Life at Shaky K

Shaking off the dust...

2009-06-18T11:23:00.005-07:00

Wow! Has it really been that long? Bad, bad blogger!

What's been happening here in the desert? Pretty much the same things as always.. taking care of critters, loads of knitting, done some traveling to trade shows (kids & grands are still in awe of the fact that I actually flew to a couple this last year), some design work here and there with some actually appearing in publication, which is fun!

Recent family news: Brittany just graduated, Alexandra's expecting our first "great" next month, Breanna's headed to Girl Scout summer camp, Kyle and Lexi are headed to Lake Havasu with their dad, and Glen's birthday is Saturday.

Horses are all doing well, or as hubster puts it: fat, dumb and happy. Having added a couple more "rescues", herd is up to 8 now. Seven are ours and the 8th is boarded.

Most of my online time lately has been keeping busy helping on ravelry and helping folks in the help room there. Also testing the waters on Twitter and Facebook. You'll find me on any of these as "sandysays".

The sad news is that our days with our cocker, Snuggs, are numbered. "How" numbered at this point, we don't know yet. Within a couple days of returning from Brittany's graduation, she developed two huge swellings on her right rear leg that we thought were abcesses from a possible snake bite or something. Took her to the vet right away and it turns out they're tumors. She's on some meds to try and get the swelling down and he'll biopsy when she's done with the meds and antibiotics. Will have to decide between removal, amputation or ??? once we know the results of that. Meanwhile, we're spending lots of time loving on her and makin sure she stays comfortable. Fortunately, she doesn't show any signs of being in pain, for which we're so very grateful. Don't think I could handle that.

Just gave her meds, MUCH caffeine has been consumed at this point and the needles are calling. 'Til next time...

For my Sekrit Santa

2007-11-21T09:14:00.001-08:00

I've been *reminded* that I need to post something of a Wish List. Siiiiigh.

My *about* me page at Ravelry and my library page should give you some hints. Pretty much the books I keep an eye out for these days are stitch dictionaries I don't have (Mon Tricot ones I'm still looking for), or books on lace or socks.

Colors are fair game! Never met one that I didn't like!!!

Yarns: I'm always on the lookout for new and/or different ones. Loopy Ewe is a good example of a variety of ones I'd like to try at some point. Sock yarns & laceweights are what I tend to lean towards most often. I'm intrigued with the notion of trying most anything new to me tho, so don't let that restrict you.

Whatever you choose, rest assured I'll love it!

Spreading the love and paying it forward...

2007-09-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

....the "yarny" love, that is. Over at Wendy's Woolies, I read her post about a "Pay It Forward Exchange". Since I've always loved to do things for others out of the blue and unexpectedly, I jumped at the chance to play too. Just a random act of kindness for another knitter (OR crocheter!) with no expectation of anything in return. Warm fuzzies for all involved!!

Here's the deal.... I'm going to commit to either making at least 3 yarny gifts (could be more, but it won't be less) to send forward out into knitterland to be fruitful and multiply.

I don't have an idea of how long it may take (I have other commitments as well and deadlines to meet), but I'm going to promise to send these out randomly (I'll use a random number generator) and promise an outside end date of 3-6 months at the latest.

If you like the concept and would like to be considered to be on the receiving end of one of these gift packages, and are willing to make the commitment to do likewise and "Pay It Forward", please leave a comment and make the same promise on your blog.

Doesn't have to be a knitted gift, just three random gifts made by you and sent to to others with no expectation of anything in return other than that they commit to do likewise.

Have a great weekend everyone and let's spread some yarny love!

Monkey Sock Swap THREE

2007-08-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

Just heard about the Monkey Sock Swap and rushed to sign up!! Looks to be a whole BUNCH of FUN!! IF you haven't signed up yet, RUN, do NOT walk over and sign up QUICK!! Sign-ups close on August 31, which means there's only a couple days left, so don't delay!!

Monkey Sock Swap THREE Questionnaire

The basics:
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?

