For you foo.dnet.work fans!

Let me start off by saying I LOVE foo.dnet.work and watch it almost religiously everyday and love most of the chefs/ cooks on there! But this site is absolutely hilarious so I just had to share.

ROFLMBO!

Awesome podcast "discovered"

I'm not sure if discovered is the right word here but it'll do in a pinch. So, while I was happily listening to the last series Alchemy over at Cast On and an ad so to speak for another podcast Craftlit was interjected wherein the reader of the ad invited the listener to come over to her site for a listen. I wasn't very sure I wanted to. She did sound a tad reserved as if the podcast would cater mainly to a "not so hip and current" crowd (whatever that crowd looks like, heh!) so I ignored her. And once again in another episode of the series I heard it again. So, this week, after suffering through a few newer podcasts that hurt my ears and left me wondering "why did I even bother" I gave Heather a try. And boy, am I ever glad I did! Don't judge a book by the cover takes on a whole new meaning for podcasts!

Craftlit , if you're into literature and love books (right now - older books) is a must listen! Heather Ordover makes it so fun to listen in her quiet engaging voice. She has listeners read different chapters (I think it's different chapters as opposed to different books)and she pops in before, sometimes during and after with pointers on what's going on, the implied deeper meaning of the imagery and the theme and all sorts of other good stuff that I haven't a clue about because I've only gotten to Advanced Level English Literature, but it's not so far that you can't catch on. I'm absolutely hooked! I decided to first try the last chapter of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and have been dedicated ever since. She and her team of readers are currently doing The Scarlet Letter and since she's at chapter 3 of 24, I thought I'd backtrack and listen to some of the other books (she has a link in the upper right hand corner of her blog that says library that has the books listed by chapter (marked by beginning and end of book) and sorted by book. Today, I started Turning of the Screw and man, is it entertaining!

So if you haven't already "discovered" her (as I might well be the last person to know about this blog, LOL!) pop over and give her a listen. Educational, fun and supremely interesting to listen to especially while knitting.

Francie socks - DONE!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

I hope you all had a great day whatever you did. It was an uncharacteristically rainy and wet Easter Sunday so aside from church and a short visit to the in-laws, we spent it home together. Not a bad way to spend any day in my books!

Now, may I present to you all my first FO for the year! It would have taken me less time but ran into some snags (I think I talked about this before... having a sense of deja vu here). Anyways, they are done and I am glad. My first FO for 2009.

Pattern: Francie Socks by Rebekkah Kerner (bowerbirdknits)
Needle size: 2
Date started: March 25, 2009
Date completed: April 12, 2009
Yarn used: Nature's Palette sock yarn (the dye stained my fingers pretty bad! Afraid to block now...







And just for the heck of it, here's a pic of part of the our country side adventure. A couple Fridays ago we decided to travel from one end of the island to the other in order to get some grafted/ drawf trees. It was a lovely day and apart from hubby not bothering to call and get directions to the place and us rambling ALOT, we eventually got there and picked up an avacado tree, a tangelo and a lemon tree to add to our lime, golden apple and mango trees. They are not planted in the yard as yet as there's still some work to be done on the house and planting them now can put them in the path of trampling workmen. Such a beautiful sight this! But I can't imagine living up there at all!



Forgot to add that hubby and I went to see Watchmen on Saturday. On many levels it was very good. Others... well I don't want to say that other parts weren't good but rather they didn't gel for me. The most interesting character was Dr. Manhattan (not because of his inability inspite of his "superiority" - to keep his skivvies on. I guess if he's that far advanced then nud.i.ty is not a problem). There was one part in particular that didn't line up with my beliefs but I believe I'm mature enough to see it for what it was - a movie - and move on. I didn't even realise that was Pat.rick Wi.lson as Nit.eOw.l! I really like him! Good entertainment if you're into the comic book movie type of thing (like I am!! Waiting for Tra.nsfor.mers 2!)

Anyways, we have tomorrow off as well so looking forward to that. Continue to enjoy your Easter and God bless!

