Mail!

I've got mail, great mail to be specific!! 

  

Inside the box was lovely skein of the limited run colourway From the Ashes.  

From Teefury was my grab bag order. Even though I was hoping for another Dr Who shirt, I love the shirts that I received.

 

 The Hamilton Raise a Glass shirt is an incorrect size, so I'm not sure if they'll send another the same or if I can still hope for a Dr Who. 

I had purchased a vase of tulip bulbs by Bloomaker last week from Costco, and the bud are peeking up!!

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers, so this live bouquet is going to give me a great deal of pleasure. 

Naughty Puppy

Deadline met, project posted. As soon as I can I'll link you all to the details.

I've put proper dressings on my scuffs. The Jelonet is helping them purge the ooze within.





I'll spare you *those* pics.

Crazy storms cracking and popping 'round here today! Very close and the thunder sets the puppies off in a bout of manic barking.

I napped. The Allergies (for those of you who don't know, I write and say this with capitals because when Kyle was young, that's how he said it. "Why do I have The Allergies mom?" It was cute and stuck with be me.), the pain (thank you for one last period Mother Nature. Bitch.) and the meds are exhausting, so I took a nap. For the first time EVER the puppies had at a skein of yarn. Even though they're staying stum, I know it was Petey. So that's how I've been occupying myself; untangling.


I think this is his contrite look. I was quite cross with him and he just got allowed back up beside me.


Then there were the kisses.


He's fortunate that he is adorable.
When he's up with me, if Chica's not got me tossing her the ball, she either sleeps beneath the footrest or in my bed.





My sweet little loner.

Tomorrow - grocery run before going under the knife.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Project

So Julie sent me yarn to knit Vodka Lemonade.


I thought that it was Malabrigo, but I stand corrected.
Julie told me today that it is Super Secret Yarn. This is the DK weight and it is a wool/silk blend.

It is knitting up very nicely so far!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Montréal Day 3

True to the spirit of being on holiday we slept in. Then it was pack it up to move on to Québec City.
But do not fear, after all of that walking and sightseeing there was going to be yarn! I had to make hard choices and though Effiloché came highly recommended I really wanted to check out Biscotte & Cie. I've seen their yarn making appearances on Knitty (Carousel Sock), (Stitch Surfer Sock) and Loopy Ewe and I wanted to see it IRL and pick up a few skeins for a Sweet Spot strip. Yes, I am still working on my 3^rd afghan. No rush and I've got enough yarns that I know I'll have a 4^th and 5^th easily. Not disappointed. I purchased 3 colourways - Vikings, 49'ers and Patriots (yes, Superbowl theme!) - of Felix.

We stopped into Loblaws for some food & water for the trip and I had to take a picture of the beer aisle. Yes, I know!!! I don't know how long it would take to get used to seeing beer in every grocery & couche-tard (Mac's) that you go into. And the young lady sampling the Alexander Keith's ale (I know!!! Sampling alcohol to boot!!!) was hiding a can of Monster under an AK box. I found that hilarious!!

It was a long, wet drive and a nap was in order once we checked in. Super excellent room - we were upgraded to the business floor - and the bed was perfect.

Dinner was at the Saigon Bangkok restaurant. Very good. This was the second time that I've had General Tao's chicken in Québec and while this version was more enjoyable than the first (granted the first was at a mall), they don't seem to do it spicy like we do in Ontario. Quande même, it was delicious. And truly the best spring rolls that I have ever eaten!!
Fortunately there was a lovely microbrasserie just around the corner where we quaffed a couple before calling it an early night. La Korrigane was another young, hip spot where Lee was not unimpressed with the on site offerings.

It was strange to me (and refreshing to Lee) not to have food available and menus foisted upon you at every bar & pub. Indeed, some pubs (Ziggy's for instance), offered no food whatsoever.

Trick or Treat

I took a chance on the Colinette Pallet Packs (now called Creative Packs)years back and wasn't disappointed so I think that I'll roll the dice & take a chance again.

Are you feeling lucky?

They've Done Their Job

Now it's time for me to do mine! The yarn designers that I chose for my 2^ndSweet Spot afghan have all come through with flying colours (pun intended)!!