Hmmmmm, except for the most intricate of details that I'd surely need to pay attention to, I'd probably say I could do most in my sleep.

The measurements:

Shoe Size: 7.5-8

Foot circumference: 9.5”

Foot length: 9.5”

Yarn Preferences:
What colors do you love?
Never met one I didn’t like

Do you prefer solids or variegated?
Variegateds (I don’t mind “pooling” – in fact I’m kind of intrigued with it and prefer it over striping)

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn?
Wool first, then cotton

What colors would you never wear?
None that I know of, I like em all.

What are your favorite brands of yarn?
STR, Seacoast, Koigu, Cider Moon, Fleece Artist, J-knits, Hand Maiden, Interlacements, Lisa Souza, Schaefer, ShibuiKnits, Wollmeise, Yarn Pirate, etc, etc (I could go on all day!! J )

Are there any new brands you would like to try?
Dream in Color, Yarntini, Zen String, Wooly Boully, Scarlet Fleece, Posh Yarns, Apple Laine, Misty Mountain Farm, Fiesta, Chewy Spaghetti, (LOVE the “indies” and would eventually like to try them all).

Cookie A. Patterns:
Which of her patterns have you already knit?
Monkeys, BFF, Baudelaire, Pomatomus, Hedera,

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own?
ALL of them (tho I do own them already)

Other pertinent information:

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US?
I wouldn’t mind having an International pal at all, it sounds like great fun.

Do you have any allergies?
Only to meds ending in “caine”

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
No

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name?
I am on Ravelry and can be found under “Sandysays”

Five sizes and counting

2007-08-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Pattern is working out nicely so far! Still have a couple adult sizes, infant's and toddler's to work out and then off to be tested!

Seems like I should be farther along at this point, but I guess I shouldn't complain. Since this past Thursday, I've done the 2nd Sasquatch size, the women's large (blues), and the kid's pair (on the far right there).

Started a pair yesterday for our oldest granddaughter, got all the way into the heel flap and remembered that I'd intended to use "Bellatrix" for her pair, and here I was moving right along with another size for this pattern! What's a G'ma to do? Frogged it back to the cuff and started over! Got into the cussit gusset before calling it quits last night. Hopefully by tonight I'll have them done.

GOT to get as far as I can with the knittin while I can. Daughter-in-law is bringing our (I'm ALMOST 6 G'ma!!) granddaughter down tomorrow to spend a few days. I'll meet up with Mom somewhere around halfway between our place and theirs on Friday to pass her back.

Knitting time is pretty much limited to late at night and early morning when she's here. She'll give Papa a run for HIS money when it's time to feed the beasties! She LOVES to sit on Breeze and ride him around while he follows Papa to get his grain tub. I've GOT to get some newer pics of THAT action! The links are from when she was a little over 2, and here she'll be 6 next month! Child has ALWAYS scared the snot out of me around the beasties! She has absolutely NO FEAR whatsoever! She and Papa are totally relaxed and nonchalant about her riding Breeze and the thought of her on/around THAT 1350 lb package of solid muscle absolutely scares the stuffin out of me! Siiiiiigh!

Best get back on that pair of socks while I can! Y'all have a great one!

Bad blogger - no cookie

2007-08-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Where HAS this summer went? The days have all seemed to melt into one another and disappeared already. Seems like yesterday that it was starting to warm up, and here it is almost mid August already.

Our summer's been bassackwards weatherwise to the usual pattern of HOT, HOT, HOT to HOT monsoon with humidity by August. So far it's been humid all summer and now that we SHOULD be in monsoon season, the humidity has dropped dramatically! Still way too high for me to tolerate being out in it for more than a few minutes, but it's not as bad as what it's been in the past. Will be sooo glad to see the temps drop into a range that I can stand to knit things other than lace and socks!!!!! While I DO love both, it gets a bit monotonous after awhile.

Finally after a whole bunch of lace, I've got my sock mojo back (I "think"!). I'm almost to the heel flap on the first sock of my 6th pair since last Thursday.