Busy day in the kitchen

Ah, the wonder that is a new oven. Oh how I don't miss baking in that pint sized countertop convection oven! It was a life saver in the time between our move and our newly acquired 30 inch Ge wall oven but now its time has passed and we are on to bigger and better things. Sighhhhh. Even my breads and cakes have responded positively to being processed in a larger environment. The banana breads have huge domes in the middle, the chocolate cakes rose higher and the white bread I made last night baked up quickly with a nice crust. Pure satisfaction.

The only damper on my day in the kitchen occurred while peering out over the bar into the living room trying to keep up with the shows on foodnetwork. There was a Gia.da At Home marathon on and after that was the Dow.nhome with the Neelys and then I think Big Daddy's House. My grouse is with Big Daddy's House. If you've never seen this show, can you guess what race this man is? Yep. African American. He won the Next Food Net.Work star competition sometime back, and aside from having the penchant for nonstop frying, his recipes look pretty good. Now. Why did they name the show Big Daddy's House. Was there no other name for this show? Srsly. We have Guys Big Bite (He won the first competition), Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Essence of Emeril (when it was showing on FN), there's Rescue Chef etc etc. Why does this guy's show have that ridiculous name? He's tall yes, but that shouldn't factor into anything. And what throws this show over the top and makes me angry at FN's attempt to - I dunno - African Americanize (forgive the new word here) this show is the relentless hiphop that is booming in the background. Sometimes I couldn't even hear what he was saying - too much hiphop booming in the back! Why don't they plug let's say Sa.ndra Le.e's show with this music or Iron Chef America or Bobb.y F.lay's shows with the hiphop? Why don't they outfit B.obby with a giant pair of hoops? This guy's hoops are bigger than my head. Dare I say there's a blatant sterotype being played out here? Gah!

Moving on (for now) I have some knitting updates but they are not significant enough to post as yet. When I have something of substance to show for my efforts I'll post. Till then, have a great week, knitting and otherwise.

Ta!

A few long awaited pressies...

Firstly, let me apologize for the crapatoid pics. I cannot seem to get this camera understood (maybe because it's not mine) and the seemingly simple task of focusing is beyond me. Don't bother to ask what's up with the shadow around the edges of the pics either. Let's call that art and leave it at that.

What shall I show you first? Ok. First up is the ball winder. My other one had an unfortunate incedent that I will not go into, and so I was forced to purchase another and from knitpi.cks this time. I'm not sure where I got the other one from I'm sure the answer is buried in the blog somewhere. I'm not sure if I'm too impressed with it. Feels a little stiff. Maybe it just needs breaking in...



Next up, the BEADS. I really shouldn't post this pic as the focus is on the background rather than on the beads themselves and the beads are SO beautiful! Can't tell from here tho.



Lastly, the yarn. The Rowan Wool Cotton is beautiful! It's DK weight so it's not that heavy so it will be nice for a night out.



Now, the question is... which project to cast on first.

Parade of UFOs

I'm officially one of those knitters. You know the kind who starts stuff but never seems to have an FO to show for her troubles. Bearing in mind that I have at least two projects that are beckoning me that I either have the materials for or will soon have all the materials for (i.e. the Aeolian Shawl and Tussie Mussie) I should get my knitting house in order. I would love to say that I will finish these project before I start on either of the aforementioned to-be-knits but I won't lie to you : ) So, just to show you that I do knit and not just threaten to, here are some of my UFOs (that I can put my hand on now anyways) that I will be putting a big effort into finishing before I have to start back the grind of studying/ stressing/ exams cycle.

First up - Francie socks - being knitted in Nature's pallette yarn





Up to a point, these socks are a fun knit. For me the fun-ness stopped once I reached the arch shaping. It's no fault of Rebekkah who wrote the awesome pattern, but it was how I read the instructions and interpreted them. It reminds me of a previous knitpicks podcast where Kelly Pet.kin was explaining that very phenomenon. It's not that the pattern was badly written, it's the part of the knitter who just doesn't get the pattern writer's language. Don't get me wrong, there are badly written patterns out there but this is NOT one of them. I did get some help from two wonderful ravelry members and I've gotten to this point. I do confess that I messed up somewhere around the foot shaping but I refuse to go back and fix it as I've prolly ripped out and restarted the arch shaping part at least 5 times now (last count). I believe the second sock will be better. They are a bit baggy here as they are for my hubby and I'm sure will fit him most excellently. Will get pics when both are done and he's wearing them.

