Taking the plunge

For a few weeks, I've been making sets of stitch markers in my spare time. I had gone to the local bead store (which has amazing beads!) and picked some beautiful glass beads that I thought would be neat as stitch markers. Since I love to do crafty things, I decided to open up a little online store to sell them. This allows me to make more, instead of having a stock pile of enough for 20 people! And I've also recently started making cards too, so I decided to throw some of those up to see if they take off. I love them! There will be a lot more over the next few weeks, I just wanted to get things rolling.

My store is here: Shelby's Stitch Markers and Cards. I'm offering a special to all participants of SP7! I'm giving a 10% discount and free shipping, plus I'll gift wrap and fill out a gift tag, as well as ship directly to your pal if you'd like. I hope you like them, I had a blast making them!

Stash enhancement

I finally went over to Woolwinders this afternoon to use the gift certificate that my mom got me for Christmas. I think I was there for at least 45 minutes trying to decide what to get! I knew that I wanted some Koigu for socks, and that I wanted to get some Noro to try (I love the colors). I had so much fun looking at everything, coming up with ideas of what to make with things, and here is what I settled on:



I got some Regina sock yarn, Noro Silk Garden for a scarf (I think), two skeins of Wool In the Woods, (I'm not sure what I'll use this for yet), and two different colors of Koigu for socks for me! I made Celia a sweater out of Koigu a while back and it is so soft! I am totally spoiling myself with that. ;) Then the three buttons in the baggie are for this:



Then after I put everything away, I took a picture of my stash. And the funny thing is that I have a plan for just about everything in there! Now I'm DONE buying yarn until S&W. :)

YAY!!!

I'm SO excited! I just got the ticket confirmation that my mom is coming down to go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival!!! I'm so excited! Last year when I went I couldn't help but think how much she'd love it, and I'm thrilled that she's going to come down for it! Loads of yarn will be had!

misc

The four team's I'm debating between for the Knitting Olympics. I am sure that caffeine, chocolate and merlot will all be consumed throughout my two weeks! Then there is the national loyalty. So I'm thinking, and will make a decision soon!

SP6!! Thank you!!

I'm finally posting a picture that is LONG due! A while ago I received my last package from my SP6! I already blogged about it, the subscription to Interweave Knits (I got the first issue a few weeks ago and have added several projects to the To Do list), the Vogue knitting accessories book, measuring tape and pendant cutter. Here is the pic of my gifts!




Thanks Angella!!!

3 buttons and a C

I'm almost done with my daughter's alphabet sweater!! It looks fantastic! It is obviously a little longer in the back but it actually isn't too bad. I am so proud of it, and can't wait for her to wear it. I'm definitely posting a pic as soon as I buy and sew on buttons!

Knitting Olympics

I was inspired by Yarn Harlot to join her
Knitting Olympics I'm really excited about it, I'm taking the opportunity to finally do the Flower Basket Shawl that I bought the yarn/pattern for months ago but have been afraid to touch. This should be fun!

It's friday!!

Last night, I made it to SnB for the first time in a long time! I'm hoping to start going every week now that my husband is getting home at 5:15 instead of 7. I had an awesome time, and I even finished the first of my mom's socks. Now just 1 more to go!

Last night after I got back, I picked up the Alphabet sweater, and started picking up the stitches for the collar. I got one row knit up, and ran out of the skein I was using. I put it down since it was late anyways, and went to bed. This morning I went to my stash and looked for the last ball of yarn, and I can't find it anywhere! I am going to have to count tonight, but I think I may have used all of the yarn up. If that's the case, I'm not sure what I'll do because I doubt I'll be able to find the same dye lot, and I only have a bit left to knit, and then I need to sew it togheter. I'm hoping to find the last ball tonight when tearing my stash apart.

happy, happy, joy, joy!!

