Well Ian could not be the only kid sporting a new hat. I made these for little A and Madison, they chose the pattern and colors. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

(I never want to make a pom-pom again.)

So much extra time!

Well the one benefit of the economy is increased craft time. I got laid off from my job last week so now I have a bit of free time on my hands. I only worked 10 hours but it still consumed time, if I had a 10am meeting I didn't really have time to do anything in between dropping A off and leaving for the meeting, same deal in the afternoon...so essentially a few hours at the office would take up most my 8-3 time. Any way.....I've been busy trying to put my time to good use. I finally finished the tussah silk I have been spinning since this summer. I must say silk is a joy to spin, I love the way it has such strength and yet seems so delicate. I ended up with 770 yds of lace weight from 4 oz. I am thinking of making a shawl with it, just waiting for the right pattern to pop out at me. A triangle shawl might accent the long color repeats better but rect. shawl is appealing as well. Luckily Christie gave me another escape clause, casting on for this will not be a new project but merely a continuation of the same one. Thanks Christie!
I received a gift card for Joanne's from a friend for Christmas and finally got around to using it this week. I found this sock yarn there that is actually pretty nice, it is 50/25/25 wool, bamboo, nylon blend and was only $4 a skein. (blogger is posting my pics sideways again.)


So if you turn your head you can see I also bought some scrapbooking stuff. I think these will make some lovely cards and am eager to start working on cards and scrapbooks again. Those supplies in my craft room have been quite ignored, yet somehow they have managed to multiply. I also want to use some of my time to get making some more stitch markers and get my business back up and going again, I have kind of ignored it and haven't actively tried to get any new business, so now that I lost my yarn fund, I mean job the extra dough might be nice.

I also bought this at Joanne's. It is super cool and does an awesome job of making i-cord, the only drawback is it doesn't do worsted or heavier weights.

And lastly with my time I have been on another big organizational frenzy. I hit Staples and loaded up on P-touch tape and went hog wild in my closet and craft room. Now all my purses are labeled so I will start using more than just the one I always seem to carry.

And all my boots too. I forgot I had some of them.

And it had been quite a while since the shoes were updated with labels for the newest purchases. No more digging around trying to find the right pair or forgetting about the pair I love but somehow got lost in the masses. Dh drew the line when I went to put the "husband " label on his forehead. Someday me and my p-touch will organize the whole world!!

An escape clause!!!

Indeed I have managed to use my little escape clause to the maximum. Remember how I said I would not start any new projects until I finished my old ones? Well I also said EXCEPT for gifts. So guess who is feeling generous?

This scarf is a gift for my Aunt Maria as a thank you for letting us stay with her during our recent CA visit. This project was fast once the yarn finally decided what it wanted to be.

This was mystery yarn I purchased sometime ago on ebay. I had two skeins of it and wrongfully assumed that both skeins would be the same yardage. With that assumption in mind I knitted my way gleefully through the Hug Me Boucle Shawl. The concept was simple, knit until you finish half your yarn and then start to decrease to knit the other half. Well guess what, the two skeins were indeed not of the same yardage and this is where it ended.
Too bad too, because I really like the pattern. I think I may use it in the future with this boucle in my stash. However next time I will measure it out on my niddy noddy and give myself some room for error.
Frog, Frog, Frog was in my future.

After several different attempts at several different scarves with different needle sizes and gauges, I ended up doubling the yarn and using size 19 needles to whip this out. I sorta was at the end of my rope with this yarn and wanted to get this shipped out sometime this millennium. I kept with the yarn over pattern of the shawl and I think it turned out pretty well.

It isn't super long, but the yarn has a lot of elasticity to it, and besides it is more for accessorizing than utility given CA's mild weather.

The next gift was made at the bequest of my 17 year old son. Now it is a rare day when Ian takes any interest in my hobbies. The beautiful scarf that I so painstakingly made out of my own seat of my pants pattern, in my early knitting days to boot, alas ended up in the corner of his closet to be left behind when we moved. So although I was delighted for the request I also knew that this time I wouldn't be whipping out the luxury alpaca for this project, especially when this was the inspiration I was given directly from him.

He seems to be quite appreciative and happy with the end result. At least that is what I am assuming by the fact that he hasn't stopped wearing it. 17 year old boys aren't ones to gush their gratitude. I used Plymoth Encore and this pattern and heavily modified it, but luckily kept good notes because now both siblings want matching ones.
Btw, I did manage to do a few rounds on the infamous mom sweater, so I'm not slacking too badly.

