I’m proud to present to you a finished…Olive...


This is one casual and comfortable sweater. There is no itching going on here and this yarn is very soft against the skin. I must say that Karabella Aurura 8 is one fabulous yarn. I can’t wait to try the new Aurora 4. I’m so happy with how she came out. Remember when I thought she would be way too small…not at all. I used the recommended needle size (US 8) & I still could have gotten away with the US 7. I have been extremely pleased with my finished hand knits lately. Uh oh…I hope I didn’t speak too soon. All of the info regarding Olive will be updated in my Gallery (Been there done that)

Another One Skein Wonder...

And a close up of the lace pattern I used on the sleeves…

I used Karabella Aurora 8 in black. This one knit up totally different than the one I knit using the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. This is a much tighter fit and I used the same needle sizes. It goes to show that knitting a swatch is a necessity as even 2 aran weight yarns knit up so differently.

Marina’s progress...

I’m sad to say that I have to redo the entire back (which I did have done) as I didn’t like hoe the stitches looks. I thought I had gauge until I saw Donna’s (she is knitting the same cardi). Her stitches looked so much tighter than mine. I love her color…go take a peak. So I decided to do the fronts before redoing the back and she looks so much better. So I still have the back and the sleeves to knit.

Woohoo…I got some presents…

On the right are Circular Needle ID Tags that I got from Brenda. Thank you so much Brenda. That was very nice of you. The jealousy has eased up a little bit thanks to your generosity!! Everything else is from a little tiny rabbit that we all know and love. I LOVE everything. The cute little camisole fits perfectly. You will notice it peaking out of Olive in the photo above. In the round little case, there are 3 sections with 3 different colored beads. Becky…how did you know that I needed those beautiful red ones for my Liqueur KSH.  Thank you so very much Becky!!! Next time I’m coming with Brenda to visit you!

I will leave you with some nature photos…

Have a fantabulous day!!!

Now that I have finished Olive...I decided to try to put in the zipper myself. I got a comment from her and her about trying to sew the zipper in myself. They gave me the encouragement (” You can do it”) to try it. Thanks girls! Well…when I got out the zipper, it was way too long. I guess Olive is smaller than it was supposed to be. So off to the internet I went & ordered a couple 2 way zippers from Zippersource. So now I’m just simply waiting in the wings & hopefully one of the colors will match close enough to use. Here is a photo of Olive and Maya waiting patiently to be finished…

I tried her on and she fits really well and very fitted. I can’t wait to finish her up.

I decided that instead of starting a new project (which I always love to do) I have to finish some UFO’s. One of which is Rowans Smooch...

Her back was about 3/4 finished about a year ago. I finished the back and this is where I’m at on her front. I have 14 rows left to knit and then I start the armhole shaping. I decided to make the front
V neck higher up than what they call for.  1. I have no boobage, cleavage…whatever…you get the piucture.  2. I actually want to wear this top. I do try to knit things so that they fit and I will actually wear them. Here is a close up of the hem…

I really love Rowan’s patterns and they seem to fit me quite well. I am using Rowan’s All Seasons Cotton in Misty. This yarn is wonderful and I love knitting with it. I also am trying out my first pair of Inox needles and I have to say that I LOVE working with them. I am looking forward to using them for my next lace project.

I got a RAOK in the mail from Julie...

It’s a paper crane and is suppoesed to be for good luck. Thanks so much Julie.

We had knit night last night. What a great time…as always…

Heather, Donna, moi and Lauren (who left before we took thid picture…sorry L)
We dined on a fabulous Greek salad (thanks to Donna), Wonderful crusty bread with an olive oil & herb dip (Lauren’s doing), Yummy Pizza (Care of Heather) and wine (from moi) We also brought stash to trade with each other. I will miss my girls as I’m going on my yearly trip to San Diego & LA on Tuesday morning for 2 weeks. I am really looking forward to this trip, but I will miss my friends. I do have something to look forward to when I return though…STITCHES EAST!!! Donna, Heather & I are going on Thursday & coming back on Sunday. I can’t wait!!!! Now that is going to be a blast! Right girls?

Here is a photo of some Black Eyed Susans I will leave you with…

Have a fabulous sunny day!

I’m finished her body, finished her arms, finished her collar…though I still have to seam her & put in her zipper. Here’s how Olive looks so far…

She looks a little tiny…but as we all know…ribbing stretches…big time. I’m really looking forward to finishing Olive. As you know, she was put on hold for Birch and Butterfly.

I mentioned that I want to knit up another Butterfly for my Christmas party. I’m torn between these 2 colors…

I LOVE the black and I already have beautiful blackish grey irredesent beads for it. As far as the wine color, I only have clear beads for now. I can see the black one with a nude cami underneath with a pretty black skirt or slacks. Just don’t know!

