Its Over!

Finally!!!!!!!!! The Christmas season is behind us. I can't tell you how much I have been looking forward to being done with giving and BUYING gifts, just seems to get more and more expensive as the years go buy. I got some very nice stuff though, including a ball winder and swift that I asked for! I will have pictures up as soon as I charge my camera. They are beautious if I do say so myself.

So now I have to figure out what I am going to be doing with myself if I don't have to worry about everyone else.....I really want to knit something for myself.....and watch supernatural....with a cup of green tea....yummmmmm

And then of course there are my new years resolutions.....which are...you guessed it! Losing weight and spending less money! Will I be able to do it? Only time will tell I suppose. The money one is the one I really want to succeed with, I can't believe how much money I have spent on going out to eat alone! I mean thousands of dollars this year and that just isn't right, I need to be smarter about where my money goes especially if I want to live on my own...with one Robert Gerard of course =)

Hermitization

In the words of one of my favorite blog writers (Crazy Aunt Purl) I would like to hermitize myself until after the holidays are over and done with. I have no desire to be merry or to tell other people to be merry. I have no desire to see people, talk to people, or even stand near people. I have absolutely no Christmas spirit this year, just bitterness because I have not finished my shopping because there is not enough time to breath deeply let alone buy gifts.

It will certainly be a small Christmas this year. My nana died a few weeks ago and my mom and I just don't want to deal with all the hooblah this year. We have a small (table size) Christmas tree as our only decoration and only a handful of presents under it. If I have to go to one more store I will be forced to scream and no one will want to be around me anyways.

Hermitization seems to be the only option this year. I want to find a nice cozy little shack where I can knit whatever I want without having to worry about holiday deadlines....maybe something for myself? That would be something new! =).....I would have a little fireplace and a cup of green tea (I have actually started to like the stuff!) and Mickey's Christmas Carol to watch while I knit something soft and squishy for myself. If it was a perfect world Robert Gerard would be there for a cuddle after. (I know hermitization means to be by yourself, but come on! He is adorable and snuggly!) Yes, that is what I want for Christmas Santa! Let me know when you find me such a place!

I Am Still Alive!!

Yes I am still alive and man it has been forever since I posted something! Since before Halloween! Shame on me....but I have tons of stuff to share =)

First of all Rob was in a body building competition because he is a nutter. Preparing for it made him grumpy, irritable, hungry, skinny and incredibly HOT! I mean it is incredible what a diet, some iron weights and some self tanner can do to a person, he looked completely different. I helped him get ready for it the night before and it took 4 coats of tanner to get him as dark as he got (my pastey little baby that he is!). We were there for about 14 hours and he got 12th out of 18, which isn't to shabby considering he had never done one and gained 10 pounds the month before when we pigged out in Vegas hehe. Here is a little eye candy for your enjoyment (yes he is in spandex underwear). I know they are pixlated....I was kinda far in the audience when I took them.....

I was so proud of him! And happy that he got to eat more the egg whites because man was that boy grouchy when he couldnt eat more then a rabbit does. Oh well, he is doing another one in May and I am sure he will be just as grouchy haha.

Then of course we have Halloween. We when to his friend house who lives in Rebecca Churches old place (one of the Salem witches, cool huh?) He went as the Ultimate Warrior (snicker) and I went as Selene from Underworld......

His costumes are always the best =). Well I think that is it for now since I am at work, I will post more tomorrow hopefully if this mountain on my desk doesn't get any bigger ::sigh:: =(

Pumpkins and Sunsets

Well folks it is official....I HAVE CARVED MY FIRST PUMPKIN WITH ROBERT GERARD!!!...Well I did it last weekend but I couldn't find my camera wire to post about it...heh. BUT IT HAS BEEN FOUND. Ladies and gentlemen (not sure if men read this though) may I present to you....LENNY THE PUMPKIN!!!!

Dont you just love him? That is me, Lenny and a super skinny body building competition prepping Robert Gerard.....I should have taken a picture of Lenny alone....I hate pictures of me....any whooooooo.......that is Lenny and what a project! It was gooey and slimy and chunky....but it was fun!!!!! Rob is going to bake the pumpkin seeds for snacks....such a health food nut!

Our friends carved so really cute ones too, I thought it was such a great idea how they did it.