First up was the J-knits that youngest son brought me from Texas at the end of spring when he was there for his 4th year classes. Started out with a pair of Monkeys for myself. Then I moved on to a pair for one of our granddaughters. Sheesh! Can't find the link to the original pattern for the Blueberry Waffle socks, but that's the stitch I used. EASY stitch! Just knit two rows and then work a k2,p2 rib for two rows. Finished off that skein with a dress for her Barbie to match. That was a plain tube of 40 sts to the waist, k1,p1 rib for about an inch and back to stockinette for another inch and bind off.

Moved on and made myself another pair from a skein of Merino Sock! from Lisa Souza in the "Can't Elope" colorway. Also made another granddaughter a pair out of the leftovers. Used the same stitch on those that I used on a pair for my Sockapalooza pal (dag nab it! Plum forgot that THOSE were the first socks I did when I set the lace aside!). NEED to get some more pics taken this morning and uploaded on flickr. I'll get those and the current Sasquatch pair I'm working on this morning. I thought hubster had big feet, but the grandson the current pair are for has a pair on him that are even bigger yet!

Current pair are also the same stitch from the Sockapalooza pair and the granddaughter's pair. I've got a little more experimenting to do yet and then I'll get it written up and sent to some testers first and then upload that pattern here. So far, I'm really liking it in anything I've used the stitch in. I've used Cherry Tree Hill, Lisa Souza's and the current pair is Jitterbug from Colinette. Seems to kinda break up pooling and has a feel of a thermal texture to it. Hope when it's uploaded y'all like it as much as I have so far. It will be available in sizes to fit from infants to those men with Sasquatch feet like hubster's and our grandson's.

I know as soon as I save and upload this a dozen and one things are going to pop into my head that I SHOULD have added, but the mind is fading on me this morning. As if all the thoughts running around my head on what I want to do with this sock pattern aren't enough, there's some proposals and design submissions that I NEED to get completed and sent before the deadlines jump up and smack me upside the head!!

Til next time......

ps.... if you have time for a quick knit (say within a week?) and would be interested in testing this sock pattern let me know. email me at : sandy at sandysays dot net (replace the "at" and "dot" with "@" and ".") and please put "sock testing" in the subject line. I'll have mail filtered into a special folder using the subject line as the filter. Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!

Lace Interlude

2007-06-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

I've got to get my backside in gear and get my sock count caught up for the 52 pair plunge!! I've got two more pair done and a pair of alpine boots that I need to get some pics of, but I still need to get 4 more pair done this month yet to stay on track.

I've spent the last couple evenings getting my stuff entered in the databases on ravelry and still have a lonnnng way to go, but at least it's a start! WHAT a wonderful resource to the knitting community it's going to be once it's all up and running! All I can say is WOW!! While it's still in the beta stages, they've done a tremedous job so far and my hat's off to them!! Joining is still by invitation, but they're sending those out fast and furiously, so if you haven't requested an invite yet, be sure to do so soon!!

On and off the needles recently....??? LOTS of "stuff" ggggg In addition to previous design projects for SWTC, in the last week and a half before the TNNA show in Columbus, I did a sweater, a 10 ft wide lacy shawl, and a 100" sash style belt. The sad news is that the camera needed batteries, so I didn't get pics before sending everything off. FORTUNATELY, hubster is at Costco this afternoon shopping and picked those up for me. I still have lots of stuff here to photograph and get uploaded to flickr, and from there into ravelry. So far, only the "Craft" jacket has been added to the patterns at SWTC. On the Craft patterns page, scroll down and look for "Katie's Jacket". I'll add links to the others after they've been added. I know the bamboo dress, the shawl, the crocheted bag and I "think" the belts were on the runway as SWTC's entry for the fashion show at the TNNA show in Columbus.