Donna and I want to knit up this Rowan sweater from Magazine #32…

We both decided to knit this in white KSH. I know, I know more KSH. I’m sure I’ll get sick of it soon enough…not!

Workout Update...
Let me start by saying my that my Pilates instructor has upgraded my workouts to the intermediate to advanced level on the mat, the reformer & the Cadilac. Help me! I am so sore. My abs have gotton super strong from these workouts. I look forward to going as she is constantly changing and trying new exercises. No boredom here! Just sweat, sweat, drip, drip away!  I’m still going 2 times a week. I have also been doing my weights and cardio about 2 times a week. And of course there is my golf at least 2 to 3 times a week. More if I could.

I am getting so excited about Stitches East. I can’t wait to go!!!! If anyone else who is going wants to meet up…at the show or to get some dinner & drinks & gambling or any time, let me know. It is always great to meet the bloggers.

Pretty photos...

These beautiful butterflies are always on our Butterfly bush. I wonder what attracks them to this pretty bush with gorgeous purple flowers?


Did I mention how much I love my new camera?

Have a great rest of the day!

Olive…is that you? I almost forgot what you looked like. I’m so sorry that I haven’t payed attention to your lovely green ribbiness. Please don’t fret as you are in the lime light today! See…

Yes…ther are 2 sleeves to this sweater & yes…this is numero dos. I am now trying to finish Olive like a mad woman as I NEED to start a couple other projects without feeling guilty. I want to knit the One Skein Wonder. I have seen plenty of these around here (scroll down), here and also here and they are all great looking. What a cute, quick knit to warm the shoulders & add a little pizazz. I’m either going to knit it with Debbie bliss Cashmerino Aran in color #102 or Karabella Aroura 8 (not sure of the color but love this yarn) I also want to cast on for a lace shawl. I’m waiting for some of this to come in the mail & then I will cast on. I’d like to knit the Flower Basket shawl…but I’m not sure about the crochet edging. I love it though. Any suggestions on some really nice shawls that are pretty easy? This will be my first big lace project (I made lace socks) I love Birch and am tring to figure out how it would come out in the Zephyr or I may just try it in this color

So…that’s it for now. Have a great one! Try to enjoy whatever weather Mother Nature is throwing your way!

I traded in my PDA (I had 3 weeks to decide if I like it…I did) but this new Palm came out just in time that has WiFi built in & I am a sucker for the internet. This is one cool PDA. It’s called the LifeDrive & it almost looks like it was made by Apple. It has very clean lines & is the most elegant PDA I have ever laid eyes on. The point is I’ve been really busy setting up my new toy. I am such a gadget geek. I LOVE getting these cool toys & setting them up.

Monday I got together with Lauren for a nice long lunch. I hadn’t seen her in a while so that was really nice…

We talked & laughed & ate & talked. Tomorrow night I am getting together with Donna & Lauren for knit night. It’s been too long. Poor H (yeah right…she’s in Cancun having a ball) won’t be able to make it. We will miss her though!

Knitting Update...

Number 1 sleeve…done! This is a weird shaped sleeve, don’t you think? See the garter stitch border? That is what gets folded up when wearing to give it a high fashion look! Lets hope we like.

I feel the need to start something lace. I’m seeing all these beautiful lacy knits all over the net & I’ve lost it. Help me decide which lace project I should start…
1. Butterfly from the cover of the new Rowan magizine (the cami, not the dress…without the beads)
2. Flower_Basket_Shawl.jpg from the IK Fall 2004
3. Wrapped Lace Cardigan from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2005
4. Shimmer Shrug from Knitty.com
I love them all!!

Becky & Heather are going to knit the Fiery Bolero from the IK Summer 2005…

I asked the rabbit if I could knit along with them. Of couse she said “Why yes” She then asked what color yarn I was going to use & said we are knitting it in black…why don’t you do the same. Being the copycat that I am, I said ok. So here is the yarn we are all going to use…
I absolutely love these cute little jackets type knits. They are so cute with a cami underneath or over a dress. They are very versatile. Don’t you think?

ALERT...Naples Photos...

Here’s our crew for the trip. We took an airboat ride down the swamps…

and we saw this little guy…

and these…

They were thirsty! At the of the ride, these friendly fellas greeted us…

They were only about 2 feet from our faces. It was scary at first. As our guide was throwing them fish to eat, they kept getting closer to us to catch them. What an experience this was!

Here are some other beautiful sunset photos…





This is the gorgeous landscaping at the Ritz Carlton. I have to include one pretty Hibiscus…

Beautiful!!! I will leave you with a photo of Maxwell & I…

Have a wonderful & safe Memorial Day weekend. Let’s all pray that the weather is beautiful!!!

