New yarn and swap package

These 2 pics are of my 2 recent Sumemr Secret Pal packages :) the tote is HUGE and i love it, and i so needed a hook organizer, the bottom pic is 2 skeins Caron Simply Soft Brites ( I LOVE this yarn) in mango, a color i did'nt have yet, a pair of scissors, and some Bath and Body Works Cucumber/Melon bubble bath and shower gel, this stuff smells SO good, it's probably a good thing this store is'nt in Canada (at least not here anyway) :)
My LYS recieved a shipment of STR yesterday and i actually had the time and a little extra money today so i picked up Little Bunny Foo Foo (so excited, the last couple shipments, this coloway sold out right away) and Grandma's Flower Garden

Not too much going on around here, just hanging out, taking the girls to the park alot which they love, i'm working on a sock that is in the park bag, i'll get a pic up next post :)

the Zoo

Have'nt blogged in awhile, nothing to blog about LOL, we went to the zoo yesterday, i'll uploads the pics a little later :)

Meme

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
Not much lol....working and that's about it :)


2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

clean bathrooms, laundry, organize the girls closet, work on test knit, play some WoW

3. Snacks I enjoy
potatoe chips, popcorn, gummy candies, chocolate


4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire?
buy a house, help out my family

5. Places I've lived?
Edmonton Alberta

6. Jobs I've had?
hospital volunteer, call center operator/supervisor, cashier

7. Peeps I want to know more about...I have enjoyed the posts of the following on HSKS and Ravelry, and invite you to respond to this Meme if you care to:

Killee Bee anklet #1

I finished Killer Bee anklet #1 about a week ago, but finally got around to uploading the pic :) I just did the heel turn on #2 :)

busy week-end, Coffee Swap! and Robyn's Nest order!!

Leslie's birthday cake!!
I recieved my Coffee Swap on friday, all the way from Auckland!! there is YUMMY espresso coffee, 3 skeins anchor magicline cotton, tea, my pal made a set of hand-made cards, a poem, dishsoap dress and really pretty earrings Thanks Diane :)
My Robyn's Nest order for May...ok, i went a LITTLE crazy, but Robyn got in a bunch of new yarn and well......THIS is what happens!!....May sock kit (the absolutely GORGEOUS bluey/greeny/browny in the top left LOVE it reminds me of sand and sea), colinette jiterbug in Kingfisher (WOW way prettier in person!!) Dream in Color Smooshy in Good Luck Jade, 2 Online Holiday colors 999 (green) and 1000(blue) and Noro Sock in color 184, I also ordered dpn's, and a really handy magnetic line marker for chart knitting perfect!!!

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

My Crochetville Kit & Kaboodle package arrived yesterday, this swap was to send a pattern and all the yarn and notions needed to make said pattern, my awesome pal was Caroline and she sent me an afghan pattern called Royal SAtin, 7 skeins Caron Simply Soft Brites (4 grape and 3 watermelon) LOVE this yarn, a 6mm hook, yarn needles, candy and coffee :)

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY LESLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're not doing to much today for her, but we are all week-end, I originally planned just for Sunday, no one had to work Sundays, but I think a few people are coming to visit her Sat. Sunday is the party with her presents, cake, etc....

ISE6 package came :)

WOW!! my ISE6 package arrived this morning, my pal Lavendar Knits WAY outdid herself!!! not only was there the GORGEOUS scarf, is that Colinette Jitterbug? LOVE the bright pink!! there was 2 super soft stuffed sheep that barely made it into the pic before the girls claimed them lol, 2 soaps for their bath a duck and a frog, Hazelnut Scone mix, 2 jam (a berry one and pear/hazelnut), coffee sampler, chocolate bar, 3 lotions (rose, ocean and lavendar), lip balm, a really pretty case they were all in, and what REALLY shocked me......2 skeins of KOIGU!! in amazing purples (P202 37 is the color #)
A pic of the scarf :) What pattern did you use??

Thank-you so much for the awesome package!!!

Notions swap

I recieved my Notions Swap last week, LOVE it all!!! I was so excited to see teh Yarn Containers, I have been searching for those around here and can't find them :) there is 3 skeins of Caron SS Brites in the big one, sticky notes, a big project tote, Chibi needles, tape measure, scissors, chocolates, patterns, lables, and all kinds of goodies :)

I recieved my pal for HSKS5, and we've been pals before!! she was my Sockapalooza pal :) Hi Megaera Black!!! my pal has also contacted me :)

HSKS 5 House

I made it in yay!! i'm a Gryffindor!! i'm Minerva Dumbledore :)

nothing new

Not much going on here, still working away on the 2nd test knit sock. I signed up for HSKS 5, I am so excited, I missed every single one before sign ups were always closed by the time I made it to the blog :) and this looks like such a fun swap!!

