Yarn Wanderings

i've moved

2005-04-27T17:39:00.000-05:00

i did say yesterday that i was back, and i am, i've just moved.
check me out here: http://livefully.blog.com
see you there!!

i'm back!!!

2005-04-27T07:23:00.000-05:00

hello again,

i've decided that after being gone from blogging for a loooong time that i am ready to put blogging back into my life.

i love reading about 20 blogs a day and i miss not being in this loop.

i've decided that i will make my focus blogging about knitting and the wanderings of life.

looking forward to a new and fresh start.

Friday!!!

2004-12-10T17:36:00.000-06:00

yeah! it's friday. 71/2 school days till christmas break. do you think i'm ready?
no real news here. but i must blog every few days if i'm going to stay in the habit, right?
tonight my new grandson, daughter and son in law are coming to here.... to grandma's house!!!!!!! lots of new firsts....
we are having a brunch here tomorrow for the grandson. about 25 guests. that will be so fun.
not a lot of news on the knitting front. i'm working on my first christmas stocking from the dec martha stewart magazine. just started it last night. fun thing to work on.
i was looking forward to coming home from work today and relaxing and working on the sock. always fun to have a knit to look forward to at the end of a day.
happy weekend!!!!

Trying to Beat the Christmas Clock

2004-12-08T21:08:00.000-06:00

not much knitting done since last post. we threw our annual christmas party last saturday night. about 35 guests. busy, but fun. then the next morning i left for michigan to visit with my daughter and the new grandson!!!!!!!!! great fun.
i have most of my realistic christmas knitting done. i did see on another blog the cute martha stewart christmas socks and picked up the magazine and tonight i'm looking thru my stash to see what i can find to do a stocking for the little grandson.
hopefully i can "pull that off" too.
this weekend, on sat we are having a brunch to show off the grandson to all our friends so i'm busy with that planning. then the parties are over and i can settle in and enjoy the holiday. and hopefully lots of knitting.
have a great rest of the week!!!!!!!!!!

I'm spoiled!!!!!!!

2004-12-04T07:38:00.000-06:00

okay......i have the BEST sp3 in the world!!! i'm not kidding!! i just got another package from her and not only has she gone over the top, she has sent me dreaming things that are "so me" without me being a very good blogger and giving her continual info about me.
first, i want to say: thanks, thanks, thanks!!!!!!!!! then i want to say: sorry, sorry, sorry!!!

want to hear about all the goodies my great sp3, danielle from oregon sent ?
the package was soooooooo heavy!! (danielle, did you hear my shouts of delight across the miles?)
everything was wrapped so cute with a little note of her thoughts attatched to each item. first there were 3 balls of yummy, cotton ball soft, baby alpaca. in baby blue!!!! my theme color this year!! and my sp didn't even know, since my last post, that my DH bought me baby blue uggs!!! wow!!!!!! so i know what the blue alpaca is going to become, a fluffy scarf to match.
next, 3 balls of some creamy white, jo sharp, dk wool. (ps D the movie is "somethings gotta give) i've never knit with jo sharp before, but i've fondled it many times and i just bought one of her books a few months ago. (D how did you know?) the book is called Gathering and i think i may make one of the cable "jenny hats" , that will only take a little over one ball, and then maybe some matching, wrist warmers with the leftovers, fabulous!!!
two skeins of "socks that rock" yarn. i've never heard of this yarn, but i'm in love! i think it's from blue moon fiber arts. the colorway is farmhouse. i have these dreams of one day visiting Paris and so my sp said in her note that it reminded her of a beautiful paris sky. yes. so this yarn has to be knit into the clapotis on knitty.com. while i'm knitting it i will pretend to be that cute girl in the picture sitting at the paris cafe.
oh, i'm not done yet. three knitting books. yes, i did say three!!! and can you believe i don't have any of them!!!! (and my book collection is deep and wide). the vogue knitting will be a wonderful and helpful resource. lilly chin's book is something i looked at many times, but have never taken home. the the monkey suits book will give me great ideas for my new little "monkey" that i now have to knit for, my grandson. i look forward to spending some time looking thru these great books.
also, thanks for the "sock" stitch holders. i've had some here and there but i think my cats think they are toys and so they dissapear. the foot soak looks yummy too.
whew......okay.........i'm done!!!!!!! THANKS is not enough.
i look forward to my christmas break knitting projects. which will be the sp projects just mentioned. right now i'm finishing up christmas gifts and hadn' thought of what i would do for me after that. now i know. and all are projects that i will wear this season, so i'm itching to get started. i'll keep you posted.
thanks again, and my new years resolution is to begin to blog again!!!!

