Spoiled by a Sneaky Multi-Tasker!

So if you haven't hopped on over and joined our little online party at the Multitasking 9-5 group on Ravelry, what are you waiting for? We are in the midst of sending & receiving packages in our first swap and I was spoiled by the ever-so-sneaky GeorgeAnne. Sneaky girl told me she was sending out some Cirque du Soleil swag (long story short, she has one of the coolest jobs), which really turned out to be my swap box! Lookie at all the amazing things she sent...

One of the swap requirements was a handmade item from the spoiler. It did not need to be large.. did not need to be knit or crocheted... just something simple, made by her own 2 hands. Well, I got extra spoiling with this beautious, vibrant purple crocheted shawl (which I had earlier eyed in her Ravelry projects!)!

Isn't it gorgeous? It will do wonders for me come this fall when my office gets a tad chilly from those who seem to think that AC is required to be on high even in October!

Another requirement of the swap was a skein of yarn... and I got 3! She sent her very own Zona Blue Design (be sure to check out her Etsy store - and OMG, I MUST. HAVE. VERMONT FOLIAGE. COLORWAY... oh sneaky girl, are you listening???) hand dyed 100% Merino worsted in the awesome Island Jewels colorway and 2 skeins of Berroco Comfort worsted in an awesome green colorway (this stuff is sooooooo squishy and soft... what to make, what to make???)...

The rest of the swap requirements were for treats, things to help us get through our multitasking days at work, etc. I got the Harlot's "Things I Learned from Knitting...whether I wanted to or not" book, a super cute doggy bookmark, a funky spiral M&Ms notepad, some cool geometrical design magnets, Mary Engelbreit post it notes, a music theme set of wine glass charms (hmmm... am I supposed to use these at work??), Il Circo promotional DVD (so, she wasn't totally fibbing about Cirque swag), a packet of Soak wash, a jar of Port Wine Jelly from Bernardo Winery near her home, and the coolest tin of mints ever!

COOL? The tin has "Knitting Girl" on the front and the mints inside are sugar-free green apple. I need to find these at one of my LYS...

GeorgeAnne also sent a rope toy for my kids, which as you can see they pretty much claimed right away from the pile as I was photoing...

Zeus: "Hey, there's a toy here and no one's hogging it..."

Lola: "Yes Mommy, may I puhhhleeeeeezzzzzzzze have it???"

Thanks Sneaky Girl... uh, I mean Georgie! You are one super multitasking spoiler!!!!!!!

FO Monday

While I'd much rather be enjoying one of those other FO Mondays (esp since today is my 13 year "anniversary"), I actually have a couple of finished objects to share! I finished both last week.

First up, my second pair of Magic Slippers. This time I used bulky yarn (Moda Dea Tweedle Dea from the goody bag at last year's Knit & Crochet show) and size 6 needles to produce a much larger size. They were donated at Saturday's Granite State Knit In. I heart this quick, easy, fun pattern and will surely make more!

My other finished object was the Camera Sock for my new toy. I wanted to get this done before the Knit In so as not to get any scratches on it. I used leftover Sereknity sock yarn and followed the pattern as written, however I started decreases 1/2" from the length I wanted (as called for) and it ended up being about 1/2" too short... so I will be casting on for another (longer) camera sock soon... but this one certainly works.

Yesterday I finally got Clappy off the needles, after I neglected her for at least the past 3 or 4 weeks. It was too late for a photo shoot last night, but I hope to get it photoed tonight so long as I can bear to put it on in this disgusting heat wave we are having (I so love fall weather...).

Since I don't have Clappy photos, I'll share a couple of my recent acquisitions with you...

My Frogged & Ripped pint set and Bob lapel pin arrived from Ravelry...

And this gorgeous, yummy yarn from Zona Blue Design, which I got in trade for a set of dolphin stitch markers...

Isn't it beautious?!?!? It is merino wool/nylon sock yarn in the colorway Sweetheart. Click on over to her etsy shop (linked above) and scoop up some of your own!

