from work, the work itself, and doing all the things you need to get done because you're always at work....sigh.With the above said, is it stating the obvious that my knitting time has been severely curtailed of late? Not to mention time to blog....or anything to blog about....Yes,

I confess.....I Heart Boy Britney!

2007-07-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Let's face it----television usually sucks. But more particularly, summer television really sucks. Among the sucky summer TV offerings is "America's Got Talent." In case you haven't seen it, it's a show where regular people compete in a talent competition to try to win 1 million dollars.For the most part, the show and it's competitors are all pretty lame, and the show is so bloated with fill and

This and that.....random catching-up

2007-07-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Finally, a chance to actually make a post to my blog! I think this has been the longest I have ever gone without being able to post, and I've really missed it! I never thought when I started this blog that it would be something I would "miss" if I couldn't do it, but I have.With such a long time having passed since my last post, I guess this will have to be a post of some randomness and rambling,

Yes, I'm still alive---I think that calls for some yarn!

2007-07-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that the deadly virus-turned-respiratory infection did not lead to my complete demise. There were moments that I would have liked it to, but I survived nonetheless!Spurred perhaps by the happy return of my health, or perhaps the happy receipt of my first paycheck, I succumbed to temptation this weekend and made some very small yarn acquisitions! I tried really hard to resist

Apparently, I Rock!

2007-06-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

At least that's what Kathleen, my dear friend at Quail Hill Knits has told me, to my great surprise and delight!! She has bestowed upon me a "Rockin' Girl Blogger" award! At my age, I'm happy to think that I rock anything....! Thanks, Kathleen! You made my day, and I think you are pretty Rockin' yourself! I will display the award button with pride on my humble blog.If you have never visited

Anyone got the classifieds...or a blessed icon handy...?

2007-06-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Here's another scintillating post about my current state of unhealth (I knew you were waiting...:). I finally got sick enough to require staying home for the past two days. I was hacking and running so badly, I would have sent every human with half a brain screaming from the building at work when I got there. I really wanted to go in, but waaaaay too sick to even attempt it. So, let's see here...

When viruses (viri?) attack....

2007-06-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

This is getting ridiculous. It has become apparent to me of late that my newest superpower is round up assorted viruses and fling them all over myself. ugh. Yep, hard to believe, but I started feeling those unwanted feelings coming on yesterday, and sure enough, woke up with a cough and a runny eye (singular....fun) this morning. Being able to be sick on a weekly basis is not exactly what I would

What a day.....

2007-06-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here, my trusty assistant toe-cat will demonstrate how I am feeling this evening....It has been a loooooonnnnng day! As life would have it, I came down with some sort of cruddy, mystery stomach-viral thing, so I was sick all day yesterday and all of last night....Nothing like being sick and no sleep to make that first day at the new job just hum along!I did manage to drag my beaten-up ass to that

Healing from a (yarn) tragedy...and other knitterly tales

2007-06-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

After the horrible event that occurred with this beloved skein of Sea Silk and Mermaid Wrap, I felt that I should immediately try to replace it to try to erase some of the trauma....you know, get back on the horse that threw you and all that....and also because I am hopelessly impetuous! Unfortunately, there was no more available at my local LYS in the beautiful blue/green color I had, so I

HEY!.....

2007-06-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Is anyone still out there?I'm back from my vacation! Isn't anyone going to stop by and say Hi?Yes, I'm back and I had a GREAT time! I brought back a couple of friends with me from my visit to the aquarium in Long Beach! We go there every time we visit So Cal and it's always so much fun! If you are ever out that way, be sure not to miss it. One of my favorite parts is visiting the Lorikeet aviary,

Parting shots

2007-05-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

I couldn't leave on vacation without posting a little knitting content and pics, now could I?Here's a little present I made up to take to someone on my trip. It's a flower petal face cloth from the book, Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick, knit up in rose-colored Crystal Palace chenille. (This book is a few years old, but I still love knitting projects from it.) I wrapped the petals of the cloth

Surf's Up, Baby!

