One More Thing...Or Maybe Two...

The other day, Carole was talking about fries and fry sauce. I had no idea what she was talking about (and she enlightened me...it's apparently ketchup and mayo combined...sorry that just sounds weird, Carole!).

But I told her it made me think of Nachos. I got a hankering. I rarely do, but sometimes it's just smarter to go with it, rather than fight the urge. I promised Carole that I'd post a photo if I succumbed to my craving...So tonight, after the Opera (we saw Hansel & Gretel and it was delightful! Great job, Opera Roanoke!) we stopped by a local restaurant and I ordered this...

Their recipe has changed in the long, long time since I had these last. This is more taco salad (no dripping, melted cheese) and we decided that we like the old-fashioned kind better...(sigh) So NOW I suppose I won't stop craving it, till I really get it?

It was also laundry day. Someone dislikes my taking the sheets and blankets off the bed...

At least you left me your t-shirt, Mommie...
The Meezer

Finishitis & Other Trivial Bits...

NoSoKnit inspired me to complete a couple of things last night and this morning during CBS' Sunday Morning as I woke up with my coffee...

Voila! This is the fastest I've ever knit a pair of socks!
Start Date: Sept 18, 2007
Finish Date: Sept 30, 2007

Pattern: modified Wendy's Generic Toe Up Socks w/ Feather & Fan motif (modified b/c I can never remember to switch and do row 3 as purl in the pattern, so I just knit 3 rows and do the pattern row! lol)

Yarn: Chris' hand-dyed 100% merino in deep purple/burgundy - scrumptious yarn and I think that's one reason they were finished so fast...I couldn't wait to see how the next pattern rows would look, how the changes in striping would develop. Thank you so much, Chris, for gorgeous socks I'll enjoy wearing a long, long time!

Needles: my trusty Crystal Palace bamboo dpns size 1. Oh! I saw Pam's KP Harmony needles (the girl bought the full sets of double points AND interchangeables)...I'm sooooo green with envy and now I can't wait for the few pair I ordered to arrive! I may be a convert. They seem really really nice, but I haven't KNIT with them yet...I ordered two pair of the size 1 fixed circulars, as well as dpns - because I think I want to try this socks on two circs method, at least once!

Then last night, I was a bit perturbed with myself. I'd planned to take this hat with me to NoSo yesterday and it got squeezed out of my Posy Sock Sack - but this is Christmas, so I needed to get it finished (I hate feeling totally unprepared this close to the holidays). So. I finished it off before bed last night - and no, Diana I ended up NOT needing that forest green skein of KP WOTA Bulky. Hmm...guess that means someone else is going to get a hat this year? A solid green one? lololol!


Pattern: Seaman's Cap modified by size.
Yarn: Knitpicks WOTA Bulky Fly Fishing colorway
Needles: Denise size 10
(the pattern calls for size 6 & 7s and worsted weight. I upped the yarn size so I upped the needle size and didn't change needles as directed! lol)
Started: July 2007
Finished: September 2007
I started this hat twice - the first time was a different pattern and I knew I wasn't going to have enough yarn - well I probably would have, because that one didn't have a ribbed cuff. I'm new to hat making - tho' I've made a bunch of them recently!

Joann's had an online coupon for 50% off recently, and I finally decided I wanted to buy this...it came this week.

I haven't used it yet, but I will!

And lest you think I've abandoned my business, let me assure you that's not the case...here are some of the Posies that sprung up after Bernie came home from her R&R trip on Tuesday...

These, of course, are spoken for. I'll be posting photos of these and others over on Nana Sadie Rose BLOG shortly...

AND...just in case you were trying and having a lot of problems with my original website (I'm soooooooo sorry!), the Portfolio option is finally functional. We're working hard to get the order page up and working with the PayPal cart, but till that's ready, you can shoot me an email - it's on the top of the screen on NanaSadieRose.com and we can do your order that way - I'll just shoot you an invoice via PayPal for now?

And of course, you can always email me at the gmail account listed up above in my sidebar!

