Happy Halloween!

Ack-it's Halloween already, then Thanksgiving and Christmas-where does the time go?

Today and this week will be a bit crazy, but what can you do? The Halloween parade/party on Friday went okay. Hectic, manic and then over. Somehow I got swindled into coming in one morning a week to help teach writing and help them with their books they are writing. I haven't chosen a day yet, as tomorrow is physical therapy and I don't know how often I'll have to go. My problem is that Elena is very confident when I am not there. I show up and she's all over me, etc. Not an uncommon problem, but uncomfortable for me. I'll have to see how it goes.

Tonight is Trick or Treat. We don't really get any Trick or Treaters since it's kind of rural out here. We go in to the next town over. More city like with houses all squeezed together. It usually lasts about an hour for Elena, who is not into the candy, but seeing in people's houses. She's so nosy!

Anyway, PT tomorrow AM, the hayride on Thursday (that is an all morning thing with no bathrooms, should be interesting!).

I don't know what we are doing for Thanksgiving this year. We usually always do Thanksgiving, but, and this is a big but, Mike is still PO'd about my brother and SIL rudeness and inconsiderateness (not a word, I don't think) for my brother's birthday in August. As a matter of fact, I have not heard from my brother since August and he completely ignored Mike's 40th birthday. Because of their rudeness, Mike doesn't want to host Thanksgiving. He feels they are unappreciative and feels used. This, of course, puts me in the shitty position of breaking the news, but Mike claims he'll do it. It still leaves me in a shitty position.

The weekend was good, a bit nutty. Elena stayed at my mom's Saturday night, which allowed Mike and I to knock a few things off the "Deneen Needs" meme. It was nice and grown up.

Saturday I just cleaned off the porch and worked on the afghan (ugh-7 more rows and then the edging/fringe). Sunday, we went to Michaels to get feather for a turkey project Elena needed done and they had some Moda-Dea brand yarns on clearance at 70% off. Mike thought the ticker tape looked like shoelaces, etc. In any event, I bought three skeins of the Wild! in denim for $2.39 a ball (normally $6.99). Don't know what I'll do with them, but they were on sale! I also bought some leather cord for Dawn's bag, but I think I will redo it in pencil roving and see how that fulls. I can make a strap for the other one with an I-cord later.

Well, I have a post office run today, as well as a few other errands, plus my laundry and finish off that afghan.

Have a great day and hauntingly fun night!

It worked....Kinda

Okay, at 8:27 AM I started my fulling/felting quest. I decided to toss the FCEC tote in too, why not?

Filled washer with the hot water, tablespoon of soap and let er rip. Meanwhile, I used a wash basin, ice cubes and cold water in the tub to prepare for the ice bath. 10 Minutes later, checked, wrung them out, plunged them into the ice water, wrung out and tossed into the washer. I repeated this step 5 times, restarting the washer.

Results: Well, the FCEC fulled much more nicely. She was able to go through 3 times and then I let her run through the cycle (not worried about more shrinkage).

The Well Traveled Bag did okay. I also dragged it out, threw a towel on the washer, put on some rubber gloves, squirt of Joy dish soap and massaged the living crap out of her. Then tossed her in for another run through the washer. The Knit Picks did full better. I think it's the Lion Fisherman's really. I don't think it's a bleached wool, since they do recommend it for the "Lucy Bag", but still, Julie mentioned a problem with it. I'll try Knit Picks undyed next, when I can get up the dough.

Here's the pics, they are blocking now.








I want to make another "Well Traveled Bag" soon using just Knit Picks yarn, again, a money issue right now.

Okay, other stuff. I started some socks, frogged twice and just gave up for last night. Too much thinking. I did start a dreaded project, a lapghan (really a throw and a L-ong A-ss P-roject) thrown into one. Anyway, I kinda looked through some pattern and then took something from this and something from that and kinda made my own. I actually like how it's working up and I am using an N hook, so hopefully, it'll go faster. I am also using dreaded Red Heart Super Saver for this cause I bought the colors ages ago specifically for this project. I did return all my other odd colors to the store two weeks ago. I just hate the shit. Anyway, it's a bright red, black and heather gray. Not my color choice, but my brother and SIL have a red LR (please, don't ask).

I do feel a bit better about the fulling today. My hands are so dry and cracked and peeling. Between the soap making, washing that stuff up, the fulling and in and out of hot/cold water and yesterday, I baked bread, from scratch. My hands look and feel like shit. I think the wool sucks some of the moisture out of them too.

Tomorrow is 9:15 AM flu shot day, 1:40 be at Elena's class to dress the kids for their Halloween Parade around the school, 2:20 halloween party at school, I doubt I'll blog, but who knows.

Today I have to get a few scripts and pick up some Halloween pencils and other little crap for the party.

TTFN

It Didn't Felt!

Again, I am faced with something not fulling/felting. Neither wool did. First the Marvelous bag done in a Denim Marl, then the FCEC bag and now the Well Traveled Bag.

Yes, I tried the adding boiling water (which I later found won't help) and it didn't
Yes, I tried the sink method-this sucked and did not work.
Yes, I even did what HollyM on C'ville suggested with a new plunger, nada

So what did I do? Well, I decided it was time to read up on this and see what the hell I could find out on the net. Julie, this should help you too!

I went to this site and this is what I ascertained I need to do tomorrow. Of course, I will keep you apprised of the situation.

Here goes what I am going to do tomorrow and what I have apparently been doing wrong. Mind you, I have felted before without problems, so it could be the yarn(s).

Washing machine: Lowest water setting (did this), hot cycle (did this), set to roughest agitation (did this) and ONE TABLESPOON OF SOAP (I added lots more, mistake?)

"About five minutes after agitation begins, check the status of your items. They will actually have gotten larger, as they will have relaxed in the heat of the water. This is perfectly normal, so don't be wigged out. Back into the wash for another 5-10 minutes [I always make regular checks on the progress] and you can then stop the agitation, drain/wring out your item, and see how it's coming along. Now is when you can pull it back into shape if it's twisted, or you can separate pieces that are sticking together and shouldn't be. You may notice some color shedding, as well - do not be alarmed. Most items will "crock" a little bit, and reds, blues, and black are notorious. Keep checking at 5-10 minute intervals until you have reached felted nirvana, which may take multiple wash cycles [do not run the entire machine cycle, but just rerun the wash portion]" From Knitty.com

I run the entire cycle........