2007-05-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

In less than two days, I leave for a fabulous week of sun, surf and sand in my home town! I can smell the fresh, salty air already!! Huntington Beach was a funky little beach town when I was growing up, with lots of surf shops, smoothie & sandwich places, T-shirt shops, etc.My high school was 1/4-mile from the beach, and we used to walk to the beach every day after summer school. Our favorite

More flash, FO and a yarn volcano

2007-05-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

I guess it's safe to go ahead and flash the rest of the stash from the LYS tour last weekend. I have fully talked myself out of all of the guilt I acquired along with the yarn, and all acquisitions have been taken through the full buying justification process and properly placed in their designated areas amongst the rest of the stash. Here are the new sock mountain acquisitions. It seems I had a

LYS Tour Stash Flash!

2007-05-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Before I commence with the yarn pron display....I found out what a "Red Delicious" bag is when I went to pick up the prize I won in a drawing at Spin A Yarn yesterday....I've seen these bags before, though not in this particular color combo. I keep staring at it trying to decide if I like it, or if it's so fugly only it's grandmother could love it. What do you think? It is a well-made and lined,

Positive energy flow

2007-05-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

My requests for crossed fingers and positive energy to be sent my way must be starting to work. I received an email from Spin a Yarn in Edmonds that I have won a prize from their drawing last weekend! The email said I have won the "Red Delicious Bag." I really have no idea what that is, but it's a prize and I won it!So if you are one of those nice people out there who has been sending good

LYS Tour - Day Three

2007-05-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

Subtitle: OMG, I really made it to all 20 stores!!!That's right! I made it to the final three stores on the tour list today, and finished 5 full hours before the official end! I had my doubts at a couple of points that I could get to all of them on time, but the fates were in my favor and all worked out to finish on time! After yesterday's marathon trip, I slept in a little this morning since I

2007 LYS Tour---Day Two

2007-05-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

Subtitle: My husband rocks!!Let me just say that my cute husband is the best! Today he did all of the driving with never one complaint, checked maps and planned routes, dropped me off at the door of all of the stores I visited while he went and found parking, waited patiently at each store while I browsed with not even a tiny peep of a complaint. And if that's not enough, he let me take as long

2007 LYS Tour---Day One

2007-05-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Subtitle: Woman visits 11 yarn stores in a 3-county area in 6-1/2 hours, then collapses!!!!Today I set out on the first day of Destination: Yarn, The 2007 LYS Tour, a three-day marathon in which you try to visit 20 yarn stores spread over half the state of Washington!! (They use the word "local" in LYS very loosely here---were talkin' about a spread of about 5 counties here, folks....).I set out

Random things and an anniversary celebrated

2007-05-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to G-girl and Sue, I have to attempt, in list form, to be more random than I already am. Having tried and failed to think of what to use for the list, I guess I will just have to try to do this free association style---I'll just start with #1 and hope I can make it to #8 before I delete the whole post. I really hate listing stuff about "myself." For some reason, making public lists about

Surprises from across the big pond!

2007-05-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to receive a package from my ISE4 pal this weekend---all the way from Australia! My no-longer-secret pal, Sue, sent me a lovely scarf made from Noro Silk Garden, as well as some other Aussie treats! Here's a picture of the scarf trying to get some light on the window sill. I wanted to make sure you could see all of the colors....Along with the scarf, Sue also sent some lovely and

When creativity goes horribly wrong...

2007-05-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

While checking out Jessica's blog this morning, looking forward to my weekly dose of Thursday fun, I was horrified see this! **Before you click on over there, be warned that you do so with some risk of trauma!**Now I'm all for creativity and originality in knitting, but this time someone has gone way too far. I mean, I got a kick out of previously displayed boobies, willies and all manner of

Lake views, lace-knitting and a whole lotta chocolate

2007-05-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

That pretty much sums up the main themes of my weekend lace-knitting and design retreat with Evelyn Clark! It was held in a huge cabin on Lake Cavanaugh that has one entire wall of windows facing the lake, so there was a view from everywhere in the huge main room. Here's a peek at the view from the deck outside...It was quite the setting to relax, learn and have fun! The view of the lake was

Away to Lace-Land!

2007-05-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Mt. Vernon for the weekend to attend a lace-knitting retreat with the real, live Evelyn Clark! Even though I'm sure I'll be the rank beginner in the group, I'm really excited and looking forward to the weekend!Hoping it will be fun and a great learning experience! And I say 'learning experience' as in, hoping to not be left confused in a corner cuz the whole deal is over my head.

Should I be buying lottery tickets...?

