Martini Knitter

The Big Reveal

  Thank you, Debbi!  We swapped our Silly Socks this afternoon. Debbi spoiled me with these lovely blue socks that fit perfectly (I need to get the specs on them), some Spunky Eclectic roving,  some of Mary's fabulous stitch markers, a yummy cookbook, handmade soap that smells good enough to eat, hot cocoa (that will be going with me to work), a fantastic sock pattern, and a whooping 600 yards of yarn called Dragonfly.  And thank you Christine, Crystal and Kathy for the wonderful narration....it was almost as good as being there.  What a great idea Julie and Crystal ! The group reveal photo's are here and go over and check out Madame Purl's lovely new socks.

Saturday Hike

Keith and I went hiking with a friend yesterday.  A gorgeous spring day, temps in the 70s, and plenty of sunshine.  We headed out early for our hike up Mount Sanitas.  Nothing is blooming just yet but we found a few photo ops.   

I go out walking

I managed to finish up the most recent baby gift less than a week after he arrived. Julie and I picked up this adorable dinosaur fabric on my last visit for a friend that was expecting. I finally dared to break out the walking foot for my machine and quilt this most recent one. I was very pleased with how it turned out and the recipient seemed to snuggle right in.  He is our youngest house guest to date (6 days old),  he and his very proud new parents came by on Sunday for dinner.  

Impromtu Knitting

A cup of coffee,  a sock, and some lovely conversation.  I finally plowed though the second short row heel on my Silly Sock Swap Sock and am making great progress toward finishing them up.

On the way I pulled over to snap this beautiful mountain morning.

Sunday Crafting

Early Sunday was a perfect snowy New England morning and there was lots of knitting going on.  Christine was helping out one of our newer knitters  and Mary  was intently working away on her sock.  From knitting Julie and I went by Idylwilde to look around.  I haven't quite found such a neat "farm stand" in Boulder. Look at these veggies! Then off to Quilter's Way where I picked up the fabric for the lastest baby quilt I will be making.   As if this wasn't enough we went back to Julie's and she was so kind as to show me her soap making secrets.  I will definitely be trying this at home.  It isn't near as scary as it sounds :).    

And to top it off Jason had made a wonderful dinner (gone before pictures) and dessert.

Saturday Fun

   I had the good fortune this weekend to go back East and hang out with the gals. Today Crystal, this little guy, Julie and I headed up  to The Fiber Studio,  took a bit of a detour to Apple Tree Fabrics, then on to The Elegant Ewe.  We found the best stash of Noro Sock yarn, some Habu stainless steel and wool yarn, and I also picked up some Lorna's laces.  Before heading back to MA we had a lovely lunch at The Common Man .

Despite the snow this evening we met up with some more wonderful knitterly friends for dinner and then headed back to Julie's to knit and chat. 

Decisions, decisions

I throughly enjoyed the Bloomin' Feet swap last spring so I was thrilled when I was asked if I would like to participate in a small swap among friends.   Aptly dubbed the Silly Sock Swap as the packages are due on April Fool's Day.  The matches were made and the questionnaires exchanged.  Now all the decisions about the perfect yarn and pattern.  I am pretty sure I have settled on the yarn, a lovely Lorna's Laces and I have narrowed down the patterns to a select few.  I am hoping to cast on this weekend. 

Holiday's, Vacation and 2008

WOW..it has been a while since my last post.  I have to say it wasn't a planned absence.  December kind of got away from me.  I did have a very nice birthday,  I was so surprised to receive a wonderful and perfect fitting pair of socks, hand dyed and hand knit (dubbed chocolate covered cherries),  and although I  missed the recent sneak up I am looking forward to using a thoughtful gift certificate to the Loopy Ewe. I am still learning about the new camera Keith got me...I think that is going to take some time.