Unfortunately there is a tragic end to this pumpkin fairy tale. Lenny has gotten....soft. I simply cannot have soft men in my life, they must strong and hard and full of life! Not soft and limp and slowly imploding on themselves. So tonight our affair will be no more =( and I must find a new pumpkin to make my dreams come true.......it was nice knowing you Lenny, you will be missed.

On a happier note, I was witness to a beautiful pink sky on the way home from work the other day and I thought I would share a picture with you. I-95 never looked so good =)

P.S I caved and bought the needle and yarn =O

Crazy Blog Stalker Person.....

I have been feeling more and more like a stalker person lately. It got to a point where I actually felt like I was friends with the people who write the knitting blogs that I love so much! I mean some of them just sound so nice and I can relate to so many of them that I have caught myself thinking that I actually knew them!! Isn't that more then a little creepy? I mean I certainly wish I knew them, I only have one knitting buddy and I don't really see her that often to knit so I do wish I had the kind of companionship that alot of bloggers have. Many go to stitch and bitch meetings and have knitting parties and that is just something I want to do but am too shy to do it. I have major social anxiety and unless someone I know is around I wouldn't go to anything like that. So maybe that is all it is. I want people to share my craft with and go/have knitting parties and be social....but instead I use the internet to read about it and wish I was friends with the people I read about.....I am at a whole new form of pathetic. ICKKK..........

To Splurge or Not to Splurge.....

I know that I am suppose to be good. I know that I am suppose to be saving money for a place and Christmas and all that, but it has come to my attention that with the present economy the odds of me getting a place anytime soon aren't good. I simply have to many loans to pay each month to even think about having enough money for rent and heat and all the crap that comes with getting an apartment. So it makes me wonder.....can I buy those knit picks knitting needles that I have been eyeing the last couple months? Can I afford to splurge away $30 of my hard earned money on well crafted and unique knitting needles along with a large amount of their nice inexpensive yarn? Is there a way for me to justify the purchase? Mind you, I do have these particular needles in a different brand....but they suck! The yarn keeps getting caught where the needle meets the cable and it is driving me crazy! And I need two pairs (socks on two circulars)

I hate having to be careful with my money. I work hard for it and want to enjoy it, but I know I should be thinking about whether or not I actually need to spend it on something. Don't get me wrong! I have been saving like crazy and have a nice little nest egg put away ( not exactly huge, but a decent size for me) but I realize that even if I save alot of money.....I can't live off my savings! There would be no point, eventually it would run out and what happens after that? I move back in with my mom? No, I need to be able to cover my bills on a monthly basis without having to dip into my savings. Then of course comes the depression of my situation.....who knows when that will be. Robert Gerard and I have been wanting to get a place for a long time, but the earliest I can see it happening is maybe in a year or two when we are making more money. ::Sigh:: I hate it, but it is true.
So what do you think? Should I just enjoy my $30 and buy the knitting needles and yarn I want? Or should I suck it up and hope I get them for X-mas or something?

Disney Woes...

Ok, so my friends Brendan and Amy are going to Disney World in December for the Christmas celebration which is fantastic! I have only been to Disney in during the month of August when it is humid and ickky (but no less fun ^_~). Anyways, so they invited me a Rob for the umpteenth time to join, since they have the vacation club time share there we would only have to pay for our passes and plane tickets which is such a good deal! I looked up some flights and prices and I figured it would cost us about 550 each which like I said, isnt bad!

So why am I having Disney woes you ask? Well my wonderful Robert Gerard doesn't want to go!! ::Sniffle:: I mean I can completely understand where he is coming from......we just spent a shit load of money in Vegas, Christmas is coming up and we will be hard pressed toward the end, and we should be saving for our apartment. All valid reasons why we shouldn't go so I made him an offer. What if I just bought his park pass for X-mas and his plane ticket for his birthday. That would give me gifts to give him and he wouldn't have to pay for anything! The only thing would be food which I would be happy to help pay for with the many hours of overtime money I am getting. All this to no avail.....he doesn't want to go during Christmas. I respect his decision but I sure would have loved to see Mickey in that Santa suit ::double sniffle::

Stash Enhancements and Two FOs!

I have been shopping for beautious yarn for the last week and a half and I think it is time to share what I have gotten. Some is from my LYS that is closing, some is from KnitPicks and all are fabulous (at least to me)

First I would like to share my Malabrigo yarn and an FO made from it! I have 5 hanks of this yarn and it is awesome! It is 100%, single ply Merino wool and it is so soft and squishy! I just love how it feels and it knits up quick.

