I'm Back...

Let me just say how sorry I am that I have completely neglected my responsibilities toward the upkeep of this blog. It's funny how life can bombard you with so many things at once and throw a curve ball in your leisure time.

My sticks were on strike for a while, but have recently decided to get back to work. I am currently working on a crocheted prayer shawl and knitted baby blocks blanket; pictures would have been included in this post, but it appears my batteries in my digital camera need a boost.

Since my "brief" hiatus from the world of Blogging, I have returned to a new and improved Blogger site and have just been introduced to the wonderful world of Ravelry. In the past month, I joined the Dallas Hand Knitter's Guild and the Hand Knitter's Guild of North Texas. I have also attended two Knit Out & Crochet Too events, met several new knitters, and got reacquainted with a lot of my former knitting friends. It's been awesome to see how so many have progressed in their knitting skills and techniques in such a short time, as have some of you--my Blogger faves.

Stay tuned for future posts and photos....

My Secret Pal is Better Than Yours!!!!

Would you look at this package! I don't even know where to begin with this bounty of Knit Picks goodies. Since this blog, which I've neglected for far too long by the way, is about knitting, I'll have to start with this lovely array of yarn. I love the Gloss hanks in Woodland Sage--reminds me of the Tropics. My Essential Tweed in Inca Gold is a beautiful earthy golden brown with little hints of color--these skeins are shouting at me to put them on the needles; and Dancing in Square Dance looks like it's going to have a beautiful colorway. I can now feed my new found sock addiction with my new nickel-plated double pointed needles in Size 1, 2. I'll have to test them out with the Autumn leaves sock pattern (not pictured). I'm kissing those scraped up DPNs goodbye. I can store all this knit goodness inside my new KIPer Knitting/Tool Bags--my favorite gift of all. SP, you must have been reading my mind because I just saw this in the new Knit Picks catalog and was debating on whether I should order it. I'm so excited about my gifts. I only hope your SP spoiled you above and beyond what you did for me. Please reveal yourself so I can thank you properly. Thanks SP for everything. ;-)

 

I'm Still Alive...

Unfortunately, there is no new knitting to report because the Texas heat has caused me to lay my needles to rest. But my weekend purchases of the fall issues of Vogue Knitting, Knit Simple and Interweave Knits have given me new inspiration. I'll keep you 'posted'. :-)

Westies on Canvas

My boss's birthday always leaves me in a predicament of what to get her for a gift. I mean what do you get someone who already has pretty much everything? Well, being the frugal person that I am, I happen to come across this crewel set in the craft store. My boss loves all things Westie, so I figured this is something sweet and simple and a no brainer. I've completed several cross stitch patterns in my past, but this was my first crack at crewel and it went by pretty smoothly if I don't say so myself. I wrapped up the artwork and included a gift card to Hobby Lobbby so she could select her framing. She loved it and has it framed in her home with all her other Westie collectibles. I was so relieved she enjoyed it. Now I've got to try and come up with another ingenious gift idea for next year. Oh well, I have another 365 days to mull it over.

 

Secret Pal Bounty!!!

Anticipation overtook me when I found one of those tiny parcel post pick up notices in my mailbox yesterday. I jumped out of bed this morning to get an early start and make a run for the post office before driving into work. And what to my wandering eyes did appear--a priority package with yarn and edible treats so dear. ;-)

I got a rainbow of colors in the Lily Sugar 'n Creme cotton yarn to add to my dishcloth stash (my kitchen and knitting needles thank you), Opal sock yarn (my new found addiction thanks you), pretty knitting note cards and my all time favorite Reeses Pieces (my taste buds and expanding hip line thanks you)!

Thank you SP!!!!

Mrs. Knitter & Pearl

Would you look at this cuteness! While lurking around on my daily blog scroll, I came across a photo of Mrs. Knitter & Pearl, a Bearington's Bear Collection through Avon. Once I saw it, I scrounged around on Ebay and tracked a seller who carried them. TGF Ebay!

 

Birthday Cupcakes with Thing 1 & Thing 2

I love spending time with my niece and nephew, whom I lovingly refer to as Thing 1 & Thing 2! June 1st was my sister's birthday so I took the crumb snatchers off their hands at BILs request so they could enjoy the weekend and remember what life was like pre-Thing 1 & Thing 2. My niece, Thing 1, loves to be in the kitchen with Auntie Angel (pretty much the only time I'm in the kitchen) and has suggested baking cupcakes for her Mama's birthday. So Sunday after church and a trip to Cici's Pizza we stop by the store where Thing 1 & Thing 2 have selected a vanilla cake mix with cream cheese frosting. We get home, pull out the mixer and start baking.

Thing 2, my nephew, is partially entertained with his favorite Pixar DVD (which we've viewed in non-stop rotation) but decides he wants to get in on the action too. So Thing 1, who is just as bossy as her mother, informs Thing 2 that his responsibility will be placing the cup cake liners in the muffin tin. Thing 2 is pleased and does as he's told. Surprisingly this keeps him occupied the entire time as he practices counting the cups 1-12; baking and math, who knew!

We bake the cupcakes, slap on the frosting, lay on the sprinkles and stick in the candles. We set the cupcakes on a silver platter and wait for the birthday girl to arrive. After all this work, Sis and BIL return to Auntie Angel's home to retrieve Thing 1 & Thing 2 who are now sleepy and ready for bed. Luckily, Sis got to blow out her candles and eat her treats. They turned out very well I might add--not from stratch, but pretty close.



I asked my Sis if she enjoyed her weekend and what she did with all that free time. Her response and I quote, "I cleaned up the house a bit and went to the office to catch up on work. I don't know what to do with all that time on my hands without my kids." God bless her!

Love you Sis, Happy Birthday!