Fibery Goodness

Yea, I stole my title from a great podcaster, Meghan from Stitch-It, she has a fantastic podcast and you should check it out. She is also the inspiration/instigator for my container garden and my Artisan bread obsession.

I went to my first fiber event yesterday the 5th of June. I went with a knitter friend and we had a blast. I bought yarn for a shawl project and some fiber and a spindle from a horrible enabler, Highland Handmades. They offered me a slight deal to encourage me to try the spinning thing. We'll see about that. It is hard and I'm trying to get my legs(or hands) under me and I figure out the process. Here is what I saw!!



He is a pretty pretty beast!!



Very cute!



Yarn for my Mystery KAL - Lizbeth Shawl by She-Knits



My fiber, 100%BFL(in Vikings colors) and my Cherry Spindle
from Highland Handmades



My first attempts at spinning encouraged by Tina and other trouble makers

WAAAaaayyyyy too long

How does there get to be such huge gaps in my posting? i think facebook takes over a bit with the updating.

Summer Summary:

I am dating a phenominal man, Jeremy. Here is our first camping trip.


We had a great time camping and have hiked all over Mid Coast Maine. I have had one of the best summers ever. He is truely a phenominal person and enhances my life in so many ways...

I have just recently got my knitting mojo back. It was a great summer and i spent so much time outside, i didn't have time to knit!! But it's getting chilly and I am knitting more and more. Starting to learn about socks and if I want to knit socks... I like it so far! :) We'll see. I'm gonna hit up the Knit Picks 40% off book sale... Got a great surprise in my paycheck and I'm gonna treat myself. it's been a hard summer financially, so I'm gonna get a little treat!! I'll try to update more often!!!

Been a while!!!

Well, life has been insane and I don't have the time to post it all here, but here is my latest finished object... MY CLAPOTIS!!!! It is made from Schaefer Yarn Anne, a gorgeous yarn that turned out beautiful. Here are some pics. I liked the pattern but the middle seemed to go on forever. But I love the pattern and the yarn and want to make another one.


I'm getting ready to start work in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the prep is getting stressful... I'll try to start posting more again... now that I'll have interesting stuff to post!

Today is my Blogiversary!

I was so excited. I had planned to do a contest for my blogiversary... and then I was unemployed, and not by choice. I still may do one this month, maybe give away a set of my stitch markers. What should the contest be? Anyone have any ideas for me? I'll listen to any and all ideas... if I pick yours, you'll get a couple extra entries!!

I got a lovely surprise package from JavaNut. She is my cyber friend from Cali that I know through the She-Knits podcast. It's like one of the best out there... in my opinion!! She sent me a bunch of recycled Sari Silk(gonna make a bag I think), 1/2 skein of Malabrigo, and some lace yarn. She also sent some cotton, chocolate and tea!! I felt so loved that day. I really needed that pick me up. Maybe someday i can return the favor to her. She deserves it so much!

Here is what I made with the Malabrigo, at the suggestion of Java:



It is a gorgeous teal color and if I do move up to northern NY, then they will come in handy this fall. it was my first project using Malabrigo, Magic Loop and cables... I loved the yarn, the magic loop and the cables were a bit annoying(it gets so tight!)... and I will NOT be diving into socks anytime soon. Too much. But people sure do make great socks! :)

Well, put down your ideas for a contest and we'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll do one anyway... the markers are small enough that it's not too expensive to ship! :)

Yarn Thing! and Work=Boring

Today, work was boring... classroom work always is for me. I would rather be flying then sitting in a square room, listening to people yap all day.... Thank god i don't work in an office... ARGH! But anyway, I have the rest of this week to put up with that! Oh well, at least its just once a year or so.

The Yarn Thing is awesome!!! She has a hilarious podcast, which I highly recommend, and she is having a contest... go check her out! If you make it through more then 3 minutes without laughing out loud, then something is wrong with you!! She is a riot!!! Enjoy!! She is giving away all kinds of goodies!!!

Have a great Tuesday tomorrow.

Just had to share...

"

I saw this cartoon and just had to share!!!

Happy Sunday!!

MY FIRST ETSY SALE!!

