I got Tagged!

I got tagged by Roxanne for the latest meme. Sorry, Roxanne, that it took me a while to come up with this. Made me think . . . .

1. 4 jobs you've had in your life:

a. Private Country Club Controller (current)
b. Bookkeeper
c. Executive Secretary
d. File Clerk ( a very LONG time ago)

2. 4 movies you could watch over and over:

a. Walk the Line
b. Regarding Henry
c. Seabiscuit
d. not sure . . . .

3. 4 places you have lived:

a. Southern California (for too long . . .)
b. Northern California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (great)
c. Lake Orion, Michigan
d. Rochester, Michigan (I grew up here)

4. 4 TV shows you love to watch:

a. American Idol
b. CSI
c. 24
d. Cold Case

5. 4 places you have been on vacation:

a. Kauai, Hawaii
b. Big Island, Hawaii
c. Maui, Hawaii
d. Northern Michigan

6. 4 of your favorite foods:

a. Fresh Salmon
b. Opakapaka (fish)
c. Fruit
d. Chocolate

7. 4 bloggers I'm tagging:

If you haven't been tagged and you would like to do this,
consider yourself tagged!!

Standing in the Shadow of Love Socks

Since I love KAL's and I have a new love of knitting socks, I just had to join the Six Sock Knit-a-Long recently. This is the sock for December/January - called "Standing in the Shadow of Love". I am doing this one in Fortissima Socka yarn on size 1 needles. The sock patterns are designed by members of the knit-a-long and we do a pair of socks every 2 months - hence the name Six Socks (6 pairs per year). This is by far one of the most challenging items I've ever done, but love it. I will have to force myself to do the second sock - the new pattern is coming out on February 1st and I'm only one sock into the current project. You can only guess what I am doing every evening and on the weekend.

Most Comfortable Socks I've Worn!

These, by far, have to be the most comfortable socks I've ever put on my feet! My daughter tried one on and just the "ohhhhhhhh" sound came out of her mouth. That was followed by, "you have to help me get started knitting socks!" I am now hooked on hand knitted socks and can't stop thinking about it, about color combinations, yarns, patterns, etc. Thanks to my SP6 secret pal Liz, I've got a new direction in knitting! Oh yeah, this pair is knitted with Hollyspring Homespun sock yarn on size 5 dpns. It's 100% merino wool and soooo very soft!

It's Done!

I love this bag!! It turned out just the size I hoped ( 7 1/2 " wide by 6 1/2" tall by 5" deep) and the colors stayed muted and blended. My only problem was finding a box or firm object the right size to form and dry it on. After a light shaving, I'm ready to use it tomorrow. The combination of Cascade 220 and Noro Kureyon blends and felts extremely well - nice and firm, sturdy and thick. My DH still wants to take a few of my bags to "school" to show his teachers. Guess I'll have to put a collection together and set them by the front door. My only requirement is that he bring them right back as I use them daily. It's off make a little dinner, do a load of laundry, and then sit down to work on my two current projects - another bag and my second sock. Later.

Yea - Gift Certificates!!

We finished our family Christmas today - this year was really strange with everyone going everywhere - so we planned to meet again today and finish visiting and exchanging gifts. I pulled out all the stops and made a roast and all the fixings. My daughters both gave me gift certificates for yarn shopping. One is to a store called Common Threads in Encinitas. We plan to all go there in a couple of weeks. The other one is to Knit Picks. What fun this will be!!!

We also celebrated my granddaughter's 9th birthday today - with lemon meringue pie and presents. We had Jessie and her little brother over night and she helped me make her birthday pie. What a sweet girl. Being her grandma is the most fun in the world!!!

A Bag in the Making

This bag is felting as I post this pix. I made a bag for a good friend for Christmas and I really liked it when it was finished. In order to not be tempted to keep it, I promised myself that I would make one for me after Christmas. Here is is . . . .it's made with Noro Kureyon, color number 150 which is soft greens, along with Cascade 220 in a soft heathery green. The two blend really well and when felted, should be subtle. I used the "My Little Companion" pattern - it's the perfect size for every day. I'm now thinking about bags I can make in different colors to go with different outfits - such fun! Wow - I just checked on the felting process and the zippered pillow case I put the bag and I-cord handles in came unzipped and the bag and straps were out in the washer! Never had that happen before. Felting's not done - will post a pix when bag is felted and dry.

This Sock is Comfortable!

This is my first regular sock - made from yarn sent to me by my secret pal, Liz. It's 100% Merino Wool by Hollyspring Homespun and it's really soft and comfortable - both to knit with and wear! I'm starting the second sock tonight as I want to wear them - they are so comfortable!!! This particular pattern uses yarn that is a light worsted weight and size 5 needles. It knits up fast and they fit perfectly!!! Love them, Liz.

First Pair of Socks Completed

To avoid the SSS (second sock syndrome) I forced myself to make the second sock of this pair before going on to another pair. Perfect for little footies to wear around the house. I've decided that I really enjoy doing socks - they are a small project, can go quickly and fun to wear! These were made from Lane Cervinia in a pattern called "Forever Jacquard" from Italy. The only thing I'm afraid of is that the sock addiction might take hold and keep me from some of the other projects I've started.