Sunday, December 23, 2007

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it or just plain Merry Day! See you after the holidays... Wishing each and everyone of you a joyous and peaceful season...

Thursday, December 20, 2007

A test drive...



Hey ya'll! I am finally back among the living. I have been so sick with something really icky and have had 3 shots since Sunday. I think I turned the corner today though.

I did decide to begin my Christmas Cookie baking so started that yesterday and finished tonight. Also made a large batch of peanut brittle and some of my childhood favorites - cut out cookies. Yummmm.

I am knitting on a sock, toe up, and using some sample yarn I just received in the mail yesterday. It is from a vendor that I currently already have but is a new yarn for her - a 3-ply super spongy, springy merino yarn base and I am in love. Be looking for this in our shop hopefully within the first couple weeks of January. This skein weighs in at a hefty 5.5 ounces.

We also just got in the brand new 9" bamboo circular Hiya Hiya needles in sizes 0 and 1. Can't figure out what to get that hard to buy for knitter/crocheter and you can hear the clock ticking louder? Join the crowd and get them a Yarn Grove gift certificate .

Well the gang starts arriving tomorrow and I cannot wait. I'd like to take this time to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas - or whatever you may celebrate may it be a joyous time for you all.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Oh you better watch out, you better not cry...

Santa Claus is coming to town!!!!! Today is exactly one week from Christmas Day- its crunch time people!!!! Have you gotten your all your gifts???
Ok, don't panic- here are a few quick knits I gathered from Ravelry.com just for YOU!


For the Fashionista- Fingerless mittens worn over store bought gloves are VERY trendy right now!












For the Sports Fan- Use your team's colors in this simple but stylish hat.










For the coffee lover... I love this mug jacket from MK Carroll. It buttons under the handle!











For the baby...Meet Bubby the Bear from Knitty.com









For the girly girl... a Christmas Tree bath mitt ..try it in silver or white! (and fill it with bubble bath or body wash)











For the music lover... a felted ipod cozy from Knit Picks











I hope this inspires you! Now get to work!














Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Biggest Loser- Canine Edition



Well folks, Spottie Dotttie (my precious rescue pup) had her annual wellness exam this morning. The Vet praised her temperament, her healthy coat and her parents' attention and care. There was only one little problem...she was up 14 pounds from her last visit- a whopping 57 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!! We couldn't believe it! She gets the expensive food with no corn meal, she doesn't eat table scraps, we walk faithfully for almost 2 hours a day! What could it be?? Well, the Vet thinks she has hypothyroidism. I didn't know dogs could have that! My poor puppy!



We will get the official results of the blood test next week. Spottie's ultimate goal weight is 44lbs. Stay tuned as the pudgy pooch weighs in each week on...

The Biggest Loser- Canine Edition

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Knitting Club Christmas Party


On Saturday, the Cast Aways sponsored their annual Christmas party at Jill's house. There was much merriment and gingerbread house decorating AND the church down the street was having a live nativity scene, so Jill's street was lined with lumineras! The nativity scene had two live sheep and the whole club went down and paid tribute to the wooly creatures who supply our hobby. We had a great time, despite a few gingerbread house structural disasters. In this picture, you can see my darling husband who was completely covered in frosting by the end of the party, and had no house to show for it.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Mystery Shawl



My first Mystery Shawl A-long. I am using Ornaghi Filati in Cream (100% Merino) and should have plenty. It is a generous skein. Right now it just looks like a blob of lace but I keep stretching it to see the pattern coming out! It is so much fun. I got Clue 2 yesterday but I still have a few more rows to finish on Clue 1.

Thank you Cheryl for posting about the new Knitty. That is the cutest photo of a dog I have seen in a while. Well almost the cutest... Just showing off my Junior in his new bed... Now they all have one but Woolly Boully (cat) sleeps in all of them - anytime he wants too!

Well, I'm done! Finished shopping and wrapping. Now my baking will begin although I still have those Mexican wedding cookies that are fermenting in their secret location. Well, I thought it was a secret location. Looked at them the other day and half of a batch is gone! When I questioned my hub - he just said, "who me - looks like someone else has been in them". Next up - my mother. She fessed right up! They are both guilty.

Hope your holiday shopping, wrapping and baking is moving right along. I did a lot of my shopping on line this year (again). It's always fun to get packages at your door... We hope to have some new items up this week - just waiting on deliveries... Stay tuned.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

New Nitty...I mean Knitty!



Knitty.com has posted their new winter "issue"! Mittens, socks, sweaters and hats galore- and they're ALL cute! I like the tams that are knitted in a "fake-out fair isle", using a varigated yarn to give the illusion of a very complicated pattern. Ha! So tricky. I also love this very posh pooch sweater. I'm not sure Spottie would wear a shrug...


Is it Friday yet?

Monday, December 03, 2007

Burda Style Advent Trivia Contest


Calling all seamstresses (or anyone who knows how to google!) Burdastyle.com is having a sewing and fashion trivia contest open to anyone! Everyday until Christmas, they will post a trivia question. The first person to answer correctly via email wins that day's goody bag from the Advent calendar. The first question was "how do you tell if a fabric is silk?" Aparently you burn it- it should smell like burned hair. Ew. Anyway, tune into to Burdastyle.com tomorrow!!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Click Away ...


So you're making that list and checking it twice? here are a few ideas for that hard to buy for person.

1. Ewesful Pin Cushion. Versatile, fun and hand made in the USA. Great for knitters and sewers alike.

2. Candy Scarf Kit from Hand Painted Knitting Yarns. Cute yarns all packaged up with instructions for the knitter.

3. Lorna's Laces Little Can of Paint - socks in a can. 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces scrumptious sock yarn along with their basic sock pattern. Also , from the Yarn Grove, for a limited time, you will receive a free set of Colonial 5.5" DPNS (size our choice) with each purchase of the Little Can of Paint.

4. PurlPod - The most unique knitting bag I have ever seen. Tangle free knitting - Made in the USA. Click above to read all about them.

5. Namaste Needle Binder - Fun to carry needle tote that will hold *lots* of needles and hooks. Refill pages available as well.

6. Hiya Hiya Needles - we're having a hard time keeping these in stock. You have all caught on to the beauty of these needles - from the bamboo dpns, bamboo circs, stainless steel dpns, and stainless circs.

7. Gift Certificates - Now that is always fun and easy!

8. Miss Hawklet HandMade Journals - Adorable and fun to give, these handmade journals from Miss Hawlet are sure to put a smile on your face!

9. Sock Knitter Stitch Marker - Brand new! Mark those places in style...

10. Give to a charity in honor of your friend or family member. My holiday gift from my kids is they give to an animal shelter/foster parent / humane society in lieu of a gift for me. Chris, Cheryl and Stephanie's love of animals is as great as mine. It is their choice who the recipient will be.

So there are a few ideas and as this wonderful holiday season progresses, I'll post a few more ... Keep that ho ho happy smile on your face and remember - your gift purchases are just a click away...