Franklin's Christening Shawl.....

This gorgeous WIP, originally uploaded by Panopticon.

Gasp with me, if you will, at this lovely work from my friend Franklin!

He's one of the funniest, most talented bloggers I've had the pleasure of encountering since entering in to the blogging world (truth be told, I was reading his blog LONG before I even thought to start mine!!) and it was his blogging talents that actually kept me from blogging from so long!

I never knew that "normal" (meaning people without the talents he has for entertaining us) were allowed to blog! It wasn't until I followed some of the links off the links off the links that I realized that not EVERYONE is a blogging super-talent and people that are average CAN do it too.

Anyway -- isn't this GORGEOUS! I must do a lacy project! Perhaps not with such a fine yarn to begin with -- but I have to give it a go!!

I sure hope we get to see the niecephew (I think that is what he calls the yet unborn baby he's knitting for -- obviously, it's his sisters child, cute, eh??) I :heart: it Franklin!

Gosh, it's only been a couple of days and I miss knitting so much already I don't know how I am going to survive this!!! I am also not supposed to be on the computer -- but I can't give up everything....and I have been using the mouse with my other hand and NOT typing AT ALL except for this short post at all today -- so I have been good. I do want it to heal ASAP -- but I can't see my not knitting for much longer....wahhhhhhhhhh (in my best I Love Lucy whine!) ::gg::

Orders from Da Man.....

And Da Man in this case would be my Doctor :(

And I am NOT happy. NO KNITTING. For I don't even know how long. I should not be using the computer or lying on my left side either -- now, what the heck am I supposed to do? I can't use the computer, knit OR sleep! OY!

I have somehow managed to tear my musculotendinous (rotator) cuff and get tendinitis in my shoulder (I think....I stopped listening when he said I couldn't knit), although it's more my arm that is giving me a problem.

How, you ask? Couldn't tell ya....I don't have a clue?! All I can tell you is that it HURTS like a and I am so disgusted with LIFE that I want to spit AND despite the fact that I am already quite medicated due to other problems that I have been suffering with for many years -- I cannot for the life of me understand how I can be in this much pain. I am nauseous from the pain it hurts so much...I am not a happy camper....but now at least I know why I have been having such a hard time knitting -- it's not all in my head!

I really do want this to heal as soon as possible -- but I really don't know how long I will be able to comply with his orders. I don't know what the heck I am going to do all day without my two best friends...how does one live with both the computer AND knitting being taken away from them at the same time?? And I also sleep ONLY on my left side, which I have been ordered not to do any more; or at least until this heals -- so I can't even sleep! I am going to be quite a $itch by the time this is over!!

TTFN....I think I am going to see if I can rig up a sling to support this arm so I can see if I can knit without putting pressure on the tendons, if I have to go for months without any pleasure -- I might as well just shoot myself now! I will report back if I can come up with something, but DON'T tell anyone, ok?? SHHHHHH, it's a HUGE secret!! ::gg::

Ok, so I have not been able to knit.....

Why I love the Valley Oak ..., originally uploaded by Laura Bell.

But at least I have not been bored! Look what I found!!

Isn't it gorgeous!? There really are some amazingly talented folks on Flickr!!

I sure hope I can pick up some tricks. My photos sure are even more pitiful after poking around here all day today....Osmosis maybe? I need to find a friend like Silver (hey, Sil!!) that can send me some good mojo for photography like she did when I began knitting....never thought I would be able to knit either -- and now I can...so there may be hope for my photos as well ;)

We shall see!!

If you get a chance, please have a peek at Laura's photostream! She's got some pretty awesome stuff in there. And I am not sure if when you're blogged about from Flickr you get a notice -- but if so, I hope you don't mind my doing this with your photo, Laura! I really love your work :) And if you have any tips you'd like to share with me for taking a good photo, I am all ears! One thing though -- I cannot take outside photos -- they will all have to be indoors, or in my yard...so please keep that in mind. Thanks :)

Happy Hoppy!

Just a quick post to wish one and all a very Happy Easter!

I know I didn't do as I was supposed to and catch up with emails yet -- but hopefully after dinner later today I will have some spare time to do that.

Hope you all have a great day, and PLEASE have some chocolate for me :( Oh, I so miss REAL chocolate! But I guess I can get myself some yarn to console myself :gg: Yeah, that's the excuse I can use THIS time!