We have opera tickets today, so I'm scurrying to finish things up before that! Have a great rest of your weekend!
(((hugs)))

NoSoKnit 2007!

Another fabulous NoSoKnit has come and gone. I'm always astounded by this event - this year was it's tenth birthday! Just so much fun...For those of you on dial-up this is a picture-heavy post, I'm sorry!

Again this year, the Roanoke Valley Knitters & Spinners commandeered their favorite table - we laughed and chatted and ate a terrific box lunch:

Admission to the event has traditionally been one charity item and it's limited to 100 knitters. Here you see 200 knitted items we all produced to donate to three local charities (ok, yes, some of us are overachievers!):

There were three vendors invited again this year, and this photo shows Orchardside from Raphine, VA...yes, I'll admit I purchased from all three vendors and I'll show you what I bought...hang in there!

Participants also clean out their stashs for acrylic yarns for the Alderson WV Women's Prison Knitting/Crocheting project - here's a view of the bagged and boxed yarns heading to the Prison in a volunteer's PT Cruiser...

Yarn and knitting vendors contribute to the goodies bags that each participant takes home from the event, here are most of the items from mine this year - we each got a skein of Claudia's Handpaint! That colorway is Poppy, and I'm considering what color to add to that for a Chevron Scarf...Any ideas?

We each contribute something for a doorprize and everyone takes something home. This is mine...yes that is two skeins of Bartlett Yarns 100% Wool. I'm thinking a felted bag...

Now to show you what I bought - I was remarkably restrained (and I could have been sooo bad...). From Orchardside I snagged 3 skeins of Cascade 220 and a skein of Donegal Tweed Homespun - this is for a Booga Bag (only I choose the striping!) in the colors I love for fall/winter...black, gray, and plum.

And this is a skein of the perfect sock yarn for me...Blue Ridge Yarns. The hand-dyed colors are lavender, grape, olive and sage green. Very cushy...This was from Misty Mountain Farms.

What did I knit while I was there? Well, I took my ChrisYarn Feather & Fan second sock (which is almost done), and then I picked up an Addi circ from On The Lamb Yarns in Staunton so I could cast on my Wool Peddler's Shawl.

So now I've started my 5th Folk Shawls shawl!


It's amazing how exhausting it is to knit and shop and eat! lolol

I've photos of Nana Sadie Rose bags to show (some Posies!) that I'll try to post tomorrow. And I want to say thank you to Pam for waving around her Chicken Posy at NoSo today - I had orders immediately, and met a lot of folks who apparently visit here (and at my website) who were interested in ordering!

Now...how about those of you who visit? Well...why not post a comment so I'll know you're out there???
(((((hugs)))))

Bernie Comes Home Tomorrow!

It's been a nice break, but it will be good to have the Bernina back where she belongs and humming again! I'm ready - with a few bags cut and ready to sew when she gets here...

Saturday is Roanoke's NoSoKnit and if you haven't signed up, the word came down this morning that there might be a few spots open due to last minute drop-outs - so click on that link and come join us, won't you? Admission is one knitted item for charity (you still have time for a hat!) and what fun we had last year...

And because I know I have to have something really simple to knit, I finished up the first Feather & Fan sock tonight, and cast on for the second one. I don't mind working on a sock in public, but I prefer to have the toe done before there's anyone around...

Thanks, Miss Muffin, for doing the modeling honors again, and there you go, Chris - a progress photo! I just love this yarn!

I'm So Excited!

I don't know if you remember my pal Geraldine and her feline friend The Mitz, but they've been MIA for a bit. Well, they're BACK!

Missed you two!
(((hugs)))

Amazing...

I don't think I've ever knit a sock this fast...of course, when you're not doing much else and spend a couple of nights just knitting and then get a morning at work with no electricity, I suppose it makes more sense! Still, I'm pretty amazed I've done this much in just 3 days?

Of course, part of the reason is that this yarn is just beautiful to watch as it stripes up in the Feather and Fan pattern!

Instead of Sewing...

