Yarn Sniper

Socktoberfest has Started

2011-10-01T06:09:00.003-06:00

Socktoberfest covers that one month a year when socks are the main focus for some knitters. While not an official holiday, I will be celebrating this year as I have 3 sets of commissioned socks for Christmas! One sock of one set has been started, but is not finished. This is the nice thing about Socktoberfest; it doesn't discriminate against WIPs, socks not finished in October or even if you don't knit any but simply enjoy looking at other people's socks! How awesome is that!

Swap Updates!!!

2010-07-26T20:36:00.007-06:00

So three of the ladies in my family have recently finished up swaps. Here are pics from each of them :)

Naomi Sent this

and got ALL THIS!!

Brittnee was so pleased to be able to create 2 bracelets for her swap partner Kim over at Our Navy Nest through the Summer Essentials Swap

She received this fun filled box in between vacations

Stay tuned for pics from my swap package...I need a pic on the beach first.

Jackson Hole & Yellowstone

2010-07-15T13:18:00.008-06:00

So we have been having a WONDERFUL time in Wyoming!!! Here is the rundown so far:

Tuesday we went rafting through Jackson Hole Whitewater...Fantastic!

Then had a covered wagon dinner with the Bar-T-5

Wednesday was dedicated to Yellowstone

Thursday, today, we went Horseback Riding through the Spring Creek Ranch. They took these photos then sell them at the end. Kind of expensive, but the only way you'll get such shots without getting off your horse!

We plan on doing a bit of shopping and some laundry this afternoon, then hitting Idaho for dinner tonight. Can't wait :)

I have more pics, but these are the ones from my phone...the rest are on the camera still.

Family Pics

2010-07-04T06:40:00.006-06:00

Just thought I'd share some of the new pics that were taken this week :)

The Family (Brooke, Brad, Me, Brittnee & Naomi in the middle)

Brooke (14)

Brittnee (12 in Aug)

Ahh, Summer

2010-06-27T05:47:00.003-06:00

Brad's girls are finally here, my last class ends friday and my mind is already on vacation! I can't wait to visit Yellowstone and return to OBX, but we are driving this year and I'm NOT looking forward to that. I decided to engage Naomi in another swap this year. She had so much fun last summer with her post card swap and has done so well putting together boxes for the "poor kids with no toys" I though she was ready for a package swap. We are doing the Happy Summer Kids Swap. We are going shopping monday, I can't wait! I'll also be picking up some goodies for my pal in Amber & Amanda's Glass & Recipe Swap. Ooohhhh, it's all so exciting!!!

Naomi's pal is Katie and her mom's blog is called Morning Glories and Moonflowers

Lluvia is my pal and her blog is called I've Been Thinking

Check em out :)

Goodbye to a Good Soldier

2010-05-01T17:06:00.003-06:00

Today I attended the funeral of CSM John Keith LaBorde from the 649th RSG. He was my last CSM and the first Santa that Naomi wasn't afraid of! OK, perhaps I should back up.

In 2008 I was transferred from the 339th MP Co to the 649th so I could be closer to home for drill weekends. It was a HUGE culture shock coming from a Military Police unit where a SGT was something a little special, you had rank, you had authority. In a Regional Support Group it is not unusual for there to be more officers then enlisted soldiers, and more E-7s and E-8s then all the E1, 2, 3 and 4s put together. I was one of about 3 E-5s. To make things even stranger I was doing a job I was not trained to do. Now, I was offered MANY chances to go to school, but with ExDH being in Iraq and NewDH working the same crazy hours I do it just wasn't something I wanted to do. I wanted out. I still did what I was told. I still went to drill. I still had issues. CSM LaBorde was unique. He had a way of telling you that you were wrong and it needed fixed without being an ass. Everyone knows what an ass is like, talking down to you, making you feel stupider then you already do so they can feel better about themselves. If he had time, he'd help you himself. If he didn't, he found you help. His cheerful and amusing demeanour as well as a coffee cup were always present. Not afraid to put a "boot up that ass" if you needed it, he was always mindful of what others needed, not so much about what you wanted. The world will miss CSM LaBorde as demonstrated by the 2-4 mile long processional and graveside crowd so large the rifle team and honor guard couldn't see their cues.

As for the Santa thing, well, at the unit Christmas party in 2008 he played Santa. He didn't just hand out gifts, he wore the suite, posed for photos and gave out gifts. Naomi saw the other little girls getting Barbie dolls, noticed where they were from Santa and wanted to see him. Now she's not smiling in the picture they took because she wanted her doll, but I'll always have that warm memory of my little girl sitting on Sergeant Major Clauses lap!

Tonight say a prayer for the family and wish a goodbye to a GREAT soldier.

Go Mama, Go!

2010-04-22T15:37:00.001-06:00

As you can see from the poster I am currently in second place after the first "Fat Killers" weigh in. I must admit I've been a bit lazy this week with both the exercise and food, but tokmorrow is a new day :)

Entering Spring Life

2010-04-20T07:27:00.008-06:00

Wow! It's been awhile since I've been on here (she says with a hint of sarcasm). Life sure moves quickly when you're not paying attention. I've just finished up the MAY DAY TUSSIE MUSSIE SWAP put on by Linda at A SWAP FOR ALL SEASONS. My partner was Wendy in MD and my package was too awesome :) Starbucks coffee, a new notebook, candles, necklace...oh I was spoiled indeed. Just look at that lovely tussie mussie she made!

Thank you SSSOOOOO much Wendy, you were a fantastic partner! Here is a peek at what I sent her:

Today, I am going to take Naomi to her first theater movie! We will be seeing "How to Train Your Dragon" since she enjoys a good dragon as much as I do. She doesn't exactly get what "going to a movie" is since she's never done it before, but I'm sure she'll be even more excited once we get there.