And of course the finished objects that I made from this Malabrigo yarn. I loved this pattern, it was quick and easy and pretty =). It is called the Amanda Hat and you can find it on Ravelry. I did it in this orange yellow color because I wanted to knit something bright, and believe me it is bright! the picture doesn't do it justice!

Next I i got a whole bunch of yarn on knit picks for my birthday. My mom got it for me =), I am going to use the bare sock yarn to try my hand at dying with koolaide.....we will see how that goes.

And lastly I just bought so sock yarn from my LYS and it is very pretty =), I beleive the brand is happy feet, I can't wait to start some socks with it....i should probably finish the ones I am already working on first.....no time!!!

And last but not least my finished sock!! yay!!! It took me forever to sit down and actually finish and now I have to do the second one! ickk.....but i am gonna do it! They are a gift =(...Sorry about the picture quality, I had to snap it quick at work.

Well thats all I had to show. If you are interested in any brands or colorways I will be posting all of these on Ravelry eventually, I just need to find the time and the tags to do it haha.

FOs Finished Objects

I don't know if you have noticed a growing trend here on my boring little blog, but I tend to start things and then not finish them. I have a multitude of started projects on this blog and none have been completed to date (except for the dragon gloves for lisa marie hehe!)

Well I have made a pact with myself that I will finish at least one project ( just for the record, two socks count as two projects ^_~) by the end of each week. I am tired of not having the proper time for my knitting and that ends now! I am making time damn it! These things need to get done if I am going to give anything to anyone for Christmas ::sigh::.....I do have a finished object that I finished a few days ago but I will post it tomorrow since I don't have my camera to take a picture....it was done in my new favorite yarn for hats and possibly scarves .....Malabrigo 100% single ply hand dyed Merino yarn, soooo prettttyyyyyy......

Sock! Socks! Socks!

As I have said in my August 21st post, I am on a major sock kick. I don't know what makes sock yarn so alluring but something has certainly drawn me, the moth, to the flame. I have been uncontrollably buying and researching sock yarn on the internet. I bought 4 more skeins at my yarn shop that is closing and I had my mom buy me some on KnitPicks for my birthday, like for more skeins (along with harmony DPNs, size 1). I even bought a bare skein in merino wool so I can try my hand at dying with Koolaide....crazy me!!

I have also joined a sock club people! A club that for about 17 dollars a month will send you a pattern and a skein of sock yarn to go with the pattern each month! How cool is that....maybe I won't have to buy any more sock yarn for a while now that I am doing that......AHAHAHAHA yeah right!!! I joined the club on TheKnitter.com, and it was the least expensive I could find....most go for around 30 a month which I feel is too much for one skein of sock yarn...I could buy three decent ones for that! They send out their yarn on the 15th of the month if anyone is curious and wants to join. I think it will be fun, and if I dont like it I can always cancel it or see if I can trade the yarn, no worries!

In Ravelry news, tomorrow I will be joining a really nice sock yarn swap that is hosted on ravelry. It is supposed to be yarn from your stash so I will have to find some I am willing to part with...gonna be hard but I am sure I can find something. You also have to give goodies and stuff just like the other swaps I have been in =) I am excited to see what I can come up with and what my partner will send me.....just like opening presents! So much fun!

Vegas....and Yarn....and Stuff

I got back from Vegas on the 28th of August and let me just say.....it.....was....AWESOME!!!! It was so great, Robert Gerard and me had a great time! I mean we fought a little but we have been together for 7 years, did you think it would be all roses?

Waiting at the Airport...

The first day was a little exhausting, we had a connecting flight and our total travel amounted to about 10 hours....ickk....so when we got there we looked around a little bit, went out to dinner with his friends that were there too and promptly fell asleep at around 8:30....yeah I know...pretty pathetic! First Night =)

The next day was great, were explored our hotel, checked out the stores, ate a champayne and momosa breakfast (doubt that is spelled right) and proceeded to get a little more tipsy on the 30 oz frozen drink with an extra shot of 151 we bought while shopping in the mall haha. After all that excitement we went back to the room, hung out in the hot tub, took showers and got ready for dinner with the guys again (mostly buffets are what went to....so good!). That night I believe we went to Treasure Island to Christian Audigier and it was fun, they had a pirate show you could watch from the deck of the club which was pretty cool.

