Pretty in Pink!

Yay Spring! How I love thee let me count the ways and finish before it starts snowing again. Today is a beautiful day and I felt the need to express it on my toes. Little things like this make me happy. I went to my reg. nail salon, Elvis Nails, and lo and behold they had just purchased some new pedicure chairs. I was merely going to get a re-base, but that was just too tempting. So I broke down and indulged in a deluxe pedicure. One hour of pure heaven. So now my toes are all ready for spring. I am not even a pink person but it just fit my mood so well. And then when I arrived home this cute new Atenti bag I bought was waiting on my doorstep. I wish you could make it out a little better in the picture, but the plastic reflects the light.
Here is an up close of one of the sassy girls in the print. It also has rhinestones speckled through out.
And it pulls open to reveal a lush hot pink satin lining and a little pocket perfect for notions. I love my new bag, it's just so adorable!
Enjoy Spring!

eta: Oops I guess you caught me falling off the wagon. And all that talk on my last post about being good. Wait til you see the other one on it's way!

p.s. Some really exciting stuff is going to be coming up on my blog, as well as some perspective. Stay tuned.

Last Friday I was so lucky to get this great package in them mail from Jennifer T. She had me in the FCS3. We were having some problems with her emails landing in my junk mail folder but she still managed to do some detective work and find all sort of great goodies for me!This pencil roving is such pretty shades of orange (one of my fave. colors) and I can't wait to try it out. I had been wanting to give pencil roving a try. I also love the Aracunia and the Koigu, also a first, I would love some suggestions for the Koigu, I may have to peruse my One Skein Wonders book.
I swear, it was as if Jennifer was in my head. I have been dying to get a yarn themed stamp and also wanting to try this soak since I saw it in Buena Vista. The buttons are super cute too.
I love these note cards, so versatile. Also some great scrapbooking swag as well.

Oooh pretty beads, not sure if I will make some jewelry or stitch markers. Perhaps both.
And she definitely must of read my wine posts. Isn't this so pretty? Thank you so much Jennifer, you did awesome!
Also last week I made a trip to get Maddie some new Converse at DSW. Well I was quite fortunate to see that they were giving away a free tote with purchase. Not a bad bag for free, and a very useful size too. I had to forward the email from them to dh to ensure him that indeed I did not purchase another bag. I'm trying to be really good so I get the Atenti weekender I am coveting for Mother's Day. So good in fact that I passed on the tdf gorgeous black patent leather mary jane peep toe pumps by Ellen Tracy. I saved my money for the trip we made Sunday to Colorful Yarns. There I purchased some gorgeous Hand Maiden Sea Silk and the Interweave Holiday issue.
I just cast on this pattern "Socks for Veronik" out of the Interweave Holiday issue.

I am using the Panda silk I recently purchased. Not sure if I stitch pattern will show in the variegated, but we will see.

Knit on!

Meanwhile in other crafty arenas...

While my Aunt Esther was visiting from Las Vegas we spent a relaxing Sat. morning creating cards. This first one is a thank you card.A jolly Happy Birthday Card.
And my favorite, a just because card.
Hee Hee, this should be my motto.
Also my mother has been making purses from placemats. Aren't they adorable?
These are the two I picked from the half dozen or so she had made.
As for my time currently, I have been quite busy making stitch markers. I'll soon post some pictures of a few of the fun ones. I also managed to add all my sock yarn to my stash in Ravelry. I can see now just how long of a process it will be to add my entire stash. I guess a little at a time and I'll slowly get it done.

Knitting Getaway Part Two

WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY POST

(because I have no self restraint)

I really don't think I purchased that much, I mean if you consider that sock yarn doesn't count.

Our first stop was Knit Knack, soon to be Knit Nook in Conifer. They carried this great Maizy sock yarn,a corn fiber/elastic blend, (the pinks and the khakis) which Nachaele had previously used to make some adorable socks and highly recommended. (now upon perusing Nachaele's blog and all her recent purchases I think mine look respectable). I also bought some of the Panda silk (the purple) which is a soft bamboo/merino/silk blend. I am going to use the single balls to do the toes, heels and cuffs like Nachaele did.

I also purchased this soft as butter Blue Sky Organic Cotton in a lovely rich brick color to make the tank pattern pictured. I can't wait to wear this in the summer.

On the first visit to Serendipity I found this beautiful pattern in the Louisa Harding Summer Classics Book.
Which I intend to make in this color of Louisa Harding Jasmine. A cotton/bamboo/silk/polyester blend. I love this color! I also plan on adding an inch or two so that the lace does not fall upon my belly roll.
And I finally purchased the Yarn Play book. I had bought some gorgeous yarn from Los Vigiles Living Arts Fibers for the sweater (Poppy) on the cover last year. I wish they had a website, but this is the only link I have for them. Rose Vigil the owner will be teaching and selling her beautiful fibers at the Wool Festival in Estes this coming June. This project will probably not be started until next fall or winter, but since I was in spend mode, I figured I should get the book now.
I was also thrilled to finally get to ogle/fondle the Noro sock yarn. Although it is not the softest, I have been told that washing with conditioner helps, so how could I resist the beautiful Noro colors?

