Have y'all met Montague yet?

Montague (and his sweater & hat - SD is really cold!)

No?  Oh my goodness, where are my manners!  Montague... folks.  Folks... Montague.  There, that's better.  What's that?  You can't see him... well of course you can't - I haven't made him yet!  I do have all the proper tools in order to create him and he is alive and well - itching to get going but I just can't until I finish the Hallow's Pullover.

Montague is my motivation.  He is going on a grand adventure once he grows up - all the way to South Dakota!  He is a rather smart mouse and will be headed straight to university.  I bet there is someone up there who will give him shelter whilst he matriculates the days away.  He will more than likely be bearing cookies and treats so I know that some homesick college student will love on him for a cookie.  I know I would have when I was thousands of miles away at university.  Montague will be properly outfitted though - he will have his own hat, sweater and pants - because South Dakota is flipping cold... and he's a Florida mouse so you know he's going to need the added warmth!

Wish him luck - only have one shoulder, two sleeves, one collar and a whole lot of seams left to go on the Hallow's Pullover.  The deadline is the end of the month and fingers crossed, Montague will be on the needles by September 1st!

On the wings of friends

The pattern I submitted - Ears to You

I woke up this morning to a suggestion from a sweet friend.  I admit to scoffing a bit but went ahead and did as she suggested because what was the harm really.  I would submit my design and they would reject it.  Simple as that.  Oh now, I'm not a pessimist, just a realist.  There are a bunch of talented knit designers in the world and I am just a knitter who makes some cute little things every now and again.  Not the same league at all.

So, as I said, I submitted my design and planned on getting a *"TBNT" letter in the next week or so but instead, I got a response!  Yep, an actual response that was written by an actual person who had an actual question regarding my design.  I was floored.  Wow.  They liked it.  They wanted a bit of story as to how and why it came to be... they made my day!  I won't know for a while yet if it is going to be published but I already feel like I've done something big.

It's amazing how high we can soar on the wings of friends.  Thank you Mellie... I love you.

*TBNT is a phrase my daddy uses and it means "thanks but no thanks"

O is for...

One - as in One Skein Projects.

Those are my favorite types of projects to work up when I'm needing a break from my larger items.  Instant gratification is a real firecracker for me.  When things start to lull and I just get tired of working the same stockinette stitch over 200-something stitches, one skein wonders are just the trick to bring my brain back into working order.

Here are a few of my favorite ones - all links point back to Ravelry (like you didn't know, right)...

Mini Key Ring Purse by Kathy Sasser

Swirly Felted Glasses Case by Mary Keenan

Elefante by Susan B. Anderson

Smitten by Julie Weisenberger

TARDIS Socks by Kelandry Bonnett

I hope these little One Skein holidays help you get back your knitting mojo - I know they've helped me many a time.  Now, where did I put that sonic screwdriver?

The process

4 Easy Steps and hopefully, it will lead to success

and if that doesn't work ~ it's a water & white vinegar bath. Fingers crossed, this works... at least it was fun taking the photographs and making the collage.

Sunday Snaps

After two days of beautiful rain, it ended with a glorious sunset.

My love affair with the moon continues

Hobbit, and one sneaky snuggler, enjoyed a bit of veg out time in the final days before school begins.

I am still working on getting on wood fairy fart smell out of my gorgeous yarn.

Buddy has been acting like a puppy recently - I think 3 is a little young for a second childhood.

Made some headway on my shoulder and have plans to finish the front this week - God willing.

As you can see ~ the winning header was 'Make It You' by almost 80% of the vote.  I was floored that practically 60% of you voted.. and voted for my photography instead of the trendy new look.  It was touching and humbling.  I'll be leaving this one up until the change of seasons at the very least... if inspiration strikes, we just might have a fall/winter version creep up for a vote but I'll make sure that it stays to a true reflection of me.

Thank you to all who voted - I love your decision.

Oh, I almost forgot...

