Thank Heavens!

...for talented cousins who not only know how to take photos, but do a mighty fine job of it!

Baby Mine details...I knit this with the Socks that Rock medium weight that I
custom dyed to my "uncomfortable" color preferences-pastels.
Actually, I do like purple, brown and green, so this was actually
kind of a mottled Spirits using those hues.

And this time I used the Fleegle version of Saartje's Booties
Pretty nice not seaming-and so much neater looking!

Haven't you ever asked someone to photograph something for you only to have them either: 1) never do it or 2) send some crappy picture where you could not even ascertain what the subject of the photo is supposed to be...?

Well, my cousin and his wife loved the baby sweater set I knit for their Baby inWaiting! AND...his wife took some great pics for me! You are all familiar with my amateur photos, but at least they depict what I am trying to show. So this time around, you can appreciate my latest gift knitting much better-photographed than what I would have provided!

This time I used the Fleeglized version of Saartje's Booties. Many thanks to Nartian who had pointed out that Fleegle had re-written this seamless version. I think she mentioned it to me when I made the last baby set, but I was either too lazy to look it up or had already started the original pattern. I think the garter stitch matches the garter yolk of Baby Mine quite well.

I can hardly wait to see the baby in this!

And for fun? A picture of Lil Emp at his first Rally-we attended the California Children's Rally yesterday in Sacramento.


And tonight, in reading his camp newsletter for this week, it states that the theme this summer is is to be a (Camp Name) Super Hero!!! Every week's theme will be based off a super power that (Camp Name) Super Hero youth should have, and will emphasize some kind of skill or value that we hope the kids wsill learn through the leaders' activities..."

So what do you think this week's theme is? "Be Active and Speak up!" It then says, "We'll be learning ...why it's important to be active, and the influlence of one person's voice in making a difference." SERENDIPITY!

I guess it was OK that he took yesterday off from camp!

A Post All it's Own

Another pattern I started swatching for is IrishGirlieKnit's Cotty sock pattern. LOVE it, and it is going to be our Socks that Rawk Rav group KAL starting next month. I had told Nartian that if it got picked, I would be knitting it with my Pigeon Roof Studios cashmere/merino.

I love the pattern and immediately got it when it came out and KNEW I *had* to knit it with the Pigeon Roof since: 1) it seemed like a good match and 2)IrishG irlieKnits turned me on to the stuff! So PRS cahmere/merino it is! Been struggling a bit with the swatch and need to wet it and see what gauge I get.

So then, I go to catch up on Irish Girlie's blog, only to see a gorgeous new pair she is designing! Ack! So many patterns, so little time! But go NOW and get the pattern cuz she marked it down to $4. until May 7!

(Yeah, no swatch pics. Maybe I should be like KnitGlit and draw a picture as a substitute, huh?...)

Charity First, then WIPs and Swatching

...but of course, life is mixed in with the knitting: school wind-down, family activities, work and PLAY!

Last night was "Uptown Unveiled", Oakland's attempt to showcase what they have tagged their new art/theatre district. Businesses were open, streets blocked off with various stage locations with music and mardi-gras style parading and dancing. Fox Theatre was open for tours, the Crucible was out with their giant blow torch (or whatever it is you call it that makes that big ol' BOOM!)...We peeked in to the Crucible Gallery and journeyed up to tour the 'upscale luxury condos' in the Cathedral Building. Overpriced is not my 'style', though I appreciate nice things and can understand value of nice things. But things that are pricey more for the status is kinda not my thing. It seems like the area is really going for the 'upscale' image-and the restaurant prices follow right along with it.

We enjoyed our champagne and strawberries while we toured the condos-and the view was quite nice.

the mezzanine level of the 14th floor condo

But come on-a luxury condo priced over $1M where you'd have to travel down two flights of stairs to find a bathroom? I think this area is condidered a 'media room' (no windows, no water, no closets...) You go up the stairs to a small landing (I'd say only good use would be for a dog bed) and yet another flight up to the rooftop which is quite compact.

View of the Fox Theatre and festivities below from the condo

The Crucible has a gallery that is in the lobby of The Cathedral Building

I do love the old elevator fixture-there are actually 14 floors, though this only shows 12

By the time we got to the Fox Theatre, a line had formed so we opted out on the tour...

It was fun checking out our work area and what is developing around us. My friend and I shot off to a small theatre production of Living Room at the Oakland Noodle Factory. For a suggested donation of $10, we enjoyed an original performance by an independent theatre company. I love checking stuff like this out!

And for knitting?