I've entered into a contest at work called FAT KILLERS. Basically there are 12 of us that are in a contest to see who can loose the greatest % of body weight in 3 months. It began April 1, but since I was out of town I weighed in on the 28th of March. So far I've lost 4.6 lbs. I'm not sure how I rank along my contenders since the guy running the thing hasn't posted the first weigh-in results, but I feel good. There was a $15 entry fee & the winner takes all. That's $180, I sure could use that to help get a sewing machine. I've been interested in learning to make little project bags for myself and friends, but without a sewing machine, its just a fantasy. Anyway, Naomi saw me doing sit ups one day and wanted to try too. Look at her go!

Well, that's about all. Most of my classes only have a few weeks left and I'm NOT taking summer classes this year. I'm planning on relaxing and knitting the next few months away at home, Yellowstone, OBX and wherever else I happen to land :)

First Week of Advent Swap Gifts

2009-12-07T07:00:00.007-06:00

Wow!!! Everyone take a look at the sweet line of gifts I got from Barb as the first week of the Advent Swap kicks off.

Nifty Lanyard

Useful Tape Measure

Lovely Magnet

Sweet Ornament

Handy scissors

Cute Bag

Fancy Hair Accessorise

Jealous yet?

I Love This Song

2009-10-27T09:54:00.007-06:00

I recently got the Wow Hits 2010 CD and this is a song I'd never heard before, but I LOVE it. It's got a modern beat but the lyrics are classic!
The song is Keys To The Kingdom by Group 1 Crew

Mom's Christmas Gift

2009-10-27T07:38:00.010-06:00

My mom doesn't have the Internet right now so I know it's okay to post this without ruining her surprise...Mom's Christmas Socks! The yarn is a bit busy for the pattern to show well, but I like the idea that the lace hearts you can hardly see are like a little secret we'll share :) Plus, they'll go so well with her "bold" collection of sweatshirts and "lounging around the house" pants!

The pattern is the Heddas Sock and is a free download on Ravelry. There aren't a lot of projects listed, but I can tell you that the pattern moves VERY quickly! It is a bit scary at first since the kid & women's sizes are on one pattern, but I just blacked out all the kid size stuff right away & it wasn't nearly so confusing. The only changes I've made so far are that I did 4 leg repeats rather then 5 and a reinforced heel (sl 1, k1 on the RS, sl 1, P across on WS) after the bottom of the heart was done.

Here is a pic of the lace patterning (by BessE):

A Generous Heart

2009-10-27T06:59:00.017-06:00

Naomi is at an age now, 3, where she is learning and understanding more then she can relay back through words. Every now and then however her actions convey that she does understand complex ideas and will even execute these concepts. What am I talking about?

Having A Generous Heart.

I'm enrolled in just about every free rewards program known to shoppers. One of these is with the Build-A-Bear Workshop. I recently go an email containing a coupon for a free animal up to $12 good for last Fri-Sun only. I also had a $10 voucher from spending so much money there. I though to myself "hey, that would be a neat mother-daughter thing to do with Nini." Then I though "hey, the last thing this kid needs is MORE toys!!!" What to do, what to do...I hate to let good coupons go to waste. Then I remembered my pal in the American Samoas, Barb. They recently had a HUGE earthquake followed by an awful tsunami. She is collecting items for those in her community. "THIS" I though "is a perfect way to teach my daughter about giving."

On the way to the mall on Friday morning we talked about how sometimes it is fun to get new toys for ourselves, but other times it is good to have a generous heart and it makes God happy if we give toys away to kids that don't have any. She said she understood, but you never can tell. I just tried to reinforce that the toys we were about to make were NOT for her to keep.

We went. We informed the staff what we were doing so they wouldn't assume the toys were for her & make the separation harder. First she selected a bunny "for a girl" as she said. It was stuffed, she wished for happiness on it's little heart, gave it a kiss & hug then put it into the bunny. Next was a bear "for a boy" and the process was repeated. While we were making the birth certificated the employee, Bonnie I think, gathered up 4 boxes of Crayola crayons and 2 BABW bags to donate to the cause. This was going so well, I was so pleased I let her pick out a little toy that she will soon be sending in a shoebox to Operation Christmas Child.

When we got home she posed for a few pics, packed the box, took a nap then we mailed the boxes that afternoon. I'm so glad my little girl was able to grasp the concept of generosity so well. I don't expect it all the time, but this was truly a blessed experience for us both! We also included some flip flops, reusable totes, shirts and shorts. I tried to send hand sanitizer, but it seems it could blow up the plane so I had to take it out of the box :(

If you have an interest in helping too you can visit Barb's blog by clicking on her name and reading her postings for requests and directions. Thanks :)

It's Done!!!

2009-10-27T06:56:00.002-06:00

Well, my super secret way cool wish I could keep it but can't because it's for Barb project was finished on the 19th :) I'd love to post a pic or 7, but it'll have to wait until after Christmas so as not to spoile the surprise. Let me say that the part I thought was going to be the easiest was not! If you're a knitter on Ravelry you can see the project under my projects. The initals for the title are CB.

Me Boxing Back in 2005

2009-10-02T16:33:00.005-06:00

If this works you'll be able to view my boxing match the last Friday I was in Iraq. I'm the Tiger and was wearing the Yellow...or the white girl as it turns out. It was opening night for the new ring and our of 10 matches we were the headlining fight. Even though they said I lost I felt like a winner and was complemented MANY times over my last few days how tough I was and how our match was just as, if not more, exciting then the men's fights. Don't believe me? Look at our Command staff (O5s and E9s) getting into it at the bottom of the screen in the 3rd round. I will caution you on one thing: the girl standing next to the guy taking the video was NOT a fan of mine or I of hers. The guy that sent me this put music over most of her stupid remarks, but it's not...um...child safe. It is however motivating for boxing! Enjoy.

Turkey Rap?!?!

2009-10-02T16:09:00.005-06:00

This was sent to me by a guy at work. If you go to youtube to watch it check out "The Turkey Hunt" under related videos is pretty good too, but you have to wait for it....wait....

Another Peak

2009-09-28T15:16:00.004-06:00

I almost missed this one. I don't think this one gives too much away about the project I'm doing for Barb! This is the sort of thing that keeps me under control when I'm 25 min into my 15 min wait for a table at Applebee's.

