Oh my, more babies!

My brother and his girlfriend are having a baby! I'm so excited! More baby knitting! This was a bit of a suprise, but a nice one :0) And my boys are just too cute I had to post a Christmas pic. And with them being out of the house friday and hubby at work I will actually be able to shoot and post pics, yay!

My Boys

Not posting...but I have been knitting!

I have much less playing computer time since I started school again, I have been SO bad with posting I never even got to take any pics of the SP packages I sent out. But I have been knitting! Almost done with a PINK sweater for my step sister, the shower is in less than 2 weeks so finishing that is my priority. The sweater is almost done, I'm almost done with one sleeve then to sew, yuk! My sister in law is due towards the end of the month so I'll have to finish that after the shower. The blanket is complete, just needs to be blocked. The sweater is knit up to the collar with all other pieces done as well and just the sewing left, I hate that part. After those I have a Christmas gift poncho to knit my mom for her trip to Italy but luckily that's not till April and she knows I have babies ahead of her.
Pics of baby things to come soon.

A Long Over Due Thank You!

Thank You Ollie!!! I received my package from my SP and it was so fun to open all the stuff in one package! I must apologise for getting this up sooo late with Halloween, Gage's birthday, River's birthdat AND River's birthday party all in one week I've been ridiculously busy. Here's the scoop on the goods:

2 books: Blankies Hats & Booties

Candy Blankets

Stitch markers

3 wool soaks; citrus, aquae and flora

Sz 13 cute Bamboo needles

Sz 1 Addi turbo's 40 in...I have never had the pleasure of these before and I can't wait to ML socks

2 Sock Yarns!! Tofutsies, in purples

Fortissima Socka in greens and browns

I was just thinking that after my holiday/baby knitting is finished I just want to knit socks for a while, especially since I tore a hole in one of only my 2 pairs!

There was also a card and a Knitting magazine which is in my car because I took it to River's swim lessons.

THANK YOU AGAIN OLLIE, YOU ROCK!!!

Pink!!!

Well its official!!! Myy step-sister is having a girl!!! I have boys, my SIL has a boy AND every time I went to knit a gift.....yup!, it was for a boy! With the exception of my cousin in Florida BUT my Grandmother, my knitting mentor, knit blankets for all her grandchildren about 10 years ago "just in case" so that was taken care of. I knit her blanket buddy, but it wasn't pink, it was purple. I figured everything she got was most likely pink, so this would be nice change. I think I'm gonna have fun digging through my pattern stash....(pink, frill, and ruffles Oh my!)

River's First Day of School!

River started an all day Pre-K program at St. Michael's Catholic School. He was very excited, as you can see. He even came down from his room dressed and ready to go. I'm sure this first day joy will disappear in the years to come but for now its a pleasure!

Lots of Little Pouches

I haven't updated in a while because my oldest son started a full time school for the first time AND I had a Partylite party. Which brings me to these little guys above. I plan on tucking these in everyones order when they come in. They are just big enough for coupon cards or whatever you'd like to tuck in them.

I just wanted to knit

I had to put down my Mystery Stole for a little while, mainly because my DH and I have been on a "24" kick all summer. I have a HUGE crush on Jack Bauer and I can't watch and follow charts and beading at the same time. Sooooo put it aside just for a couple nights and I CO for a baby blanket in my Grandmother's signature pattern. Now I can do both because I just wanted to knit!

My stepsister is most likely having a GIRL! Yay! We are a family with lots of boys. The second ultrasound will confirm it in a month, so I still want to hold off on that.

Every time I wear my knitted socks I really want to knit socks, and after the baby/Christmas knitting is past that's just what I'm gonna do :)

And I still can't shut off the flash on the digital camera without Don's help.

Aruba

Dining on the beach with the sun setting in the background, showing off my Grandmother's Crocheted Shawl in beautiful Aruba. It was a good time :)

Secret Pal 11

Here it is, Finally!!!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
most lace yarns, and sock yarns
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mohair

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle roll, a similar thing for my crochet hooks and my options are in their carrying case. All that then goes in my rolling tote.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?

Almost 18 years. I learned from my Grandmother
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope

5. What's your favorite scent?
Any baked goods smell

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Not really a sweet fan, but I forget that when its Godiva chocolate :)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I devote all my time to knitting
Do you spin?
No, but I would like to learn, I got the book Spin to Knit for Christmas, but have been too busy with projects to start a new craft.

8. What kind of music do you like?
Mostly Rock, pop, and movie soundtracks
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes

9. What's your favorite color(s)?
Purple, bright bold deep pinks, and sea blues
Any colors you just can't stand?
Not that I can't stand it, but orange is my least fav.

