La dee da...

I have the day off because I worked all weekend. So I'm home, watching Roman Holiday. Oh, they're hugging in the car. She loves him. Whoa... the big smooch scene. Gregory Peck was certainly dreamy.

More photos. La dee dah...

Sheryl, down at Tangled Skeins, has done some rearranging in the shop (well, she and Martha did some rearranging). Here's a little preview for you:

She found a new cabinet for the Noro. It really stands out against the dark wood.

Have I showed you this before? Sheryl has her own yarn for the shop. It's called Blooming yarn. Isn't it lovely?

She's got some new Lantern Moon stuff to - I'm particularly fond of this bag. (You can see quite a few of the Lantern Moon bags in the Noro photo.)

I've got another photo from the shop, but it's of something Sheryl is working on as a gift so I don't dare show it.

That's all for now. I think Sheryl mentioned that the shop is going back to the winter hours sometime soon. I'll find out what they are soon and post it.

Three posts in as many days. Wow. I'm doing well. Things are going to go swiftly downhill over the next few days, as my work schedule goes crazy. Here's a little overview of the travelling I'll be doing over the next little bit:

This coming weekend: I'm going to Newfoundland! Gander first and then on to St. John's. I've been to St. John's ever year since I started my job, but I've never been anywhere else in Newfoundland. I'll have Tuesday morning off, so I plan to hike up Signal Hill. As long as it isn't raining, of course. 'cause I'm made of sugar.

Then, after a quick trip to Moncton, I'm going to ATLANTA, GEORGIA on the 17th of October. I'm there for 4 nights. I've already been corresponding with Jodi about the possibility of getting together for a knitting night. Is anyone else out there interested????????????

And I'm back in Newfoundland again during the first week of November. I've left out a couple of trips, but you get the picture, I'm sure. It's a busy fall.

Well, Roman Holiday is over. I think I'll do some knitting now.

Oh Heavenly Day

I just spent today working at my favourite LYS! I love working there. I was discussing this with Sheryl, the lovely owner (hi Sheryl - how's it going? cut out coffee yet? heh heh)... when we were sorting out some scheduling over the phone. I was hoping to do some more shifts this fall, but it looks like my "real job" schedule is really getting in the way of my yarn store hours. I told Sheryl that I was quite relieved she had asked me to work there, because if I just hung around there for the amount of time that I would like really like to spend there... well, it would be unseemly. And I would probably lose my regular job.

I didn't buy any yarn today, but I did set some aside that I want to pick up on Monday. *ahem* She's got Rowan All Seasons Cotton on for 70% off. Leaving that yarn there would be like leaving kittens at the side of the road. Yeah, you heard me. I'm hard core. I'm comparing abandoned kittens to variegated yarn on sale. Hey, I have my reasons for stocking up: my cousin's wife is having TWINS! Those babies are getting matching little blankies! Or sweaters... I'm undecided.

She also has Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora on sale for 50% off. How can she do this to me when I'm on a yarn buying hiatus (baby blankets excluded)? If I didn't love her so much, I would think that she's just trying to kill me with sales (love ya, Sheryl... set some of that aside for me too... those babies will need sweaters... DAMMIT!).

Ok, enough of the advertising (heh heh).

Let's move on... Remember the whining about the digital camera? No? Suffer any short term memory loss? Please see the last post. (Can you tell I've got that demon-sugar coursing through my veins?)

Well, my usual camera is on the fritz (and if my "darling" husband ever remembers to bring it home, we'll be taking to be repaired)... so I'm sadly without my usual crappy electronic resources. I've been feeling horrible about this and the thought of a photoless blog was keeping me awake at night, so I... ?

What? oh, ok, no more explaining. Here are the photos. You can probably guess where I found a camera...

This is my office! Not my home office, my work office (my home office is awful and will never be pictured on this blog until such time as: I win a million dollars in the lottery and I outfit this hole with nicer furniture).

The photo of Minou on the computer screen is the one of her in her Monty Python outfit.