I'm a Godmother!!!!

Now I don't think I am biased at all, but I do believe other than my children this is the most handsome little guy I have ever seen. Welcome to the world baby Grey Hudson. You are already loved by so many people. I am so thrilled to be your Godmother. Congrats Mariah, you will be an excellent mother. Just remember they do grow into little monkey boys! Ha Ha....inside joke. (well most mothers of boys should get it).

Grey Hudson

Jan 29th 2009

7lb 14 oz

20 3/4 in.

100% adorable

and he comes with that heavenly new baby fresh smell. My heart swoons.

Woo Hoo I finished something!

In sticking with my New Year's resolution I have been working on my UFOs. Monday night I finally finished these socks that have been in my knitting bag since April. I don't know if I was really stressed in April when I did the first one or super relaxed when I did most the knitting on the second one this past Sunday, but there is a huge difference between them. April sock has 18 repeats and Sunday sock has 16 and is also a wee bit loose. It also affected how the yarn worked up.
Anyhoo I am pretty happy that they are done and I can cross something off the list!

Socks for Veronique
Panda Silk
size 1 needles
Started April 2008
Finished Jan. 26th

I left my heart in San Francisco but came back with a full suitcase.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Santa Rosa for my dear cousin Olivia's (2nd from the right) baby shower. She is expecting a baby boy this May and many of the family came together to celebrate. It was so nice to see many of the 25 cousins I have. (not to mention the 11, soon to be 12 2nd cousins). This picture is sorta a one of these things is not like the other. I swear I am related and I am Mexican, my mom just happened not to marry another Mexican, hence my gringo appearance. I must say we do have a good looking family.

Now in this picture everyone looks like each other. I swear the older they get the more my mom and her sisters look alike.

This is the hat and baby kimono I made out of Paton's cotton tots for Olivia's baby. I didn't know it was a boy until the shower hence the neutral colors. I brought along my trusty yarn shop travel guide and managed to sneak in a few visits to some LYSs. The first shop I went to in Santa Rosa was Cast Away. They had a wonderful selection of Blue Sky Alpaca yarns but nothing local, at least that I could find. The person working never addressed me or offered assistance the whole 10 minutes I was there, so hence I left empty handed.

Now Knitterly in Petaluma was a whole different story. It was a delightful shop with a very friendly staff who eagerly helped me find some local yarn. They even let me take pictures. I think if I lived here this would definitely be my hang out. I love the felted ball curtain that hangs in the front door, too cute.

This is the local artisan yarn I purchased. The Royal Hare is the indie dyer and this sock yarn is called Russian River Rose. I just couldn't pass it up with a name so perfect for remembrance of my trip.

I also bought this beautiful optim roving because I have been dying to try optim and the price couldn't be beat.

While on my mini vacation I did manage to fit in some knitting as well. I finished the Sweet Pea set for Mariah and am thrilled I completed it before the little guy has joined us.

On Sunday I traveled with my Mother and Aunts to San Francisco. I wanted to do something a bit different this time since I have seen Fisherman's wharf more times than I can count. So we headed to Japantown.

Here I was able to purchase some great presents for the kids and maybe a thing or two for me. I bought bento boxes for Maddie, Little A and I. All of the accoutrements are too adorable to pass up. I love the little sauce containers and the animal food picks. I also picked up a quirky little red notions bag, a tea bag dish (gifted to me by Aunt Esther) and some chocolate at Ghirardelli Square.

But the most awesome purchase was this kick ass bag that I fell in love with. Already my daughter has tried to steal it but I am resolved to keep it. It is made by Angry Little Girls and is just awesome. I have a feeling I am going to buy more of their stuff in the future, it is so hilarious and cool. You have to give it a look.

So overall it was a quite enjoyable trip spent with family and friends and a nice dash of fiber. Next time I will not wait 6 years between visits. My heart always belongs to San Francisco.

Please say a prayer

Yesterday a dear friend of mine lost her husband in the pile up on I70. He was only 37 years old and a father to two young boys, one of which attends 1st grade with my son. This is so very tragic, if you could all say a prayer for them and keep them in your thoughts I would appreciate it. Ladies, give your husbands a big hug tonight and tell them you love them. The world can turn upside down so quickly and we need to take the time to appreciate all we have been given.

Holy Knitting Batman, A Post with Knitting Content!

Happy New Year!!!!!