I also forgot to mention on here, when I registered Meg for pre-school, I got the LAST guaranteed morning class spot, SO happy!!! I really did'nt want the afternoon class if I could avoid it :)

Test Knit sock #1 done

Here's Dragon Slayer #1 done!! this is such a fun pattern :) now on to #2!!

I register Meg for pre-school tonight, when did my baby get so big to be going to school in Sept.???

Robyn's Nest April sock kit

My Robyn's Nest order arrived!! along with the contest goodies I won for a comments contest Robyn had last month, Thanks Robyn!!! My order was the April Kit featuring Zen Garden yarn soooo pretty in a color called Robyn's Gold, love the pattern too!!, DPN tubes, Clover Critter case I got the frog, and a set of WIP tubes for socks on dpn's. there was also 2 sets of earrings, a necklace/earring set, lot's of erasers, my name in stitchmarkers, SOAK wash sample, Robyn's Nest magnet, Cascade Fixation, and 2 ribbon yarns and some pencils and candy :) Thanks again Robyn!!

Socks that Rock!!

My LYS got another shipment of STR in a couple days ago, by the time I made it in this morning it was slim pickings on the colorways left, I picked up January One and Lemongrass, I also picked up a TOFUtsies that came with a free pattern, some Clover Bamboo DPN's size 2mm, i've only seen these in 2.75mm before and a DPN elastic holder thingy and a couple skeins not pictured that are for a swap :)

I also hit the bookstore and picked up the Yarn Harlot's new book, the new Knit.1 mag, and Debbie Macomber's Back on Blossom Street :)

New yarn for new socks!!

A couple weeks ago I bought the Leafy Green sock pattern and today I found the yarn I wanted for them Estelle Arequipa, this yarn is super soft it has some alpaca in it, and VERY reasonably priced, $16.99 at my LYS, most sock yarns are in the $19.99 - $32.99 range, I also picked up a 2mm 47" circ for 2-at-a-time socks, I did'nt have this size yet, I wanted a 40" but she was sold out, and I was too impatient to wait for her shipment LOL, it should'nt be too bad :) I'm not starting these until my test knit is done for Faery Fiber, i'm almost at the toe decreases for sock #1 :)


It was beautiful outside so I took the girls to the park for the first time since last summer, Leslie being a little older now was able to play more, they both loved it :)

Favorite Color Swap!!

My Favorite Color Swap arrived this morning!! Thank-you Wendy, inside was a GIANT tote with yarn on the front LOVE it!!, 3 kids sweater pattern books, some pattern-a-day pages, I did'nt get the calendar this year so am loving these!!, alphabet stickers, pretty madnets, kids music CD that they're listening to right now :), flower seeds, yummy smelling rose soap, notecards/sticky notes, pig shaped candy that Megan has claimed, a sucker bouquet, pretty stitchmarkers and the yarn GORGEOUS purple/green/yellow sock yarn from Etsy seller Ewe3, it's called Dolly Sods i'm trying really hard not to cast on already LOL need to finish the test socks before I start anymore new ones

Thanks for the awesome package Wendy :)

Crochetville Secret Pal reveal!!

My pal was Tracy, and she's sneaky, we've been in a few swaps togeather, and still keep in touch, and I had NO CLUE she was my pal!! in the reveal she sent a gorgeous Seraphina shawl LOVE IT!! a string tote bag, dishcloth, pull-off patterns, a skein of Simply Soft Brites Lemonade and a bunch of coloring boos for the girls, thanks so much Tracy :)
On friday my Faery Fiber order arrived, a skein of Dolores :)
My first 2-at-a-time socks!! I don't know why I did'nt do this before, it is so easy!!!
a cute kiddo pic!!

wee tiny sock!!

Here's my Wee Sock for the Wee Sock Swap it's going in the mail tomorrow!! I used Virginia Van Santen Painted Yarns in the Black Knight color

I've finished 2 repeats for my test knit for Faery Fiber, awesome pattern Tammy LOVE it can't wait to finish and really see what it looks like :)

Waiting on Round 2 for Sock Madness to start, I think it's Tuesday, but no one has actually confirmed this, we're all THINKING it is, but it's April Fools after all, so who knows what the co-ordinators have planned LOL

Sock Madness 2 round 1 DONE!!

Pattern - Zombie socks
Needles - Addi Turbo 32" 2mm Magic Loop
Yarn - Lorna's Laces Sheppard Sock in Lakeview

LOVE this pattern it was a lot of fun :) last I checked my group had 38 of 40, I hope I made it in!!

lys trip

Went shopping on Thursday for my Favorite Color Swap Pal and came away with these for myself, Knitting Vintage Socks book, Addi's size 32" 2mm (I think this size and needle length is my absolute favorite ) and a skein of Estelle Araquipa in gorgeous lilacs and grey's

Coffee and Yarn swap is now open for registration, come on and have some fun :)

Spring Coffee and Yarn swap questionaire

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
Ground, I don't have a grinder

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Medium roast, some flavor coffees

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
Folgers

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
Both!

