Sometimes I Finish What I Start

Yes, sometimes I *do* finish what I've started... I don't know if any of these ever truly reached UFO status, since they never went more than a month without me doing at least a few row on them, but...
Let's start with my Camelot Socks - started June 2004, finished October 2007.
The detailed photos are "truer" to colour. The full socks are a little bit dark. While I am pleased with the socks, there is an error in them. The photo on the right shows the heel and start of the sole. The one on the left shows the top of the foot and the sole. I was supposed to have the soles in the same 1 by 1 colour pattern as the heel turn, but instead I somehow managed to interpret the pattern in such a way that I continued the patterning from the gusset onto the sole. While they aren't *as designed", I am pleased with them.

Next up - my Lizard Ridge afghan. Yum! I love it! Started September 2006, finished October 2007. Despite being a Certified General Accountant in good standing, I cannot multiply 4 by 6... Rather than knit 24 blocks for my afghan, I knit 26. I now need to figure out what to do with my two extra blocks. Do I turn them into something else? Or do I knit another 22 blocks for a second afghan? I'm sure that the answer to that question will sort itself out in the fullness of time.

Next - my Adamas shawl, designed by Miriam Felton. Started May 2007, finished October 2007.
The River Rapids socks didn't take any time at all - I both started them and finished them in October 2007.

And finally, these last two finished objects are happy in their new home with June in Virginia! I made the bag and socks for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. Can you imagine a knitter that had never had handknit socks? Well - I've solved that problem! The bag is Lagoon from Pursenality Plus and the socks are the Tidal Wave pattern. The embellishment that I put on the bag made me think of beach glass and it just seemed to "work" with Lagoon....

FFBE Final Question...

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!

Giving credit where credit is due, I think that our lovely swap hostess has once again delivered a great swap for us! I did the Spring exchange and Virtual Vacation as well, and I must say that I have enjoyed all three. Always a good experience. I will say that I haven't had as much of a chance to get to know my upstream pal, Pennie, as I would like, but that is because I've been busy with work... I plan to do a post about some of our similarities, and differences of course, but the similarities are more interesting to me. And my downstream pal, June, is a lovely lady who I hope to get to know better. I had a terrific time preparing a package for her and was thrilled that she enjoyed it so much! And of course some of my favourite bloggers have participated in this swap as well. I'd mention names but I'd be afraid to leave someone out... And my bag? It is fabulous! I switched back to my hated black leather purse when I was away on business earlier in the week, but I started using my *new* bag as soon as I received to many compliments.

FFBE Package Received

When I got home from work on Thursday, my FFBE package from Pennie was waiting for me! What a nice welcome home. Ta-dah! Look at my new bag! I took it to work with me on Friday and received lots of compliments. I love the colours - they are very ME.

And what else was in the package? Well let's see...
A very cute note card from Pennie with all of her information, so that I can get to know her a bit now, the pattern for the Felted Buttonhole Bag from Mason Dixon Knitting, 3 skeins of Wool of the Andes from Knitpicks in "Cranberry", a Norwegian knitting thimble, locking stitch markers, a row counter, a too cute to believe sheep tape measure, a heart shaped bowl with a sheep on it, a "purl" badge, a pewter button (yarn and needles), a beaded stitch market and a lariat necklace with matching earrings and bracelet! Did I forget anything? I *think* that Pennie made the beaded stitch market and the jewellery... She is also a Bead Retreat instructor! The most interesting thing about the jewellery is the fact that it will all co-ordinate and mix and match with my existing jewellery! You probably can't see it from the photos, but there is a heart theme... I have other heart jewellery in co-ordinating colours! Hmmm...

All in all, a great package! Oh - and looking at the pictures, I forgot the gorgeous wooden purse handles - I can't usually find handles so nice. Thank you Pennie for a great package and thank you swap hostess Anne (I don't remember if there was a co-hostess this time or not - please feel free to correct me!) for another great swap.

FFBE Weekly Question #4

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!

I think that my favourite Hallowe'en costume was the year that I planned to go out dressed as a die. If I had been able to convince my sister that it was a good idea, we could have been a pair of dice, but she was having none of it. It was a really simple costume - a cardboard box painted white, with black dots and holes for arms and head. So easy that my 10 year old self did it all alone. The hitch with Hallowe'en that year? I got bronchitis the week of Hallowe'en. My sister, who didn't want to be a die, hadn't come up with anything better, so she used my costume since I wasn't going to be needing it. Siblings...!

When he was really small, Older Son attended a daycare that didn't celebrate Hallowe'en for religious reasons. (The owner considered it devil worship.) So he didn't really have a Hallowe'en costume until he was 3. At that point, I started to make his costumes. This is the first year that I haven't made a costume for either of them. I'm just too busy with work and such these days, and this year, I bought Younger Son's costume. But my favourite year was the year that they went out as Super Heroes. Old Son was Batman Beyond and Younger Son was Flash. Finding a pattern for Batman was really easy. And knowing how popular Justice League was at the time, I figured that Flash would be similarly easy... Wrong! I ended up finding a picture of Flash on the internet and adapting a pattern for the Flash costume. I knew that I had it right when I heard a little girl saying to her mother: "Hey, look - he's Flash! Cool!"

