That’s all I can say about Susie’s yarn….YUMMY.  If you have never bought her yarn, do so, for your sake.  Check out her blog or her etsy shop, but buy!  Here’s what arrived today.

The top one is merino/silk and her Midnight Rainbow/Harlot’s Peacock colorway.  Even prettier in person.  The bottom one is a special concoction of pinks, oranges, and purple.  Just loverly.  Hope you wil stay tuned for the projects in mind for these.

I also made a pixie batt in the colors hot pink, deep teal, and purple with several different colors of Angelina in there.  I decided to place the batts (two of them) in my wool hackle and pull the fiber through my diz.  Here’s the roving I came up with.

I already started spinning this and plan to weave with the yarn.  It’s looking great so far

The sewing continues…I made another bag for another swap partner but didn’t take a picture of it because it’s very similar as the one I made here, just a different strap.  But I still have a lot of woven material left over, so I made this today.

Kinda proud of myself, because I had no real pattern to do by.  Just sort of winged it.  I see more of these in the future for sure.  But not all for me, of course. (contact me if interested and maybe we can work something out )

And a special thank you to Joy (aka Always Joy) for the bag I received in the Little Bag Swap.  This cute cell phone holder is most coveted by my oldest daughter at this point (not that she has a cell phone mind you….she just really liked it and offered an extra chore for it….NOT!)

In the bag is a Burt Bee’s lip balm (yum) a really cute pink/green beaded bracelet, mini American flag, and a silver leaf pin that would make a great scarf or shawl pin.  Thanks so much Joy.  You made my day!

Am home from Dallas.  Had a wonderful few days alone with hubby and some totally relaxing ALONE time in the hotel room watching movies and knitting.  Didn’t venture out of the hotel by myself.  Sorry, the city was just too overwhelming for me. :)  I am such a small town girl.  Won’t even bore you all with the complaints about the hotel.  Let’s just say way too over-priced for what they offered.  Motel 6 offers more then this hotel did for a 1/4 of the price!  I guess they have to charge so much so “Paris” can afford a new dress or to party the night away.

Kids missed us terribly.  I was only gone two nights, but hubby was gone almost a week.  It’s really hard for the kids to be away from us as they still harbor that deep rooted fear that mom and dad will never come home since that has happened in their past before.  But going away and coming back to them is healthy and shows that it is possible for moms and dads to go away and come back again. 

We are enjoying one more day of Spring Break leave and then tomorrow everything returns to “normal”.  Hubster goes back to work and the kids and I return to school and a life of frustration begins again. Just kidding.

Hancock Fabric in my area is closing it’s doors.  Went today for a little bit of shopping and will go back again when prices are reduced some more.  But I did get several zippers, some patterns, and some material for the kidlets.  I run the risk of lots of things being picked over but the manager told me they were never very busy anyway, so she’s not expecting a run on the store.  Now to see if I can actually make some of the patterns I bought.  Stay tuned

It’s been rainy and overcast all day.  We needed the rain and the green is just exploding everywhere around.  Hopefully we won’t be in draught conditions again this year.

….the proof is for Kel.  I really can sew. I used to do a lot of it.  But lately…well, it’s just not been fun.  However, today a brought out the machine, dusted it off, and actually had an enjoyable few moments.  Jacob is quite proud of taking this picture.  While I wished it wasn’t this side of my face, I do think he did a great job.  (if you look closely, you can still see the bruising on my cheek and eye area…even the doc commented on that Tuesday when I went back to see him.  ooh and just pretend you don’t see the turkey neck, ok?)

Remember this scarf?  It really called to me to be something else.  So this was born.

This bag is now filled with goodies and going to my “Little Bag” swap partner.  Hope she likes it.

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Fasting is over and coffee has been consumed.  WHEW.  We escaped near disaster in that I now have my life blood flowing through my veins.  Wendy asked why I had to do the 24 hour urine test for PCOS.  So, if anyone else wants to know, they are testing for abnormal levels of insulin an glucose which seems to be a common thread that runs with PCOS.    In my case, however, we are fairly sure the levels will be normal since I simply can’t tolerate sugar and do my best to avoid it.  More then 9 grams of sugar in a serving and I find myself sprawled out on the floor wishing it would swallow me up.  I get horrible cramping and just want to vomit.  (lovely picture isn’t)  So…I do my level best to avoid all types of sugar (refined, fruit, and carbs that later turn to sugar).