Happy Christopher Day

2004-10-11T10:13:00.000-05:00

Thanks Chris for discovering America and thanks for the day off!!!
Today I plan to, after I get off the couch, get off line, do a few things around here, and get into the shower, do a bit of shopping.
It's nice to have a day in front of me with not too much that I have to do. My first stop will be to the Gap to make a return and of course "check out" what's new there. I think I will go to the Body Gap and see if I can find a cute pj set for my daughter, who we are still waiting for the grandson, birth day. I remember how fun it was, those first few weeks after that first baby, sitting around the house and not having to get dressed. I think she would enjoy some new jammies. I'll look for front button ones because she plans to breastfeed.
Then I NEED to stop at DSW shoes. I love that store because you can walk in there, scan the rows of shoes, try on in two seconds and you're out. Then on to my favorite place, Trader Joe's. I haven't stocked up from there in over a month. Yum1
The DH is out of town working till Weds. so i have that "on my own" feeling. Sometimes that's fun.
Over the weekend we went to see Ladder 49. Wow!!! Great movie, very emotional, I will never look at Firefighters the same way again. It's a must see.
In knitting news, I'm still working on Klaralund. The front and back are done, and I'm over 3/4 of the way done with the sleeves. I'm working them together. That's always great because when you're done you're done. Then seam and wear her. Hopefully by the end of this week.
Not working on anything else at the same time, but I have my list.
I have had no luck finding the new Rebecca magazine at any knitting shops. There are some new patterns that I think would be fun to look at for the future, but no luck yet. Tonight is the knitting group at the coffee shop so I will probably head over there too!!!
Well if I'm going to get going with my day I think I need to GET GOING! Happy Day!

Yummy Weekend

2004-10-04T14:09:00.000-05:00

What a nice yummy weekend I had. Or maybe I just thought that it was so great because it started for me on Thursday!!! That could be part of it!
Had a lovely time in Michigan with my daughter's co-workers, at her shower. Fun! That was on Thursday evening, then we came home to her place and put away MORE baby things and did loads of laundry in Dreft. Yum! Then tried to decide how to fold all those tiny things. That was so much fun. I told her that I can't wait to see HIM in every outfit!
Slept in on Friday till about 8. That's late for me. Then we went to breakfast at this yummy health food resturant. One of our favorites! On the trip home I did stop very quickly at the Fiber House Yarn Shop in Grand Haven. It is under new ownership and I haven't been there in over a year and let me say that it is not as great as it used to be. Not near the stock. But I did buy enough Noro yarn to make the shawl in the Cornelia Book 2. I can't remember the name of the shawl and my book is not here with me. I choose a verigated yarn that has different soft blue and wine colored shades. Very different. Wish I had a camera! This shawl will be a very quick knit. And I plan to start on it after Karalund.
Speaking of Karalund!!!!! I started working on her when I got home on Friday, just for an hour or so in the afternoon, then the same on Saturday afternoon. And last night was able to "camp out" on the couch, watch tv, and knit! I really have not been able to do that for quite some time. It was bliss! Hubby worked at night last night, left about 4pm and so I was on my own. I have the back of Karalund finished and 2/3 of the front done! I love it. I picked quite colorful Silk Garden but I think I will enjoy wearing that sweater.
On Saturday night hubby and I went to a Mexican resturant for dinner. Yummy again, and wonderful Margaritas:)
I'm suppose to be reading for my book group that is meeting Oct. 22, with the author!, but I have not been doing very well with that. I can't stop knitting in my free time! On Sunday morning hubby and I went to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and while we were waiting I was "shopping around", they have such cute stuff, anyway, I notice a rack of books on tape and CD. You pay $21.00 and then you may use it for one week. At the end of the time you return it and get all but $3.50 back. What a great idea!!! And I think you can return at any store. Great for traveling! Who thinks of this stuff?
Well, that's all for today. Happy October to you!

I'm still alive!!

2004-09-30T09:24:00.001-05:00

I'm a bad blogger! Where does the time go. However, I did lose the last two posts that I tryed to publish. Or maybe I'm just doing something wrong. Sometimes, as you all know, computer land is a frustrating and slow place.

I have taken the rest of the week off. I have been so sick with a cold. I guess it was my turn in the teacher world to get sick. Just about everyone else at school has had a cold. I stuck with it on mon, tues and weds, but realized that if I don't rest my body and my voice this thing is just not going to go away.

