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!

Start of a new week

Nothing like a fabulous fall day in New England! Love this weather!!

I actually got some knitting in this weekend. Although, I can not locate my camera to computer cord to upload the photos. Figures.

I started back on my 'frogged' fingerless mitts. I could not personally bring myself to frog one of the cuffs when I realized I had an error, so nothing like bringing in a 3 year old to pull out the needles. It really did take the edge off. I mean it was done in mere seconds...kinda like ripping a band-aid off.

This same SLG (special little girl) is going to be receiving a knitting hat. I'm following the pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. It is my first project using circular needles. I had purchased the Mission Hills 1824 Yarn in pink earlier this year (see 2nd trip to Webs, August 2008) however, I was clearly told by SLG that it needs to be lilac in color. OK! I'm on it.

I'm using this pink one as a test, as it knits up so quickly....amazing what US 7 needles do, when you are used to US 2 or 3 for sock knitting!

Continuing my rabbit photo a blog post. Here is the most expensive rabbit I've purchased:
Her name is Dottie, and she was knit by Julie in the UK. She sits in a rocking chair that my Grandfather made me.

I'm still around

...just dealing with some life 'stuff' that is taking up much of my time.

I was given an idea by a special someone to start doing a picture a day of one bunny that I have around the house and see how long it would take to post all of the rabbits/bunny items that I've collected through the years.

I thought, with having no real topic today, that today would be a good day to start.

I leave you with the most important bunny in our house. Ms. B.Here Bianca is snuggling with 'Baby', so technically you are getting two bunnies in this one!

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...