"If your item is resisting felting or stops shrinking before you'd like it to, remove it from the washer, wring it out, and a quick plunge into an ice water bath and back into the tub will work wonders [especially with yarns like Noro Kureyon, which can resist felting form time to time]. If you think extra abrasion would help, toss a couple pairs of old jeans [never NEVER use towels] in with the felting wannabe and see if that speeds the process"

I shall try this ice water bath tomorrow.........
Why no towels? I use both, but also did a load with two pair of jeans and it didn't work...hmmmm......

"Once your wash tub is free of furry flotsam, spin out the water [take your item OUT of the tub before this step] and get ready for a cold water rinse. When the basin fills again, dunk your felty goodness in the clear water and slosh it around to remove any traces of soap. DO NOT let it agitate in the rinse cycle, as additional agitation will cause additional shrinkage. Then you're ready for a final spin. Some folks don't recommend letting your felt go through a spin cycle, as it may leave a permanent crease in your garment. I have never had this happen, and I spin every item to remove as much moisture as possible. If you don't care to risk it, roll your felt up in a large bath towel and squeeze it to remove the water."

Hmmmm....take out the item, spin out the water and then dunk into cold rinse water to rinse, but put it back for a final spin.

I hope this works. I'm telling you, I am so down about this. I tried starting other projects and am batting zero on them. Damn!


Check out the site, it's very informative!

For Lady Linoleum!

Here Regina, I took a pic just for you!

Well Traveled Bag...Pre-fulling

Well, wish me luck. The bag is being agitated as I type. I used about 4 1/2 ounces of the LB Fisherman's Wool I dyed with egg dye and a 50 gram ball of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Violet (I know, I know, don't mix wools, but I had no choice).

My measurements were still a bit bigger than Dawn's, about 12 1/2" tall, about 14" wide. Now what was used the variagated for the bottom (sc) and first 9 rows (hdc), then sc next 6 rows violet, 6 rows variagated (sc), 6 rows violet(sc), 6 rows variegated (sc), 3 rows hdc variagated and 1 row hdc violet.

This is the stitch pattern Dawn used, so wish me luck on the fulling!

FCEC Finished Tote

I used a beautiful brass button I received from Ro in the button swap at C'ville.

This bag is all right-I like the color, but do think the straps are a bit "dorky". I'll use it though cause I am a dork!

WIP Wednesday........not here anyway....

I am almost finished Dawn's Well Traveled Bag. A few more rows and I will try to full it later. The washer is being used to do "real" laundry, unfortunately.

Over on C'ville, HollyM started a thread on "Most embarrassing Childhood Picture". Although all my baby and adolescent pics are at my mom's, I did have one here I was able to scan. Not embarrassing, but me as a toddler anyway. I must have had it here when we were comparing Elena's pics to mine. My family, as well as "outsiders", think Elena is a "mini-me". However, my husband's family swears she looks like home. Actually, she has my face shape, eyes and forehead and Mike's nose, mouth and dimple chin. Mike and I look like we could be brother and sister (don't even go there!), so of course, Elena looks like she's related to both of us. I cannot tell you though how many people approach me in stores and tell me how much Elena is a mini-version of me-Mike hates that. Most "outsiders" (not family, cause they refuse to back down on who she looks like) who are around us both tell us how cool it is that she looks like both of us. She definitely has my eyes, eyelids, etc and when she is sleeping or gives me a "look", it is like looking back in time and does sometimes take my breath away.

Anyway, here's the pic. I am about 1 1/2 years old-Easter time. Note the groovy leather recliner and the bright orange modern ashtray next to the recliner. Also, the pointy, sharp Danish furniture that was so big then! Gawd, I am getting old!





*Image is clickable*

I'm not an expert or anything..........

and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but, as Heather will tell you, we all are experts in our own little minds.

Lori and Kimberly both asked about fulling/felting in a front loader. I used to have a front loader, but never fulled in one. It is my understanding, part of the appeal of the front loader is less water/less agitation on clothing due to the lack of the agitator. They also use less soap. They clean better in my opinion also, but that's not the question here. My suggestion is this: Do the lowest water level, hot water, toss the bag in a pillowcase tied at the top so it doesn't come out, toss a few pair of jeans or heavy towels (ones that can withstand hot water wash) and let her go. When the full cycle is done, check and see if any fulling action took place. If it did and you want to repeat the above procedure, by all means do. If this doesn't work, FCEC has a method of hand fulling using a double sink, hot water and soap in one and an ice bath in the other. Sounds incredibly uncomfortable, again, my opinion. This site (scroll down the page) shows a 5 year old fulling for his mom. It involves some hot water (obviously not too hot) and some mild soap and some rubbing, about 15 minutes worth. To be honest, I thought about using this method yesterday, but the thought of rubbing anything for 15 minutes kinda made me say, nah!.


This is an excerpt from Grafton Fibers (as clickable above)
"Justin felting away on the kitchen sink (with a few extra bubbles!), and the bag, hanging to dry

To felt the bag, I employed the sink and my youngest son, Justin. Rather than trust the bag to my front-loading washer, which won't let me control how long something is agitated, I chose to felt it at the sink. Using hot water and dish soap, and a lot of rubbing, the bag felted down to a respectable 12 by 12 inches with about 20 minutes of work. Felt shrinks in the direction it is rubbed. Knowing this, I was able to control the shape of the bag better than leaving it to the whims of my washing machine.

To dry it with some shape, I found a box the right size, slipped a plastic bag over the box, and tugged and pulled the tote bag onto it."

Now, obviously she has a front loader, so I guess it does work in a front loader. Also, she is fulling roving, which again, IMHO, fulls in one shot, so it's different from yarn.

I hope this was somewhat helpful to answer any questions you all had.

Crochet news: I frogged Dawn's bag and started over. Why? Because I was using my Brittany K hook and apparently I crochet extremely loosely with the Brittany's and, although there is no gauge on this, I was way off on the measurements. It was ginormous even leaving the initial chain shortened, etc. I pulled out my Bates aluminum J hook and it's fine now. No problem though, it works up fast. I shall do the entire thing in hdc also til it hits the right measurement unfulled.

Wasn't that exciting???!!!!

Oh yes, trip for the hayride cancelled until next Thursday due to Hurricane Wilma, who is bringing high winds, torrential rain, flooding and general icky feelings to my part of the world. Elena considered this bad news, but in a way I am glad, wasn't prepared for sitting in the back of a truck with 45 kindergartners today anyway!

RAOK Goodies!

You know it's funny, I will go weeks without mail and then, bam! two packages in one day!

