April 1

Hmmm, April Fools Day. What a day.

My boss got me REALLY good today. I had it all planned I was going to go into the boss' office and hand him and envelope and say "DH took a job across the country, so, here is my notice." However, before I had a chance to do that this took place:

I had given my boss a PTO (paid time off) slip. I'm asking for a day off in like 6 weeks. I needed him to sign off on this form that it would be approved (ie: paid!).

As he was leaving the office for a meeting, I got it handed back to me and he continues to walk away. I notice a couple of things at the same time, he signed the 'Not Approved' line and listed the following comments:

"This is INAPPROPRIATE!!!! All this time off in light of your productivity? We simply need more effort from you, 1. More knowledge!!! You need to start being more involved and not just sitting in your cubicle surfing the web!!!!!"

Needless to say I didn't know what to say as he proceeded to walk away, he turned around long enough to give me a smirk and at that point I yelled "You forgot to include the line about eating Bon-Bons!"

I HAD BEEN FOOLED BY MY OWN BOSS! I think the thing that is irking me is that he got me before I got him. Hmpf.

I understand that most of you who read this do not know what I do during the day. Let me sum it up for you. I'm a salaried employee. I had to lay off 2 staffers back in November, they have yet to be replaced. We are now in the busiest time of the year. One of my other employees had to take some personal time off - family emergency thing. This has led me to working on average 11 hours a day for the past 3 weeks! Most days I am not even taking a lunch.

So NOW you can see what my boss was referring to. As I left tonight (yes after 11 1/2 hours) he said "If you want to give me a new PTO slip I'll sign it correctly.' I replied with "Maybe now I'll ask for the entire month off!"

Since I've been working SO much, it has not left much time for knitting.

I leave you with your bunny photo. This one seems quite fitting to my life right now, feel like I'm holding on for dear life!

I won a contest!

I came home last night (after working for 12 hours every day this week!) to check out just a few of my favorite blogs, then head off to sleep.

I went to Little Cotton Rabbits and I see this:I hover over the 'Dawn' and see www.neknitsandbeads.com pop up and go "I WON, THAT IS ME!!"

I basically got my second wind at that point and didn't get to sleep for a few more hours!

What did I win you ask? Handmade needles from Kerry at Penny Dog. You can find her here on Etsy and her own website.

Kerry has since contacted me and now has my preferences. I can't wait to receive them and show them off to you!!

I know, I owe you completed knitting projects...I'm just waiting for some daylight around here.

As for your bunny photo, how is this:
My MIL purchased this while we was visiting Hawaii. Over the years it has gradually turned darker. Interesting.

Family Photo

We, as shown above in our family photo, are filling in for a little bit while the missus is busy studying.
Apparently her designation exam is coming up real soon and she needs all the time she can get to study.

Although... we have found her knitting when she said she was going to go study...
but her secret is safe between us right?
You won't tell will you?!...I mean we would hate to get her in trouble.

Anyway, as you can see from our photo we have excellent accommodations.

The grass is always green, the missus of the house placed us next to Dottie.
You can see Miss Dottie's bunny slipper in our photo if you look real hard.
You can find out more about Dottie on her page.

We also have a birds nest next to us. It provides a nice place to take a nap.
The missus and mister of the house found the nest in the driveway a couple of years ago.
They told us the birds had grown up and left the nest, so the bird's parents
really didn't need the nest anymore cause they were something called
'empty nesters' now.

Well off to turn in for the evening. Hopefully, the missus will be back shortly.
'Cause all this hopping around the keyboard typing this was back breaking.

3D Glasses?

Could only mean one thing...we saw Coraline! I really enjoyed it! It was even better that I had movie passes to get in for free...only had to pay for the glasses.

We also had to head into Michael's craft store to pick up some art supplies for DH. While we were there, I went over to the knitting section. I had always wanted to make a dish/facecloth from cotton. I figured if the skein wasn't that expensive I'd buy it. Sure enough $1.69 not bad, as in total we were just over $10.00 for all the items we purchased.

An hour later:CO: 4
Pattern: Grandmother's Favorite
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream
Colorway: 00231 - Early American
Needles: Lantern Moon Circulars US 7 (4.5mm)

I can totally understand why everyone says these are so addictive!!

I was recently asked if I remembered where all my rabbits came from. Yes, I can either remember if it was a gift and from who or if it was one I purchased myself. This one came from our dear neighbors. They bought it while they were on vacation in Maine. It is a old chocolate candy mold and VERY heavy!

Banner

Did you see my new banner? DH has been busy. He created a new summer one that I can't wait to show you...however with the current weather conditions outside (crazy big snowflakes) it will be a few more months!

