Well, well..................

This is a trip down memory lane.  So much has happened since my last post.  Does anyone still have this little old site on their feeds anymore?

Back to a Life..........

We have moved house. Above is my new den and I love it. As you can see I chose my WWII knitting poster as the inspiration.



Life has changed much since my last post, but things are finally balancing out. I like my job, but for the last two years it has been all consuming. The project is still intense, but there are more people up-to-speed who are of great help.


The knitting will now begin!
Have a great day.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.............

This is what travels with me, city to city. All my tech-y goodies. All geeks can stop drooling now.
Today is my last day in Monterey. I am surprised at how much I will miss the staff here. They are an incredible bunch and have moved this project along more than they know. I have made two close friends here and will miss them both very much. Monica I will see, as she works for the same company and Jaki is an amazing knitter ,who I will see on Ravelry. "People" are truely the silver lining in this travel cloud.
I will be home for two weeks, so back to my "homies" at Knitique.

Have a great day!

For Home and Hearth........

For home and hearth, I thank all who serve. May I be as stead-fast in service and never forget those who have sacrificed themselves for us. As a nation, we may not be perfect, but we have the heart, strength and courage to always strive to be better. As American's we sometimes forget, that fighting for freedom is often easier than the responsibility of using that freedom appropriately.

Freedom is neither free, nor without responsibility.

Have a great day.

My Morning Walks

Each morning I haul myself out of bed for this:

And walk along the shore/rocks to this:

then across the street for this:

Needless to say, mornings are my favorite time of day.

Have a great day!

Liza's Cup Sleeve with Stopper Holder

"What" you say? Well I have a little pattern for you, but first, pictures:

One Venti Soy Hazelnut Steamer with a new tapered Sweater, accessorized with the

ever-elusive green Starbuck's stopper.

This multi-function garment, not only keeps your drinks warm, but helps you keep track of that ever-elusive Starbuck's stopper.

They are great with cold drinks too. Keeps the condensation away and the drink cold longer.

Liza’s Stopper Cup Sleeve

Gauge 21 = 4 inches ( this needs to be a firm fabric, or your cup will slip out of the holder when full)

Needles = US size 4 DPN

Yarn = Echo Yarn Worsted Weight Superwash Wool (wool will felt from extended use, so chose a superwash and knit it tight. One ball will make three, easily.


CO 36 (Longtail is best) join to knit in the round.
Rows 1 thru 7 - work in 1x1 ribbing
Row 8 - increase 1 (closed increase) in the first stitch, then knit the remainder of the row.
Rows 9 thru 11 – knit all
Rows 12 thru 19 - Repeat rows 8 thru 11, two more times (you will have a total of 19 rows)
Row 20 - increase 1 (closed increase) in the first stitch, then knit the remainder of the row.
Row 21 – BO 1 stitch, knit to end of row
Row 22 – CO 1 stitch, knit to end of row
Rows 23 thru 27 – knit all
Row 28 – Repeat row 21
Row 29 – Repeat row 22
Rows 30 thru 32 – knit all
Rows 33 thru 39 – work in 1x1 ribbing
BO loosely
Weave in ends

Keep in mind this has only been knitt by me, with no official test knitting. If you find errors in the pattern.....................................good for you!

Have a great day!

Monterey Memory Shawl

I've decided to knit something from each place I am in this year. Each city will be three weeks (at least) so why not have something to remember it by.

Started 5-5-08
Yarn: Organic 50%wool/50%cotton
Needles: US 8 Addi Lace Turbos
Pattern: My own, with fishtail lace stitch pattern.

The entire shawl reminds me of Monterey.

Have a great day!

My hotel room

I am back in Monterey for the next 4 weeks. Fortunately, for me, the only rooms left were suites........................................Sweet!

I have made some friends here over the last 2.5 months and have enjoyed getting to know them. The best knitting shop around is Monarch Knits in Pacific Grove.

To my friends at Knitique...........................come knit on my balcony!

Have a great day!

Well hello there.................

I have been in Monterey/Carmel for the last 2.5 months.
If you have to get stuck somewhere for that long, Monterey is the place to be. Great people and fabulous scenery.

Not much knitting going on, but I am going to try to blog more. *Note to self* bring the damn camera next time.

Have a great day!

