December 30, 2008

Love is in the air

We have two weddings to look forward to in the near and far future.

Our daughter Erin and her boyfriend Chris became engaged this past week.
(Must take picture of them - I have one from Christmas but it's not a "couple" picture)

Chris is from Scotland and the wedding is currently planned for this summer in his hometown. Looks like Rob & I will be getting our passports soon! They could get married where he currently works, Lands of Loyal, or possibly the Scone Palace near Perth.

They have been lovely to watch and the engagement is not unexpected. He spoke with Rob prior to Thanksgiving about asking Erin to marry him and received our blessing then. We've been waiting for the past few weeks for the good news to finally come about.

The other couple getting married is my brother Art and his long-time girlfriend, Kendra. Yay! She's been an absolute blessing and I'm glad her place in our family will be permanent.

December 25, 2008

This Christmas Day, May You

Have loved ones to spend the day with
Stockings

Be rich in blessings
Mom wins 1

Have a warm place to be
Yule Log

And food to eat
Spork!

Merry Christmas!
Christmas Tree 2008

December 21, 2008

A knitting FO and some weather

First, the good news: I finished the Christmas stocking.

Gigi's finished stocking 3Gigi's stocking back

Mailed it out to Chicago so that Miss G could have her first Christmas with a handknit stocking made by Auntie Gina. Knit on Denise size 8s with Wintuck and Red Heart yarns. Gingerbread boys are knit in Reynolds Utopia and the faces used the Red Heart. Red gumdrop buttons and the string of candy and the other little candies are miniature ornaments from JoAnn's.

Since I mailed it out, we had a little bit of snowfall that melted quickly in Vancouver.
Small pine and snow

But since that early snowfall this past week, we had a bit more yesterday:
Front porch2

Definitely not as much as one sister was expecting in Central Washington (12 inches!), but this morning we had a coating of ice as well.
Icy world

Not what we wanted since Mom was driving up from San Diego. I tried to get out of PDX yesterday to fly to Sacramento and drive up the rest of the way with her, but had my flight cancelled due to Southwest's lack of working de-icers. Mom figured she'd then spend the night at her sister's home and drive up today.

Instead, she kept driving and ended up at my brother's home in Gladstone at 2am. She did stop along the way to put on chains and she'll drive the rest of the way to our house today. It's only a 30-minute drive in good weather, so it'll probably take twice that today.

But it sure is pretty when you don't need to go out.
Ice blossom3

December 19, 2008

How did they know?




You Are Considerate and Mature



You approach the holidays with responsibility and cooperation.
You'll do your part to make sure that everyone else has a happy holiday.

You aren't particularly picky or high maintenance during the holidays.
You're happy to be in the company of people you love, and you're willing to "go with the flow."

Of all the types, you are the most likely to give someone exactly what they want.
You're also the most likely to wrap all your presents well - to prevent peeking!

Taking it off for charity

Mom bares it for charity

Mom raised money for St. Baldrick's and shaved her head. Doesn't she look great?

A friend said craziness must run in the family.

December 18, 2008

Really?




You Are an Argyle Sweater



You are contemplative, brainy, and serious. You don't take much lightly - life is too important for that.

You are a very determined person. You don't let anything stand in your way. You think out your actions and act deliberately. You don't waste time, money, or resources.

December 09, 2008

Christmas knitting

Working on a Christmas stocking for Gigi:

Gigi's stocking 2

It's knit with size 8 needles and used Red Heart White & Wintuk Christmas Red for the stocking itself. I scrounged up some remnants of Reynolds Utopia for the gingerbread man. His gumdrops are buttons and the face was sewn on with the RH White. And he has a little bit of stuffing to make him pop out. There's a similar gingerbread man (no stuffing though) on the other side.

I just need to put her name on it and it'll hit the mail this week :) I'm tempted to figure out how to add "candies" to the stocking as additional embellishments, though.

I'm also knitting a pair of socks for Miss S:

Samantha's socks in progress 2

Size 2 needles using Knitpicks now discontinued Dancing sock yarn in Ballet. The pattern is from Knit Socks! and it's called Straight Laced. I'm just about to start the toe decreases on this first sock and then I'll have to work hard to avoid Second Sock Syndrome.

December 08, 2008

Yum!




You Are a Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin



You are smart, sophisticated, and savvy.

You love taking risks, and you are the first to know about new trends.

You are curious about the world and tend to have many interests.