2007-04-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Apparently, this is my lucky week and I should be out taking advantage of it somehow in a big way. I am a person who never, let me repeat, never wins anything in any kind of contest, drawing, lottery, etc. Zip. Nada. Never happens.But somehow, within the last 5 days I've won something....TWICE! Yes, I'm a winner, and I'm so excited! You might think it strange that I would get so excited over

Tulips and snow geese, part 2

2007-04-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a few more of the pictures I took on Easter Sunday at the tulip fields. The sky was gorgeous that day, which I think makes the pictures even nicer. I'm still somewhat of a rank amateur with the digital camera, but I think these pictures came out fine for a digital newbie! Hope you enjoy them...Here's a close-up of that red tulip in the yellow field...Field of red tulips....

What a relief...

2007-04-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

As long as it's only a 12 percent of me that's abnormal, I guess I shouldn't worry. I would have guessed that way more of me is abnormal, but that's just me.You Are 12% AbnormalYou are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.You are at low risk for having a

Miss Independent and free flight...

2007-04-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

On Easter day, cute husband and I took a little road trip north to see the tulip fields. It was a beautiful, sunny day that was promising to become rainy later, so off we went.The day was a little windy, but perfect otherwise (swaying tulips are hard to photograph!) The tulip fields were much smaller in number than in years past, probably due to all of the flooding a few months ago. However, the

A sunny day in Seattle.....?

2007-04-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true! It's one of those rare days around here, where you get up in the morning and the sun is already out! (for those of you not living the great PNW, even on our sunniest days, it sometimes takes a while for it to get going...). It's supposed to be into the mid-70's today---break out the shorts! (yeah, right....) But it does make me happy happy happy! Nice to see something besides grey

How loud does a Panda sneeze?

2007-04-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

You can find out here! Tooooo funny! (Thanks to Sharon for pointing out the video site.) If you have a minute, check out the otter and Caturday videos as well!Have a happy Wednesday!

Stash Flashin'!

2007-04-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

It is well-known that April 1st is the day for fools and folly, but I heard a little rumor that it is also "flash your stash" day. So, in honor of the official day of both folly and flashing, I give you a partial offering of my stash---the sock portion. I present here before you, in all it's glorious ginormity, the genus Sock-Stashosaurus Rex....Or in layman's terms, more freakin sock yarn than I

Feeling semi-human today

2007-03-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Before I begin, let me just say that this cold has totally and officially kicked my ass! After four days without leaving the house, I finally crept out into the open yesterday out of necessity, and also to do little yarn shopping therapy. Not that I needed any yarn, mind you, but hey, since I had to go out and all....(To all of you who may have had to listen to my ear-crunching cough while out in

I hab a code.....part 2

2007-03-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

I was all ready to post all kinds of stuff today about what I've been working on, but unfortunately I've been sidelined by yet another cold. My throat felt kinda scratchy a couple of days ago, but I wrote it off to allergies. Then this morning, woke up feeling like crap, with my second cold in as many months. So I'm going to take my red nose and cough and go sit my butt on the couch. Maybe I

What's NOT in my wallet

2007-03-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

****Fair Warning****This is a post solely composed of ranting that has nothing whatsoever to do with knitting...I don't usually include my personal financial dealings on my blog, but these guys really frosted my cupcake today!You know that credit card commercial that says "What's in your wallet?" Well, funny commercials---really CRAPPY company with unbelievably horrible customer service!! I can

I'm doin' the happy dance!!

2007-03-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Can you tell that this post is being typed on my brand-spankin-new, really purty, 17-inch-screen-havin, awesome hp laptop? You can't? I thought perhaps you might be able to tell by the jumping up and down I'm doing while typing...Let me just say, before I go on, that I REALLY love my husband! (...and I'm not just saying that because he reads this sometimes..). After spending a good portion of his

This can't be good....

2007-03-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while happily web-surfing, something very disturbing occurred. Yes, out of nowhere I suddenly received the gift of "the dreaded blue screen." Sigh. At the top was something about Windows being shut down to due an error that could damage the computer, followed by lots of ugly code, and ending with "physical memory being removed...."Even with my minimum of computer savvy, I could tell

Keeping the Socktoberfest Spirit alive.....

2007-03-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

....Or that's my excuse, anyway. Yes, as embarrassing as this may seem, I proudly present my (finally) finished Socktoberfest socks!! (recently renamed Parade socks)It IS still October, right? (never mind that calendar situated to the left of the socks...) Okay, so I'm a little late. But I'm still representin' for the Socktoberfest Spirit! Someone had to knit the last completed pair, right? (help

Yes, there has been a little knitting.....