Well, this month my focus (other than the pictureless deadline Baby Mine knitting) has been on charity squares for Pine Ridge Reservation. So far, I have 16 completed. I'm slowing down now, but hope to complete at least 4 more by the end of the month. I think they want them all mailed out by July 5.


It's been kind of fun just doing mindless knitting. I even learned a cabled crochet square while working on these squares!
So I am trying to re-focus and continue on these two WIPs: the Shurt'ugal socks for my sister and the Ulmus that I was forever swatching!
And yet, the inspiration to start new projects hit and I ended up swatching in pursuit of these projects...

A dress for my friend's daughter because she appreciated the baby sweater so much!

A baby sweater for Solly since I felt a bit guilty that the girl babies got sweaters and booties while he had only gotten hats and booties! And then there was the Sirdar book and Calico yarn I saw at Cottage Yarn and decided I needed to get to make this short-sleeved cardi...what do you think? V-neck or scoop-neck?

So as far as the knitting goes, at least I've been able to share the latest progress...

Pictureless entry...

A second Baby Mine with matching booties is completed and gifted! And in the rush to get it out, I forgot to get pictures! No in-progress shots, no completed shots. Phooey! Well, at least I can beg my cousin to take some and send them to me so I can eventually post them.

And other than that, I have been working on my Pine Ridge Reservation afghan blocks. I am up to 14, which is shocking since when I have offered to knit charity blocks, I usually only commit to 2 and seem to barely get them squeezed out! Ah, what a bit of focus can accomplish!

A New Discovery! BMFA IS work-related! (Nartian should appreciate this!)

So I decided to check out Tina's blog. While I'm at it, I decide, "Hey, I need to see what is up over at our RSC Blog!" Scroll down, clicked here (cuz...lemme see who designs this site!). So I ought to read about them and see what kinda stuff they post on their blog.

Listed therein is this:
Largest ExpressionEngine Web sites, May 2009
Change.gov: Transition site for Barack Obama
iLounge: All about iPod and iPhone
Periódicos Zócalo: newspaper in Mexico
Gear Live: gadget news
Top Gear: BBC car show
paidContent.org: news about online content
BMI Music: music licensing and artist
A List Apart: resource for CSS and design
Campaign Monitor: email campaign tool
Truthdig: independent political news
Grist: environmental news and commentary
Kukla’s Korner: hockey fans
Jewish Journal: large jewish newspaper in Los Angeles
CA Government: central page for California’s Gov’t
OpenGL: standards group

Notice, the "CA Government" link? Click.

SO work-related! ;) (And now so is this post!)

Pictures Loaded!

And the kid off the computer for the night! And I actually have a bit of time!

So here's the latest:

A completed CROCHETED scarf, done for the Socks that Rawk Crochet Challenge...

LSS in a Raven colorway (can't remember which). Pattern-"Verdere", crocheted in an extra repeat of rows 2-24

A pair of socks finished (finally!) after the Memorial Day Weekend!

Yes, Queen of Beads FINALLY done!

And my Moebius of Peace also finished after that holiday weekend!

A basic moebius knit with Berocco Cotton Twist, carried with a handpainted rayon

A bit smaller than it should be, but I still like it!And the two Barn Raising Quilt blocks I committed to! (Now to send them...!)

Leftover STR used: Pisgah and Seal Rock (with a bit of a Raven added to the edge)

I think I have finally settled on the Footsey Foo/Jabberwocky combo for the Ulmus, which I have yet to start! I actually still need to wind the Footsey Foo, but I'm not in a hurry since I have a "Baby Mine II" to complete by June 14! Along with requisite booties, since the mom-to-be attended our other cousin's shower and saw the Baby Mine I set done previously with the Dutch Canyon. I've connected the sleeves to the body and am starting in on the yolk.

But I've also been distracted by a fun challenge called "Blankets in July" Square Drive that is being conducted over at the Afghans for Pine Ridge Reservation Rav group. We are divided into two teams (Red Birds and Wolves) that compete to complete the most afghan squares that are supposed to be around 6" square for which a point is earned for your team (1 pt per 36 square inches...).

I joined the group when I learned that they would take just about any sized knit block (you know, for all my imperfect blocks that didn't quite meet measurement requirements for other afghans...). Up until now, I'd done nothing with this group: not participated on the board and not sent any blocks! Our ears were burned at the start of this challenge, so I figured I'd hop in on the fun.

Sounds like it will be fun and if any of you are up for it, come on over and play with us! I'm on the Wolves team! GO WOLVES!!!!

WOW! It's been a long time...!