First off, thanks Faith for picking up the Wool-Ease Sportsweight yarn at Tuesday Morning. I wanted the yarn, have no Tuesday Mornings near me, so she kindly offered. She sent with the yarn a skein of TLC Wiggles (matches my other skein from the summer yarn swap), three flavors of Adagio tea: Gingerbread, Vanilla and Christmas, a potholder to match a hot pad she sent me some time ago and some wonderful smelling (the entire package including the yarn smells like it) celery powder spice for cooking.

Thank you Faith!






Second big ass thank you goes to Natalie! Girl, you are too good to me. She sent me two more hanks of the fine wool yarn (for dyeing!), a hank of some gorgeous recycled wool/angora mix, some Aunt Lydia's Denim (I can mix this with the leftover plum for a small Econo-shopper bag), some Burt's Bees Body Lotion and Sleep Balm, a pound of Flaxseed and some dried lavender to make myself a comfort pack (next project) and some great patterns. Thank you, thank you!

Fulling/Felting Problem Solved

I think too much-it's a problem I have. I will dwell on something forever and hate when I cannot remember a name or a song, etc. Anyway, my fulling problem. I kept looking at the two bags I did last year and knew I did them here at this house with this washer and wondered WTF? And what suddenly dawned on me--the bag I was fulling in. A short time ago I bought myself a mesh laundry bag specifically for fulling/felting. I was using an old flannel pillow case, but sometimes the knot was a pain in the butt to untie, so I thought I would make my life easier by getting the laundry bag.

Well I was thinking, what the hell did I do differently last year that I wasn't accomplishing this year and it came to be suddenly, the laundry bag instead of the pillow case.

So, I refulled the FCEC (which I keep misspelling FECE and if you add an "s", that tells you how I felt about this whole thing) tote. Anyway, I tossed it in the flannel bag, tied the knot, added the two pair of jeans, cup of soap and let it go. Then I ran it through again to make sure the soap was out and viola! it fulled much better. Lost about an inch more on the side and 1 1/2" on the top. It's blocking now, so pics tomorrow. Apparently, it needed the rubbing of the flannel pillowcase versus the running through of water, etc the mesh bag did. Still a bit of stitch definition, but much better. Also, after 9 loads and the waste of hot water I went through, I decided I would toss it back in with my next bag (not an FCEC, but Dawn's Well Traveled Bag which I am working on now with my egg dyed yarn).

I feel so much better and less insane, not completely sane, but better anyway..........Pics tomorrow, promise.

Updated Pattern

I plan to move my patterns to their own site, but for now, this is where they will have to live. I updated the "Marvelous Fulled Mini Tote Bag Pattern" because round 25 kept stumping people. I hope this change helps. If you printed out the previous version, the only change is round 25.

Snow Peas, Silk Yarn and Toggles-Oh My!

First off, thank you Lori for the snow pea delivery. Damn they are good and yes, the bag is almost empty. Even Elena, who wouldn't eat a pea if I rolled it in sugar, thought they were delicious. She even asked "How can they not taste like anything and taste so good?". I don't know, but now I'll need a way to feed my damn addiction. As you can see, the bag is already opened in the pic and not a one was damaged in transport (padded envelope). Thank you, I think!





Next, Jessi sent me some of Melanie's awesome plum silk/rayon yarn that she made her Ophelia with. Not just some, but a pound! It's gorgeous and what was at the bottom of the box-two of the cutest toggles for bracelets I have ever seen. Yes, that is a teapot and spoon! Adorable or what???? I can now do the beaded macrame bracelets Fiona has been egging me on to do. Thank you sweetie, I cannot wait to make my Ophelia, although it surely will look better on you than me!








I am still working on the tote bag. I freaking hate the sc and have ten rows left of sc, but didn't touch it all day. I did, however, wind the two tie-dyed yarn I did the other day. I need a swift, honestly. I tried wrapping the hanks around a chair, my neck and finally my bent knee as I sat at an angle that no one sits in to be comfortable and used my winder (after I blew the dust off of it). Now I just have to wind the two egg dye dyed hanks tomorrow (not dry yet). I also took my soap loaf out of it's wooden mold and left it on the rack to cure a bit before I slice down the first bars to let them cure. I was a bit rusty in my soap making yesterday (plus the power went out in the middle), so it's not as firm as I prefer, but hopefully, with some extra curing, it'll be fine. If not, I'll mill it down and rebatch it again (which I don't want to do, but I don't waste any of the soap stuff). I did Lavender yesterday and don't know what I'll do next week. Either more lavender or green tea mint. I have some mica for coloring I can add to the green tea, but then that kinda takes away the "no colorings or additives" thing-that and I have to find where I put it.

Well, I'm off to work on the bag and ward off evil viruses...........

Egg-citing Dyeing Done!

Okay, I am officially addicted. All Kool-Aid and egg dyes are used up here. Next step, tie-dyeing cotton softball yarn. I want more egg dye! Damn Easter is months away! I need more Kool-Aid or even Flavor-Aid (I heard their colors are different).

This was done this AM using egg dye I bought specifically for this last year.

It's LB Fisherman's Wool. The purple/green/blue (my fav) was layed in a pyrex dish and I poured colors where I wanted them and wore gloves to press it into the yarn. This ended up being nuked for about 6 minutes, with 2 minute rests in between. The dye never ran clear on this. I rinsed it well, wrapped it in a towel to absorb extra water and it's hanging to dry. I did two tabs of green in about 6 ounces of water with a glug of vinegar. I did a tab of red and blue to make the deeper purple, and two tabs of blue for the blue. The green and purple ran clear, but the blue never did. Is egg dyeing different than Kool-Aid dyeing??

The other one is with red, orange, green and blue. This one I tried in a plastic zip loc bag, poured the dye in and sealed the bag, squished it around and opened the bag halfway and nuked it for 2 minutes, rest two minutes, nuke 2 minutes. This also didn't run clear, but the colors are vibrant! The only thing was the red tabs said not to use with vinegar, but how would I set the color??? I used the vinegar and it came out a very subdued almost maroon color, but that is okay!

I prefer the non-plastic thing as it's just as easy to clean up the pyrex dish. I did mix all the dyes in mason jars and shook the hell out of them to mix the colors. Only the red hissed at me! Weird part is NO ASS SMELL or perhaps I am used to it.

I was thinking last night. Imagine you give someone a sweater you lovingly made from Fishermans Wool and IT SMELLS LIKE ASS! What do you say? They open the box and ass smell rises out. Do you say, "Don't worry, that's not you, it's your sweater! Wear it in good health".

Anyway, here are the pics. Each hank was about 6-8 ounces. I love the purple/blue/green one the best, of course.