Stayed tuned for more vacation pics, a recap of the Granite State Knit In and pictures of the finally finished Clappy! In the meantime, try to stay cool.......

Weekend Wrap Up...

Once again, congratulations to all of my contest winners! Prizes went out this morning and I hope you will enjoy them!

It was a cold & rainy weekend around New England. I spent Saturday night at Fenway (first time back to a game in about 4 years now) and it felt more like fall football weather! (excuse the "little people" photos... I didn't bring the camera due to the weather, these are cell phone pics)

I soon remembered why I'm much more of an action packed sports girl (translation: NASCAR, football and hockey)... baseball is pretty slow & boring to me! Don't get me wrong, this Boston girl will always root for her Red Sox (and I do enjoy catching a game in person every now and then), but if given the choice (especially with the need to sell your first born to get a ticket enormous ticket prices), I'd rather quinch my need for speed, see some good checks (fight, fight, fight!) or see the Brady bunch....

I don't want to get too much in to the weekend tragedy,and I don't know much about horses, but I do know that no animal should be run so hard they break both of their front ankles!!!! I've heard several takes on the story and understand Eight Belles was just 2 years old. Apparently, horses should not be raced until at least 4 years of age. There's also been lots of genetic crapola going on to produce the "fastest and strongest" horses... all in the name of greed for the all mighty dollar - ugh!!! Personally, I think if you want to run a race, then use your own 2 feet or an inanimate object, such as a car, boat or motorcycle. Rest in Peace Eight Belles...

On that note, did you know that it is Be Kind to Animals Week? Please click on over and learn what you can do, including teaching children....

Reminder... sign ups are now open for the Multitasking 9-5 group swap over on Ravlery!

Now I even have some actual knitting content to leave you with today! I'm working away on the Criss-Cross scarf for my ISE6 pal. I'm loving the way the Patons SWS is working up in this pattern...

After realizing that there was no way the pokey, always wanting to cast on something new, 'ole me I'd ever finish the Oriel Lace scarf for my pal in time for the deadline, I switched to this pattern and am glad I did. My pal loves winter colors and she lives in a cold winter climate, so I'm hoping this will be a perfect fit for her. I'm starting to think these scarves will also be in a few Christmas presents this year as well...

I'm still Clapping away, but am thisclosetobeingfinished!!! No updated pics, but it will be done in time to wear to the NH Sheep and Wool festival this weekend (so long as weather is appropriate for wearing) and I will get finished photos then! I spent yesterday working on the decrease rounds...

I'm about half way done with my first teddy bear sweater for the Granite State Knit-In donations. They collect "dressed" stuffed aniamls of all sorts, which are then donated to the NH State Troopers for their program (all troopers have a couple in their trunks to provide as needed to children). I plan to get at least a couple made...

Well, that's all folks... enjoy the rest of your Cinco de Mayo!

Pasting Sophie 101...

Yes folks, while recovering at home (while I am doing better today than the past fews days, I am still not well enough for work) I decided to finally update my blog header & button by pasting in Miss Sophie's sweet face. This took some time - esp with the button.... you see, the original was done with a single photo of the 3 dogs (Zeus, Lola & Tut) and since I've yet to snap a great pic of all 4, I opted to just cut & paste Sophie in. What do you think? You can grab the new button here or from my sidebar - please just be kind and save it to your own server, thanks!

While home sick, I also learned that sign ups for International Scarf Exchange 6 are now open! I decided to dive into this swap for the spring edition! I also noticed that sign ups for the next round of the yummy coffee exchange open March 20th - I can't wait for that one! Speaking of fun stuff, a few weeks ago Chan asked me about designing a button for those of us who multitask while at work... well, I thought she just wanted a button, but this has since turned in to a quickly growing Ravelry group! Won't you come on over and play with us? You can also grab the button below and add it to your blog as well!

I'm heading back to the couch now... Zeus has been cuddling with the blankie Grammy made him and I think I'm going to go find a blankie of my own!

I'm one of the COOL kids now!