Yay!!! Happy day!! My husband, whom I love dearly, starts his new job today! AND, it's only 10 minutes from our house! You have no idea how much this means. Up through last week, Nathan worked in Fairfax, VA. Which doesn't seem like it would be that far away, about 35 minutes in no traffic. But add rush hour onto it, and it makes for a LONG, hour long drive into work, and hour and twenty minute drive home at night. He would get home at 6:15-6:30 on a good day, closer to 7 if it rained. Now, he'll be leaving later (which means more morning time with Celia!), and getting home earlier, closer to 5!! I'm so excited that I'll actually be able to spend time with my husband now! And he's going to be able to see his daughter in the evenings when she's in a good mood and not just twenty minutes before she crashes for the night.

This will change our lives in many ways. One of them is that I'll actually be able to join in on the NoMoCo SNB again! I haven't been in months, since Nathan's commute got bad once school started again. I am really looking forward to going to Panera again on thursday nights. I had met some really neat people, and I can't wait to see them again.

FO update: I felted my booga bag! I absolutely love how it turned out! I thought it would have shrunk much more but it's still a good sized bag. Not too big, and not too small. I LOVE it! I'll post pictures tonight, really I will!!

Lots of progress

One sure fire way to get lots of progress done on many WIPs is to come down with Strep throat. I was home with my sick daughter monday and tuesday, and then went back to work wednesday. Thursday morning I knew instantly that I was sick, so I was home thurs and friday. Thankfully I slept a lot, and did some work from home- but the most exciting part was to veg, and knit. I managed to get most of one sock done, part of the pair I"m making for my mom out of Knitpicks Parade yarn, and I really like working with this yarn! It goes fast, I got gauge on US3 DPNs, and I love the colors of the stripes. Thankfully my mom's feet are way smaller than mine, so keeping them for myself really isn't an option. ;)

I've gotten out all of my matches for SP7, mainly done early last week. No major issues yet, which is great, though I expect to be more busy after the next few weeks when things are going well. I think I'm going to try to hostess again next round, I'm having so much fun this time. It's neat to get to meet so many other people from all over in this process. Definitely fun...at least so far.

Last night, we went out! Our friend Rob came and watched Celia while Nathan and I went out for dinner. Nathan chose a Seafood restaurant, which was incredible. We were done at 7 and decided that it would be really pathetic ot head home right then, so we went wandering around the mall for a bit. Home by 8:30, which was at least a little respectable. Thankfully Celia was in good hands, and she was sound asleep when we arrived home.

I wish I was one of the lucky ones to have tomorrow off, but nope. I have to work. Bah humbug.

heartbreaking.

I finally finished the front to my daughter's Alphabet Sweater (from one of Debbie Bliss' books)!! I went to sew the shoulder together, and I noticed something odd, the front is MUCH smaller than the back. I look at the cables, and there are the same number of twists. Then I look at the tightness of the stitches. This is where my problem is! I love this sweater so much, and I've taken about 6 months to make it, maybe more. Apparently in the time I've been knitting this sweater, my knitting style has changed a bit. I'm much tighter of a knitter. The back is probably two inches wider and longer than the front. Unfortunately this sweater has taken a long time, and I need to put it together now, instead of re-knit the back or front to match. Just my luck. I am not sure if it will work, but I"ll try anything.

Fun stuff!

I'm having so much fun picking pals for my group! I'm just about done, and will hopefully get my e-mails out tonight/tomorrow! It's cool to learn about new people and being a hostess seems to be a great way to do that! I'm so glad (for now) that I signed up to be a hostess.

My SP7 Questionnaire!!!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
My name is Shelby and I'm a yarn snob. It's sad, but true. Though I am a strong believer that every yarn has it's place.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't do either, but am DYING to learn how to spin.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
a drawer in a plastic wheel cabinet.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've reallly been knitting for a year and a half. I'd say I'm intermediate skill level.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have an amazon wishlist.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
vanilla, floral, citrus, most anything. My favorite is Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Lavendar Vanilla.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, yes, yes!!! I love orange chocolate, anything chocolate peanut butter or chocolate-caramel, sweet tarts, starburst and twizzlers.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
scrapbooking, card making, photography, quilting, and of course knitting.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I tend to like canadian bands, like Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, and I also love They Might Be Giants, Dave Matthews and the like.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Blues, purples, greens, browns and greys are my fave's. I hate orange and yellow.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
married with one daughter (almost 2 years old), and 2 cats (almost 4 years old).