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
Irish Cream is my favorite flavor coffee, but I like most flavor coffee's. I LOVE Hazelnut International Delight in my regular coffee

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
BIG, BIG BIG!!!!

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
Hazelnut creamer and a little sugar in regular coffee, sugar and cream in flavor coffee's

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
Something dessert-like, brownie, pie, cake etc...

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?
Both

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
Sock yarn is my favorite, I like pretty much anything though, just nothing really scratchy

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
socks, central park hoodie, secret project and soon a test sock pattern

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I like bright fun colors, mostly varigated

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
for sock knitting I love my Addi's 2mm 32" or bamboo DPN's , anything else is good for other stuff

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
can't think of any

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
Sock yarn

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
There's still snow on the ground, but it is warming up some

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
don't have one

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
no more snow and cold!!

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
Taking my girls for a walk

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
stay indoors playing games, reading

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
I like fairy stuff

2. Are you allergic to anything?
nope

3. Do you have pets?
Nope

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I'm a pro, Secret Pals, Longing for Spring swap

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.

Sock #1 done!!

Zombie sock #1 done!!! on to #2 now :)
I ordered some yarn from Faery Fiber, this one is Chocolate Berries LOVE it :)

I'm doing a test knit for Faery Fiber and this is the yarn, i'm not sure if Tammy wants it shown yet or not so i'm leaving it black and white as a teaser!! just waiting for the pattern :) now off to work on another Zombie!!

Mail!!

***Robyn's Nest March sock club spoiler at the bottom of this post***




My Longing for spring package arrived!! thanks Amy it's a wonderful package :) there is Fiber Trends Walking Away sock pattern, Hershey dark chocolate with macadamia nuts and cranberries, garden 'welcome' stake, Island Palm candles, Cucumber Melon lotion, stickers for the girls, a really pretty case, Clover DPN's size 2.75mm and 2 skeins Plymouth Happy Feet so pretty!!
I recieved a RAOK from Crochetville, a Seraphina Shawl!! when I put this on my wishlist I never actually expected one!!! it's gorgeous :)
Robyn's Nest March kit arrived too, great timing and perfect for St. Patricks Day, I am LOVING this color, gorgeous!!!

sock madness progress

My progress as of last night, leg, heel flap and heel turn done :) right now I just finished all the gussett decreases, hopefully i'll finish sock #1 today, and at least have sock #2's ribbing started
Knit Purl Mama gave a recipe for her Apple Cake and I made one, so yummy, the recipe is in her March 14 post, thanks Robyn for posting it :)

Favorite Color Swap questionaire

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors?
Pink, Purple, Blue

2. What crafts do you really enjoy?
Knitting, Crochet,

3. What products do you really covet?
Clicking row counter, sock project bags, KnitPicks Harmony DPN's for socks

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things?
Reading

5. Is there anything you collect?
Not really

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol?
Sagittaurious

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells? cucumber/melon, ocean, florals

…types of music and/or bands? pretty much anything

…authors? Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Patricia Cornwell

…animals?cats

…places to shop? my LYS, Wal-MArt

…season? summer

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? love all sock yarns :) bamboo or Addi Turbo's are my favorite needles

…candies or goodies? Swedish Berries, milk chocolate, gummy bears, lollipops

8. Do you have any wish lists? I have one at Amazon.ca, my email should bring it up

9. Are you allergic to anything?nope

10. Do you have any pets? What are they? none

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here.
Ravelry ID - barbn77

If you have any questions just ask :)

The Madness has begun!!

sock after 1 leg repeat :)

Sock Madness 2 started today (aprox. 11 am my time) I am LOVING this pattern, if your on Ravelry it's called Zombie socks, you can see a pic, I'm using Lorna's Laces in the Lakeview colorway i've done the cuff and 1 pattern repeat so fat, i'm hoping to get to the heel before I go to bed (the leg is 3 12 row repeats than 1 repeat of 11 rows)

I also got my Favorite Color Swap 3 pal tonight, just waiting on the questionaire to find out her fave color etc...

Coffee swap coming soon!!

My package arrived from a Ravelry de-stash, LOVE it!! there is a skein of Fleece Artist sock in Cosmic Dawn, All Things Heather in Skinny Dipping and 2 Addi's in size 24" 2.5mm so now I can try socks on 2 circs, everytime I tried to buy them at the LYS they were sold out of this size and length:)

The Spring Fling coffee swap is opening sign-ups on the 20th!! come join in, it'll be fun!!

