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)...

Contest, Knitting, Spring & DOGS... oh my!

So... we've happened upon yet another Dogs on Thursday, which means its almost TGIF time -- yeah!!!! As an added bonus, its feeling a lot like spring around here (high 60's today!)....

I did a hurry up, I've got 5 minutes before I have to leave for work quick photo shoot this morning, taking advantage of the lovely sunshine, to prove to everyone that I still knit, since I know my WIP and FO content has been lacking lately. As a result, I also downloaded a tun of cute furbaby pics off the camera too (a couple weeks worth - I sure do have plenty for upcoming DOT content...) Now grab a cup of coffee and settle in, this one's going to be a long one...

Shall we knit first? I'm just about done with the 2nd skein of Wisdom Sonnet for my One Row scarf, but think I want it longer so I grabbed a 3rd skein at A Knitter's Garden last night.

After frogging my ISE6 pal's lacey scarf twice, I decided to switch patterns (it was a designer error, not user error on the much cursed first pattern) and am now working on the Oriel Lace scarf.

I'm already loosing sleep wondering if I have any chance at all of completing this in time (friggin fingering weight yarn ... everyone thought I was crazy at guild last night...), however since my pal is fond of fall colors (just like me) and she lives in a cold winter climate (me too), I am comfortable in knowing that I can send her the beautiful wool/silk blend One Row scarf above if need be (but you bet I will have to make another one for myself.... I heart this one!).... ahhh, having a solid fall back plan feels nice!

Clappy is growing nicely, however I'll admit that since the deadline has been extended out to the 30th for the KAL, I've been neglecting her for the past week.... but of course, she is still blinged out to the max with some beautiful markers!

The Amerah is dropping quite nicely... I'm glad I chose it for the project!

Contest update! Remember you have until April 25th to enter my contest... and there are many ways to do so. The prizes being donated by my crafty circle are just amazing, so don't miss out! In fact, the list of prizes has now grown to include Trekking sock yarn being donated by the wonderful Criquette (check out her blog for some amazing no-sew snuggles!) and a Paw Print scarf handknit by the amazing Chan!

A couple have arrived already, including a beautiful sock / small project bag from Gypsy Knits

The neck rice roll, ice pack and stitch marker holder from Blume's Accessories have also arrived (without any prior knowledge, Mary used the same adorable fabric!)

As you can see, there are tuns of great prizes and you don't even have to be a knitter to enjoy most of them!

Now on to doggy Thursday... well, first I do want to show you this wonderful bag that was gifted to me by the uber talented, and fellow doggy Mom, Gaylen!

Isn't it gorgeous (it even matches my favorite Vera Bradley tote - you can see it here, used as a backdrop)?!?!? Gaylen wasn't happy with the way it turned out with her pattern tweaks and when I commented on how beautiful it was, she said "its in the mail..." What a friend! Thank you again G - it will get a tun of use, that's for sure!

The DOT spring swap is winding down... and I just want to publicly express how much fun I had putting together this swap package! I got to spoil Kenyetta, with this...

I think this was the coolest package to put together, but don't get me wrong... I still love the "regular" knitting related swaps too! I haven't received my package yet, but I know who my spoilee is and know its on the way... :) Now I'm working on spoiling my Spring Coffee swap pal!

Now ... on to the kids! Are you sick of pictures yet? I won't keep you too much longer, I'll just share a few I snapped this morning while doing my knitting photo shoot (as always, click their linked names for even more cuteness)....

Lola was so happy that spring has finally arrived, she was zipping around the yard at full speed!

And then she posed nicely for Mommy...

Sophie was too busy following her nose to pose...

She followed it right on up to Mommy's knitterly photo shoot...

Zeus, my always perfect model, had fun zipping around looking for birdies...

I didn't manage to get any of Tut outside today, but got the usual look when I told him Mommy had to leave for work...

Enjoy the rest of your spring day... and don't forget to enter the contest!

We're Not in Kansas Anymore!

No Toto, we're not! {side note: In doing a quick google search for a cute photo, I found this. Good golly, Toto has an autobiography!!! If any of my swap spoilers are reading this... yes, I need it.} Anyway, I nearly got blown away this morning walking in from the car. We've been under high wind advisories since last night and they are to continue thru this evening. However, I did see an actual sign of Spring this morning! I found some blooming (though not open yet) crocuses on the side of our stairs. Excuse the mess around them... those who know me know that I do not weed and apparently Matt never got around to raking the leaves from that area.

I'm happy to report its hump day knitting night! I'm also happy to report that Clappy has outgrown its previous bag and I've had to stash it in a bigger tote (the one I received as my Loopy Groopy initiation package) and the KAL deadline has been extended to tax day! Will I make it? I think I can, I think I can...

Stay tunned for tomorrow's Dogs on Thursday post which will be announcing a Lapdog Creations contest in conjunction with ASPCA Day! There will be several ways to enter, as well as several amazing prizes (many of which are being donated by my wonderful circle of crafty girls)... Don't miss it!

Mundane Monday

Where or where did the friggin short, not enough time in the day weekend go??? I can't believe its Monday already... ugh.