Once the design items were in the hands of Fedex, then it was on to some more shop samples for the shop in San Diego. I'll get pics of those tonight or tomorrow and get them uploaded to flickr. There's the triangle Version of the "Florence" scarves (A Fiddlesticks pattern), a stole from a Cherry Tree Hill kit that I can't remember the name of (nor can I find the pattern for at the moment), and from their Lavish Lace book (and also from a kit) Rosebuds and climbing Roses stole. Since it was one of their huge [2400 yds] merino lace hanks, there was quite a bit left over. I started the Flower Basket Shawl (closeup pic above) out of the leftovers, and am in the midst of about 13 repeats so far. I'm thinking that I'm going to go to about 20 repeats overall unless I start running out of yarn before that. I'm using a #5 addi lace needle. Would prefer a 6 or 7, but since they only go up to 6 and 5 is the largest I have so far, 5 it is.

I also finished off a pair of socks that I didn't realize was in the bottom of the knitting bag and played with the Socks That Rock yarn from the first club kit in a little experiment on color pooling. I proved my point that gauge and needle size are the keys to making color move. Can't wait to get THOSE pics taken and posted!! I managed to force the colors into almost matching "pools" of color on opposide sides of the two socks. While it does happen that way on occasion, this was a deliberate attempt to push the color where I wanted it to go and it WORKED!! LOVE it when a plan comes together!! gggg

Happened to see a reference somewhere in the last week or so about the Mystery Stole 3 getting ready to start, so I signed up for that. That's due to start June 29 and she'll close signups to the group on July 6, so if you're so inclined, hop on over and get signed up. IF I had any "sense" and the operative word here IS "IF", I'd pull my pi shawl out that I did last summer and finish the edging on it, and then the Shetland Tea Shawl and figure out what stitch pattern I want to finish it off with. I absolutely LOVE the center of that one, but I don't particularly care for the stitch pattern on the outer ring. Set that one aside last fall when I couldn't decide on a stitch pattern I liked and it's been "out of sight, out of mind" ever since.

Socks and lace are about the only two things that I can stand to handle this time of year here in the desert. My window unit ac (which does the BEST job of cooling) died today, so I'm going to have to break down and start using the central air unit instead. Sooooooooo DREAD using that one, cuz I sure don't like the power bills that go along with it, and it doesn't cool this portion of the house as well as the window unit does. Landlord's supposed to be here at 6am to put a freon charge on it. Was only 104 degrees here today, and fortunately between the breeze and 3 fans to circulate air, it's been tolerable. Would NOT like to try and do the same through the weekend with temps predicted to hit 111 and above.

Gotta run for now... hubster just arrived home with dinner!! Will add another post a little later or tomorrow. Byeeeeee for now!!

April recap...

2007-05-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

First up is Painted Madness from round 3 of Sock Madness. Good thing I'm working from the sidelines now or I'd have been up the proverbial creek. Stats: Lorna's Laces, colorway "Vera", Magic Loop on Addi Turbo#1 (2.5mm)

This pair is destined for the "gift box". Most likely one of the DILs or grands will wind up with them. With the double thickness due to the cuff, they're just way too warm to consider wearing here in the desert. MIGHT have a couple days in mid winter that they could be worn here, but it's unlikely that I would, so into the box they go!

Cotton Pickn Frickn Frackn Blogger!! Can't for the life of me seem to get more than one image per post uploaded. Well, that's not entirely true.... I can but they're all being squeezed into one spot and not spread out throughout the post like I want them. I'll just link to the flicker page and offer my apologies for my lack of skills.

Additional photos at: flickr

Stats on the pink/orange/yellow pair are: pattern: "Tidal Wave", TOFUtsies #728 "Three Feet Short" from SWTC, Magic Loop on AddiTurbo #1 (2.5mm)

Multi Red "Mad Weave" pair are Cherry Tree Hill, "Foxy Lady" colorway, Magic Loop on Addi Turbo #1 (2.5mm)

The pair titled "Marbles" are the "Mad To Dance" pattern, Socks That Rock from Blue Moon; "Marbles" colorway, Magic Loop on #2 Addi Turbos (3.0mm).

