New hobby

Well sort of, as I'm calling it a take off of my jewelry/bead making.

You see DH and I made a pact that we were not going to purchase gifts for each other on our anniversary.

Someone stayed true to this pact, while someone did not.

Now, please do not get me wrong, I LOVE receiving presents! However, if you make a pact, it should be agreed to with no deviations...especially when I am the person that did stick to the pact.

So, needless to say my DH scored some major points this year with this:
It is a Say It On Your Wrist Kit from Beaducation. I had found the kit a couple of months back and suggested that I would love to try die punching on sterling silver. Who knew that I would actually end up with the kit! I am just thrilled!!!

I have to say my DH is AWESOME! THANK YOU!!!! :-) This weekend I should have pictures to show you, once I get my first bracelet completed.

In the knitting department I have my first official frogged project. I was waiting for my eye doctor the other day and while sitting there knitting I realized I made a very noticeable mistake. There is a part of me that is like 'let it go and just finish it', 'these are only just for you, so it isn't a big deal'...while the other part of me is like "a mistake is going to drive you nuts', 'it will be the only thing you will be able to concentrate on', and you will not be happy with them.

SO....a frogging of the left mitt we go. (and no there will be no photos of this)

Happy 15th!

Happy 15th Anniversary my DH!

Vacation Pics

There is nothing like crossing the bridge to Cape Cod. It seems that the stress just rolls away while driving that stretch of road.

Then, it was a straight ride to the beach. What I would pay to have this view every day! The temperature was in the mid-70's with a bit of an ocean breeze. Just my kind of weather!

It was just past low tide, so the ocean was on its way back in. We walked out as far as the rocks would allow.

On the way back on the trail we came across this light pole:

Caption: Ahhh hello?!...Who invited you?

We were off to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in the area... Seafood Sams!! We also had planned to head to the Sandwich Glass Museum. It has been at least 20 years since I had been to this particular museum, although last year we went to Pierpoint Glass.

It was the ideal visit, as they were hosting various lamp bead artisans. I was able to watch a video on how lamp beads are made. I have to say that is interesting! Although that is one hobby I'm going to leave to others!

To end the day it is always with a trip to Joe's Lobster Mart!

Webs, visit #2

DH and I went to WEBS on one of our days off. I have to say I was less overwhelmed than the first time I went last year.

We planned well, stopped and got something to eat first at the Northampton Brewery. Then to Webs with the list in tow. We also had time to stop at the Webs Bead store.

Without further ado, here is a photo of the loot:2 Socks At A Time Book by Melissa Morgan Oaks
2 - 32" 3mm Lantern Moon Circular Needles
5 - Rowan Cotton Rope in Orange
4 - Tahki Classic Cotton in Blue/Teal/Purple
4 - Tahki Classic Cotton in Red/Orange/Plum
1 - Rowan Calmer in Pink
2 - Rowan Calmer in White
1 - Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in Coral
2 - Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in Lush
2 - Mission Falls 1824 in Cardinal
1 - Cascade Fixation Yarn in Navy
1 - Rope maker

I would love to share what each of these yarns are destined for, however some of those individuals read this blog and well, that would be given away too much. So, stay tuned to see the projects as they unfold, or rather get completed.

I've spent a great deal of time tonight getting Ravelry updated with the photos, so next entry will be ocean photos!

An ending and a beginning

I just love the feeling of completion! I finished my Summer Ankle Socks:
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Colorway: Calypso
Needles: Bamboo DPN's US 3
Purchased from: Simply Socks Company

I then cast on another project. These are the start of Monica Jines' Ribletts: Fingerless Mitts.
Yarn: Panda Cotton
Colorway: Periwinkle
Needles: Bamboo DPN's US 2
Purchased: The Loopy Ewe

...back to knitting...

Pro Status

Well the DH made 'pro' status on the W!! (yes, I know what it is really called, just trying to reduce amount of hits that people searching for the machine are making to my blog) He is really good at the bowling and I'm kicking bum on the boxing!

We'd been stalking, I mean checking, various websites over the past week and finally scored one.
The actual W!! F!T should be here next week! Yahoo!

