Yarn Crawl

Congrats on SP Contest #2!

We had a tie on the best yarn quest story in my SP10 group, according to Judge Jim. Congrats to Eyevea's Place and Knitting by Day, Belly Dancing by Night for winning the contest!!! Jim loved both stories and posted crazy comments on your blogs earlier today.

Because there were two winners, I added another prize: one skein of laceweight Misti Alpaca in color #8105. This is enough to make the famous Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave Knits a few issues back.

The other (and original) prize is two skeins of Regia sock yarn:

Whomever of the two winners I hear back from first gets her choice of the two prizes!

Weekend Update and My Yarn Quest

I feel like I did a lot of knitting this weekend, but no FOs (YET) to show.

I worked a lot on Rusted Root this weekend and have 1/2 of one flower repeat and the ribbing to do on the body, then the few rounds for the sleeves and the neck picking-up. I'm hoping to be done by the end of the week!

Here's a pic I took this morning but I only really accomplished another inch or so after that:

Here it is compared to Green Gable - I haven't tried this one on as I go, but it looks similar enough to GG that I feel comfortable in not bothering to try it on.

I also worked on my Airy Wrap this weekend and got the sleeves done. Currently postponing ripping the back to make it a LOT shorter and trying to figure out how long the front wrap pieces really need to be - the pattern is saying 45", but my waist is about 28" so I'm not sure of this.

For my SP10 group, I emailed everyone about our 2nd contest (which my husband actually came up with - LOL!)

The question was:
Have you ever went out of your way for a particular yarn, driving long distances or searching for months to find it? If so, tell us about your craziest fiber-related quest on your blog before Monday morning (4/16). As Jim came up with the idea for this contest, he is also going to judge the entries on Monday and send the best entry two skeins of Regia sock yarn.

Even though I obviously am out of the running for the contest, my story involves a flight to Baltimore to buy Brooks Farm and Tess Designer yarns at Stitches East. It took place back in November and was chronicled in this blog entry. The Brooks Farm mohair pictured is actually what I'm using for the Airy Wrap.

Oh, and Morton's was great on Saturday night - they had a new martini called the Ruby-tini. Absolut Ruby Red, Ruby Red grapefruit juice, triple sec, and lime. YUM!! This is my new fave.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Happy Friday!

Last night, I worked on Orangina and now have about 8" done. I decided to shorten the first section to 12" instead of 14" and then do the 4" ribbing as normal, so I only have about 4" more on the back to do. At first I was doing SSK decreases instead of the SKP the pattern directs, but I don't think it's noticeable.

I also worked on Rusted Root (no pic) and was amazed (as always) at how fast the rounds seem to go once those sleeve stitches are put on waste yarn. I got about 2.5" done from the last point that I showed (sleeves separated at the armholes.)

As I did the treadmill again this morning and met my goal for the week, I decided that my reward this week would be the yarn for Mentionable and I bought it this morning. I decided on the "Cosmos" variegated dark pink colorway and bought only one 400 yd skein to make the XS size. I have made so many camis and they've come out too large as I didn't choose the size with enough negative ease, so I think this will work well as the XS measures the same as camis I have that fit me well. (Note - I see that the yarn is gone from the Kpixie site now - it truly must be "one of a kind" as they say!!)

Not really huge weekend plans - our stove is working again (it needed some parts, which were still under warranty) so I am actually looking forward to eating at HOME as odd as that sounds. We've been eating out every night and it has been getting expensive as well as a challenge to try to pick things that aren't too fattening as well as watching the portion sizes. If you don't go out all the time, it's not as big of a deal, but when it's every night for 2 weeks straight, it gets worrisome. Hence the worries about the treadmill and all of the salads and Lean Cuisines I've been trying to eat at lunchtime. My only "bad" meal of the day is the one I eat with my "all muscle and bone maybe 2% body fat" husband as I eat things like 1 cup of cereal with skim milk or granola or yogurt for breakfast, and usually healthy lunches like salads or Lean Cuisines. Anyway...however, we are going to Morton's tomorrow night to celebrate a friend's birthday, so I am going to stick to a lean-cut filet mignon and skip the mashed potatoes (they're not that great there anyway) and only have a bite of my favorite Molten Chocolate Cake. Gotta keep those sexy knits looking good!!!

Tomorrow I also have my 2nd serger lesson at my sewing dealer - then the next one (on converting to and using the coverstitch feature) is not until a Saturday in May. I also am going to try to get together with my friend Carrie to knit on Saturday afternoon. And Sunday? Blissful lack of scheduling.

I'm going to try to get my homework problems for my class done later today, and I did work on my big financial analysis paper this week, so I'm pretty decent on the school front.

Have a great weekend!!

Rusted Root Progress and Cast On Fever

I worked on Rusted Root last night and I just separated the sleeves. It's looking good, I think.

I am glad I went with the XS (and then will follow the directions for the S for the straight section, just adding more rounds knitted straight.) This is what I did with the Green Gable and it worked out well. I'd love to make another Wicked following this method, as on that one I made a S but then did a bunch of waist decreases and it turned out kinda gappy around the shoulders. It's OK, because I wear a long sleeve shirt under it to take up some of the bulk, but I think a tighter one without a shirt under it would look better.

