RIP update and a little knitting.

I have been reading like crazy lately!!! I'M doing the Reader's Imbibing Peril (RIP) challenge. I got a little side tracked and read two books not on the list. The only requirement is to read 5 books by the end of October and I've already read 3 since sept. 12th when I signed up:

"In Silent Graves" by Gary A. Braunbeck- This was a quick read and a real page turner! The story is about a man whose whole life gets twisted and turned inside out on Halloween night. This book is not for the squeamish and easily creeped out. At the same time, as much as you don't want to know what's going to happen next, your compelled to turn the page to find out!!! I don't want to say anymore to spoil it. Get this book!

"Anansi Boys" by Neil Gaiman. This was a fun read! It had scary moments but overall, I love the characters. It's about to brothers who have a god as a father. However, one is unaware of his father's "skills" and or the fact he even has a brother! He is soon to find out and then the fun begins!!! I've never read any of Neil Gaiman's books before, but I will definitely be looking or more (he's written several books, including graphic novels).

"Cell" by Stephen King. I buy or borrow King's books as soon as they come out. This one, I was kind of undecided about and wanted until now. Early on in the book, I felt like it was just going to be a rehash of "The Stand" which I loved, but didn't want to read the same thing again. This book had some of the same elements, but with a new twist. I enjoyed it from the start and couldn't stop reading it. I'll say one thing, I'm seeing cell phones in a whole new light (LOL)!!!

For my next read, I'm going with another Stephen King book : The Dark Tower V, Wolves of Calla. I absolutely love the Dark Tower Series and have read all the books to this point. I've been putting off reading the rest, because I hate the thought of finishing them. Have you ever read a book and then wished you'd read it more slowly, so it wouldn't end? That's how I am with Dark Tower books! Now on to knitting!

I am finished with the first "fuzzy feet" slipper. This thing is HUGE. I can't wait to finish the second slipper, so I can felt them! I found the pattern for the "Beadwork" sweater and will be swatching for it this weekend! MY socks are all completed, so there's not second sock syndrome in this house! (pictures soon).


I went to the Boston knit out and crochet last weekend. I had a fun time. There were a lot of people there, but I wished there had been even more! I think the threat of rain and thunderstorms kept some people away. I volunteered to teach knitting and crochet basics at the ongoing workshops throughout the day. That was a blast! There was a little girl there that amazed me. She learned the basics quickly and was knitting garter stitch in no time. She and her mother came close to the end of the day. Once she had learned, she want to stay because she was having so much fun! The look on her face was priceless when she found out the needles and yarn were her's to keep! I think she was only 6 years old! All of the people who attended the learning workshops were able to take the needles/hooks and yarn home with them for free. We had a few brave boys/men come to the tables to learn how to knit!

I enjoyed the keynote address by Wren Ross and Daena Giardella. "Discovering The Fabric of Your Creativity". It was a great talk about why we leave some projects unfinished, have so many going at once, and some of the reasons we knit the things we do. It was about finding support for your creative process, not matter what you wish to create and how what we do/learn in knitting spills over and impacts other aspects of our life. This was presented with great humor and insight. People in the audience asked some good questions and shared some great comments. Boy, we knitter's are creative, talented, and intelligent lot, aren't we? I'm not totally sure about the intelligent part in my case, why? I forgot my damn camera! S0, no show and tell for some of the fantastic knitted and crocheted items people made! One woman knitted a head to toe vintage sweater and skirt with hat to match. She looked amazing! She looked like she stepped out of a 1940"s vogue magazine! Allister, made some amazing hats and wall hanging using double knitting. He told the audience, he'd only been knitting for about two years. WOW!

Goodies!
Last but not least, I scored a door prize and complimentary signed copy of Jil Eaton's book "After Dark: Uncommon KNITS for NIGHT TIME" It has some nice knits in it. My door prize was a book Linda M. Niemeyer called "Knitters I Know" Cool patterns from cool people. I couldn't agree more. Its a great little book. Here are some pictures.

from: cool people book

i pod/cell phone cozies
The above are a couple of the projects that can be made. There are socks, a cute block quilt and other projects. Just what I need...Projects!

A quick hello!