And to answer some questions, I am partial to blues (but it's not my fav color), burgundy's, purples, deep greens, heathered colors. Really any jewel tones. Not a fan of yellow or really any pastels.

I haven't gotten stoned in over 8 years and yes, I miss it sometimes, but wouldn't know where to find it.

Thank you for all your good thoughts and smelly tookus/ass reminisces.

I do use the phrase "Smells like Ass" more than I should also.

I read all your comments. I rarely reply cause they are usually statements. Also, bloglines rarely gives me your email addy's with the reply. I love you all and am not a snot, just lazy and have dial-up!


My headache is gone. It seems two Aleve's, three Tylenol and an Ambien taken at 9:00 PM last night (no, I didn't take Aleve and Tylenol at the same time!) helped me fall asleep by 9:30 and I woke up at 7:00 AM this morning. Stomach is still upset, but all in all, feeling better. We have the Disney on Ice-Princesses tonight, so it should be crazy. Elena home, eat, in shower (she has school pics tomorrow, so her hair has to be perfect), keeping her awake in the car for the 40 minute ride to and from Philly. Also, I may take Imodium for tonight. I hate to miss it, Elena is so excited, but damn I don't wanna be sick either. I don't really want to see Disney on Ice, it's an Elena thing, but still, I should go.......

Smells Like Ass

Good title, huh? Yeah, I said ass in it, I would use the word ass anyway, so live with it. I was using my nifty niddy noddy to wind up some of the LB Fisherman's Wool and let me tell you, the natural oils they claim are in the wool make the room smell like ass when winding. It's not noticeable at first, but once you get to the middle, ugh. Should smell interesting here tomorrow after I nuke it up. Tomorrow I am using egg dye! Aren't you egg-cited????

That FCEC felted tote is killing me. 53 freaking rounds of sc with an I hook (my gauge was off using the J). My arthritis is acting up and the repetitive motion is boring me today. I didn't nap, just laid there for about an hour in the dark waiting for my headache to go away. Somehow I think the headache, arthritis and tummy stuff is all related. The Aleve is not working.

Weird eBay stuff. Okay, the first story isn't weird, just fascinating. I keep reading on blogs everyone complaining about their shitty mail service. I have said it before and I will say it again, I *love* my postal people. First of all, I am on the first name basis with my mail lady Martha. She comments on Elena growing up, why I don't have more kids, all kinds of shit she should and should not comment on. In the summer, when it's hot, I leave her a frozen water bottle in the mailbox and in the winter, well, I don't do anything, but maybe I should make her a scarf or something. I do, however, give her a check every Christmas. The guys in the actual post office get a 5 lb tin of peanuts and homemade pizzelles every year. I adore them all. Now, my story. I sold something on eBay and was sent a money order. Well, the person never asked for my addy and I assumed it came up on the invoice they received. Nope, she sent it to just my name, town, state and zip. No street listed. I got the think in 4 days too! Also, I usually toss money in the mail box with smaller items I am mailing. When I am short, they send it anyway and just send me a little note letting me know. I love them.

The really creepy, weird ass story. Okay, like 9 months ago I ordered a DVD off of someone on Ebay. They had great feedback, blah-blah. Anyway, they wanted money orders only, no Paypal. The DVD was cheap (too good to be true) and I sent them a money order for $9 something. Anyway, as you guessed, I never got my DVD. I checked and the next week there were tons of negatives. Also, his mailbox was full, so you couldn't inquire, etc. No way to fight Paypal for it either. Okay, it was $9, lesson learned, end of story. But wait, there's more. About 5 months later I received an email from the USPS asking about the transaction. I wrote back to them and said I sent a money order, never received the item, eBay kicked him off, end of story. Okay, forgotten. Last week I got an email from the Chicago Board of Federal Prisons telling me that XXXXXXXX was in prison and would be til November 2007, not eligible for parole. The letter was just signed The Warden. It had some 800 number I could call, etc. I didn't call cause I thought it was a scam that they would bill me for it, etc. I get a bunch of "spoof" emails and besides, I didn't know anyone in Chicago. They claimed I was a "victim" of said person and that was why they were notifying me. Yesterday a piece of mail came, you guessed it, from the Chicago Federal Bureau of Prisons telling me the same thing with an enclosed brochure explaining how victims have to be notified, some federal law. Damn if it isn't that guy from eBay who scammed me. Sentenced til 2007 for mail fraud in a federal prison and not eligible for parole. Freaked me the hell out, I tell you. I wonder how big it was? Damn, I tossed the notice. Next one I will keep cause then I will Google his name.

Okay, the tension headache is back so I will sign off. Still smells like ass in here.

Dying to Dye!

I finally did it! I did some Kool-Aid dyeing this AM. Natalie sent me some sportweight wool and I did that with Kool-Aid Berry Blue and Grape (yes, I like the natural showing, kinda tie-dyed). The other two batches were this bulky wool yarn that came in 50 gr skeins I got from Freecycle ages ago. I used Kiwi/Lemonade Mixed, grape (2 packages) and Cherry. I ran out of dye and now I am kicking myself in the ass cause I remembered the damn egg dye I had saved specifically for dyeing yarn! I have two full 8 ounce skeins of LB Fisherman's, so I'll wind that and do that next with the egg dye.

This was so easy. I soaked the yarn in vinegar and warm water. Mixed the kool-side with 1/4 cup of warm water (no vinegar cause it has a ton of Citric Acid-see what I learned blog reading!).

I gently wrung out the yarn and put it in corning dishes, painted with syringes and foam brushes and nuked (no plastic wrap, nothing, as is) for two minutes on high, let rest two minutes and then two more minutes on high. I let it cool for about ten minutes, then rinsed in warm water, rolled in a towel and hung to dry.




(Yes, I know the pics are small, but click it and you will see it better. It loaded them all so much easier this way)

45 minutes including clean up (okay, I wound the yarn into hanks days ago and Nat sent her yarn pre-wound). I cannot believe I put this off. I must do more, must. The egg dye is calling me, make it stop!!!!!!

I plan to lie down and nap a bit this AM. Apparently, Elena shared again. I have had a stomach problem for three days. At first, I blamed Aunt Flo, but now I know. It's also giving me horrible headaches. Elena is better, back to her old self......

Off to nap....

Target Ladder Yarn 

Sunny Sunday!

Yes, the sun has been out for two days and I feel better already. It's extremely windy today, which should dry stuff out nicely. Elena is still a bit sick and hanging on to her tummy virus, but I am hoping she's tip-top tomorrow for school. She's missed another week and she really needs to go.

Soccer was cancelled yesterday since the fields were flooded, I was glad not to have to go.

