CarmelKnits, etc.

I know I know, I'm a couple days early but I wanted to make sure you saw it before you sailed off to the deep blue sea... Literally. I've been thinking for a few days on what I would write for you on your birthday. How to best express just how amazing you are and how amazing it is that I got you for my mom. You've given me so much in my life that I am grateful for, that to try and put it into words would take a lifetime. I love the time we spend together. I love the way we laugh together. We've come so far and our adventures aren't over yet. I love you mom. Happy Birthday

At the end of a long day and equally long commute seeing this as I walk up to the front door just makes me happy... As I get to the door he's there waiting with a toy to offer me as a welcome home gift. Dogs are pretty great.

Never mind that he was sound asleep in the chair while I was cleaning up around the bedroom. Never mind that while I was on the floor arranging my library of crime drama dvd's that my intent was to not be hit by Gabby's hippo when she tossed it at me... As soon as that comforter hit the floor while making the bed Mr. Brown was up and sunk into it not willing to budge and ounce... So please excuse the trash bag behind them in the picture... I couldn't resist. This is just a slice of how they are every day, and just one of a million reasons why I love them... Happy Monday Carmel

Is knitting felted slippers for an adult male with size 11 feet... Stay tuned... There is more to come with this project.

My sister in law Margie gave me the best gift ever this last Christmas. She had gone to my mom's house and found a bunch of old pictures that she scanned, put into a book, burned to a cd and also made a dvd of them. She gave a book with the cd and dvd to each of us. I love it. I love scrolling thru the pictures and remember who we were then... Visits with cousins documented, family vacations to the beach. My glorious sense of style that based on the photos of then and now still hasn't left me... I will cherish these forever... Thanks again Margie. xoxo Happy Sunday Everyone!

The other day while scrolling thru my Goodgle Reader I started reading The Yarn Harlot's blog and she was celebrating her 9 year blog anniversary, and I thought, geez I started mine in January... Let see how long I've been doing this and just for fun, lets see what I've accomplished over the past years. The official Blog Anniversary date was January 15, 2009. There have been months where I was super chatty and months where I was incredibly silent. I suppose if I delve deeper into the pyschological side of this I could pattern it after things that were happening in my life but that's a journey for another day and time, preferably around happy hour and not breakfast because without a doubt a heavy slug of vodka would be required and I don't think that will be beneficial in my green monster smoothie. I love the blogging. I love posting the pictures of what I'm working on and I love the outlet for my crazy thoughts. The best part is that based on some responses...

Of color affection love... It's possible I slept with it last night but I won't confirm that. Happy Friday!

When two balls (of yarn) catch your eye and your first thought is... 'Yessss!' Followed by 'She'll love it!' Stay tuned

Color Affection! Nicknamed 'The Hot Mess' at one point. (short rows) I'm in love. Full on head over heels in love with this shawl/scarf. It's light and squishy but warm and cozy at the same time... At one point I had some trepidation over my color choices for the short row section but that's a whisper in the wind. After 3 weeks of short rows I can honestly say that while I don't love them they don't intimidate me like they used to... And I think it's my favorite part of the shawl/scarf I feel that you will see me wearing this a lot. A LOT! So, without further adieu, here are the nitty gritties Pattern: Color Affection Designer: Veera Valimaki Yarn: knit picks palette 2 in pennyroyal, 1 cyan, 2 fuchsia. 3.39 p/ball on their website. I actually bought the yarn during their cyber Monday sale after Thanksgiving for 2.00 p/ball... heck of a deal! Plus they have a huge selection of colors to play with! Have I mentioned I love this? Happy Thur...

In the color department. The last picture was my smoothie this morning... The neon pink is courtesy of the small beet I tossed in based on a recipe from the Oh She Glows blog. Color affection is still drying and thanks to the Yarn Harlots post today I realized that I blew right past my blogiversary of four years! Crazy! I'll have done crazy stats in that post :) Happy Hump Day! p.s. the first picture is a dress to be for Miss A. from the Mabel's Closet booklet by Hannah Fettig.

I'm halfway thru the second to last short row repeat... Just in time to get used to trailing three balls around with me and my Color Affection. Needless to say I'm pretty excited to be finished with this and wear it! Happy Sunday!

I always feel like it takes me at least a week after the ball drops and the calendar flips to actually catch up with the fact that it is indeed a brand new year. Today I feel like 'Whew! Welcome 2013' There is a lot to do accomplish this year. 1. Back in 2007 me and 5 other ladies formed a team to walk the Susan G Komen 3Day. Well 3 of us are signing up to do it again this year. I'm super excited! It's for a great cause and it's literally a life changing event for all who participate from the volunteers, to the walkers, to the people who come out and cheer us on along the side lines. 2. I have to bite the bullet and get the elbow fixed. I keep squawking about having the surgery done and then keep putting it off but the truth is I'm going to have to do it and put away the knitting needles for a few weeks months. Prayers for my sanity and my husbands safety would be appreciated... I'm tentatively looking at March for the big repair... 3. I have a few...