You'll see I've entitled this one "Proof". That's for those of you who know me as a couch potato and don't believe I would be biking to work. I've been told by my coworker that I could get commute-friendly tires, but I told him that I do some "off-roading" on my way to work. Hee hee.

These are my cankle-socks. Bwah ha ha ha ha ha... They are the basic cabled socks from Brainylady. I love how they are turning out. Even though the yarn is variegated, and doesn't show the cable as well as it would with a plain yarn, I like them. It makes the cables a little hidden surprise (That's what I'm telling myself anyway. Then I cry a little bit b/c I have a ball of solid orange Opal in my stash.)

Quick. Look at this:

Do you see it? Do you see how the purple is pooling? Doh. Forget it. Let the cables dazzle you. Martha? Will you show me how to do short row heels?

Alright. Let's look at something I bet that none of you knew I was working on. Well, except Jen. But we were both tipsy when I showed her and now I bet she's forgotten.

I know, I know. I'm behind by a year. It's Carla from Rowan's "It's a Tape Thing". I love how fast knits up. See how there is an entire piece that's already finished? Yup. I did that in a day! It's so easy! Last baby came out sideways, didn't even scream! (sorry, is that offensive? Andrew is forever doing that little skit and I can't even remember where he got it.)

Crap. I just used all of my uploads for this month on Flickr. I was going to upload the shawl that Martha (fellow Tangled Skeins employee) made. It's amazing. I think it is the leaf shawl from FiberTrends. Martha says she's only been knitting since January, but I think she's pulling our legs. She's such an amazing knitter. Are you blushing, Mrs. T? She's read so much about knitting that she's like a walking encyclopedia! Honest! it's great. Ok, so it's possible that she's telling the truth about when she started knitting, but if so:
a. what do her amazing talents say about the rest of us slackers?
b. is it possible that she is channelling the spirit of some master knitter?
c. should I quit my job and start knitting full time?

Well, you'll all just have to wait until September for me to upload the photo of her shawl. Believe me, it's worth the wait.

Three Kids, One Dog + One Auntie =

One very tired Auntie.

The boys were awake at 6:45am!!! 6:45am!!! The next time they stay over, I'm installing a shutters on the window in their room!

I was soooo tired last night. I think I'm too old for kids now. Yeesh. Those three and the dog wore me out. I have to say, though, they were little troupers. The siding is all done of the shed.

Kidding - my dad and CH arrived yesterday morning and worked away on the shed with Andrew. My youngest nephew was practically begging to help out but, contrary to what I might have said yesterday, a 6-year-old and a nail gun just don't mix. Instead, the kids and I went for a walk, drew on our driveway with sidewalk chalk (world's greatest invention), watched "Monsters Inc" for the gazillionth time, and played with a skipping rope.

Poor little Pippin was rather upset that he wasn't allowed to play on the driveway with us. We had to keep him behind the fence because he still doesn't come when he is called. When I was trying to get him to come in on Friday night he kept running circles around me. You can't get really upset with him when he does this, though, because he's just so darned cute.

So today I've just been relaxing and hanging out at home. Andrew went to work around noon and I've been lazing around since. I can't believe it's 7pm already. I feel like such a big pile of poo.

Anyway, to lighten up the mood around here, and to get some creative juices flowing, I've got some more photos of Tangled Skeins.


That's Lucy Neatby's yarn, made by the Fleece Artist, sitting on the top two shelves. Yummy stuff. And yes, that's Bamboo sitting in the basket.


Ok, I was fainting from the sight of the yarn. Yeah, that's it. See those felted bags on the white hooks? They are Sheryl's designs (I think - wait, Sheryl? Are they your designs? The brown and pink one is, right?). And if you look closely at the right hand corner of the photo - you'll see the 50% off bin! Woowee!


And that's the wall of Lamb's Pride and other fabulous yarns. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.

Alrighty then. I'm going to try to get some photos of my UFOs for my next posting. We'll see if I hold true to that promise!