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yup!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
anything soft. I love Manos, and I've been in a handpainted yarn kick lately. And I'm loving all I've ordered from KnitPicks.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
anything scratchy. And most acrylics.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
scarves, fingerless gloves, socks.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
baby sweaters for my daughter, socks, fingerless gloves, scarves

17. What are you knitting right now?
Too many things to count. Three baby sweaters, Clapotis, a poncho, Flower Basket Shawl, socks, several scarves, and several others that I can't remember.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YES! Especially socks, or things that use skills I haven't figured out yet.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
bamboo

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
nope.

22. How did you learn to knit?
My aunt taught me when I was 5. I picked it up on and off for years, but it stuck last year.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
1 year

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
poodles. I had 2 growing up and LOVE them!

25. What is your favorite holiday?
thanksgiving.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
yarn, cool fabrics, rubber stamps.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave Knits (thanks to my SP6 Angella!).

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
circs for magic loop or socks on circs, yarns would be manos or koigu

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
magic loop or socks on circs, more aran techniques, and lace

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I"m trying to be. I have a size 10 wide foot-thanks to having my daughter

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
06/25

32. Allergies?
I'm allergic to hayfever, and cigarette smoke- it gives me nasty migranes.

crap

I'm sick. I really hate being sick. I was feeling so crappy that I even went to the doctors. I had the same thing three months back, and they gave me a shot (which I hadn't had since I was little), and oral antibiotics. Well, this morning I woke up and knew I was sick again so as soon as I could break away from meetings at work, I called and made an appointment. There was no way I was going to be stuck over a weekend again having to go to a clinic and pay out of the nose for service because they are "not participating" in my insurance plan. I stopped at the store on my way home, and got my script filled, and did some shopping. I got home and did the sort of the SP7 participants, and by the time I was done, I was so nauseous. I forgot that some antibiotics do that to me, especialy strong ones. So I managed to lay down and watch TV for about 20 min before Nathan got home with Celia. Then I went upstairs and layed down. Mind you I was watching a re-run of Gilmore Girls on ABC family. This is one of my favorite shows. I never let anything interrupt it, so you know I'm not feeling well. I came upstairs and got under the flannel sheets, freezing. I definitely have a little bit of a fever (100.4). AND I got my first of 2 packages from Amazon.com today, including "At Knits End, meditations for women who knit too much", and my head hurts so I can't really read much (though I did get through 40 pages). I'm going to bed. And hopefully will feel better tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath. Sometimes I really hate being a woman.

Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful time in Buffalo! It was really good to get there and see everyone and we had a very productive visit! Unfortunately before we left on thursday to head up, I noticed that my knee was really tight a bit sore. By the time I got to Buffalo (after doing about 5 hours of the 7 hours of driving), my knee was swollen to the size of an orange. After I went dress shopping (I'm the matron of honor in my friend's wedding), my knee was so swollen that I could hardly walk. It was like that through today, and is finally starting to reduce a bit. I can actually put osme weight on it now without too much trouble. I will probably still need to use crutches for a day or two, but at least it's getting better. Needless to say, it's my right knee so I managed to get a lot of knitting done int he car yesterday on the way back to maryland. I got most of a scarf done, and most of Celia's hat. Both are projects that I started in the last few weeks, but really wanted to get done. Of course, I'd post pictures but I managed to leave my digital camera in Buffalo at my mom's house. So I have to wait for UPS to deliver it for me. Then I'll post pics!

When I was home, my mom asked me to make a pair of socks for her. I ordered some yarn from Knitpicks last night so I can make the socks. Of course, so I can avoid shipping costs, I ordered some more double pointed needles in sizes I've been needing (since they were on sale!), and some sock yarn for me too. I will not post pics of her socks or yarn until she receives the socks (hopefully for her birthday in a month).