It's the last day to vote for the header!  Be sure to click it, right over there under Peanut's smile.  Thanks!

Trendy & Modern

Make It You!

Not with a ten foot poll

Yep, that's a shoulder

It's "Tax Free Weekend" here and the stores are crazy.  Reports have come in that it is almost as bad as Christmas Eve or Black Friday - two more days that wouldn't see me touching a shop with a ten foot poll.  I have many items that I need to purchase but with all the chaos, I would much rather do without until Monday than step foot inside there this weekend.

That totally frees up my weekend so you know what I am going to do... KNIT!  I finally figured out what was going on with the shoulder situation on my sweater.  You see, I have never created a sweater for someone over the age of 1 and the writing of the patterns is completely different.  You wouldn't think so but it's true.  The part that got me was deciphering "right" from "left" because by the time I had gotten to end of the section, it sounded as though the sides had flipped.  This caused quite a conundrum with me this past week.  My knitting had many false starts but now that I have simply bitten the bullet and charged forward, I've got a good idea of where I need to go with it now.

Doesn't it look neat?

So thank you, Gov. Scott, for making it "Tax Free Weekend".  Most people are out fighting over what they can get before everyone else and still walking away with change in their pockets... and I wish them all the luck in the world.  I, however, can finally sit down and finish the front of my sweater without guilt of shirking my errands and responsibilities for knitting... you've given me the most perfect reason and I am very grateful. 

It's the best win-win of the year!

Haiku for presents

I was reading a blog by a straight male knitter, as he puts it, and he is having a cute little giveaway.  I think his writing is always fun and usually leaves me smiling but this idea was absolutely wonderful - if you entice him with your creativity, you might get added to his Christmas list!  So naturally, I wrote him this haiku in hopes of receiving a lace shawl...

Knitting is our escape
Making knots with two sharp sticks
Quiet, I'm counting 

Wonder if it will work?  One can only hope.

Roller coaster of crafty emotions

It's named "Fire Dragon" and so far, it's burnt my hiney!

That would describe me for the past few moments.  You see, I won a fabulous giveaway and the prize was some pretty spectacular looking designer yarn, something that I can't afford so any time I win them, I feel like I've won a million bucks.. but today I feel like the IRS took it all away from me this time.

My yarn arrived this afternoon and I tore the bag open like a kid on Christmas morning.  The color was just as beautiful as I anticipated and the fiber was a good weight and not scratchy... then it hit me - the musky, woodsy scent.  It hit me and I had to hit my inhaler!  Oh no, this can't be happening... who would be so cruel?  I know it wasn't on purpose and I hold no ill will towards the person who awarded me the delicious yarn that, as of right now, I will never be able to use because of the smell.

I know most people don't have asthma.  I know that many people don't have allergies.  I know that I have both and one triggers the other at times which makes for a lovely experience that I don't wish on my worst enemy.  Over the years you learn what will flip the asthma switch and what won't.. that gives a person a sense of control and comfort.  Only once in my entire life have I ever been allergic to a yarn and it wasn't because of a smell - my hands broke out in hives so I simply don't buy that brand any longer and problem solved.

Do you know how to save this beauty and get the stench out?

I am completely gutted that these two fabulous hanks of fibre are currently unworkable for me.  I can't knit with them because the odor is so strong.  I don't know what to do to salvage them either.  I can't throw them in the wash, they'll come out as one big knot.  I really need to research and figure out what can be done - if anything.  This is way worse than the yarn I won that was covered in cat hair!!

So while I dry my eyes and get my wits back about me, let me leave you with this plea - please be mindful of scents and smells because there are those of us in the world who honestly just can't handle them.  We know it isn't malicious but it sure does make our lives awful for a spell.

Sometimes, the absence of a smell is more beautiful than any scent on earth.

UPDATE ~ I contacted the dyer and she stated that she put "essential oils" in the rinse water - if anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it.  Currently, they are sealed tight in a bag with a dryer sheet wrapped around each one and tomorrow I will put them in a pillow case with the dryer sheets on "Fluff Air" to finish them off.  I hope it works but I'm not sure because I've washed my hands three times and the scent is still stuck on them... it is just stomach churning now.

