Stitches Haul...

It's been such a long time since a blog update, and the accounting of my Stitches haul is a sad catalyst. But then again... it was way more fun than the endless waiting to find out if my offer on a house has been accepted.

We didn't take any classes, just went to the Market, but still more sensory overload than imaginable... and fun!

I only succumbed to unplanned temptation a little... everything else was purchase with specific patterns in mind (sadly some of those patterns are still in storage).

My Stash Enhancement:



From left:
- front - multi-color dk weight for baby sweater
- back - Noro Silk Garden Chunky on closeout and add'l discount from WEBS (this was one 'slip' but I think I'll make a wrap of some kind. I love the colors and feels wonderful!)
- Light blue Goshen to make a short sleeve sweater - evidence that enticing samples can encourage more sales!
-Back purple - to make Sofia. This might not work... I didn't like the yarn they used, but need something 'fluffy' because it's a bulky gauge but shouldn't be a heavy yarn. I'm hoping there's enough mohair in this to make it work.
- Multi-purple in front: My other project-less purchase, but it was ridiculously reduced and I think will become a cowl or scarf
- Latte colored (sounds better than beige) is intended to become Debbie Bliss' Silver Belle from Vogue (it's Valley Yarn's Deerfield)
- front handpaint sock yarn will be used in my Sock Yarn Blankie and then swapped for others
- light green is more of the Deerfield and is intended for the Angelina Vintage Jacket from White Lies Designs
- multi-coral colored hank in front is Duet from Brooks Farm and will become a simple, open garter stitch wrap
- and finally the 2 bags of Rainbow are for Hatfield Diagonal Sweater (w/ add'l green for edging)

Whew! Majority of the purchases were from WEBS. They had 10 booths worth, are incredibly nice and for the sweater quantities (which was my main intention), good prices.

I've begun my Hatfield... the blending of the 2 yarns created much different look than I was expecting, but it's a good lesson in color theory and dominant colors! I do like it though and since the yarn is held doubled, it's been going pretty quickly. I've done one front panel and half the second front already!

Bailey says:
Momma, can I play with L's yarn? Pretty please?

Almost Monday MeMe..

And because it's Almost-Christmas! YIKES!!
With all the house selling/searching/packing going on, Christmas has been a bit over-looked the past few weeks. Which is unfortunate considering how much I LOVE Christmas... Maybe Santa will bring me a new house????

So to provide a little holiday cheer... a fun MeMe (and I'm embarrassed that I forgot to link the source-blog for it). Perhaps there will be coal in my stocking with that new house.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I love wrapping presents. Seriously...and I have enough paper/ribbon to last a decade.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I haven't had a tree in several years since I travel to Florida. I'm tempted with getting an artificial tree, but it's not 'green' (ironic, isn't it!). Growing up we always had a flocked tree, but that tradition didn't continue with me.
3. When do you put up the tree? If I have one, usually the first weekend in Dec.
4. When do you take the tree down? Just after New Year's.
5. Do you like eggnog? Ick!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? So many, but I remember coming down one morning and finding an art easel all set up... and going roller-skating down the street in my bathrobe on a rare Christmas morning without snow.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My step-dad and grandmother
8. Easiest person to buy for? My goddaughters
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several... But my 'nice' scene is still at my parents until I have a proper place for it. Growing up we would unpack it, but would never 'arrange' the figurines until my grandfather was there to do it with me.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A jingle-bell necklace shaped like a turnip was definitely one of the funniest
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas TV special (NOT the movie)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm a 'gift' shopper all the time so some years it's early, but this year... well, my list is still mostly undone.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably, but can't remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Cookies, and Gingerbread biscotti
16. Lights on the tree? Lots of little, white lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Impossible to pick... O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night
Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to family's
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yup.
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve
20. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traffic and shopping lines. And trying to make Christmas policially correct (I stole this answer).
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? simple - gold, crystal, ivory.
22. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new house!
23. Angel or star on top tree? My tree has an angel, my family's tree has ugly glass bobbly thing.
24. Favorite meal: appetizers all evening on Christmas eve, followed by a bowl of homemade beef vegetable soup after we open presents.