You also are very talented. It sometimes seems like you are good at everything.



You are very social and inclusive. You'll be friends with anyone.

Even though you're very cultured, you're not a snob.

December 05, 2008

I've been lost in Ravelry with the knitting projects, but seem to be knitting less.

I've taken far fewer pictures than I want to.

I've read far fewer books than last year.

Seems like less is happening but I'm not sure where the big time suck is.

But Erin graduated high school in June with her HS diploma and her AA from Clark College. Here's Rob and Erin on that very chilly June night.
Erin graduates

She left for college in September. This is actually two photos side by side to show how small a room she has.
Dorm Room1Dorm Room2

Rob and I escaped to the Oregon coast for 5 days in October. Here's a sunset outside our room.
Seaside Sunset

We kept driving past this window:
Who is Jenny

Had to take a pic of it for you, Mom!

I still love this show


A Friends Music Quiz



Score: 83% (10 out of 12)

April 01, 2008

March 27, 2008

Vacation Plans

Woo to the Hoo! We have actually booked some vacation for once. There are things to look forward to :)

In April, we'll take a day off for Rob's birthday. Go out for breakfast, head to Powell's, bum around Portland and end the day with chocolate brownies, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

In May, Rob and I have our 10th anniversary. It falls on a Wednesday this year, so we're taking Thursday and Friday off to head down to Klamath Falls. Rob's never been to Crater Lake so we're hoping to see that, go the the Lava Beds, and maybe we'll go to Websters for souvenir yarn.

But the biggie will be in the last week of October when we head to West Yellowstone. Rob's never been there either. We'll be exploring Yellowstone for a week - just the two of us. (note to self - look for yarn store)

Yay us!

March 26, 2008

Wednesday List

1. I need to pack for my upcoming retreat. Find the suitcase, determine the clothes, wind the skein of yarn for the 2nd Pomatamus sock. What other knitting do I need to take?

2. Talk to the sis about WOF in June. What time would she be able to pick me up at the train station? Where shall we eat dinner?

3. What hat pattern to make for co-worker Sue? She's shaving her head for St. Baldrick's this year, as is co-worker Mina. (remember last year?) Mina's going to get Grumperina's Odessa. I thought about Koolhaas, but I'd have to buy the pattern. Must keep searching.

4. Do I really want the chicken thing for dinner? At least I'm not making it.

5. Love the new dishwasher.

6. Where should we go for our anniversary? It's our 10th so we should do something. 10th is tin or aluminum (traditional) or diamond if we go modern.

7. I need black shoes. Cute black shoes.

8. I also want a new denim skirt.

9. Time to cut my hair, but what style? Must consult the sisters and the mom.

10. I need ibuprophen. Cramps suck. I'm ready for menopause.

11. Only 82 more minutes to kill before I can leave. Must do work to justify the paycheck.

March 13, 2008

Three times this week and I couldn't claim a headache

I managed to make it into the gym Monday, Thursday and this morning. Sooo tempting to stay in bed instead of crawling out at 3:30am to drag on gear and head out the door.

But! I do feel better for having done it.

And! It's a birthday weekend! This guy is 3 today:
Delirious

He's 14 months in this picture. He's coming over with his big sister tomorrow so I'll have new photos for the grands.

And this couple:
Kim-Tony

Will both be adding a year to their ages this weekend. Happy birthdays, Sis and Hubby!

We have another family birthday on Tuesday and one more at the end of the month. March is a pretty popular month!

March 11, 2008

Knitting

Another quick update (I know! TWICE in the same week!)

Knitting: I've cast on for a pair of Pomatomus socks from Knitty. I'm using stashed yarn:

Shepherd Sock in River

I'm working on the first sock and I've finished the 2nd repeat of the pattern on the leg. I started into the heel and I somehow managed to lose a stitch. It's not dropped but I managed to still lose it. I'm debating ripping back the 3 inches I've knit to re-do the heel or just adding a stitch to bring it back to the count I need.

Now that I type this, I know I'm going to rip. There's a bit of a hole where the problem occurred and it would be a bigger hassle to work around it. I'm thinking of gifting these and have a person in mind and it would be better to do it right.

Ravelry: I have been sucked into the wonder that is Ravelry's stash notebook. I've loaded quite a bit of stash in there - mostly the good stuff, certainly not all of the acrylics. It has an export button to send my stash out to XL and I did. I've determined I really, really need to 1) knit from stash and 2) clear out the crap. I have over 19 miles of yarn - and remember, not everything is listed.