2007-02-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

The blog posts have been leaning a little more toward kitten than knittin' the last couple of weeks---I guess that's what happens when you bring home a new baby! But between all of the extra feeding, cat box scooping, refereeing sibling spats and keeping the new toddler from accidentally doing permanant damage to himself or the house, I have managed to squeeze in a tiny bit of knitting. Of

Love is in the air....

2007-02-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

Getting to know your new big brothers can take some time and effort! You can suffer some outright rejection at first. But, if you hang around the edges long enough.........and make yourself available for some mutual bathing chores.........you can wriggle your way into the hearts of even the most unwilling cat big brothers.And who knows? If you try hard enough, you might even find yourself a new

The minions are multiplying....and so are the toes!!

2007-01-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

We got a new kitty!!While on our normal trip to P**smart to buy food for the minions, Purrfect Pals was there, in the center aisle of the store, with lots of little orphans needing homes! Most P**smart stores have a cat adoption area, and I usually visit it every time I go. It's always hard to resist the lure of an innocent, cute little face needing a home....but this time they pulled out all the

I hab a code.....and a felted moebius bowl

2007-01-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

I keep reading on everyone's blog and hearing from my friends that they have all had colds or flu. Lucky me---I didn't catch it----until yesterday....Uggghhh..... I've had a sore throat since yesterday and am all stubbed ub. Yuck! I'm not feeling up to doing much creative blogging, so I'll return when I'm feeling human again. Rachel tagged me last week for "6 weird things about me," but I can't

Boing Boing Boing...Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!

2007-01-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

Check out the live pinball action on this video! The fun of this year's winter in the Northwest just keeps on comin'! I've had about all of the ice and snow I can take for a while---I promise, I'll NEVER gripe about the "45 degrees and rainy" again. (Well, at least not for a while.....).>^..^< >^..^<

Look what I.....uh, WE got!!

2007-01-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

Recieved a fun box from my Winter Wonderland Swap pal, Dawn! This was my first knitting swap, so I was excited to receive the box! Look at all the fun stuff she sent...You can't see them in the picture, but there are some really pretty red opalescent stitch markers on top of the angel cloth in the middle. I also love the SnC yarn colors she sent!I barely had time to arrange and admire all of my

Happy New Year...and more felting!

2007-01-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

Happy 2007 to everyone! Hope you all had fun ringing in the New Year in your own way. I spent a quiet evening at home with hubby and the minions on New Year's Eve, which was fine with me!Had fun working on a few little fun projects between Christmas and New Year. I loved the felted mini-baskets I made a couple of months ago so much, I'm making more in larger sizes to see if they come out as well

Should I be worried.....?

2006-12-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

Here's the fortune cookie I got today......hmmmmm......not sure if I like this! I guess I'll be staying away from the doctor until he gets out of rehab..... My Fortune Cookie told me: Your doctor is looking unsteady because he has been hitting the gin. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune >^oo^< >^oo^< meeeee-oooowwwww!

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

Haven't had much time for posting this week----lots to do to get ready for Christmas! I'm so excited because my Winter Wonderland Swap partner, Jeremy, received her gift box already! I'm amazed at the speed of that delivery to Illinois since I just mailed it on Monday afternoon! She posted on the swap site about her gifts, which was a nice surprise for me when I clicked on to it---The most joy of

Do I get credit for UN-knitting my projects?

2006-12-14T15:32:00.000-08:00

How is everyone's holiday knitting coming along? I'm in the negative zone at the moment, since I ripped out not one, but two WIP's this past weekend. R.I.P. Frog Tree Alpaca Cape Cod Shells scarf, and Fleece Artist curly mohair/silk triangular shawl.The alpaca scarf has been asking for it for a while. I started it over twice already, and then it went and hid a stitch from me after I had very

It's finished felting day!

2006-12-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've been having fun with felting for the past week, and now I'm finally posting the pictures....Here is my first booga bag for Norovember. I actually finished in November, but didn't get around to the picture-taking until the weekend.I really like how the colors turned out, but I'm not so sure I like Kureyon for felting bags of any substance. It is a yarn that has thick and thin areas, and it is

A 2nd Meathead and crazy weather in Seattle

2006-11-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

The weather this week in Western Washington has definitely been crazy! We've had everything from wind to rain to snow to ice to freezing rain----all in five days! I can't remember the last time I saw snow and ice on the ground continuously for that long around here. I also can't remember temperatures in the teens and below with the wind chill. Brrrrrr!I think I've recovered from the trauma of our

It was such a lovely weekend in Victoria, until.....