The final batch of yarn has arrived - Adorn sock from Three Irish Girls. The 1^st shipment didn't show up so Sharon sent out a rescue batch upon which Mischief has put her own brand of approval!
I'm almost done the Tempted Yarns GoodGrrlstrip, then I have Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock, Dashing Dachs Dachs Sox & Three Irish Girls Adorn. Is there such thing as colour overload? If so, I'll be the one pushing the limits, testing the thresholds & finding out.

I'll post a picture - of sorts - when I'm done the Tempted strip.

Total Denial

This past week has not happened. Well, maybe it has but I have another personality dealing with it and as long as I maintain a certain blood alcohol level I can keep that personality passively pushed down below my knees. That and knitting kept me at a functionally sane level.
It wasn't pretty & I'm not especially proud of my coping skills but Kerwyn was in Vegas at a trade show and I'm here on the other side, both children are alive and well and I have further proof that I could not possible be a single parent.

I have managed to get some knitting done - here is a Chrome Impression of a sweater that I'm working on for Bonne & the toes of a sock that I'm knitting for Elise.

Patrick is coming along - he needs me to work from a chart so he's my at home work. I am intent on not screwing up a single cable this time Julie!!

I gave in to the temptation that is Tempted Yarns & OMG it's gorgeous!!! The pink one is Bordello & the blue one is Don't Ask Don't Tell. I them.

Hey - GOOD NEWS!!! The Amazing Race starts tonight and that brings with it the tradition that is Watching TAR With Wannietta where I blog while I watch so you get my running commentary. I don't generally pick a favourite team or start picking on a team until they get underway and really give me a reason, but I see a team of blondes ... and one of them is an actress ()!!
See you at the starting line!!

It's Knittin' Time!

I've been helping Sandy in the office the last couple of days (between runs) so my knitting has been minimal. I've finished my errands for today so, to paraphrase The Thing - it's Knittin' Time!!

I did have time to open a few packages - look at what I've got!! I ordered a light tent from Olivon Optics and got it about 4 days later!!! I know - freakin' blowed me away! I paid less for the tent and for shipping and got astonishingly excellent customer service. Bonus - they're a Canadian company. As a small aside/update, because of the length of time between my paying for the light tent from that other wretched, cursed, mo-fo company and when they refunded my money, I actually lost $7.00 for not doing business with them. Yeah, I know. I was seriously pissed off but now I can think about it with a disbelieving chuckle. So, here is the new light tent and some yarn that came (did I buy that?). The light tent + my Ott lights really do make the colours come out more true & I love the look of the clean background.I bought the Claudia Hand Paint & Cherry Tree Hill to make socks to go with my new Chucks.

Oh - and the Lobster Pot Whale of a Skein that I won from Woolgirl arrived!! I just couldn't choose a colour so I left it up to Jen & she done good. It's frelling gorgeous - I think that I'll make a hat & mittens, but I just have to find a hat pattern that I really like.

And Amanda ran in a cross-country race on Thursday - out of 53 grade 5 girls she came in 3^rd!! The 1^st & 2^nd place girls were also from her school - I'm sure that Miss Cornfield is just about to burst and that the other schools are inquiring into drug-testing. They practiced very hard for the last few weeks & I'm so glad that it paid off. Run like the wind Amanda!

Different Day,

Same shit.

Amanda has never been a clean child. Not that she doesn't take a bath or brush her teeth, but she gets dirty. She really gets into her life!! Whether it's eating, playing or working the child comes out looking like she did it. Her friend Riley is the exact opposite. Riley is a clean child. Her clothes and hair are always in place and looking like she just got dressed. She plays and eats too, but somehow doesn't manage to wear it. I tease her about it & she smiles her dimpled smile.
But God doesn't give you a cross to bear without the fortitude to support it. Meet my fortitude. Spray 'n Wash is a miracle, a true testament to scientific research for the betterment of humankind. It certainly works and makes me look like a better Mom! And Whoopi likes it too - it was one of her favourite things that she shared with The View.