Zune

 

This little baby came to me this weekend.  The husband knows how much I love the geek stuff.

30 gig of memory for music, movies and photos.

HEAVEN.  I will be traveling for work again for most of 2008.  Ugh.  But this will keep me company and entertained during flights (on time and delayed)

Have a great day.

Nifty Mags

 

These were sent to me by some lovely person.

A note was attached, but no name. 

It could be my SP11 spoiler, but I am not sure. 

Whomever it is...........I love it!

These are vintage issues from classic old Mags.  Included in one, were handwritten notes. 

Pretty Cool.

Have a great day.

Where is the knitting......

When you figure it out, do let me know.  It's not as if I'm not knitting, just exploring other stuff as well.  Like cooking!  Who knew an empty nest meant freedom from short order chef life?  Hello!

Coq Au Vin

From this.............................

to this................................

Thank you Julia Child, you lovely woman.

Have a great day.

Ravelry YES!

It's official.  I am now on Ravelry.

Does anything else matter?  I just have to figure out how to run it from my PDA.

It only took me a day to figure out I needed to join the ravelholics anonymous group, straight away.

If you haven't put yourself on the waiting list yet, do.  Ravelry is amazing.

Have a great day.

Random Thoughts........

 

RT#1.  5x8 index cards are the glue holding my world together.  I use them for everything.  Notes, lists, bookmarks, project/chapter outlines, paper plates, in a pinch.

RT#2.  Target is the western equivalent of Mecca.  I swear I go there 5 times a day (some days) and everyone should make the journey as least once in their life. 

RT#3.  Sewing is not for wimps.   Damned dangerous affair.  Cutters, needles and irons.  A girl could get seriously hurt!

RT#4.  Laundry rooms should be bigger!  With tables! And Cupboards! 

But, most of all...................on the same floor as the bedrooms!

RT#5.  96 days till Christmas.  KNIT!

 

Stuff I Do/Love.........

 

Tomato Salad and homemade crackers

Queen Cakes

Shrimp Tacos with black bean Salsa and

Pineapple Water

Craft time with the Grandbabies

My Big lovely bed!

Harvest time - Could it really be Autumn?

Have a Great Day!

SP11 and Sockapalooza 4

Well first off, I have to tell you I think I may have the best Secret Pal ever!
She must have read my mind because without it being on my
questionnaire,or anywhere on my blog,
she sent me just what I was going to make next!
My oldest daughter and her husband are expecting a new baby
at Christmas time. A little boy, who will be named William.
So how perfect was it, when I opened my parcel and found this?
A perfect pattern and the yarn to go with it.
Thank you so much Secret Pal!

I also received my Sockapalooza 4 socks.
You can read about them and see a picture on my Sock Pals Blog.
Have a great day!

Secret Pal 11

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love anything natural. I do not care for acrylic or microfiber
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Different containers. I am looking for some sort of DPN holder that will hold a few sets of needles for socks
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? 23 years, advanced
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes
5. What's your favorite scent? Lavendar
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Spin, gardening
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Classical Music is my favorite
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? All deep, jewel and natural tones.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Children are grown, just me and my lovely husband
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, socks and shawls
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Shawls and socks
13. What are you knitting right now? A scarf for my son
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Absolutely
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circular for most things. DPN for socks
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes
17. How old is your oldest UFO? 1 month
18. What is your favorite holiday? New Years
19. Is there anything that you collect? Old knitting books, posters etc.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? My grandson will be born in December. I am looking for good baby bootie patterns.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Turkish knitting
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? YES> 9.5 inches long and 10 inches around
23. When is your birthday? August 624. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? No. I am not worthy YET.

Done --- Yeah!

Sockapalooza 4 socks are done and will be mailed tomorrow. I am 5 days late. Bad Me!

Day 6 Scrumble

Day 6 Scrumble

It's Friday. YEAH.

Highlight of the Week:

My perspective has changed. Maybe due to the ugly little scrumble. Thought of scrapping it a few times, but I don't think I will. Just because it is an ugly little thing, doesn't mean it can't serve a purpose. We'll see.

Have a great day.

Day 5 Scrumble

Day 5 of Scrumble

It is amazing how perspective changes with just one addition. Somehow I like this little mess more today.

Have a great day.