In response to a request, there are also several shots of "Stash Flashin". I didn't realize until I dumped the sock yarn tote out on the daybed to take pictures just how much there really was in it. In addition, there were (ARE!) several more skeins (wound and unwound) throughout the house. Then this week, the May shipment of the RockinSockClub arrived, as did 3 skeins of J-Knits that my youngest son picked up for me in TX while he was at Texas A&M.

While it WOULD have been fun to play along in the LimeNViolet sock yarn marathon, I think everyone else would be done and it would be over before I could get it all totaled up as to how many miles of sock yarn I have around here.

There were also two more pairs of socks completed in April, but I can't show pics of those at this time. It started out as one pair for an April bd gift. Designed them "on the fly" as I knit them. I was asked to send a photo to the yarn company and they wanted the pattern. Fortunately (for once!) I'd actually made notes, so I wrote that up and sent it in. Details on the when and where they'll be available later. Fortunately I had a full weekend to get another pair made up to submit with the pattern.

I "THINK" I'm pretty much caught up for the moment... One pair of "themed" socks completed for Socktopia, 3 pair completed to catch up through the current pair at Sock Madness, One bd gift pair and one sample pair completed for a total of 6 pairs of adult size socks started and completed during the month of April (4 pair needed to stay on schedule for the 52Pair Plunge).

I was going to say that I'd start thinking tomorrow of the projects I'll line up for May, but I just looked at the clock and it IS "tomorrow" already. After 1am already and here I sit.. go figure! I'll just revise that train of thought to after I get up and get myself sufficiently caffeinated for the brain strain.

I do know I need to decide on whether to use a pattern or design one for my sockhopswap pal. I've already accumulated some extra goodies to include in her package that I'm hopin she likes. I also just got my "spoilee's" information for Sockapalooza4, so there's another to decide on something for. SHOULD include another pair for hubby since HIS birthday is this month. Would be a much easier decision to make if he didn't have size 12EEE feet and only wears boots, so the tops need to be at least 12" too. Feel like I'm makin socks for Sasquatch when I'm makin socks for him! While hubby's already arranged for our granddaughter's graduation gift, I could add a pair for her too, but I'd have to go shopping for something "purple" for her. Siiiiiigh! What's a Grandma to do? SHEESH!! You have to ASK?

We'll be headed to Newcastle, WY this month for our oldest granddaughter's graduation, so I'll have plenty of "drive time" hours to fill. Hubster's even offered a yarn shop crawl while we're gone, so I'd be tickled pick to hear of any "don't miss" shops along I40 from Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM, or north on I25 all the way through Colorado into Wyoming. Please feel free to leave suggestions in the comments or pop me an email at: sandy at sandysays dot net (replace the at and the dot with the appropriate symbols and remove the spaces).

Til next time..... "Night!"

Year of the sock

2007-03-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone know if there IS such a thing in the Chinese calendar? If not, then those among us addicted to hand knit socks need to unite and do something about it!

I'm sure doing my best this year to see to it that family and friends are properly attired in hand knit socks. First up was the Rockin Sock Club from Blue Moon. Then there was the 1st round of Death By Socks, which was a whole lot of fun and has us all waiting patiently (HA!) for round 2 to begin.

Meanwhile, bring on the SockHopSwap and Sock Madness (Pics here) just to keep the fingers nimble and hope to stay out of trouble.

Then what happens...??? Miss Violet just happens to mention on the limenviolet podcast, a year long KAL that she's seriously considering joining... the 52PairPlunge where one commits to a pair a week for the year beginning April1, '07 and ending April 1 '08. I swear that if my family and friends weren't going to wind up the recipients of MOST of those 52 pair, they'd all have ME committed!!

The "icing" on the sock saga came this morning while I was cruising the blogs of fellow KALers and stumbled across Socktopia, (which is another year long KAL that's already started but still open to signups) so naturally I had to sign on for THAT one. THEN I just "happen" to see that Alison is going to be opening signups for sockapalooza 4. What's a gal to do? Oh well, as my knitting bud says... "It'll keep you out of the bars and the bingo parlors!" I don't do either to begin with, so I'm not sure that it applies, but it's all in fun anyway.

