staburies!

Yesterday, we decided to take a little break! We knew it was about time for Strawberry picking, and I looked online after I got up to find that it was the first day! So off we went at 8:30 to head over to Butler's Orchard. We spent all of 20 minutes there, until we had so many strawberries that we'd never get through them. Last night, to use some of the berries up, I made some chocolate fondue (with the chocolate block I got from Melting Pot when we went there for our Anniversary). I had to share this picture of my Celia, who REALLY enjoyed her strawberries and chocolate (she calls them "Staburies")

It's official!!

We closed on the new house this morning!! We are home owners again!!! Woo hoo!!!

AND to top that off, last night i was packing some dishes, and had to resort to using news paper. When opening it up, out fell the ads. Usually there is one for Kohl's, and Michaels. I don't always get one for Michales though, so when out fell a stack of paper from Michaels I was thrilled! I looked at it more closely this morning, to find that it wasn't a little booklet advertisement. It was NINE separate advertisements for Michaels...all with 40% off coupons! I'm in Michaels heaven!! YEAH!!

Ok...I think the excitement is a little exaggerated by the two margaritas I had over our celebratory lunch. ;)

no luck

I had fun at the craft fair, but didn't sell much. I actually only sold one set of stitch markers and that was it. The funny thing was that across the parking lot was a yarn shop! I walked in, and mentioned to the owner that I make beaded stitch markers, and she offered to sell them on consignent for me. ;) So it was at least a bit of a success!

Today we were supposed to close on the townhouse, but it got postponed to wednesday. It was a good thing too, because I would have gotten everyone there sick. Unfortunately I have a stomach virus, and have been completely out of commission today. Fever, head ache, and spending all day in the bathroom or sleeping- not much fun.

Mount Airy Mayfest!

I'll be sharing a booth with a friend who does stained glass, this weekend at the Mt. Airy May fest! Our booth is located down from the Mt. Airy Pharmacy, booth #120. If you are in the area, stop by and say hi!!

keeping busy!

My SP asked me to post some pics of what I'm working on, so here goes!!

Here are a few examples of what I'll be adding to my etsy store:

Stitch markers!! I now have about 50 sets of 4 or 5!!




Cards!! I think I have about 150 cards now! Some are in sets, some are singles! I did post a few on my store, they are actually dated as February, and they are great for knitters! Rocking Chair, with a pretty quilt, next to a basket with yarn and knitting needles!







Bracelets!! I think I have about 75 now. Here are just a few!

bracelets, stitch markers and cards... OH MY!

I had a productive weekend! Friday night I stamped out about 100 images, and water colored them in, so they are mostly ready to be placed on cards! Then sunday, I made about 15 more bracelets, and 20 sets of stitch markers! I'm making loads of progress for this weekend! Unfortunately it doesn't leave much knitting time, but I'll make up for it next week!

Sheep and Wool part 2

I had some pics I still wanted to post, so here goes!!

I lifted these from Saun and Zarah. Finally, I'm posting not one, but two pictures of me! I usually hate pictures of me, but these aren't that bad! And the company is cool! Saun was the woman I spoiled during SP6, and Zarah was one of the ladies in my group of participants for SP7! Too cool to meet these people!




Then some more shots of my other purchases (yes, there were more)...
This is my new drop spindle, I LOVE IT! I've got the green merino roving on it now, and some pink merino I got from Ebay on my other little spindle that Kelly gave me.


And this, is my favorite purchase. This is Tess' Designer Yarns cultivated Silk/wool. I started working with this the second I got home. I'm making the Streakers Shawl from spring 2006 IK. I love how it's coming out so far!



Now for some yarn porn. When I dream about MS&W, this is what I dream about:





And lastly, here is a pic of my little girl and my mom. Thanks so much for coming down to the festival with me! I can't wiat for next year!!!

crafts and packing!!

The last few nights, I've spent a bit of time packing! We have tons of boxes to fill, which I doubt will be any problem. I'm making a lot of progress! Nathan has been taking Celia to the playground, allowing me an hour each night to pack. I got so much done last night!

I've also been working on making lots of bracelets, stitch markers, and cards for the Mount Airy Mayfest craft festival that I'm doing next weekend. I'm sharing a table with a friend, and I don't have enough stuff to sell! I'm working on it though, and I've definitely added a lot more to my stash. After the festival, I'll be posting a lot of it on my Etsy store, and will be offering discounts to the Secret Pal 8 participants!

MS&W 2006!!