Now my stash is certainly not as big as what others have, but it is spurring me on to get it under control and organized. Or at least get rid of the stuff I don't want. Or intend to use.

Working out again, but not reading much

Blogging at lunch to try to get in an update.

Weight loss: I had a setback when I got sick and completely missed working out in February. I picked up most of the 5 pounds I'd lost in January which wasn't great. I just started up again last week with the workouts and am almost (.8 lb to go!) back to where I ended January. I thought about trying to make up for February this month, but that would be almost 15 pounds to lose. I'll shoot for 10, but really? I'll be happy with anything below 195.

I need to develop a good workout plan. I spend 30-45 minutes doing cardio (treadmill, elliptical or climber) and then another 30 minutes on weights. I'm going 3-4 times a week and I need to develop something quick because marathon training begins at the end of the month and I've got to plan on run/walking it with Mom and Chris. Well Chris at least. I think Mom's competitive enough to try for a time that will kick my butt.

I did download the Podrunner podcast from iTunes to try to use on the treadmill. Well see how that goes. I don't think I'm quite there yet since I just got back in to the gym. But it will help with the interval training. (what's with the word farklet? Those Swedes, so funny)

What would be good is some kind of tracker. A pedometer won't do it for me and I don't want to spend over $100 for a Garmin Forerunner. I'm thinking of trying the Nike+ since it will work with my nano. The brother has one and likes it and I could always knit a cozy to keep it on my New Balance shoes. And $29 is a much better price for me.

Reading: I haven't read anything yet this month. Rather weird for me. I'm wondering if March will get away without anything read other than magazines or knitting patterns. I have bought books, but it's making the time to break them open. I think part of it is just letting other things take the lead on my time right now. That's ok with me, but I really do miss the books.

February 25, 2008

At least my knitting's not affected

I'm wrapping up lunch at work. And trying to keep lunch down simultaneously. I've had an upset stomach for the last couple of hours and it's just not settling down. I'm going to give it another hour before I head home.

I've been trying to kick a cough for the last few weeks. I had a nasty cold at the end of January that sidelined me from working out and since then I've been unable to shake the cough. I finally woke up this morning without the congestion and am hopeful to get into the gym on Wednesday.

In the meantime, here's what I've been doing:

Knitted KittyJenn's custom gloves

A knitted kitty in Bernet Soft Boucle for a baby shower gift. The mom is one of the small group leaders for my Monday night bible study. She's due in about 4 weeks and we're having a surprise shower for her tonight. I used a size 5 circular. I think I'll make another, but double the yarn up. I can't embroider a face on this kitty to save my life for some reason, so a faceless cat it is.

The gloves are for a different small group leader. Jenn had mentioned having trouble finding gloves to fit her long fingers. I had her trace her hands and voila! Custom gloves! Of course, not that it's in the 50's she doesn't need them, but hey, she's ready for next year. Knit in Rauma Babygarn with size 2 needles. I used just over a skein to make both gloves. When I say just over, I dipped into the second skein for only the thumb. I have the 2nd skein and another in cream that I may try do to Endpaper mitts with.

Oh, and I've been spending time on Ravelry. I finally understand the time suck aspects.

February 01, 2008

Progress!

Well, I have lost 6 pounds since I first weighed in on January 1st. 5 pounds if I use my "official" weigh-in day of Friday, January 4.

I'm tracking my weight at healthylivingonline.com - it's free from iVillage, has a food tracker, an exercise tracker, offers menus and exercise programs and did I mention it's free? That's my kind of price right now.

My exercising has fallen off the radar. I've been fighting a crappy cold and cough for the last 2 weeks. I'm hoping to get back in to the gym this weekend for at least a little bit of cardio.

I have been doing some knitting as well. I've knit 7 dishclothes in various colors of kitchen cotton and 2 coffee cozies in some Cascade Quattro I had left over from making felted slippers.

Right now I'm working on some gloves for a friend in a pretty blue BabyGarn, size 2 needles, from the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns.

I did manage to get some reading done in January as well. A total of 13 books for the month:

Katie Fforde's Restoring Grace: a library book that caught my eye. English author so there were a few expressions that were different, but I enjoyed it. A nice, easy read about a woman who divorced, was living in her family home that held memories of her marriage but was about to be making changes to the home and herself that she didn't expect. I'll be looking to check out her other books the library carries.

