Warped Hookers....Secrets Revealed!

Okay, now that I have your attention. Hee hee. The title to this post is accurate - just not in the most obvious way.

WARPING BOARD

Construction of a warping board for me is now underway. It is being made so that I can wind up some skeins of yarn to dye in many colors. For more information on hand dyeing using this process click here . If you would like directions on how to make your own warping board click here. Pics will be posted of the uber awesome warping board when it is completed. Hopefully, this will *cough cough* be soon.

I'M A HOOKER

djMars has taught me how to do basic crochet - almost against my will. I want to learn it so that I can do a proper provisional cast-on and so that I can make hairpin lace. I might give up on my dream of hairpin lace but I have enough skill now to do the cast-on. I get a mean case of "crocheting tourette's" though. I don't think I will ever participate in this craft for fun but it is good to know.

SECRET PROJECTS REVEALED

The gifts have been given so now I can post.

I made some beer cozies. The pattern for which can be found here. Both of these were knit with yarn that I had previously hand dyed and couldn't figure out a project for. They were happily received and I should have taken some pics of them "in action." I have the feeling that I will be making many many more of these in the near future. They keep condensation away, the cables make nice "grips", and they really do keep the beer cold. Nifty.

While I was making these djMars was eyeing the "limeade" yarn so I knew I had to make her something out of it too. And since a beer cozy would not be her thing...I made her a Calorimetry head wrap. I don't have a picture of that "in action" either and I know the pic below isn't a great one. But if you click here you can see what one looks like while being worn AND get the handy dandy free pattern. Ooooh. Also, I know in this pic it is not "finished". I didn't weave in the stringy ends or put the button on. djMars has some extra buttons lying about from a sweater she made a I figured that she could use one of those on it. Okay, so it's a half-assed gift that she had to finish herself....I admit it. But she loved it anyway.

OPINIONS NEEDED

I recently added a music player to my blog. I need to know if I should leave it or not because I'm undecided. I have the same player on my myspace but I think it's normal to have that stuff there. I'm unsure as to whether or not it is annoying in this type of forum. Please leave comments on this matter and help me decide.

YARN SCHOOL

It's only a few weeks away!! SQUEEEE!!!!!

Secret Pal, Dirty White Boy and Rock of Ages

SUMMER CAMP SWAP 2007

Over on Ravelry a group of us decided to do a swap. The theme was sending packages to other knitters who are "away" at summer camp. We were supposed to send them yarn and goodies related to where the sender is from. My secret pal is BroadwayKnits from Memphis. Here is what she sent:

1) Cat treats for the cats

2) Reese's Elvis Peanut Butter and Banana Cups (get it...from Memphis)

3) BBQ Seasoning

4) Toys for the cats

5) Opal Rainforest II Sock Yarn in Hummel (Bumblebee)...awesome

6) A personalized LolDog from her dog, Tony, saying how he sent the treats and toys for the Quats

7) A skein of Socks That Rock Mediumweight Sock Yarn in the color Henpecked.

How freakin cool is all of this?? The cats have gone ballistic for the toys and treats. The yarn is awesome. My first skein of STR...woo hoo!! And in mediumweight so that the sock making will go quickly...super cool!

As you can see, Quirk wanted the picture taking to be finished with so she could play with the toys that were sent to her. She can be so demanding (um...I have no clue where she gets that from.)

I only hope that my Secret Pal that I'm sending to will be as happy with his/her gift.

ROCKING IN THE RAIN:

Last Friday my friend Tonia and I went to the Styx, Foreigner, and Def Leppard concert at the Tampa Bay Amphitheatre. It was pouring rain so the mile hike from the parking lot to the venue was quite interesting. I wish I was exaggerating but it is a well known fact that the parking for this venue is ridiculous. Parking at one end of the Florida State Fairgrounds...and the amphitheatre is at the other end. RIDICULOUS. At least our seats were out of the rain...but we were pretty soaked by the time we got there. We missed most of Styx...which is fine by me. Actually, we could hear "Sail Away" when we were standing in the merchandise line. Tonia got a Def Leppard t-shirt and I got a hoodie. Woot!! Def Leppard hoodie!! We did, however, make it to our seats in time for Foreigner. I admit it...I wasn't expecting too much. They were freakin AWESOME! All of the hits...one after another....except..... Dirty White Boy. Gah. I actually didn't miss it until later but it would have been cool. And then....DEF LEPPARD!! I used to have a huge thing for them "back in the day." As soon as they were on the stage...I remembered why. They were amazing! It was basically a 20,000 person sing along the whole night. Sweet.

Naked knitting and other bits

I know....it has been a while since I have posted. I highly doubt that anyone has been sitting on the edge of their seat though.

Yarn School:
The airline tickets are booked and it's a total green light. I'm so excited!! I hope I don't get addicted to spinning because I can't imagine my cats letting me spin in peace.

Sidewinders:
One sock done and the other in progress. They should be completed in time to give to my sister next week. These socks are so awesome! Updated pics will be up soon.

Ravelry:
The coolest website. EVER. And my addiction to it is probably part of the reason why I have been updating on here like I should. There are only so many hours in the day!

Book Sale:
Holy discount batman!! KnitPicks has 40% all of their books. SWEET!! I have picked up a bunch for Ms. M. to use as some of the gifts for our "True Yarn Diet". She already knows about it so I'm not ruining the surprise by posting here.

Yarn Diet:
So the working out schedule is not yet working for me BUT I have been eating much healthier and have already lost 7 lbs. WOOT!! I should be receiving my first "gift" soon. Besides the books mentioned above - I have also made a "surprise" order to use as gifts. I cannot wait to be able to 1) give it to Ms. M. 2) post the info here.

Cats:
I know I wrote on here about Quirk having some skin issues. All appears to be well and both cats are healthy, happy, and spoiled.