As we didn't take all of our vacation last year and our company has a use it or lose it policy,  we had an additional week off before Christmas.  Do you ever have one of those vacations that when it's over you are not sure where the time has gone?  I was able to spend some time with new friends and old and even managed to bring a new knitter into the fold.  She emailed me the next day and asked why I hadn't told her it was addictive,  if she only knew :)  We managed to get some much needed house stuff done, read electrician, fireplace guy, etc.  And most lovely was a visit from friends.  The weather was a bit challenging but we enjoyed their visit.

We had a quiet Christmas day just the two of us.  The past couple of years we have stayed home and have lazed around opening gifts, drinking hot chocolate and this year watching the perfect snow.  This is a picture of me trying to figure out the  new camera and one tuckered out little kitty guarding her stocking.

We welcomed the new year in quietly with an old movie, homemade pizza and then watched the ball drop...I even stayed up until midnight.  It was weird to know that we were watching a replay,  this is our first new year's outside of EST.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful and prosperous new year! 

Early Birthday Surprise

I received a wonderful package this weekend from the very thoughtful Julie.  An early birthday surprise that included some stunning yarn from The Painted Sheep and the most fabulous smelling homemade soap (I can't wait to try it),  she was also so kind as to include some treats for the kitty and hubby.  Keith was very pleased with his treat (the pistachios) and promptly decided to have a snack.  And last but certainly not least were the wonderful holiday treats, Divinity and Pralines....and in such a festive box.   Thanks so much for such a wonderful birthday surprise!

Thanksgiving Holiday Recap

Warning Picture Heavy Post ! I can not believe it is December!  We were fortunate to take some extra time off over the holiday and visit both of my grandmothers and my Mom.  We flew into Rockford, IL  very close to my mom's place late Thursday evening (the 15th) and stayed a quick night with my Grandma K (mom's mom).  Mom was extremely generous and lent us her car to make the 6+ hour drive up to visit Grandma E (dad's mom). Grandma E lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior,  beautiful country but not the easiest place to get too especially this time of year. Keith and I had a nice drive up on Friday and arrived to the wonderful aroma of homemade stew...sorry no pictures it was gone too quickly.  We had a wonderful visit,  very low key with lots of knitting and visiting.  We woke Saturday to a dusting of snow and headed out to three lovely yarn stores and warmed up with some coffee at Babycakes.  I picked up some Frog Tree Alpaca Chunky  in Ecru and cast on for a The Single Cable Scarf from One Skein ( I did use 4 skeins to make it longer).     Sunday Grandma E and I went out to breakfast and took a drive through Presque Isle and spotted this  red-headed woodpecker.  Whether I travel for business or pleasure, I always enjoy local culinary treats and I have to say no one makes these better than Grandma E,  we indulged in one of my all time favorites, pasties. These are truly a labor of love,  making them is a two day process and the effort is much appreciated.  Keith had forgotten his hat and asked if I would make him one.  After I finished up the scarf we picked up a few more balls of that wonderful alpaca yarn and a set of circular needles.  This was a quick knit after dinner Sunday evening, of course I had to check my decreases and then the finished product .    It was most enjoyable to sit with Grandma E crocheting, me knitting and Keith reading in the evenings.  Grandma knit wonderful hats, scarves and mittens each year when I was younger. 

We headed back down to Illinois bright and early Tuesday morning to visit with my Mom, step Dad, step Brother and stay with my Grandma K and her new furry friends.  Sampson and Delilah are the two newest additions to the family.  They are approximately 8 weeks old and bundles of energy and curiosity. They provided endless entertainment during our stay.  I spent a good deal of Wednesday baking while Keith helped out with a few lingering chores around the house.  Wednesday evening I was lucky enough to join Madame Purl and her regular knitting group for a bit.  And then she was able to come over Thanksgiving morning for some more chatting, knitting, and playtime with the youngsters( they were intrigued by the clear knitting bag).   After the pies finished up we headed over to Mom's house for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday was my step brother's birthday and seeing as how he recently moved to IL from GA, I thought a scarf was in order.  And Grandma K also recently moved from TN to IL and that lovely Frog Tree scarf found a new home.