Recently I got a pair of clear clogs so that I could see my beautiful socks through my shoes and not worry about slipping and falling on my booty when I step onto the tiled kitchen floor. I LOVE THEM! Check 'em out at Knitter's Dream.

FYI These are NOT my feet or socks :(

Lastly, for today here are 2 more pairs of socks that I've made in my knitting career. I've just now gotten the pics online however. The first set is my very first pair done in the fall of 2006. The second is a pair I made a year ago in OBX, NC. I reversed the waves so that the socks "flow" in opposite directions. Neat huh?

Hey Barb!!!!!

2009-09-23T08:41:00.006-06:00

So I was trying to figure out how I could post my current project without giving away what it is. This is because it is a swap gift for Barb at BEJEWELED QUILTS I looked for an image that showed me working on the item, but not the item itself. Well, wouldn't you know I found such an image! I had to go into work for training on the 21st and knew that we would be night firing with our weapons. Since the sun was still up when we got there I had a good hour to knock out a few rounds. If you're on Ravely you can find more details under my projects.

Also, if you're into fun little quizes here's one I came across:

Take the Quiz here!

Passion or Problem?

2009-09-20T07:54:00.008-06:00

First, let me say I REALLY enjoyed my Spider Socks. They were challenging without being a stressor. I'm glad I went with a varied color for the heel and toe. Had the ribbing not already been done it would have been the same.

Now for the question at hand. I've really been into project bags lately. I ordered this one yesterday from Roseland Bags in England. I'm jonesing for it to get here!

These two were ordered from Julip Bags in July just before vacation. They have little reinforced holes on the sides for your lace needles to be pulled through so they don't snag on you project. Handy!

I'm not sure if this is an indication of a passion or a problem!

New School, New Age

2009-08-26T06:05:00.004-06:00

Check out this cute pic of my little girl and her BFF! Too cute aren't they! She also turned 3 yesterday!

My Favorite Knitting Projects

2009-08-18T16:26:00.004-06:00

Here are some of my loved projects from the past. At the moment I am unable to find some of my favorite pics, but if you are on Ravelry you can see them by looking under my, YarnSniper, projects.

(fingerless gloves for my brother with my verson of the FOX Racing logo)

These are fancy, but let it be known...I can also make some nifty & useful dish/face cloths as well as pot holders!

Photos of Freehand Needle Work

2009-08-18T16:17:00.004-06:00

I realized today that I've been telling people about my needle pointed tea towels and have only a few pics up from Mother's Day LAST YEAR!!! Here you go ladies, hope this helps. (In case you were wondering the last one is a drop spindle)

Vacation is done

2009-08-17T06:45:00.006-06:00

Vacation was so much fun! A week relaxing in a huge house next to the beach was great, but follow that up with the 5 days we spent at Disney...well it was almost too much. Naomi keeps asking when we are going back to the hotel. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge & it was truly beautiful. We could see giraffes, zebras and many other exotic animals from our room. Speaking of the room, the bunk beds were a perfect idea. The room was nice and the double sink was outside the area of the toilet/shower. While it was difficult to get into the "water room" the tub was huge with a wide shelf area to put shampoo & body wash bottles for everyone. The food was good, but I'd almost say that the Deluxe Dining plan was too much. You eat all these wonderful meals, but then you have to fork over $30-50 MORE for a tip (not included). Everyone's favorite was the Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom. Because we ate lunch there we got great tickets for the Finding Nemo Show. Very Cool! We also went to Sea World one day. Naomi had a blast on their splash pad. I didn't think to bring her a swimming suit so I spent $20 and got her one there. Well worth it! I think that was the best time she had on the entire trip. She ran and splashed for about 30 min! It was so cute.

I didn't finish my shawl while on vacation, but I did work on it pool and ocean side :) It was finally finished on the 17th, but it's not blocked (stretched out into its final shape and allowed to dry) yet so pics will have to wait. I love it and plan to use it a lot this winter. Now I'm just enjoying my little bit of free time before school starts again on the 24th.

Vacation Knitting Redefined

2009-07-20T15:08:00.003-06:00

I'm just going to change the definition of Vacation Knitting. It's no longer a necessarily a project that is required to be knit on vaca. It can also be a project that you can aim to have done just as your vaca is starting so you can have it for vacation!

We also had family pictures taken on Saturday. Since Brad's daughters weren't able to come to the wedding we decided to treat them to getting their hair/nails done & giving them a chance to wear their dresses for some memories.

So Much for Waiting...

2009-07-11T05:47:00.006-06:00

Well, I got my Chinook Shawl Kit(s) and couldn't wait. These pics are colors AA, AB and BB knit up to Row 69. It looks like 3 colors, but that's the magic if double stranding. I mixed 2 colorways since I wanted a beach to sea theme.

I am a tight knitter so I cast on with US 10 and ten changed to US 9 on Row 2.

A: Bare Natural Gloss Lace
B: Oregon Coast-Shadow
Both from the Riverstone Colorway

C: Shallows-Shimmer
D: Tide Pool-Alpaca Cloud
E: Aegean-Gloss Lace
F: Pacific Kettle Dyed Shadow
All from Atoll Colorway

If you want to copy my final product I would get the Atoll colorway and buy the Bare & Oregon Coast individually. Not everyone can just buy both kits & then sell what colors they don’t pick to a friend like my pal shalomraqam! Keep checking back for updated pics :)

The pattern can be a little confusing so if you can try to read the postings on the KP Community Lace KAL specifically the Chinook Shawl Errata.

Lastly, this was the first time I tried the Russian Join (although I keep calling it a Russian Splice). I LOVE this color changing technique! No weaving ends or strands hanging out all over the place! Even the little bit of frizz you get when you trim down the yarn is better (in my opinion) then the 1/4-1/2 inch left from weaving. Give it a try http://community.knitpicks.com/notes/Joining_Yarn_-_Russian_Join.

Happy Knitting!

I've Picked My Vacation Project!