I can't believe I haven't blogged in over a week! It may be because I've been knitting and reading! I haven't mastered the knitting and reading combo at the same time yet, but I will!!! The book challenge has been fun for me. It might be the theme or my mood, but whatever it is, I've devoured two of the books on my list!
Blogger is not cooperating tonight, so this entry will be sans pictures! I've been trying to finish some projects before starting new ones. So far, two lonely socks are now couples, and I'm caught up on my Sampler "M" Kal. I have 2 more items to complete. A crocheted bag and a knitted bolero style shrug. Only then can I cast on for something new!!! Since, I've been wanting to try my hand at felting, "fuzzyfeet" is next. I can't wait for Kate of "can't you see I'm knitting here" to see my handiwork! She is the enabler who is adding to my knitting obsession!!! (thanks Kate!). Well that's it for now, I'll be back in a day or two with more info and pics.
Have good evening!

Last week a rant, this week...Raves !!!

Secret Pal 8 ended in August, but I wanted to keep it going for a little while longer by not revealing the name of my secret pal! So, my Secret Pal goodness ended this week with a last package and my pal revealing herself. She is the fabulous Kate of http://www.knittinghere.blogspot.com. I was totally and wonderfuly spoiled by her. When you see what was in the final package, I'm sure you'll agree! Kate was not my original match-up for SP8. My initial match was not able to participate and Kate stepped in. Her experience did not start off well either. I know nothing about the initial match, but I have to say I'm glad things work out the way they did. Kate is a new friend and it was fun getting to know her!!! She also has a great blog, so check her out! Try not to drool on your keyboards...ready?

This bag is beautiful!!! The photo doesn't quite do it justice. It also has a really pretty pin, with the cutest ladybug on one of it's petals. I've already started using it! It's going to be my weekend bag. I don't like carrying a lot of stuff around on weekends. This is perfect to carry just what I need. Kate did a beautiful job knitting and felting it. I can't wait to finish my first felted fo (fuzzy feet). Now the bag itself would have been a great gift, but Kate didn't stop there !! Lookie here:

Two skeins of cascade yarn. I have never tried this yarn before. I like the feel of it and the colors are great. Believe me, I'll find use for these!! Last but not least, feast your eyes on some Twisted Sisters Mirage, in Olive Gold. I'm absolutely in love with this color. You have to see it in person! I see a sleeveless tank or piccovoli in my future!!!

Just when I thought the box could yield not more, out dropped a laminated needle inventory card. So I can see what needles I already have! This great for me, because I seem to have needle amnesia and end up with multiples of needle sizes (not really a bad thing!) Kate, I can't say a big enough thank you for making this exchange so much fun and I'm lucky to have met and gotten to know you. Everyone stop in and visit my new friend!

My spoilee for SP8 was Katrina of http://www.topekatrina.blogspot.com(sorry, blogger won't let me do the links right!)
I had a lot of fun spoiling her and dropping in on her life, via her blog. She's got a great blog, runs contests for movie buffs and has the cutest family on the internet! Just as Kate is, Katrina is generous and fun! She sent me this thank-you!

thank you Katrina!

In other knitting and none knitting news

Knitting on sampler "M" continues. I'm having so much fun working on this. It is a good way for me to work on lace knitting and to know I can't have knitting A.D.D., otherwise I forget to YO or where I am in the pattern! Here's a progress picture:

Sampler "M" progress

This summer I joined some KALs and challenges. How did I do? Don't ask!! I'll tell you anyway. Project Spectrum- was okay. I did do half of the colors and this was a do whatever months you wanted to participate, so...Success! Summer of socks- yah right, one pair of socks! And then there's the reading challenge. I did read 6 books this summer, so that's fair. Of course, 3 of the six were not on my personal list (LOL)! I'm the girl who used to read 2 books a week without any challenges (sigh). Well that didn't stop me from joining a new reading challenge. This one is an autumn/spooky/ atmospheric/Halloween type challenge and I love me some scare the wits out of me books!! I present RIP reading challenge!Readers Imbibing Peril with a
broad criteria of being scary, eerie, moody, dripping with atmosphere, gothic, unsettling, etc.

new reading challenge
My five books will be the following:
1. Forever Odd -Dean Koontz
2. The Dark Tower V: The wolves of Calla - Stephen King
3. Broken -Kelly Armstrong
4. In Silent Graves -Gary A. Braunbeck
5. The Dreaming Jewels -Theodore sturgeon
Wow, I'm looking over my shoulder just typing these titles!
Long Post!!!!!!!!!
Have a good rest of the day and great week...Get knitting!!!

MY FIRST RANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOPEFULLY MY LAST!

