I'm back... with a new camera!

I know.. I haven't blogged in forever. Do you know why?? Well... I despised my old digital camera, absolutely hated it. So do you know what I did? I finally went and bought a new and improved one. I got a Sony Cybershot and now I'm ready to blog again!

We have been getting in so many new yarns at the store that I just had to go around and take some pictures of a couple... so here they are.

This is Ella Rae's Silkience... great for summer tops and wraps.

Here is Louisa Harding's Jasmine... I've already started Soleil out of this yarn. It is hard to see it in this picture, but there is a little silver glitz running throughout the yarn.

And here is Queensland Bebe Cotsoy... I just love this yarn. Perfect for baby and kid items... or a tank for me.

How could I leave without a picture of a poodle?? This is what my house always looks like... Lyra (the kitty) and Bucky (the poodle) seem to always be together. They have their quarrels (often), but they are still always right near each other. Go figure... it must be a love hate relationship!

Whew!

I made it! The busiest time of the year in my house is over!! We had Christmas preparations, Christmas day at our new house (which still needs a lot of work!), friends visiting from out of state, Conor's birthday, and to top it all of... we got a new kitten. Things weren't crazy enough, I thought I'd throw a new animal into the mix!! This is Lyra (named after the little girl in the Golden Compass).

The poodles were not quite sure what to make of her at first, but this morning Bucky and Lyra were laying on my bed nose to nose! Very Cute!

Conor turned 8 on 12/27... I wrote him about it on my myspace blog. He got the Nintendo Wii for xmas and a whole bunch of games for his birthday. I have to say, I think I'm enjoying it as much as he is!! Does Wii Sports count as a good substitute for the Gym?? I'd be getting into fantastic shape if it did!

Bring on the stress... I'm ready!

It's that time of year... when we're supposed to be full of joy and merriment. Ummm... OK.... but... what about all the stress that comes along with it?!?! I'm talking about the SNOW, shopping, whining children, baking, cleaning, financial issues, wrapping, volunteering.... now throw on top of that running a store that is seasonal (and this is the busy time!).... I'm getting ready to scream!! Instead, I'm going to try to breathe, knit something I enjoy and relax. There may be a little bit of denial involved, but hey, at least I'm still breathing!




Here was our first big snow storm around here. This is my son outside of the store. Now... this was the 1st storm... followed up by another one a couple days later... which added on another 7-8"! I didn't get any pics of that... I was too busy shoveling!

On the Christmas knitting front... I finished Conor's present... the Sleepy Snake & Mischievous Mouse. This is one of my favorite things I knit this year... sooo cute! I think he's going to love it! Shhhh... don't tell him about it.. I've managed to keep this a secret!

Can I Knit for Me Yet???

I know... that sounds pretty selfish, and I like to think I'm not a selfish person (most of the time!). However... I hate knitting with a deadline.. and Christmas is the only time of year I have that deadline looming over me. So let's see... I have 8 projects I should finish. I have 4 completely done... 2 sets off fingerless gloves and 2 hats. I have literally 2 rows left on a shawl ( not counting the finishing). I finished a snake for my son... now I just have to do the mouse, I'll take pics when I'm done... so cute!

With all those presents in the works I should NOT have started something for me or the store... but I just couldn't help it! This yarn, Superior, came in and it's cashmere and silk... and oh my goodness it feels just amazing... so I had to start something!!! One ball will make a 72" scarf!! Obviously I have a ways to go... but I love it!!!

I Knew I'd Find It!

It's a good thing I know myself well and didn't go run out and get a new camera. Guess where I found it? All knitters out there will understand this.... in a knitting bag! One of my many many knitting bags that are all in use. I went to go grab a project in a bag and... there it was!! And I found it just in time to show off my new hair cut!! I know.. The pictures kind of dark you really can't see my hair that well, believe me... it's much shorter (about 6 inches!)

I also thought I'd throw in some pic of some finished projects while I had the camera up and running.

Here's the devil hat I made for halloween using plymouth encore worsted.


Here's the baby blanket made with Crystal Palace's Puffin . I still need to make 4 tassels for the corners. For some reason I have a really hard time getting myself to make tassels... so I now have 2 projects that are waiting for them!

Me... Lose something??

Anyone who know me will understand and laugh. I lose EVERYTHING! My college roommate used to laugh hysterically every time I said "Where is my......", she thought I should have my keys surgically attached to my hand.

Any way, I haven't posted a blog in such a long time because I lost my digital camera. I still have the memory card because that was in the printer... but the camera... who knows! I'm hoping it will turn up... which is the case with most of the things I misplace!

So...

Knitting News.....

• I just got the call today that the Dream In Color yarn I ordered is being shipped tomorrow!!! YAY!!! I can't wait to get my hands on it!
• I finished knitting myself a devil hat for Halloween (how I would love to show you a picture!)
• I finished knitting Coronet for the second time. I loved this pattern even more the second time. I did modify a little though. I used 2 colors, one for the band one for the rest of the hat. I also added in some beads in the cable band portion.
• I started some xmas knitting... I know... I know... I'm a little late on this one
• I've started meeting with sales reps to order SPRING yarn... can you stand it

Other News

• I'm almost done painting my new apartment... only half a room to go (if you don't count the bathroom... which I'm not)
• The carpet measurer ( I know, not a real word) people are coming today to measure for my new carpets
• I should be ready to move in within 3 weeks... yay!

Who's going to buy me an Alpaca??

So....Me, Conor and my Dad went to Topsfield Fair the other day... and I've decided... I need an Alpaca (or 2)... isn't he just the cutest thing. They remind me an awful lot of my poodle, I'm not sure why though, must be the hair do!

So, I drag my son and Dad into the craftsy building (there are quilts, knitting, art and more) and what do I see... but a first place ribbon on one of my customers sweaters! Good job Amy!! It's not the best picture... they had it all fenced off so I couldn't display it how I thought it shoud be displayed... tight security at the fair! It is the fair isle sweater from Stitch and Bitch Nation.