Da faster I go...

The behinder I git!

Wow, I don't know what would happen if I worked outside the home! I don't have enough time in my days to get done the things I want to now -- I don't know what would happen if I had to leave here each day.

I have about a million people that I owe emails to. I promise I will work on that this week. I am sorry, guys! It's been one of those weeks again and I just can't seem to catch up.

I have been working feverishly on my Opal socks, and I am very close to FINALLY finishing the first one. The second will go much quicker I think since I will not be working on anything else until they are complete. I need a pair of socks for heavens sake. I still cannot believe that neither I nor the DH have even ONE SINGLE pair of hand knit socks in our possession. With all the socks I have knit, I didn't keep one, single pair for us....His are next. I do think it's time for US for a change. I am all for being generous -- but we can be generous with ourselves too. And I am DYING to see what everyone raves about with these socks.

So, if I am very quiet for the next few days, it's because I am knitting my fingers to the bone on socks for hubbers and I.

Oh, and don't forget, tomorrow at 10:30 EST Tori & Dean Inn Love on OH! Brand new episode!! Can't wait!!! They are moving to Fallbrook in this episode -- BUT, I have already SEEN the completed Inn and OMG, are you in for a treat once you see it completed! They did an AWESOME job! I especially like the Master Suite and the Blue Room but the entire Inn is GORGEOUS.

I believe they have succeeded in doing what they set out to do! I sure wish I had a trip to California in my future! Anyone in the area that wants to make a reservation , it's in Fallbrook, CA and it's called Chataeu La Rue. (it's the old Oak Creek Manor) -- I am sure you will love it there. Especially if Tori and Dean are actually there when you stay. They really do seem to be like the perfect people to host a B&B, AND to party with too!

And please see if they will allow you to take pictures of the kitchen for me if you go! That is the only room I have not seen, and being a chef, I am dying to get peek at it!! I am sure I will be green with envy!

Ohhhhh, a re-run of the last show is on right now! Gotta run!!

OMG -- You got my trunk, you got my trunk!

Tori, you're a TRIP!!!

I'm so excited -- I could just SHE-IT!

Ok So, I am sure you know by now what a fan I am of sock knitting -- but you may not know of the Love I have for Cookie A. -- the fantastic knitwear designer that is the genius behind such gorgeous lace sock patterns as Baudelaire, Hedera and Pomatomus.

(the picture to the right contains my favorite sock shot ever. I fell in love with the picture before I even looked closely at the pattern for the first time - if you click on it, it will open up and you can see it in all its glory!!! I happen to love the sock too although I have been too skeered to tackled the pattern.....yet, it is on my list though. Along with everything else I can find that Cookie has designed -- I have not found ONE dud.)
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Anyway, to get to the point, she's at it again, and this time with even BETTER designs. And I thought that I had missed out by not being able to attend Stitches, BUT, my dear knitting friends, fear not! Cookie has not let us down! She has started her own store!!! YEAH Cookie! And a HUGE thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

You can see her new designs on her brand new website Cookie A Knitwear Designs and please don't miss the Millicent Sock Pattern as pictured below -- please click to enlarge -- look at that sexy foot on that sock! OMG! I MUST try this one. Please send me all the knitting mojo you can spare. I am going to need it!!



Congrats on the new site, Cookie, and thank you so much again for making these available to those of us that could not make it to Stitches to meet you in person (DAMN!)...maybe some day!?

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Tori and Dean Inn Love!

Ok, so I admit it. I have never been a fan of Tori Spelling. I guess I didn't have a reason, just thought of her as a spoiled, rich brat born with a silver spoon in her mouth and I don't have much use for those types.

HOWEVER. There is NOTHING on TV today and I happened to be flipping through the channels and came upon this show. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised -- she is SOOOOOO NOT what I thought she was. She is either a FANTASTIC actress, or she's actually a truly nice person. Either way, I was WAY wrong!

There is also something I have to admit -- her tendencies towards OCD behavior (ok, ok...you'll see why I put it this way in a sec) and the way she gets carried away with "harming the baby" are so ME! It's like looking in the mirror, if I were a few shades blonder, a few inches shorter and more than a few pounds lighter! Oh, and preggers...which I am not!