On the knitting front I recieved my Silk Garden yesterday from "Brown" (ups)!!!!!! Actually I ordered it from Purl. ( I also ordered and recieved the new book: Knitted Gifts, by Joelle. The owner of Purl. There are some beautiful and fun things in there. ) Yeah! I hope to do a swatch today for Karalund, and be on my way. I will do my first swatch on #7 because I'm a loose knitter. I doubt that I will be using the recommended #8. Silk Garden is sooooo soft. I have knitted with Noro Kreyoun (sp) before. That was a great yarn, but not the softness of SG.

The baby blanket is done! And in little bits of time that I have I'm doing a baby hat with the leftovers. Knitting for a tiny baby doesn't excite me as much as I imagine as, say knitting for a toddler will. I have two of the Wee Knits books that I have been looking at for the future.

Daughter had another DR visit yesterday and everything looks good. Now we are just in those last, few, waiting, weeks!!!! Can't wait for that boy to get here!

I've stopped working on my poncho. I'm rethinking it. I'm about 3/4 done but I don't love it. I think it is because I have done it with Harrisford Wool. Which is beautiful but the poncho will have no "drape". Which is an important thing about ponchos. So before I rip it is sitting, doing nothing, resting in the thinking pile.

I like the felted tote in the Fall Interweave Knits. It is just like one that I saw in the J Jill catalog for $89!!! I've never done any two color knitting. But I have yarn in my stash that I could use for this and it may be a good way to start.

Other than that I only have a red raspberry sweater jacket, that I am designing, on the needles. I have the body and one sleeve done. So I'm well on my way with that. Oh, and a few flowers, for the class I am teaching in later October.
So, that frees me for Karalund!!!! Everyone sayes she's fast.

We are finally getting into sweater weather here in Chicago. Which I'm ready for. I ordered Ugg's online from Nordstrom's months ago and the delivery date was to be sometime around Thanksgiving and just got an email today that the date was changed to Jan 15th!!!!!!!!!
Uck----not ugg!!! Drat!

I'm heading to Michigan tomorrow and on my way I drive by Saugatuck. There was a shop there that had Ugg's at one time. I may have to pull over and check it out. Also there's a yarn shop in Grand Haven that I may have to check out. I'm going alone to a shower for my daughter so when on a solitary road trip, you can do what you want, right?

Have a great knitting weekend! Laurie

Another FO!!!!

2004-09-19T16:30:00.000-05:00

Carla by Rowan, It's a Tape Thing, has been off the needles for some time and waiting to be seamed. I finisher her Thursday night, late. And the exciting part is that I wore her today. I wish I could take pixs but just don't have those capabilities right now. I'm so glad I made this sweater in the brown color that the pattern picture shows. That way she is great for this end of summer/early fall weather.
I made the XS size and the sweater looked too small the whole time I was working on it, but it fits just right! I think I mentioned that I tend to make things too large. Plus, I think this is a sweater that will stretch a bit as it is worn. It looked so cute today with a brown cotton cami underneath and a brown leather with turquois choker.
Everytime I have a new FO it give me inspiration to finish something else. I do need to finish this baby blanket I'm working on for my soon to be here grandbaby. I was suppose to have it done for the shower last weekend, but that didn't happen. But her work is giving her a shower on the 30th so I'm shooting for that date.
My poncho is on the back burner for now. I have a pink sweater that I finished this summer. I added a hood to it but I don't think I like the hood so I'm going to rip that hood of and just make a turtleneck. It is a heavy cotton so I think if I hurry up I could get some wear out of that still this season.
With everyone making a Karlund I would like to try that too. Hummm?
And hubby should really get a sweater this year for Christmas.
I just need more time!!!
Hope everyone out there had a great weekend. The weather here was great!

