Nupps!

Knit my first nupps last night! Kind of challenging but ok - it's a bit of a trick to purl 7 stitches together but I managed it. I picked out yarn to do Annis yesterday - I was diligently working away on Featherweight Cardigan in Viola Fancy Lace which is gorgeous but not very challenging and destined to be long - lace, stockinetted stitch, cardigan - doesn't translate into anything too quick.

Angela and I chose Nichole from Schaeffer yarn in a brilliant pink for Annis and so far I'm loving it. I love the whole construction of this shawl and see tons of possibilities for this. Susanna IC has designed Abrazzo also, and it's on my list of things to do. I think it's going to be in a Tanis Mulberry Silk One of a Kind I picked up at the Knitter's Frolic! You really should check out this whole Arabesque section in Twist Collective - everything is worthy of being cast on!

Have you heard about Yarns On Stage? Pick Up Sticks will be the only shop in Newmarket hosting this fun event on October 16/2010. Yarn shops around the world will be unveiling ten of the best Indie Dyers Limited Edition Colorways on this day! These are never seen and never to be seen again colors that have been produced by such companies as Prism, Twisted Sisters and more.......I can't wait - it's going to be such fun!

We are also participating in a new club from Dream in Color called Dream Club Yarns - each month for 10 months we will be receiving skeins of a new unique hand dyed colorway. Some months it will be a cashmere blend, some it will be Smooshy, some months it will be Groovy Chunky and on and on.... starts in August and ends in May 2011.

No smoking update - 6 mos on July 3rd.

Weight loss - 10lbs as of Wednesday, June 23

Today would have been my parents 45th Wedding Anniversary had my mom still been alive. I'm feeling a bit off because I can't help but think about what might have been. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

We will be closed July 1st to July 5th for Canada Day! And....re-open on July 6th with some surprises!!!!!!

Another FO

In an effort to be more creative (like Susan!)I took my Cedar Leaf Shawlette outside into the gorgeous sunshine to photograph - I'm pretty sure photography is not my thing but here are the shots for your viewing pleasure.
I was in a big panic last night because I had about 10 leaves to go and 18 grams of yarn - I managed to finish with 2.7 grams left over. Here's the details: Pattern:Cedar Leaf Shawlette
Yarn: Tanis Purple Label in Lemongrass 1 skein
If I had adjusted my needle size down to a 4.0mm which I normally always do, because I'm such a loose knitter I would have had alot more yarn left over.
The lovely Emily from Viola dropped off my order this morning. Gorgeous, squishy skeins of alpaca/cashmere/silk. 1 skein (1300 yds) will make the Featherweight Cardigan in most sizes. A great deal for a luxurious sweater - $48!


I'm going to be casting on for it momentarily!

WWKIP

We had an awesome WWKIP day, rain and all! We spent the day indoors, everyone knitting happily. We had good munchies, good company and good knitting - a great day was had by all!Here's photographic evidence:

Lynn B was here signing Think Outside the Sox - she had a winning design in the book. Dreamin' of Tulips page 6 if you have it!

Emma was Reserve Champion in her horse show - that's second place overall. We were all very excited again!

I'm knitting Cedar Leaf Shawlette with Tanis Purple Label in Lemongrass and thoroughly enjoying myself! Pictures soon!

The winners of the door prizes were as follows:

Knitting Bag from Isabella's Journey - Deb Y.

Project Bag from Hiya Hiya - Pam

Rug Hooking Kit - Clare L.

Dye Hard Fiber - Lynn B.

Tanis Mulberry Silk - Susan D.

Fiddlehead Mitten Kit - Jenn S.

The Knit Kit - Rachel

Thanks to all for coming out and sharing the day with us!

Catch Up

So let's see what's new...

I passed my 5 month-iversary for not smoking on June 3 - yay me!

I joined Jenny Craig - I know not the most healthy, not the most anything except efficient for me at the moment. Still battling the odd smoking craving doesn't leave me much room for anything else sometimes so I decided reaching into the freezer was the best way to go for me especially since I hit a number of weight that I've never in my life seen on the scale and never, ever want to see again. Yesterday was my first weigh in and I lost 7 lbs. I also had a gastro intestinal virus right after I joined which laid me out for 3 days so that probably helped the first week's weight loss. I'm still dealing with some tummy issues and now have to eat only a bland diet for the next 7 days.

It's a yucky day here - I've got a weather headache which just makes me want to go back to bed but it's only me here so someone has to man the operation! ;)

Saturday we are celebrating World Wide Knit in Public Day here - door prizes, store specials, munchies - fun, fun, fun and good knitting company!

So...what to do with two skeins of Tosh Sock in Rhubarb?....First, knit Damson from one skein and a bit and then use the left overs for a cute beaded beret from Churchmouse designs...

<-----See

As for spinning - I finished 100 g and it all fit on one bobbin! I have another 100g of fiber in the same color and then plan to ply it and knit something fantastic!

Emma is in another horse show tomorrow - she's so excited and so are we!

Best wishes to Tanis and Chris of Tanis Fiber Arts on their marriage Saturday June 12 - may you have a lifetime of joy!

We have a champion......

in our family! Emma was in her very first horse show this weekend in Palgrave. It is a Trillium show so it's quite a big deal. She was the most excited I've ever seen her and not nearly as nervous as she told us she'd be. She won a first, second, fifth, and another second. The points all added together made her Champion of the Crossrail division. Both Laura and I were so excited we were crying - brought back many memories of all the days we spent at shows when Laura was younger.
Do these girls look excited - it's 6:30 am and they've had little sleep but nothing could have kept them in bed this morning. Emma is the one is the helmet and Celine is her best friend - she came along as the groom!







First things first - time to get Scotty (Beaverwoods Butterscotch is his show name)all fancied up for the ring.
















Now they're off to have a look at the course - two little girls looking quite professional I think!

Ta Dah! The Champion of Cross Rails Trillium at Palgrave. Lots of ribbons and a beautiful embroidered jacket bag! She even won some prize money!