Odd how old habits die hard? I used to come home, toss down food, and sit at the sewing machine for several hours...now the sewing table looks like this!

Lots of reading/listening matter...But WHY oh WHY don't I have the new KnitPicks catalog that everyone is talking about? I had to go to the website and see that the new Harmony needles were there, they were fascinating, and the sizes I might buy were out of stock. Will I ever get another KP catalog? I've bought from them - they've delivered to 3 addresses for me since I moved. Wouldn't you think I'd get ONE catalog? I've even updated my address on both the website and via the phone! Don't they love me anymore????

Maybe they'd rather I take my business elsewhere? (sigh)

Diana was kind enough to order the one skein of solid bulky WOTA I needed to finish a Christmas present...
Sorry, but I won't pay shipping just for 1 skein. I was willing to frog and do something else with the yarn.

We're existing in a wary truce tonight - CC has managed to climb up onto the bed without getting attacked by the resident bed warden...

But I'm not sure how long this "peace" will last...

The only one allowed on this bed besides me is MY Mommie...

A Night Off!

Wow. I feel really odd.

Bernie is away from home for the first time in 14 months. I have separation anxiety!

I got over it pretty quickly, tho'! lolol And managed to finish these:

Pattern: Fine Cabled Mitts
Yarn: Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn (Tom Cat colorway) (see the ball in that photo - that's what I have left from ONE skein)
Needles: Addi Natura dpns size 3

Notes? Well, I am not in love with the "knitability" of this yarn, but I do love the colors of it...and they'll be warm and servicable. Since Dear Grandson #2 gave me the yarn for Christmas, I'd say it's a lovely addition to my winter wardrobe! The pattern? Loved knitting it. Anne is so talented. And the needles (well, what can I say? I love Addi Naturas - heck I love ALL Addis!)

So, I have a Knit Night (it's been over a month since I went to one!) on Thursday, so I wanted to get this OTN as fast as possible...

And I found Miss Muffin to do modeling honors (believe me, there are too many boxes I haven't unpacked yet, but she was in one and I knew where she was...)

Chris this yarn is yummy...the colors are a feast for the eyes, and the yarn base is squishy wonderfully soft...I think you need to go into business here...An Indy dyer at heart, you are...

Oh. Miss Muffin was called in to model because both my kitties are in the "doghouse." They've never really gotten along, but tonight The Meezer attacked CC. It wasn't pretty, but I was right there, and broke it up before it really got nasty. Not sure what precipitated it, but everyone was in an armed truce just 15 minutes later...needless to say, they both got a stern talking to, as I won't have bad manners towards family under my roof...

(The Calico has been around a long time, and knows how this goes. The Meezer can't believe I shouted at her. Her feelings are hurt, and perhaps her pride a bit, too! They'll both get over it.)
((((hugs))))

Am I Blue?

Am I blue. Am I blue.
Ain't these tears in these eyes tellin' you?
Oh, am I blue?

Ok. I won't go on...'cause I 'ain't that kinda blue...

Picasso had HIS blue period...Nana Sadie Rose can, too, right?

Ok...I suppose that's stretching it a bit...

I was really dreading when I had to make the three of these bags - can you believe they were all due at once? (Nice that I didn't have to change thread in the machine, though!)

So tell me, Am I Blue?


They were fun, after all...just goes to show you that I shouldn't let my preconceived notions get in the way of my creativity, right?

Oh. What? Yes, I know I'm supposed to be taking a break. Starts officially tomorrow - when Bernie goes for HER rest and rejuvenation! (that's right, my Bernina has her appointment for her annual refurbishment and I'm FORCED to take it easy for a few days...
(whew!)

Socks? Who, Me?

It must be the touch of autumn in the air...But I'm feeling as if there's been something sorely lacking (besides time to knit in general) recently. It suddenly hit me tonight - SOCKS! I have no socks OTN! Well, I had to rectify that (and it was almost midnight at the time, so it's really Sunday now...)