At almost 12, there won't be too many more years of Trick-or-Treating left for Older Son. Since we live on a deadend road outside of the village limits, we take the kids up to the village for Trick-or-Treating. We usually go as a family. It is usually only an hour or so, but it's lots of fun and that is enough candy and junk for the boys for quite a while. Our ghost is already haunting the back porch, and a 3 foot spider has spun a web in the corner of the same porch. I'm pretty sure that the Jack'o'Lanterns will start arriving soon, too!

FFBE Question of the Week #3

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 don't change the purse or bag that I'm carrying nearly often enough! I usually carry my black leather purse (which I thought that I loved when I bought it, but I don't) and often an LL Bean nautical flag tote. Depending on either what I'm wearing, what I'm doing or where I'm going, I may put the "essentials" into a different bag for a few days. I get bored of the basic black sometimes... When I'm going out for a day of shopping, I like to have a bag that has a strap that is long enough to wear across my body and that is just big enough for money, plastic, cell phone and lipstick. When I'm out for a day with the kids - it is still often a backpack.
If I was to choose just one bag as my favourite, it would have to be my leather backpack. It is almost 20 years old! It was a gift from a former employer when I decided to go back to university to study commerce. It's black and brown and has lived through many courses and exams with me, as well a rain, snow, floods and far to many moves to count. It's kind of old and battered - but I still love it!

FFBE Question of the Week #2

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'm going to have to say the colour of newly ripened apples. We didn't get out picking this year, so I am relying on store bought local apples, but they look so lovely and rich and taste even better! MacIntosh anyone?


These photos were taken last Thanksgiving Day weekend at Upper Gagetown.

FFBE Topic of the Week

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

Living in an area that has 4 seasons, I always know that Autumn is on its way when we have to start covering the tomatoes to protect them from frost. At that point in summer, we may still have glorious warm and sunny days, but the much cooler evenings speak of the season yet to come - Autumn. Aside from covering the tomatoes, the cooler evenings also bring the beginning of one of the most spectacular things about Autumn - the Autumn leaves!

FFBE Contest #2 (and Some Other Stuff)

So contest #2 for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange asks that we post a photo of our bag in progress. As always, I'll do this kind of loosely... It took me a while to choose both the pattern and the yarn, but I finally decided on Lagoon from Pursenality Plus. And I'm making it out of Galway Paint and Patons Classic Wool. The Galway paint is variegated blue, turqouise and purple (colour 518). I tried to take a photo but it ended up looking like it was all blue - which it isn't. I'll try again if it is sunny over the weekend. Maybe it will work better in natural light. And the Patons Classic Wool is "That's Blue". I bought the yarn on Wednesday and finished knitting it tonight. Its handles and embellishment stitching has been done. Now I just need to felt it, put on the closures, and since I like a firmish bottom - make and insert the bottom. Easy peasy lemony squeezy!
Now I don't own Pursenality, but Kristen has knit some very nice bags from it and it was because of her positive comments that I picked up to look and ultimately bought Pursenality Plus. Congratulations, Kristen! You have officially "enabled" me...
Part two of the contest was to link to a blog of someone who we "met" through the 3-2-1 contact contest. In the interests of being completely honest, there are quite a few people in the swap that I already read with at least some regularity. When that is coupled with school starting and being busy at work (including travelling), I must admit that I haven't picked up any new "habitual" blogs. Since I have been busy, I've been trying to pop by a blog or two from the list each day, usually just as the mood strikes me. For instance, I've checked out all of the other K names... Hi Kaili, Karen, Kati, Kris and Kristen! I could have sworn that I had been to Kim's blog, too, but the link appears to be broken?
I've finally finished my Sock It To Me socks and hope to get that package all together and into the post on Monday. These are the socks that ended up being very disagreeable! It is the Oriole pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks. I don't know why I dislike them so much - and trust me, the feeling is mutual - but I do!


The other package that will *hopefully* hit the mail on Monday is my September SP11 package. Everything is bought but there's just that little detail of constructing part of it... And I ordered some goodies for the October package - I love Knitpicks!
And speaking of Knitpicks - I ordered these... When the e-mail first came through from Knitpicks last weekend, I was busy enough that I didn't immediately open it. However, when I read this post of Lesley's, I just had to go and check them out. Aren't they pretty? I actually ordered two sets - one for me and one for a knitting friend at the office. Congratulations, Lesley! You too have officially "enabled" me...

FFBE Contest # 2

1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why?
I'm going to go with the local product - Briggs and Little. Why? It is inexpensive, it felts well, it comes in a broad range of colours and if they don't have the colour you want, it dyes beautifully with Koolaid.
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.
Anna S. is in Finland! (I figured that it would be cheating to say ME!)
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 has not one, but 2 dogs! They are Jayda and Flex and you can see their gorgeous puppy faces at the top right hand corner of her blog.
4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog.
Robin R. has 2 grown human children and three furbabies. (Once again, cheating to say ME!)
5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why!
Definitely October! We were married in October on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. It is a beautiful time of year. The leaves turn colour, but the days are still warm enough to enjoy and the nights are cool enough for a nice warm sweater - or a bonfire.

