One almost done

The Surf & Turf Multidirectional scarf is a few fringes away from being completed. (and the crowd roared) I really have enjoyed the multidirectional knitting. There is a shawl that is MD and I have it on my list for up and coming projects. It would be beautiful in Tibetan Silk. (will have to save up for that).

Tomorrow is the demonstration. Right now I'm fighting the butterflies in my stomach. All my life I have loved doing things like this, but the day before I'm a nervous mess. I must be good at hiding it though, because no one can ever tell I'm about to loose what's on my stomach. LOL. Maybe it's true, when you smile a lot nobody knows what you are really up to. :-)

Awhile back I went through a little bump in the road with a few "friends" of mine that thought I was only good for dumping on and supplying the wine while they whined. Well I have an update on one of them. When I confronted her about what she was doing and how it was effecting me I told her that if you don't like how your life is, you are the only one that can make it change. Telling me about it doesn't even make you feel better, it just continues the process. So it's been a couple of weeks since I've heard from her, then last night I got a call. She has made a change. She put her house up for sale, quit her job, and is going to move to Asheville, NC and pursue some of her artist dreams. I'm so happy for her. Besides, I will now have a place to stay when I go up there. (smile) But, she said that her biggest problem was the fear to do what she really wanted and to follow her desires. And that she got so unhappy here, that she had no choice but to make a change. Sometimes we all get to that place don't we?

May you have wonderful knitting moments and the gift of accepting the changes in your life,
Blessed Be

Fun Information

Are you an info nut? I found on the Knitter's Review web site some great information about knitters. What they have done is take the results of their polls (which I love to do) and created a web page about us. Here is the link. http://knittersreview.com/article.asp?article=/review/profile/050310_a.asp .

Well time is getting close to the classes at Hobby Lobby. So far I there are about 8 ladies signed up. Saturday I have a demonstration from 10-2. Hopefully there will be some more sign up from that. I am so excited about all of it. There has been one down side. Since I give away almost everything that I knit, I've had to really dig to find items to have display. LOL. What I have been doing is printing out photos and making a knitting journal/photo album so they can flip through it and see my work. It's not as great as actually seeing and touching the item, but will have to do.

It's lunch time and the break is over. Off to work I go. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessed Be

She's 19

Today my daughter is 19. I'm trying to figure out where in the hell 19 years went. LOL. Just seems like yesterday she was starting to walk. Now she's Ms. Independent. Which is something I am thankful for. She has grown into a wonderful young woman. I just wish she could have done that without me aging the 19 years with her. (grin).

Since she is going into hair and makeup, especially theatrical and movie makeup I bought her a full professional make up artist case filled with EVERYTHING. It looks so good I want to keep it. She will be shocked by it.

Today Gunther is 8 weeks old. I guess they will celebrate together. I don't know if you can tell but birthdays are big in my house. They weren't when I was growing up. But I've always felt that as long as I have kids they will know that their births are as special to me today as they were when they were born. That their lives and their presence here is something to celebrate.

I'm off to have cake & ice cream.

Puppy News, You can Help

See this little cuttie? This is Gunther's sister. The person that was going to take her home backed out this morning and now she is all alone. This photo was a few weeks back. So she is now about the size of the Gun-man, 15 pounds and will be 8 weeks old this Monday. She has had her first shots and been dewormed. She has the sweetest face and matching disposition. If you are interested PLEASE email or call Jay at his contact info:

Jay Berkowitz
Phone: 678-591-4459
Email: jwberkowitz@hotmail.com
Note: I live in Fayetteville, GA (about 25 miles South of Atlanta)

Just deleted my whole post

I've been sitting here for 30 minutes working on a post and just deleted the whole thing. LOL. No, I'm not going to get crazy over it, like I did, when I had been working days on a web site and with one click, accidentally deleted the whole thing. (yea that's why they pay me the big bucks, I'm a genius).

So instead of rewriting all of it, here it is in a nutshell.

All the knitting projects are coming a long well. The multidirectional scarf with the Surf and Turn yarn is just about done. I am hoping to get the fringe on it Monday. The Leaf Lace Shawl is on row 29. Though it looks like about 3 inches are done. Lace is deceiving.

Gunther is 15 pounds of precious puppy. I was able yesterday to get some of the bath photos up on his blog and photo gallery.

The preparations for the knitting demonstration next Saturday at Hobby Lobby are done and I have just a couple things to finish writing up for the classes which start Oct. 3rd. (same day Gunther goes to get his second round of shots).

For those of you who have been with me the past few weeks as I've dealt with my "draining" friends. You'll be pleased to know, that those situations have been taken care of. Confronted, discusses, and left with each person on how they wanted to live their lives. While I am thinking about it, One Sided Relationships Are Not Friendships!