Here is the hand-dyed yarn from Chris in purple, wine and fushia. I decided to try winding again on the nostepinne that Shelly's husband made for me (in cocobolo wood). I think the ball looks fine, tho' it surely takes more time than using a ball winder and swift. I still like the results.

Those are size 1 dpns. I'll cast on tomorrow for Wendy's generic toe-up sock pattern, and use my favorite design of hers - Feather & Fan - because this yarn deserves something special...Chris, it's just scrumptious, and I love this yarn!

Knitnana vs. Nana Sadie Rose

Sometimes I feel as if I have a distinct split personality, and this is never more acute than after a big show. (Especially the National Capital Cat Show, which is REALLY big...)

Knitnana gets pushed aside for weeks (sometimes months) before a major show...knitting is sporadic, taking the form of dreaming about what I want to knit, and ordering materials and patterns, but seldom for casting on much more than something simple and that won't take major chunks of time or concentration (lace goes on the backburner, usually).

Nana Sadie Rose gets center stage, and my enjoyment from creating the bags for my business events becomes a chore instead of it's usual delight, especially in the last couple of weeks before the event.

And it's not just my hobbies that have to take a back seat, either, it's my friends, and my housemates (the cats), the routines of normal life (like cleaning and laundry!)...everything is ignored till the bags are done and the show is over (of course, then I come back with orders for more bags! Yippee!).

After the National Capital Cat Show I have a tradition - okay, it's only 2 years old, but it's a tradition, nonetheless. I take a couple of weeks to be. Just be. And breathe.

I have to go to work and I still have my business client to take care of. But Nana Sadie Rose takes a break. The trusty Bernina goes into the shop for annual maintenance.

The first few days are zombie-land around here. It's such a huge investment of energy to do a show - we push and pull, tote and hoist, roll suitcases full of fabric in and out, loading things in and out of the reliable Forester that carries us wherever we go. And then 2 days of meet and greet, chat and hug, standing on concrete floors! Whew!

So I come home, unload, and leave most things sitting where they land, for at least a couple of days. Then slowly (and this time it's been most of the week!), unpacking begins. Tablecloths, backdrops, and clothing go into the laundry, fabric comes out of the suitcases and back onto the shelves. Spreadsheets are updated with sales and ordering information. And there are usually a couple of orders hanging from before the event that have to be finished up, packaged, and mailed.

It's not a complete break, after all! :)

But last night, this was the activity - having made it through two solid weeks of no downtime at all (as the show eats up 2 vacation days and a weekend, with workdays on either side of it) a few days of feeling like a total zombie, but still having to get to work...finally - a Friday night.

Dinner was take-out from our new Ukrops. Yesterday was somewhat chilly (upper 60s/low 70s) and rainy (WHOOHOO - we finally got a whole day of it, we were soooooo dry!), so I wanted comfort food - and yes, it wasn't really healthy fare - meatloaf and mashed potatoes, but I also had vegies & fresh fruit). I love Ukrops "ready to eat" and salad bar sections, but there's a Starbucks, and sushi bar, too...

Then...there was this...

That's Anne's Fine Cabled Mitt (the LEFT hand, as the right one is finished) - oh...go check out the new Knitty as she has a beautiful chunky weight lace afghan pattern there that is soooooo going on my queue!

And who is that on that CD? None other than Criminal Mind's Mandy Patinkin singing Oscar & Steve.

What? You didn't know Mandy sang? Oh. Well. Prepare yourself. His voice is the one Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rogers would have written for, if they could have...don't blast this music at full volume, okay? His voice is meant to be listened to, not overwhelmed by...(it does that all on it's own, without the volume's assistance...)

(sigh)
Friday was just about the perfect evening, in my estimation...

So now Saturday has dawned. I have a to-do list a mile long. I will do what I can, and rest a lot. Because Nana Sadie Rose just about wiped Knitnana up off the floor with a dishrag (knitted, of course!) last weekend... lolol!

As you can see, The Meezer is a bit miffed that anything comes between her and...

the truly important things in her life...

C'mon, Mom...play with me?

Color Meme...

via Deb from Kristi. I thought it was interesting...if you want to participate, please do and link back to Kristi!