Jennifer Crusie's Anyone But You: quick & easy library book. A divorced woman (again!) meets a younger man and falls in love. She thinks she's too old, he thinks she feels he's too immature, goofy dog helps brings them together.

Jayne Ann Krentz's White Lies: this is a new book for her Arcane Society series. Ok, it's only the second, but there are more to come. Paranormal aspect, modern setting. Good characters, nice setup for a continuing issue through the series. I really enjoy Krentz whether she writes as Krentz, Amanda Quick or Jayne Castle. This was a library book, but I think I'll need to purchase it for myself.

J.A. Jance's Exit Wounds: so glad I found Jance again. This is part of her Sheriff Joanna Brady series and centers around a polygamist cult and women who exit the life. Love Joanna and the strong character she is in a traditionally male role. Another library book that will need to be purchased.

Linda Howard's Up Close and Dangerous: I keep giving Howard another chance to pull me back. This was OK. A young widow whose adult step-kids hate her ends up crashing into remote mountains on a private plane. Of course, the groundwork is laid for the stepson to be the bad guy, but you know it's not him. I don't believe the relationship she develops with the pilot and it's just an OK book. Too bad, I really liked her earlier stuff. A library book that won't be making the transition to purchased for the personal library.

Amanda Quick's The River Knows: one of Krentz's historical romances. I enjoy her female characters - they're intelligent, plucky and no fainting misses. Fun read and I might consider buying it later or maybe just keep buying it from the library.

Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother: I spotted this the moment I went into the library and snatched it up. I'd been wanting to read this and enjoyed reading the story of a man slowly going insane while the family around him struggles with their own troubles. If I spot this at Costco, I just might buy it.

Jill Churchill's The Accidental Florist: I bought this since I enjoy Churchill's Jane Jeffrey series. Rather a cosy mystery series, this one was different. Not so much focus on the mystery this time; the focus was more on the changing circumstances of Jane as she got ready to marry. OK, but not the best of the series.

Jayne Castle's Ghost Hunter: Krentz writes her futuristic books under the Castle name. This book continues her Harmony series. The series is a little different from her others I have and I wasn't sure I was going to keep the series. But what I like is that characters find that their paranormal development complement one another and they typically need the other's abilities to get through the situation.

Julie Garwood's Shadow Dance: Love Julie Garwood. Fun historicals that have made me laugh out loud. Her contemporary stuff is good as well. This one looks like it might be a bridge between the two. The setting is contemporary and fits within the series she's built around the Buchanan's, but it looks like it's going to go back towards her historicals (like Krentz and her Arcane Society). Anyhoo, it's a good book and I'm really looking forward to Shadow Music, her next book that's currently out in hardcover which seems to cover the historical mystery from Shadow Dance.

JA Jance's Desert Heat: This is the first book of the Joanna Brady series (I started in the middle, but the earliest book I could find at the library at the time). How Joanna gets pulled into the law enforcement field and the circumstances surrounding the loss of her husband. And I lucked out - the book I bought at Powell's is autographed!

Amanda Quick's Second Sight: This is the first of the Arcane Society series. I'd read it before from the library, but bought it. I wanted to read the lead book in the series to see how it was set up for the ones to come. I do enjoy her historicals.

Kathy Reichs' Monday Mourning: I enjoy these books more than I enjoy Cornwell's books that came post-Body Farm. I'm trying to read them in order and this one continues to provide interesting science, further explain the complexity of Tempe's emotions regarding her daughter, her friends and her love life. I enjoy the twists she has on cases that she worked on or that inspired the books she writes. If you liked any of Cornwell's earlier books, I would definitely suggest you read Reichs.

January 04, 2008

Getting My Move On

2008 has dawned and I have yet to make it into the gym this year. Rob & I joined a gym around Thanksgiving when I realized I couldn't make any more excuses. It was past time for me to do something for myself and just spend the money. Watching the Biggest Loser this past season may have had something to do with that as well.

This new year has yet to see me go in.

But I am determined to make this year different. Mom & I have decided to take on the Portland Marathon this year. This will make it Mom's 3rd? 4th? time doing Portland and my 2nd since 2003. That first year I walked and my time was 8 hours and something. This year I want to do a run/walk and anything better than 8 hours will be great. I say that now, we'll see what goal comes about later.