Overjoyed!

We finally got a letter from the school board and Hobbit is allowed to transfer to the other elementary school in the area and they will provide transportation this year!!

Last year was such a nightmare that I was relieved to learn that after 3 years of receiving a "D" grade, the school board will allow transfers to other school at their dime. We got the school we wanted and we're overjoyed.

This doesn't mean that we will stop trying to get her into the charter school for the arts but at least this year we won't have to deal with the ignorance of her previous elementary school.

Something I'll never understand

Magic Kingdom ~ June 2009

I admit to not being as 'worldly' as the next girl but there seems to be a trend, not sure how recent it is but I've just started noticing it, where husbands and wives don't vacation together.  He takes his vacation and she takes hers.  Apart.  Miles away.  Either alone or with their respective friends... but not each other.

Why would anyone do this?  I couldn't imagine spending a night away from Pokey, much less an entire week.  Since our first date, not a day has gone by that we haven't seen one another.  Since we've been married, not a night has gone by that we didn't lay down together to sleep.

The idea of a vacation away from my husband just sounds awful.  Perhaps we are the odd balls here but he feels the same way.  I would much rather spend the entire time together, enjoying one another without having to worry about work or chores.  A time out from our regularly scheduled lives to enjoy our family... not to get away from them.

What's your take on this ~ would you ever take a vacation without your spouse?

Tuesday Tunes bonus track!

I have been waiting months - and now it's here! Enjoy a bonus track on me.

Tuesday Tunes

School is going to be starting up here again soon.  One of my babies will be attending class almost 2000 miles away.  The other will either be attending as school with known issues or embarking on her adventures in an entirely new school - we have yet to learn which way we are fated to go.  Either way, this is a good message to keep in mind as they begin their journeys.

Still playing it fair!

Source

I am going to switch up the header every now and again to make the voting fair.  This week, I have up the "Make It You" option which features my own photography with my knitting and crochet in one of my coffee cups - a complete picture of my crafty self... lol.

This last week, I've had up the new option of "Trendy & Modern" that I created via some mad digital arts skills.  Okay so it wasn't really all that hard but still, I made it and didn't use any type of template or anything.

The poll is over on the right, just under Peanut's smile for my online photography portfolio.  Only a handful of days left to vote!

N is for...

Nifty.

Punchinello Caps for Knitting Needles
via Interweave Knits

There are so many things about knitters that are nifty but I'm going to focus on their giving spirit.  Today, I woke up to find a free pattern in my email from Knitting Daily, Interweave Knitting's email.  You are going to love this pattern because it's sweet, festive, easy and part of the notions is a bottle of wine (well, a cork from a bottle of wine so you can work out the details on how to obtain one).  Just click on the link under the photo and make your own sweet little Punchinello set... it's my gift to you.


Want to join in the fun - click here.

Because it made someone's day

Source

Have you ever done something, anything, for the simple reason that  you knew it would make someone else's day?  It doesn't matter how little or how big that particular something is, it just matters that you do it.

I am one of those people who do random things that most others don't understand because I know it will make someone's day.  I "drop" pennies all the time, verifying the 'heads up' status.  I have been known to drive through a Starbucks and pay for the order behind me.  I reach things on the grocery store shelves that I see others struggle with and come up with change for kids who run short on their purchase.  I am that dorky kind of person that just likes to make others happy - with or without recognition.

A big reason for it is because I have always lived on a very tight budget.  I don't have any wiggle room but we do budget a very small amount that, when saved for a month or so, could make for some wonderful fun.  Nothing extravagant but still a memory all the same - Happy Meals or movies or something.  I know with my knitting, I am always tickled to find patterns that I love for free download.  It isn't often in this world that you can find something beautiful that another person doesn't want to earn a living off of it.