I have both No Purl Monkey's at the heel, I should be getting a package from Tammy either today or tomorrow, i'm testing a sock pattern for her can't wait to see it!! the pattern that was with Robyn's Nest February sock kit is gorgeous and she designed that one :) so as soon as that arrives i'm dropping everything, except the Sock Madness 2 sock which is starting sometime Thurs. between 10am and 3pm my time(that's when the pattern is being emailed out) and only working those 2 sock patterns :)

pics!!

I love this one :)
Les being goofy
out for a walk
me and Les, Megan takes pretty good pictures :)

Thanks for letting me know my package is on the way Spring Pal :) I mailed my pal's on Thurs. so we should get them at the same time!!

I'm putting away CPH for now, I know I can't work on it today, i'm at the arm decreases though :)

The next project is going to be Mom's no purl Monkey's, these really should be done by now, she asked me to make them in January i'm doing both at once on 2 sets of DPN's, 1 sock has 1 rep. done the other has 2 so that's where i'm starting these :) i'm going to try and get them done by Wed, or as much as possible, Sock Madness 2 starts on Thursday!!

Camera works!!

I am such an idiot LOL all that was wrong with the camera was the lens was stuck a little it just needed a little wiggle and it's now fine :)

I lost my cable needle so I did'nt work on Central Park Hoodie today, but I am almost at the arm decreases on the back, 11/2 in. left to go, i'll pick up a new cable needle tomorrow. I'm bad, but I started a secret project that when the time comes, it needs to be done, more details later!!

I joined Favorite Color Swap 3, I missed the first 2, this one sounds like fun, International Scarf Exchange 6 is also open for sign ups still :)

NH Knitting Mama is having a PMS (not THAT kind LOL a Promote My Shop) contest for her Etsy store, go check it out she has some pretty yarn for sale :)

Winter Doldrums Dishcloth swap

My package came today from Jill THANK-YOU!!! you put togeather an awesome box, I turned my camera on to get a pic and it died, but here's a list :)

-- A Ballband dishcloth love it, i've made a few but never kept one for myself :)
-- for the girls some Little People, Elmo eggs and bath ducks they love them :)
-- 2 packages of kleenex with pictures
-- notebook
-- yummy lavender soap
-- Burt's Bees foot cream
-- gummy bears
-- chocolate bar
-- the book Friday Night Knitting Club!!! so excited too see this!!! I was waiting for it to go into soft cover before I bought it, yay!!
-- 11 balls of Sugan N Cream cotton WOW!! there is faded denim, patio pinks, early american, rosewood, painted desert, sun kissed ombre, jewels, rainbow bright, summer splash, buttercream, and lavender ice

Thanks so much for the wonderful package :)

a list of WIP's and my plan

Yesterday I sat down and looked at everything I have going and I decided that it will take me forever to finish something when I jump from project to project, so what i'm going to do, starting today, is pack away everything and only take out 1 project for the week, and that's ALL I can work on, i'll go from Sunday to Saturday and every Sunday start something new (or earlier if I finish something mid-week) here's my 'master' list so I can refer back to it,

1- Chevron scarf
2- Babette blanket
3- Mom's no-purl Monkey socks
4- Clapotis (this may get frogged, the noro kureyon is heavier than I thought and I wanted a lighter stole, i'll see about this one)
5- Central Park Hoodie
6- Jaywalker socks
7- Plain socks (these I was only working on every once in awhile to get a break from the 2 patterned socks)
8- Wisp (I fixed the dropped stitch YAY!!)
9- Turtleneck Tube Vest

If I forgot something i'll come back and add it in I asked Al to choose a number and he chose #5 Central Park Hoodie so that's the project of the week!! i'm glad too, I want to start Wicked but I promised myself this hoodie MUST get done first :)

mail!!

Nothing like getting fun mail when you feeling so sick :)



my order soap order from Naiad, I got mini gummy bears, the girls love them, neapolitan soap that smells just like the ice cream, pumpkin pie soap that's going to a swap pal and ginger peach lip balm go check out her shop, tons of yummy stuff, Thanks Jessi for ordering from her first and linking her on your blog :)
The sock bags from Missfiberfox, these bags are HUGE and very reasonably priced, go check them out :) Amanda's bag is the one on the right
some sock yarn from Inspinknity, it's called Southwest but it reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream yummy!!

uggghhh

I was so sick last night, throwing up among other stuff, my back and stomache are so sore I can barely stand up, I feel like crap:(

Robyn's Nest order!!

*****Spoiler alert********

If you ordered Robyn's Nest February kit theirs a pic at the bottom of this post

LOVE the colors on this one, Tammy you did an awesome job :) I also ordered 2 skeins of Jitterbug in Florentina and Gaugin to make a Chevron scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, I already cast on!!