10. What is your family situation?
I live with my husband and our 2 boys, they are about to turn 5 and 3
Do you have any pets?
Yes, 2 cats and a huge black lab

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Everything but mittens

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Baby blankets

13. What are you knitting right now?
Lots of baby stuff OTN, I have a SIL and a step-sister who are expecting. I am also doing Mystery Stole 3

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

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
either really
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
anything sleek so I can go fast :)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I have been making my Hubby a huge blanket going on 3 years now. Its made up of 20 inch garter stitch blocks and gets boring to knit fast.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, my husbands birthday is Christmas eve. We also do up Halloween pretty well as both the boys B-days are late October

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Pill boxes

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Long Addi Circs in sz. 0 and 1 so I can Magic loop my socks two at a time

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave Knits

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Continental Knitting

22. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes

23. When is your birthday?
March 30th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, but I just got my invite yesterday so I haven't done anything with setting it up yet. My ID is Suzsweeps

Here is my Mystery stole 3 finished up to the end of clue 2 and a little of the 3rd. I have discovered that I can not watch my hottie Jack Bauer on 24 and work on this stole at the same time as I had to tink back quite a few rows on several occasions! Plus I did not get as much knitting done in Aruba as I would have liked because it was nearly impossible with constant winds like that. I was able to slip a few rows in here and there before bed tho ;)

I just got an email that Secret Pal 11 is ready to get on its way! I'll get the survey up soon.

I also have officially booked a Partylite party for September 7th so I need to get crackin on sewing up those favors that I started.

Sweet Little Layettes

I have been busy knitting even though I have not had much computer time to update. This is the layette set for my SIL who is not finding out the sex of the baby. I'm going to wait and put pink or blue buttons and ribbon for the bonnet.

Since I have some time I'll hold off on seaming since that's the least fun and because I FINALLY got my yarn for the Mystery Stole!!! My Swatch is blocking but it looks like I'll be using # 4's with my Zephyr, and it was as wonderful to work with that as I have read all over Blogg Land. It blocks beautifully. I'm sure I'll be caught up with the clue's soon now that I can give all my knitting time it this week and next week when I'm in Aruba!

I also finished a Devil Hat from Stitch n Bitch for my sister for her Sweet Sixteen party Saturday. If my Dad remembered to take a pic and send it to me with her wearing it I'll post it up.

A Long Over Due Thank You!!!

I got this "Reveal" package last week but have been having digital camera misplacement issues. Thank You Yvette, my Secret Pal from Canada. This was full of great stuff starting with the chocolate box to my right that is already finished, pictured with two really cute stitch markers that were in that little pink satin pouch.

To the left is the rest of the contents including The "Bags" book, Sz. 7 short needles, a clover darning needle set with a carrying case, a ball of Lambs Pride Superwash in Misty Blue, a magnet, pin and note card set. Thank you Yvette, your a Doll!!!

I have been busy knitting and promise to get some project pictures up. I started a layette set for the Christmas baby, AND I have more baby knitting on the way......my step-sister is expecting baby #1 in early February!!! So I will be an Aunt twice over this winter :) And the best part about that is that she is SURE she is going to find out the sex, soooo I am holding of CO something so i can wait and pick something color appropriate. She only has another month or so till she can know. My SIL on the other hand doesn't know if she'll find out so I am just holding off on more ideas till she decides ;)

The main thing I am awaiting is the delivery of my yarn for the Mystery Stole 3 project. I am really looking forward to this. I have my beads but I decided to take dive into the "infamous" Zephyr yarn. I am going to be using Vanilla with crystal beads. There is over 5500 knitters in this KAL!!! Its also only my second attempt at beading. As of tomorrow clue number 2 will be released, but it is good that I have some catching up to do since maybe I can take this with me on vacation at the end of the month. I plan to do sooooooo much knitting in Aruba. No kiddo's so....nuff' said, lol.

I've been a bad bad blogger

I've been a bad blogger. I just been real busy recently and haven't gotten much uninterrupted computer time. I sent out my 3rd and final SP10 "reveal" package to Vange, and here it is.

A little angel ornament, Lavender scented car freshener, and in the tin is a row counter on a bracelet that has little Celtic Knot beads on it.

A total of 1770 yds of Merino Lace yarn, plenty for a shawl or multiple smaller projects.
An Irish angel pin, Irish creme chocolate and the row counter out of its tin.
A couple goodies for her kitty cat.
A Fabri Knit Kit for a Denim Hobo Bag.

And a hand knit wash cloth that I made her with a 4 leaf clover in the center.

Enjoy Vange!

A Christmas Niece or Nephew is on the way!

