Swallowtail and Sundara

These two went perfectly together.

The yarn is Fingering silky merino from Sundara Yarn in Robin's Egg. I obtained the yarn as a member of the Season's Yarn Club. (I may not have time to shop for yarn while going to school, but I love getting my surprise packages from Sundara in the mail.) The yarn was a dream to work with and the color is beautiful.

The pattern is Swallowtail Shawl designed by Evelyn A. Clark. It took me about 2 weeks to knit this shawl, and I enjoyed the time knitting it. Perfect project for summer break.

My blog account still exists!

Boy, that surprises me! I thought they (whoever "they" are) would have suspended it due to lack of posts - I haven't posted since the middle of January, 2008.

That's about the time I started the second semester of nursing school, along with tax season at work. Although I did have a short break and vacation between the spring and summer semester at school, posting to my blog was not top priority for those few days off. Those days were spent at the beach and pool in Marco Island, FL for a much needed get-away.

I doubled up on classes for the first summer semester in order to have a whole semester off before the last year of nursing school. So, after this Wednesday's final, I will have 8 whole weeks without studying and classes. (Wish I could get that many days away from work.)I've been dreaming of knitting, sewing and finishing my niece's wedding afghan. Now- I have to force myself to study for my final in pharmacology...... Just hold on a few more days.These pictures are of a few of the WIP's waiting patiently for me to get back to them. Can't wait to be a knitter again!

The Happiness Project

In and among all the knitting blogs I read, I stumbled on "The Happiness Project". The link here is to today's post, "21 Phrases to Help You Fight Right with your Sweetheart".

As my DH and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary tomorrow, I thought it especially appropriate to read and share with you. If you have a chance, dig through the archives of the blog. Gretchen has written alot of encouraging words and I have found other supportive blogs within her links.

Your Heart Is Purple

For you, love is about establishing and developing a deep connection. If it's true love, it brings you more wisdom and inner strength. Your flirting style: Sincere Your lucky first date: An afternoon at a tea house Your dream lover: Is both thoughtful and expressive What you bring to relationships: Understanding

What Color Heart Do You Have?

New Member of the Family

My new Grandcat, Peyton, adopted today.

He likes marabou.
And sitting on the bed next to the afghan I crocheted for my daughter.Don't mess with the afghan, little kitten.

ABC Along 2008

ABC Along 2008

A
Azalea in Winter

Starting the New Year Off With a Post

The last few weeks have been hectic. Studying for finals kept me preoccupied in the beginning of December. Getting ready for and enjoying the holidays took up the end of the month.

One of the most meaningful gifts I received this holiday was this scarf, knitted for me by my youngest daughter, the first project she has ever knitted.Needless to say, I think it is absolutely beautiful.

I have also been busy knitting, trying to spend some time with my needles before class starts up again in the middle of January. I made small items for my children as Christmas gifts. For my youngest, I made a pair of Princess Mitts. For my first born, I knit a cabled headband. Both patterns came from "A Knitter's Book of Yarn" written by the wonderful Clara Parkes.

For my son I knitted the Maze hat. I used Cascade 220 and felted it a little to get the skullcap look he likes.

I also found time to knit myself a pair of Maine Morning Mitts, also from Clara's book. If you go back to my previous link to the book, you will find a free pattern for these fingerless gloves.
Blogger is acting up, I'm having trouble uploading some of my pictures. I will post pics of the girls' gifts in my next post.

A Great Place to Pose!

How many knitters do you think leave this store without shopping bags in their hands? None that I saw. We look very happy after our excursion, don't we?

Gift for Baby S

I spent most of Friday doing the finishing work on this little cardigan for one of my newborn nieces, Baby S.

It is "Daisy" designed by Stephanie Pearl McPhee. The pattern is from Knitty, Summer 2003.

I'm glad I added the hood to the sweater. I grafted the top, rather than doing a 3 needle bind-off. I also added one embroidered daisy to the bottom of the back of the sweater. If I had it to do over again, I would have added more buttons and done a different type of buttonhole, something a little sturdier.
But overall, I am very happy with how the sweater turned out.

There's a Reason It's Called a "Retreat"

The Knitter's Review Retreat is exactly that. A weekend away from day to day life, a few days to forget your everyday worries. It's a chance to see old friends and make new ones. It's 2+ days of being immersed in your knitting and yarn and being surrounded by 90 other people who feel the exact same way.