I spent Saturday watching Scott win the race and working on some more stitch markers, including sets for Chan's blogiversary contest, my DOT Spring Swap pal, my Mom and even a couple sets for little ole me! Yes, I can finally use my own creations now. I made matching Colon Cancer Awareness sets for Mom & I using dark blue awareness ribbons & swarovski crystals. I really love the way they turned out... hope she likes her set! I also made myself a set of purple paw print markers (purple is the awareness color for animal abuse - you can check out many great "purple paw" items here). After I completed the gift sets, I went on to work up some that should wind up in my Etsy shop within the next couple of days, so keep an eye out if you're interested.

Since I neglected Clapotis all week, I devoted yesterday's crafty time to it....

I'm pretty doubtful not sure of making the March 31 deadline for the KAL, but I'm chugging along. I'm on skein #3 of yarn and have dropped 3 stitches thusfar...

While I knit away yesterday, Matt piped up and asked what I was making. When I showed him the pictures on the pattern he asked if I was going to have to block it.... I was impressed! I think he may've been asking (in a typical manly fashion) when the heck I was finally going to use that monstrous blocking board that we lugged home from Webs last year... but hey, he at least acted interested and he's got the lingo down, right? The dogs, on the other hand, were much less interested...

Sophie & Teutul

Zeus

Lola

I can't not post this one too... 3 dogs took over the couch for much of the lazy afternoon at our house (please excuse the mess of hodge-podge blankets and pillows... if you have dogs, you understand, I'm sure). Notice the girls got the pillows on either end and the boy is stuck in the middle...

Happy Green Beer Day!

Are you wearing green today? I hope so! Although I didn't drink any green beer over the weekend, I did spend some quality time with a good cuppa joe, some fine reading material, the NASCAR race and knitting yesterday. I made progress on my Clapotis and even got to drop the first stitch!

For those of you who really want to show off your kniting bling-bling, Clappy is for you. Check this out... stitch marker bling galore!

Despite the much too damn quickly approaching March 31 deadline for the Clapotis KAL, I knit a few rounds on these pink socks (using the Peace Fleece pattern from the Knitting for Peace book)...

Then, in keeping with my latest pink theme, I cast on the Lop-Eared Bunny from the latest Creative Knitting. I'm using Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo, which I purchased a few weeks ago on that sick/snowy day thousand mile trip trek down to Hub Mills with Joanne. Pinkie will be a birthday present for a special little princess who will soon be turning 2.

I had a lovely surprise in my mailbox this morning.... a belated birthday gift for my Zeus! It was from Kathy, who I got to spoil in the Defeat the Winter Doldrums swap. She sent an adorable Olive stuffed squeaky toy and a really cute notecard. The pic isn't so great (camera phone), but you get the idea. Thank you Kathy, that was so extremely sweet of you!

Enjoy your green beer, corned beef and cabbage (not sure I'm really 60%, but yes, I am a wee bit Irish... Irish & Portuguese, which could explain a lot... )!

You're 60% Irish

You're very Irish, and most likely from Ireland. (And if you're not, you should be!)

How Irish Are You?

Rain, Knitting & Deer Sightings...

Happy hump Knitting Wednesday! Yes, knitting guild night is finally here. I missed it last week due to being sick, so I'm extra itchy to get there. Matt's band is back to practicing on Wednesday nights too, which makes going straight from work to AKG even easier... life is good! Well, except that its been raining since yesterday afternoon. This is what it looked like outside before I left for work this morning...

At least its not snow, right?!?! Teutul insisted on going outside for the uptenth time in the rain, then looked all pathetic waiting for Mommy to let him back in...

Lola is our fishy dog... I swear that on most rainy days, she'd just sit outside if we let her. Instead of just doing her business and coming right back in this morning, she had to go investigate the side of the house...

I think she's on a constant hunt for deer after she spotted 2 in the backyard on Saturday. We were wondering why she was all still and gawking towards the back... then realized these guys were visiting and happily munching away on tree limbs (excuse the not-so-great photos taken with the super zoom as to try not to disturb them)...

So, after feeling like a mac truck smashed in to the side of my head being sick, I finally got some knitting done over the weekend. I worked another 12 round increase repeat on my Clapotis. I've still yet to drop a stitch, but have it with me as my project to work on tonight....

Cast on another pair of socks using the basic Peace Fleece sock pattern from Knitting For Peace and super soft Jaeger Roma...

Finished a coffee cup cozy to match my Fetching mitts...

I also finished knitting a secret test knit item, which I will finally be able to show you after the new Knitty comes out! A dear friend will have her pattern published in the Spring issue and I am having a conniption fit a bit of difficulty restraining myself from showing you the pictures... but I digress and tap my fingers on my desk wait for Knitty to get the damn Spring issue up!

Another secret to share... don't tell Zeus, but I'm planning to stop at Woof it Down tonight to pick up his birthday cake for Friday. He was too busy munching on a bone last night to pay attention when I said the C-A-K-E word...

He didn't even notice that Princess Sophie got all snuggled up in his blankie either...

I am wearing the lovely wrap Chan made for me today (Joanne made me promise to bring it tonight), but due to the rain, I still have no photos to show... sorry! I'm also wearing the awesome dog shawl pin that Jeanne sent me in my Knit 1, Tea 2 swap package. So with that, please paint a picture in your mind and enjoy the rest of your hump day!