A FINISHED BABY PROJECT

At least I have these cuties to show for a lost weekend. Spent the entire time in jamies nursing a case of what I thought was a bad cold, but probably was the flu. It took hours longer than really necessary to finish these due to my incapacitation.

Did get some spinning done as well trying to empty the bobbins for John's class this weekend--one that is going to be totally fiberlicious. Saturday is a spinning guild meeting followed by John's mohair locks class and then Sunday is the pilgrimage to Solvang and lots more fiber--lucky me!

STUCK AT WORK WAY TOO LONG

Spent time with the Dizzy Ewes this weekend spinning. They meet at a lovely Quaker Meeting House in Claremont in an octagonal cork-floored room. Sunday was spinning and lunch at Francesca's with some Guild members. A lovely weekend and now having to pay the price and work evenings to get everything finished.

This weekend's wind storm has left the back yard looking like a war zone. The avocado tree lost a large section which will make a big difference this summer when it's shade is missing. The euccalyptus in the back also dropped a big limb. Will have to get someone out on Monday for an estimate. Hopefully the house insurance will help out.

One baby bootie done and another in the works. They did not turn out as cute as I had hoped. Think the cotton yarn that came with the kit was way too large. Something that small needs a smaller gauge. I ordered some fingering weight from Knit Picks to die and knit a cute pink sweater for our girl. She won't need anything like this until the fall, so I should have enough time.

THIS YEAR'S FIRST FO!

My son-in-law's Christmas present finally finished and delivered before he leaves on his business trip. The photos make it look orange, but it really is more of rust. It is a rust that was plied with a heathered brown that I thought was too green for my liking. The yarn was the first that I ever spun on a wheel and some of it was pretty wonky--cables are wonderful at hiding imperfections. This pattern was one included in Scarf Style which has several more that I plan to do.

I have tons of projects that I want to do this year, but have to finish the baby stuff first. It is hard to believe that she will be here in three months. I am still wading though the mire of her blanket and have yet to start any sweaters or hats, though being a spring baby she won't need any until she is older.

Just got another installment from the Yarn of the Month Club this week and it included some novelty yarns. While I wasn't too excited by any of these, it is still nice to get them.

PROJECTS FOR THE NEW YEAR(not in any special order):
Catalog all of the fiber books
Catalog all of the pop-up books
Knit shrug/shawl from Interweave in gray silk/merino
Knit modular sweater from my own dyed/spun yarn
Return the backyard to its former splendor
Dye wonderful new colorways from my silk/merino stash
Finish at least two UFO's
Spin up the stash
Yarn Camp
Plan/take a fiber focused trip.
Have some fun!

SP 7 QUESTIONAIRE

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

I do love natural fibers, but have been known to succumb to bits of sparkle.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

Working hard (and have a long ways to go) to become a spinner extraordinaire.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Cups, cardboard tubes—whatever is handy.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

My grandmother taught me when I was 9—will not admit to years though. As for skill level it varies greatly—some days I am a gifted super-advanced knitter and others can hardly remember to cast on.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes to Amazon. It should be searchable by my email address.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Anything with a freesia base, though do like spicy scented candles.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Always to the sweet tooth—am easily seduced by the combination of sugar and fat.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

Aside from spinning and dyeing, I have made jewelry for years.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Like all kinds of music.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love all colors but tend to end up with pinks and blue-based ones.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Living alone and getting to use the kids bedrooms to house ALL of my fiber and bead stuff—it doesn’t get any better. I still share some space with the dog.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to everything but ponchos.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

The ones I spin.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

No

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

I am very interested in modular knitting right now.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

It’s all good.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Right now I have a cable scarf for my son-in-law, the color on color scarf from Scarf Style and a Debbie Bliss baby blanket on my needles.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Use them all.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo, birch and plastic are what I use.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both.

22. How did you learn to knit?
Grandmother

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
A year—lovely entrelac sweater in Noro that I swear is the next thing to get finished as soon as the needles are clear.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Don’t have one.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Any holiday that can be used as an excuse get friends and family together does it for me.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Pop-up books, beads, storybook characters

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Buy all mine at the newsstand—all is the operative word here as I seem to end up with way too many.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
See the Amazon list

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would love to become really proficient at intarsia and be able to knit some of the older Rowan or Annabel Fox sweaters.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, love socks and their portability. I knit about a dozen pair in 2004 and none in 2005—think that it’s time to start again.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

March 9