This came in my email at some point last night (and its not even my birthday yet -- woo hoo!)

frecklegirl has invited you to join ravelry! "Here you go! Thanks for your interest in our little site. Let me know if you have any questions or problems

Yeah... so I'm one of the cool kids now, woo hoo! My user ID is non other than LapdogCreations, so please add me to your friends or however it works. I know a bunch of you who've been cool much longer than me already posted your IDs but please oh please don't make me go searching thru your blogs for all of them. I'm going to be overwhelmed with searching all over the Ravelry site just trying to figure it all out!

Mom update

Just a quick update on my Mom. She will begin radiation treatments on October 1st... 14 days before her 61st birthday. She will be going 5 days a week (not sure how long duration just yet) and will be taking a pill form of chemo at the same time. I need to learn more about the pill chemo, as I hadn't even realized there was such a thing. The doctors suggested she do some regular chemo, but that she would not be able to return to work until Feb or March. She told them that she needs to be back at work before winter, so they are going with this pill instead.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts, messages & prayers... the process is still ongoing. Its been wonderful to be able to talk to friends about this, and blogging a little about it has been my extra little stress reliever, so thanks for listening, caring and understanding. I've also discovered that a few of my friends are going thru much of the same things with parents or other family members lately and it has brought some of those "casual" friends a little closer. Sometimes you were just meant to have something in common that will bring you closer and make you stronger in the end.......

On a side note, a fellow bloggers recent "I'm IN!" post prompted me to check my Ravelry status again this week. On Wednesday I had 1,818 people in line in front of me. Just 2 days later, I'm down to only 641! More than half got invites in the past 2 days - nice! I wonder if I'll get my invite next week? Maybe by my birthday? ;-)

You signed up on July 22, 2007
You are #19564 on the list.
641 people are ahead of you in line.
17276 people are behind you in line.
51% of the list has been invited so far

What scout badges have you earned lately?

While doing my usual check in on blogs, I was over at InsanKnitty and found a link to The Illustrious Order of Cast On Knitting Scouts. So while some of your daughters are heading back to their Brownie & Girl Scout meetings this fall, you too can earn some badges of your own. I bet you've all earned a few already, without even knowing it. A few of my earnings...

The “Proselytize Knitting” Badge - A requirement for all Knitting Scouts, the recipient must do his or her bit to present knitting in a positive light, whilst at the same time avoiding all references to “hipness”, grandmothers, and yoga.

The “Knitting Whilst Under the Influence” Badge - This applies to both actual knitting under the influence, as well as achieving moments of stunning intellectual clarity about ones knitting under the influence. Presumes talking about knitting whilst under the influence a given.

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level One) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a non-knitting tool in a knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used paper clips as stitch markers, or successfully whittled and then utilized bamboo skewers as dpns.

In Ravelry news, I'm a little closer to the highly sought after invite...

You signed up on July 22, 2007
You are #19564 on the list.
1818 people are ahead of you in line.
16498 people are behind you in line.
49% of the list has been invited so far

Wow, well I guess I'm glad I finally gave in when I did! There are now over 16,000 people behind me in line. Holy smokes batman... this is one big-a$$ knitting community!

Sweet Lilah is indeed still looking for her forever home. Unfortunately, it sounds like those %#$)@&!*$#!@ friends of ours Marc & LB won't be adopting her after all... sigh, I digress. I was really selfishly hoping optimistic that she'd end up finding a home with friends, and she may still, but in the meantime if you are looking for the cutest little cuddlebug, lick-a-sorus, let me know!

Woo Hoo... its Friday!

TGIF! Or more like, tgif and we don't have an overly full weekend that will keep us running non-stop from Thursday to Monday like last week. That means I might actually have a minute to vacuum up the tumbleweeds dog hair that's taken over the house. woo hoo!

So... for some final "catch up" blogging from the past week... and I appologize in advance for the lack of knitting content (yes, yes... I do knit... I just haven't photoed any WIP's lately).