From that day on it was sleeping, eating, shopping, drinking, hot tubbing, going to the pool, showers, dinner, partying! Pretty straight forward Vegas trip. We did some gambling and lost but it was ok, I wasn't expecting to win! lol

When we got home I was totally exhausted! Our plane landed in Boston at 1am, we had to drive Robert Gerard home too so I didn't get home til around 2 in the morning, then I had to go into work at 12 because it was month end unfortunately and we had to close the books. Horrible timing because I was a zombie! Then my best friend's birthday was on friday so we went out partyiny, but I had to be at work at 8am the next morning so I didn't drink....prolly would have passed out anyways haha...Saturday I was running on about 3 hours of sleep and this close was the worst we have had so far!

Saturday night Rob's car got towed for the registration so it was the perfect opportunity to drive him to the gym and go myself.....I AM IN PAIN!!! Sunday and Monday were brutal on my lazy ass and I am trying to get into a routine....I am ridiculously overweight..at least in my eyes....

All in all the weekend was really good, but I have some sad news...my favorite yarn store near Robert Gerard's house is closing =(....but the good news is everything in the store is on sale! yay!! So I will be stocking up on yarn and fabric because I think I am getting a sewing machine for my birthday on Sunday...Shhhhhh.....

Bad, Bad Amanda!

I've been a bad bad girl......I've been careless with a delicate man.....or should I say checkbook? My LYS is have a 30% off sale all month and I just can't resist! I am going to Las Vegas in less then two days and I cannot kick my yarn addiction! I have tried support groups, accupuncture (doubt that is spelled right) and even a swift knock in the head from my boyfriend (not really just saying that for dramatic effect) but I still have an uncontrollable craving for fiber goodness (in the sheep sense, to much fiber in food gives me a stomach ache). Fortunately I live far enough away from the roving shop in my area that I am to lazy to go often or I would be buying tons of that!

But back to the yarn, I bought 5 skeins of Plymouth Sockotta sock yarn!! I know it isn't exactly luxury yarn, but I love the fun patterns it makes, not to mention I am on a 'I am going to knit everyone a pair of socks for Christmas!' kick and I need my fix. The green yarn I am knitting my toe up sock on is one of the skeins I bought on last wednesday (?) along with a pretty grey one, but yesturday I bought 3 more skeins......5 skeins and two circular needles later I spent $60 I prolly should not have spent since I am going to be spending obsene amounts of money next week....but oh well!! I love my yarn and it is in the best colors don't you think?!

::Sigh:: Oh so loverly.....I cannot wait to start knitting these socks.....but I suppose I should finish the pair I am working on....or maybe I can make one of each to keep it interesting and then start the cycle over again! MWHAHAHA the plot thickens! Oh! I also bought a book for the long trip to Vegas in case I get tired of knitting for a while.....and of course it is a book about knitting! Or at least someone who knits. I don't think it needs any introduction, I sure any committed knitter knows who she.....no not the Yarn Harlot, though her books are next on my list! Its Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair by Crazy Aunt Purl!!!! AKA Laurie Perry =)

Sorry for the bad picture ::sigh::.....I absolutely LOVE her blog, it is incredibly funny and unique. She is so witty you just don't want to stop reading ( even if you are at work and would get into an incredible amount of trouble ^_^;) so I am excited about the book, I am sure it will be great =)

There is so much to do before the trip it is making my head spin! Packing and shopping and laundry and pampering (haircut, nails, eyebrows) I just want to go to sleep....but no time for that! I am a girl on the go and it is time to stop whining and start doing what I have to do! To bad I am beyond lazy ::sigh again::

Count Down Begins.....

The count down for Vegas begins ladies and gentlemen!!! On Saturday it will be a week away and there is so much to do! I need to go shopping for some decent clothing ( I tend to wear mine to death), I need to get my hair cut, buy toiletries, find a suitcase....all that good stuff. Me and Rob are super excited and it couldn't come at a better time. Work has been the dumps, 10 hours of mandatroy overtime has really taken a toll on me and I could use the relaxation of a vacation. Me and my girlfriends are going up to Maine this weekend to Old Orchard Beach, so that is even more relaxation! Christinas mother owns a house on the strip and I love waking up early and looking for sand dollars at low tide, it is like a treasure hunt! And the smell of the beach, omg it is incredible. I don't know what it is but it just puts me completely at ease and after all the stress this week I could use it.

In knitting news I have started my first "toe up" sock on two circular needles and it is coming out pretty good so far, but I think I messed up when I was changing rows and now the needles feel funny in my hands.....hope that wont matter later when I am doing the heel....