Holy COW! Here I thought just thinking about all the above that it was a fair bit of sock knitting, but seeing it all written out... I hope I haven't let my alligator mouth overload my hummingbird backside!

I best get myself off to bed where I hope NOT to have dreams of painting myself blue like Dorie and singing "Just keep knitting, just keep knitting"

Night!

It's Madness I tell ya....

2007-03-24T01:01:00.000-07:00

Mad-Tini socks for round 2 of Sock Madness are FINALLY done! I still find the variety achieved just by using different yarns amazing! How about you?

These are Cherry Tree Hill, colorway "Blueberry Hill", magic loop on #2 addi's. Little over 26 hours start to finish with LOTS of interruptions along the way. Thunderstorm, power outage, horses escaping that had to be chased down, caught and returned to their enclosure, sleep, etc.

As if being in the midst of Sock madness and the Knit-off '07 and the SockSwapHop, along with shop samples for the shop and the design projects all aren't enough to keep the needles smokin, I couldn't resist signing up for the 52PairPlunge too! Nothing like letting my alligator mouth overload my hummingbird backside, huh?

Meanwhile, I SHOULD carry my happy little (I use the term loosely!) backside off to bed! Hubby's got us committed to helping a friend move this weekend plus I have 10 shirts here that need the embroidery done on them so they can be shipped on Monday. At least I can keep on knittin while the machines are going!!

Night!

Finishing, starting and more competition

2007-03-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well, the red mystery project for SWTC out of "Craft" from the Vickie Howell collection is complete, shipped and received so the needles have moved on to their next assignment, which is out of black "Bamboo". While the first was created from a picture off a cell phone, this one is two pictures and combining the elements of each into one whole. LOTS of stitches but oh sooo FUN!!

What else have I finished? Hmmmm, the STR Red Rock Canyon travel sock is done, I made a pair of "Monkey" socks from STWC's TOFUtsies (color #723) and started a pair from SWTC's 1st newsletter. My Rockin Sock Club kit from Blue Moon arrived and I wound that and started that as well.

I was in San DIego on Tuesday to have the gooseneck hitch installed in our truck and spent the afternoon hanging out at Lakeside Knits with Clarese. We knitted, we chatted and we put together some more projects for the shop. I started the Triangle version of the Florence Scarves from Fiddlesticks while we sat and chatted. Not sure what the yarn is, I'll have to ask Clarese. She got quite a bit of new lace weights in and this particular skein was falling apart, so she'd wound it up, and the label wasn't with it. Other projects I came home with stuff for include the Alpine Boots from Fiber Trends, (Look in the what's new section from the menu on the left), and Rosebuds and Climbing Roses from the Lavish Lace book from Cherry Tree Hill and a skein of their laceweight in Wild Cherry to make it out of. I'll probably wind up making another shawl out of that as there's 2400 yards per skein.

Also in the last couple weeks, I made the Uniscarfity scarf from Magknits in the first round of competition in the Knitoff '07 and finished first in group K. Pattern will be posted for round 2 on March 17th (which was my grandmother's birthday!). All we know at this point is that we need approx 170 yards of dk weight.

Last weekend was the "Mad Cow" socks in the Sock Madness competition. LOT of competitors in that one! Had to be one of the 1st 16 to finish in each of 4 divisions to move on to the next round. Start date for round two hasn't been announced for that one. It amazes me to no end to see how different so many socks look just from using different yarns and colors. Check it out on the Flickr group!!! FIVE pages worth of pictures already!!

What OTHER mischief can I get myself into??? Welllll, it appears it isn't all that hard!!! I'd also signed up for the SockHopSwap!! Today's the last day to sign up for that one! IF you're looking for more mischief to get yourself into as well, "hop" on over and join in while the joining's good! gggg

'Til next time.....