Well, the California PTA Convention snuck up on me and it seems it's been non-stop since! I've barely had time to participate somewhat on Ravelry and post a few things here and there.

Here is what the outgoing California PTA President looked like at convention...
Seriously, there are conventions. PTA Conventions. And they are serious as they are funny.

Kinda weird to have those big ol' televising screens and the teleprompter screens on stage that people read from!

All the seats in front of ours were empty. I think because it was representing the San Jose District and since they were hosting, a bunch of them were running around and working.

The first time I ever attended one, it was so weird to realize what a huge organization it is. And can you tell who this is on stage, helping to give out Arts awards?


Carol Channing herself!



Anyways, the end of school year is a busy time of year, but I managed to get sucked in to an Ulmus KAL that Nartian told me about. The pattern is pretty awesome! I told Nartian that considering the combining of colors, opportunity to use two un-matched skeins of STR from the stash, the ease yet interest of the pattern I could see how this would be quite an attracting KAL. So far, not as popular as our sock KALs going on at the Socks that Rawk Rav group, but it kinda makes it easier for me to keep up with the posts!

So I will share with you my swatching efforts and hope to get some input on which combo I should go with! I swatched the following swatches and will show a close up of sections of the long swatch. Hopefully you will bear with me as I go through this!

So the whole Ulmus color decision started like this:

Hey Everybody, I think I'm going to use Jabberwocky and Rhode Island Red!

Then it went to this...Or perhaps this combination that once looked like 'no way' ...

might work afterall!


The resulting swatches ended up like this...




I suspect that with a whole knit shawl, the colors won't be quite as "blendy" and really, "blendy" is ok, but I'm thinking I may want it to look a bit more contrasty.

So I dove back into my stash and dug out other options to consider, revisiting some options I had earlier tossed aside: Harlotty, Rooster Rock, Brick, Muckity Muck...and even threw in Footsey Foo for a bit of fun!


And here lies my dilemma. Which to choose?

The Jabberwocky/Harlotty combo, shown in the lower portion of the pic below...

The Jabberwocky/Muckity Muck in the lower portion following? Or the Jabberwocky/Rare Gems (Firebird-ish) Silkie STR combo that is showing above it?

Then there was the Jabberwocky/Footsey Foo combo...the pale, minty green contrasting with the darker tones of Jabberwocky look kinda white, but what a contrast!
And a bit more subtle is the Harlotty/Footsey Foo combo...very nice together. Again, the Footsey Foo photographs a bit whiter than it actually looks in the swatch.
The Brick/Jabberwocky is awfully pretty...but maybe a bit more red that I'd like...

The Rooster Rock mad for an interesting pairing with the Brick, too...

So for now, I'm stuck! I like the Jabberwocky/Rhode Island Red combo, and think it may end up being more interesting once knit up as the shawl. The Harlotty/Jabberwocky is pretty pleasing to me, as is the Harlotty/Footsey Foo. I kinda like the Jabberwocky/Muckity Muck but don't think I want to go that orangey.

Of course, I will have to review all of this with Nartian tomorrow!

Oh well...not like I don't have other projects to work on. Like the crocheted scarf I decided to make for the Crochet Challenge at the Socks that Rawk group! It WAS about 85% done when I found a mistake. I tore back and it is probably more like 70% done now.
So this is it pre-crocheted...

I'm knitting the Verdure pattern with my skein of Korppi LSS

I'll post a finished pic when it is completed.

Stalking the BMFA Web site!

Is it wrong of me to be running over to the Blue Moon Fiber Arts site just to see if there may be some new colorway I missed?! Or perhaps one that I didn't realize I'm in love with and may need to add to my list?! Truly a sickness this love of all things BMFA!

Speaking of which, I'm loving this "Guppy" colorway! I'm sure I've missed more colorways that I "need", but I'm also trying to behave myself with the spending. I need to save up my BMFA purchase allowance for my 3 skeins of heavyweight STR in Brick for a February Lady...and a skein of Luscious Silk for the Giselle... and I'm sure there are others I need-like a sweater's worth of Jubilation or Beached! But for now I will continue to look and not buy and hope that I can hold out through Sock Summit!

My Shur' tugals in Lightweight STR Guppy! Not for me, but I am loving knitting it up!

My sister will get these.

I'm such a conflicted knitter! On one hand, I absolutely see the benefits of focusing on a few projects and actually getting them done! But right now, most of my focus is on 'deadline' knitting which translates to gifts, futher translating to 'not for me'.

These were spontaeously knit for a friend's friend's baby.