So on my 2nd trip to Serendipity I picked up some On Line yarn to make this fabulous scarf that Karlene had shared with us during show and tell. It was so much fun to knit. I started it Sat. evening and had it done Sunday. I wish I had learned German from my father so I could find the link to the pattern.
I also bought some in purple for Maddie to make one for herself, and if she doesn't do it soon I may have to knit it for her because it was so fun.
From Marilyn, who sells Black Water Abbey Yarns, I purchased this gorgeous pattern which I intend to knit using a pretty wool/cashmere blend in shades of red.
I also got this cute sock pattern from her.
And these gorgeous buttons for the Kerry sweater kit I had previously purchased and intend to knit at some point in time. She really has some of the most beautiful patterns and shades of yarn.

And finally we returned to Knit Nook for one last shopping fix in which I purchased this pretty Happy Feet yarn. I am going to make the Chevron scarf with the two different shades and then socks to match.

I have noticed that often the color of sock yarns I purchase are not necessarily the colors I wear. So with that in mind I bought the following two skeins of Jitterbug.
I wish I could capture the true colors of this skein, it is mainly black with some rich colored accents.
These skeins were only $.50 so I figured I could use them to make baby socks since they are only 200 yards a piece and they were orphans.
And lastly I was so kindly gifted this gorgeous Lorna's Laces in Tuscany from Leanne which I had been eyeing for quite some time. Thank you Leanne. :)
And as you can see, I managed to fill my sock yarn basket to the brim. So I either need to learn self restraint or buy myself a bigger basket. Which do you think will happen?

Knitting Getaway Part One

Ahh the joys of escaping it all and spending a weekend knitting the time away amidst the company of distinguished women. Yes this is how I spent the past weekend, at a lovely B&B called Liar's Lodge. I arrived Thurs afternoon, having carpooled with my friends Leanne and Nachelle, and having made a stop at a new LYS in Conifer. It was a lovely store with a great selection and I of course was able to find some wonderful yarns to purchase. I was also fortunate to add the store as a customer and they now carry Creative Process stitch markers! Yay!

After settling in we dined in town at a local Mexican restaurant. Mmm I must say the shrimp enchiladas were quite tasty and Connie the owner of the Lodge did inform us that calories only count as half at that altitude. A fact that I indeed took advantage over the weekend.

Friday was spent knitting and shopping at Serendipity ( I will post later about all my purchases). We also had a lovely lunch at Mother's and then enjoyed a tasty dinner made by Connie. That evening we participated in a gift exchange that was an enormous amount of fun. I received a beautiful scarf kit in vibrant oranges from Barb. It was as if it were picked just for me. I guess wrapping isn't everything since I picked the present in the trash bag! I was pleased for Judy to receive the present I provided. I hope she like the goodies I selected. There were some really wonderful gifts, I think everyone made out quite well. We were also the recipients of an adorable sheep pin and knitting mints from Judy.

Through out the weekend we were not alone. Often mule deer could be found roaming the property. They were most plentiful in the evening hours, when we would see as many as thirty grazing at a time.

Although, a one did make an appearance at breakfast, dining along the river banks.

The views and weather were lovely and seasonal. Although I waited to take pictures of the scenery until Sunday, just as a storm was moving in.

I slept in the loft of one of the bedrooms and directly above my bed was a large window with these beautiful views. At night I could look up and see the star filled sky above my head.
We were just on the edge of the Arkansas river, which stirred in me a desire to go rafting this summer. I think a long weekend at the lodge with the family will be a great escape this coming season.
But beyond the shopping, the food, the view and the presents, the greatest part of the trip was truly the people. Reuniting with old friends and making new ones was a joy. These are some of the greatest women I am proud to know.
We had such a wonderful time sharing stories, skills, projects and laughter. The great fellowship is what will always entice me to return.
We wrapped it up on Sunday and headed back home and to the reality of daily life, but not with out one more stop in Conifer for a last fix.

So in Part II I will share all the goodies acquired on the trip!

Hello April

Well so far it has been a busy Spring. Lets hope that April is a little calmer. I did manage to finish Buster2 this past month in time for my friend's baby shower.

I used Rowan Wool Cotton for this one and really enjoyed working with it. It is size 1-2years.

And in a blink of an eye this little cutie will be big enough to wear it, whether Liz is ready or not! Isn't Julian just the most precious little guy. I couldn't stop sniffing his baby head, taking in that unduplicatable baby smell.

And look who followed me home today! He was looking so lonely on clearance at Hobby Lobby I just had to adopt him into my flock.

Any suggestions on a name for the precious ewe?

I was also busy buying presents for my FCS3 person. The bag is starting to fill with all sorts of crafty goodies. I sure do enjoy surprise shopping. Just a few things left to add and then off it will go next week.
And lastly here is the afghan a bunch of us knitters made for our dear friend Nicole . I hope it brings her warmth and comfort and she tackles chemo. I feel fortunate to know we have such a great network of knitters with generous charitable hearts. I pray I never need such an outpouring but I am so grateful to know that the support system is there. Well I am off to finish packing for a weekend retreat in the mountains. I can't wait. Leanne is picking me up at noon tomorrow and we are meeting Nachelle and then heading on up to Buena Vista. So far I have presents, wine, m&ms, wine, diet pepsi, and more wine packed. I think I better get on the rest or I am going to be naked with nothing to knit.