It's also a time to add to your yarn supply. (Because we all need to add to our yarn supply!) We stayed at the Seven Hills Inn at Lenox, Massachusetts, a mere 1 hour drive from WEBS.

Want to see what I brought home with me?

From the Goodie Bag put together by Clara- (see the Lantern Moon Circulars at the bottom of the picture?)
From the Stash Table (Tables - 3 large ones) is a better description!
More to come in the next post!

Starting to Pack

I went through my stash this morning to find items to add to the swap table at the Retreat. I filled this bag. Wonder if it will be filled with new items for the trip home?

Early Christmas Present

From my husband to me. Isn't he a sweetie? He gave it to me early to use for my trip to the Knitter's Review Retreat. It's the Swift bag.

Christmas Knitters

What every Christmas Knitter needs! Holiday knitting stamps from the US Post Office.

Stitches East- Belated

I made a 1 1/2 hour run through the market on Sunday (October 14) . I convinced my husband to stop on the way from our home in the Philadelphia area to his parents' house in Alexandria, VA. Little did we know the Ravens would be playing at home and parking would be such a nightmare!
But I grapped some Koigu KPPM from Mannings to knit the "Chevron Scarf" from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I also bought 2 skeins of red cashmere from Hunt Valley Cashmere, part of a kit for another scarf. I picked up Addi Lace needles in the size I needed for the cashmere in case I wanted to start knitting at my in-laws. (I forgot I needed to wash the cashmere first.) I didn't even look at Webs - I hope to visit the store when I am at the Knitter's Review Retreat in a few weeks!

Sunday morning is a good time to shop at Stitches. There were very few people in the market, making it possible to see, touch, and buy everything I wanted/needed in short order without alot of frustration.

Yes, I Have Squeezed in Some Knitting

What with work, school, tests, and clinicals, I have still managed to find some time to knit. Usually, it is when I am in a zombie state, so the knitting is not complicated. I have been working on making a pair of Jane's Hedgerow socks, except I discovered last night that I misread the pattern and the ribbing pattern I have been knitting is not as directed in the pattern. But the results are still very pretty, so I will stick with my "mistake" throughout the socks.

I finished the socks for my daughter's 21st birthday.

She likes ankle length socks, so they are a quick knit. The yarn is a hand dye I bought from Ellen's Half Pint Farm at Camp Stitches a few years ago. The pattern is Fancy Silk Sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.

I did get a chance to cruise through the marketplace at Stitches East (in Baltimore) last Sunday. Bought a few things, some cashmere and Koigu to make the Chevron scarf in Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

I have also been looking around the Ravelry website. Haven't had a chance to post my WIP's or finished objects, but have set up the necessary Flickr account and joined a few groups. I need more time and alot more energy to accomplish what I want for my account there.

I Just Got an Invitation!

I found it in my inbox when I decided to get up in the middle of this night (morning). Spent the next hour and half playing around on Ravelry
Time to go back to bed!
Look me up - I am CPAknit.

Taking the Plunge

I just signed up for the "Seasons Yarn Club" of Sundara Yarn. I have never gotten involved with such a venture, but my good friend Tanya suggested that buying yarn would be an excellent way to celebrate yesterday's good news, and I thought it was a lovely excuse. I have bought sock yarn from Sundara in the past, and it usually is a matter of knowing exactly when she is going to make her beautiful hand dyed yarn available on her website and be on the site within minutes of the starting time. If I am a little late, I find everything sold out.

Now I am guaranteed delivery of specific yarns at specific times, and I was able to pick a color scheme (spring, summer, winter, fall).

Take a look at the website and check out what is offered. I don't think you will be disappointed!

Now, to get some studying done in order to find time to knit!

I am a Proud Mother!

Why have a blog if you can't use it to announce your child's achievements?

My daughter just found out that she passed the Bar Exam in Delaware! On her first try! Delaware is one of the hardest bar exams to pass (along with NY and California).

Congratulations, sweetie.

Countdown to Ravelry

5657 invites before they get to me! On Saturday, the number of people ahead of me on Ravelry was 8000+. Looks like the invites are going out at about 1,000 per day. That means I should be getting mine on Sunday/Monday.
Better go get my studying done!!!!

KR Webring

My blog was officially accepted into the Knitter's Review Webring. This Webring is not run by KR, but includes the blogs of members who belong to the KR forum. Click on the link >>>>>>>> (to the right) on my blog for more blogs and check out the forum for knitting help and friends.