Next up - the Deep V Argyle - being knit in Debbie Bliss Rialto.

I am a tad embarassed that this is as far as I've gotten. I started pretty strong but tapered out considerably for two reasons. I didn't realise Eun.ny had two versions - one for small people and the other for not so small people. I bought the yarn yardage for the small people kind and then realised that wasn't enough after I discovered my error. I could buy some more yarn but I think I've explained the issues I experience when having to order yarn. Won't bore you again with those details. Second, I'm not sure when I will get to wear it. I am planning a trip overseas this year but it won't be during a season that requires me to wear a woolen vest. Maybe it will be done before next year! Then I could plan a cold weather vacation. Hmmm... that doesn't sound very sane does it?



Then there's my Raglan Leaf Tee - being knit in Rowan Calmer.

The last time I worked on it was when I met up with a fellow raveler on her trip here and we sat and lunched and knit. I have not picked it back up since (well maybe to move it from one location to another but otherwise... not to knit it!). It has eaten 2 (could be 3) balls of the Calmer so far and it is knitting up so lovely! It's soft and light. I can see myself wearing it to the movies - if only I will finish it!!!



Then there's Swallowtail Shawl number 2 - being knit in Malabrigo sock yarn (methinks).

I do plan to finish this, but there's a KAL on the Knitters of the Caribbean group on ravelry that will be coming up in April so I will get a chance to knit on it and finish it with some company. I am knitting it with Malabrigo sock yarn - I think. I have to double check what I said it was 'cause I don't rightly remember.



Lastly is the Hab.u I bought that didn't come on the cone as I'd asked : (. It looks really shiney here. I guess it is pretty shiny as it is 100% bamboo. When I get my new ball winder I'll get to putting it in a cake and showing it off proper then. Until then, here's an uber shiny pic for ya.



I haven't received the beads for the Aeolian shawl and rowan wool/cotton for the Tussie Mussie as yet. Was supposed to get them last week Friday but the freight forwarder just didn't send 'em. So they promise tomorrow - see why ordering anything can be a bit stressful at times?

Anyways, at least things are being knit and maybe someday soon I'll have a parade of FOs to show ya!

The H.abu has landed!

After a minor snafu and a delay here and there, the H.abu yarn for the Aeolian Shawl is finally here and it's lovely. I did ask them to wind it on a cone for me because I don't have a swift (welllll... the wobbly swift-like thing I have sitting on my floor still isn't at the stage I would put my lovely xs-45 on it!) and they didn't :( Also, my winder is busted (new one on its way) so I can't even recruit hubby to hold his arms out forever - twice as there are two skeins of super skinny yarn - while I wind it up. Also, there's the matter of the beads that the freight forwarder hasn't delivered to me yet so the lovely shawl will have to wait. I hate waiting.

In other knitting news, the socks for hubby are currently being ripped. The 96 stitches I cast on per sock turned out to be way to big for even his large steppers. So it's riiiiiiiiiiipppppppp for them. I will be casting on again shortly but this time with my trusty dpns - once I can find the other size 1 dpn that seems to be awol! Once I'm back in action I will post pics of the sockies.

Oooo! Almost forgot to mention, I just bought 10 skeins of Rowan Wool Cotton in Rich for this project! I'm also exited to start this. I think it will be a really nice cardigan to wear out at night.

Proof that some things are easier in theory

Ever so often, I get bitten by the DIY bug. Like the time I tried to make curtains for the house for Christmas or the time I decided to forgo spending big bucks on those pricey store curtain rods and make them myself or like last night where I/ we attempted to make a swift. All three of these examples ended in a shake of the fists and a strangled cry as the result in practice did not add up to the idea in theory.

I won't show you the pics of the curtains or their "rods" but I will show you the carnage that was the attempt at a home made swift.



My darling hubby spent hours on it and he's not a hands on person like that but he tried and I appreciate it. The end result is a kinda wobbly not quite right swift that only spins under duress. However, hubby is now obsessed with making it "the right way" that he is thinking of making another one.

The other example of theory easier than practice is the two socks at a time on one needle. Actually, it's not so bad now as I think I'm getting the hang of it (knock on wood) but it was a really head scratcher for me! Progress shown here:



I'm happy with how they are looking even though it's not that much to show for all the work I put in it! Cable wrangling is hard!

