We Have A Winner!

This has already been an action packed weekend! Last night dear SIL and I ventured to the "distant" (LOLOL!) town of Salem, VA to enjoy the Roanoke Symphony's Pops Concert with Aaron Neville and had a terrific time, first eating at a popular local restaurant, Mac and Bob's. Jazz and R&B are in our blood, as my late brother was the founder of his own jazz trio popular in our area for many years and he was instrumental in starting our annual Jazz Festival, as well. So it really was a great evening. (This week marked the 5th anniversary of my brother's death, so it was especially important to mark it this way.) edited to add...did I mention I won the tickets to the concert?

Then today, we spent a few hours celebrating the 125th anniversary of Roanoke, the "Star City of the South" and my hometown. Today also marked the opening of the long-awaited new Exhibition Hall at the Roanoke Civic Center. I'm going to put photos on my other blog - Nana Sadie's Place as I think it's probably better to go on and on about such things there!

But before we headed out this morning, I asked Dear SIL to "do the honors" and draw a name from the (as it turns out) mixing bowl! And the winner of the new, not quite ready to be photoed, Posy Sock Sack is....(drumroll, please...)

LANA! I will email you, Lana, but if you don't get it (because it's possible my email for you is an old one) PLEASE email me at siameezercat gmail com (with the AT and DOT in the proper places...)
CONGRATULATIONS!

And The Meezer thanks everyone for their wonderful descriptions of her...she enjoyed having them read to her!

And the rest of my day was spent completing the last bag orders from the Star City Cat Fanciers Show in January - yes, it's taken me an embarrassingly long 9 weeks to finish them (tho' I did warn folks that it would be longer due to my move - which ended up taking over a month in total, of course, I'm STILL not completely unpacked or decorated yet...!). I'm ecstatic to have them finished!

The Meezer is excited...

This is my first time on this new cutting board of hers. It's nice and stable. Do you think, if I drape myself over it, she'll forget all about this Nana Sadie Rose bag business?

Post 500 & A Contest!

This is it! 500 posts. I find it amazing, and delightful, all at the same time! And in celebration, a tearstrip was located (no, it's a new one, the box with cat toys hasn't surfaced yet! lolol!) and just guess who came out of hiding and decided she felt a whole lot better?

Sorry the lighting is so bad, these rooms only have ceiling lights (remember those?).

But that didn't affect the quality of our playtime one bit!

The Meezer had a blast. I later discovered the tearstrip under the office chair, so sometime during the night she decided to continue the game.

And here, as I'm finding this an incredibly easy yarn to knit with...the STR Rooster Rock sock - heel turned (today I finished up the gussets and started up the cuff!):


Now, because I promised, we'll have a contest. Leave a comment here, let's say by Friday, March 30 at midnight, telling me The Meezer's best quality...On Saturday, I'll put everyone's name in a hat and draw name for a prize...what? You want to know what the prize will be?

OHhhhhhhhhh...well, you see Nana Sadie Rose will be going to the Sedalia Fiber Festival in Big Island, VA on April 14. And in honor of that, a new design will be added to Nana's bag line. While I don't have a photo to share just yet, the bag will be called the "Posy Sock Sack" after one of Nana's aunts. Suffice it to say it will have some neat features. And the winner of the blog contest will be lucky to have one of the first Posy Sacks made.

Now, if you have a blogger account, please check back because I won't be able to email you if you win.

So....tell me what you think of The Meezer!

500th Post! And The Meezer!

Blogger tells me that my 500th post is near! So because I never got around to having a 2nd blogaversary contest back in January, I think I'll do something extra special for a contest....keep it tuned to this blog, because I'll post the particulars the first of this coming week!

And I thought perhaps you'd like to see where Nana Sadie Rose creates these days...

This shot shows how small the room truly is...

And this one shows how nicely I've been able to organize the fabrics around me at the sewing machine...

Unfortunately The Meezer is still feeling a bit under the weather, tho she's much better...

Hmmph. I'm trying to ignore the fact that she's showing you all the boxes in this place...I really thought she was more concerned with appearances, but obviously not. I sincerely apologize! ...The Meezer

What I'm Knitting...

Ok...it's been awhile since you've seen the Lacy Prairie Shawl...this is where I stopped after the news tonight - mid-way thru the 26th of 33 repeats of the lace pattern. I still have a bit more than 2 skeins of the Peace Fleece so I don't think I'll run out of yarn. Of course, it's not blocked yet so it looks like most unblocked lace: a jumbled mess.

But right at the bottom of that photo? That's the first sock of pair #6. That's the STR in Rooster Rock that Pam gifted me with at RVKnit/Spin night a bit ago. I promised her I'd have it OTN by the next meeting (which is in April!) and I may even have the first sock done by then! I'm just doing Wendy's generic toe up pattern with a stockinette cuff that will end in her picot edge. This yarn is too gorgeous to complete with a pattern. (oh, and those are Colonial Rosewood dpns, size 0 from The Loopy Ewe. I really love them!)

