Blogiversary!

Could it really be?

2 years and 310 posts later... I've come a long, long way in the blogging (and knitting!) world since June 15, 2006!

Thank you to everyone who comes back to read about my crazy, multi-tasking ways... yes, even those of you who only come for the doggy pictures! I will soon be expanding my content to include the book & product reviews I mentioned about a month ago... look for the first one this week (combined with a mini contest)!

In honor of my 2 year blogiversary and my hopefullness of raising $1,000 for the ASPCA, I have a little contest. Well, its not even a contest per say, since everyone who wishes to take part will win! Anyone who donates a minimum of $15 to my ASPCA fundraising goals (you must click thru the ASPCA fundraiser banner at the top of my blog, then leave a comment her indicating you donated & with a way to contact you) will receive a free Lapdog Creations Stitch Marker! Its just my little way of thanking you for helping out animals in need (and don't forget, your donation is 100% tax deductible!). While you can donate at any time (the donation banner has been on my blog for quite some time now), the deadline for the free stitch marker offer is July 4th (my first rescue baby's 6th birthday).

Clap Off!

I finally got Clappy off the needles last week, after treating her like the red headed step child neglecting her for a few weeks to work on projects for the Granite State Knit In, but alas... she is finished, even if a bit late for the Fashionably Late in 08 KAL (does that make me extra fashionable???)...

I used a bit over 6 skeins of SWTC Amerah (100% silk) in the colorway Vineyard and opted to go with not blocking (I like the crinkled look). Amerah was quite nice on the hands, but my major complaint was the ridiculous amount of knots I ran in to (some skeins had 3 or 4!!!). So not cool... especially for a "luxury" yarn. I tried to hide them in as best I could and while not completely pleased, I'm ok with them for now... we'll see how they act up when I start wearing it.

Here's my failed attempt at a self portrait (well, half ain't bad... right?).....

And the customary 4 legged helper shot...

With Clappy finished, I still have 101 projects on the needles I've been working on my Trekking to Charlotte socks...

And I just cast on a Market Bag for a friend's upcoming birthday (and bought yarn to make one for myself as well)...

Beat LA!

OK, so I am not very much of a basketball fan, however I am a Boston Girl and I support all our teams, including the made-an-awesome-comeback-this-year Celtics! I haven't been to a game in probably 5 years, mostly because we'd rather spend our money on Bruins or Patritos games... but I just need to scream out... BEAT LA... GO GREEN!!!!!!!

Dog Days of Summer

We are just coming off of one miserable, icky, sticky, nasty heat wave here... dog days of summer would be an understatement for the past 4 days, especially since I've been out working in it. Instead of beeing cooped up in my nice air conditioned office, I've been on site working on a new condo model... moving stuff from one building to another, shopping, putting it all together and well, sweating up a stinky storm... ugh.

I'm also still playing catch up with everything... here is another FO, which I actually completed a couple weeks ago for donation at the Granite State Knit In... the teddy bear sweater!

Since it is Dogs on Thursday, I wanted to share this weird little story (with a happy ending!) that I got in my email box this week.... Dog Survives Toto Impression During Tornado! Chase is one lucky - and quite handsome - doggy!

I also wanted to share with everyone that my little girl Sophie is in the spotlight over at the Planet Dog blog! Check her out here! Planet Dog has an awesome Kiss Me I'm Adopted program where anyone who's adopted a cat or dog can get a great little kit!

I'll leave you with some quick pictures of the kids ...

Sophie watching out the window... {click names for more pics}

Teutul joined in (please ignore the "artwork" created on the window sill by our children and the section of wall that Daddy still needs to patch thanks to the couch that used to sit there.... )

Then Lola... you see, the window "box seat" is a prime spot in our house.. we have 4 very nosey watch dogs children....

Since we hadn't yet put away luggage from vacation, there wasn't much room for Zeus to cram in to. Besides, he'd much rather spend his time watching things from outside anyway... or maybe hanging out with Mommy?

Enjoy the rest of your day and remember.. it is almost Friday!!!!!!!

The End...

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.......

Vacation Part 1 - Cottage Yarn

Vacation installment part one... my yarn shop discovery!

I found an amazing, welcoming, wonderful shop in Mint Hill, NC ... Cottage Yarn! We ran over there the first night we were in town, since the shop was open until 8pm on Tuesdays (I discovered it was their knitting group night) and what else were we going to do? This is how I started my vacation off...

We drove in a nasty thunderstorm and missed the entrance the first time by and had to turn around... but of course it was all worth it. The staff and ladies knitting at the shop were extremely friendly and welcoming and we all talked about racing, Charlotte and New Hamsphire... in fact, one of the ladies is thinking about moving to NH in a couple of years!

I was thrilled to not only find such a friendly yarn shop, but some unique items as well, especially their very own Cottage Creations line of gorgeous handdyed yarns. I had all I could do to only buy 3 skeins...