Anyways, tomorrow is another day, one I'm looking forward to for some rest. I'm going to go finish watch Obam.a on Le.no and then turn in for the night. Anyone else watching? Have a good night! More progress pics to follow.

Good things come to those...

...who pester the freight forwarder! Finally, got my Knitted Lace of Estonia book and it does not disappoint! All of the patterns in this book are gorgeous and just reading about the history behind Estonian knitting is riveting. What awesome knitters they had to be, knitting exquisite shawls without the benefit of written pattern or charts! The girls started learning from age 4 - wow!

Like I said in one of my last posts, I plan on doing the Miralda shawl and here you see a pic of the yarn I am thinking of using.



Seeing the pattern in "person" rather than on the web has made me ponder if Knitpicks is the best choice for this intricate beauty. Nothing against Knitpicks as I have used it before for shawls, but the beauty and the history of the shawl inspires me to get something more lucious to invest in this project. There are so many yarns out there that in seeking out what I'd like to buy sends me further down the blog-rabbit hole! I'm picturing some Suri Elegance, but I don't know how well it will go with this pattern. We'll see!

In other knitting news, I've cast on a pair of socks for my deserving hubby. In order to avoid the dreaded second sock sydrome which I have succumbed to on a number of occasions, I decided to go with the 2 at a time sock knitting technique. Well... after a few days, I am now starting row 3 of the cuff. I have a 47 inch cable and somewhere I read that using any longer than a 40 is not recommended but I have to say, the 47 inch is working for me as a beginner to this technique. Synopsis of how it went:

1. Cast on with glee. I'm actually knitting something that can finish in a week or so!

2. Get to step 5 and get hopelessly tangled in two cakes of yarn and a fiddly needle that seems to be growing and simultaneously shrinking with each flick of my wrists.

3. Somehow sort it out and go to second row. Figure out that I somehow twisted one of the socks at the join and was now knitting a sock and a mobeius sock thingee.

4. Rip it out and wonder if hubby truly is deserving in the light of the drama I was at that moment embroiled in.

5. Come to my senses that yes, indeed he is worthy as he is an awesome supportive husband and fighting with wayward yarn and needles was the least I could do for him to make him his long promised socks.

6. Knit 2 rows and let it "rest" on the side table for a little bit.

So I'll be back to it once the kids go to bed and theorhetically won't have any need to call me 5 billion times, times 2, and I can think clearly while conquering this technique. While others on ravelry imply and said outright that it is not difficult, thereby making me feel somewhat challenged, my first encounter has left me somewhat, cautious in my goal to finishing something and soon. After all, it has been over a year since I started the raglan leaf tee! For shame and tsk tsk!

Hope your projects are going better than mine right now!

A chance to breathe!

Ah! There's nothing like the feel of having the weight of a pending exam over! Maybe finishing up the designation perhaps but one step at a time : )

So, now that some of the fog has cleared for now anyways, I feel the urge to knit something. I have one project I'm about to start (as soon as I've finished this post)and another I have been getting ready for. The Aeolian Shawl. Simply stunning. Here'a pic of the yarn I plan to use.



It's Habu xs-45 20/3. I placed my order with Habu and should be getting it soon - yay! I'll be making the cream coloured one and I also bought some awesome beads from Earthfaire as well. It will be my first time knitting with beads!! I was hoping to start the Miralda shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia but the freight forwarder didn't deliver the book when they promised it and now says I should get it Tuesday. Huh. We'll see. I have some lace in my small stash that I might use for it.

Hopefully, I'll be seeing more of this blog as I have a small break - still have a business case to hand in in about 3 months but it's no way as intensive as these past few courses! Night all! Off to start a small and should be satisfying project - at long last : )

PS - my "c" key is behaving very badly. I have to clack it about 3 times for it to show up on the screen - Grrrr!!!!!

Too busy to knit

Wassup, wassuuppp? Hey there! Happy Friday to yah. Just dropping in to say hi and stuff. As the title of this instalment states, I'm too busy to knit... not to busy to order THIS but I'm too busy to knit. But that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about it and we all know sometimes it's the thoughts that count right? LOL!