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Sockret Pal update.  Katrina, I promise you I am working on your socks…..truly.  For let’s just say the 5th time.  I am trying to come up with a pattern for you on the idea of the Molly Pitcher Socks that make history (more on that later folks…honest)  So, please be patient with me and will ya still wuv me if I am a little late?  They ARE going to Dallas with me so I know I can get some uninterupted time to knit on them.  (can I take metal circs on a plane?)

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And I am also working on a secret knitting project.  Kel knows what it is and I bet Erica can guess, but I am not ready to show pictures just yet.  But let’s just say it’s a first for me.  I am excited.  Who knows how it will turn out because I am following some “basic” instructions and winging the rest and making it up as I go along.

Well, I am off to take the kiddos out for lunch and enjoy the overcast day.  Catch ya all later.

When you have a 24 hour urine test you go to the bathroom way more then you normally do? And then when you have to fast, you are hungrier then you normally would be?  Seriously.  I am in the process of taking a 24 urine test. It all has to go in a rather larger bottle provided by the hopsital.  I laughed when I read the instructions that indicated if you needed another bottle to come and get one the lab is open 24/7.  Now I am wondering if I am going to have to take a trip to the lab at 3:00 am???  Then there’s the fast thing.  I have to have some lab work in the morning that requires at least a 10-12 hour fast.  I haven’t even offically begun yet and feel like I am going to starve tonight. It’s not normal I tell you. Not normal at all. 

No worries on the tests though folks (and Auntie Carol I know you will be worrying). Just some “female” testing going on as PCOS has reared it’s ugly head again.  Also hubby and I are pondering fertility treatments again so doc felt he would go ahead and do all the testing needed at once just so I wouldn’t have to do it again in a few weeks.  By the way I say fertility treatments again because there was a 2 month go around with Clomid several years ago.  We didn’t follow through longer because I had surgery and well…we ended getting approved for Josh. We thought about it again about 8 months after adopting Josh and ended up with the fab four.  Now that we are thinking about it again I figure we will end up adopting again or with triplets!

Oh well….please excuse the ramblings…I suppose I am getting ready for my morning tomorrow without coffee (thankfully the lab work will be done fairly early in the morning and there is a coffee shop on the way home!!!)

I am spinning this 100% Alpaca Top from Winderwood Farm

I am spinning it on my Ashford Joy with Woolee Winder so I am hoping it will make a decent lace weight, which if so, will be gifted to a friend.

It requires a lot of treadling, but it’s great exercise

…before or after the fact?

Robyn, our SP 10 hostess, asked us to blog about our favorite knitting accessory.  You know, it took all of 2 minutes (maybe less) to think what I wanted to write about.  My favorite knitting accessory is not something I can take with me.  It stays in one spot and is very comfortable.  Almost like an old friend.  My favorite knitting accessory is a little worn out and honestly, I could probably use a new one, but like an old friend, we work well together and you just don’t throw out old friends because something new comes along.

Yes, this is my favorite knitting accessory.  Jim bought me this chair right after we found out we were approved to adopt Josh.  (granted he was 9 when he came to live with us, and there would be no rocking a baby, but it was more the symbol of it)  Now, after 4 years, 5 moves, and lots of rocking to keep my sanity, it’s not just my knitting chair, but it’s also command central.  Our school day starts with me sitting here overseeing our studies.  When I am stressed, I sit here and knit (sometimes A LOT),  and I design patterns at the computer while sitting here.  i wrap myself in the very simple triangle shawl that was my very first knitted project and think (aka dream) of things I would like to make.  There are several inspirational knitting books to one side of the chair and my needles and knitting bag to the other.

I am sure I could write more about my favorite knitting accessory, however, the kidlets are up and wanting breakfast, so I must tear myself out of my favorite chair and off the computer and come up with a grand breakfast to fill the bellies of my not so starving children.