May you have a wonderful weekend, filled with love, laughs, yarn and knitting.
Blessed Be

this photo isn't very good, but I was feeling in a hurry. Nothing like dumping your knitting on the table and feeling a little pressure to update the blog! The projects are from the left, the first 18 rows of what will grow up to be a beautiful Leaf Lace Shawl, a Multidirectional Scarf on size 8s, another Multidirectional Scarf on size 5s with sock weight yarn, and on the double points the ribbing for a pair of socks. So, I've been a busy girl, taking care of the Precious, (Gunther), working, knitting and developing the class plan for the knitting classes. I will have a couple of these with me for the knitting demonstration so people can see what I'm working on and how to do it. The blue multidirectional can get finished now because the other two skeins of yarn arrived today.  

Modular Knits by Iris Schreier

A few weeks back I posted my list of items that I wanted to knit as gifts. Figuring that if I started now planning and making a few things here and there, when the holiday season rolled in I'd finally be prepared. Then I found a free scarf pattern on the internet for Multidirectional knitting. Starting that pattern got my creative juices flowing and it's so much fun to knit that I ordered the book above and joined the Modular Knitting Yahoo Group (link to the group can be found by scrolling down to the Yahoo link on the sidebar) The free scarf pattern Iris offers, starts out a little different than the other pattern but the effect is the same. Well my book came and I can't wait to start some of the project in there. And the great part is that some of them will fit into the general gift list that I made up. There are patterns for ALL levels of knitters. The instructions are clear, but if you have a question you can go to the message board and find the answer or post a message and Iris will answer the question herself. If you are like me and love to make shawls, there is one in particular in the book that is gorgeous. I may actually splurge on the yarn for this one! So if you are in a rut or ready to try something new with your knitting I suggested getting a copy of this book. (scroll down and click on the Amazon link, any money made from the book sales go directly to the Humane Society).

Ok that's my pitch for the day. Gunther is doing great. My two multidirectional scarves are coming along, and I started a new pair of basic socks today from some yarn my mom sent me. (my life in a nutshell). LOL

Have a great Sunday,
Blessed Be

It's been BUSY

The past couple of days have flown by. Since we picked up Gunther it's been non stop crazy. He is doing so well. I'm so pleased with him. Here is a photo of him when we were on the way home Thursday. He is eating and sleeping well and adjusting better than I imagined. He's going to be a great part of the family.


I've had a couple of people ask me "which Hobby Lobby?" The classes start the first Monday in October from 6:00pm to 7:30 at the Hobby Lobby in Fayetteville, GA.

Have a great weekend!

Talked to Mike at Hobby Lobby

Well it looks like everything is a go for the knitting class. I have a demonstration set up for Oct. 1 and tomorrow I'll be taking my business cards and sign up sheets over there. I'm just so excited about it. Because it just happened right out of the blue makes is extra amazing. The only thing that I see as a hurdle is that all the good times for classes are taken Tuesday - Thursday. So I'm left with Monday or Friday. I guess I'll have to go with the Monday.

After I take my stuff to Hobby Lobby, I'm headed over to pick up my puppy. Yes, a day early.

Got the knitting class organized...maybe

I've been working on gathering my thoughts and materials for putting together a beginning knitting class. I think I have just about got it. But, I have to come up with a fee and so I searched around the internet and found everything from $25 up to $60. I guess some of what will determine the fee will be how many times a week we meet and for how long. I am hoping for 2 hour classes. What I'd eventually like to do is also teach a sock class and a multidirectional scarf class. Something that will take a beginner knitter to a next level.

So in the midst of all that, I went and seen Gunther. He was 6 weeks old on yesterday. I've got a new slideshow on his blog. He went from about 5 pounds last week to 10 pounds. The next few months he'll really grow, then level off a little and then take a really big one. That's funny it kind of sounds like my son and how he grows. ROFL.

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions for my beginners class, something that helped you or advise PLEASE let me know, I would love your input.

Puppy News & Knitting News

I called Jay today to see when he was going to be home tomorrow so I could get my Gunther fix. Well, guess what. He was taking all the puppies in to get their check up before they go to their new homes. If they got a clean bill of health he was going to start letting them go THIS FRIDAY! A week early.

So while I was out buying puppy stuff I ran into Hobby Lobby. I found more of the TLC yarn for the multidirectional scarf, the blue and brown for the fringe and 2 skiens of Lion brand sock yarn. Now that was pretty good because it was all on sale and I got 7 skeins of yarn and it was under $20.00. But in the check out the Manager recognized me and asked me how my knitting was going and we just chatted a little, then he asked me if I would be interested in teaching some beginning knitting classes. I jumped on that. That would be the perfect supplement right now since my other business is just maintaining.