What have I been doing? Oh the usual. Studying. It's amazing how it's so all consuming! I feel very tied to my book and look forward to cutting the strings when my exam is ovah! Yayayayay! That doesn't mean I'm done yet. Nope, just a few more courses to go and then I can get back to my life.

Hope everyone is well and that you have a great weekend what ever you do. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with this song that spoke to me in so many ways! Until I get back with some pics and a wip pic at least, take care!

Does this thing still work?

Heeeellllooo? Heeeelllloooo? Anyone out there? It has been a very long time since I last popped in to say hello. How's everyone doing? I've been steadily tied to my books since my last update and have to report that I still am. I've been pushing my courses off back to back with little or no time in between so with assignments due every week or every other week I've had little time to update farless knit! I haven't updated my stash or pattern folder but I do intend to change all that. I have signed up for a less intensive course that requires NO assignment and NO final exam! So after this very intense course that I am preparing to take an exam for I will have a break of sort.

And what will I be doing with this "spare time"? Well finally, Interweaveknits has an edition I can sink my teeth into! Check out this shawl and the Millefori Cardigan, and Jeff's Pub Sweater. Those are on my to knit list. Now if I can just source the Rowan milk yarn and the Suri Elegance and of course get the mag I will be good to go. The pub sweater is for my hubby and I'd love to give it to him before his birthday in September and I'd love to have my shawl long before then. The Millefori will have to wait until I get to the size I want to be at. To that end - that is losing the excess weight, I have returned to badminton - taking lessons and enjoying it. My only problem is the pain in the shins! Ow! I may be taking up boxing on two other nights and if my body doesn't protest too much, then I'll be starting up with Billy Blanks again. I'm really fighting past the pain in my back, butt, shins and hips to see myself to as close to my goal as I can get.

I do have some pics to share but they are on my brother-in-law's camera (yeah, we're back to borrowing a camera as ours is officially kaput) and should get them off soon.

Anyways, back to my books! Wishing you all a great week : )

Ticked Ticked... Tock

Let's start this one out with a giant eyeroll. All together now

*EYEROLL*

Okay, so the day didn't start out too badly as it is after all Friday and if you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times... I don't work on Fridays. So, it was a good day simply because of what it is.

So, I drop the kidlets off to their respective schools and go about confirming the booking for my son's party. Get to the place early ya'll - I'm the ONLY one there - I have exact cash and all I need is a receipt. I hear the receptionist ask for it. Then calls someone again and then again. Half an hour later, I get a receipt. HALF AN HOUR to write a receipt. That (among other things) is island life - I know some of you want to come live on an island and sip coconut water at the beach and stuff but I know half of you would go crazy in a week!

Anyways, I wound up getting flack from the girl at the sandwich shop and I wound up cancelling the order after she started it. Then I took some invitations to my son's school for the aforementioned party and was met with a level of surliness from one of the staff that I didn't appreciate. THEN I went to my sewing class and had it out with the "teacher". Without seeking votes for my side of the story (well this is the only side you'll get anyways) it feels as though this woman has gotten more difficult with each class - either turning up late and having me wait for her or speaking to me like I'm an idiot. I admit - I do not know much about sewing - only what I have been taught by said "teacher" and am really very new to it all - so any questions really should be addressed without the curt responses, sighs and without starting the answer with "Like I just said..." It came to a head when I asked about seam allowance and was promptly chastised and dressed down for "not listening" and was told "Fine, I'll do it myself. Don't worry, I'll do it myself" WTH??? Well, I finally had enough as this was the second time she'd been this way with me and after getting flack and crap (along with almost getting the entire side of my car swiped off by someone who really shouldn't be on the road in ANY capacity) all day I let her have it. And you know what she did? Wait for it...

She tried to tell me that she was not upset and she didn't know what I was talking about and it was in my head.

WTH????????? After all these years on God's green earth are you trying to tell me I don't know when someone is mad/ angry/ pissed/ ticked?? There's much more to be said but I won't as I think there may be one or two Barbadian readers on here and Barbados is small (heck the world is small! In Montreal I met a man who was best buds with one of our dead premiers!) and people can be very malicious (not malicious as you may know the term but malicious here can mean nosy/ gypsy/ in yer bizness).