1. What is your current favorite color? Purple & Pink & Teal/Aqua

2. Had your favorite color changed over the years? The Teal/Aqua is new

3. Is your current favorite color one that is currently trendy? (Do you see it in the fashion rags or on the clothes rack or in the linen aisle right now? How about 5 years ago?) The browns and….(pink/aqua/melon) combos are great to look at but I can only wear the brown away from my face – I had NO browns in my wardrobe (and little aqua) 5 years ago…

4. What is your favorite color combination? Black, gray, aubergine, lavender.

5. Is that combination a popular one? (Is it use in prints you see in the stores and catalogs and magazines now? How about 5 years ago?) I discovered that those colors are at least popular at Kohl’s this fall – and promptly purchased 8 tops to work with black/gray bottoms I already had this past weekend (there was a sale, what can I say – yes, a good sale!)

6. What is your favorite way of using color in your knitting? (Are you a stranded knitter? Do you prefer simple stripes? Do you prefer just accents at the hems/collars?) I love self-striping yarn, but have not done stranded knitting at all. The only knitting I use more than one color in has been the ripple afghan, the chevron scarf, and the entrelac bag.

7. What colors look good on you? Pinks, Fushia, Purples, Reds, blues, black, gray. And forest green. I had my colors done in the 1980s, too (I'm a "light solar winter" which means I wear the pastels as well as the saturated forms of the colors of spring & winter), and anything else looks awful, makes me look ill (and frankly, affects my state of mind, as well…If I don’t look healthy, I don’t feel it either!)

8. What colors look bad on you? Green, brown, yellow, orange

9. Do you wear colors that don’t look good on you just because you like them? Very, very rarely and only if they are not close to my face - people ask if I'm feeling sick when I wear colors I shouldn't :) *I’m directly quoting Debi here, b/c it’s also true for me!

10. What is your favorite neutral color? black/white/ivory/tan/brown/gray – if brown or gray do you prefer cool or warm versions of those or does it matter? And, how dark? Black, Gray, Navy (the darker the better…)

11. Is there a sweater pattern that uses more than one color that you’d like to make, but you wish to change the colors from what is published? If yes, which one? What do you not like about the published colors? Not a sweater pattern (as I’m a shawl wearer – and don’t care for sweaters, but I’m changing the colors in Kaffe Fasset’s Earth Stripe Wrap to my palette.

Too Pooped To Percolate...

Ok. That title probably dates me badly - who remembers percolated coffee? All who do say "Aye!"
lol
I wanted to show you the only thing I bought at the National Capital Cat Show this year...I was completely bowled over by this artist:

The title of this print is Bookmark and I don't suppose I have to tell you just who we all know and love that does exactly this (another reason I rarely read anymore)...?
Seriously, Jamie S. Perry is a talented caricaturist - and I doubt you could have read my blogs very long and not known that I'm enamoured of the art form - especially where Siamese cats are concerned? She does a lot more than just Siamese, too...

Tonight, because I am really tired, this is how I spent my evening - listening to a book on tape (you know, I'm going to books on CD...because so many of the library's tapes have really had it and I'm sick of pulling mangled tapes out of the player to rewind with my pinkie, praying all the while that it hasn't snapped!) and knitting a dishcloth. Ok. A heart dishcloth. Somehow it seemed terribly appropriate for Anne of Green Gables: a little girl with so much heart to give...

OH...by the way. Stop by and put your two cents worth on Becky's contest - she's needing ideas for some Rowan 4-ply she purchased.

I apologize for a post that lacks any *spark* tonight - not to mention the less than good photos - but I just ain't got it in me...maybe tomorrow?
(((hugs)))

Did You Miss Me?

Wow. What a whirlwind! We're home, the show was good, the drive back got us caught in the front with lots of downpours (THANK YOU, Dear SIL for driving thru that!!!)