I know…it’s really March Madness and this is the time of year I miss living in North Carolina being all caught up in the basketball fever and stuff.  Just don’t seem nearly as interested in it these days.

But here on the home front, it’s just plain Monday Madness.  I realized I never scheduled a Spring Break for the kids (ACK) and since the public schools are out this week, and Jim being home today and tomorrow (then away for training for a few days) and home next Monday as well…we are taking today, tomorrow, and next Monday off.  Woo hoo.  So, today was a gardening day (before the rains come tonight) and bowling as well.  The kids used to be on a bowling league and loved it.  They asked if they could join again in September when the new ones start up.  I am sure we can do that.  So anyway, the 7 of us (minus grandpa) loaded up and took a trip onto the post for an afternoon of bowling.  It was fun.  Currently, there’s a rousing game of basketball going on out front as well as some scooter riding and pogo sticking.  Me, I am chilling out for the rest of the evening.  Ok, not really.  There’s still dinner to cook and clothes to help hubby pack.  Other then that, I am chilling out.

PIXIE BATT Easter Egg Hunt

50% Merino wool/50% silk in yellow, green, purple, pink, and white with a sprinkling of Angelina thrown in for sparkle

5 ounces $15.00 plus shipping … contact me at kimberly @ wovenspun.com (remove spaces) if interested

Very little VM

And here’s a new sock yarn I am working on called Watermelon Warrior.  What do you think?

Personally I would like to see the black seeds a little darker, but let me know your opinion on this.

And if you know me, I had to work really hard to finish this hat as written.  Really.  It’s not that I can’t follow instructions.  I can.  I do.  But when it comes to knitting, I tend to incorporate a little this or a little of that and come up with something different from what was written.  But as listed in the previous post, Kel challanged me to complete a hat from Charlene Schurch’s book AS WRITTEN.  Well, I did it.

This is the Triple Patterned Watch cap from page 34 of Hats On! 

I haven’t washed or blocked the hat yet.  I found certain things in doing this hat that I really liked.  For example, I really liked the Twinned Herrigbone Edge.  It was a fun experience.  The yarn hopelessly (or so I thought) plied around each other, but on the next round (just as explained in the book) they unwound from each other and all was well.  I knit this in a size medium and it was very snug on my head, but fit my 10 year old’s head just fine.  I will probably make something like this again soon.

And for a little added silliness today (because I really need it), here’s my newest “dummy head” (his words, not mine!!!!)

But do you notice the green grass sprouting up?  YAY Spring.  My seeds are all sprouting too and hopefully we can get them in the ground in another week or so.

Ok, so yesterday I mention to my friend that I received Charlene Schurch’s Hat’s On book.  She asks me which one was I going to make first.  Heck if I knew.  They are all so cool looking.  (She knew I would like the book)  So I finally tell her that I thought I would do a combo of two different hats.  She tells me she knew I couldn’t do just “A” hat. (or something along those lines)  I sensed a challenge.  So, I found “A” pattern.  One, uno, lone, however you say it.  It’s just one pattern.  I am going to knit that without changing one thing.  She doesn’t think I can do it.  Hubby says he sees a knitting a noon dual with dpns.  So, here it is, in print.  I will be casting on today for one single hat pattern from this book.  I will knit it as written like it or not.  The prize?  Heck, who needs a prize. I was challenged. :)  (but prizes are always nice so if you want to send me one it’s cool with me)

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Huby took pity on me or something yesterday.  After I wrote that I would be driving to Dallas, he called me and asked if I would rather fly and him drive instead.  The ticket would be the same price as his so it didn’t matter.  (originally if I were going to fly in on a different day we talked about it was going to be like 500.00 for a one way ticket and a 40 minute flight and that would have been uncool).  I told him to surprise me as it really didn’t matter.  I wasn’t thrilled at the thought of driving, but I would and would be ok with it.  About 30 minutes later I got an email from the travel agent with my ticket info.  YAY  I am flying in.  I will still have access to the vehicle to drive so that will be a good thing.

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It’s currently 6:10 am Central Standard Time.  I will cast on for the above mentioned hat challenge in 5 minutes.  Will keep you posted.