So I had my first etsy sale last night!!! Wendy has had a few of her things sell, but this is my first... This is what I sent out to Colorado!

I was so excited... I was jumping around!! I ran around and got it packaged up last night and put it in the mail box last night. They are safely on their way to Colorado, to their new owner!! I hope she loves them. She said she might be interested in ordering more, so I am on a stitch marker making mad rush!! YEA!!!







I am also hoping to get out to Albany, New York tomorrow to see my St. Cloud State Huskies play in the National Hockey Tournament. GO HUSKIES!!! I will be meeting our beloved Aunt Kathy.

I really hope it works out and the flights are good so I can get there... I am so excited!! YEA!!

The family just gets bigger....

So I am the oldest of the the grandchildren on both sides of my HUGE family!! My dad's youngest brother(Greg) and his wife(Anne) just added the youngest yesterday(Lydia, I am pretty sure)!!! Mom and baby are doing well. I just mailed the blanket I made for her today... so it will go out priority mail tomorrow and get them quickly I hope. It's a 29 year spread between the oldest and youngest! So crazy!! Here are the goodies that were in the box.(oh, and a little shirt with an airplane on it... I know, I know!)

Little green hat and matching booties for Lydia.


Little hat for Big Sister Kelanie!!



And here is the blanket for Lydia. Nice soft yellow in a pinwheel pattern... I love it!!
Oh and here is a picture of the Proud big sister from February.









Here is the newest addition:

Lydia Claire
March 15, 2008
4:07 pm
7 lbs, 1 oz
19" long


Here are both of them together!!!
Kelanie and Lydia

New stuff and brother update

Quick update on the brother. He called this morning to wish me a belated birthday. He felt bad... I wasn't worried. He's had a bit of a crazy week to say the least. I wasn't worried about a late phone call. I was excited that he called!! He is feeling great!! YEA!! Big sis is very happy!! He is still having fun and taking recovery very seriously. He is eating a lot of spaghetti in a can, shakes, smoothies, and ice cream!! He just sounds so good. One of the best things is that he has quit smoking!! Doctor told him it would take 2 to 3 times longer to heal if he didn't quit.

Well, Mr. Involved wants to be playing cricket and watching rugby... so he has quit, which he says has also helped him feel so much better. He is headed for the beach on Saturday(which is right now, since he is 14 hours ahead in the world!) He's so funny. When he is talking to the Aussie's, he gets the cutest accent... oh, the girl's are gonna love that, if he comes back to the states. He has spoke about trying to figure out a way to get a work visa and stay over there. He absolutely loves everything about Australia, despite the bad things that happened last week. He's a trooper. I wouldn't expect any less from him!! I'm such a proud big sister!!

Well, I found out that we are allowed to paint this one wall in the apartments I'm living in. So, now it is blue... I love it!! I think Wilbur(the fish) likes it too!!! So, much better then boring white!!

Oh and I made this for a little family member that will soon be a big sister!! Mommy is due on Easter and I think the big sister would like a little present when the new arrival gets all the attention. I think it is super cute!! And I crocheted it!! Yea for me!

Forgot to answer my question!!!

Ok so here are my pics of my needles and of my cotton stash... Some of it might be yours if you are my secret buddy... but you never know if its you!! maybe leave a comment on the one(s) you like and you might get it in the mail come Swap time!!!

My needles are all Knit Picks Options now. I am a convert... I have a hard time using other ones now... I'm spoiled.

And here is a bit of the cotton stash... there are a few layers underneath too, but they are stacked up so I can see them all at a glance.











That's what I have on hand and in my hand while knitting. I better get to bed. good night!

Moving... ARGH!

I hate moving. I hate packing... argh!!! but it happens and the new apt is much nicer and in a better complex with better advantages. Plus more room. I will save on rent and the fact I won't need my storage facility. So that's good.

I have been faithfully reading my friends blog and playing in her daily contest to win a 'surprise' box of knitting goodies!

http://gimpykatk.blogspot.com/

I have also found a new blog contest, that is very inspirational and very nice to read. makes you thankful for things:

http://tabithasheart.blogspot.com

Not much else today. We are moving this weekend and that will suck... cuz moving does suck. Then on Monday I'm going to go meet a friend I know from one of my yahoo groups that lives in Michigan not far from me. It will get me out of Detroit and to a day of relaxing with her and her family and playing with her kids!! YEA!! I'm such a kid myself, we'll have lots of fun!!! :) Have a great weekend!