This leads me to my point. If you know you cannot deal with human beings then you should not be allowed to serve them. In any capacity. If you know you are going to get short and ill tempered with people then you shouldn't be around them. You shouldn't be paid to help them, make their sandwiches, pump their gas, check out their groceries in the supermarket (yeah, I'm talkin' to you Ms. Thing. Third strike and you're out with me!)stamp their tickets, do a gynecological exam, wash their cars or even usher them to their seats in church. Me, I know my limitations. I do not suffer fools easily. I put a good face forward (as I expect others to do the same to me. 90% of the time I don't get the good face I expect but that's another post). So you know what I do, I don't deal with people on the service level. My job allows me to work alone and from afar. Not that I can't work with people in an office setting but dealing with customers and potentially difficult people may not be my strongest point. So I avoid such circumstances. It amazes me that these same people who treat others so poorly in their jobs (happily so sometimes) expect that when they go to get served in the bank or at the emergency room or at the store they will be attended to with respect and dignity as the paying customer they are. Ah, when the shoe is on the other foot eh?

Sure, if you take away all the ill tempered, sour faced, bad mannered, poor service giving people we are forced to deal with, we might be left with very few people to deal with BUT I bet it would make life a WHOLE lot better.

Stupse.

Anyways, in case you were wondering or cared, I'm still studying hard for my exam. And I have another course to register to for by Monday that starts SIX DAYS after the exam for this course. So much for a Christmas break : ( But the light at the end of the tunnel is there. I look forward to those three more letters behind my name and will relish every second afterwards when I DON'T have to study like this anymore!

To that day! Cheers! I do deserve this tall cold glass of Arbor Mist!

*clink!*

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA! WELL DONE!!

I'm not that old but seriously, I never thought I'd see the day. I will admit that I've seen some shows with a black president and I'd be like - yah right, only in the movies... but lookie here. A Black President.

This man has swept the nation - is it because he's mixed and in a way represents the unity of black and white? Ok, I'm getting corny here but from day one, he's been on the lips of almost everyone - even my daughter knows him by face!

Wow.

I'm guessing security will be quadrupled...

Good job America. For once, I think you've got it right. Now, let's see what plans he has for the Caribbean.

What's a girl to knit?

Okay, okay, I admit it. Knitting wise I'm in a bad place right now. I haven't picked up my needles with serious intent since before I zipped off to Montreal. I started a knitted doll for my daughter but right now it's nothing worth looking at, nay, just a tiny pile of curly stockinette and a mad jumble of ends. She's flat and right now looks like an experiment gone bad. My Argle Vest is sitting where I left it, suffocating in that transparent bag... and my leaf tee... well it has not grown at all since I last spoke on it. I've made several attempts to replace the Adamas shawl that I inteligently felted in Canada with another Swallowtail shawl - I even put to skeins of lace yarn into cakes (which is a huge chore without a swift) and have them on top of the yarn pile. I've taken out the Shetland Triangle pattern and selected the Handmaiden Seasilk in Rose and even knit a few rows... but I wasn't feeling it and ripped out the few rows I'd gotten started.

Then there is my malabrigo sock yarn, bought with the specific purpose of making a shawl. I've decided on making the swallowtail with it and even started it... but ripped it out. What's wrong with me?? I LURVE lace knitting but I do so want to knit a cardigan or a cute little top to wear. So why don't I?

I'll tell you why... it's my current voluptuousness that's the problem. I might have whined occasionally about it in the past on here but the reality of knitting an item such as a cardigan for myself will take alot of yarn and time and then when I eventually reach my the weight that will make me happy, I"ll have a knitted item that won't be able to fit me and that will amount to a giant waste of time.

So, what's a girl to knit? Socks maybe? I'm yet to get cracking on the 2 at a time method as per the book I've purchased and I'm not too keen on learning it until after exams. A shawl (well apart from the can't-get-started-itis as per above) will take the usual long time and I need some instant gratification. Well as instant as studying will allow.

Hmmmm... I have an idea actually... but I'll need more yarn.

Be back later.

Moi aussi!