I haven't been hooking much this weekend, busy with the damn pool and cooking. My mind has been on so much other stuff, not really doing anything, just thinking about doing them.

The pool was an unmitigated mess. Completely green, the damn autovac didn't work and never does when I need it to. It's a good thing they "threw it in with the pool" or I'd take it back and show them the only thing I feel it's good for~. Mike and I decided to shock the hell out of the pool, overchlorinate it and see how it goes. So far, it's clearing up pretty good. We'll scoop some leaves, vac what we can and cover it later today. I'll worry about the filter, pump and other stuff another day. I was in the gunk too long yesterday.

I am making Buffalo sauce for hot wings right now to have as a snack. Then it's a boneless turkey breast, homemade stuffing (filling, dressing, etc) and some pumpkin curry soup Colette posted the other day. I feel like such a gourmet today.

I did run out to Target last night and picked Elena up the Play-Doh Shrek dentist set. She adores Play-Doh and plays with it for hours. This is so cool too. We've been making green teeth and drilling them and filling them.

I picked up some of the Target yarn yesterday too. I think it was desperation, even though I ordered chenille from Rodney and Knit Picks yarn. Usually, they have the furry stuff and knitting needles, no hooks. Well, they still didn't add the hooks, but they had some of the ladder yarn and I thought the pink/lavender/blue would be good to make something for Elena with and the fall colors I picked up to add some texture to a different felted bag. I'll do another Marvelous tote with the Knit Picks and a few strands of the fall colors mixed in and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted (you too Steph).

Blech-Blah

That's me today, Blah-blech-ugh. It's still raining, 7 days. The paper reported that since we've gotten so much rain, we are going to get beautiful, late foliage this year. Last month was record dry spell, so the tree leaves that changed went from green to brown. Some trade off, I say. Silver lining, the pool water level is now high enough for the autovac, which gets stuck on the freaking steps into the pool and in order for me to remove the steps I have to get in the disgusting, freezing water and lift out the two 50 lb sandbags holding them down. Which might mean going under water. Blech

If I have to listen to another kid show, I will scream. My daughter is doing 99% better today. She misses school. She's been good, I love her like crazy, but I am slowly going insane this week. The weather, her being sick, Mike have a "thing" at work that has been draining the life out of him, Aunt Flo, etc. I was telling Mike last night; we went on a great vacation and less than a week after we are home, things turn shitty. Never fails, honestly, never fails. All the R & R we got is now wiped out. Gawd, am I maudlin or what?

I'm tired, bored and cranky. I realized today I hadn't been out of my house, except to take Elena to the doctor and drug store afterwards, in over 1 1/2 weeks. I mean it too. I don't necessarily want to hang out with people, I would just like to see something other than my environment. Yeah, some stuff has been cleaned up, hauled out, weeded through, but still.

I am crocheting a gift for someone today. I also got the bright idea to use a strand of Lurex with the already pain in the ass yarn I am using. I am a genius sometimes. It looks nice though, but still. I plan to start the FCEC tote bag CAL this weekend and finally get my ass in gear and do Nat's bag.......I know that's been said before. I wanna dye some yarn too. Next week. Gotta start that soap too.

Well, if I haven't depressed you enough already, perhaps I've made you even happier now that I have laid out my dullsville life for this week. See, there was a silver lining!

Secret Sistah Scarf

I finished this today and have dubbed it "My Secret Sistah Scarf" cause I used the luxury yarn Andrea sent me in the swap (and she didn't know what I would do with two balls of the Rowan and a hank of the alpaca!).

I used an H hook and just did a sc, ch 1 stitch across and the sc into each ch 1 space after that. I am realizing I am getting older as I had trouble seeing the green stitches and had to actually hold them up to the light, etc. Aging is a bitch.

Anyway, this is done with Classic Elite Inca Alpaca (almost the full hank) in a heathered tan color and 1 1/4 skeins of Rowan Idina-Ronay (which is a 50% mulberry silk (don't really know what that is) and 50% superfine Botany wool) in color pine.

It's super soft and warm. So see, Andrea-I did find a use and plus I have some leftover for my wool pile!

My Poor Baby

My poor baby is still sick. I took her to the pediatrician yesterday because, even though I knew it was a virus, I still doubt myself sometimes as a mother and knowing what is best. Yup, stomach virus. He has her out of school all week. Her poor patootey is sore and needs Desitin, she lost 2 lbs, is barely eating. He put her on Kaopectate, ick. She picked her flavor, peppermint, but realized 1/4 way through the first does, it sucked. She gets herself worked up for each dose (3 times a day, 1 teaspoon) and it literally takes 10 minutes to get the full teaspoon into her. So far, it's slowed it down a bit, but she still has a lot of acid burning, which saltines would help with, which I cannot get into her cause she thinks it'll make her tummy hurt. It's a vicious cycle. To top it off, after taking the Kaopectate, I mean literally seconds, she announces "I think I may vomit from this" and has about 15 minutes of hanging her head over an old pot in the living room. Can you say "Drama Queen". I do feel so badly for her, having tummy problems truly sucks. She's begged me to sleep with her, so I fall asleep in her twin bed with her and usually wake up a few hours later, all cramped up, no pillow, etc. I've had a headache for two days now and Auntie Flo is due for a visit tomorrow. Mike has his own stuff at work, working late, etc. Now Elena will have missed another week of school, especially bad right after the vacation. I need the doctor note for this one and feel awful about it.

Crochet wise, I finished the tote I was testing. I am working on a "Zen" scarf using the alpaca and silk/wool blend Andrea sent me as part of the Secret Sistah swap. I swear Nat's bag is next up. I needed something small, compact and repetitive to do while I rock in the chair next to the couch Elena is propped on. I have to get to the Christmas stuff I am making and have zero motivation, and I mean zero.

It has been raining here, sometimes torrentially, since Saturday. Where I live, there hasn't been flooding. We have been desperate for rain. It is depressing though. I love the sound of rain, but not for so many days in a row. It makes us all feel even more "blah". The pool is not set up for winter yet, and because of the horrible weather, it is a lovely deep algae green color. At least now the water level should be high enough for me to run the vac, but ewwwww I will hate getting this ready this weekend. It's supposed to stop raining for Saturday-I hope so.


I feel so "blech", run down and out of sorts. Ugh.......

Sorry this is such a downer today, blame it on the rain...........