Now you know I don't just knit socks for ANYONE! But...apparently I do when inspired!

And even a complete set to gift at this past Saturday's shower! After knitting Baby Mine, I even had enough yarn left to make matching Saartje Booties! These were from a mill end I got at Stitches West in the Dutch Canyon colorway! LOVE the colors and my cousin favors greens over pinks and lavendars, so this was a good way to fuse the typical girly color spectrum with her favored green!


OK, so the Queen of Beads are for me, but they are socks and I sooooo want to get moving on my Giselle that has been hibernating by default. And meanwhile, even some gifts without deadlines (read: understanding friends who are willing to wait...) get put aside on hold. And yes, I still committed to making 2 squares for the Barnraising Quilts for Doctors Without Borders which is being coordinated to be unveiled and raffled/auctioned at the upcoming Sock Summit. I have until June 9 to get the squares in. So for now, Giselle is put aside but not forgotten...

So all is well with knitting progress considering the amount I time I am able to devote to it between the PTA, PPS (Parents for Public Schools) and regular school events... I guess it is the same old frustration-so many projects, so little time!!!

April Antics Craft Fair

In the interest of helping Sile (Knit-One-One) get the word out (not that I have much of a huge readership...), I wanted to pass this on! You can read about it at her blog here.

The Crafts fair is this Saturday from 11am-5pm at the Knit-One-One Studio. This is where Rocky (RockinKnit), Marisol (Purls Just Wanna Have Fun) , Nell (Chickenknits) and I took our dying class with Scout! I see that CocoKnits will be there, as well as Stitch Jones. I've never gotten any Stitch Jones yarn yet...hmmm...may need some!

My Saturday schedule is filled with a PPS (Parents for Public Schools) Meeting and a shower, but I"m hoping to fit the fair in between the activities, since I will be passing by that way to the shower. But my mom will be with me, which will absolutely cramp my style!

I SO heart Sile! (Who's name I cannot type correctly cuz I don't know how to do that dash thingie over the "i", but it's "Síle" (pronounced Sheila)-dang, I'm clever! I just cut and pasted that from her email! ;) Anyways, she is the greatest and maybe you'll happen to be able to stop on by for the craft fair. Looks like it may be a monthly thing, so something to take note of!

Looking at the vendor list and goodies, I think I may just need a 'sweater swine'! Too cute, no?

Still behind

It hardly seems like it's been a week and a half since I returned from the Pacific Northwest! I have had a busy week and am still not settled back in!

We returned on a Tuesday night, 10pm, and I went to work the next day. Thank God I have Fridays off! Of course, Easter followed that Sunday, then Monday-PTA meeting; Tuesday-cooked a double batch of turkey chili, two pans of cornbread, a pan of coffee cake and made a double batch of coleslaw for a Habitat for Humanity Build-a-thon fundraiser; Wednesday-conducted said fundraiser; Friday-School Site Council Meeting in the afternoon followed by PTA BINGO NIGHT fundraiser; TODAY-report to the East Bay for the Build-a-thon and spent the day helping to frame a house. (All the hammering promises sore arm muscles! Hope it won't affect the knitting!)

Here, our team raises our first wall! We completed most of the framing today; the exterior walls and most of the interior walls!

Tomorrow? Possibly brunch with our friend; later in the day, a "Teatime for Moms". And of course, I said I'd make something to bring. San Antonio Quinoa salad is fairly quick and easy-thank heavens for quick and easy fixings!

And why it took so long to journey back?

On our way out, we found the waterfall at Port Ludlow!

We stopped off in Port Gamble. Look what I found...

Yep! YARN! And fiber, too. I couldn't resist getting a few items-thanks for the tip-off, Kristen!

We cut over to the coast to check out a lighthouse...
It was already closed for the day by the time we arrived. But we still got to enjoy the view. And Lil' Emp got to read about Gray Whales.


And there was another lighthouse...

With beaches to explore...

Look! I even found a mushroom growing in the sand under a picnic table!

We enjoyed a sunset and we were on the road again...

There were more coasts and lighthouses to explore...
Whale bones to see...
And a trip down memory lane for me...

I hadn't been to the Glass Beach in Fort Bragg in probably nearly 25 years! It had been an old dump site and you can find remnants left from that time. Glass pieces are now polished into stones and here, some chess pieces are 'melted' into the rocks. I almost seem to recall that hot metal was poured into the waters. Maybe this explains the fusion of rocks and chess pieces?

On the knitting front, other than the Baby Mine I completed, I finally got the Shurt'agal KAL socks started! I'll try and get a picture of the sock posted next time.