John's Sweater

Here is John's sweater I finished for him and gave to him for Christmas. It is a Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown Pullover for Men #991 using Plymouth Encore Chunky in Denim. I used size 10.5 circular and it took me 3 months, but I didn't really spend all that time on it. Probably could have finished in 1 month, but it wasn't needed until Christmas and it wasn't cold out, so I procrastinated. He hasn't worn it out in public yet and I told him he only needed to wear it once, so we'll see!

Christmas is past

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We had a lovely time visiting John's parents on Sat & Sun and then came back home for Christmas Eve Mass and spent Christmas with my sister, Bonnie. I got my camera! I got a Canon Digital Rebel XT. Woo Hoo! I just need to figure it out and then I'll post some photos on here.

I didn't get all my Christmas cards out, so this week I'll be playing catchup and mail out the stragglers. I was missing some addresses, so a few will be getting the cards for New Years!

I finished my 1st sock. I actually cast-on and got the toe done on the 2nd sock. I may actually have a pair of handknit socks someday soon!

I didn't finish Betsy's hats. ;( I worked really hard on them the weekend before, but just couldn't get them done. I have both hats completed and 2.5 of the spirals. She told me not to worry, she'll get them down to Nebraska in January. I can't wait to post photos of them. They're so cute!

I'm off work this Friday and next Monday. I need it. Hopefully get caught up with most of my projects and get to work on my Tilli sweater again.

Crafting Update

I have over 20 of my Christmas cards done and in the mail. Only about 50 or so to go. I've got them partially started, but the ribbon is going to kill me.

I have been working on my knit from the toe up socks recently. I made it past the heel and I'm on the leg now. Only a few more pattern repeats and I should be able to bind off. The last class is this Thursday, so I need to be up to the bind-off. We'll see how long it takes me to do the 2nd sock!

I have to finish 2 Bobble Beanie hats for Betsy before next Tuesday. One hat done, but no spirals. The 2nd hat hasn't even been cast-on yet.

I need to finish my MIL's dog's sweater I started over a month ago. I'm up to the front leg-holes, so it shouldn't take too much longer, but we're going down there in 1 1/2 weeks.

My Christmas Present?

John wants to know what camera I want for Christmas. I'm not sure if I want a dSLR or a point & click camera. My top choices for a dSLR are the Canon Digital Rebel XT or XTi. The ZLR I'm interested in are the Canon Powershot or the Sony Cybershot.

I think that if I get a ZLR camera then I'll turn right around next year and want the dSLR. I think I'm ready for a higher camera. Of course, I can't lose it. Like I did the Panasonic D-Snap I can't find anywhere in the house. I have no idea where it is. I'm hoping that once I get a new camera, then I'll find the old one. Last seen: August 2006.

My Angels!

Here is our Christmas picture from this year. Aren't they sweet? Olivia (5) is on the left and Emily (8) is on the right. Now I just need to get the cards done so I can send them out!

I did finish John's sweater and I'm almost to the heel on my sock. I was supposed to have my last Noni bag class last night, but ended up getting our Christmas pictures taken and that took most of the night! I now have 10 repeats of the pattern on the sock. I'll have to try it on and see how close I am.

My Christmas Card 2006

Here is the final (I think) version of my Christmas card for this year. I wanted to get 25 of them done today. Well, I got 1 done and I cut all the cardstock for 25. That's something, right? I need to place an order because I won't have enough Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, and Cranberry Crisp. Why didn't I design a card in early November so I could place an order in enough time to receive before Christmas? Anyway, this card is inspired by one I saw on SCS (can't remember who). But, I used Herringbone for the background (retired, I know) and there is glitter on the branches. I really like the Peaceful Wishes stamp set and knew that I wanted to use it for my Christmas cards. I was going to use a Blender pen with the reinker for Cranberry Crisp (no marker available from SU!), but decided that the old Baroque Burgundy looks suspiciously like Cranberry, so I'm using that to separate the intertwined greeting. I hope you like my 1st photo on my blog! Let me know! ;)

Snow Schmo... Ice Age Cometh

Well, we did get snow. But, it was mostly icy rain that turned into a few inches of snow. Just to keep those roads/sidewalks/parking lots nice and dangerous for the next week/month/season. The kids did play in it for a while today. John got to use the snow blower. Too bad it doesn't work well on the 2 inches of ice under the snow cover.

Went on a holiday home tour today. Ooooooh, was a there a beautiful home on the list. I can't wait to build a new house. Probably 3 years down the pipeline for me though!

Project update:
1. Stamped 2 gift card holders for my office Christmas party this Friday. Vicki and I stamped 24 of them last Sunday, but needed 26.

2. Haven't touched John's sweater. That's my goal for tomorrow.

3. Noni bag has been felted. I'm working on the flowers and vines. It didn't felt quite as much vertically as I thought it would. Again, waiting on that digital camera and then I'll post some photos.

4. My sock is now beyond the toe (it's a toe-up sock). I've got 4 repeats of the 4 round pattern completed. We're supposed to meet tomorrow for class due to cancellation from Thursday because of bad weather. Hoping to get up to the heel tomorrow.

5. My Christmas cards... I've got the design I like, just need to make them. I should work on them tomorrow, also. I'd like to get 25 done tomorrow and then 25 a day for the next week.

Emily and I are going to see the Nutcracker tomorrow afternoon. I hope it's good and keeps her attention.

Here Comes the Snow!!!

We are set to get 6 to 12 inches of snow tonight. Right now it's sleeting and I can hear the ice hitting the windows. Thank goodness for garages!

My sock class got cancelled/postponed due to the weather, but I went the the store and cast on and got some basic instructions so I can plod through the pattern. My 1st sock now has 6 rows! Using size 3 DPN's. Man, are those things tiny!

My Noni bag is almost completed. Just need 1.5 more stripes and then bind off and make the flowers. I probably won't work on it much once I've bound off as the class is on Tuesday and I have to have something to do there! ;) I did email Nora, the designer, re: discrepancy in the pattern and the picture. She emailed me back within 30 minutes. Really cool!

We're closing on our house in Fairfield tomorrow. Finally! It's been on the market for 1.5 years. I'm sooooo looking forward to not having to make 2 mortgage payments! More money for yarn and stamps! Yippee!

End of the Month Knit Updates

1. My Noni In the Sculpture Garden bag now has a bottom and 4 stripes. Only 6.5 more to go.

2. Haven't yet finished John's sweater. Actually, haven't touched it in the last few days.

3. Forgot that I'm taking a sock class tomorrow.

That's what's new. Maybe if I find my digital camera (been missing for a couple of months) I can take a few photos. My wish list for Christmas includes a new digital camera. Just not sure which one I want. I was thinking the Canon Rebel XT. Anyone with any opinions?

WIP's

1. John's Knit from the Top Down Sweater. Just need to finish the ribbing on the 2nd sleeve and then weave in the ends! No seams to finish!

2. Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton's Noro Klaralund. I've got the front and back squares completed and about 1/4 of one of the sleeves. Hopefully will finish by the end of the year.

3. Stitch Diva Simple Knitted Bodice. I'm up to the 2nd repeat of the lace on the body. It's been set aside due to other projects. I really need to concentrate and I've been too tired at night to do this one.

4. Debby Ware's Too Cute Bobble Beanie. I've finished 2 of these and have 2 more to do. Of course, I still have the spirals from #2 to finish.

5. Noni In the Sculpture Garden bag. Not really in progress yet, but will be started tomorrow. Hopefully will finish in about a week.

That's about it.