No Second Sock Syndrome Here!

Last night, in preparation for my local knitting group on Thursday night (which is now going to be "snowed out," I fear), I knit the toes of two second socks. It's best if I have a really simple knit project when I go, as we do tend to chat a lot - definitely not conducive to lace knitting! lolol!
I had to recruit my Vermont Teddy Bear (I call him "Champie" after Lake Champlain's own Loch Ness monster, Champ) as sock model, along with Ms. Muffin.

I promised Wendy that I'd show them off today if possible...I'm using her Feather & Fan socks for the CTH Green Mtn. Madness (Vermont all over the place tonight, can't tell what MY roots are, can ya?), and the STR on the left is Fairgrounds for my Sockret Pal. I'm using Wendy's pattern Easy Lace Spirit Trail Socks for them.

Looks as if we're going to get "weather." They say it'll start as snow in the morning, then change to sleet/freezing rain in the afternoon and evening, into Friday.

I have a large stash of boxes laid in, so I can do a lot of packing, I obviously have plenty to knit, and of course, orders for Nana Sadie Rose to sew (as long as we don't lose power).

Not to mention a Siamese in need of playtime.
Stay warm!

I Try to Keep My Promises!

As promised, here's a shot of my booth at this past weekend's Star City Cat Show...we were out in the middle of the room!

I did buy something for The Meezer...

I think she likes the peacock feather...

I put it up on top of a bookshelf when I went to work this morning, but when I got home...it was on the floor, seriously bent in a couple of places...

I AM the mighty huntress...I killed it Mommie!
...The Meezer

Whew!

What a weekend! Thank you everyone who dropped by, placed orders, purchased bags, and just generally made me feel as if Nana Sadie Rose is EXACTLY what I should be doing and cat shows are the best place to do it!

I'm sending all of you (((hugs)))

Then, take a moment and note the change in Ticker above? Yup. I have a moving day looming...(YEAH!!) But that means I may be a little unavailable now and again in the next few weeks. I won't disappear. I just ask you to understand. Packing boxes, making bags, and generally trying to stay well in the middle of a huge cold snap (it was 17 degrees this a.m. and only 26 at lunch!) - well, it's going to be a challenge.

Yes, there'll be a contest for my blogaversary - but I'm too tired today to be inventive! And I'll post a photo or two from the cat show soon. Promise! *wink*

Sockret Pal!

A busy day at the cat show...and another one tomorrow (I hope!) but...

OH MY! Stopped at the PO today, and what was there? Look at the goodies! Chocolate, and kitty buttons, scissors and fancy labels and cute crocheted roses, lavender bath confetti...and...my FIRST EVER Malabrigo! That's the Holly Hock colorway (I LOVE this color...the best fushia with a touch of dark plum) and I cannot believe how soft!
I can't post to the Sockret Pal blog anymore (thank you so much new Blogger!), so I'll have to ask Rachel to let everyone know...I TRULY have the best Sockret Pal in the world - because MY Sockret Pal stepped in at the last minute to be a special new pal! I'm sending her LOTS of (((hugs))) as a tiny thank you...and letting you all know, she gave me a hint - of sorts - she's in ALASKA!

WOW...

Star City Cat Show!

I feel as if I'm really behind in showing you some of what I've been up to...suffice to say that I HATE January - but W-2s are done, most of the remaining reports are finished and the cat show set up is tomorrow night! So without further ado - TA.DA!

This darling print makes up beautifully in the Kerri size of Nana Sadie Rose's many bag designs...they call this one Sugar & Spice Kitties! (it comes in lavender, too!)

Then another one of the fabulous Alexander Henry's terrific cat designs, this Mera bag has cat breeds in pictures and words - orange and pink and the lining is striped with those colors and white...it's MUCH too cool - the photo does not do it justice, I promise!

And finally, one that I know I'll have to have for myself, being a collector of not just cats, but blue and white china - can you imagine a print that would shout "Spring" any better? This is a Mera size, too.

And yes, I know, it's a knitting blog! And believe it or not, with everything else, I'm still knitting...have ripped the heel of my Sockret Pal's first sock three times, which I guess really IS the charm, because it's finally okay. I'll start the pattern of the cuff tonight, after I get everything organized for loading the car for the show!

And my second blogaversary is Saturday - January 27. I am wracking my brain, and I'll come up with something for a contest, but this weekend just isn't going to get it. So...I promise, next week - a celebratory contest, okay?

Let me know what you think of these bags, okay?
(((hugs)))

Get It Out of Our Systems, Please?