Don't get me wrong, to make a living from designing knitwear or writing or taking photographs would be a dream come true for me... but not everything needs to be sold for profit.  Sometimes, it feels a million times better to just give it away because you know that somewhere, you have just made someone's day... and that is the greatest kind of "riches" a person could ever hope to have.

Sunday Snaps

Started the week with the goal of getting a foot done on my sweater... ready, steady, knit!

We made cookies... Oatmeal Chocolate Chip... they're about gone already!

My happies arrived.  Let me tell you, the right size cable needle honestly makes a difference.

Last night, I made my goal.  Set a new goal of finishing the front and casting on a sleeve by the end of today.

Hobbit's little 'crack thumb'

Thumbkin Cover in action

That's what we call it - her crack thumb.  She is addicted to sucking her thumb.  If her mind is engaged in something else, that little bugger just sneaks its way into her mouth and boom - she's sucking her thumb.  We have been trying to get her to stop ever since her big girl teeth came in but it's hard for her.  So I created this little cover to help her remember to keep her thumb out of her mouth.

I've figured out how to link a pdf file so I have it up and available on Ravelry.  I made Hobbit's out of the Andes yarn I had in my stash.

Hobbit loves it and it has really helped her stop.

The mail has arrived...

I heard a knock on the door and found this waiting for me...

Well hello little box... where are you from?  OH!  Welcome home!!

Ball Winder, Bulky Weight and Lace Weight Cable Needles

Yippee!  I managed to actually put it all together - I am so not mechanically inclined.

Lace and Bulky Weight Needles - I have a full cabling set now.

Sometimes, getting the mail is the best moment of a rainy Friday afternoon.. like today.

Internal struggle... and a losing battle.

Litchfield by Elizabeth Doherty
photo via Twist Collective Fall 2011

Y'all have no doubt heard about my soapbox issue for $6 single patterns before and this is not going to be another diatribe on that subject.  It is, however, going to be a mental hashing out of my desire to own a $6 pdf file that has two patterns on it.  I am honestly conflicted because the rational side of me keeps stating that it's wasteful or frivolous while the yarnoholic craft goddess side screams about how fabulous it is - and it's driving me buggers!

I was scrolling through my regular blog roll when I came across this fabulous pattern in Twist Collective's Fall 2011 collection.  The minute I saw it, I fell in love.  One of those little fan girl squeals escaped from me - Pokey giggled and I was floored.  I never knew that one skein of yarn could make something so utterly, breathtakingly gorgeous.  I wanted it and I wanted it now!  I also knew that I would make this item at least 4 times over - making my quick calculations at *roughly $0.75 earned back at that point.

This was bad... oh so very bad.  My universe was crumbling down around me.  I can't be that frivolous, I just can't.  Pokey and I are rubbish at managing money and I have made it my goal this month to start to get things moving in the right direction.  I had already, in the past three days, squished 4 different shopping dreams because in the big scheme of things, they weren't of value.  So with that kind of track record, what was I doing coveting such a pattern?  Well, it is two patterns for that price but I digress.

Isn't lovely?

Pokey was of absolutely no help.  I told him that I wanted it, almost honestly believed that I needed it, and that his job was to bring me back down to earth.  Do you know what his response was... if you like and you want it, then it's not frivolous or wasteful.  What kind of help is that?!?!  Sure, I can get a good return on this particular investment because I've already got 4 people lined up to receive this lovely - colors chosen and everything - but to tell me that my mindset and position on it is wrong just makes my head explode.

I don't know what to do - I'm lost.  I've spent so much time evaluating the practicality of the single pattern cost (and this is two patterns) versus the pattern book.  Is this is the future of knitting?  Should I just take this baby step and come to terms that every article I want to create is going to cost me $6 if it isn't free on Ravelry?  I don't know what to think about that.. I feel a Scarlet O'Hara moment coming on.

What do y'all think - is it frivolous or is it fine?

*$6/2=$3... 4 recipients/$3=$0.75