A Good Day In Happy Land

First of all, I went to see "Revenge of the Sith" last night and although I have to say there were some cheesey moments in this film, weren't there cheesey moments in all of them - including the original three. Now, while I didn't have much use for the Episode I and II, I now understand the need for them AND how this one ties them together with Episode IV, V and VI. Two thumbs up from Andrew and I... oh, and yes, Yoda does kick ass.

On CBC's Go this morning they announced that 20, 000 Canadians listed Jedi-ism as their religion (was this on the last Canadian census?). I've realized in the last two days what a Star Wars freak I am, but I don't think I'm ready to declare Jedi-ism as my religion.

Alrighty, moving on. Here's why it was a good day at our house. First of all, it started like this:



These cinnamon buns are pretty darned good, if I do say so myself. A lady who used to work for my parents and who is widely known as one of the best bakers around, used to make these and bring them into the store. The bun part is actually a tea biscuit - so it's very moist. Anyone want the recipe? Let me know.

Just before Andrew and I headed out for the afternoon, we noticed a feline mating ritual going on in our yard. We don't have cats, so we were greatly amused by the "Wild Kingdom" episode going on in our backyard (well, until I saw the big cat poop by the fence, ew). Hmmmm, I wonder what was going on between those two. If only cats could talk:



Awwwww... Poor Richard. Spurned because of his genetic make up. Wait, he's turning to look at me. Poor, poor boy...


Oh.

Oh dear.

After watching the cats slink away, I headed down to do some knitting with Sheryl at Tangled Skeins. Here's her cute little sign.



And in stark contrast to her gorgeous shop - here is one of the neighbouring businesses. I love, love, love the truck with the white flame job.



Oh baby, seeing that truck just makes me want to ride in the middle sitting snuggled up against my boyfriend while I run my fingers through his MULLET!

I must regain my composure.

Here are a few shots of the inside of Tangled Skeins:



Sheryl's collection of antique needles.




Check out that go go girl dress. And the purse, look at the purse. Don't those flowers look like they're going to pop right off and start dancing around the room? (nooooo, I am not high! How many times do I have to tell you people that?)



Ok, this isn't the best photo, but aren't those colours great?
Alrighty, that's all for now. I can't give away the farm on the first go round, right?

Awwww, screw it, I've got a digital camera at my disposal today. Here's the last one.



Look who's blocking!!!

Tangled Skeins

Ok, Knitters in Halifax and Dartmouth &c - today is day 2 of the anniversary sale at Tangled Skeins.

Here's the deal: 25% off everything in the store that isn't already discounted. (And there are some nice discounts on other things)

Briggs and Little is $2.00/ skein. Hello! $2.00 / skein!!!!!!

She's got some beautiful Bamboo and Soy Silk yarn that is just screaming summer shawl!

I went in yesterday and topped up on some Rowan 4-ply to finish my lace camisole from Vintage Knits... and some Cascade 220 for another Sophie (not for me, for the slapstick hairstylist). Then today it was Rowan Kidsilk Haze and some *cough* *cough* Bamboo *cough* *cough*.

Slow and steady wins the race, people. Slow and steady.

Short Lived

I'm taking tomorrow off. I was just sitting on the couch, revelling in the knowledge that I can sleep in tomorrow when I remembered something:

I'm taking tomorrow off because I'm working on the weekend.

*insert disappointed "The Price Is Right" but you got it wrong type sound here*

Sigh.

Despite the knowledge that I am working all weekend, tomorrow is going to be a good day. I'm hoping that my darling husband is coherent enough to have breakfast with me tomorrow. He's STILL doing that insane "starting up a new business must work 20 hours a day" thing. I haven't really seen much of him over the last month. I briefly considered starting a support group for people who have spouses / partners who work too much. But then I remembered that I've already started that. It's me and a bunch of balls of yarn, only, the balls of yarn don't talk much and seem complacent with their lot in life.