Thanks to The Weather Channel, I can show you what it's like here. So far with this Winter/Ice Storm Warning, we still have power...I'm sewing...and with a little luck, I'll end up with a day off tomorrow. But...

NEXT weekend, it had best not be doing this thing again...The Star City Cat Show is a huge event in Nana Sadie Rose's world. I can't disappoint my customers!

(oh and yes, packing in also taking place ... I'm so excited!)

A Reprieve and The Perfect "Nest!"

This has been an interesting couple of days, but the news is finally good! I have a new home. And the move will take place by the end of February, so a bit of a reprieve for packing and moving...

If you can imagine a vintage 1960 two-family home? Yes, the kitchen cabinets are original (and darling!), there are hardwood floors throughout, the rooms are much, much larger than I'm used to, there are three stories (good for the exercise I fail to get otherwise), an older neighborhood that's on the "good" side of town! (The older I get, the more safety is an issue.)

The owners live next door and do not smoke. They are quite relieved, I think, that I don't either. I like them, they seem to like me.

I'm taking a deep breath. There's a lot to be done, but at least now, I know I'll be breathing clean air.

I'll get some photos up eventually. I think Nana Sadie Rose will take over the dining room in this new place as I don't want to tote everything up and down hardwood stairs to the second bedroom when we go to a show!

I'm really excited!

Varia...

Birdsong today is talking about joining up with Kat with a K and her UFO Resurrection Challenge...one UFO per month, brought out all at once, or one month-by-month (which is how I'll do it I think...), and I've decided I'd like to play, too!

Go take a look at Birdsong's reds! OH MY....love them so. I must work on several things down there on the 2006 list of UFOs - and the two that I will start with (January and February!) are Catharina Faroese Shawl (I haven't touched it since I frogged to the lifeline) and the Blue Ridge Homespun Prayer Shawl that is almost finished but has been OTN for 2 years.

OH...and a dear dear internet friend and fellow blogger has resurfaced (Hi, Matthew!) after a stressful few months. Please drop by and welcome him back. He's a talented and very likeable guy (and knitter!). You were very missed, buddy!

And the apartment issue is still up in the air. Can you believe that something as simple as a formal "accommodation plan" (in my case, this essentially reads, "no one who smokes will be placed in the apartment next door to this tenant") for someone with a disability has been seen as "illegal" in this day and age? We're working on educating my prospective landlord...(and no, we're not asking for a non-smoking building!)

Right now, the kitties are enjoying the mountains of boxes I have in my house...
(sigh)

I Have the Best Sockret Angel!

I had a difficult time owning up to the fact that my Sockret Pal wasn't.

But the Sockret Pal MOM's are the best. Because they sent me Cary as an angel and today in my mailbox I discovered TWO boxes - just LOOK!
These are stitchmakers from Cary's daughter, and soap from her own lavender (plus a lavender bag!)

And here is everything - the yarn is from Brooke (and is called Anemone, but I swear it strongly resembles a lavender field, don't you think?), then there are patterns for socks (toe-up and lace from Cary's friend Peggy) and the Vogue Knitting Socks Two, a set of Fiddlesticks bamboo needles in my favorite size (1), the cutest Meezer notepad, a lovely little tin (the soap came in that) with a sock on it, and then a specially made photo card from another of Cary's friends...

I've been reading Cary's blog for awhile now, and I find it full of the warmth that's so obvious in her note to me, and this wonderful gift. If you haven't visited, please do, and like me, I know you'll add her to your bloglines.

Thank you Cary. Like I said, when I think of the word angel from now on, the next breath will be, "Cary!"
(((Hugs)))

Why, Yes, I Think So...

Dark Purple

To others, you seem a bit dark, mysterious, and moody. In truth, you are just a very unique person who doesn't care what others think. And you really enjoy your offbeat interests and friends. You've decided that life is about living for yourself - simple as that.

What Color Purple Are You?

But frankly, it wouldn't have mattered WHAT shade of purple they'd said I was, I love them all!

Just in Case...

You don't hear a lot from me in the next couple of weeks, I thought I'd mention that it appears my move may be imminent...I've found a place (I think!), packing is ensuing, the only issue left is legally breaking the lease here. (This on top of normal January accounting duties, and a cat show!)

While I know that change is good, opening avenues for better things, well, the other members of my household are having a hard time being convinced of that.

No one is particularly happy about this move...
My reality is being rearranged. If I keep my eyes closed do you think this will go away? The Meezer.

Tagged!