We have some exciting news in the family, my SIL is pregnant with baby #2 and due right before Christmas! Her first baby born last year was a summer baby, but this one is a winter baby in need of lots of knitted things to keep him/her toasty and warm :) We're talking sweaters, hats booties, and of course a nice thick crib blanket for those chilly winter nights. Having 2 babies born at the end of October, I know how to dress a winter baby. I've actually already picked out a layette set and CO for the sweater yesterday. I think I may try a log cabin pattern for the blanket, I know there is one in my "Mason Dixon Knitting" book. If I double the yarn it should make a nice thick crib blanket that a little bugger wouldn't wiggle off in the middle of the night.

On other knitting news I finished the Diamond Shawl from the Alpaca yarn that my secret pal spoiled me with. I'll get some pics up along with the baby sweater later on tonight when River isn't sitting on my lap :) I loved working with that yarn, my first time working with Alpaca. I made it a shoulder shawl so I even have enough left over for a scarf!

SP spoilee package # 2 on its way!

The top picture has the non knitting things that go with this package:

Party Girl Pink nail polish
heart shaped toe separators
A double sided foot scrubber
And a Yankee candle car air freshener

This is a themed package, we're talk'n socks here:

1 Ball Sockotta yarn in a new color

Sz 2 Bamboo DPN's

A sock and wristlet pattern for this yarn

Sock shaped point protectors

And the round tin has teeny tiny stitch markers perfect for knitting socks. The pic on the left has one of the stitch markers on the ball of yarn

Enjoy Vange!

Gift # 2 going out and more Secret Pal Knitting

During the over 7 hour drive to North Carolina I finally got a chance to work on my socks. Its the Chevron pattern from the "Sensational Knitted Socks" book.

As for the gift for my cousin in Florida who had a baby girl named Sabrina, instead of doing one of my bear blankets I wanted to try the one from Lion brand that was a Bunny, here's a close up and Gage will show you the body shot.

My Secret Pal Has Struck Again

I received this package last Thursday but have not been able to give it its proper adue since I left that night for an out of state weekend wedding and then returned home with a sick kid who eventually passed it to me in the form of laryngitis. its the first time I ever lost my voice because I got sick, but it is quite similar to when I had my tonsils removed just 6 years ago. The one upside, as you can tell by the following pic is that it in now way affects my knitting :)

This package was a great surprise as I was packing for my trip. With a card it included a hand knit pot holder in a drop dead gorgeous teal color with a little matching pot, a sheep pez dispenser, two peach scented tea lights, two little rubber fish toys for each of the boys that they have already played with in the tub, a 32 in. sz. 3 Bamboo Cir'sand 4 balls of Mystic Alpaca in a beautiful purple that I would call a true Grape Bubblegum color. You can see how much I love it already in the pic above, 3 days of knitting so far. I am using the diamond fantasy shawl pattern. Thank you thank you Secret Pal you are the best!

1 down 1 to go!

I finished Al's hat, almost. It still needs to be blocked and Don wants a pompom on the top in mixed purple & yellow. Obviously I decided against lettering because I really wanted it to be a good hat, so I needed a rib all over and the lettering and 1x1 rib just wasn't cuttin it.

Tonight I will CO the bear blankie because I need to knit up to a point after the pattern in order to take it to my knittogether tomorrow. Although I did swatch up that sock yarn, and I can CO both to bring....we'll see :)

FYI: Last night I discovered that in a pinch a sz 1 DPN can double as the key to unlock our bathroom door ;)

I also got a post card in yesterday's mail from my SP giving me the clue that she lives in Toronto, Canada. I've been to Canada once...to elope! It was a cute surprise.

2 gifts OTN

Originally I was working on these for my secret pal spoilee, but then once I started them and tried it on they seem pretty snug, and perfectly fit for me which made me wonder how it would fit her if I have no idea what she looks like much less the size of her fingers. So I decided to keep these for myself and made her something from the book I gave her instead, a muffler scarf in which size didn't matter. But its mate has to be put on hold while I knit up a couple gifts.

The first of which is a hat with the team name "Vikings" on it. Our neighbor was recently diagnosed with cancer...thank God a very treatable kind. He is a Football Minnesota Vikings fanatic so I picked up some Red Heart wool in purple and some yellow for the letters and started to think out how to graph the lettering. I think I'll do just a basic 1x1 rib with a flipped up brim where I can have the Vikings name. I suppose the brim will have to be st st to look right for the lettering. I'm going to swatch that up tonight.

The second is one of my own Blanket Bears for my Cousin Dawn in Florida who had her second baby girl yesterday. For the longest time I have been meaning to actually write this pattern out and put it up on my blog to share with anyone who wants it so I think I may actually do that this time. Now that I finally finalized and perfected the pattern....it only took me 2 years, and everyone I know who had a baby getting a different prototype. Its a great stash buster and cute gift. Usually I give this along with a full size blanket but I know my Grandmother has already taken care of that for all her grandchildren!