This is the third set of contest answers that I have done today. I'd probably better go do some laundry before Mr. Me and the kids get back from a swim at the lake...

Swap Updates

I’m with Leslie – this whole swapping thing is totally addictive! With that in mind, I’m trying to keep it under control just to make sure that I don’t make any commitments that I really can’t keep…
That said, my Sockapalooza 4 package arrived early last week! And isn’t it nice?

I love the socks! They are a very pretty colour (Regia Bamboo) and a very pretty pattern (Coupling from Knitty), but even better than that – they fit perfectly! If you read the commentary with the pattern, it is quite funny, which shows that both Krafty 1, my spoiler and Deb, the designer, have great senses of humour! And “bugs” for me – Lindt chocolate. And “bugs” for the boys – Pez. Both rate great big “Yum”s!

I think that I’ll frame the postcard because it is so pretty! Thanks again Krafty 1 - a great package. My poor downstream pal is still waiting for her package and I’m starting to feel a little anxious after that living dangerously decision… If you see these socks on your mail carrier, could you please tie them up with circular needles and call the cops for me?
In other swap news, I have heard from my upstream SP11 pal and contacted my downstream SP11 pal. Now my upstream pal asked me some really interesting, but tough questions. As an example: who is your favourite Star Trek captain? Completely and totally unrelated to knitting, but fun all the same! (James T. Kirk – helloooo…! Is there any other?!)

I countered with: who is your favourite Dr. Who? That would have been easier for me… (Tom Baker, of course!) I’ve started asking questions of my downstream pal, and I’m sure that we’re going to have fun getting to know one another.
I signed up for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange last week, too. I really enjoyed the Spring version, I’m sure at least partly because I had great pals, both upstream and downstream. But even beyond that, I’ve got to say that Anne and her pals run a great swap! The Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap has been equally enjoyable. Speaking of which, my downstream package has been posted. I’m tracking its progress… I really hope that my pal likes it.

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Questionnaire

How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom?
Well, I'm glad your asked that question - I've been knitting for over a quarter of a century and I taught myself from a library book. It's very difficult to find other left handed knitters that knit left handed.
What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
Truthfully, my first felted object remains as a UFO. It was meant to be a felted baby jacket for my niece who is now 14. My first finished felted object was a hat. I decided to make the hat because the samples on display at Wool-Tyme in Halifax (now LK Yarns) were just so darned cute.
What are your favorite colors? Any you hate?
I love pinks, purples, blues and green. I'm not an yellow or brown person, but I do like orange.
What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)
I need straps long enough to place the bag over my shoulder, or at the very least over my wrist. I seem to always need my hands free... And I'm probably more of a handbag gal. Embellished or plain is a tricky quetion! It depends on both the bag and the yarn used to make it. I could go either way on that one... However, I am completely and totally in love with the Noni bags. I blame Crafty Canadian for that... She put a photo of one of their bags on her blog and I've been a goner ever since!
What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting? My usual black leather handbag that I thought would be practical, but that I really don't like... My knitting is almost always separate and can be found in any number of totes that I have depending on the project and / or my mood.
What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?
I've been doing a lot of socks recently, as well as some scarves and shawls. Portability has become an essential criteria for my knitting projects.
What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
I probably tend to use straights more often because I have them. I much prefer bamboo, but don't have the budget to do a complete changeover, so I still have some aluminun hanging around.
What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
I'm going to have to give this some serious thought. I have a memory that malfunctions frequently (I'm blonde...) and I tend to be distracted by "shiny stuff"!
What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
This may seem odd, and I know that it doesn't felt, but hemp! Or a 100% linen yarn. I've only ever knit linen blends.
What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?
I cross stitch, bead some, sew, cook... I enjoying reading when I have time, which doesn't seem to be too often these days. And while I don't exactly enjoy it, I do lots of laundry!
Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
Buttons and beads.
What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
Salty or spicy! I despise black licorice, or anything involving black licorice - yeah that includes those pretty licoric all sorts. Fortunately, the only thing that I'm allergic to that really matters is penicillin and I can't see any of you sending me mouldy bread...
Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!)
2 sons - 11.5 and 7 years old, 1 male cat (kitten really - he's only 7 months but quite a bruiser) and 2 male gerbils. Add in the husband and I am incredibly outnumbered!
What kind of project best personifies you and why?
This would be more interesting if answered by my husband, but probably less flattering, too! Whimsical. I like things to be practical, but I derive pleasure from things that are amusing or different.
What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer!
I love the Fall leaves. We were married Thanksgiving weekend in 1994. The weather in October (remember we're talking Canadian Thanksgiving here) is still pleasant - not too hot and not too cold, but the foiliage is just beautiful. I've promised some follow up shots to this one around anniversary time.
Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.
Pay off my mortgage and the mortgages of my close friends and family members.
Finish renovating my house and property.
Go shopping for yarn and shoes!!!