Time for a change!

For those of you that read my blog, I've decided it's time for a change. I've been working on my new website, and though it's not done yet, I want to start posting there........so join me at http://www.radianttwist.com

Thanks!

I *heart*

I *heart* bags. All kinds of bags....big, little, drawstring, hobo, sling bags....all bags. Bags are great for organizing things, for carrying all of my bits and bobs, and most importantly for carrying my knitting!

I DO NOT *heart* my sewing machine. It has an attitude. My sewing machine likes to lull me into false sense of security by behaving nicely and once it pulls me in....Wham! That's when it does something annoying. I tried sewing the other night, but just as I thought everything was going well, my bobbin did something strange and I ended up with about 10 times more thread on the bobbin side than on the needle side. Grrr.

But today, ahhhh today. No problems. No weird bobbins. No extra thread. (I know, false sense of security.) I finished my new project bag!

Here's a snappy photo of the outside.
And the inside.
Pretty, huh? Oh, and an up close shot of my purty, purty fabric.
I went to the fabric store last night and went a little overboard.......I *heart* fabric too. I'm going to be making a bunch of bags in the next few weeks and stocking them in my store. Be on the lookout!
One last picture.......an upclose shot of my fav fabric!

Happy Valentine's day to ME!

My hubby, in his infinite sweetness allowed me to buy myself a new camera for Valentine's day. I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited. Our old camera was 7 years old......in digital camera years, it's like 200. I keep taking pictures all over my house, of yarn, knitting, kids, pretty much everything! Here are a few shots I took today......

Yarn. Must take yarn pictures. It's like a compulsion. Rain Forest sock yarn and Little Man colorway on peace fleece.

And of course, some of my family....sweet hubby and the little man.

And last, but not least, my Knitty sock pal sock! Just a quick sneek peek:)

I will not be intimidated by accessories!

Last night as my husband and I were laying in bed chatting before we both fell asleep, I was telling him about how much I enjoy knitting socks. So we talk about why.....the fun yarns, lots of cool patterns, and that they keep me from getting bored. So then he says.....

"I don't get it, you used to be afraid of knitting socks!"

and I replied....

"I will not be intimidated by accessories!!!"

As fully shown by my finished objects this week. First off, I've got my mom's Hedera socks.

The Details:
Pattern: Hedera, from knitty
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock in the Peacock colorway
Needles: Knitpicks Classic Circulars in Size 1
Comments: I really liked this pattern. The lace pattern is easy enough to memorize that I didn't have to look after doing a couple repeats and the sock went pretty fast. The toe fits me a little weird, but I have wide feet, of course it really doesn't matter since they are for my mom! She tried one on the last time she was here and loved it, so I think she'll enjoy them. Oh, and notice my lovely assistant.....that's my daughter! She wanted to wear "mammy's socks". She's cute.

Another picture, this time sans lovely assistant. I NEED to get some blockers, but here they are waiting for my mom to come visit!

















Also this week I finished my Odessa hat. I started it on a whim, mostly because it has been SO freaking cold this week!

The details:
Pattern: Odessa, from Magknits
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in color 07
Needles: Susan Bates circulars sizes 4&6
Comments: I liked this pattern a lot. Great mindless knitting that I could work on while my watching the kids, set down and pick up again easily. I didn't bead it because I didn't have any beads around, but I quite like the hat itself. If I was going to make it again I would have made it just slightly longer because it barely covers my ears. I have some cashmerino left over to match, so I think I might make some fetching gloves to go with it!

Ok, not really a finished object, but here is a little sneak peak at my Knitty Sock-swap socks. The yarn is super yummy to work with. More pictures later when they've been swapped!


And last, but not least, a quick store update! I've been busy trying new yarns for my store and discussing my future business plans with hubby. We will officially be opening a new website sometime in the next month or so, with a new blog, yarn gallery, etc. I'm very excited to be doing this! As for new yarns.....I just found a fabulous new sock yarn that I will be trying out this week and hope to be adding to my store later. It's soft and squishy!!!

Mission Accomplished

Whew! Mommy was very tired, but the christening outfit was complete on Sunday morning. The christening went off beautifully and we had a fun weekend visiting with my family.

Here's my little man......


The Details:
Yarn: Berroco's Ultra Alpaca 50%wool/50%Alpaca
Needles: Size 4 Knitpicks Options
Pattern: Of my own imaginings. I knit the pants from my regular pattern (Perfection Pants, Wooly Wonder). However, the sweater was out of thin air. I adapted the cable pattern from this Knitty pattern and kinda made the rest up. The neckline took me 3 tries, but I'm fairly happy with it. This was my first attempt at designing a sweater (though not my first attempt at designing) and I'm pretty proud of it.

And of course, I must add a few gratuitous photos of my kids......they are so dang cute!


Also, I want to thank those of you that helped with the charity raffle I mentioned in the last post. We've raised a stellar amount of money that will help this family in need. If you haven't taken a look, there are a few things still up, so take a look!!!

Last, but not least, for those that asked....yes, there will be an update to my Etsy shop today, but it probably won't happen until my kiddos go to bed, so be on the lookout for some new yarns!

UPDATE: Etsy update is complete:) There isn't much this time, but a few pretty skeins of sock yarn went up today. Enjoy!

Mission Impossible and a request......

No pictures today. I'm in a hurry as I'm still trying to finish knitting my son's christening outfit for the christening this weekend. This is my own personal mission impossible. I've been knitting all week.....pants are done, top coming right along. But here's the thing.....I'm designing this out of my own little brain. Yikes! I love designing it, but I've never designed anything before. Everyone keep their fingers crossed. I'll have pictures after Sunday.

On another note, I have a request. A dear online friend had a stillbirth earlier this week at almost term. She had a baby girl. Their family is going through a hard time now and a few work-at-home mamas have put together a charity raffle for items to help raise money for her and her husband to help with bills and such. If you have a little time and a little money, take a look at what is offered here. If you have questions, feel free to ask!

As Promised.....and a weather forecast

As promised, more yarn pics today! I placed an order for Fleece Artist merino sock yarn last week with More Than Yarn. I highly recommend their services! My order arrived super quick.

Hercules (for me!)

Indian Summer (for my Knitty sock pal)

and Mermaid, also for me!

And a little weather........we had snow! I know that this doesn't look like a big deal, considering I live in Massachusetts and grew up in New England, but this winter has been devoid of snow, so even a little is cause for a little happy dance. Of course, it's supposed to warm up and be sunny all afternoon, so no doubt the snow will be gone by later today.

I also have to send out a quick rave for Zero Markers. I saw these first on Knitspot and promptly went and bought a set for me and a good friend. They came yesterday in the mail and are gorgeous! Treat yourself! (sorry for not having a picture, but my camera is acting funky!)