I'm also planning to go for Cwaffeeeeee with Sheryl, my fabbo, wonderful LYS owner. Feel the love Sheryl, feel the love. Though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Gaspereau Valley Fibres, you should fear no evil, for I still have money to spend at your store! (Julie, you should feel the love too, because your store is very different from Sheryl's - different from, different than???)...

And in not so great news - I'm getting mes yeux (my eyes) checked tomorrow. My prescription hasn't changed in quite a few years, but I'm starting to notice some issues with focusing when I'm at the grocery store and (worse yet) at Chapters. I totally spazzed on Andrew in the grocery store's soup aisle the other day. I clutched at his arm and said, "You've got to find the French Canadian Pea soup for me. I can't read the labels. Something is wrong with my eyes! Ahhhhh." I know that most of you are now more concerned that I eat French Canadian Pea soup than you are about my eyes, but lemme tell you it fills you up and no one at the office ever asks you to share when you bring what is commonly considered to be: Fart Soup.

So I have to go see my kinda hunky Optometrist tomorrow. It's very hard to maintain composure when someone you consider cute is that close to your head... and he totally freaks me out by flipping my eyelids up to check them for nasty cancerous growths. Does every optometrist do this now? My old optometrist, who was in Maine (yup, I crossed the border for the sake of my eyes... shout out to Dr. McMannis), never, ever flipped my lids. (hee hee) Every time my new optometrist flips my eyelids I think of that nasty kid from elementary school who sat in front of me on the bus and would turn around and look at me with his eyelids flipped. GAHHHHHH!

I just really hope that I don't need new glasses. I just got these puppies (sorry, Minou, spectacles) about 17 months ago. I haven't even sat on them yet!

Oh, I wanted to point you guys to Crazy Aunt Purl, but especially to this post. Especially the last two paragraphs. Did anyone else have this experience when they started to knit? She's got me pinned. I thought that knitting was so amazing that I tried to knit in the car on the way back to the cottage the first NIGHT I had re-learned how to knit. I think it spoke to my inner obsessive-compulsive needs. I didn't want to move away from the needles, ever! Still don't.

Alrighty then, if I'm going to get done all the things I'm hoping to accomplish tomorrow, I'm going to have to go to bed now.

I'll leave you with this, it's a pansy from my garden last year. I put it on the scanner. Hang in there, fellow Canucks, it won't be long!



B.T.W. In spite of the 20 degree Celsius weather today, we're supposed to get snow tonight. Not a lot, but snow nonetheless. It's the last one - then it really is spring.

It Can't Be February Already, Can It?

It was a beautiful day here today. I went out for a walk and left my winter coat at home. That's not to say I was walking around in my shirtsleeves - I wore a sweater and a couple of layers, but I wasn't bundled up to my eyeballs. I love being outside on days like this. The snow was melting!

After visiting my LYS, I hit Le Village du Value in search of inspiration. I've been thinking about making a recycled felted wool blanket for my sister-in-law's cottage and for my mother and father-in-law's cottage. There were plenty of ye olde wool v-neck sweaters, but they were pricier than I had hoped - $5.99 to $7.99 each. Hmmmm, what to do, what to do... I'm thinking that I'll be doing some yard-saling (yard-sailing - hee hee) this summer.

I also saw a pink Samsonite suitcase. It was in great shape. It just screamed "Barbie Dream Vacation". I think it would be perfect for storing Barbie and her accessories. Yeah, yeah, I know, Barbie may not be a feminist icon, but she's always had good fashion sense. Mock me for being a member of the Barbie generation if you must. When my dad was on a "clean out the house" binge a few years back, he sent me home with my Barbies, even the ones with experimental Cindy Lauper-esque hair cuts. They're currently housed in a hard brown suitcase. I don't think they're entirely happy in there. Sometimes, late at night, you can hear soft, bitter, weeping emanating from the ugly brown suitcase.

I didn't buy the suitcase because I was walking, but if it's there tomorrow, I'll get it then. I just don't know if I should keep it here or if I should give it to my 9-year-old niece. It was just so darned cute.