(Oh, and we took advantage of the trip north to stop at Kohls - no Roanoke doesn't have one, can you believe? - and um...well, let's just say, I celebrated the fact that this fall's colors are MINE again, after years and years of having to make do with what I already owned! Yes, I will have a few new things to wear - thanks to the buy one/get one free sale!)

So I thought maybe you'd like to see the booth? Here's a shot of the space with Big Sis and Dear Niece on the left, and SIL on the right.

Then I tried to do a better job of getting the banner and cut everyone else out of the shot (I never said I was a good photographer...one can't be good at everything, dontcha know?)

I have to thank our next door booth neighbor for taking this shot of all of us. That's me in the ponytail, and my Dear Sis-In-Law, too.

My Dear Niece makes greeting cards from fabric - she is amazing. She picks lovely fabrics, appliques them to the cardstock, adds her own artistic flourishes and accents, and makes them so unique. They are blank so you can add your own sentiments...

I love her cards so much, and if you're interested, just let me know via email and I'll get you in touch with her! Because this was the cat show (like her Aunt "Nana Sadie Rose" she focused on cat cards, but she does all kinds!) - those flowers in the back? Their faces are tiny cat faces...DN majored in art and is doing this "on the side" in hopes of supporting herself with her art one day!

It was a good show. We saw so many good friends return this year for new bags, bringing their friends with them. And then new customers (breeders and other vendors, too!) who bought on Saturday and liked what they got so much they returned to either buy another bag, or order more, some folks even thinking ahead (very very wise) to Christmas gifts. (And if you're thinking that way...well...maybe you'd best let me know soon? lolol!)

All I can say is, it's a good thing you came back. I was about to come looking for you. That is. IF I could have gotten the front door open. I do so wish I had opposable thumbs.

This Is IT! :)

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go" - literally! lol!

Tomorrow Nana Sadie Rose will hit the road and I just can't wait to see all of you at the National Capital Cat Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly VA (outside Washington, DC). (There's a $1 off coupon for the entrance fee if you follow that link up there...)

I have to tell you that The Meezer is acting really suspicious of all the bags and things in the living room (she knows her world is about to be rearranged!). The girls will be well taken care of by my good friend Lynette.

I promised you a teaser, now didn't I?

Ok...from my hen house to yours?

(Well...I'd done cows, it seemed the next natural thing and I was tired of all the cats I've been making! Isn't this cute? Pennsylvania Dutch, anyone?)

See you the first of next week!

We Mourn...

TeaLeaves says it perfectly...such a huge loss.

My Private Knit Night!

Tomorrow is the last night for the details of packing for the show and I'll be doing a payroll for my business client, too, as well as running last minute errands. But tonight, I had planned on a manicure (I was way overdue, but with all the sewing and steam pressing - a devil on nail polish! - I couldn't see getting it done till now). So afterwards, I came home and knit during the news and thru Jeopardy! and I finished the first...(right-handed)

Fine Cabled Mitt from Anne. Here's the first shot that really gives an idea of how long it is...there are only 7 of 8 repeats of the cable pattern. Anne mentions that for the SMALL size there are 8 repeats, but you can stop where you need to. And yes, I have maintained my entire life that the daintiest (i.e. "smallest") things about me are my feet and my hands! Here's the proof! I almost made these too long! (Another option might be to knit a shorter cuff than the 3 inch rib? But I'm going to be very happy with that length come winter!)

Here is a slightly closer shot to see the cabling...I have not yet blocked it, but I think I will...everyone has said that Wildfoote evens out upon blocking. Oh, and yes, I'm getting a penny for my own thoughts tonight! lolol!

I'll have to wait to cast on the for second mitt (acknowledging that this could be as bad as SSS - Second Sock Syndrome) but I don't dare try to get it OTN before I leave for the show!

I don't think I'll have any trouble with the amount of yarn left in my one skein of Wildfoote Tomcat (these are knit on size 3 Addi Naturas).

(And just for the record - this is the FIRST thumb I've ever knitted. I just might try for mittens! Whoohoo!)

Now don't forget, I'm going to leave you with a teaser tomorrow, so stop back by in the evening!
(((hugs)))

New Mera?