And no. I don't get a lot of time to knit. I work on small things like socks and dishcloths at lunch (during the workweek) and then, if I really get a chance to sit down to watch the news, I usually work on a larger project then. And life has been so topsy-turvy, I haven't been able to do much of that. That's why my stuff stays OTN so long.

This is a knit blog. Recently, I've been concerned that maybe folks didn't have much reason to believe that! And I'm still so far behind in my orders for Nana Sadie Rose that I feel guilty when I spend any of my at-home time knitting. I'm getting caught up. I had to make the new townhouse moderately presentable (no there are still TONS of boxes and much organzing to do...and the decorating will wait). It's not that I care what people think, but I care whether or not I can find things without making myself crazy. And tonight I managed to lock myself out the backdoor, after not only locking the front door, but the inside chain guard! I was taking out the trash if you must know...but I'm still not used to everything here...

Thank goodness the landlord lives next door! (Yes, they got a very good laugh...)

Anyway, I do still knit. It's what saves my sanity.

(In an aside, The Meezer thanks you for your concern about her. She's fine and will be joining the blog again soon. Right now, she's recovering from a cold. But she does come out from under the comforter when I come home at night.)

And many Thank Yous for your kind comments about my recent romantic breakup. Tho' my heart is truly broken, I know I'll survive. A lot of the credit for that goes to you all!
(((hugs)))

Whew! I'm BAAA-AACK!

A VERY nice Cable Guy dropped in this evening - I'd already tried the connection and it was doing very well (isn't it always the way?). He called before he got here, and I told him...he said, "I'm getting a very poor signal." I said, "PLEASE come anyway...especially because of that!" So he did. And discovered that I had an "ANTIQUE" splitter (I didn't think cable tv had been around 100 years?), and the top was feeding beautifully to my tv, but the bottom one was rusted and obviously THAT's where the internet connection was feeding from.

I have a BRAND NEW (ULTRA MODERN!) splitter. So...just what is happening to my HIGH SPEED internet connection now? Zippin' right along, sweethearts! :)

I *HEART* my Cable Guy...

So...I'm sooooooooooo glad to be back. And as a reward to all of us...I give you - TA DA:

The Socks for my SOCKRET PAL!!! Yup they's done...I have just a few things more to do for my last (reveal) package and these will be winging off to my Sockret Pal (just whom might she be????)!

And then, because it's been soooo long I wanted you to see that I also finished:

The CTH Green Mountain Madness Feather & Fan Socks (THANKS Wendy! It's a WONDERFUL pattern...I love love love it!). And let me tell you, there is NOTHING to match CTH Supersock! I WILL be using this yarn again...it was bought here.

And then Wednesday I received...this!

Those of you who are regular readers of Chris' blog may remember this post? Well...I thought it was great yarn and I loved the way it was knitting up...so I emailed Chris and asked about the colorway (I had found the yarn online and thought I had it right...). Well, Chris offered her yarn to me! And then sent along a bunch of other sweet goodies (now...I can't say just what, but Chris & I did arrange a swap...more on that in a couple of weeks or so...)! I just adore that pawprint tape measure! I still have the chocolate lamb, chocoholic that I am...Thanks, Chris!

And with all this about socks, you might want to head on over to my other blog to read my thoughts on all this SOCK MADNESS! lol!

Now on a personal note...and one more reason you haven't heard a lot from me for a bit...
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated in MFMPPF's and my struggles...well. I guess the best way to say this is that instead of being "the third time's the charm," as I'd hoped for us, it really was "three strikes and you're out!" MFMPPF has returned to being MFMP (Man From My Past).

I'm sad and will be for quite a bit. But I wish him all the very best, and sincerely hope he finds whatever (and whomever) he needs to be happy. I'm grateful that we had the times we had together, and I will miss him, more than he'll ever know.
(((Hugs)))

Internet Service Woes, Comment Replies...

Thanks everyone for your nice comments on my Addi Turbo Lace needles review! I haven't had much time to work with them since Monday when they arrived. I'm trying hard to get caught up on my orders for Nana Sadie Rose. And I have finished both of the second-socks-in-progress...so finally have something to post in the sidebar as completed items for 2007! Whoohoo!

I've also been having a dickens of a time with my internet service provider since the move. Keep fingers crossed that tonight they finally FIX the problem once and for all (they'd better!).

So if you think I've been silent lately, that's why! This entry is being done at the office and so is picture-less. Sorry!

I've gotten a few comments on my review below and in answer I especially wanted to speak to DD's plea - My sweetie doesn't know how to knit (yet) but can you believe she was sold 10-inch double points and encouraged to learn to knit a circular shawl! First project? What do these LYS's think they're doing? Poor gal. We're working on getting her a set of bamboo straights and some dishcloth cotton to get her started. {g}

And Jenni, I have Denises, too, and I like them, but I had the joins pop off on Highland Triangle Shawl and it so upset me that I'm cautious about using them on lace now. That said, I just bought a 52 inch cord for my set! And just what ELSE would I knit on something like that but a very large shawl? Maybe lace??? lolol!
(((hugs)))

Addi Turbo Lace Needles!