So, I have determined that my time on the treadmill will be spent bringing up my madd running skillz from non-existent to - well - existent. Gradually adding running time while decreasing the walking time. Building stamina, eventually building speed. But most of all, just moving.

I want to drop the weight I've been carrying for the last 9 years. I can't call it baby weight since I've never had kids. It's lazy weight, pure and simple. And who knows? It might be why we've never been able to concieve (regardless of what my doctor told me).

And along with the moving comes the eating. Rob & I don't eat horribly. But we could - and will - do better. I'm going to need to balance my need for frugality for spending more on healthier options. Explain to me why it's more expensive to take care of myself with good-for-me food and exercise? Can't there be a discount for doing the right thing when it's time to fork over the money?

I'm planning to motivate the running with my new gadget - the main gift under the tree for me from Rob:

8G iPod Red

Isn't it purty? It's loaded only with podcasts at the moment, but I'll be adding some music later today and spending my $15 iTunes gift card.

Let's see - have motivation, have goals, have tunes. Yep, I should be able to make some progress!

January 02, 2008

2007 Recap Part 2: The Books

2007 ends with a record 98 books read. I was aiming for 1 more than last year's number of 64 and I think I've done that. Here's the list in the order read:

1-3. Jane Churchill: The Merchant of Menace, Fear of Frying and War and Peas
4-5. Jasper Fforde: The Big Over Easy and The Fourth Bear
6. Erik Larson: The Devil in the White City
7. Lori Wick: Where the Wild Rose Blooms
8. Lenora Worth: Logan's Child
9. Monica Ferris: Embroidered Truths
10-13. Jayne Ann Krentz: Deep Waters, Eye of the Beholder, Flash and Sharp Edges
14-15. Nora Roberts: One Man's Art and Truly, Madly Manhattan
16. Wil Wheaton: Just a Geek
17. Chris Ayres: War Reporting for Cowards
18. Joanna Weaver: Having a Mary Heart in a Marth World
19. James Maguire: American Bee
20. Connie Willis: Miracle, and other Christmas stories
21. Ben Young: Out of control
22. Jayne Castle: Zinnia
23. Hughart, Barry, Bridge of Birds
24. Patricia Cornwell: Postmortem and Body of Evidence
26-46. JD Robb: Naked in Death, Glory in Death, Immortal in Death, Rapture in Death, Ceremony in Death, Vengeance in Death, Holiday in Death, Conspiracy in Death, Loyalty in Death, Witness in Death, Judgement in Death, Betrayal in Death, Seduction in Death, Reunion in Death, Purity in Death, Portrait in Death, Imitation in Death, Remember When, Divided in Death, Visions in Death, Survivor in Death
47. Dave Ramsey: Total Money Makeover
48. Alison Mcghee: Shadow Baby
49. Mary Jane Maffini: Organize Your Corpses
50. Tim Cahill: Road Fever
51. Nora Roberts: MacGregors: Robert-Cybil
52-55. JD Robb: Origin in Death, Memory in Death, Born in Death, Innocent in Death
56. Dave Ramsey: Financial Peace Revisited
57. Sarah Graves: Tool & Die
58. Kay Hooper: Chill of Fear
59. Brady Udall: The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint
60. Salzmann, Cyndy: Dying to Decorate
61. Reichs, Kathy: Grave Secrets
62. Griffith, Marilynn: If the Shoe Fits
63. Short, Sharon: Death of a Domestic Diva
64. Hooper, Kay: Sleeping with Fear
65. Howard, Linda: Cry No More
66. Jance, JA: Paradise Lost
67. Gerritsen, Tess: Life Support
68. Andrews, Donna: Owl's Well That Ends Well
69. Reichs, Kathy: Bare Bones
70. Christie, Agatha: Murder with Mirrors
71. Rowling, JK: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Sorcerer's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban
75. Christie, Agatha: Nemesis and Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective
77. Funke, Cornelia: Inkheart
78. Berg, Elizabeth: Art of Mending
79. Rowling, JK: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
80. Jance, JA: Dead Wrong
81. Alcott, Louisa May: Little Women
82. Wilhelm, Kate: The Deepest Water
83. Roberts, Nora: Morrigan's Cross
84. Roberts, Nora, Dance of The Gods
85. Roberts, Nora, Valley of Silence
86. Kruger, Mary: Died in the Wool
87. Christie, Agatha: The Man in the Brown Suit
88. Jance, JA: Outlaw Mountain
89. Howard, Linda: Killing Time
90. Fatsis, Stefan: Word Freak
91. Jance, JA: Partner in Crime
92. Michaels: Kasey, Everything's coming up Rosie
93-96. Nora Roberts: Rising Tides, Inner Harbor, Chesapeake Blue, Blood Brothers
97. Monica Ferris: Sind and Needles
98. Kathryn Lilley: Dying to be Thin

There are probably one or two others that didn't make it on here, but still! Almost 100 books! Sheesh. How did I get anything done between the reading and the knitting?

