Even though it was dark, we still got to check out the animals! This cutie pie was only 8 days old...
I did bring a few friends hanks home...
This super soft, dark brown baby alpaca (a blend of 3 different babies' first shearings) will be a pair of fingerless mitss for me, using this uber soft alpaca/silk blend as a trim...
This is their new sock yarn, which pictures do not do justice! The tones and little shimmers of color are gorgeous. Joanne test knit a sock for them and it was so stunning, I had to have some! Its 48% alpaca, 20% soysilk, 20% wool, 12% nylon...
Pictures also do not do justice to Nicola's hand dyed alpaca... this skein was very fallish and well, it just had to come home with me!
Thank you again to Sallie, Jack and Nicola... it was a wonderful night!
Ravelry project link here. Yarn is Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Claret colorway... used a bit more than 1/2 the skein. A very quick knit (of course I set it aside for several days after I started... it can really be knit in just a couple hours) and a really cute hat. It looks rather odd (tiny!) when finished until you get it adjusted just right on my big your head. I'm still not totally sure how well I can pull off the look and whether or not this will be for me or a gift, but the kids rocked it pretty well...
Sophie showing some fall fashion style...
Zeus looking a little French-chic & a little homeboy all rolled into one...
So what do ya think? At first I thought it was definitely not me, but its growing on me... a little bit... still not sure... it might be the way the brim flops down instead of "out" and also its just not slouchy like the one in the pattern pictures. I'm thinking of doing another one and going up a size on the needles...
Zeus says Bonjour... and enjoy the rest of your fabuluos fall weekend!
A couple weeks ago we did a little outdoor photo shoot for a couple of upcoming reviews and I managed quite a few good "outtakes..."
Lola on the lookout and smiling big... She's going to see the doctor lady tonight (translation: her annual check up)!
Sophie's the only one small enough to sneak around the back of the hot tub... She's also shown her budding rap star poses (she borrowed big brother Zeus' collar)...
"Say hhheeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy, say hhhhoooooooooo......"
Zeus [awww... my cute sleeping baby... are you looking at the linked pics too?] is known to snuggle with blankies & pillows. On a recent chilly morning the usual throw had been removed from the couch for washing, so he took it upon himself to get one of my throws down from the back of the couch... not once, but twice (after I took it away the first time)! I gave up.... the big boy likes loves his blankies...
Teutul is anxiously awaiting his C-A-K-E later this month... the little guy will be celebrating birthday #5 on October 25th. He's been a little stubborn camera shy lately. Here is he hanging with his sisters (note Lola is modeling one of the upcoming review items)...
He did act like the ham he is pose with Mommy for one quick shot...
As mentioned yesterday, October is Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month. In honor of this, I'm going to beg ask you all to help me with my $1,000 fundraising goal to the ASPCA once again (I'm only $170 away!). If you can help, please click on the fundraising banner at the top of my blog and it will bring you to ASPCA's secure website for donating/becoming a member. I know funds are tight all around, but if you need to make some tax deductible donations for 2008, now's the time... and thank you in advance if you are able to. The doggies thank you too....
I've signed up for the Amazing Autumn Coffee Swap - have you?
About Your Yarn Passion
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? When did you first learn? Knit only. Mom taught me way back when I was really young, but it didn't stick. I've been seriously "back" into knitting for about 4 years now.
2. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) It totally depends upon the project. I do use a lot of bamboo for straight & DPNs and I often use Addis for my circs. Is there something you've been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on? I'd really love to get a pair of the square straight needles (and in looking up that link I see they now make DPNs - cool!).
3. What kind of projects do you enjoy making? I love to make instant gratification projects like fingerless mitts and hats... I also enjoy socks, scarves, bags, cozies, cowls, etc. I'm beginning to get in to shawls. Any types you just haven't ever gotten into as much as others? I haven't yet gotten in to lots of lace and fancy shawls, but I have some projects to start!
4. What's on your needles\hook right now? What's not?!?! I have startitis issues... At least 2 pairs of socks, 3 scarves, 2 hats, a tank top, a baby sweater, a cowl, a Booga bag, 2 shawls and there are probably at least half dozen projects in hiding... What's your oldest UFO (unfinished object)? There's an itchy basket weave scarf somewhere that I started when I first got back into knitting ... I'm not sure where... the mice might've stole it by now! I also have a baby car seat blanket that I started probably 2+ years ago... I really should finish that one up!