And while I can't show you my excellent progress on Elise's Felted Tweed sweater, this is what a fucktillion Felted Tweed ends look like. Truthfully, I don't mind sewing ends in, but I rather be knitting! It's totally worth the effort though - it's a gorgeous sweater. I have one more sleeve to do. Hey - that would make a good contest! Guess the # of Ends. Yeah - when I'm done the next sleeve I'll make the necessary calculations to quantify "fucktillion" and we'll do it.

These are the 2 fronts for a Foxy Boxes jacket that I'm knitting for Artisan Knitworks. It's going to be a kind of kimono-shaped jacket with fronts that can be left draped & open, belted or pinned closed. I am loving the Noro Silver Thaw, even though there is fluff all over!

And for Julie - here is the start of Patrick!!

Ada & I went to the knitting group at Pick Up Sticks - it's only about 40 mins from each of us. I guess that makes it the center of the universe if the borders of the universe are defined by the where Ada & I live. I digress. A lovely group of ladies - we met Angela of Red Corset Designs!!! I didn't go crazy or anything, but I couldn't resist a few skeins of yarn.

Some Summer Sky - Dream in Colour Smooshy

Sunkist - Red Corset Designs

How Very Berry - Spunky Eclectic

I totally thought that it was "Spunky Electric" until I typed this out today!! Yup, I read fast too!!!

Takin' This Show on the Road

Amanda & I will be working at The Needle Emporium August 14^th and 15^th for the tent sale. Yes, THE tent sale. Don't pretend like you didn't know or that you don't want to go - you know you wanna!!
After work (and I use that term loosely) on the 15th we will be heading down to the Dome (yeah, I know it's now called the Rogers Centre now, but it'll always be The SkyDome to me) for the Stitch 'n Pitch. I'm not sure who is more excited - Amanda or myself! It's not to late to order tickets - bring your yarn and friends & family - the more the merrier!!

Ohhhhh - look-y at what came in the mail! Laceweight alpaca/silk in Slate and fingering weight superwash merino in Poppy. Oceanwind is a Canadian company and Lori was absolutely wonderful to deal with & order from.

Now, if I could just learn & master the ability to knit in my sleep.

Knitting in the News

Knitting Needles are the New Scissors - Don't Run With Them!!!
Can I get an application to Dell?

What Wannietta did on the Weekend

There is yarn but no actual pictures of actual knitting.
Friday night - after I made sure that the power came back on at home - Amanda & I went up to the Ontario Handspinning Seminar at Georgian College in Barrie. It took us quite a while to find - I was starting to think that becoming a spinner was going to be like joining a secret society. But then we found it!! Not even 5 minutes after we arrived, Charlotte recognized me and said hi - it's so cool to meet people who blog and/or read your blog! It really does make the world seem small.
I wanted to check out a variety of wheels so that I could base a decision to purchase on my own experience (which would admittedlymore of a leaflet than a tome) as well as the recommendations of others. I would like to try out a Majacraft Suzie - does anyone know of a retailer in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) where I could take one for a spin? I know, I kill me!!!

I did fall madly and deeply in love with a Lendrum! Though my first experience was with an Ashford, I couldn't seem to get my mojo back with them.
Lise at The Yarn Source was really very nice and Amanda lent her a hand to ply the bit that I had spun. (After this, Amanda & I both forgot about the camera.)

Okay, maybe not so much 'madly' in love since I didn't buy him right then & there, but I keep thinking about him and this silly grin creeps onto my face. I'm sure that I'll order and pick one up this summer! I didn't leave empty-handed though. I bought an 1800m skein of laceweight alpaca/silk, a ball of the TOFUtsies that I've been hearing so much about and these really cool yarn/knitting themed words from IK. On the bottom left is the bit of yarn that I spun on the Lendrum - under Lise's watchful eye and gentle reminders it's definitely not overspun!!

Saturday was spent getting ready for and having a party. No reason, just a party. With Kerwyn in China it seemed like a good time to let Amanda have some girls sleepover.

My brand new stand mixer got used right away on a double batch of cupcakes & frosting. His name is Sir Mixalot - I love him!!

I filled and tied off about 200 water balloons - Amanda did some but had a hard time tying them off.

There was swimming in the neighbours pool.


Scrabble and a movie.

Amanda being not tired on Sunday at 5:30 in the afternoon.

Mischief wasn't tired either.