Knit Picks Yarn

My Knit Picks order came in today and unfortunately, I am beyond thrilled! The Wool of the Andes is super soft and I love the feel of it. The sock yarn, Dancing, is like a thin tube with some elastic wrapped around it and I am dying to try it. I say unfortunately because I will now want more. I did get a belated birthday card from my father-in-law today. Every year he forgets my birthday, which I don't understand cause it's the same freaking day as his wife's! He also has my birthday this year written on the calendar for November, which is my husband's ex-wife's birthday. I mean I have only been married to Mike for 9 1/4 freaking years, but what can I say. I think the damn check he sent is screaming "Knit Picks". Now, what to order..............
PS-this was the free shipping deal one. That yarn was only $11.24!

Thoughts for the Day

Elena is home sick today, which makes it a 5 day weekend. She has an intestinal virus, or as she likes to call it "investigational" virus-had it since Friday. She begged to go to school, afraid of missing something. Anyway, I called the pediatrician, and of course, it's going around. They put her on the BRAT diet, no dairy or fruit for 24 hours. I have a headache.

I hoped to do Nat's bag today, but I forgot I was testing a tote bag for someone on C'ville. Maybe tomorrow. I also hoped to do some yarn dyeing, but not with Elena home, trust me on this decision.

Funny story. Last night I walked into the living room and Elena had her Woody (from Toy Story) doll leaning up against a box with his legs crossed. She had her Ariel doll, with a 5 in crocheted swatch square and her arms through two stitch openings, like a hospital gown, complete with opening in the back. Ariel was lying on a smaller box, on her side. I asked Elena what it was supposed to be. She replied, with as much sincerity as you can imagine, "Ariel is having babies right now. Three at one time!". I looked and sure enough, she had teensy little baby dolls from some other toy up Ariel's hospital gown and was removing them one at a time. Okay, pretty strange, but then I asked what Woody was doing. Elena replied, "Why he's Ariel's husband and the father of the babies, so he's just standing around waiting for them to be born, like any man would do". She's too darn smart. I had to laugh and hug her because it was so true! Poor Ariel is lying in the hospital bed, on her side (I don't know why), butt hanging out with one leg in the air giving birth, while her husband happily hangs out with nothing to do. I don't even know where Elena learns this stuff from. I did tell her babies come out of the mom's tummy (my girlfriend Linda, who was pregnant at the time, came over and Elena was fascinated. She's since had her baby (a boy-7 lbs 12 ounces), hence Elena's fascination with birthin' babies).

Anyway, I have to check on Elena. She is now giving her "Little Ponies" baths in the sink and I keep hearing "uh-oh" coming from that room.

Comfy Slippers

As part of my sock pattern quest, I decided to try a pair of slippers. I chose Abi's Slippers pattern. They only took an afternoon of off and on crocheting. I used Wool-Ease in "Blue Mist". There were a few small changes. One was for size (I had to make mine larger, row 3 of the pattern left out one explanation, which I figured out on my own after cursing at it three times. Row 3 should have read: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, *hdc in next 3sts), 2 hdc in same stitch (inc)* around to last 2 sts. hdc in each of next 2 sts. Join (22). Somehow, it left out the increase explanation. Oh well, no harm now. I also added an extra row of sc around the opening.

These fit perfectly, are super comfy (doesn't feel like I am walking on knots) and I would make them again.









In other news, it rained and rained and rained all weekend. I am still getting over that cold, as is Elena. She also has had some sort of stomach virus since Friday. She mentioned a few kids went to the nurses office for tummy aches and I should have realized then. Now she doesn't want to go to school tomorrow for fear of "having to poop a lot". I gave her some acidophyllis yesterday and this AM and am hoping she feels a bit better. A four day weekend, inside, was enough. I never left the house all weekend (which was okay for me). I may go to Michael's today, but I doubt it. I would much rather go alone.

I made more clutches with the Trendsetter yarn too. It didn't full, I did it in hot water with soap and nothing, no change in texture etc, however, it smells like an old goat now (the one I tested). I saw Joy made some of the clutches with chenille and I think that'll be my next "quick, doldrums" project.

Congrats to Kari for Mark Martin's win yesterday and to Tiff for the Astros winning their long ass game too! I know you both must be psyched.

I really am going to do Nat's large econo-shopper today, I swear.

Well, Monday morning beckons.......

Claudia Clutch from Lion Brand Website

This is a clutch is whipped up in about 1/2 hour from the Lion Website for the Claudia Clutch.

Of course, I didn't use the yarn they suggested, but some Trendsetter Yarn called Shake I picked up at a Tuesday Morning store for $2.99. It's a thick-thin bulky yarn, similar to Homespun, so I'm sure Homespun could be used with an "L" hook for the same results.

This used 30 yards of the yarn (the yarn is only 35 yards per ball). I used an "M" hook for it and the same flap variation as the pink one Lion has, except the flap had fewer stitches with the larger hook.

I love the colors in this yarn and have to tell you, I think it would full. It's 60% wool, 18% acrylic, 15% mohair and 7% polyamide, but it states on the label: Cold water wash-No detergent, dry cleaning recommended(in all caps), which makes me think this will completed fuzz up. What do you think?

Felted Marvelous Tote, Flower and Cell Case

This is the tote I fulled about 9 times. I used baking soda, vinegar, soap, etc and it's as good as it gets. It's my Marvelous tote pattern, the flower from FCEC and the Cell Case from FCEC. I also added a strand of some hand spun cotton to the bag for a few rows to add a splash of color (thanks to the tip from Stephanie!). All done with the J hook and Paton's Merino Wool in denim marl. The rose has Denim and denim marl in it.

The tote fulled down about an inch (from 9 x 11" to 8" x 10") so it did full, just not fuzzy like I liked. The cell case has a button closure instead of a snap cause I felt like it!

For some reason Photobucket won't let me in or let me see anyone elses Photobucket pics for the past few days (anyone else? Any way to solve this?), so I'll use Blogger again.

Before fulling:


After fulling:


Now, the cell phone case is great for a flip-phone, which I do not have (as you can see), not a regular skinny butted cell phone. The first person who replies that they want the cell phone case gets it, but ya have to say "Pretty Please!"

Edited: The cell phone case goes to Therese Guzman. Send me your addy Therese and I'll get it out to you!

Socks!! First Pair Done!

I finished my socks this morning. The first pair in my comparison of sock patterns. I also dug up another from Kimberly I hope to try out also.

First off, Photobucket is having some problems, so I will post through Blogger and hope it works:




Okey Dokey, it worked.