5. If you were going on vacation tomorrow, what project(s) would travel with you? Socks always travel with me (can't beat portable!)... sometimes a hat or scarf. Maybe a larger project, but it really depends if we're driving or flying...
6. What are your favorite types of yarns? Malabrigo, alpaca yarns, handdyed yarn, unique / local yarns, etc. Any you're allergic too, or just hate working with? Nothing I'm allergic too, but please nothing itchy/scratchy/furry... Anything in particular you've been dying to try? I'd really love to try some unusual fibers like Buffalo and Qiviut.
7. What sort of colors do you love in yarns? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? I tend to lean towards a lot of purples (everything from lilac to eggplant), blues, reds, some pink and autumn colors. I like solids, semi-solids and variegated, as well as self striping... it all depends upon the project. Are there any you can't stand? Neon brights and muddy colorways.
Your Coffee Passion
1. Do you prefer caffeinated or not? Caffeinated - I'm a fully leaded girl!
2. Whole bean or ground? Either is fine. For what type of pot or press? Automatic drip coffee maker.
3. What types of roasts do you enjoy? Light to Medium, Breakfast Blends, Flavors, Seasonal Blends. Are you more the light and lively or dark and robust type? Light & Lively!
4. How do you 'take' your coffee? Creamers? Sweetener? Other add ins? 1 Splenda packet and milk or flavored creamer. If its evening/an event, sometimes its fun to replace the milk with a shot of Bailey's!
5. That first morning cup - is it about the taste, or the caffeine? Both really... definitely need the caffeine, but it has to taste good too! Don't forget the smell... mmm...
6. Do you enjoy going out to coffee shops like Starbucks? Sometimes... if you're with a group of friends who want to hang out at a coffee house and chat or knit, then cool! What are some of your favorites? I'm a New England girl, so I run on Dunkin Donuts... I also really like some local coffee shops like The Village Bean.
7. You've just made the perfect cup of coffee - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? A thick - and extra large - mug. Where would you sit to drink it? On the couch, surrounded by the dogs and my knitting... or if its a Wednesday night, then the table at A Knitter's Garden, surrounded by friends and knitting!
8. You're enjoying that perfect cup, and have a magic cabinet in your kitchen - when you open it, magically, your favorite treats will appear to enjoy alongside the coffee - what are they? Are they sweet? Crunchy? Soft and flaky? Depending on my mood, it could be anything from chocolate covered gummy bears... cheesecake... carrot cake... peanut butter cookies... maybe something maple, a muffin or scone perhaps... chocolate dusted almonds... roasted pumpkin seeds... chocolate covered sunflower seeds... cherry pie from The Pie Guy... gummy berries (although they don't go so well with coffee)... Tagalong cookies from the girl scouts (my fave!)...
All about YOU!
1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking? Beading (I make stitch markers and other knitting notions, as well as some pendants, etc), Photography
2. Do you collect anything? Besides yarn? :) Unique & luxury knitting needles, Willow Tree Angels figurines, Dog related stuff, knitting related stuff (ornaments, notecards, trinkets..)... and not so much as "collect," but enjoy/wear stuff having to do with rescue dogs/adoption and both colon and head & neck cancer awareness.
3. What is your favorite part of Autumn? EVERYTHING - its my favorite season! The cooler temps, crisp air, beautiful New England foliage, festivals & fairs, hot apple cider, hot apple crisp, pumpkins, my birthday, soups & stews, etc.
4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? For this time of year... spiced pumpkin, maple, cider, pomegrante, coffee, homey/spicey holiday scents (NO pine though), etc. Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body? Some... for body lotions, I like clean scents.
5. Are you allergic to anything? No cigarette smoke please.
6. Are you on Ravelry? Yes. What's your ID? LapdogCreations
7. How would you spend an ideal fall afternoon/day? Kicking my feet through the leaves at one of the many local festivals or fairs, enjoying fair food (maybe chowder in a bread bowl, some hot apple cider and apple crisp), checking out all the sights & sounds of fall.... maybe checking out the Pumpkin Festival in the evening.