We ended up heading up to the Hopkinton Fair on Monday. I have no interest at all in the may or may not be safe rides or the overpriced, play for a piece of crap games, but had a blast wandering around the exhibits and seeing all of the animals! We (the big kids) even played in the little petting zoo ring for a bit. I forgot to bring the camera, but did use my phone to snap this couldn't-resist shot...

How friggin adorable are these sleepy guys? They totally reminded me of 2 of my own children... see?

For the multi-crafty bunch out there, I wanted to share this awesome how-to that I found over on Ericka's blog. Have I not mentioned my love for all things autumn? I also love roses (what girl doesn't? although my favorite flower is the gerber daisy). So, take 1 part autumn & 1 part roses, mix 'em up and what do you get? The coolest roses made from maple leaves! Ericka is going to make them for her wedding, which just so happens to be taking place on my birthday! (side note: anyone who wants to be so crafty as to make me maple roses for my birthday, please know that I would adore them)

Dish Rag Tag update for the non-particpants... the official winners are Team Hip-Knit-Tised! Congratulations to them! My team's (Lucky 13) box arrived to Emily yesterday, as I'm sure others did as well. We're still anxiously awaiting the announcement of who placed 2nd and 3rd. The wonderful Joanne of A Knitter's Garden provided the beautiful hand made row counters for the 3rd place finishers.... check them out (you'll need to scroll down to the Aug 10th post on Emily's blog) and if you like, she has some available at her shop!

I decided to check on my Ravelry status this morning...

You signed up on July 22, 2007
You are #19564 on the list.
8035 people are ahead of you in line.
11775 people are behind you in line.
36% of the list has been invited so far

So I'm still waiting to find out just what all this fuss is about.

I got our tickets for this year's Trans-Siberian Orchestra holiday concert and guess what?!?! I managed to get us 3rd row! Cool. I went for the first time last year when Matt got me tickets for my birthday and it was amazing... if you have a chance, go see it! You won't be disappointed... young or old, no matter what kind of music you enjoy... if you love the holidays and amazing musicians, GO!

Apparently our former foster, the loveably Dustee, was also enjoying some of those final lazy, hazy days of summer like Lola the other day. I got some new pics from his Mom this week and couldn't resist sharing this one... so, kick back and relax like Dustee (wow- I can't believe its been so long since Dustee was with us, that we had snow!) this weekend... I'm looking forward to getting some good knitting (and hopefully a little of that house cleaning... ugh) in this weekend.

So I gave in...

I said I wouldn't, but I did...

I signed up got on the mungo huge waiting list for Ravelry just now...

Found you!
You signed up on Today
You are #19564 on the list.
13031 people are ahead of you in line.
1 people are behind you in line.
32% of the list has been invited so far

Thirteen thousand people are in front of me in line! Holy smokes batman... and 1 lone person behind me (I'm sure that'll change in about 2 seconds)! This blog will remain my #1 focus though... but it appears many folks can and do blog and use Ravelry... go figure! Just please, please, please don't make me catalog my entire stash... that could take days weeks ... yikes!

And no, I didn't sign up just because I found this on the creator's (who I am so sad that I missed meeting at TKGA show..) blog: This blog is where I write about my little life in Charlestown, Massachussetts with my my sweet husband, Casey, and my Boston Terrier, Bob. If you don’t like pictures of dogs, this may not be the place for you. I can’t seem to stop myself. I don't think I could've said it better myself (the part about the dog pictures, of course)!

To save time, I have finally come to realize what a wonderful, wonderful world Bloglines is (you can click on the button under my profile on the right to instantly subscribe to this blog without having to type in the URL)! I had checked it out before, but was too stubborn to realize how great it was. Yes, I was one of those who randomly clicked on all my favorite blogs a few hundred times a day to see if my knitting pals had updated them... time consuming? Yes! Now with bloglines, I just have to look there and it'll tell me who's got new or updated posts... cool! It does seem to take at least a few hours, sometimes a day before the posts pop up as new for some reason... but its still a huge time saver and a way to never miss a friend's post again!