I used 1 3/4 50 gram balls of Hayfield Grampian Acrylic/wool/nylon blend DK yarn and an F soft-Touch Clover hook. I bought this yarn off of eBay for something like $1.20 a ball and loved using it. It's a British brand and too bad, I loved the blend for socks. I'll have to keep an eye on eBay for more. The pattern is from Crochet Me! and is the In Your Shoes pattern. I liked this pattern because it was straightforward and very easy to understand and follow. However, the ankle ribbing part could have been smaller for me and I also did both socks ribbing first, fastened off and sewed the seam so I could make sure the seam was lined up in the back (obsessive compulsive stuff again). My only complaint, toe seam. I was very careful when sewing it up to make sure there weren't any bulges, etc, cause you know that will irritate you in shoes. They felt comfy on. A similar pattern was in Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet as far as the toe seam, which surprised me. I will do the rest of the socks in toe-up fashion.

Next up, Nat's Econo-Shopper Mesh Bag-Large size.

IMPORTANT
Cindy has set up a blog called 25 Things for Charity Make a commitment to craft 25 things for charity in 12 months. It can be any item for any charity. Crochet, Knit (gasp), sew, etc. Make something and donate it. If you are interested, click the links to Cindy and leave a comment on either blog. She'll send you an invite. If you need some charity links, let me know. The Amazing Rowan, who has her finger on the pulse off all charities, can make recommendations if you have an idea, but don't know where to send to. There's also a nifty button (which I will link later, once photobucket stops acting so snarky to me).

Juno Headline News

I log on today and this is what my headline news said:"Man who married Elvis dies". Of course, I did a double take since I didn't know gay marriage was legal (but I think it should be legalized) and I never knew Elvis has married a man! However, as you click you will see it's the judge that married Elvis and Priscilla in 1967. Not to make light of his passing, but really, this is this judges claim to fame and made headline news??????

It's Thursday Again

Catchy title, eh? My head is too stuffed up to even think straight. I look and feel like something the cat dragged in, dragged around the house and stomped on.

Crochet Stuff

I finished one of my socks last night. I used this pattern, an F-hook and some DK wool. The one sock fits perfectly, lets hope the other will be the same size.

I plan to make a pair of socks from South Bay Crochet and the Grafton Fibers Toe Up sock pattern and see which of the three I like the best. Grafton fibers also has an unspun roving bag pattern on their site I may try. It calls for two batts of roving, and from what I looked up, each batt weighed 4 ounces. I have the bag of Briggs & Little Country Roving (8 ounces) I may use.

Here's a big surprise, I ordered from Knit Picks yesterday. Julie wrote to me yesterday about some fulling/felting stuff and mentioned she ordered her first order from Knit Picks of the Andes Wool. Of course, I wrote back telling her how I so dream to order there, but am too cheap to pay shipping and to get the free shipping you need to spend $30.00. Well guess what? She wrote back that the Interweave Crochet mag had a coupon on page 28 for free shipping on any size order! I cannot find the Interweave Crochet mag anywhere around here, but she sent me the code and I placed my big ole $11.00 order. I bought three skeins of the Wool of the Andes (2 fern and 1 avocado) and two skeins of the sock yarn -Dancing in the colorway Jig! I am so excited too! Lately I've been on such a sock kick and the yarn can be so expensive. So now I have the yarn to do my sock pattern comparisons. Also, the cost of shipping alone would have been the cost of the three skeins of Andes wool, so I don't feel guilty about sliding from the yarn diet.

I really should start Christmas gift stuff, but not into it. I'll finish my other sock today and then make Nat's Econo-shopper bag (large size) next.

Roving Question

Roving question for all you fiber addicts; when you get roving, it's one long piece. If I wanted to break the roving in half, how would I do it? Would I cut it across the middle or would I peel from the side?

I want to try spinning soon too, but am intimidated by the technique and how to hold the roving, etc. I have the Spin-It book and I should study it a bit.

Kinda crochet related
Cindy posted this and I signed on. Check it out!

Last thing, I don't even know if my husband reads my blog, but today is his 40th birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL. Elena and I are baking Ghiradelli Brownies for him later and I bought him a pie on Sunday. Yes, a pie. The farm market near us sells the best, most delicious homemade pies, but they are pricey. Mike loves them, so I bought a peach/blueberry one for him. He doesn't need anything as far as gifts go, so he likes pie and I bought him pie. Besides, the cruise was part of his 40th celebration.

Well, I got to run to the drugstore and get me laundry out (it's my fetish, so let me be). Elena has a four day weekend starting tomorrow, so I'm going to try to get as much done around here today.

Yarn Purging

Yep, I am purging myself of all the icky, yucky acrylic that has been lying around here. I started cleaning out my stash yesterday because I had bought sock yarn a while ago, put it in a plastic bag and put it somewhere I would be sure to find it. Yeah, right. I dug through a bunch of stash and didn't find it and then, last night after I got into bed, I remembered I shoved a box under my dresser and lo and behold, the sock yarn.

Anyway, I realized what a freaking yarn snob I have become in the past 1 1/2 years. First of all, I tossed out (yes, tossed out) some ancient rug yarn in rust, brown, etc. Then I tossed some icky ass acrylic in gold and orange. Then I sorted out one area of yarn (I have like six "areas"). I then realized, I hate Red Heart SS so much, I never want to see another skein again!. I am only somewhat of a yarn snob. I still like the Caron SS for clothing for Elena (maybe even me) and the other cheaper yarns like Plush, etc., but no more Super Saver Ever. I also figured I never do afghans, though I am doing a lapghan for my brother and SIL for Christmas, but I already bought what I need for that, so whay have the skeins of cheap yarn. I kept the baby colors for the charity ghans and I still have some destashing to do, but I decided all the plain acrylic is outta here! I will be listing some of the nicer acrylic (oxymoron there) on eBay though. I have a few lots that someone may like, but the loose skeins are gone (sorry Joy, I know you are collecting scraps, but this shit doesn't even qualify for scraps). I do have two rolling bags full of scraps I will go through next week for Joy though.

So, yes, it's official, I have graduated to yarn snot (not quite the snob yet).

WIP Wednesday
I am doing a pair of socks from Crochet Me!. I bought this purple yarn that is a DK weight with wool, acrylic and nylon for cheap off of eBay some time ago and I am doing the socks. It's a British brand called Grampian and I like it so far. That's it for WIP, impressive no?

Back to sorting some stuff. I decided if I can get this office cleaned out completely in the next few weeks, I can bring my MIL's armoire in from the garage and use it for yarn storage. My husband was trying to "sell" me on the idea last night by telling me I could arrange my yarn by color. I curled my lip and snarled "fiber content, not color, what is wrong with you?". He just looked at me and said "oh". Will he ever learn????

Damn You Kari!!!