And to celebrate I am finally going to share some FOs!!!! Here is my lovely Noro scarf that I am madly in love with.

I'm sure you have seen it before on Brooklyn Tweed and The Yarn Harlot's blogs, but even though it has been knitted by the masses it still enthralled me and held my interest the entire time. I am eager to make more, but we will address that later in my resolutions.
For Maddie's skating coach I knit these Princess Mitts from the Book of Yarn. They were a really quick and fun knit. It is the first time I have done cables from a chart and it was a great intro that gave me confidence in my chart reading skills.


I used Ultra Alpaca a 50/50 wool alpaca blend. I am so happy with how they turned out I plan to make a pair for myself with the other skein I have of this yarn. I sure hope her coach liked them.


And although I didn't get it finished in time for the shower, I should have this project done before Mariah's baby makes an appearance. I am using this sport weight merino that I hand painted.

To make Sweet Pea.


The hat is finished, although for some reason Blogger is posting my pictures sideways, and the gown is 75% done. I can't wait to see him in it!

On the spinning front, I am working on spinning for a sweater. I am blending on my drum carder a blf x shetland with suri alpaca for a 50/50 blend. So far I have 6.5 oz and 350 yards completed.

I am planning on making the Town and Country sweater (the cardigan) from A Fine Fleece. So far it is going well and is a joy to spin. My swatch turned our pretty well so I think I am on track. Turn your head and you will see it is moss stitch.I have also been spinning this delightful tussah silk I bought from Sqoosh on Etsy. On this bobbin is 2oz, half of what I have to spin and who knows how many yards.

As you can see I am spinning it quite fine. I think spinning lace weight can really make your budget stretch with the amount of spinning time you can eek out of a small amt. of fiber. And lastly as I have touched on I have indeed made some resolutions for the new year. Besides all the usual get healthy and exercise standards, I have included a knitting resolution. This year I intend to finish all my UFOs that are lying around, which included the infamous Philospher's Wool sweater for my mother. I will not start any other new projects other than gifts until all these projects are complete. Off the top of my head the list is:

The Philosopher's Sweater

The Minimalist Cardigan

One Sock for Veronique-really for me, that is just the name

Rainy Day Scarf for Aunt Esther

Ribbed scarf for dh

editted to add: Fletcher in Noro Iro

and one more...the fitted tank in Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton

So not too many projects, but enough to keep me busy this first quarter. Hopefully by the time these are completed I will be done spinning my yarn and will be able to begin the Town and Country.

Wish me luck!

Merry Christmas To All

Although I've been scarce I thought I would pop in here to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone is enjoying time with friends and family and cherishing the spirit of the season. I should be posting some awesome FOs soon! Merry Christmas.

I am not a cabochon.

Today was our 2nd anniversary. As many of you know we have been together far longer than these two years. As he is so good at doing, I was quite indulged this year. After working I had a mani and pedi, an hour and half massage and then got dressed and ready to go to dinner at The Black Cat in Boulder. Dinner was amazing, the lamb pancetta, a petite morsure was everything that lamb should be,truly the highlight of the meal. He bought me gorgeous gold earrings I have been eyeing forever as well as sexy lingerie and the romance package is awaiting us Friday night at the Westin. But the best gift he gave me were these words "You are not a cabochon". These words ring so true and came as I voiced my unease as we slid into the Bside lounge to elude the chill of Pearl street on the way to our car in the midst of bass and drum night. I was frocked in a pretty silk skirt with proper heels, my familiar LV purse and demure Burberry trench. How could I feel so out of place here when I can feel contented at a goth night dressed in red vinyl and fishnets? Because my dear, you are a gem, he tells me. You are not a cabochon. You have many facets that make you shine.

Indeed some nights I am the goth party girl, having the time of my life with the hordes of people I know in that world, but that is merely one facet. I am also the friend that would give you everything to make you happy. I bare my soul to those I love, not hiding flaws but accepting that we are all gems that are beautiful though some times we have inclusions.
I am the mother who gives all that I have to my children, my time, my love, my honesty and my humility. Each day not only do I try to be a better parent but I keep my eyes open, learning from them how to be a better person. I am many things that only my dear husband sees. I am strong, and at times I am feeble. I am impatient and impulsive, emotional and passionate. I am not perfect, I am aspiring. These words comforted like a warm blanket in a time of self doubt. So thank you dear husband for the best gift. And every day I can live knowing that I am not a cabochon and my husband loves my facets.