The title is a warning for all willing to enter:
I am so frustrated and angry right now. It all started with wanting to join a knit-along that's starting in october. It's for the Beadwork pattern by Jade Starmore. Knitter's who do not have the pattern, have been going crazy trying to find it. therefore, I've have about as much chance of getting it as I have that "snowball in hell" or stealing Brad Pitt away from Angelina Jolie!!!!!!! Don't even think to ask, "Did you try...? I used every search engine available to man, contacted every library available and speaking of that...WHY DO YOU NOT CARRY KNITTING PERIODICALS,EXCEPT FOR SCATTERINGS OF KNITTING MAGAZINES AND THE ONES YOU DO CARRY WTF?!! FOR ANY LIBRARIAN'S READING THIS, KNITTING IS HERE TO STAY GET WITH THE PROGRAM. I do understand about money and fiscal constraints. Knitters tend to be generous people and we read. I would donate a subscription to get the ball rolling. (Sorry librarians, didn't mean to put all on you and community libraries!).

Rant part Deux!
The beadwork pattern is in the Interweave Knits winter 99/00 magazine (hence the library search and mini rant!!!!) On e-bay the bids have been outrageous and if you win...might as well fashion the issue into a sweater and wear it, because it ends up costing the "winner" as much as the sweater!!! As soon as the KAL officially starts , the price will drop back to the usual Ik e-bay price!

Well, I think I can't find it using the usual ways so "What to do? What to do?" Why of course, GO TO THE SOURCE! I found Alice and Jade Starmores website and lo and behold...Adult Beadwork in all it's glory. I think I'll by the book, save myself the the trouble of a continued frustrated search and start swatching! But,no that's not to be.

RANT PART TROIS
I get the book in the mail, open and excitedly look through the book...child's beadwork. WHERE THE HELL IS THE ADULT BEADWORK. NOT IN THE BOOK...WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I try to look at the positive side. I can e-mail and nicely ask why there's no adult beadwork becuase after all it states on the website page "The Collector's Item" (name of the book) is needed to complete all sweaters shown" The adult beadwork was one of the patterns shown. I got a lovely (ggggggggrrrrrrrrrr) return e-mail informing me that the "beadwork situation" was well know and Jade felt obliged to write a supplement to the child's pattern for adults. NOW GET THIS! THE SUPPLEMENT IS FREE IF ONE BUYS THEIR YARN, OTHERWISE NO CAN DO!!! AGAIN, WTF. I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR A BOOK IN WHICH I EXPECTED TO SEE THE PATTERN AS LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND NOW AM SOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know what THE BEADWORK situation IS, but I do know I will not be buying anthing else Starmore related!

This is the first time I've encountered such frustration over one pattern. Most designers I know of or heard about who offer patterns for sale, actually sell them to the public without drama. I really want to make that damned sweater!!!!

END OF RANT.

It's not rocket science...Maybe it is!!!

No, I'm not talking about knitting. I'm talking about this $#%*!!blog. How hard can it be to put titles, buttons, links etc. On the sidebar? Hard I tell you! HARD!!! I know, just shut-up and read the directions provided by blogger or make use of the internet and find websites that explain it in simple terms... or buy "blogging for real dummies". I finally got something on the sidebar. It's the logo for the Boston knitout and crochet 2006 that will be happening on the Boston Commons the last weekend in September. I can't wait to go! I've never been to one before. I discovered it last year on the Lionbrand website of events, but couldn't go. Now that I was able to get one thing on the sidebar. Nothing will keep me from getting your buttons and links listed!!!

Let's move on to something I do know something about! The local yarn store near the hospital, where I work had her annual anniversary sale. When I say sale, I mean SALE! All items including yarn, needles, and books were 30% off. Some yarns were anywhere from 40% to 75% off. I'm not talking about yarn no one would want, but the brands all us knitter's covet! Now, I told myself at the beginning of the summer that I would not buy yarn until I worked projects I already have or used up the "stash" yarn. However, with a sale like that can you blame? Before I walked in the store I had vision my head of Addi's, Inox, Bliss,Rowan, sock yarn. I could go on and on...

Once I entered the store, I was able to keep myself in check and shout "CHARGE IT" "I want it all, every last skein, hank, ball!!! Instead, when Karen (the owner) said: "Can I help you?" I said: "No thanks, I'm just looking" (yah,rat's ass, I'm just looking!). I ended up buying some beautiful bamboo yarn to make a clapotis. I would imagine by now I am the last knitter in the world to make one. Most people have at least half-a-dozen by now, am I right? Isn't this yarn beautiful?

beautiful!
The other item I'd like to make that puts me in the category of "last person in the world to knit_________" is a pair of jaywalkers. I even have the sock yarn I want to use, in my stash.
Lately, I've been seeing stars. Not the clunk on the head, in the sky or celebritieskind of stars...More later!
Get knitting!