Thanks Rachel! I've had tougher assignments, so this wasn't too bad...
A- Available or single? Committed (and quite possibly insanely so)
B- Best Friend? Barbara
C- Cake or Pie? Both, preferably dark (French) chocolate (silk)
D- Drink of Choice? Diet Coke w/lemon
E- Essential Item? MFMPPF, my knitting, the computer, the sewing machine, & the CATS (ok, so I can't make up my mind? No...they're equally essential).
F- Favorite Color? Depends on my mood – so there are really two: Purple and Red (and any variation thereof)
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Neither, thanks.
H- Hometown? Roanoke VA
I- Indulgence? Merlot (rarely, due to meds)
J- January or February? February. Romance & Relaxation! (W-2s are done and no cat show!)
K- Kids and names? Daughter, Mera
L- Life is incomplete without? Dark Chocolate & sweetheart pink and white roses (but then without the last two, I wouldn't live up to my name now, would I?)
M- Marriage Date? undecided
N- Number of Siblings? Two, one deceased.
O- Oranges or apples? Apples – Vermont MacIntosh
P- Phobias/Fears? claustrophia, acrophobia, arachnophobia, and apiphobia (I'm deathly allergic to the last two)
Q- Favorite Quote? “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.” Anon.
R- Reason to Smile? Cats
S- Season? Winter
T- Tag three people! Anyone who wishes may play!
U- Unknown Fact About Me? I’m a pretty lousy housekeeper (I try every year to improve, w/o much success...)
V- Vegetable you hate? Turnips
W- Worst habit? Procrastinating on cleaning...
X- X-Rays you’ve had? The list is too long, the shorter list is what I haven’t had x-rayed and I’m not sure there’s much left..
Y- Your favorite food? Salmon (since I rarely eat prime rib)
Z- Zodiac? Cancer…(romance, flowers, home) (yes, there's a theme throughout this list, isn't there?)

Yes!

One more small victory in a frustratingly slow war. Pardon my off-topic rejoicing...?

What Cat Show?

I know...that ticker up there is counting down to a CAT SHOW! Well...I couldn't resist making this bag...

I've had several people ask for a Dachsund fabric bag, and it wasn't in the cards until suddenly a couple of weekends ago, my dear Sis-in-law discovered this fabric! Isn't it darling? Rows of Dachsunds in their cozy sweaters - they're knitted, don't you think? :)

Then I had an order for these two - both solid with stunning prints on the inside...the beige Alexander Henry Calligraphy print here...

And a terrific Robert Kaufman chop marks here...isn't it amazing how elegant just putting the print on the inside makes these bags?

Of course, not everyone in my household gets so excited...

Can't tell the temperatures have dropped, can you? It's going to 25 tonight with 30 mph wind gusts...It was snowing when I came home...but just heavy flurries.

I don't care...I just know you're not playing with me...so I'll take my tearstrip and leave...The Meezer.

Not On the Agenda...

When Catharina decided to misbehave...and then my needles for Hidcote were not in stock and may take till NEXT weekend to arrive...Well, what's a gal to do, but cast on something new!

And you know, a relaxing knit, in a yarn I love, a pattern that's simple and a product that's warm and comforting - well...what could be better? Yes, it's from stash (Latvian Lavender Peace Fleece from KarY, the pattern was one I've done twice before for comfort shawls donated to those in need (The Lacy Prairie Shawl from Folk Shawls), I had the Addi Naturas for this...and I need a WARM shawl for the in-between weather we're having that's supposedly "winter!" (um...yes it was 62 today is 56 right now, and more of the same, tho' with drizzle, tomorrow...)

And oh! This is a TWEED yarn, too, so while it's not what I'd planned to do for the KAL, it suffices (along with the two hats I knit in 2006 in Moscow Magic Pink PF!).

I still have my Sockret Pal socks OTN, and carry those around when I need something super simple and portable...

A Measure of 2007?

This does not bode well for the New Year...

While I'm willing to concede that there are those for whom lifelines are "unnecessary," I will never feel that I can join those ranks. Thank heaven I had this lifeline in Catharina - I have no idea how I got off on the pattern, I've been doing so well with it. But this is what she looked like after I took a HUGE deep breath and frogged almost an inch and a half of work done over the holidays today...without the lifeline, I fear she'd be almost 750 yards in a heap.

I hope this is the WORST of my knitting catastrophes this new year, but I'm not holding my breath for that one...

However, I did manage to wind one skein of my KP Shadow in Vineyard in preparation for casting on for Hidcote and work a bit on the sock (below)...hold the presses on my feelings about KP's Options dpns. They really ARE heavy. I'll give it a few more tries before I decide about buying more of them...
(sigh)
Happy New Year!