Tonight I've got a bottle of wine in celebration! Taking back my life and controlling my time, getting Gunther early and a new job is worth a big celebration! Thanks to all the wonderful knitters out there who have shared their support. You all are the greatest.

Knitting and Stuff

The other day I posted about Fridays. So Saturday I made an effort to do things a little different just to break the cycle, the routine. When you see that you are starting to dig a rut for yourself, change is always a good thing. And so it's turned into a fun little game. It was the little things that made it interesting, like ordering a different drink at Starbucks, taking different roads to get to the destination, going to a different gas station, stuff like that. I finally went to an outdoor cafe for lunch that I've wanted to go to for months by myself, which was fantastic. I also screened all my calls. If a call came in and it was for work or to "dump" it did not get answered. I have an answering machine and it needs to get used some times. LOL. One thing that was really fun was making some changes in my knitting. I'm a thrower, but I knit just about as fast as those who knit continental, so over the weekend I did everything continental. If you haven't tried knitting the "other" way, (which ever way that would be for you) try it, it's a lot of fun. So while I was knitting I wasn't thinking about being dumped on or their problems I was concentrating on the stitches, each and every one. Now after all these changes this weekend the big thing was that it put me in a better frame of mind to face and deal with those who "don't want help" and it put some fun into the everyday things. We can always use more smiles and fun!

One more thing I want to put in here. I don't know why I didn't do this before. I have a video called Sweater Finishing For Hand and Machine Knitting by Leslye Solomon. It was watched one time. Over the weekend I list it on eBay and I wanted to share that in case anyone who reads this would be interested. Here is the link to the auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8218239930&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1 This is what the cover looks like.

Good Morning, This is the other multidirectional scarf I'm making. It's an experiment. I found a different pattern on the internet and thought I would try it out. There are only a few things different but the basics of it are the same. Now the story of the yarn. Well I had been watching this yarn at Jo Ann's and couldn't decide if I liked it or not then when I decided to try this other scarf I thought of this yarn, when I went back to Jo Ann's to get it they only had one left. Figures, they said they would get more in and I have all ready found a place where I can order it from. The Moral of the Yarn Story. Buy-ith it when ye see-th it, because-ith it may-ith be gone-ith next time-ith. Oh yeah, I tried something different, with this also, I am doing all the knitting on this Contential.  

What happened to FUN FRIDAY?

Somewhere a long life's path I have lost my FUN Friday. The past few Fridays have been too serious, too dramatic, and I've been way too pissed off. So I am taking control of my Fridays again. I may even start taking Fridays off. That would be very cool.

I don't know, it just seems like lately I've noticed that there are some areas of my life that have somehow gotten too serious and taken up with other peoples drama. Believe me, I don't mind at all helping my friends and being there for them. Those times are precious, I'm talking about those times, when you are being dumped on, and there is nothing you can say that the person wants to hear or you try to say something helpful and they blast you, and they just want to take up more of your time and suck the life force out of you. Here we are looking at the left overs of Katrina and these people I'm dealing with aren't even grateful for what they have. How sad. Being a Libra I need my scales balances and they aren't right now. (besides listening to all this whining is taking up good knitting time :-) ) So it's time to take control, start tomorrow off different, be mindful of my time, my kids, my friends, my animals and myself. Life is too short to not be enjoying it, so I think everyone that reads this should take a little time and be good to yourself. Buy yourself something, have a piece of chocolate, do something to change your routine. The "have to's" will always be there and the people who drain you emotionally will always be around, you just have to take a moment to become aware of it, center yourself, take stock in the person you are and make a change. A friend of mine told me this one time and it's so true, "if you want the same results, continue to do the same thing. If you want something to change, then you have to decide to make a change."

Well I've ranted a little haven't I? Tomorrow I'll report in on how my changes went and have some knitting photos. (I started another multidirectional scarf on larger needles).

The Humane Society

By clicking on the title of todays post or the link below, you will take you directly to the Humane Society's donation page.

https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2005?source=drfhb4

Here are my boys. GT had been down on the floor and the puppies attacked him, It was great, all us there were in tears, GT was still recovering. He had his hair back in a ponytail and the puppies got caught in it so he took it out. Anyway, here they are Gunther and GT. We have now named them since GT's nick name is the G-Man, it's the G-Man and the Gun-man. By the way my son how is 16 is about 6 foot tall, so you know that Gunther is a big boy too.  

This scarf is coming along really fast. I'm pretty pleased with it. The yarn is sock yarn is from the stash and I haven't even gotten to half of the skein yet. I'm using US 5 circular needles. You can use straight but for comfort reasons I chose the circulars. And you can use any size yarn or needles. The other great thing about this is that it's all garter stitch.