2007-02-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

So many things hoppin around here lately, it makes it tough to know where to begin.

The most tedious of things taking up my time lately was getting all the paperwork done to be ready to get the taxes done. Drove out to the Phoenix area on Sunday (where our tax guy now lives and works) and got that done and filed. Yeeeeeeeehaw!! Sooooo very glad to have that behind us for another year! Made myself a "late" New Year's resolution in regards to THAT scenario. I've always kept a large envelope for each month and then just had to total stuff in the end. From now on, I'm totaling EACH and EVERY month as soon as it ends! Then at the end of the year, all I'll have to do is total the totals. By January , 2008 when the hubster asks, "How are we coming on having the taxes ready?", I'll be able to tell him that they are DONE and we just need to wait for his W-2. When I told him about it, he had the audacity to LAUGH! With all the stuff for two businesses to deal with this year, it was a royal PITA, so I'm pretty motivated at this point to follow through with that resolution!!

First up and #1 priority on the needles is working out the pleated portion of the current mystery project for South West Trading Company and getting that finished up. It's being made up in the new "Craft" yarn from the Vickie Howell collection. IF and when I ever get out of STOOOOOPID mode, I'll try and put a picture in here. I've added it in several times now, and cotton pickin blogger keeps throwing it up to the top of the page which is NOT where I want it to be! Grrrrrrr

Since TNNA, I've made and sent my socks to my victim in the Death By Socks game and since been "killed off" by my assassin Liz with a gorgeous pair of socks made in Claudia's Hand Paint yarn in the "Purple Earth" colorway. I'm anxious to see what the first kit is from Blue Moon for the Rockin Sock Club too! That's supposed to start shipping out around the end of this week I think. I also did a quick test sample for Carol on one of her sock designs, and reknit most of the current "travel" sock (didn't like how it was coming out before) during the drive to Phoenix on Sunday. It's out of Socks That Rock in the Red Rock Canyon colorway. Will post pics of all these too when I can get Blogger to cooperate.

I've also made a number of shop samples for the shop over in San Diego too, tho I've only had the Modular Vest from "Modular Knits" on the needles currently since starting the project for SWTC. It's a quick & easy knit, as I don't have to think about what I'm doing, knit to pick up in between when I'm frustrated from trying to work out shaping and the inevitable MATH for different sizes. While that project has been a challenge, I've enjoyed it immensely! Plotting out directions from everything from a little verbal input to working from an old favorite or a picture is what I used to do working in the knit shops in the '80's, and I loved every minute of it. As if this project itself isn't enough of a challenge, the photo I've been working from was taken on a cell phone.

Oldest son Tod and his wife Stephanie are expecting again (due in July). She's been convinced all along that it's a girl. She had her second Ultra sound yesterday and Tod called last night to say... "Hey Mom! Code word is BLUE!" Hmmmmmmmm... Do I wait awhile and see if it's for sure, or start knitting baby stuff now? Fortunately I have lots of baby yarns in assorted variegate combos, both with the blue as the predominate colors and others that it's just there. Definitely need to get the Berrocco Suede out and do a pair of UGGS.

Ironically, if anyone had asked a couple years ago, I'd probably have told them that we have all the "grands" we were going to get. Last couple years would have made a total liar out of me for that one. We had 3 new grands in 2005, bringing us up to 21, and now this one will make 22. I'm actually afraid to tempt the fates and even think about where the end of that road is!! It's GREAT fun tho, so as far as I'm concerned, they can all have all they want! Just as long as the older grands stay smart and don't have any of their own for some time, cuz I'm NOT ready to be "Great" G'ma anytime soon!

Have had this draft saved for a few days now thinking I'd get over here to add on, but that hasn't worked, so I'll just get this one up for now and start another!

'Til next time.....

Here's hoping.......

2007-01-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

that this year I'll finally figure out how all this actually works and can get further with it that my aborted attempt last year.