Ah a trip home...

Just got back from 6 days back home to Mn to visit family and friends... how nice. Got to see lots of family and friends, relax, shoot some darts with my sister, brothers and dad... had a great lunch with my mom(I took her lunch at work), had breakfast with Grandparents, and spent an evening with my Aunt and Uncle. That amongst a lot of other running around and stuff. I also saw a homeopathic doctor which was interesting and I hope she can help me be more healthy. My overall health is good, just need a couple of boosts for vitamins, minerals and take care of a couple little things!! YEA! Now if I could just lose a few more pounds, I would reach my goal!!! It's taking forever with a few set backs. Oh well.. didn't go on overnight... it won't come off overnight!

Now I'm back in boring Detroit. But today is lots of Nascar Truck racing and Football to watch, thank goodness. Tomorrow will be more of the same. I've been bored so knitting has been keeping me busy until I fall asleep, because I get so bored. I'm the next one up for a trip at work and I'll get to fly with one of my good friends(Susan) so that should be fun, if I can get a trip someday!! I have some pics of stuff to share, but it will have to wait, cuz I left the camera in the car. Got some nice stuff from an exchange, which I'll share when i post pictures. I also just finished my first Grannie Square. I'm not a crocheter, so I'm very excited about that!! YEA!! It will go in the trash, cuz it's not good enough to use for anything, but it took me about an hour to do... had to frog it a couple of times. I'm pretty excited though... just another thing to burn time doing... it's all about filling my boredom around here... Maybe I can strike it rich!! ha ha... have a great afternoon. It's super hot in Michigan today... almost 86!!! Can't complain when its the beginning of October!!! :)

Stitch 'n' B*tch

So last night I had the opportunity, FINALLY, to go over to Ann Arbor and meet up with some great women and do some knitting. We had a great time. It was nice to get away, not talk about only work and see what other people are working on. These women are amazing! Jackets, Hats, booties, socks, scarves, shawls, lace patterns, sweaters... it goes on and on!! I'm such a novice yet and have so much to learn! Yea! I might get together with one very nice woman, also named Kate, this weekend if I'm in town. That will be nice.

So here I sit, waiting for another trip. I'm number one, yet again. Come on... show me the money, and the flight time!! hee hee. I hope everyone has a great day!

All my projects as of lately...

So I'm still waiting for a trip. I'm stuck on the wrong side of the clock right now. Go to bed around 5 am, sleep until 2 or 3 or 4 in the afternoon! My job will do that to you!! Crazy madness!! But here is what I've been doing with my knitting time.


Little Baby Feet


Praying Hands


Star with USA underneath



Heart Baby Blanket

Dragonfly Dishcloth

Another day...

So here I sit in Detroit... bored, just waiting for my next trip. I'm number one, (yes I know you all love me) on the board at work, meaning that the next trip out that my company gets, I get to fly! OH YEA! Love the flight time, hate the heat. Our planes have no air conditioning, so when it is 90 outside, it's about 150 degree's inside that plane... talk about swamp a$s! But not much else is going on. I'm on a '17 days in a row' type of work week, or weeks, as it turns out. Can't wait for that to be over. Only 2 weeks left! Oh yea!

On the knitting side of things, I'm working on a KAL that looks like a dolphin or fish of some kind. I am getting ready to send out a gift to a friend who just had a baby... which reminds me, I need to take a picture of that before it goes out! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Blogging...

So I'm new to the whole "blogging" phenomenan that is going on! But I'm going to try my best. I travel extensively and this is probably a great way to keep in touch with my family and friends and share my knitting adventures.

I love to knit, but am keeping it simple (in my eyes) for a bit. Here a few pics of stuff I've done. I am newly knitting dishcloths and will be sending some over seas to my uncle and people he is serving our country with. I knit blankets for new arrivals into our world and my friends and family are keeping me very busy!! ;)

I'm going to do my best to keep up with my blog... I guess we'll see! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!