Woo, all that about a suitcase and Barbies. Someone needs to get a life! *singsong voice*

So, here are some photos of what I've been up to:



Look, it's a heart! Just in time for Valentine's Day next Monday!
This is the scarf I made using the Avril yarn. The pattern is the Ruggles Reversible Scarf #1 by Catherine Winegate. I don't have the link now, but I'm sure you could find it using the info above. Sorry about the lack of a pattern closeup - the sun was blinding in my back yard so I ran back inside before my retinas melted and before taking a closeup of the stitch.

NEXT!



It's the shining star hat - and again, I'll claim retinal damage as the reason for the poor shot of the hat. Maybe I'll get Andrew to take a photo tomorrow.

Alrighty, Andrew is waiting for me with a movie and the promise of my own couch.

Tah!

Performance Reviews: 0, Buttons: 1, oh & a 5 Star Yarn Store

Ok, so, I finished up my performance review homework. At one point there was a glass of whisky on the rocks on the table - one sip reminded me why I'm not a hard-liquor-on-the-rocks-kinda woman - gah! I'm sure that's what evil tastes like! Where is the nice man with the cocktail shaker and the ingredients for a whisky SOUR when I need him? Anyway, I've decided that I'm a pretty good employee. But I don't know if anyone else agrees. I went to work today, mentally prepared for the review. My manager, on the other hand, didn't come in today. She had meetings out of the office. She didn't mention the review when she called to check in this afternoon. Oh well, such is life. Scuze me while I'll just find the nice man with the cocktail shaker.

On a happy note, I made a button for my blog this week. Angela of MinouPitou fame refined it a bit for me. Let's see if this works:



This is to replace, for now, the horrid photo Angela had of me wearing a felted purse I made for her, uh, on my head. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately I do these things when I'm stone-cold sober. Yeah, yeah, if I suddenly stopped acting like this, none of you would be reading this blog because it would be drier than, uh, drier than... crap, it would just be boring. (I'm no longer sure how well I'll do with that creative writing class.)

I popped by my LYS after work today. The shop is called Tangled Skeins. For you Dartmouthians and Haligonians, the shop is on Portland Street in Dartmouth, right between Ducky's Cafe and Merchant Marie's Tattoo Parlour. You can choose to visit all three places in one day or not. I've often wondered if the guys at the tattoo parlour ever wander into Tangled Skeins looking to expand their creative horizons. I think they would excel at designing patterns for intarsia.

Ok, back to Tangled Skeins: Have I mentioned how FAB-U-FREAKING-LOUS it is? Sheryl, (Cheryl? Sherrill? crap, lady, how DO you spell your name? I've never asked, but I tend to think of her as a Sheryl. Of course, my first name makes me lean toward using the S), the owner, is just the best (and I'm not just saying that b/c you told me today that you read my blog last night). She's got a really great eye for putting colours together, she's very encouraging, and even though I threatened to hug her the first time I was in her store (erm, I was just a little excited that there is a yarn store within walking distance of my house), she still lets me come in and pat the yarn. She doesn't even seem to mind that I get a little hyper-active when I walk in the door. I think, however, she might still be getting over the joke I made about knitters getting wool in their throats like cats get hairballs - I'm really sorry, the situation just seemed to call for sound effects!

Anyway, the shop is really cozy and bright and packed full of yarn. She's stocked it will yarn that you actually see in new pattern books, and it's yarn that you DON'T necessarily see in the local craft stores. She just got Manos - oooooooooh, pretty. And I'm pretty sure that she's still out there surfing the net for trends and for the classics as well. The best thing about the store is the people who work there - they've got a great sense of humour and they're all pretty darn friendly and knowledgeable too.

Oh - and Sheryl sells my stitch markers in her store. Woowee!

That concludes my info-mercial moment for today. People of HRM, shop at Tangled Skeins!

(Does anyone notice how many brackets I use? I tend to think tangentially, so they just naturally crop up in my writing. Crop, not crap. Those of you who mind the brackets, well, suck it up, Buttercup, I don't think they'll be going away.)