My secret project is coming along. I measured the yarn ball and I'm down about a 1/2 inch in diameter. I call that making progress. I'm having a tough time with the way the needles are gripping the yarn (way too much!). I can only work on it for a hour and then my fingers start to ache. I'm torn with continuing to work on it an hour at a time or buying new needles that would slide the yarn a bit.

I never showed you the lepidolite stone necklace I made. It has become my favorite! Each time I wear it someone new comments on it.I also was able to complete this one as well. It is made from ivory potato pearls, green Swarovski pearls with sterling silver accents. These clearly are not the best pictures, as I need to come up with a permanent solution for my jewelry pictures. I have the light tent and that works out really well for my knitting, however I do not have anything that would hold up a necklace, bracelet or earrings. Must talk to DH about constructing something! :-)

I have a pair of bunnies to show you today. I saw these at my Aunt's beach house. I made a comment to her that I loved them...later that day they showed up in my take home bag. They fit tea lights in them, however I only use them for display!

Long Weekend

A much deserved long weekend started with a delicious treat! It was either a Chocolate Martini or Root Beer Floats, we opted for the latter!!

I've been studying every night this week, which hasn't left me a lot of time for knitting, blogging or basically having a life outside of insurance topics.

Although a nice thing about studying in the living room chair is having a bunny over my shoulder. This is one that my DH and I found while at a bookstore.

Secret Project

I've got a secret project. Once I finished the Darkside Cowl, I felt a strong need to CO another project. So, here it is:
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply Cotton, Rayon
CO: a number between 20 and 101
Needle Size: US7 / 4.5mm
Pattern: from Yarn Harlot

Did you click on the links to get more details?

I'm making it for someone who reads this blog. So, that is all you are going to see - maybe a finished photo but you can be assured it will be disguised somehow. ;-)

DH and all bunnies have been sworn to secrecy about the project too! So, please do not ask.

Darkside Cowl - Finished!

I'm going at quite a nice pace with my finished objects this year...in a mere 46 days I've completed two items! Let us check again in a few months!

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colorway: Chicory #401
CO: 88 stitches
Pattern: Darkside Cowl
Needles: Lantern Moon 16" Circular US 7 (4.5mm)

This was a fun knit. I ended at the 8th row of the second set of repeats and height wise, I'm quite pleased with it.

Bunny shot (please disregard the partial bunny foot on the left - you saw that bunny yesterday!):Enjoy the rest of your weekend as I'm off to study.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This one was from my SIL. I think it is perfect for this Valentine's Day photo!

I owe you photos

Finally, some natural sunlight around here that I can catch you up on this past week.

Here is the finished Cowl:


Of course, since I finished that one in 3 days I just HAD to start another one.
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colorway: Chicory #401
CO: 88 stitches
Pattern: Darkside Cowl
Needles: Lantern Moon 16" Circular US 7 (4.5mm)

Here in New England we have been dealing with snow, ice, snow, ice then rain and I believe it then went back to ice - all just this week. Anyway, I snapped this photo on my way out the door one morning.
This was the scene out the back door:I think we are ready for Spring! Even the bunnies around the house are hiding from this weather:

What type of reader?

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader   You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Interesting.

Bunny photos back tomorrow. I've been too busy knitting to take another photo tonight....must finish cowl....gotta finish cowl.

Actual Knitting in Progress Photo

I decided that my fingerless mitts were really taking me so long since they are not something I can wear right now. The temperature outside is currently 0 degrees! That is correct, big ole ZERO! That isn't counting the wind chill.

I haven't given up on them, just put them away for the time being. So, I brought out the ever faithful US 7 circulars and started a cowl for me.

CO: 112 Stitches
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colorway: 774 Lush
Needles: US 7 Lantern Moon 16# Circulars

I LOVE how this is coming out! I'm thinking if I keep this up all day I may have it ready to wear tomorrow.

I'm also multi-tasking, I have my mp3 playing my next insurance exam overview. This is my last one for my third designation and by far the hardest! I've created additional stress for me in wanting to pass it on my first try, as I've accomplished with my other 5 tests.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, we have taken down our Christmas decorations. However, when I took this photo last week we had yet to put away my 'Christmas Singers'. Enjoy!The rabbit dish is from The Potting Shed. They make reproductions of the original Dedham Pottery Company. I really LOVE the items that they create (hint, hint, they make GREAT GIFTS!)! My grandmother got me this piece 2 years ago for my birthday. This is the only piece I have and I cherish it tremendously!

Now I must get back to studying and knitting - yes in that order!

Annual Tradition

I have an annual tradition that I've been doing for years now and I thought I'd share. Each year after we celebrate Thanksgiving, we get out our Christmas things. I just love how our house looks for the Christmas season, so bright and festive!