The Postman Cometh

2004-09-15T17:13:00.000-05:00

Yes he does! And who sayes it is better to give than to recieve? I do think they are equally fun! Thanks SP3! I could smell the lovely scents of the candle and body lotion as I opened the package. The candle went straight into my "girly - shabby chic" bathroom and the lotion on my bedside. I love the Silky Wool. And of course it smells great from the packaging. It will make great flowers. Which is one of my new fun projects. I have just the pattern for it from the Frog Pond site and I would like to try one from the new Rowan Magazines. Great neutral color that will go with anything! I have not knit with the Elsebeth yarns yet, even tho I do have one other skein in an olive green in my stash. I was thinking of someday using the olive for socks. Any left over of the cream that my SP3 sent would be great for toes and heels. Hum..... I feel a cast on coming on! Thanks again!
The lawn mowing got the best of me last night. i.e. no knitting. By the time hubby and I (yes, he helped, eve tho the deal is, he is building the new garage, and I'm mowing this season) were done all we could think about was a shower and getting dinner at the local sports bar and of course by the time we were home I was too tired to knit. Tried to read a few pages of Anna Karenina but the pillow won! I love the pillow!
Speaking of Anna: Oprah, my fav Chicago Gal, announced the newest book, it is The Good Earth. I have not finished Anna. Obviously behind, but the good news is that I read Good Earth last year.....so I'm not behind.....I'm ahead?!?!? right?
This evening, again, there will be no knitting:( I'm having dinner here at the computer and then back to school for Open House this evening. I will crash when I get home. Did I mention that I love my job? I really do!
Oh, and by the way SP, wouldn't you know, I teach Reading and English!!! Not to worry tho, when I'm off the job, I'm off the job! Ask my husband or friends they are always questioning my English. and in email i never use caps or punctuate i love that freedom
Today was a great and fun day! Later, Yarn Wanderings

A Bit More About Me

2004-09-14T14:38:00.000-05:00

That seems like a strange title but with all this SPIII stuff going on I think some people may be interested.
What are my favorite colors?
Well, for my home I like earthy colors: browns, red, fall colors and decorations are some of my favorites. I do have my guest bedroom decorated in "beach and sea colors". When I walk by it I think of Florida, one of our favorite places to visit.
As for yarn colors (clothing)I like blues. I bought these cool new brown and baby blue clogs for fall and a baby blue messinger(sp?) bag. Now I'm on the look out for things to match. I think it will be a blue fall for me. Hum...matching socks!!!!! I do like to knit socks!
All the rest of my clothes are neutrals. I have light blonde hair so black and neutrals are best for me.
What are my favorite things to knit?
I knit a lot of sweaters but I enjoy bags, socks and scarves. And I see a lot of baby projects in my future!!!!
I love to read. I love magazines. I don't watch much tv, except Survivor! And this summer I started watching that new show "The Days" on Sunday nights. It's a good Drama. Oh and of course Oprah. I love her!!!!
That's enough for now.
This weekend we were out of town AGAIN, and I went to a book store and bought the new Suss Hollywood Style Knits and a book called For the Love of Knitting. They both look good. I have not had much time to look at them. This Hollywood Knitting is a lot like the first book, but has a few patterns that look like something I would like to make. And the other book is a history and info book about knitting. I think I will put it on my coffee table and enjoy it a chapter at a time. Beautiful and fun pixs in this book.
This evening I plan to relax in the backyard for a few minutes when I get home from work, then I need to mow the lawn. Drat! And then finish seaming, finally, Carla. at least the weather is still warm enough for me to wear her! Good evening!

Friday!!!

2004-09-03T19:12:00.000-05:00

Wow, I know I shouldn't start out my blog with the facts about how I have not had time to sit and write, but that really is the truth. I think that I am still getting used to working again everyday! But can't complain.
Not a lot of knitting news this week. I'm still working on my fall poncho. I did break down and pick up one at TJ Maxx this week too. They're just so cute and cheap and FINISHED.
I'm also re doing the sleeves on Carla. I did not like the finished product of the two ripped out areas so I changed it to one down the middle. I may have to seam it with other yarn in the same color, from my stash. I'm almost out of yarn!!!! Drat!
Audrey is waiting for here neck lacing. After 4 froggings I'm afraid to work on it in a room with others or a tv. I don't know what's wrong with me. Plus, I think I will be doing it on #5 needles.
I thought I better get going with updating this blog now that I am in SPIII. Just got my gals name and will send something off on Monday. This is sooooooooo fun.
Other questions to answer for SPIII: Life goals? Just to enjoy life as it comes to me. I do have a dream of doing international travel. I dream of Paris, Tuscany, Norway, Germany and I would love to see those places that I see in movies and magazines!!! I love anything Paris!
I also think it would be fun to do some type of a mission trip sometime. Now that my kids are grown and on their own, and I don't teach in the summer that seems possible.
Looking forward to this holiday weekend. We are heading to Michigan in the morning to stay at our daughter's. We will go to the beach, shop, cook out, relax. Only 7 (or so) more weeks until we will be grandparents!! It is so exciting to spend time with family.
Enjoy your weekend. Hum, what project should I pack for the car ride?

Where do the weekends go?