Raw Silk, in the Blue Ridge Parkway colorway (100% raw silk, 400 yards)... {you can click on the photos to enlarge the beauty}

Silk/Wool Bulky, in the Tuscan

Hillside colorway (silk/wool, 246 yards)...

Sock Yarn, in the Wine Country

colorway (85% wool, 15% mohair, 246 yards)...

Other than the sock yarn, I'm not sure what projects these are destined for yet... feel free to make suggestions!

The shop itself is set inside a comfy, old house and each room has a theme (sock yarns, baby yarns, cottons, etc), including the "Sale Porch" where I found this yarn I had never seen before...

Maggi's Multi Linen in a green/khaki/orange colorway (52% cotton, 48% linen, 126 each ball - I got 3 balls) I'm not quite sure what its destined for yet, so if you have a suggestion...

I also purchased the most beautiful handmade copper button and a shawl pin (you can see both in the group photo at top - click to enlarge). The button was simply stunning, one of those things you just knew you couldn't leave the shop without. It might be destined for a felted bag or some other item that needs a focal point....

Again, I can't say it enough... this is a wonderful shop! If you're in the area, be sure to stop by! I will be back next May, with my frequent shopper card in hand (I already filled up more than 1/2 of it!).

While I was away, my Mom made this bag holder for me (since I don't crochet, I get to ask her to make things for me!)...

I picked out the colors (changed from the original pattern, which I believe was from Bernat) and just love it. Its so much prettier in my kitchen than the fabric lighthouse one we had... Thanks Mom!

Quick update... they found a bit of cancer on one of my Dad's tonsils and believe that may be where it started. He will have surgery to remove the tonsil this week and then they will begin a treatment plan for the cancer in his neck.....

I'm still working on getting vacation photos downloaded... more to come later, as well as a recap of the Granite State Knit In from yesterday (and more stash enhancement!).

Bug Hunting & Bird Watching

Please bear with me while I'm still playing catch up! The saying "I need a vacation from my vacation" couldn't be further from the truth... I've still yet to download the pictures off the camera, but promise them soon... race car drivers, race cars, race shops... and oh yea, my yarn shop find (and haul) and my pics with the absolutely adorable, mellow man, Killer!

Last weekend we spent a off-and-on again rainy afternoon watching the Cats vs Dogs...

... as in, the Manchester Fisher Cats vs the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox affiliate)... after the game we hoped on over the an awesome steakhouse, which was by far the more enjoyable part of the day.

I ended up staying home on Sunday and after a lazy start, I stayed busy working up a bunch of stitch markers for A Knitter's Garden (more to come soon for my Etsy shop, but in the meantime there are still several sets available over there). Joanne is vending at The Granite State Knit In this Saturday and had asked for some specific smaller sets to have on hand. She also suggested a display board for single markers and thanks to my wonderful honey, we now have an awesome looking display board which I delivered to her last night (and thanks to his overactive imagination engineering mind, not only one that stands up but one that folds for portability). Of course, I forgot to photo it but will do so this weekend.

I'm really looking forward to the Knit In on Saturday! Joanne and I will be cruising up at the sinful hour butt-crack of dawn with blogless Cheryl (I'm so NOT a morning person...). I'm looking forward to my classes, for which I still need to knit a 6 x 4 swatch... but at least I only have one swatch to knit for homework, unlike last year (and no, I did not pick my classes based on the homework assigned, I just happened to luck out with only one of them requiring actual homework). I also have to finish my 2nd pair of the magic slippers for the donations. Last night the girls convinced me to use my 1st pair (the tiny, tiny infant size) as my contest entry.

So now on to the Dogs on Thursday content... the kids also got a little more active after their lazy Sunday morning. We went out on the back porch to hang and watch the critters....

Teutul {as always, click linked names for more pics} was pretty persistant in checking out what was above before he pooped out...



I think he was watching the birds zip around his head... and after a more careful examination of the tree behind the hot tub in that picture, I found this nesting mama...

Sophie is my little lady bug hunter extraordinaire! I swear... hunting dog mega mix... she definitely is (officially we have her as a "hound mix," but I'm starting to think she's got some bassett in her due to her odd body shape... perhaps bassett, beagle and something else?). She will chase anything & everything... moths, birds, flies, ants, frogs, bugs of any kind... she'd be torturing the squirrels & woodchucks if they weren't out of reach. One of her new favorite activities is rumaging thru Mommy's old, dried up plant pots on the porch to stir up the bugs to catch, especially that old Lavender plant (I guess this isn't how you dry lavender, huh?)...

She is an avid bird watcher (that little black spot in the grass - in between the rungs above her head - is a bird)...

Her big brother Zeus is also an avid bird watcher, although his favorite activity is to "lay low" out front until they all gather by the tree and then to run full speed, giving poor little birdies heart attacks barreling in to them and making birds scater everywhere.

Lola was too busy keeping an eye peeled for Chucky & Woody to care about some silly old birdies...

I did try another 4 doggy photo, but with not as much success as the last round...