It is a figure 8 cast which is easy to do, but it feel a little uncomfortable when you first start because it is loose so you have to be careful of you tension. But once you get past the first couple rows and start your increases it isnt that bad, as long as you know how your needle goes ( I started over like 3 times!) This is what I have so far.....

I hope the pattern comes out nice.....like I said I already messed up =(..I will be working on it on the way to Maine so I will have more pics on monday =)

Goings on

Not to much to post about, but I wanted to write something since I am incredibly bored at work. I have not been spinning at all which I am a little depressed about, but I have made awesome progress on my Clement Dragon Gauntlet glove that I have been working on. Just need to finish the thumb once I figure out how to attach the yarn ( I am dense sometimes) . I have also started a scarf in double moss stitch with the yarn I got in the treasure swap ( the pink and brown one in the picture, very thick, pretty and knitting up quick). I will probably go home tonight, finish the thumb to my glove and then work on the scarf. I think I am going to have enough to make a hat to match, that would be sooooo cute, but we will see.

Clement Dragon Gauntlets

I started the fingerless gloves that BakerX of Ravelry gave me the pattern for. It started out a little rocky, I couldn't figure it out! It is my first time doing a lace pattern and I was freaking out, I started it like 5 times! But once I PMed BakerX on Ravelry and asked her she helped me straighten it all out. Thanks BakerX! So now I am on a roll! I am on the 37th row, and though I have had to frog alot (because I keep losing count of what I am doing) it is going pretty well. The thumb gusset doesn't seem that bad and that is what I was afraid of.

This is probably the best picture I have ever taken on something I have made. I finally got the lighting right! There are a few mistakes, but I am too lazy to frog and besides, that gives it personality right? This is the Paton Grace yarn that she gave me in the swap, isn't it gorgeous??? I love how it shines a little and how smooth it is. A very good cotton yarn if you ask me. I actually went out a bought a few more colors so I could knit some more ( i am obsessive as always!) I will post my progress as go, I should get a bunch done tonight since I am not working to late. Didn't get out til 8:30 last night so couldn't work on it to much....ickkkk

Swap on a Budget

I know I have already posted today but I just had to show off what I got in my other swap on Ravelry!!! I can't believe how creative some people are and my secret swap partner is no exception I mean look at this stuff!!

She sent me- fingerless gloves she made with her own pattern (the color is to die for!!! and they fit perfectly), the pattern she wrote for them called Clement Dragon Gauntlets, little dragon finger puppets (eeeeeee!!!), a pattern for a pretty hat, a pattern for a dragon scale shawl (so pretty), 2 skeins of Paton Grace yarn in a light purple (same kind of yarn to make the gloves, I am totally gonna try the pattern this week!), 1 skein of Frog Tree alpaca wool yarn in great faun color, paper cranes, a knitters journal that I totally needed, a mini zen garden (I could use that at my stressful job!) , stickers and bag from the yarn store where she is from, and last but not least my favorite item----a hand made row counter in gorgeous purple amethyst beads and the instructions on how to make my own!! I can't believe how spoiled I was, what a great spoiler!! Thank you so much BakerX!!!! Everything is incredible! There just isn't anything like handmade items that someone puts alot of thought into. I leave you all now with the picture she drew for me on the note that came with the package ( so talented!)

X-Files and Treasure Swap

My favorite show of all time is The X-Files, I couldn't deny it if I tried. The mystery, the adventure, the constant frustration that Mulder is so close to the truth but cannot touch it when we the audience can see behind the scenes! Who could ask for a better plot or story line? Poking fun at common cliches about aliens, but adding little bits for probable truths is addicting to watch! I can't help but be enthralled by it all. I own the first 6 seasons and will hopefull be getting the rest for my birthday, but this blog entry is not about the series it is about the new movie.

I could not have been more disappointed if they had killed off one of the main characters. I walked out of that theater in utter shock and dismay! My poor boyfriend held my hand all the way to the parking lot and all I did was spout out obscenities! Of all the ways they could have ended one of the best cult classic series of all time, they had to choose what best could be described as a half way decent episode that was about an hour too long. I mean Chris Carter must have been out of his mind when he wrote the script for this!!! He is going to get some hate mail, I kid you not. I mean, ok maybe there is some underlying meaning to what was going on in terms of the characters feelings and getting on with their lives and such, but come on!!! Give me some aliens! Give me some conspiracy that Mulder is fighting tooth and nail to get to the bottom of!!! Utter disappointment, the producers should be ashamed of themselves.