2009-06-28T05:47:00.004-06:00

The first year I went to the Outer Banks, NC I spent a good chunk of money at the local yarn shop, went back to our house & literaly made up a project. A tradition I half way repeated last year, but I came with a project in mind. Having once again planned an extra long vacation I wanted to have a project in hand before I left. Maybe even started a little before I left so I didn't have a stranger in my hands on the airplane.

I have decided to do the Chinook Shawl from Knit Picks, but I couldn't decide on a colorway. Me being me, I picked 2 and will mixed the blue/greens with my neutrals to make a dry sand-wet sand-coastal waters-deep sea theme. I will be on the North Carolina beaches & in Orlando after all. Plus, I feel it will allow the wave theme of the shawl to truly pop!

Here is a neat video on the designing process of this shawl from it creator!

Summer Fun?

2009-06-27T11:35:00.007-06:00

Wow! There isn't much in this world more fun then a summer storm. I was driving around at work when it hit and boy did it hit! I was, however, the only one able to get these fantastic pics on my iPhone! This was on 6/23/2009.

Then there is the joy of taking your almost 3 year old to the dentist for the first time! Actually, she had fun. They polished her 20 lovely teeth & she didn't have 1 cavity :) After, she got a pink toothbrush with green bristles, floss, sparkle toothpaste and a bracelet! I didn't get a bracelet! Oh well, at least she WANTS to go back.

I also got my WAY COOL Vintage Swimware Tag Book (there are too many to show), Monkey(s) from Tammy and Naomi recieved her five letters from Australia. I guess the summer hasn't been too bad so far after all!

Schedule Change

2009-06-04T07:27:00.002-06:00

Well, DH is finally on days! We have worked opposite 12 hour shifts for almost a year and a half. I LOVE having him around, helping with my daughter and the house...BUT he likes to talk in the mornings and watch the news...the NEWS! I won't say I hate the news, but after my time in Iraq I really don't care too much for it. It's just too dark, people arguing and I'm sick of it all. I like a quiet morning from the time I wake up until I finish my Lean Pocket in the car. Now, don't be silly, naturally my daughter makes noises here and there, she's 2 and I can't just leave her in her state of peaceful sleeping...that wouldn't be fair to me, but you get the picture of what I'm talking about. I'm sure this too will be short lived...at least I hope, I can't keep getting up at 1:30 AM!!!

It Has Been A Long Time!

2009-04-15T10:20:00.006-06:00

So much has happened over the last 10 months or so. I've gone back to school in order to try and get a better job and use up my Montgomery GI Bill. It would be very uncool of me to just let the government have all that money I earned by serving in the Army. I've also gotten remarried to a fantastic man that has not only supported my going back to school, but has been taking classes as well! There has been lots of knitting and embroidering going on as well.

Naomi is closer to 3 then 2 years old in personality. It seems every day she has learned something new or talks a little clearer. I can't believe she will start preschool in a few months. I have serious mixed feeling about that.

Lately, I've had the urge to do some non-knitting specific swaps. There has been the Vintage Swimwear Tag Swap, Secret Monkey Swap and Kid's Mail Swap #2 with Naomi (you knew she's get caught up in it all). All found through SwapDex. I'll have to put up some pics one I remember to bring my iPhone cord to work.

That's all for now as I continue to clean up my revived blog. And as always I blame Ravelry for hogging all my time :P

Funny Test Results!

2008-07-07T10:17:00.001-06:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

I found this little test by snooping through some other blogs and was a bit surprised by my result. My boyfriend says I'm a bit old fashioned in some areas...I guess he was right!

Does It Ever Stop?

2008-06-27T05:27:00.001-06:00

Finally Blairs Ferry Road is open again. I took it to work today and let me tell you this: there is a HUGE difference in driving 44 miles to work vs. driving 25 miles! However, I did manage to hit every light, that wasn't blinking anyway, RED! I despise having to stop for traffic lights that are green for no one! Yes, I have road rage, I've learned to deal with it & so should everyone else.

That aside, another feather of frustration in my cap is my car. Here is the rundown:

Saturday Evening-Driving around town, getting ready to go to a wedding an hour away. There is a loud sound under the hood. We stop, look, and see antifreeze everywhere on the passenger side. We let the car cool and drive on, having to stop every few miles because the car is overheating. Get home, call my mechanically inclined step dad, fill the radiator, look for leak but there is no leak!

Sunday-Don't drive the car, have to borrow one. I find this VERY annoying, I hate this other car. Enough said before the owner gets upset!

Monday-Take car to radiator shop. They do a pressure test, poke & prod around under the hood, drive it. No leak of fluid, no leak of air, no over heating! My car, it seems, has simply decided to make a fool out of me :( I'm sent home with no bill, thankfully, and instructions to "watch the temperature gauge and bring it back if it happens again" One word: Frustrating.

All this aside, my old house, now property of my soon to be ex husband, was discovered to be on FIRE Friday night after he picked up the lovely Miss Naomi for the first time in 2 weeks because of military training. This was his one weekend off with the baby then it's off for another week of training. So I volunteered to take action to get the assessments & repairs rolling. This cost me 22 hours of vacation, but at least the house is repairable. The fire department says it was electrical & I met with the insurance adjuster earlier this week and he agreed. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the cleaning and contractor companies to get back with the bids. Even though I don't live there anymore, it's hard to see something you helped care for for so long destroyed like that.

All in all it's just been a tough month I guess. I did get a swap package yesterday, that was good :) I'll post a pic later. The recovery from the flooding is now under way and many nearby areas reek of trash, mold & dead fish. I think I've got some survivors guilt, but it'll pass. At least my dog has stopped passing super stinky gas!!!