I swatched tonight - a few rows in Feather & Fan, just to see how the needles feel in my hands. These fingers that, under stress, in cold, in humidity, that have just done too much, will creep into claws when I least expect it. They are finicky. Bamboo is the best to date. KP Options have been entirely too heavy. I have been using Addi Naturas for knitting lace, but while I can live with the join, have been unhappy about it. So...without further ado? Photos here:

And here:

That's KP's Shadow laceweight in Vineyard, planned to use for Hidcote. It's a bit slippery, and bit splitty. Very soft.

The needles? Well, they're metal, no question. Yes I think the brass drags just a touch, to keep a bit more control on the needle, not as much as bamboo, but more than regular metal needles (and I do not own any Addi Turbos because I can't handle the slipperiness).

I do like the bright brass that shows up the dark yarn.

BUT...my favorite thing? The weight - these are light as a feather - lighter even than the Naturas. My hands shouldn't get too tired holding these long periods of time. I like the tips, too. These are size 3s and in a quick comparison to my size 1 sock needles (bamboo) I think they're as pointy. The tips are as pointy as bamboo needles 2 sizes smaller! This IS just a eyeballing of it, I didn't do anything scientific.

I like Addi Turbo Lace needles. Now to try an entire shawl with them!
(Oh ... and Angelika's was amazing. I ordered these on Friday and they arrived today! Such great service...

G & The Mitz - Where ARE You?

Geesh. Surprise me to death? G & The Mitz have been MIA for several months. I know family matters and a move were in the cards...but today - TODAY! - I get a comment on my blog from you??

Where ARE you? You are terribly missed (at the very least by me). Let me know how to reach you...siameezercat gmail com. With the AT and the Dot in the proper places, of course.

Birdsong discussed in a recent post the worry we go through when our internet pals disappear. It upset her enough that we exchanged real-world contacts. Another blogger I read has recently had a major health crisis and her DD is trying to keep us all updated, but as of yesterday it had been several days with nothing new...I hate "losing" folks. I do come to think of my internet friends as real friends, so it's wrenching when they disappear.

And G...in answer to your question, The Meezer is in hiding because her reality has been rearranged. We had a rather sudden physical move from one part of town to another. Siamese do not like change. So she's gone "undercover." lolol!
(((Hugs)))

Shamelessly Asking for Your Votes!

La asked us for Da Feet of Cuteness...and The Meezer is one of 6 she chose! (Because there truly isn't ANYTHING more elegant than siamese paws...)

So I'm (shamelessly) asking you to go vote - vote for The Meezer (bring her out from under the covers!)...

All the kitty paws are darling...and The Meezer is up against some stiff competition, but hey folks right now, she's in last place in the competition. I know her kitty paws are better than LAST PLACE???

Click on the link above to Jen-La's blog and vote...Please?
(((hugs)))

Knitter's Geek Code

I'm about 3 years late on this, but loved it when I found it tonight, so here I am in Geek Code:

-----BEGIN KNITTER'S GEEK CODE BLOCK-----

KER+++ Exp++ SPM++ Bam+++ DenWool++ Lux Nov Stash++ Scale+++ Fin++ Ent Tex Lace Felt Flat Circ+++ DPN+++ Swatch KIP Blog SNB FO50 WIP6 Gauge L+++ F+++ S DK++ ALT=Q X Sw

------END KNITTER'S GEEK CODE BLOCK------

Check the article to see what it all means - and add your's, too!
(((hugs)))

Wanna See?

Spring is in the air - tho' it's a chilly 28 degrees here today...this is what greets me every morning. Did I mention that my landlord and his wife live next door? She planted these lovelies...just to the left of my front steps (I think I'll try to add some to the right in the fall!)

And I've been doing some "decorating." SIL and I shopped till we dropped yesterday for curtains (no they're not hung yet) and a rug for the office. I'm usually a very traditional lady, but this rug reminds me of Amish Quilts so I thought it was a great compromise between traditional and office modern. I have a black office chair and the burgundy "yarn storage" ottoman, so I think it'll be sage green drapes and then ...seating? Well, maybe a cast-off wing chairs (I do love them so) and slipcover with burgundy or sage or forest green? Hmmmm...?

Otherwise not much to report - I'm busily working on my Sockret Pal's socks, when I'm not here at the house b/c she's allergic to cats! (horrors!)

And of course, I'm very busy trying to get the house together. I know, I know...it takes time...

My thanks to all of Nana Sadie Rose's customers who are being so patient. I hope the sewing room will be together this week...I am sooo sorry for the delays! Most of my customers know this is really NOT the norm for me.

And I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to live in fresh air again!
(((hugs)))

DeFeet of Cuteness...

Yes, she has come out of hiding...sort of...as in...
once in awhile when Mommie is home...and there's food to be had. Otherwise, it's under the comforter! Still!

But Jen-La wanted to see sweet feet, and I can't think of another's sweeter than my Meezer's...(unless it's those of the 3DGS's and I don't have access to them to snap quick shots!)