Other news - I totally have cast on fever. I've apparently been reading too much of Lara's blog because I now want to make everything she's made. The skirt from Knit Cafe (bought the book for only $11 on Amazon the other day) and Mentionable (which I already have the pattern for, and I think I will spring for the Yarn Botanika soon.) I am going to make at least one square to send to her too. I also want to make a Fiber Trends lamb, even though Easter is over, as I fell in love with the pattern pic of all the little lambs frolicking around. I want to find a pure white feltable wool though, which I think is not an easy thing to find. Any ideas? Oh what else? I want a hairpin lace loom and to make a skirt and wire jewelry on it (yeah, you can do both on it - it's that versatile!) I am the worst person to try to buy gifts for though, because I always buy them for myself!

Along those lines, I decided that each week I'm consistent about doing the treadmill every morning, I will buy myself a little giftie that I've been wanting. This week will be the hairpin lace loom, as I have done it every day this week. Not sure what next week's will be yet. I was doing the treadmill every morning for a long time, and then fell off the wagon for awhile. I just do a brisk walk but at the maximum incline (15 on my Lifefitness treadmill, which was the BEST investment in my health) as I have (controlled) asthma and can't run. I stay on til I burn 200 calories (usually about 22 minutes) and then do a cool down so it's a total of 25 minutes. Not super-long, but I break a sweat, can watch the previous day's episode of Knitty Gritty and decent because I do it every day.

Speaking of gifts, my Secret Pal 10 hostess group is playing nicely together for the most part - I don't have any issues with anyone right now. Yay! Let's hope that stays the case, as I hate being the "bad guy" and following up with people regarding "the rules." It is supposed to be fun, so rules seem counterintuitive to that, but it only stays fun if everyone follows the rules as they're there for a reason.

The Fitted Knits KAL is going great - I added a chat feature to it yesterday and had a fun time chatting with Jeanine yesterday about "all things crafty" as Adrienne and Toya would say. I think it is so cool that a lot of us are crossing over into other crafts besides knitting (although that will always be my primary love) and it is great to talk to so many people about sewing, fabric, patterns, crochet, jewelry making, etc. I love the blogosphere!

April Snow and My Podcasting Debut

This morning I couldn't believe I woke up to this:

If my tulips weren't dead before, they certainly are now!!!

In more positive news, go check out Toya and Adrienne's latest podcast (Inspirational Wednesday) - I had a great time with the interview. I haven't listened to it yet, so hopefully I don't sound too stupid. It was so much fun, I'm thinking of maybe starting my own podcast soon. Stay tuned....

So Sweet!!

Sassy Gina-D from my SP10 group just sent me the greatest package - check this out!!!

I love the little lambs - SO cute! They do not have these anywhere near me, and they are too cute to eat!

I also love the pattern book and card - there are a TON of patterns in here and I didn't have this book yet. She also sent me another giftie that I can't talk about as she's giving one to her lucky spoilee but I love it!

Thank you SO MUCH!

Ines - DONE!

Here she is - this one fits GREAT. Even the sleeves fit. I'm so excited. On this one I really took the time to compare it to a top that fit me well. Love, love, LOVE it.

Thanks as always to Blog Photographer Jim for the great shots!!

Airy Wrap Update and Thanks!

Here's my most recent pic of the Airy Wrap I'm doing as part of the Fitted Knits KAL. I just separated the sleeves and have about 20 more rounds to go. This pic is so goofy - it looks like a Mickey Mouse head. Doesn't it? Jim tried to insist that I wait and not post this, to let him take a better pic of it, but I think that's as good as it's getting until I have more done!!

I am still a little lost on the sleeves for Rusted Root - not sure how I am supposed to do those "mini bobbles" on the the cap of the sleeves - so I am putting that one aside for now.

I also wanted to thank everyone again for your wonderful comments yesterday. I love the knitting community. I have met such nice people through my blog, and I look forward to meeting some of you at Stitches Midwest and East. Hopefully next year I can also go to West. Jim and I were just talking about East in November, and I think we are going to drive there together, doing a road trip to Maryland. We probably will stop some other places too, but he was up for going with me and meeting all my blogging friends. He truly is my best friend and I love that he is my biggest fan (as evidenced by yesterday's post.) It is so great that he is supportive of everything I do.

Gilda and FatKat thank you too for the nice comments on how pretty they are. They know it too and are a little stuck-up about it.

Congrats to Robin!!

To:                   All Business Unit Presidents; General Managers; Vice Presidents – Finance and Controllers; Human Resources Directors and Corporate Office Employees

            

From:               xxxx

                        

Subject:            ROBIN MARTIN APPOINTMENT – SR. TAX DIRECTOR

I am pleased to announce that Robin Martin has been appointed Sr. Tax Director of XXX Corp. effective immediately. Over the last several years, Robin has played a significant role in several business activities that have benefited the organization. In 2005 Robin successfully managed and completed an R&D study which resulted in an approximate $1.4M benefit to the organization. Robin has also effectively managed the IRS audit process, has aggressively pursued tax and investment incentives and is currently positioning the Company for the best result under the newly adopted Texas “margin tax”.

Since May 2004, Robin has served as Tax Director with full responsibility for the Company’s tax position, while working across the organization to minimize ATC’s effective tax rate and maximize tax savings opportunities throughout the company.  Robin initially joined ATC in July 2002 as Tax Manager.  Robin holds a BA in Accounting and a MS in Taxation and is currently working on her MBA.  She is a Certified Public Accountant

(Illinois) and Certified Management Accountant and is a member of the Illinois CPA Society, Tax Executives Institute and the AICPA.

Please join me in congratulating Robin on this well-deserved promotion and wishing her continued success with ATC!

Wordless Wednesday