I've been bitten people, by the sewing bug! I've had lots of inspiration from many blogs especially Adrienne's, who seems to make sewing look so effortless and fun!. So what else could I do but go out and get some lessons? I will say that it hasn't been all that easy at first but I'm getting there! I'm doing a dress making and a drapery course. In the dress making class, I've just crafted my first skirt block with help from the teacher and as homework I'm supposed to do one myself and then next week we cut! I'm a little nervous as the whole putting in zippers has been ever so slightly traumatic... but I will persevere!

And of course in this new spirit of learning to sew, I went out and bought this:



It's a Singer Inspiration 4220/4228. I'm not sure if it is a good machine or not but it was one of the better options I managed to find here. It didn't get rave reviews on a site I went to but the problems the critics were experiencing I haven't experienced(knock on wood!) so I hope it works very well for me.

So, maybe with this new interest I will have some sewing FOs for you (cause I'm not sure when you'll see some knitting ones... I'm knitting - but only in my mind!!)

It's interesting though that I'm busy up to my ears with assignments and work and kids and home but I still manage to fit a new craft in! Crazy! LOL!

Have a wonderful weekend people!

Blogiversary! But a little late

So I forgot my own blogiversary! Two years ago I started this blog and I'm happy to say that I'm a better knitter (or more experienced perhaps) than when I restarted. Not necessarily a better blogger though LOL!

Thanks for your continued visits and comments! To another year!

And I'm back!

A little pic heavy...

Heelllooooo.... how's everyone doing? I hope better than I am right now. I'm just back from beautiful Montreal where not only did I manage to sucessfully blend work and vacation, but I also managed to catch a cold. I didn't realize that I was sick... well, I was wheezing a bit but I wasn't sneezing or coughing or any of that other fun stuff (yet) so I just thought it was because it was so very cold there! Those crazy (and I mean that in a nice way LOL!) people were saying the weather was nice! Most days I was there fluctuated between 13-14 degrees!! The day I left was 8 degrees (well my flight was 6 a.m. so that might explain it. But one night it dipped to 4 degrees. I was under a fleece blanket AND a comforter and was very comfortable. It could be that cold air or the guy that was squashed in the middle seat on the plane ride back that had infected sinuses... he was snorting and inhaling phelgm to the point I wanted to go ask if there was anything I could do to help land the plane asap.

So now this entire week I've been under the weather... aches and pains, blocked EVERYTHING, throat was initially scratchy, that sort of stuff. But now I'm just blocked and am able somewhat to interact with the rest of the population without falling on my face. The only fun thing about this is that once and again I can laugh like Mutley (y'all know who he is right? Google old cartoons + mutley)!

So, what did I do In Montreal? There was training for three days and then a little shopping and sight seeing, happily interspersed with dinner with some great people at some wonderful restuarants! I was happily spoiled. The only downer was that I wish my hubby was able to make this trip with me and enjoy everything right along with me!

Ok, here are a few pics:

The Mayor's Office:

I love the architecture of Old Montreal - simply beautiful!



Deciding where to go next:



See me rockin' my Adamas? Well that's the last time you'll see it in this form. I, uh, felted it when doing the laundry... how did I miss that big purple thing????

There are many more pics of Old Montreal but I haven't transferred them from my email and the others I sent to my hubby's blackberry to my harddrive so until then, these are the few I can share for now!

Colette from ravelry was so SO kind to me and on my first day out of the office, she met up with me and took me to Mouline and Ariandne's (thanks for helping me with the pronounciation! LOL!)where I managed to score me some loverly yarn. It wasn't the intended haul as I threatened in one of my last posts because time was kinda short (I had to meet someone to get back to where I was staying) and didn't get to Effiloche! Well, I don't mind too too much... I should leave something for my next visit ; ) So here's the yarn I got my hands on:

Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Botecilli Red:



A shawl for me.

Handmaiden Casbah:


Sockies for me!

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock:



These are for sockies for the kids. I get to try the 2 socks at a time book!(Did I mention that I bought this along with Knitting Lingerie Style?)

Rowan Kidsilk Night:



I bought this to make the GORGEOUS Bird's Eye Shawl by my new friend Colette, but only bought two skeins.... I need three :( I had just settled down yesterday after meeting an assignment deadline and was about to cast on when I double checked that I had enough yarn and I don't. Well, this gives me a great excuse to get more yarn next month! Maybe an early Christmas gift to myself. (GAH!!! Did I just say Christmas????)