It took long enough…but I finally got her back in my hands and upon my body. Have a look…



She really needs to be blocked, but I was too excited to get her on my blog as a FO. I love the way she fits. This Jo Sharp yarn is soooo soft & comfortable. CONCLUSION: I’m extemely happy with the end result!! If I ever knit another Rogue, I will use a yarn with less or no tweed in it so I can see the cables more. Two well fitted knits in a row…it’s a miracle! I thank the knitting gods. Woohoo!!!

I forgot to post this last time. I bought a new knitting bag at the MD Sheep & Wool, like I really need any more. I’m a sucker though…

It is is by Sorella’s & this baby is quite roomy. It has 2 huge pockets (big enough to hold pattern books) inside, a smaller pocket & a zippered pocket on the outside of the smaller pocket. I also asked Donna & Heather to pick me up a tote. I knew I wasn’t going to get there until late in the day & they are always out of the cool stuff early on. So…this is what my knit buds got me…

I LOVE it! Did I ever mention that I love gray? I wore this backpack on Sunday. Thanks so much girls! You did a fabulous job!

Olive Update...
I’m all finished the back & the fronts. Guess what…I’m on sleeve island. This is her first sleeve. I have 3 more inches & then I start the sleeve cap. I think it looks a little strange. The Garter stitch wrist band folds up. I’m not sure if I’m going to like it this way…but I can say that it will be very different. I like different. I got most of this done on the plane. It wasn’t a very long plane ride, but I knit what I could. I have to say though, that I love using my PDA for knitting. I used my CountAble software & Documents To Go. I downloaded the Olive pattern in DOCS. It was great. I just kept switching between CountAble & looking at the pattern. It’s the best! It takes up a lot less space on a plane.

I had a fabulous time on my trip to Naples, FL. It is always great getting away & was great fun golfing, eating & drinking with my friends. The weather was gorgeous. I love that you can eat outside at lots of the cafe’s & restaurants. Here’s proof…

Cheers to you! To health!
I have lots of fabulous photos to show off…next time…so I will leave you with this beautiful sunset!

Have a great one!!!

I’m a Scardy cat

That’s right bloggers…I wimped out. I decided to let a seamstress put the zipper in Rogue. This is one cardigan that I do not want to mess up. The only zipper I could find is a dark brown. I decided to go for it because I did not want to wait until next season to have Rogue be in my FO’s album. The zipper pull is in antique brass which I do think blends well with this yarn. So now…I patienly await her arrival!

I am allmost finished my Aran Cardi...except for the seaming & the collar…

I can not wait to finish this cardi. I need an opinion though. I did short rows for the shoulders for a smooth line. I intended to do the 3 needle bind off. Would an Aran weight cardigan be too heavy to support this bind offf…or should I bind off first & then seam it? Please feel free to comment.

This is not the clearest photo, but I’m going to use these Pony Wool Needles to seam this cardi. My housekeeper must have accidently vacuumed up my cable needle…so in the process of buying another set, I found these seaming needles which I have been told were awesome.
I have also done the first bind offs for the right front of Olive...

I haven’t been working on Olive a lot as I wanted to finish my Aran Cardi. The rest of this piece shouldn’t take too long…as long as I do some knitting on her.

RAOK News...
I recieved a couple RAOK’s in the past week.

This is from Shannon I love flip flops & these stitch markers are just adorable. And who can resist fine Chocolate…not I! Thanks Shannon.

This one is from Maggie. There are 2 soaps from the Bellagio in Las Vevas & a collectable gambling coin. I have never stayed there but I heard it is fabulous. I hear it is a favorite place to stay while in Vegas. The soap smells wonderful. Thank you so much Maggie!

Last week, my Mom & I went to The Little Greenhouse. It is an Orchid house in the area. The last time I went there was last year when the 17 year Locusts were out. That was a crazy visit. Anyway…we bought some orchids. Here is a pic of the big arrangement I bought…

This is so gorgeous in person that I had to have it. My Mom twisted my arm. I put it on my foyer table & it looks stunning. I was a bad girl…I bought 6 more orchids besides this one. It has been awhile since I bought any since I usually wait for my older ones to rebloom. Here are a couple more photos I took while at the Orchid House…




I sure hope I don’t bore you all too much with my Orchid photos. I just feel the need to share their beauty!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

And will be for at least the next 6 days!

Man oh man is this my kind of weather. We have those deep blue, crisp clear skies, low humidity (equals little sweat)...that are begging me to come out and play…golf that is. Saturday we have a surprize party in the afternoon…but we will be playing golf on Sunday. You can bet on that!

I forgot to show you the new knitting bag I got (I need it like a hole in the head)...