So, after the first of the year, when we take down all the decorations, the house just looks so plain until we readjust to it.

However, I keep one Christmas decoration out all year long. This 'item' changes from year to year. This year I've kept out Christmas Light Bunny!
I know each time I pass my Christmas item when the temperature hits over 90 degrees I smile!

Ice and more ice

You would think that we got our share of ice last month. This is my little tree.

I transplanted this little seedling last year. It was originally in our back acreage and looked worse than the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. I'm glad to see that it is holding up well to the recent ice we have received. (also note that I didn't crop the bottom of the photo, it was under the snow)

I've decided to get back to knit my fingerless mitts. I've been getting home too late to snap a photo of where I am, so I'll share that with you this weekend. It was quite an adjustment the other night going from the size 5 needles I had been using down to the 2's for the mitts. I made the comment to DH last night that it felt that I was knitting with toothpicks!

This is another bunny from the tree, and we each got one attached to a present one year from my Aunt. Too cute!

First FO of 2009

My orange scarf!

Pattern: K2, P2 repeat and alternative on each row
Needles: 5mm DPN
CO: 26 Stitches
Yarn: Rowan Cotton Rope, 2 skeins
Color: Orange 061

I chose to start decreasing and add a button hole. I'm not sure if this button is going to always be the one on this scarf, as I'm thinking I would like a wood one. However, this button was handy and doesn't look bad at all!

I'm trying to decide what to knit next. Do I start a new project or finish the two WIP's that I have still on needles? One is the Shawl I'm making out of seasilk (WIP from August 2007) or the more recently started fingerless mitts. I could also go with an entirely new project, as I could always use a new pair of socks.

Decisions, decisions. Well, I guess we will see what mood strikes me this week.

In the meantime, another bunny from the tree. This was from my MIL.

The end of the year

Can I say with a deep breathe...FINALLY!? The year for me, as I sit here and reflect started out really well. We took a couple of vacations, including one out of the country. I purchased a vehicle that I'm totally in love with (which after 6 months of driving it, is really saying something about it!!). We completed a few small improvements on the house, not including one LARGE shed!

As for the craft front, I've learned how to stamp into silver and make some different jewelry pieces. I learned to knit a button hole. I also figured out how to make a hat that actually fits someone very special to me, my SLG, using circular needles. I started and finished my third pair of socks...I've purchased quite a bit of yarn this year, however it still fits in my bag, sort of ;-) which will allow me to continue to knit all 2009 without having to buy a single skein!

My DH and I have had more than our shares of troubles these past few months, however, so I do hope for positive news soon!

I've never been one to make resolutions for each up coming year. As it bothers me if I don't make it, so instead I go for hopes. Hope is something we could all use in our lives!

My hopes for the next year:

• A job for my DH
• More selling in my industry (=more staff)
  
• Better health for my Aunt
• A diamond ring for my sister
• A year of happiness for my dearest friend

As for me personally:

• Make more time for my hobbies
• Spend more time on my Wii
• Pass my final designation test (on the 1st try, to continue my current 6 in a row record!)

Bunny time...
Another bunny from the tree. This is a Hallmark one that DH and I bought it 11 years ago. How can you resist?!

Happy New Year to you!

Handmade Christmas

As is my normal custom, I made a couple of people handmade items for Christmas. One of the items I was very proud of this year was this necklace:Sorry for the awful photo! As is also my custom, the gift was not ready until the last minute and I had to take a photo without the light tent, so it could be wrapped and handed off for delivery in mere minutes.

I bought the SS box chain, the SS pendants and I used my stamping die kit (see the blog here). It took me a few practice tries to get the actual stamping to come out correctly. I highly recommend the 1lb hammer that she sells on her website.

I did not use the liver of sulfur she recommends to produce the black effect within the stamped letters. I went instead with a Sharpie pen and sterling silver cloth cleaner. It works quite well...although it will need to be repeated with excessive wearing.

The Swarovski crystals are the kids birthstones. I do hope the recipient enjoys it!

My DH and I had quite a quiet Christmas this year. We opened gifts when we got up and spent the rest of the day watching some movies that Santa had left.

I did receive a couple of items that were on my list. I loved this mug when I saw it from Rohanknitter. DH was able to purchase one from our local Starbucks.He also purchase a couple of items from one of my favorite stores:I've also taken another photo of my bunnies around the house. I'm staying with ones from the tree, as it will be taken down shortly. This is a hand sewn rabbit. Her dress is crocheted.

Be sure to come back, as I'll be showing off more handmade Christmas gifts as the recipients receive them!