Swap, Floods, Work & Naomi

2008-06-19T14:06:00.017-06:00

Here is my latest package from my Sock Yarn Swap Round 1 partner LooksRN aka Diane. I love everything, and have taken my little market bag to the store a few times now. It stretches A LOT!!! Thanks Diane. (I'm still not sure why the image is turning sideways)

The floods in Cedar Rapids, IA have been the big news/event in my life. Working as an armed nuclear security officer means I don't have one of those jobs that you just don't show up for. On Tuesday the 11th we watched the water rising and had a projected crest of 24.5 feet. By the time I worked again on, gasp, Friday the 13th the water was projected to reach 32 feet & was right there at the crest. It took me 1 hour and 15 min to get to work Friday. Since the event, our main roads to the plant have been washed away and now my 25 min commute takes me a hefty 45 min with just as many miles in both cases. But I enjoy getting paid so I guess I'll keep going! The good news is that we NEVER stopped power generation & as far a natural disasters go we as a plant rocked it!!!

Normal Road I Take In: Blairs Ferry Road

The Road That Only Takes 7 min Longer: Lewis Access Road

A Place My Dad Used To Take Me As A Child: A&W on Ellis Road

Work Before & After (To the best of my knowledge these images are not safegards since they are on the U: drive)

Now for your latest Naomi images to enjoy :)Playing with Uncle Alex, in bed with her babies & just making a silly kissy face!

May Flower Swap

2008-05-17T05:25:00.007-06:00

Oooohhhh, just look at the lovely goodies I got from my May Flower Swap Pal Jenn. I LOVE the fall alpaca yarn. I think I'm going to use it to make a pair of "Little Pumpkin" socks (free pattern on Ravelry). The Pedicure socks are already on the needles despite my many WIPs. Such is the life of a knitter. I'm not sure why the pic is showing up sideways, but at least you can see the spoils! Thanks again Jenn!

I also made some hand embroidered dish towels for my mom for Mother's Day. She collects suns and loves the fantastic nature of the flour sack dishcloth.

What a busy girl am I :) Now for new Naomi pics!

Where's Naomi? Peek-A-Boo! There she is!!!

We can't go outside until Mommy has shoes on. A problem easily fixed...apparently.

A Side Thought

2008-04-20T11:37:00.001-06:00

I just realized 3 years ago today I returned home from Iraq! It doesn't seem that long ago. I guess some things just stick with you.

Death of the Blog?

2008-04-20T11:32:00.002-06:00

Funny, it hadn't even occurred to me until today that it's been near a month since my last post...and I know the reason why.

RAVELRY!!!!

It's not that I haven't been active in the global knitting community, it's just been in a form outside my personal blog! I love Ravelry, I don't comment too often though, I'm more a reader, but it takes up so much time clicking, reading, searching. I haven't even been loading my projects or stash simply because I'm too busy seeing what everyone else is up to. I will try to do better, and I'm in some swaps again so that will help with my lack of blogging motivation...I hope.

All those in the world that will see the date differences and may consider excluding me from a swap because I haven't been posting weekly, reconsider, I think I'm pleasantly justified :)

Spring...Blah

2008-03-26T14:22:00.005-06:00

Lately I've felt like all I want to do is beef up the size of my stash. I want to do a bit of knitting here & there, but mostly just look at neat (neat? do people still say neat?) patterns & "slobber all over myself" yarn. Heck, I've been working on the same dishcloth for 8 days now...8 days!!!

I want socks like those displayed proudly below. I even HAVE the yarn. I bought it like 6 weeks ago for this very purpose. I accepted the fact that I made the cinnabar colored socks for TusaRebecca and that I HAD to mail them to her. While I am glad she LOVES them & they fit her perfectly, we have the same size foot & they fit me perfectly too!!! I just want the sock fairy to come and make them for me that's all. Is that too much to ask?

*SIGH*

Maybe part of the problem is that Miss Naomi went to Ohio for a week with her dad & brother to visit family. It's the longest we've ever been apart. She came back Sunday, but had post vacation crankiness :( Regardless I'm sure the knitting slump will pass quickly & I'll be back in stitches in no time. And if all else fails I ordered some "bare" sock yarn, dye & a set of size 2.75 harmony dpns from Knit Picks last week. That has to inspire something right?!?!

As always, here are 2 new pics of Baby Girl as a waitress & a princess!

Recent Projects

2008-03-17T14:41:00.006-06:00

Recently I've taken up embroidering tea towels or flour sacks if you prefer. I did cross stitch when I was around 12 or so, but this is different. I really enjoy it, but not as much as finishing these socks for TusaRebecca!

Another Sad Event & New Socks!

2008-03-07T17:00:00.008-06:00

On leap day my great-grandmother passed away after an extended illness. She was a woman that was in my life but a few times a year, yet was always kind and generous. I'm glad that I didn't put off taking little Naomi to visit her & I believe it was special to her as well. I will miss our little visits and wish her a peaceful & pain-free existence in heaven.

As happens in life a good thing comes around when it is needed most! That being said I would like to proudly share some pictures of my new socks from my Sock It To Me Twice partner Margie! Take a Look:

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Sooooo Much Margie!!!! Cookies, Scone mix, Chocolate Mints, Tea, Penguin Bookmark, Burts Bees, Yarn & The Beautiful Socks!!! Geezzzz, did I forget anything? It was a wonderful package :)

And now for some randomly cute pictures of the lovely Miss Naomi I like to call "fun with post-its" and "why we don't take the free cookie offered at Target"

A Post Full of Pics

2008-02-24T06:07:00.012-06:00

Here are the contents of the package from my Scavenger Hunt Pal, Heather P. It was a wonderful surprise to get it early as I said before. I love it all, Alpaca Silk...can't wait to play with. The chocolate is a household favorite. Baby Girl doesn't get much choco, but she LOVED this stuff & I couldn't deprive her!

Here are 3 pics from work. Someone needs to collect some OT and plow out the dang roads!

A very cold sun dog. See the rainbow on the outer edges of the pic?

Look what one of my coworkers, Pat, did for me :) She's so sweet, thank you Pat!

How Leta Got Her Knit Back

2008-02-22T10:46:00.003-06:00

It's taken a while, but I do believe I've started to get my knit back! All the other time consuming actives are starting to slow down & a new life pattern is finally starting to set in. It has been decided that I will wait until the weather gets better before I move the rest of my belongings, which has taken some of the pressure off & allowed me to deal with what has already been moved. While unpacking I have been able to reconnect with a lost friend...my stash! I haven't seen some of if for so long it was like new! Oh, yarn how I missed thee!