This is call the Zelda purse and it is available at Offhand Design’s
It has 5 small pockets inside…just enough for the basics. It is short and wide…no big pattern books here. I just copy the pattern & bring that with me. So basically, it’s good for a small project. I like the look though as I think it is pretty classy looking.

...
Let’s see…where to start. I finished the first sleeve of my Aran Cardi...

I guess I’ll be starting my last & final sleeve today. Woohoo! I’m starting to close in on this baby.
I also finished the left front of Olive...


and started the right front. I adore knitting with Karabella Aurora 8. It is such fabulous yarn.

I stole this from Norma as I think these really make you think…HOW_TO_STAY_YOUNG.htm Thanks Norma!

...
Last week was a pretty good week for my workouts…
Monday: Pilate’s
Tuesday: Cardio & Upper Body weights
Wednesday: Pilate’s and 9 holes of golf (Our first time since last season)
Saturday: Cardio, Upper Body Weights and 18 holes of Golf (my knee went out on me on the 14th hole…I hate my knees)
Sunday: 18 holes of Golf (I was able to play with 3 advil & 1 Tylenol…nothing will stop my golf game)

Enjoy your Day!!!

It's sunny and 53 degrees F...Life is good!

Knitting News...
I have been knitting somewhat on Olive...

Her back is finished and that tiny thing to the right is her left front. I know ribbing stretches...but this is unbelievably small. It's funny how I'm always worried about my knits being too big. Not this one. Since I'll be putting in a 2-way zipper, I hope it will be OK. I can always unzip this baby up to my waist.

Did I mention that I have a wonderful hubby? He took me last Saturday to Manning's in PA. It took about 1 hr 45 min to get there. I asked him why he was so willing to drive there and you know what he said? "It's an adventure" I cracked up. I thought it was too cute. Anyway...I LOVE Manning's. It is the BEST knitting store I have ever been to. Here are a couple things that I bought...

Do you know what this is? Here it is open...

Bamboo Interchangeable Needles. This cute little kit only measures about 3"by 5". Perfect for travel. I love it! Very Cool!
Now since my DH was so good to me...I let him pick out what vest he wants me to knit him...

This vest is from The Best of Knitters Arans & Celtics. It is called Wall Street Cables...but I'm going to call it "Labor of Love". Isn't it a beaut? This baby is knit on small needles (US 4...which means 3 for me) and with all the cables...like I said...Labor of Love. I love ya babe!
This is the yarn I picked out to use...

This is Dalegarn Tiur. It is 60% mohair 40%wool. He wants a burgundy...he's getting burgundy. I think the vest will be gorgeous in this color.

I also bought 1200 yards of this...
This is Tahki Donagel Tweed Homespun in a charcoal gray. I love, love, love this yarn. This is the same yarn that I'm using for my Tweedy Aran Cardigan (speaking of which...I'm going to resume working on that cardi today). I love how this yarn knits up.

One more thing...

This concludes my shopping spree that I am allowing you to view. Actually I don't have any more room!    

Take care, enjoy all the beautiful weather you can absorb into that body and have a great rest of the day!

First of all...I'm working on a new web site. I have been totally obsessed with trying to figure everything out. It is so hard. I guess I'm just used to TypePad. Typepad has everything set up for you to make posting extremely easy. I do not know HTML or php. I want to learn though. I'm thinking about taking an online training class to learn Web Design I think it is all very interesting. I hired Amy at Quixotic Musings to design my new site. She is so talented. I am proud to have her design my new web site. I am so excited. I gave her some ideas of how I would like it and sent her some pictures that I would like to use. I'm going to let her decide on the picture and surprise me with which one she will use.

When I can tear myself away from the computer, I've been working on Olive...

What a fast knit compared to Rogue and all the cables. I can actually knit and talk while knitting Olive. That's a good thing sometimes. I need something easy to knit on my knit nights. Speaking of Knit nights, here's a couple of photos of our last one...



Donna, Heather and I went to Pasta Blitz for dinner and then we came back to my house for some knittin' and grinnin'. I really look forward to my knit nights. Lauren couldn't make it as she has classes on Thursdays. We missed you L! Donna went to a weekend knitting retreat and brought back with her a present for each of her knitting pals. This is the beautiful yarn that she gifted me with...

I love these colors. I am so into the greens lately (thanks to dear Froggy!) Donna picked out great color choices for each of us. Thank you soooo much Donna!! I am going to make a scarf to wear with Olive. The colors are perfect for that sweater.

I also got another present...

This one came in the mail from Karen. She is one of the girls that I sent the Artist's Glove pattern to. She sent me beautiful Orchid stationary with 4 varieties in the pack. She also made me a beaded necklace or book marker or whatever I can think of using it for. It's really beautiful. She is very talented. Thank you very much Karen. I love everything!!!

Have a fantastic evening!!!