Let's recap 2007, shall we? Part 1: The Knits

Here it is, January again. Time to remember a new year when I write the date, to start new knitting and reading lists, to get serious about tracking my progress on changing my fitness habits.

So, let's recap the 2007 knitting:
16 Dishcloths: knit in Peaches & Cream and in Lion Cotton for various birthdays, for Mom, for a friend for Christmas. Knit in squares and circles on size 6 and size 8 needles. Gifted with soap when for a birthday.

Top Down Anime Hat (Cotton Classic in Yellow): knit and I still have it, ready to gift to the right person.

Shedir, Calmer #476 Coral: knit to cover my head after I'd shaved it for St. Baldrick's. By the time I'd finished it, I had hair again, but I still love it and would knit it again.

SuperHero Cape for Kruz. Knit in red Bernat and fun. I'd make it again for a child who wants to be a superhero.

Fingerless Gloves for Rob. Knit in a brown Galway worsted weight wool. Rob uses them, loves them and keeps them handy. Just what a knitter wants to see.

Sweater for Baby Martin. A little pullover knit in Sirdar Snuggly DK in Lilac for a little girl joining three older brothers. Loved by mom and put to use immediately.

Flower Basket Shawl. Knit using KP Alpaca Cloud in Tide Pool and donated for a silent auction. I think about knitting another one, bigger for myself.

Simple hat for Rob. Knit in a beautiful Manos yarn, it's his go-to hat when he steps out the door.

Baby hat and a 5-Hr Baby Sweater knit in Lilac Red Heart yarn for a new baby girl for a co-worker. Enjoyed and worn!

Natalya gauntlets for Erin. Knit in red sock yarn held doubled for the thickness I wanted. She loves and uses them, so a success!

Pink Nostalgic cardigan in Red Heart for niece Khylee. Knit on size 6 needles for her October birthday, but not finished until December. Auntie's a lame-O on this one. And she didn't much care for it. Bleah.

Tiny red sweater ornament. Made for an ornament exchange and loved. I immediately had requests for more. Looks like this will be a stash buster for 2008.

Scarves for nieces Samantha and Khylee and for new BIL Tony. Knit in Red Heart/TLC and Snuggly and TLC for the girls. A variegated and a solid held doubled with a slit to pull a crocheted flower through that held the ends together. Tony's was knit in navy Encore with a K2P2 rib that has a mock cable on the K2 rib. Looks like plain ribbing on one side, cabled on the other. Just right for Chicago winters.

Two Coffee Cozies knit in Debbie Bliss Merino DK with size 5 needles. One done in pink with a mock cable and the other a simple rib decorated with a couple of ribbon flowers I had on hand.

Two white and blue hats are knit in Cruz Azul colors for someone who works with Mom. Knit in Bernat Baby Soft on size 4s. I used the basic patterns out of Ann Budd's Knitters Handy Book of Patterns.

A big blanket for Samantha from the picture she drew for her birthday blanket. Knit with size 17s using Caron yarns held doubled.

A 2nd Pirate hat, knit for a friend of Erin's and gifted in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day. Knit with Wool-Ease on size 5's, it's more of a beanie type of hat.

A Star Wars hat for Erin as a Christmas gift. Knit on size 5s in black and blue Wool-Ease.

A crocheted apron as a gift in cotton for a gardener. My first all-crocheted project. Not too shabby and received with a big smile.

Some handwarmers in red superwash wool from Last Minute Handknit Gifts for someone who was excited to get them just before going to Victoria for a half marathon.

A cashmere and silk scarf knit from a kit purchased at Stitch & Pitch. Finished and gifted to a deserving friend.

A pair of Mrs Beeton's for a Christmas gift for a friend who immediately put them on and started fussing with them. She recognized one of the yarns as the one used to knit her Icarus shawl.

So 42 items made in 2007. And I'm so bad at taking pictures that I have documented only a few! Must. Get. Better.

collage