the yarn grove antics: June 2008

Namaste Bags ...

The Namaste Cali Collection bags in the Laguna style are back in stock here at The Yarn Grove. Also in is their new seasonal color which is Peacock. Great knitting bag or just all around functional purse...

We heard you ! So now stocked at TYG is 20" Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel circular needles. Perfect for socks on 2 circs...

I started the Casablanca KAL and it is a fun knit for me so far. Anyone else doing it?

Had to Have it...

I'm a sucker for cute things and this book is no exception. Last night at our Noble Knitters, Knitting Friend, Donna, found this book, Love from Woolly. She bought one, Lauri bought one and I bought the other. Why? I shall save it for the Woolly Wonder (aka) future Grandchild ... It is adorable and a great gift! From now on, all new babies in my life will receive as follows:

One itty bitty hand knitted, made with love from my hands item

-and-

Love from Woolly Book.

News at The Yarn Grove ... More Namaste Cali Bags arriving any day now. More colors of O~Wool Organic Classic are here.

Adorable new patterns from Katie Park of Caffaknitted - distributed by the wonderous Gardiner Yarn Works. Peg and Tulip are waiting to be knitted up - try some organic - would make a great gift for a youngster!

Also a photo of my pickins' of the day. One jalapeno, several cherry 'maters, plum 'maters and one green pepper. That pepper smells divine... I expect a serious explosion of red ripe 'maters any day now - friends - look out...

Orange Boy and Cheryl are coming. Yay! You *know* I'll have a marvelous weekend and hope all ya'll do too...

Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Here's my recipe for the perfect summer salad-

Salad
1 pint strawberries (sliced)
1 lb spinach leaves
1/2 cup sliced almonds (or the nut of your choice)

Dressing
1 cup salad oil
1/2 cup sugar (don't you dare use Splenda!)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp poppy seeds
Serve dressing on the side

Serve with raspberry lemonade and crusty bread on the back porch.

No one is safe now...

Yep, I got a new camera. My sweet husband gave me one for my birthday last week and I have been playing around with it. It has come to the point where even the birds scatter and cover themselves with their wings when I go outside to look for my next *subject*. I have a Nikon Coolpix P80 and I have a lot to learn about it but am having a blast.

Knitting? Not so much but have started a new pair of socks and will show them soon. I am actually waiting for the Casablanca KAL to begin which I hope will be this Friday.

Here are some of my latest *subjects*... Back soon with some knittin' to show but in the meantime, here is my first

'mater but no squarsh yet...

It was meant to be

I made a promise to myself- no more shopping for yarn until I reduce my stash down to 2 drawers (right now it is crammed into 3) so yesterday, when I logged onto Ravelry, I knew my pattern search would be limited. I want to make a cool, earthy wrap for a friend, but my stash is mostly a mish-mosh of leftovers, samples and dying experiments. But then, fate took its course...

I found this pattern which calls for Pakucho Organic Cotton...the very yarn I bought 6 skeins of at Christmas!!! PERFECT!!!

I finished 6 rows last night, so I'll post pictures when the pattern begins to appear.

In other news...have ya'll seen Sex and the City yet??? It was spectacular.

Socks and Dental Floss...

I have finished the Edgewater socks from Lorna's Laces. I am pleased how they turned out - simple toe up. I used 2 circ method - one set of bamboo circs from Hiya Hiya and the other set of stainless steel circs from Hiya Hiya. Honestly? I can't pick a favorite... Loved them both.

In other yarn news, I am saddened about the Malabrigo Yarn mill fire but glad that no one was hurt. Our thoughts continue to be with this great yarn company as they begin the rebuilding process.

And new in the shop - some more Opal sock yarns! The cotton Collection is here as well as Rendez-vous. And The Yarn Grove will be one of the shops that will carry the Harry Potter Sock Yarn from Opal in October! I'm thrilled about that...

And my new fun thing? Beads on yarn... with dental floss. I am getting ready to begin Casablanca Shawl KAL and it calls for beads. A couple of weeks ago at Noble Knitters, Ellen demonstrated both the crochet and dental floss technique to attach beads to yarn. I immediately decided that the dental floss technique was for me. Now this isn't just any dental floss - it is Super Floss! I understand there are tutorials on You-Tube showing the methods but I was fortunate enough that our resident lace knitting guru, Pat, demonstrated the floss method to me again last night. It is too fun!

And of course I had to visit a local bead shop, Bead Boutique to get some delectable beads... This is only *part* of my bead stash from that trip... oh boy.

Do you bead? If so, what is your favorite method of attaching the beads to yarn? I'd love to hear from you!

Time Does Fly...

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Chris and Cheryl! and it seems like yesterday...

Much love, hugs and laughter,

Momma

Still Here

Hey ya'll! I'm still alive- just been without internet for 2 weeks. Don't worry Comcast is supposed to come this week, then I'll be back to my picture posting, blogging self. I can't wait to show you all the sewing and painting I've done around the new house!