Unfortunately, there won't be time to get started on figuring out how to set up the side bar or put in buttons or anything else 'til sometime next week. Bags are packed and ready to go, car's washed and gassed, and I'll be heading out sometime in the morning for San Diego and TNNA. Yeeehaw!

I know I'll come home on sensory overload, and that it will take a couple days at least to unwind and come down from the "zone". I haven't been to TNNA in years, so I honestly don't remember if cameras are allowed in the "market" or not. While it's not the best of my cameras, I will have one tucked away in my purse just in case.

Youngest of the "Brat Pak" isn't too happy that Mom's not going to be here Saturday for the races. MUST remember to leave hubster the stop watch so he can get lap times for him (which I usually do from the stands). I'll definitely be on the phone with hubby off and on to hear how it's going. It's been an expensive season so far... Barely started and he's already on the 3rd transmission. Tax man LOVES the advertising deductions from sponsoring the car, but he doesn't have to watch the rest of HIS budget to keep paying for parts!

His other favorite "irony" is that this year's refund will pay the cost of next year's deductions!! Refund = $$$ to pay this year's stud fees which = next year's deductions! We're still in the mode of researching bloodlines of those we're considering covering our "girls". While it's relatively mild wintering here, best time for foaling weatherwise would be late March / early April, so we'll board them out with the studs sometime in April / May.

On the knitting front....

I'm trying to finish up the Sheer One-Piece Shawl from Modular Knits. Destined to be a shop sample for my favorite LYS (as are most things I've made lately). I need to remember to ask her permission to post details while we're at the show this weekend. Until I have that, Mum's the word!

MUST gather up "some" projects to take along yet too. I may or may not have time to work on anything once we're in the room at night, but Heaven forbid that I don't have a variety to CHOOSE from if I do!! I'm sure y'all can relate to THAT, right? There's already a sock in progress in my purse (STR - Red Rock Canyon colorway) that I'll work on whenever I have the chance to sit for a few minutes. I'll probably take the raspberry Euroflax for the nightgown from Mason Dixon Knitting and my burgundy lace weight circular shawl ( a la Elizabeth Zimmerman's pi formula) which is for my sister's "Mother of the bride" ensemble at my niece's wedding in May. MUST remember to wind the white and get my niece's shawl started too when I get back or neither will be ready in time for the wedding!! YIKES!

Hopefully I'll get some pictures posted next time if I can figure out how to thumbnail them!

MUST get this posted and get my backside off to bed or I'll really have a rough time tomorrow!

'Til next time.....

I finally bit the bullet

2006-01-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our little corner of the southern California desert!

I've been meaning to do this for awhile, but just never seemed to find the time to get it set up. Here's hoping that there isn't too awful much difference from building a website. It may take a bit, but eventually I'll get it all figured out and one of these days it may even begin to resemble a REAL blog. I need to collect all the buttons together in one folder and get those up, along with some links and some pics as well.

Hubby dearest is some years away from retirement yet, but he's already working toward his plan to breed, raise and train horses when that day does arrive. That's where the "Shaky K" comes from. Seems a bit ludicrous to me to call 3 acres a "ranch", but we hope by the time he retires to move the whole shebang to much larger quarters. We have 4 so far, as well as 3 Cockers (tho I suspect hubby got hoodwinked into believing that the two youngers ones are full cockers).

While he does his thing with the horses, I do mine with MY "toys". If you can think of a craft, I've most likely done it at some point in the last 50+ years. The past few years have found me doing mostly machine embroidery, knitting or catching up on all the reading I've missed out on during the years life declared I needed to be working instead.

We have a blended family of 10 and 21 grandchildren that range from the oldest who recently turned 17 down to the 3 that were born in 2005.

Life out here is (tho I really SHOULD say "was" instead) pretty quiet. We recently got new neighbors on the adjoining property, and for now, suffice it to say that we're not overly thrilled about it.

As time goes on, you're most apt to be hearing more on/about any or all of the above. For tonight however, I'm going to call it quits and heed the call of my waterbed. Night!