Also on the news front is 4 more working days until we are back on vacation (oh yes I'm counting hours!)! It is just a couple days off, and we are just taking a two day trips in various directions, all I know is the PTO slipped is signed and I'm not showing up for work. Guess where we are heading? (picture at end of blog post)

I've also been knitting up a storm on my socks. I even put the book away at lunch this week and have been knitting. I've managed to get to the toes on both and just need to start the toe decreases next. I'm determined to have these done this weekend! The next photo I take of them I want them to be completed, so you'll just have to wait.
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The ocean of course!! :-)

Wheeee, Oui, We, W!!

Ok, there is a really good reason I haven't had time to blog this week. We bought a W!!!

Needless to say there hasn't been knitting going on either.

We have been spending our nights playing bowling (DH is at pro level already!), boxing (of which I'm really good at!), tennis, baseball and golf.

Now we have to find a W!! F!t!

*edited to remove pictures of W!! and W!! F!T.

Dentist

Ugh. It was time today for the dreaded dentist visit. I had worked myself into such a lather by the time I arrived there I'm sure steam was rising from moi. I can't stand going to the dentist.

Which coming from someone who has had braces, 4 sets of retainers and mouth guards this shouldn't be the case. However, it is. Just thinking about the dentist makes me feel like I could throw up and I start sweating like crazy.

I got 18 x-rays. Did you know this is considered a full set of them? My insurance plan will pay for a full set every 5 years. Well...here is to not having to get another set for 4 years and 364 days.

Then, I came home to check out the blogs that I normally read and found this on Carole's. Too funny!!

Well, with that visit over today, tomorrow should be smooth sailing.

10 on Tuesday

10 Favorite Vacation Moments:

1. No alarm clock allowed
   
2. The feeling of just being able to sit and do nothing and not feel guilty about it
3. Seeing, feeling and smelling the ocean
4. Walking on the beach
   
5. Eating whatever you wish, whenever you want it...just because you are on vacation (clam strips for breakfast - perfectly acceptable!)
6. Housekeeping!
   
7. Sightseeing
   
8. Quality time with DH
9. Buying trinkets, under the disguise of souvenirs
10. Being able to wear relaxing clothes (no heels, hose or hairspray!)

Summer Socks

So far these are what my socks currently look like:

I'm finding this material to be a bit challenging in the humidity. There is quite a bit of cotton in it and it gets that 'sticky' feeling when you knit.

I can't wait to get back to my Panda Cotton as I'm really wanting to knit up the yarn that I dyed myself. I'm calling the color way 'Fruit Loops', as that is what it reminds me of.
I also owe you a photo of the Rockin Sock Club 3rd package. It was the Incredible Shrinking Violet. Definitely my favorite color way so far!I hope you have enjoyed your 4th of July! It is time for us to go enjoy some fireworks!

The sun will come out tomorrow

Bet your bottom dollar
that tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

So, here is to a best friend that always seems to know when I need a pick me up phone call, email or piece of cake.

Thank you!

New yarn

Finally, I got the yarn photos ready for you. These are the Ellyn Cooper yarns I bought in Mystic.

Aquatide, Strazzbery, Blue Hydrangea (both Canasta and Lace):
I think it is so neat to see how the different types of yarn take the same dyes.

I've already caked the Strazzberry and going to cast off on a Funky Sock Monkey! Doesn't every knitter's home need a monkey?

Ahhh

a mental health day. This day for myself could not have come at a better time. I needed a decompress day.

I chilled out, however I did head to the local store at mid-day and bought myself a pair of these. I really wanted orange (coral) color, however they didn't have any of my pick-me-up-color. So, I came home with navy.

I then lost myself in the afternoon to Ravelry. Are you surprised? I'm not.

I am off to finish the rest of my relation day.

Vacation

Could it be an actual photo from our vacation? Could it be that I've actually figured out the camera?
This was the view from our hotel room. The view is of the Mystic River.

Here is our original 'Mystic Pizza':This is one view that I would never tire of:And finally, since I didn't take a picture of Mystic River Yarn store, I'll leave you with a photo of the bead store. The store was huge! I scored some beautiful beads that I'll show you later.

Still working on it...

that would be how to make web ready photos from our new camera. It can't be as difficult as I'm making it, I mean come on my nickname at work is "computer geek". They call me when they have computer troubles, so why in the world is this hanging me up??

One word: time. I haven't had the time to full ready the manual and software. So...for the time being this is a picture-less blog.