There, I've admitted it -- I am obsessive in nature -- as if my yarn addiction wasn't proof enough :)

Anyway, I apologize Tori, for ever doubting you! I am sure you were heartbroken knowing how I felt before today and now you can be healed knowing that you have a new fan!! :::ggg:::

And the way Dean takes care of her is as sweet as can be! You go guys!

CONGRATS on the birth of your baby boy too ;) I hope you are all adjusting well to one another!!

Added 4/1: I have been reading a lot about Tori today -- like she named the Inn after her Dog Mimi La Rue. It's called Chataeu La Rue -- something else I would have TOTALLY done if I were in the position to name an inn! I can't believe how much we are alike!!!! She also named the baby Liam Aaron -- after her Dad who just passed away recently (who, despite what he did and where he did it, I cannot find a single article about him where ANYONE knocks him! We lost a really good man there folks! Imagine, in HOLLYWOOD, and man that is that well loved and respected? I would have loved to have had the chance to meet him as well) -- something else I would totally do to honor my own Dad's passing! Although I know we are not unique there...

You are going to have to forgive me -- in all my 40 something years, I can't recall another time when I have EVER been star struck! This is totally new for me -- perhaps it is because I see so many things in her that are so like me, and I never imagined that to be the case for whatever reason. For those that have emailed, the show is on the Oxygen! Network. I hope you enjoy it! I am sure you will see many things that you will find very familiar as you watch!!

Cammo hat...for the baby!

Ok, so this is really more as a ha ha. The baby's grandfather, my friend David is an avid hunter -- and he eats everything he hunts, so I am sorta ok with it as long ask I don't have to see it...I guess....anyway.

So when I found this yarn in my stash, I just had to make a hat for baby Hayden. It's soooo cute in real life. This photo does nothing at all for it, but you'll just have to trust me here.

Pictures are still crappy -- but I am working on it!

I know they still suck, but I am working on it! I have been reading all that I can find on how to take a good photo and hopefully soon I will be posting photos that look better -- but for now we're stuck with what I can turn out! And it's NOT the camera, it's that I suck at photography!

Anyway -- I have been working on a baby a few baby things for our neighbor's new great grandson. I can't wait to meet him!! But here's what I have finished so far:






They really are much cuter in person than they look here -- and they also are in need of blocking. Hopefully I will get a chance to snap a few more pictures after I block them and before the baby gets them -- but you get the idea anyway.

I hope they are still going to fit him! They say he is growing like a weed!! I would like to make a quick pair of booties too -- and if I can find an easy pattern I will -- one that is knit IN THE ROUND! One thing this sweater has taught me is that I HATE SEAMING, and I will avoid it at all costs!!

And I would also LOVE to make him those baby Ugg boots -- but I wonder, are they ok for a boy? I don't think boys wear them when they are older -- but are they ok for a baby? (I don't have kids, can you tell??) I also wonder if there is a pattern out there that has been converted being knit in the round? If anyone has seen one, can you please point me in the direction? Although seaming with chenille yarn wasn't as bad as it was with the wool I used for the sweater -- I have had quite enough, thank you very much! ::gg::

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There's A New Editor At Interweave Knits!

I have been a great fan of Eunny and her blog ever since I began my knitting journey a bit over 2 years ago. Not only is she a FANTASTIC knitter -- she also is a GREAT chef -- something that I have also done a time or two (or for about 25 years) in my life!

Things have been VERY quiet over there for quite some time, and today she made the announcement that she's been appointed to this fantastic new position! I am sure that I am not the only one that is THRILLED to death for her -- she's one of the most talented knitters that I have had the pleasure of knowing, AND, she's kind and generous too!! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us with the magazine!!

CONGRATULATIONS EUNNY!!!! And best of luck to you in your new position!! I know you're going to just love it!!

Here is the link to the PDF file on the Interweave site making the official announcement! Enjoy!!

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Awwww. POOR Puppy!

Can you believe what some people are willing to do to their poor dogs? If I were to do this to the Bean, she would eat me alive! Poor baby! ::gg:: I guess not everyone likes everything I do either, so if you'd like to make this pattern, you can find it at the Lion Brand site -- you will need a free subscription to see the pattern though.

Now, on to The long awaited WIPs, one FO and my first Zephyr!