Yes, you Kari, and Lori and Joy. I want to try those damn Snapeas and now! No, no Kroger here, or Trader Joes or any freaking place that sells the damn things. Asian market is about 1/2 hour a direction I never go and yes, I have an Asian sister-in-law who shops at Asian markets, but she can barely remember to go to the market,let alone pick up a specific item for me, so asking her to look for them is futile. Trust me on this, been there, done that.

Rant over

Econo-Shopper Mesh Bag

This is Nat's fabulous Econo-Shopper Mesh bag. The pattern is great, the bag is even better. I did the small one (and plan to do the large later this week). Done in Aunt Lydia's Denim Cotton-color is plum.

Fulling/Felting....whatever

This felting/fulling is annoying the crap out of me today. I did a mini tote, cell case and flower yesterday using Paton's Merino Wool. The shit will not felt right. I ran it through 5 times yesterday (all that wasted hot water) with jeans, towels and any other item that could withstand the high temps and it will not full right. I agitated the shit out of it (even poked it with a stick and called it names) and.......barely some fuzz. I'm running it through once more this AM and then I give up. It fulled a little, but not like I prefer. Freaking cheaper wool always bites me in the ass! I shouldn't say that, the baby weight cheap wool fulls great, just not as sturdy looking. I want to do the fulled bowl too, but don't want to mess with the fulling for a few days. I'm pissy about it.

Onto other news, I am almost finished Nat's Econo-Shopper bag (see link on previous post) and it looks wonderful. The pattern is awesome (after I worked on the handles three times, I am a moron). Nat's pattern is great, but she didn't spell it out perfectly for me!(LOL) Like-how do the handles go (yes, Nat I am a moron) Anyway, the bag looks fantastic and I love it. The color is beautiful too. It's a plum with some red in it. I promise to post pics later once it's done. The Denim Cotton is perfect for these bags (probably just for bags), but I would buy it again to make this as gifts.

I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what to make next. Actually, my husband had the nerve (how dare he!) to ask me to take 1/2 hour and straighten up the spare room/office/pig pen/craft supply room so the heater guy can get to the basement door to service the heater for the winter. Like what does he think, I sit around just crocheting all day?????(LOL)

Lori, your b'day package went out yesterday Priority Mail from the main post office in New Jersey. You should have it tomorrow. Sorry it's so late!

Andrea PROD PROD PROD

Toodles for now...........

Monday again?

I cannot believe it's Monday and I cannot believe it's October! It's supposed to go up to 80 today, so not really cool here yet, but better than 95.

I have some FO's for your perusal.

First, Dawn's Keyhole Scarf, done in the beautiful Carnival yarn from Elizabeth (silk/rayon blend). I used 200 yards of the yarn for this (one cake) and the I hook. Elizabeth is selling this yarn on eBay and it is so soft and silky with amazing drape.





Next up, I did another "Marvelous Felted Bag", this time using Denim Marl (Paton's Merino Wool) and for a few rows added a to the mix some handspun cotton thin thread. I used the J hook this time. I also did the FCEC Cell Phone Holder and a Flower for the bag. They are in the washer now, as I type, fulling away (I hope). I'll post pics once they are dry.

I am currently working on Natalie's Econo-Shopper Mesh Bag using Aunt Lydia's Denim Cotton yarn in the awesome plum color I found. Truth be told, I am not crazy about the yarn itself as far as hooking with it, kinda splitty and has a funny, petroleum odor to it (yes, my nose is ultrasensitive, I smell things no one else does, but it is kinda-jute like smelling). It'll be fine for a bag, but I know I won't be using it for any clothing items.

I want to make another Ophelia sometime this week for me and for my mother, as a gift. I need measurements though. I also want to do another fulled bag. I planned on doing the FCEC tote bag, but have 400 grams of yummy wool I am holding out for til Andrea converts that Sophia, I adore that bag she did. Beautiful! If the conversion doesn't work out, then I'll do the FCEC tote. I should do one anyway, but haven't dyed any wool yet and only have the purple wool available for now. Decisions, decisions!

Off to mop some floors and work on the bag. Have a terrific day!

"Princess" Elena 

St George Ferry Dock 

Elena ready for the island tour 

Centrum of the ship 

Our Boat (our room was in the rear balcony, 8th floor) shown on the back near the flag 

Dock Yard 

Shelly Bay 

I'm Back

I hope this works, blogger is eating my posts/pictures like crazy and I'm still dizzy from being on the ship all week (why won't this room stop rocking???)

Just a quick post for today. We got home yesterday afternoon and I'm doing the usual after vacay things, ya know, laundry, quick napping (LOL) etc.

The trip was fabulous-probably the best vacation we have ever taken. The weather was absolutely perfect. I am suntanned, well-fed (probably a little too well fed) and happy! Elena loved the trip too. She adored the kid's program and I felt badly we only spent on day at the pool with her and a day at the beach and touring Bermuda, but she wanted the program and they entertained her and it really gave Mike and I a chance to have some grown up fun and we did!. I even had a facial done in the Spa on board.

Bermuda was gorgeous, expensive and glorious! What did I buy there? A t-shirt and some yarn! I found a yarn shop in St. George Bay. It had all the yarn we have here at home at a Michaels and all of it was about 30% more expensive, but they had some Aunt Lydia's Denim Yarn in a Plum Heather I have never seen here in catalogs. Yes, it was $6.85 a ball, but if I ordered it online it would cost more than that with shipping. I bought two balls to make Natalies Bag, I was so excited about the damn yarn shop too! It was dusty and old looking and had tons of......Fun Fur! The shop owner told me she is very busy, one of the only shops on the island. It made me think about perhaps retiring there and opening up shop! I did see lots of crocheted items on the ship and for sale as well. I also found a pareo and a beaded rayon/viscose shawl for $10 each, as well as a hand made Batik sarong, which I bought too! I am so ready for the next cruise and yes, you can bet there will be another next year. They are so addicting! I want to do the one for Key West, Grand Key, Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico and then Hispaniola-Mike wants to do the Alaska one and the Spain, Italy, Greece one.

The last cruise was nice, but damn this one was fun! Laying on the beach, touring the islands and sitting by the salt water pool sipping whatever the "drink of the day" was-we loved it!

I haven't caught up on my email, bloglines, etc yet, hopefully by next week I'll be caught up. We had soccer this morning at 9:00 and Elena has a bit of a cold with a cough (didn't slow her down one bit).

I didn't even open my crochet bag and only managed to read about 70 pages of my book. I am almost done the Keyhole scarf and will work on the bowl this week, promise.

Regina, I received the patterns today and thank you so much!!!