2006-11-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

It was such a lovely and relaxing weekend in Victoria, BC. Here was the view of the inner harbour from our room window...And here is the fun and delicious gift that was waiting for us in our room when we arrived....The large teacup is made of chocolate and is filled with chocolates and dried fruits. The small cups are chocolates as well. In the center is a canister of the Afternoon Tea Blend

A finished Meathead, and words of wisdom from the Divine Miss M

2006-11-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

My Meathead KAL hat is finished! I had to think a while about what kind of embellishment I wanted to add. A crocheted or felted flower was my first thought, but that didn't seem enough to make my hat unique---lots of flowers on hats already! So I decided to pay tribute to what makes each of us (and our meathead hats) unique in our own little way.....This is supposed to be a picture of the tag

Norovember Booga Bag progress

2006-11-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

Here's my booga bag, almost finished and about to be felted! You can see the tiny tidbit of yarn let to finish the last of the I-cord, but I did finish without using the extra skein. (thank you to blogger for cutting off the bottom of the picture...).

Okay, I'm an idiot....

2006-11-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

After a surprisingly short search yesterday, I actually found a LYS that had a skein of Kureyon in the same color and lot number! I was pleasantly surprised. I brought it home and began working on the I-cord bag handles, starting with the scraps I had left, of course.Knitting along, one I-cord completed with yarn on hand ......hmmmm..... maybe this yarn is going further than I thought it would. I

I ALWAYS buy extra yarn.....except this time....

2006-11-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

Of course, the inevitable happened----I'm just a little bit short! Aaaaack!For the first time, probably ever, I bought the exact amount of Noro Kureyon that the Booga bag pattern called for. Very seldom have I ever needed to use the extra I buy, so this time, I bought only what was stated on the pattern. Let THAT be a lesson to me! I can't believe this, but I am actually short of what I need

Socktoberfest dropout....On to Norovember!

2006-11-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, so call me a Socktoberfest dropout....I finished nary a pair of socks for Socktoberfest. But today is a new day...in November.....so in keeping with my never-flagging optimism that I will finish the project I intend to work on this month-----On to Norovember!! Here is my lovely new Kureyon stash, hopefully to become a lovely felted bag.And just so you know I didn't sit complely idle in

Happy Halloween!

2006-10-31T09:26:00.000-08:00

Official Halloween Ballband!! :) After the ballband bug bit me, I immediately had to cast on a second one, and decided that Halloween was a good color inspiration.........and making his first appearance on this blog, the Official Halloween Minion! This is Minicat (he's not really that mini, but that's a long story...). He's also known around here as "The Supervisor." The supervisor must, without

Still lookin' for my fall knitting mojo....

2006-10-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

It seems that my "fall is here, it's time to get knitting!" energy has not quite hit yet. I've been working on a few projects....a little bit....but my poor Socktoberfest socks have fallen sadly behind the pack---not much progress on those poor babies.I have, however, been outdoors a bit, enjoying the last few days without rain in Seattle. A couple of weeks ago drove up to Stevens pass to try to

Friday the 13th Gremlins, anyone?

2006-10-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday the 13th to all! Has anyone had an appearance of those Friday the 13th gremlins? If so, let me know what form they took!So far, so good around here----but the day has only just begun! So far, it's another sunny day here in 'the convergence zone' (amazing, to say the least...). That's a good start, anyway!Okay, so on to the important stuff (knitting, of course...):Continuing to have

Fall is here...

2006-10-12T12:58:00.001-07:00

fall hydrangeaOriginally uploaded by twominions. It's finally beginning to really feel like fall here in the Great Pacific Northwest. It's already the middle of October, but the leaves are just beginning to turn color here. I'm enjoying the last of the huge and lovely Limelight hydrangeas as they turn color in my tiny garden. Today we are having what is probably one of our last warm, sunny days

My Socktoberfest Sock History

2006-10-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the Spirit of Socktoberfest, here are the answers to my sock knitting "history." (If you can call a few months a history...). That being the case, I feel a little silly answering questions about my history, but in the spirit of the festivities, here goes:When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? I started