All I can say is WOW! I went to Maryland Sheep and Wool last year, and had a blast! But this year, I had even more fun and bought more yarn! My mom and I met at her hotel and had breakfast, before heading out to the festival. We got there at around 8:45, and it was already crowded! I stopped off at Tess' Designer yarns first, and turned in my sample:

For payment for making the tank, I got this:
The yellow/purple/blue superwash merino will be a sweater for Celia, and the sock yarn will be for socks for me!











Then we wandered over to the main building. So much fiber everywhere!! I went to the Koigu booth and got this:











Then we wandered some more and I got these:


wool roving!!















Alpaca!!
















Merino!!












After some shopping, we needed a break! Here is my mom, having some water. It was hot!


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At 1:30, I wandered over to the grassy knoll where the knitbloggers were meeting up! I didn't stay long, since I was exasuted and had lots more shopping to do!

My SP8 Questionnaire!

Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love most natural yarns. I am not a big fan of acrylic, but some of the novelty yarns are fun. I do love alpaca, merino, and other really soft yarns. I love Koigu, Lorna's Laces, Debbie Bliss, Manos de Uraguay, and most of KnitPick's yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My SP7 made me a needle case for my straight needles, so I use that. For circs, they are in a CD case. My Double Pointed needles stay in their orig. packaging so I don't get them mixed up.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting since I was 5, but seriously for 2 years. I'd say I'm intermediate, and not afraid to try anything!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, I do, but it really needs to be updated.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavendar Vanilla, from Bath and Body Works aromatherapy line.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh yes! I love chocolate, and fruity candy (Twizzlers, sweet tarts, spree, skittles, starburst)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am an avid scrapbooker, card maker, rubber stamper. I also do beaded jewelry/stitch markers, quilting, photography and cooking. I am starting to spin now, and AM HOOKED!!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have an iPod and iBook, so MP3s are good! I listen to most types of music, except for country music. I love Rock, pop, and metal. My favorite bands are Barenaked Ladies, Guster, Great Big Sea, They Might be Giants, and Dave Matthews Band.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love blues, greens, purples pinks. I really dislike orange, and many bright yellows.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married, with a 2 year old daughter. I've got 2 cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I love scarves, mittens and hats. Ponchos I'm not sure about, but don't dislike them.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Lately it's been socks. And clothes for my daughter.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Too many things to mention! I've got Clapotis going, two pairs of socks, three sweaters (two for my daughter and one for me), a scarf or two, and the Flower Basket Shawl. And I just started the Streekers Shrug from the spring IK out of Tess' cultivated Silk/wool that i got at MS&W

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circulars that are bamboo, but use anything but plastic.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope, but hope to some day.

17. How did you learn to knit?
My aunt and my mom taught me when I was 5.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a year old

19. What is your favorite holiday?
my birthday!

20. Is there anything that you collect?
poodles, shot glasses, pins (especially from different places/countries)- I have a baseball cap that I put them on, and wine. My husband and I have a nice wine collection. We buy a bottle every where we go!

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
For books, I'd say One Skein looks great! I'm also really wanting to give dyeing a try. I do have Interweave Knits as a subscription (thanks to my SP6!). And for needles, size 1, circulars that are LONG (about 40 inches) for the magic Loop method.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to get better at spinning. And lace, my Flower Basket Shawl needs some major help! And Dyeing, I really want to make hand dyed sock yarns!

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I'm not sure, I'll find out and change this later. I wear a 10 wide.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
June 25th. And I'll be 30 this year! Argh!

Sheep and Wool!!!

Ok, I have a serious problem. I'm way too excited for Maryland Sheep and Wool! I kept dreaming about yarn last night, and patterns were flying through my head. What to buy for? What to look for? I feel like a kid before Christmas! I saw the forcast this morning, and it looks like it will be about 75 and sunny!! I'm so relieved! I would have still gone if it was pouring, but this makes it better. I'm still debating on whether to bring Celia with me. She'd love the animals, but I'm pretty sure she'd crash before I will be ready to leave. Maybe I'll take her out there sunday after my mom leaves... something to think about. Then I'd get to go twice!

SnB

It's been months since I've been able to go to the SnB at Panera! It looks like I'm finally going to get to go tonight!

done!

I finished the sweater for Tess' Designer Yarns! I really like it, too! I just wish I could try it on, but it's a medium and I don't want to stretch it out. ;)

It looks really nice though, the only thing I had trouble with was picking up the stitches for the collar. The microfiber ribbon is slippery, so I had to use a crochet hook to do it. Overall, I'm very pleased with it. Not bad for a first shot at sample knitting!

4 more days!!

Just 4 more days until Maryland Sheep and Wool!! I am SO excited! I keep thinking of what to buy, what I want to make next, and the like. This is going to be so much fun! And I get to go with my mom, which will make it even better!