Thought you might like to see this pretty little bag - the fabric is "new" to me, tho' it's an older, 2004, print...

Cats 'N Geraniums, I call it...and I promptly fell in love with the finished bag.

Just one of several new bags you can see when you drop by my booth at the National Capital Cat Show this weekend... (please do?)

I'm done now...just one more to tempt you with (I'll post it on Thursday night, right before I leave...and wait to see your response - I'm thinking it's a winner!).

For now, all that remains is the packing and preparation of the booth materials...my Brother-In-Law and Big Sis have created a new backdrop for our booth (I haven't even seen it, except in photos!), and we're rearranging things from last year...Still if you look for the pink roses, you'll know you're there!

And thank goodness for Anne's Fine Cabled Mitts (OH...go see, she's got a NEW SHOP!!! Just click the link to her blog and go from there...) as it's a knit that's soothing...and I keep trying it on and saying, "Wow, this is going to be so great this winter..."

Oh, yeah, like the rest of the blog world, I'm bitten by the autumnal bug - now if the temperatures would dip out of the 90s?
(((hugs)))

A Break in the "Madness"

I'm not sure when I've been as wacky in the head! It's a really good thing the National Capital Cat Show is next weekend, and that I have to stop sewing no later than Tuesday...I've made so many bags, done almost nothing but sew (except when NOT in my house due to my full-time job and other commitments), eat, and sleep. There are going to be new photos up on Nana Sadie Rose shortly that showcase just a few of the new bags I've been making (along with a few old favorites).

But tonight I have to take a break. I'm overtaxed physically, and so anything possible that would relax my stressed-out body (and mind!) was mandatory. I was so lucky that this lovely came in the mail before I left work on Friday:

Yes, that's Rowan 42. I know there are probably a few of you (or many, even) who are a bit amazed at me...I am myself. But the Earth Stripe Wrap jumped out and grabbed me from Tan's blog a couple of weeks ago, and when I went to Rowan's site and paged through the pattern photos, I almost swooned...okay, more than once I've talked about feeling as if I were misplaced, and really belonged walking along the moors and through the heath of the British Isles...perhaps really I'm reincarnated from Cathy? I've certainly been attracted, in my life, to more than one Heathcliff...

This book has several patterns I'd consider knitting, not just the cover wrap (in my own choice of colors, tho'):
1. Helsinki Hat Scarf (I think in gray)
2. Eurasia (okay, it's a cardigan, and I think I'll only knit it if I eventually come to a point in my life where I'm literally walking the moors, or perhaps, I finally become a little old lady who's cold all the time! lol!)
3. Snug Hat & Cawdor (both lovely hats)
4. Bressay Hap Shawl

and for my house:
5. Patchwork Blanket (done entirely in Scottish Tweed DK - oh be still my heart!)

Oh, btw, the photography in this book is stunning - and I'm sure most of you Rowan devotees could have told me it would be! (Anyone remember Victoria Magazine? THAT's what I am reminded of as I page thru this, and I have almost every issue of Victoria ever printed...)

BUT...not to be outdone, there is this...and perhaps this will actually be the first thing I make:

Bridges. That's lace. And yes, it's a vest, which is a close relative to a sweater (no sleeves...) - but this is such a slimming vest, long and lean, and vertical lace! Oh. Yes. This one.

OH. And. Belgrade. (Yes, it IS a sweater! But WHAT a sweater! And again, those lovely slimming vertical lines...)

I'm not yet going to subscribe to Rowan. But you know, this is (to me) well worth the money for the book - and most of you will know they're not cheap. But if nothing else right now, it's been the eye candy that calms my feverish frenzy during the prep for the cat show. I can actually look at this and see beyond next weekend. To winter. When maybe there'll be an occasional night that I can sit and knit (and not touch the sewing machine).

Don't get me wrong. I still love to sew. I still love Nana Sadie Rose. But. I think we're ready for a break in the "madness..."

I know I'm sick of sewing, Mommie. Maybe I should resign as sewing assistant?