December 25th

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

This is one of my favorite rabbits that we hang on the tree. It was made by a close friend of the family, Ruby, who has since passed away. She was a wonderful jewelry maker and used her talents to make ornaments for the Christmas season. This is made out of aluminum and she used her punch and die sets to create various notations in the aluminum. Such talent!!

Once we have completed celebrating Christmas with everyone I can then show you the handmade presents. We have 3 celebrations to go, since only my DH and I have exchanged gifts so far and let me tell you he certainly made this Christmas a wonderful one!

Electricity anyone?

Well, what a few days we have had here. We lost our power on Thursday night...along with power we lost water, heat, cable etc.

We spent an extremely cold Friday being 'tough' and sticking it out. Friday night the temperature inside the house dropped to 40 degrees. It was that type of bone chilling temp that you just can't stop shivering from....we lasted until Saturday morning when we reached out to dear friends of ours.

You see, these dear friends, moved from one house to another during this wonderful storm we had. However, fortunately for us, the house they moved from was still vacant, had heat and water.

So, squatters we became. We packed up two folding chairs, air bed, pillows, Ms. "B" and off we went.

Today is now Tuesday, we JUST got back our power, heat, water and cable a mere 6 hours ago. As thankful as we are to our dear friends, we are extremely glad to be back home.

With everything going on around this household this past few months I do hope that 2009 brings us more happiness and security for us.

As for your bunny a blog...the camera needs a little longer to warm up. Next time, I promise! How about the new winter banner up top?

Suprise Bunny

My DH purchased this rabbit for me while we were on vacation in NH. We came across this huge craft store and while I was looking at something on a different floor he was cashing out with this little bunny.

I'm still in the same location for my orange scarf. I had been quite ill since Thanksgiving and couldn't even get up to eat never mind knit.

I'm finally feeling good enough to get back into the swing of things. So, I should have some progress shortly.

We also put up the Christmas tree yesterday and there are now more bunnies in the house out for display. I'll have to start showing you those next time.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!

Water or Soil

This is interesting...

Check out photo #1:Now, check out photo #2:
Does anything strike you as funny?

I'll give you another moment to scroll back up.

Ready?

Ok - the cactus IN WATER is blooming, yet the cactus IN SOIL is in need of a plant doctor. It makes me chuckle every time I look at it. To those that know me really well, they should not be surprised.

I'm still working on my orange scarf, just imagine the last blog photo just a couple of inches longer. :-)

Speaking of photos my photo of my Lorna Laces, Amy Friendly Yarn was chosen to be one of the photos in the main directory in Ravelry! That was quite exciting!!! Here is a copy of the picture for those of you not on Ravelry (of which, why not?)
It is so pretty! I love the colors. I've already decided what pattern I'm going to use. However, you will just have to wait until I CO.

Until then, here is another bunny from the collection. This was was purchased while vacationing on Cape Cod at one of my favorite shops. The shop owner said that bunny was hand carved by her husband from one piece of wood. This particular bunny is one of the oldest in my 'collection'.

November what?

Apparently I blinked through October!

I have been knitting. Actually, I've been trying to knit a little bit each night. Some nights it actually works, I blame my job for the nights it doesn't work.

Now are you sitting down? I have actual knitting photos!!

Here are the hats for my special little girl (if you are SLG's mom, please stop reading here...)This is the first hat. SLG put it on and let me know two things; 1. It didn't cover her ears 2. It wasn't lilac to match her jacket!

OK!! This led to the second hat, of which SLG has already tried on ("...good, it is over my ears!").Pattern: Children's Cotton Hat from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts book
Needles: 4.5mm Circular & DPN's
CO: 80 stitches
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colors: Blush (Light Purple) & Coral (Pink)

I really like the ribbon instead of the i-cord. I just now need to drop it off all finished so SLG's mom can see it! (that is if she truly stopped reading by now...)

I also cast off on a scarf for myself. I purchased this yarn (Rowan Cotton Rope) back in the summer during a trip to Webs. I love how it is turning out! It is a basic K2P2 on 4.5mm DPN's, turn work then K2P2. I had CO 26 stitches. Ok, time for my knitting time tonight.

Ready for your bunny-a-blog-entry photo?

Happy Halloween!

Yes the eyes actually 'glow'!
Love them!!

(sending special thank you to you-know-who!!)

I'm sort of back

I've had a very rough month. I never went into this blog thinking I would blog about my personal 'troubles'. I wanted to keep it light, talk about my crafts, and not use this as a soap box. However, life events over the past month have kept me away from doing things that I truly enjoy.

I hope to be back shortly doing and showing you things that I enjoy doing.

Until then, I'm continuing my pictures of rabbits. Yes I own and WEAR these sneakers!