Tanis Fiber Arts:



These are for a pair of socks for my hubby. The yardage is excellent for his big feet!

Here's the yarn soak I bought. I can't tell you how they smell cause I'm totally blocked right now... but I remember them smelling great in the store!



Stitch Markers:



Patterns and Books:

A lovely thoughtful gift from Colette:

Bird's Eye Shawl



Field of Flowers



EZ's Knitting Workshop and Rowan's Bamboo Tape Collection



I'm very happy with what I was able to snag. Colette, next time I'll listen better to instructions so that we could start earlier! LOL!

Ok, before I go, here are a few pics of my kitchen efforts this evening.

Cake (don't mind how it looks - it tastes great! Since I don't have my nifty wall oven yet, I have to make do with a convection oven which works great but for browning the top of everything a little too quickly. And being too small...

Traditional Barbadian Plain Cake:



The best way to eat said traditional cake - with a cold glass of mauby! (Don't mind those sad looking bananas there - today they are over ripe, tomorrow they will be banana bread!)



And my first attempt at bagels (or was this my second? First in this house for sure) The dough came out great, but the poaching and baking not so great. They don't look smooth and nice like the ones in the store or the site that I got the recipe from but they taste ok (if only a tad bit too salty. We'll see how they shape up overnight) The inside is very nice but they aren't as I thought they would come out. Ah well, next time!




So that's it for me for now. I am still working on my course and getting assignments done and keeping on top of things. I'm feeling kinda guilty being on here so long but I'll make up! Right after I watch my new fave show M.ad Me.n!!! I hope everyone is doing good. There are a few of you who haven't updated your sites and some of you had some bad news lately. (((HUGS))) to all of you especially those who need them most.

Off for now. Have a great night and we'll catch up later.

Shoot, lost it again...

My will to knit that is... I've not really put much effort into the whole knitting thing of late. Saving up to buy a truckload of yarn (and by truckload I mean as much as my credit card can take without buckling under the pressure...!) so maybe I'm delaying knitting until I get my goodies? Been busy with getting the kids ready for school and preparing myself for the start of my own studies - among other things. Meanwhile, in between dreaming about dropping babies (literally spilling them out of my hands) and being pregnant but not, I've been happily distracting myself with oldies but goodies. Movies that is, movies! Well, truth be told I've only watched two so far, but they were so good I'm watching them thrice! (Watched them before but nice to watch again and again...)

First up was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Been meaning to get this for years now and finally did. Oh, that Maggie was one strong woman wasn't she? Not ashamed to beg her hottie hubby and do anything to win him back! I might have done the same based on Brick's then high degree of hotness! Loved the shot of his abs! Oh and the story too!

Next was Dear Frankie. Two words, Gerard Butler. Yummmmmmm!!! I can eat him with a small spoon. He played that role so well, I kinda wish I could write him a letter or two! Shivers! Have you seen it? Go watch it! I'm looking for romantic movies like this to occupy the time between work, getting the kids to school on time, taking care of them and their extracirriculars and maybe some of my own stuff. Any suggestion?

Ok, that's it - nothing more to say for now except that I hope all of you in the path of any weather systems stay safe and sound. Those suckers are coming off the coast like crazed shurikens!

Ok, THIS ticks me RIGHT OFF!!!!!

Is this man for reals???

At least there's an opposing article to his comments by Rick Broadbent.

Who exactly does this man think he is? WUHLOSS, doan let me get started on massa days DONE! How DARE he tell this track sensation, nay THE FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD how to celebrate his victories? Being a show off? He has the right to show off if he wanted to! At least he has something to show for his antics! He's not posing and making a show for the camera in shades and earrings! Stop and congratulate? Is this an English tea party? I just wish he went back in the blocks and re-ran the race just to show the rest how it's done! Does he even know or care about the odds Usain overcame to get where he is? And adding a patronizing "he's young" on top of it? Crazeeeeee!

How come no one's talking about Johnson and Bailey who said that he couldn't break the record? Is that good sportsmanship? I'm happy he put them and everyone else to shame!

Next time Usain, do the Bogle, Butterfly and Dance pon ya head top!