2004-08-29T18:14:00.000-05:00

Where do the weekends go? Sunday evening and just getting ready to shower, put on comfy jammies, and settle in with knitting to watch the closing of the Olympics. Sounds like a great evening, huh?
I did have a wonderful weekend. The dh planned and booked a hotel overnight in Chicago. Even tho we are 25 miles south of the city it is so fun to "get away". Especially when someone else plans it. We stayed at the Congress Hotel. It is so old and so beautiful. We ate out, went to a club, and did some shopping therapy!
At Nordstrom's there are some fun new sock "things". They are a new version of leg warmers. The brand name is Hue, and they are something that us knitters could design. I bought a few different combinations of "cuffs" and "ankles" and "leg warmers". And then they are interchangable and they "button" together. So cool. Now I just have to be brave enough to start wearing them. You know how "new" trends are.
Did not do too much knitting tho. My husband was working downtown in the morning so I did take the train to meet him and took some knitting with me on the train. I wanted something that I could fit in my purse so I started some petals for knitted, felted flowers. Then I will sew them together to make pins. Fun to make! And they will be so cute on a scarf or jean jacket this fall.
I'm so excited about the up coming SP3. This will be my first time around. I suppose I should answer a few of the SP questions that have been posted out there.
1. Am I a yarn snob?
I think so......hand painted, rowan, soy, peace fleece, manos....are some of my favorites.
2. What are my favorite things to knit?
I have been knitting a lot of big projects lately. Many sweaters. Which is great...but I was thinking as I was working on the flower petals, maybe it is time for me to work on some smaller things.
3. What are some of my favorite things, other than yarn?
Well, I love trying new body products. I love candles. As you can tell from the "leg warmer stuff" and the felted flower pins, I have fun with accessories! I like candy. Chewy stuff. Gummy anything!
4. Favorite movies?
My favorite movie recently is Somethings Gotta Give. LOVE IT! Infact I made a off white, cotton, turtleneck sweater this summer with inspiration from that movie. Diane Keaton looked so great in her monochromatic clothing. Other favs: Calendar Girls, Harry Potter, Girl W/ A Pearl Earring, I Capture the Castle.
Well, enough of me for now. I have a bath and knitting calling my name.
Good Night!

Fall is in the air

2004-08-24T21:16:00.000-05:00

Fall is truly in the air for me as I have started back to school. The last two days have been spent in teacher institutes. With only a few moments to knit during speakers. The students arrive tomorrow.
I have had some knitting time in the evenings. Last night with our local knitting meet up at the coffee shop and again tonight while watching the Olympics.
Audrey's "body parts" are finished and seamed together. I'm not the best "seamer". I think I should take a class in this someday. And the neck, lace piece is about 2/3 done. I went down to a size 6 needle, but if I had to do it all over I think I would go down to a 5. The calmer is so stretchy and I am a loose knitter. I'll see how it looks when I have it done and if so I will re-do it. I just hope I can seam that okay!
I've done a few inches on my poncho and in Carla news the body pieces are done. I'm changing the sleeves a bit and they should be done by the weekend. And then I will be nervous about that project, because I will need to seam again.
No work done on the baby blanket. I will concentrate full time on that when these two sweaters are done. That will make a total of three sweaters finished over the summer season!!! Yeah for me!!!
Rainy but very warm weather here in the Chicago area today. The air conditioning is on, but if you looked outside today you would have thought it was cold. Open the door and stick your head out and it is so humid.

Welcome to my spot

2004-08-18T10:09:00.000-05:00

Thank you for checking out my blog spot. I'm brand new to this today. I decided after Wandering thru other"s site I just had to try this myself.

I've learned and been so incouraged by other's sites. I hope that I can be part of that community too.

Just a few days of summer vacation left for me and then back to school (I'm a teacher) and a schedule again. I've done a lot of knitting this summer, but you know how that goes with FOs.

I finished a top down Island Cotton sweater last week. It will be so perfect for the upcoming cool end of summer evenings and at school where the air is on HIGH at all times.

I have just the neck trim to finish on Audrey. I had to order one more ball of yarn.

I have Carla about 2/3 of the way done. She is so quick. I just hope she is not too small. I tend to make things too large, so am trying on every new project to make things smaller. Sometimes this is scary until they are finish.

I'm working on a top down poncho. I'm about 1/2 done with that.

And a baby blanket that needs to be done by 9/11 for a baby shower.

I'm kind of just getting my wings on this blogging thing. Looking forward to the new adventure.