I received a LOVELY package from my Scavenger Hunt Pal...early so I could have it my birthday week. I'm having a spot of trouble loading the pics, but a friend is going to help me tonight. I'm finishing up the second sock for my SITMT Pal and my Scavenger Hunt package is almost ready to go. Life is getting fun again :)

SITMT Contest 3: Share the Yarn Love

2008-02-14T07:13:00.003-06:00

1.) Cascade 220 http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp

2.) Colinette Jitterbug Sock Yarn http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/Colinette/Jitterbug.asp

3.) Ellyn Cooper Yarn Sonnets http://www.knittingaddiction.com/shop/category.asp?catid=54

4.) Crystal Palace Little Flowers & Fling http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/little_flowers_card.html and http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/fling_card.html

5.) Lion Brand Wool http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/lionWool.html

6.) Sugar 'n Cream http://www.sugarncream.com/

7.) Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=8

8.) Tilli Tomas Disco Lights http://tillitomas.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=27&g2_itemId=203

9.) Bernat Yarn Baby Coordinates http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=babycoordinates

10.) Yarn from my alpaca Coco. Just keep in mind that 5 day old baby in this pic is now 18 Months Old!!!

SITMT Contest 2: Spring Knitting

2008-02-14T07:06:00.002-06:00

I have some fairly ambitious goals for myself this spring. I want to do more with cables, socks...maybe cabled socks! I want to make mittens, they look so cozy & right now I'm so cold *burr* I would like to MAKE some more Christmas gifts this year and maybe have them done ahead of time...however I need to finish 2007 gifts first :) LOL!!!

Since I've been moving and everything it has been brought to my attention that while I unpack my stash I should do an inventory list. I think I may just do that, and do my needles and notions too. A fresh start is a fresh start after all :)

SITMT Contest 1: All About Love

2008-02-14T06:50:00.003-06:00

Since Valentine's Day is also MY BIRTHDAY I normally have a good day. Some of my more interesting Bday locations have been Basic Training/AIT, Deploying from Fort McCoy, WI and the ever famous Iraq. The Iraq birthday started with the news that my grandmother was terminally ill (she held on until the next day), but that didn't set the mood for "my day" she wouldn't have wanted it that way. I went around passing out suckers & telling everyone I saw "Happy Valentine's Day" with a big smile. Even the BN CDR & CSM!!! Some of my buddies in the S1 shop (Admin Stuff) got together & bought me this little glass tea set & some other small trinkets from the little shop outside our camp, there was no PX (Post Exchange...store) at the time. It was all wrapped up in some Jack Daniels ads from FHM (For Him Magazine) because there was no other paper to decorate it with. It was all very sweet of them to try and pick up my day.

This year I'm asking for the Hello Kitty Riffle! Hey it's pink, red & white for the contest!

A Sad Event & Back Pain

2008-02-04T06:44:00.000-06:00

Well, for those who haven't heard DH & I are getting a divorce :( It's going well and we're friendly, but it's still sad. The good news is there is no yarn custody battle :) I am looking forward to having quiet time to knit and not so much house work! I spent a lot of this weekend moving and now my back is paying the price, but that's what chiropractors are for, right? That's all there is to say for now. Given the above events there hasn't been much time to knit this week. Hope all is well with everyone else.

Why?

2008-01-25T16:32:00.000-06:00

It's cold, snowy and dry...why? Why, on a day like this must I be at work, not at home knitting. I'm also about to get tossed out of one of my Ravely groups (Burning Stash 2008) for not only not burning stash, but increasing it by 20 some skeins since January 1! *sigh* I have also been eyeing the two Modern Lace Knitting books I got in the mail yesterday and wondering about some lovely lace yarn. I would say I need help, but any knitter would tell me there is nothing unhealthy about my yarn appetite...at least I hope!

Brain Freeze

2008-01-22T06:08:00.000-06:00

After a VERY cold weekend in Chicago it would have been nice to curl up with some of the yummy yarn & notions I picked up while visiting, but no-not for me! I got to go back to work and suffer in the even COLDER subzero temps while various vehicles traveled in and out of the protected area...keep in mind I work security at a nuclear plant. There is no yarn allowed at work anymore :( However, my mind is not only occupied with thoughts of new hand dyed sock yarn, but 4 skeins of baby pink 65% cashier 35% silk blend purchased at 40% off sitting at home waiting to be made up into a soft & warm cami! Aaaahhhh, how do non-knitters keep warm I wonder?

The End of 2007

2008-01-05T08:26:00.000-06:00

I got my Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Package yesterday, THANK YOU Alicia! All that blue...I had to add some blueberry pie creamer to my coffee...yum!!! The first thing my daughter did was grab the wool and run (she is her mother's daughter!). Then she went for the notebook, coloring is her other passion as you can see :)

Over the past month we've also acquired a kitten and named her Sweetie and I finished my first intarsia project for my brother for Christmas...which he wears proudly and loves :)

Other then that not too much going on. Getting ready to make 5 sets of stitch markers for another swap and constructing some beautiful (at least to me) Leaf Lace Socks for yet ANOTHER swap. That's all for now.

Time Keeps Going

2007-12-09T13:11:00.000-06:00

I love the holidays, but it always seems like I'm four steps behind everyone else. I tend to get lost in the daily routines. They keep me from noticing things like the fact that there should be a 12 written for the month rather then a 9! Where has fall gone? Between overtime (my normal days are already 12 hours), family and friends it seems the last few months have simply escaped me. In fact, I'm posting this because I just realized I hadn't posted in nearly 2 weeks! Can that be? At least I got the Christmas Tree up, swap packages out, and most of my shopping/knitting done...most. There, I feel better now that I've pouted :) The next post will be happier, promise.