Bailey's says: Momma, why are there so many boxes around? (cute pic trapped in camera until I find my cable)

I'm homeless...

Haven't posted in a while because it's been INSANE around here the past 2 weeks. Crazy, crazy, I tell ya'!

As the title states... I'm now homeless. Well, technically not until Dec 30th... but essentially (and definitely emotionally), I don't have a house anymore. It's both exciting and overwhelming... in this crazy market, I sold my house. Still looking for a new one... which although increases the pressure, it's definitely the right sequence. But it does make one, well... homeless.

I take some credit for the expediency of the sale... my home is wonderful. It's a great floorplan for this size house and a good sized lot with a very nicely designed patio (if I do say so myself). And all the 'little things' I've done over the last 10 years have certainly made a difference. Particularly when I compare it with all the houses I've been looking at the past few weeks (and it's been a lot!). But my realtor made it happen!

And did I say it happened quickly? I mean REALLY fast! I met with him one weekend - for him to get a sense of my house and we went to look so I could get a sense of what was out there.
- the day before Thanksgiving I signed the contract to list it
- the following Wed we had it on the MLS
- then we had open houses Sat & Sun
- I signed the contract to accept the offer on Monday (I even had more than one)

Now the insanity of the plan for moving, probable storage, etc... and of course, finding a NEW HOUSE! (not to mention the work/job thing...)

So if any of you were looking for a house in the bay area - this is what you missed (and what I will miss!)

I love the big tree in front...


and my red kitchen...


which really isn't like a dollhouse...




And the most-recently done guest room...


I'd take the swing with me if I could bring the bougainville with it...



My long-last hobby room (which was NEVER this neat)


And I would normally not post a bathroom, but there's a really funny story about this one and I don't want to forget it!


Sigh... I'll miss you, little-house.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is one of the funniest turkey-day pics I've seen....



Hope your Thanksgiving was full of family, friends, food and fun (and fiber if you're so inclined!)...

Ten on Thankful Thursday...

Today's a blend of 'Ten on Tuesday' and Thankful Thursday... (26 min left!)...

10 Things You are Thankful for This Year
1. Healthy family, including my cousin's new baby
2. Budget cuts instead of layoffs at work
3. Ravelry and Bloglines and Flickr
4. Local farmer's markets for local food all year round
5. Bailey
6. My church
7. TiVo
8. L.C., S.B., and L.A.
9. Frequent Flyer miles
10.USA

Bailey says: Sometimes it's nice to be treatedy like Royalty!

Yoga Puppy!!

Sometimes he just makes me smile...

Looky, Looky - I won!!

CoggieTM had a contest for her Ravelry anniversary... and I won one of the prizes!! I was pleasantly surprised when she asked me for my address... and delighted when I got home from a brutal day at work and found a wonderful package waiting for me!



The highlight is the Malabrigo Sock yarn in a gorgeous, teal semi-solid! Also was a great journal and soap... not pictured are the edibles (hmmm... I wonder why?? but yes, that's my wine glass in the corner!!). She included a package of Skittles and some fun gold-rock chocolate. And a button with my Ravelray ravatar... I'll save that for Stitches West! Thanks so much!!

Saturday was a fun mail day, too... I received my second package of mini-balls that I've swapped with others in the Ravelry Blankiemania group. What fun!!



And, my addiction to mini-balls is escalating... see these minis all ready and waiting for the next swaps... half will be off for a December swap and then I think I may host one myself in Jan (and might even start my blankie by then...).


But even without an actual blankie-in-progress, the mini-skeins are a fun distraction to all the chaos of work, and the lack of actual knitting... I'm still amazed that it's almost Thanksgiving and how much I have to knit if I'm going to get all my planned holiday gifts completed. (i.e. not a chance!)

So back at 'em...
Happy Knitting!
- JavaNut

Bailey says: Momma, I'm just going to wait until you're ready to play fetch. Could you hurry, please?