In happier news I got my Treasure Swap package on friday! I was very spoiled indeed! I can't wait to start knitting with all the pretty yarn, I just wish it wasn't so hot and sticky out! I haven't been spinning much the last few days because the hot weather has made me not want to do anything.....ickkkk

Traffic and Setting my First Twist

There are not many things in life that bother me that much. I dont mind standing in lines, I don't care if someone breaks something that belongs to me (everything can be replaced and what can't I usually don't leave out for someone to break), and the only kind of bugs I wouldn't kill for my college roommates were bees ( they bite back if you don't get them!).....so let's just say it is hard for anything to get a rise out of me (unless it is Robert Gerard). But one of the few things that make me crazy is curiosity traffic! I mean come on, what do you think you are going to see a little blood and guts? How classy of you turning one persons misfortune into another person's freakshow. Not to mention the fact that I only get stuck in it when I have somewhere I really need to be, that makes me more nuts! Another thing is when traffic slows to a crawl because a cop pulled someone over and the other cars don't want to get pulled over to. I mean are you kidding me? Do you think the cop is going to see everyone whizzing by and all of a sudden stop writing out a ticket and jump back in his car to catch all of you? "Sorry m'am I have to go save the street from every other traffic violator, this ticket will have to wait til next time!" give me a break!!! I swear some people are stupid.

Anyways, enough venting because last night I had my first attempt at setting the twist in my newly plyed yarn. There really isn't much to it since all you do is soak it in warm water and hang to dry while a weight attached, but that's beside the point since it was my first time. Here are some pics to delight you!

This is the soaking stage, I was afraid some of the color would come out, but it didn't thank goodness.

Hehe, I did it at like 10 last night and it was still wet this morning so I am guessing it will need about a day to dry and then I am going to have to figure out what to make with it....hmmmmm

And here is the fruit of my lunch hour, I plyed half of the white roving I bought Saturday =)

It is a little hard to tell in this photo, but it is plyed! Damn it is hard to photograph yarn, I am going to need to figure it out =(

Spinning Improvement

I had my spinning class on Saturday with Lucy from Minds Eye Yarns and it was so great! She showed me exactly how to do it and it wasn't that hard at all. She even taught me how to ply with the first handspun I did at home (without instruction, it was pretty bad and I unfortunately forgot to take a picture of it before it was plyed so you could see just how bad) and she said that it was actually better then her first hand spun ( i find that hard to believe but I digress). Here is a picture of my very first plyed handspun in merino wool, colorway Tahiti from Spunky Eclectic

Not too bad I guess. There is only 30 yards lol so I am not sure what I am going to with it. Lucy suggested making a hat with similar colors and putting in a stripe or rim of handspun. Not a bad idea and I dont want it to go to waste =)

While I was there I bought some white wool roving and a better spindle. I like the one I bought on ebay but she said it might be a little light in weight for a beginner so I just bought a better one. It was only $16 =) and 4oz of roving was only $8 so it was a good deal.

Sorry about the blurry pic, I am a horrible photographer indoors, next time I will take everything in outside in the sunlight. The spindle is by Ashford and I hear that is a pretty good company for spinning equipment.

So all of Sat and Sun, as soon as I had a spare moment I was spinning on my new spindle. I even went to Borders to get a spinning magazine call Spin Off to get some tips and ideas. Here is a pic with the spindle I bought on Ebay. I am actually spinning a little on it now.

And here is what I have done so far with the white roving. My plan is to spin and ply all of it and then bring it back to Minds Eye Yarns in the winter because they have dying classes. I want to make my own colorway =)

I had to wrap it around a bottle from the spindle because I dont have a yarn winder and this is all I had at the time. Lucy said toilet paper rolls are the best, I will keep that in mind next time we run out ^_~

How impatience bites you in the ass.....

It has been 3 days since my last happy post and of course it was short lived. Turns out, Robs family isn't coming home the 23rd ( the day I thought they were), they are coming home the 25th which means if we go away on the 23rd there is no one at the house to take care of Rob's dog and there is no one to pick up his family at the airport. Which means we can't go anymore, not to mention we can't get a refund, so we have to go on a different date with a $350 fee and any difference in the package price. So lets just say I am never going to plan a trip again and I could care less if I ever go on one. Rob wants to plan it for my birthday in September which I am certainly not against, but I can't believe I was so stupid and now we have to pay more. It totally ruined my mood about everything. What a horrible day!!!