I'm still working on my Cascade Fixation Summer Socks. I got the heels turned, gussets are complete and I'm working on the decreases on the foot sides. WOO HOO! These are going so fast I love it!

I've also completed three new necklaces. I've worn two of them at work and received many compliments on them. One is a top drilled peacock pearl necklace. I made it only 16 1/2 inches so it lies flat yet up close to the neck area. The other is a lepidolite stone in a teardrop shape. I used crimps to hold it and put a few crystals in a complementary color on each side, however I used crimps to hold them in place. It looks like a delicate piece since I do not have beads all around the wire, however I know it will stand up to most anything. I love the look of it. The last one is light green pearls with off white pearls, very simple and will go well with a green shirt I have.

Our neighbors have officially moved. It is just so sad. They are ultimately moving down south however, they didn't expect their house to sell so quickly (within a week of going on the market!) they are moving into an apartment a town over. I miss them already!

I also got in my 3rd Rockin Sock Club Yarn. This month's colorway is The Incredible Shrinking Violet. It is many different colors of purple and is my favorite so far.

Well that is about all the happenings around here. I promise pictures of all the above next time with the vacation photos I promised last blog post!

Back from vacation

Ahhh it is so nice to be home. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love going on vacation - however there is something to be said about coming home.

Our new camera took some wonderful shots of Mystic, CT. It was amazing that I could take a shot through a window and have it actually come out. There is this 'aquarium' setting on the camera that make it appear that the glass between you and the object you are taking a photo of, is not there. The best part is that you can just put the setting on 'auto' and press the shutter. Viola!

One of the reasons we went into that area was Mystic River Yarns store. Sina was holding some yarn for me that I need for my next project (details in next post). Then, I couldn't resist buying another skein of yarn that I swore 'spoke to me'.

We stayed at the Whaler's Inn. Of which was really nice and you could not beat the location! We were able to keep the car in their parking lot and just walk to everything. Ideal!

I'll have pictures of things in my next post...need to install the camera software and get the pics into a lower resolution.

Out with the old...in with the new

camera!

Our old camera was a 3 mega pixel camera. We bought it about 5 years ago, needless to say it did take some nice pictures, however, in the past few months every so often it would create a blury picture (this while it was on the camera stand!). Go figure.

So, in our vacation week spending money we splurged on a new camera.

Introducing the Canon Powershot SX100 IS, that would be 8 mega pixels...thank you very much! We opted for the memory card for $24.99 and now we can take over 1100 pictures on one card.

So, now there isn't any excuse for nice photos!

I was able to take a nice photo of the bag. Yes...I'm STILL working on it.The brown material makes up the four pockets in this bag.

How about leaving you with a nice garden photo:

Dyeing

I finally got around today to using some of the Paas dyes the DH bought for me for Easter. All I have to say is what a fun activity and I can see myself doing this again soon!

Here were my steps:

I mixed up the dye disks into vinegar, then added the water. Time to turn the ivory yarn into color. I chose orange, purple and green.Into the steaming pot it goes to set the color.After some steaming and rinsing.To me it is just beautiful!

Now hurry up and dry....

Twisted Headband

I found this pattern on Ravelry the other day and couldn't resist. The Bamboo tape really takes to the pattern quite well.

Needles: US 8/5 mm
Yarn: Berroco Bonsai Bamboo Tape
Color: Green
Pattern: Dream Stitch Head Wrap by Wendy Bernard

It is so nice and soft, unlike how the photo makes it look almost tweed-like. It took me a little while to figure out this new stitch, you make 3 YO's then crisscross the 6 stitches. Once I got the hang of it, it wasn't really that bad.

I did take her pattern and bring the width to half. Wendy created the pattern with 24 CO's, however I chose to CO 12. I think it will make a better headband in this width.

Now back to sewing...

Cozy #2...

I finished with a whole day to spare! I love when that happens. I used the scarf pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I really like how it came out in the Sea Silk.In this photo you can see the YO's that make up the pattern. I really need to make myself one now, as I love the way it looked when I was trying it on.

I'm back on the sewing front now that the neck cozy is completed. Here are some of the fabrics I'm using. I have a total of 6-fat quarters that I'm using. Yes...I know that you do not see the full 6...I need to keep some surprises! :-)My goal is to get it all sewed up tomorrow...ummmm right! :-)