Other note, hopefully today I can so see Gunther. (smile)

The multidirectional photo

The beginning of my multidirectional scarf. There are several links to this pattern on the internet. This link doesn't have any photos with it, but if you do a google image search for multidirectional scarves you will see some beautiful ones. http://douma.net/Karen/knitting/Accessory-Scarves/Multidirectional_Diagonal_Scarf.htm

Much Better

I woke up at 5AM with no pain. What a relief. Thanks to all of you again for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Since I woke so early (actually the night time pain reliever ran out) and I was feeling pretty good, I decided that I needed to spend a little time with my daughter who is turning 19 this month. Both her and my son are so fantastic when I get down with the head pain. So I got ready and surprised her by taking her to coffee this morning before she had to go to work. We had a great time. I know that I wouldn't be that age again for nothing. LOL. She is in that area where you are caught between mature and immature, so grown up and yet so young. But, she is handling it well, and isn't afraid to ask for help with the big decisions and isn't afraid of the consequences of making the bad ones. Yes, I'm proud of her and I am so blessed to have her and my son in my life.

After I got home, I grabbed some left over sock yarn and decided to try some multidirectional knitting. I'll have a photo this afternoon of what I have started. It's pretty fun so far. Once you get the first triangle made it's short rows which I find fun, that's why I love turning the heels in socks.

I have rambled enough, it's time for more knitting.

Have a wonderful Labor Day for those in the US

THANK YOU

I want to thank everyone who has emailed me and left comments concerning "our headaches". I guess we are in a league of our own. You all are great and I am sorry that we somehow have been chosen to handle these damn things.

I've had them since I was about 16-17 years old. To count how many different medications I have tried would take all night. Most of the time, while I am waiting to see if the headache gets worse the prime time to take medication is shot. I am grateful that today the pain didn't get worse, just stayed the same all day. If it had we have what is called "code red" the kids help out with making sure there is no light coming into my room and that sounds are down to a minimum. Then the stomach kicks in and I'm out of reality for about 3-5 days.

Anyway, again thank you, and for those of you who are in pain now, know that there are sister knitters out there going through what you are and they care.

Blessed Be

In spite of the headache

This morning like many mornings of my life I woke up with a headache. Now, as the day goes on it will either do one of the following A) stay the same, B) go away, or C) turn into a Migraine. I cannot begin to tell you how bad I hate waking up to pain. But, instead of caving into it, I got up took two little over the counter pills and started getting busy, hoping that at some moment I would realize I was pain free. Well the pain is still there, but I finished the Chestnut Chevron socks and I got my "steal my button" posted on the side bar. The kids made breakfast and cleaned up so that was one less thing I had to do. Now, it's off to the shower, and an afternoon of laundry.

Knitting Info and How To's

This may be one of those instances where I'm the last person on earth to get this information, but if I am not and I can share this web site with someone and it helps their knitting then I will be a happy knitter.

The site is called Knitting Help and they have FREE online knitting HELP. Yes I said Free and it's video. You can watch which for me is always better. So without further delay you can click HERE and go visit this very cool knitting site. Suggestion: after you check out this page roam around the web site there are other goodies.

Blessed Be

This morning I am attempting to catch up on my photos and get some house work done. I'm having more success with the photos. (smile) This is my second pair of Chevron Lace socks. I am using Chestnut Heather Wool Ease and size 6 Bamboo double points. The pattern calls for Wool Ease and I'm glad this way I can make a great pair of socks, use up some of my stash and do some relaxing knitting all at one time. It doesn't get better than that. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend. Blessed Be 

Multidirectional Knitting

Last night I was surfin' around the world here and I found on Yahoo the Multidirectional Knitting Group. The timing was pretty interesting since I had just read a review about Iris Schreier's book, Modular Knits (Lark, 2005). The group offeres free patterns and is very busy with a lot of messages and interaction. Here is the Description of the group if you are interested I encourage you to join. The link to join is toward the bottom of the side bar.

Description

Learn to knit in continuous modules without having to cut yarn or pick up stitches. The moderator, Iris Schreier, author of Modular Knits (Lark, 2005) and co-founder of Artyarns, will offer free patterns as well as assistance and lots of photos for inspiration.

If you love hand-painted or any variegated yarn, but get frustrated when it looks better in the skein than in the finished project, then this group is for you. Maximize the beauty of the yarn by turning and knitting to create interesting designs. Post an introduction about yourself to get a free copy by email of Iris's first project, the famous Multidirectional Triangle Scarf that she created. (Even though you may have seen the deconstructed version on the web, hers is the original and yes, both ends do match.)

Free pattern: Lace Modular Shawl: Make the Lace Modular Shawl (photo under Photos Folder, pattern under Files Folder), and post your photo. Check out everyone else's photos as well. This is also a forum for discussion of Artyarns Tutorials (free on www.artyarns.com and posted under "Files" in the lefthand navigation bar ) and KALs for the Modular Knits projects.

Blessed Be