WWCE Topic

2007-11-24T08:25:00.000-06:00

What is the ideal setting for enjoying the perfect cup of coffee? Who would be there - or would you be alone? Inside or out? Morning or night? With food or just the steaming cup of joe?
For me the perfect setting would be on my couch looking out the window & knitting. My daughter would be asleep on the floor and my stepson is playing in the snow off to the side. My husband would be checking on the turkey or something of the sort...which he does very well! I would also be enjoying the occasional bite of shortbread cookie. Christmas music is in the background and I have the next day off too...the day off is important!

SITMT 10 Thankful Things

2007-11-24T08:03:00.001-06:00

1. My Family

this summer we won an award for our super cool yard work

2. Yarn
3. Friends
4. Self Control-Both in not eating too much and fighting with family! 4.5 pounds gone since the 2nd!
5. A lovely snow the night before Thanksgiving
6. The Internet, so I can swap :)
7. Having a Job!

taken @ work 2 weeks ago...sunrise

8. Living in the USA
9. Being home for the holidays
10. SSG Cormier sending me an email letting me know she's okay. We were in Iraq together and she's back there again.

WWCS Q1

2007-11-05T15:03:00.000-06:00

When did you first start drinking coffee? What age were you? Was it about the caffeine, or do you love the taste and smell? Tell us how your passion began!

I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I LOVE the smell and having a glass with my husband on crisp fall/winter mornings or while were out camping. I did drink it for a while when I was in Iraq to keep warm while working the night shift outside. People don't think of the Middle East as having a cold winter, but it does and it's rainy too. It was not only warm, but the caffeine helped me stay awake and alert!

FFBE Q5

2007-10-28T06:58:00.000-06:00

How was your experience in the exchange? Did you enjoy the folks you met? Did you just love the bag you received? Please share any thoughts, criticism, and things you loved!
I have a fun time! I played guess who with my upstream pal and got to learn some about my Oz buddy. I've also made a few other connections. My bag is awesome (see below) and I thought the swap was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to my winter swaps after so much success with this one :)

RAVERLY

2007-10-28T06:28:00.000-06:00

I'm finally on Ravelry! I am...get this...YarnSniper.
I must admit, it's more fun then I expected, then again I didn't really know what to expect, I just knew I wanted in! See you there.

My FFBE Package and Sock Wars

2007-10-28T06:17:00.000-06:00

I got my Fall Felted Bag Exchange package on Thursday! YES, thank you DEB!!! Very cool. For some reason, only the first "box opening" photo would upload, but I love my bag! My daughter loves my bag! She keeps trying to carry it around...which she can't because she's only 14 months old and not much taller then the bag :) I'll have to post a pic of that too.

ALSO this week I was killed in Sock Wars. Thank you Mathemagic for the tootsie warmers (awesome first pair) and death snacks! My death was quick and tasty :P Oh and watch out Peety...you'll get yours soon enough!

Winter Swap

2007-10-23T15:47:00.001-06:00

This sounds like a really fun swap for all of you who enjoyed K1 T2. Registration starts October 24th so go to the link below and get ready!

http://wintercoffeeswap.blogspot.com

FFBE Q4

2007-10-19T10:46:00.000-06:00

What was your favorite Halloween costume ever - for you? for your kids, if you have them? Why did you enjoy it so much? Do you still dress up now? Chat a bit about your traditions for dressing up on All Hallow's Eve!

For my daughter's first Halloween last year I searched frantically for a penguin costume and only found a Christmas snow suite. I made it work and she looked sooooo cute! Then someone gave us a little tiger outfit that we used for indoor functions because it wasn't as warm for her. As a kid we always dressed up and went out to trick-or-treat. Now I'll hand out candy until we have Cole on Halloween or Naomi is big enough to go out (hopefully next year).

FFBE Q3

2007-10-12T07:30:00.001-06:00

How often do you change the purse or bag you're carrying? Do you change based on seasons? Outfits? Something else? What's your favorite bag in the world (and it doesn't have to be a knit/felted one!)?

I change by purse/bag depending on the event. I wouldn't take my lovely felted bags to work nor my dirty work bag to church! Right now most of my stuff is crammed into my work bag or the diaper bag. Not very good for my purse collection. I've been toting my socks around in a little pink lantern moon bag I picked up on vacation though, does that count?!?

K1, T2 Package

2007-10-12T07:20:00.000-06:00

THANK YOU DJ!!! I loved my package. I'm having some camera issues, but I did take lots of my first ever swap package. I received a glass mug, infuser tea pot, tea (loose & bag) scone in a jar, lovely cloth, some very cool Panda Cotton, and some wash. I was so excited I called work and told whoever answered the phone about my package...which I knew was going to be a guy! They are so great, putting up with my girly antics. Thanks again!

The Watermelon Blanket

2007-10-04T08:21:00.001-06:00

YES!!! The watermelon blanket is done and has been given! Mom, Amy, loves it and says baby girl can be born now...though she still hasn't gotten that message! Soon Amy, soon.

If anyone should decide they want to make their own watermelon blanket, I did my best to take down the notes and write the pattern as I went. I would be happy to share my information.

Enjoy the pics :)

FFBE Q2

2007-10-04T08:17:00.000-06:00

The colors of fall tend to be oranges, yellows, crimsons, and other 'leafy' colors - what is your favorite "Color of Autumn" and where do you see it?

I LOVE orange! I find it a lot in my back yard since we've grown pumpkins the last 2 years. It think I'm one of the few people that can pull off wearing orange, but I still don't have much clothing in that color. Fall is so fun!

FFBE Topic

2007-09-25T11:29:00.000-06:00

As of this weekend, the season has officially changed on the calendar - but what makes Autumn feel like Autumn to you, and why?

I love the smell of the fallen leaves on the ground, the big warm sweaters/sweatshirts and being outside. Fall is my favorite season of the year. The colors, smells and feeling in the air are just so classic and wonderful. I know some people associate fall with nearing towards death, but to me it's more about the life that comes with the ten million October birthdays in my family, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those red, orange, yellow and brown leaves are always beautiful to me :)

Update On This Crazy Girl

2007-09-25T08:20:00.000-06:00

First, my bad for waiting so long to put up a new post. Time has totally gotten away from me. Work has been very busy, I had all the stuff that I posted last time and a high school friend got married last Saturday and I spent most of Friday putting together the bouquets and boutonnieres. It was a beautiful event!