In spinning news, I scheduled my first spinning lesson for this Saturday, lets hope that goes well and brightens my mood

Las Vegas Baby!!!

Can I just say, I am officially walking on air this month. This has to have been one of the best summers I have had in a long time. My boyfriend and I have been getting along better then ever, I am taking up a new hobby I have a great feeling I am going to love ( the pink and orangey roving pictured below came in the mail today!!), and me and the Robert Gerard have just booked a 4 night 5 day vacation to Las Vegas!!!! I can not even describe how happy and excited I am!! This is going to be so much fun and the best part is, we aren't just talking about it! We actually booked the flights and the hotel!!! We are going to be staying the Luxor Hotel in the spa deluxe room hehe, it is 700 square feet and it has a hot tub in the bedroom!! (ooo lala ^_~). Not to mention the week before his entire family is going to be on vacation so we will have that whole week alone too!! I am officially on excitement overload!!!! I will post pics of the hotel and stuff to let you know what it looks like!! Everything all together was only $619 each on Orbitz.com, not a bad price at all if you ask me. I will surely get expensive when we get there, but oh well! You only live once! =)

A Little Upset.....

Ok so I am a little upset with myself today. I know that I tend to get impatient and I jump the gun on things before I actually get the chance to research them properly, but I am a little bummed out. You know that drop spindle kit I bought yesturday? Well it is called a bottom whorl drop spindle because the whorl (the disk part) is at the end of the spindle. Well I was looking on you tube last night for demonstrations so that I am not completely in the dark about how to do it and the top whorl spindle ( when the disk is at the top) is way easier to use! I looks way less complicated them the bottom whorl ::sigh:: I should have researched it before I bought anything. Oh well, now I will have a pretty bottom whorl spindle and I am just going to have my Robert Gerard make me the top whorl. They are wicked easy to make......so I think I am just going to do that. I am sure he will do an awesome job and I will make it pretty =)

I have actually been very bad about spending money =(. I bought 8oz of roving online today and it cost $22 plus shipping. I hope this doesnt turn into a raving obession because it will become increasingly difficult to save money if it does....especially if I end up wanting a spinning wheel =O.

I have never bought a yarn in such a bright color, but I am getting tired of the same old blues and purples I knit with. I wanted something funky to spin =)

In knitting news, after finally beginning to listen to Pixie Purls podcasts that are found on her blog I have started to read some of the other blogs that she has spotlighted. One of them I absolutely fell in love with!! It is by a male knitter who makes little knitting cartoons, he even has a cartoon book coming out in Octobter 2008 with his character which is a sheep names Delores and her knitting adventures. It looks so cute and this is a great blog to read. I havent read all the posts yet, but I am in the process and I love it so far. It is called ThePanopticon ,very good read, I completely recommend it =).

Another blog and my favorite one that Pixie mentions is Two Left Needles. I am telling you the things this woman can do is awesome!! She spins and dyes her own yarn and makes so many pretty things! I am talking hundreds of pretty things, she must knit pretty fast! I love reading her blog to see what kinds of projects she has and new colorways she is making. Not to mention the way she "talks" in her blog is so fun! It is like she is actually talking to you in a quirky way, haha I love it! She reminds me of my friends from highshool =)

In more personal news, my wonderful boyfriend said he would take me to Vermont in September so I can go to the Sheep and Wool Festival they are having!! Isn't he the greatest? He also was thinking of planning a trip to Vegas in August which would be awesome!!!! haha, can't stand how excited I am about everything in life right now =)

Spinning

Ok so I am taking my knitting obsession to the next level.......by spinning my own yarn!! I just bought a pretty cheap drop spindle and some pretty seafoam colored wool roving on ebay for 21 dollars, which I am willing to spend since I wont really know what I am doing at first. When I get more into it I will buy some fancier stuff. I love the color and the spindle is even hand painted =)

It also comes with a book that teaches you how to start. I think I am going to go on you tube and find some tutorials though since I am a visual learner. I have been reading alot of blogs and alot of people absolutely LOVE to spin and say it is very relaxing and theraputic. I think it would be a great hobby to have along with my knitting because I can make my own yarn and then knit with it!!! haha how great would that be?

I also found a spinning class in Cambridge which is about 20 min away from my house if there is no traffic. They have one on one lessons for about $12 for 45 min or I can join the spinning group for $30 for 6 months. I have to think about it though, I dont know if I will have the time to stop in for the weekly sessions very often, but I would love to do a one on one so that they can show me haw to do it properly.

Alot of people on the blog own spinning wheels which I am guessing gives you more control of what you are doing, but that simply is not in my budget at the moment (they run for a $500 if you want a decent one) not to mention I dont have the space. So a $20 spindle is a more realistic tool even if it is a little more primative. I will let you know when it gets here, I am so excited!!!!

My Sweater

I started my first sweater!!!! yay!! It is coming out so good, I can't wait to try it on! I am doing it with Cascade 220 Heathers yarn in a pretty teal color and I couldn't be happier! I am using the pattern I mentioned in an earlier blog and it is wicked easy to follow. It is knit in the round and I am almost done with the body part, then I can start the arms hehe......this is sooooo exciting!!!! Here is a picture of what I have done so far.....but the color isn't very good because of my camera, but just think teal =)

Isn't it pretty? I am so proud of it. Not bad for my first sweater. When it is done I will post a pic of me wearing it =), I hope it fits!!!!!!

Knitting Swaps

I have discovered something really cool on Ravelry. I was looking through all the group they have and one of them caught my eye. It was called Swap On A Budget. I wasn't really sure what it was so I clicked on it and it is sooooo cool!! A bunch of people sign up to swap and you are given a partner. Then you research you partner via their Ravelry profile and/or blog and then you put together a little gift box full of knitting goodies!! Isn't that the best idea ever???? I signed up right away and I can't wait to find out who my partner is so I can go shopping! I also signed up for one called Knitter's Treasure Swap. One of the requirements is that you have to send them something you make, along with yarn and knitting accessories. Hmmmm, what could I make?? Won't figure that out until I get my partner and that isn't until the first week of July, but in the treasure one I get my partner tomorrow!!!. I will keep you posted on how it turns out. =)

My First Pattern Book

I know I promised pics from the beach and the game but I unfortunately forgot my camera at both event OOOPPPPSSSS!!!!! Oh well it doesn't matter because I have just purchased on Amazon.com a pattern book that I love!! It is call Fitted Knits

I went to the yarn store yesturday with Christina and I decided that it was time I find a pattern for my first sweater and this book has the prettiest patterns. The sweater I am going to make is called Boatneck Bluebell Sweater. Here is a pic.....

Isn't it soooo pretty!!! The color I picked out in a light aqua greeny blue color. I will posts pics of the yarn when I have a chance to take a picture. It is Cascade 220 and sooooo pretty, it is going to be perfect for the fall. Can't wait to get started, but I need to be with Christina because she knows how to read a pattern and fix my mistakes haha =P. When I start it I will post my progress =)

Beach Time!!

Oh ya baby!!! It has officially become beach season starting tomorrow and this is my season!!! It is going to like 90 degrees tomorrow and that is exactly where you are going to find me! Relaxing on the beach with my toes in the sand. I am so excited I could burst, by beach body however is not exactly what I want it to be, but that is my fault and now I have to deal....ickkkk.

I am going with my friend Lindsay to a beach near our house. It is not the best beach in the world but I dont feel like driving very far since I don't have A/C in my car, don't worry it is on my to do list!! I don't care where I am as long as I can hear the waves crash and smell the salty air!!

After the beach I believe I am seeing my Robert Gerard and then on Sunday me and Robert are going to the Red Sox game!! It is going to be really hot so we better drink lots of cold beer!! Haha, there will be pics of everything on Monday!!! =)

Robert Gerard's Graduation!!

YAY! My baby graduated from college on Sunday and I am so proud of him. He stayed for 5 years so we didn't get to graduate together, wish we did =(. But it was a very nice and SHORT graduation which is always a good thing haha. He looked so cute in his cap and gown and I got lots of pictures!

The one below is my favorite one of him, this one is getting framed for my desk =) Wish it didn't come out so dark but oh well, we were outside.

Here is one of me and him out side of the gym, he looked so handsome didn't he? After the graduation we went out to lunch and then right to his party, it was quite an exhausting day.

I took him out for a fancy dinner in February as his present. He wanted to go to this expensive steak house really bad so we went early, it was nice and I actually ate veal......it was alright....the ebst part is that with his graduation money he is going to pay off all his bills so now we can save hard core for our apartment.....YESSSSSS...always exciting =)