My socks are coming along. I just turned the heel last night, though I'm a bit confused as to how my stitches are to be placed on the magic loop. I found some help from www.knitaddicted.com a little bit ago so I 'll be looking that over next hour. My hope is to have them done next week. I was going to make the common 7" cuff until it was brought to my attention that I don't normally wear such tall socks...thus it ended up being only 4-4 1/2 " tall. I can't wait to finish them.

Other project that are coming to an end are the

Watermelon blanket: off the sticks but still needing to be weaved in and washed.
Coke Bag: needs felting.
FFBE Bag: so close yet it just won't be done!
Putting the packages physically together in boxes for my swap pals.
We're not talking about the hats and scarfs at this point.

Okay, now to get back to the projects. Have a great day :)

Ahhh...It's September!

2007-09-06T05:31:00.000-06:00

What a week! A holiday, my first sock class, 2 birthdays, a wedding and our first gun show (as vendors) will have all taken place by the 8th! Plus, we got back Naomi's 1 year old photos and the digital 4 generations, both taken at JC Penney Portraits. It's all so exciting, but I can't believe it's September already. Where has the time gone? My mind is so scrambled I can't remember if Cole (my stepson) is in 3rd or 4th grade...hummm...I'll have to ask him.

As I turn my attention to my Christmas projects, I'm reminded of what I've started and NEED to get done: FFBE Purse, Coca Cola Purse, watermelon blanket, another blue blanket, 2 monogrammed hats, a Greek Key scarf I designed myself, the school bus scarf from last Christmas, the socks for my class, and everything else I can't think of right now! And what I WANT to get done: everything I have a pattern for and haven't done...that amounts to about 3-3" binders of patterns. Additionally, those Christmas count down tickers seem to be popping up on 1/2 the blogs I'm visiting, compounding the stress. Thanks. Actually, I'm feeling okay right now. I wish I could still knit at work, but I'm making due with the lock down on crafts. I see nothing wrong with an armed security officer knitting on post! The needles aren't distracting, they're additional weapons! But I digress. It's just that bucking down hasn't been a strong suit of mine unless I feel accountable to someone, and I'm not feeling that. I guess I could BUY some gifts, they can be wrapped up just as nicely as something I've made

Grandma, Mom, Me

and Naomi

At least she's not smacking

me for once!

Naomi at the Beach

2007-08-28T06:09:00.000-06:00

Baby Girl sure loved the Atlantic Ocean in OBX, NC...even when it tried to wash her away! She did get upset at me, however, when I wouldn't let her eat the shells :P

3-2-1 Contact...And a Contest

2007-08-27T08:10:00.001-06:00

1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why?
Cascade, It always seem to work up and felt nicely and I love the way it feels on my bamboo needles.

2. Name one person in the swap who is not from the U.S. and tell us where they are from, and link to their blog.
Chrissie, Singapore http://ghostknitter.blogspot.com/

3. Find one person in the swap who has a dog, and let us know the name of their dog(s) and link to their blog.
Alana R has 2 dogs Jayda and Flex http://stringsandpurls.blogspot.com/

4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog.
Sarah G. appears to have 4 kids! http://lovestoknit.blogspot.com/

5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why! (Yea, I know part of September and November are technically fall, but for this question, only October and November matter!)
I like November because October is full of birthdays and it gets so confusing. November is perfect for eating, resting, and getting ready for Christmas!

A Birthday & Felted Bags

2007-08-18T18:14:00.000-06:00

Wow! What a weekend. My daughter turned 1 on Saturday and we had a big party for her. It was so exciting! I'll get some messy pics up in the next few days. I had make her a purple "Bobbie Bear" (Blue Sky Alpacas) for part of her birthday gift, but she TOOK it before the final ear was sewn on and now everyone wants me to leave it off for nostalgia. I don't know, I don't want the other toys making fun of it. Below you'll find some pics of the 2nd and 3rd Lucy bags I've made. They've fairly popular as gifts, I'm working on one for my aunt who's a huge Coke fan. It's red with white "little flowers" from Crystal Palace in the handle. I found some pin on buttons on eBay that will be so cute. It's almost done, and as always I'll get some pics up :0) Have a Great Monday All!

All-A-Round Adventure

2007-08-14T20:22:00.000-06:00

These are photos of my first round or pinwheel blankets. I love this design and everyone who has received one has just marvelled and its uniqueness. One key is that if you don't want the center to pucker, or create the "butt bump" as I've heard it called, make sure you have enough sections to start. 6 will get you a bump (which is very cute when the baby is old enough to sleep with their bum in the air) 10 and it will be smooth. Also, make sure you do a boarder such as a garter stitch so that it will not roll over. I do the second to last set of rows with one increased needle size. Then the last set and cast off row yet another increase. Here is the link to the original pattern, it's free...free to use, free to change and free to experiment with. Enjoy.

http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm

I'm Learning

2007-08-14T07:57:00.000-06:00

I just want to say a big thanks to Maryanne for helping me figure out how to make buttons work, I'm going button crazy now! To Jopal for the list of swaps, way cool and just what I was looking for. And lastly to Dorothy for her words of encouragement. You all rock in my book. Now if I can just get my questionnaires done and help the hubby figure out his blog and our business website, then hopefully I can post some of my fun vacation photos...which was totally awesome by the way! I LOVE my vacation yarn. *SIGH* until then...Out.

And So It Begins

2007-07-21T12:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, this is my first post and I'm not exactly sure what to write. I started this blog because I want to take part in some of the crazy cool knitting exchanged I've found, but they all seem to be in the middle of the event or just ending. I hope I can find a way in...or someone will invite me that happens to come across this blog(hint, hint). That's all for now. I'm getting ready to go on vacation with the family so that's where a lot of my energy is. Much love for you Sgt. Tomorrow!

*Leta