I Was Knit Together In My Mother's Womb

So, we like the quilted bag?  To answer to the last comment left by my daughter Kate, the dimensions are... 8" tall X 5" wide X 15" long.  I'd be glad to make one for you.  And, if anyone else is interested, email me and we can discuss how you, too, can get the coolest knitting bag ever.

Getting ready for vacation is a drain! Printing patterns, planning  projects, mapquesting directions to yarn stores...I haven't even thought about  what I will wear! With all the work that goes into the preparation, can you understand why the vacation is necessary? I don't know how some people do it...traveling all the time!

While I'm away, I'll be choosing some yarn for  this....

  Thanks to Vicki, who totally lured me in, I will be knitting some sort of ethnic mittens.

I can't resist. She got me.  A few years ago, I knit the Lapland mittens from "Folk Mittens."

  One of my all-time favorite projects. I think this time around, I'll be knitting mittens from Estonia, which is a neighbor to Latvia. Vicki promised it would be okay. I wonder if knitting gloves from Estonia would be okay? I'm afraid that would really shake things up in this KAL!

Special Swaps have been sent out, and this time around , we are playing   "Around the World," in which swappers prepare the knitting vacation of her swap partner's dreams...totally themed from a different state, country, region or culture.  Being the Swap Mama, I am so excited to see how many different places are represented! It's like going on a trip  without leaving home!

As the Swap Mama, there are times I get two partners if we have an odd number. I don't want to leave anyone out, and I must confess, it makes it double the fun for me! After getting a delightful gift from Keri,  Abigail, world-record sock knitter, created this Special Swap package for me...

A buffet of yarn in different tastes (including some Knitpicks sock yarn, and Koigu), chocolates, some notions, a Nicky Epstein book, and the coolest knitting coasters I have ever seen! Thank you so much , Abigail !!!!!  It was such a treat to swap with you!

Today I made a new bag.

  I love it.

          I love it.  I love it .                            

This is the Patchwork Handbag from Amy Butler's In Stitches.  I think I will call it my Quilted Project Bag, since I didn't do any patchwork, just quilting, and it's a perfect size and shape for a small to

medium knitting project.       Because of it's shape and structure, all of the inside is easily accessible, which means I won't have to dig far for  all of this

stuff       , which must be in my knitting bag at all times. Today, I am a satisfied seamstress.

But,  see?  I have been  knitting this weekend as well.

Just working on some projects like...

   

That's the Rebecca Hoodie, Bloomin' Feet socks, and the Paton's Hoodie. The next sweater I knit will not be called a Hoodie. I would have never imagined that at this age, I would be wearing a "Hoodie." Like I'm all cool or something.

I'll tell you what's cool. Winding yarn. Every now and then, I borrow my mom's swift and winder for the day....

 

That's Manos from Sharon, Mountain Goat from Kathy B, Socks that Rock from Keri, Cherry Tree Hill SuperSock from Debby and Sheri.  The chenille on the swift is from Lauren...from a trade we did a long time ago. My yarn stash reads like a memoir. I never forget a skein of yarn or it's history.

Won't be long, and I'll be getting myself all beautiful by putting on my holey flannel pajamas. Then, I'll be fixing up a mocha and some popcorn so I can watch the red carpet and get all depressed. Ah, but I will be knitting on the sofa, with the man of my dreams at the other end, which is so much more of a satisfying life than many of those women will ever have...even if they are skinny!

The Voice.

Growing up, and much of my adult life, I didn't like my voice. I think most of us are like that, really. I remember the very first time hearing my voice on an old tape recorder with the girls from "back street" as we acted out our plays and sang musicals during the summer. It was such a strange thing to hear my voice. I never thought I sounded like I did. Years later, the opportunity to hear my voice would come up from time to time and it always made me feel uncomfortable. I really sound like that?

These days, I can get sick of hearing my own self talk! It's interesting to me that  at this time in my life, what am I doing, day after day?  I am the voice of The Chapel, where I work! Weird, isn't it?  This shy girl, so awkward about the sound of her own voice, answering the phone and talking to dozens and dozens of people every day.

Yesterday morning, I talked to a cousin, Annette. Of course, she joked with me about not recognizing my voice and she asked for a password!  I love the familiar sound of her voice, which sounds a bit like her mom's, who sounds a bit like my mom. People say I sound like my mother. Does that mean I sound like my Aunt and like my cousin?

Later in the day, I had the sweet privilege of hearing from another cousin, whose voice I had not heard in over 35 years. I would have recognized it in a minute, even had I not known it was Alice. The inflections, the laugh, the silliness and gentle tones reminded me of cousin Annette....and my Aunts, and my mom. For over an hour, I listened to her voice, with a familiarity and connection.

I wonder, do they hear the same thing in my voice? Do we cry the same cry and laugh the same laughs? Do we sing praises and gently comfort?  Do we call the dog or yell at our kids, each  with a familiar voice?

We imagine what we sound like, and it's usually a surprise. We imagine what someone else sounds like, and we are affirmed in what we hear....as if we always imagined someone would sound the way they do. I'd love to hear your voices. You can call me anytime to say hello. Just press zero...That's me, who answers the phone.

Yesterday was a trip to East Aurora's "The Woolly Lamb"  with Dana and Faith.

I almost...ALMOST got out  without getting any yarn. Within an inch of the sales counter, I was confident that I didn't need a thing. 

Then, of course, all the bricks started stacking just right.

All Red yarn, 30 percent off.

Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere.

Red.

I have that pattern book.

That's only five-something a skein.

I have the household debit card!

Fourteen skeins of the most delicious red yarn upon which I have ever feasted my eyes. It's all mine.

So, whatever. I'll buy less yarn in Utah. We leave next Friday.

Speaking of Utah...Do ANY of you Utah knitters live in Ogden? I have gone through the entire "Ewe-tah Knits" webring! Margene did tell me about a knit night in Salt Lake City, I think it's on Tuesdays? But that is the night before we catch a very early flight home. Can't do it.  She has told me about a few good yarn stores in Ogden, and I'd love to meet up with a blogger or two while I'm there.  Monday is a spa day for me at Mindful Women, but really, the rest of the days I'm free as a bird to knit and browse.

Lisa has gone to Florida. And I miss her already. Didn't even get to say a proper goodbye. I hope you have a good time, Lis! Bring me a seashell for my collection!

Thanks for the inspiration, Dana. Thanks. I just went to My Virtual Model, which you so lovingly shared with us.

I put in my statistics.   Saved all of my data. Actually, My JR helped me just as he was leaving for work this morning. That was interesting.

"Your arms are bigger than that."

"Is there a bigger size for boobs?"

"Turn her around. Let's see the back."

"GO TO WORK, HONEY!"   

But after careful consideration with the few options available, we came up with this (I swear, I'm really not that hippy).

THen, I decide to talk about it...create a post about the VIrtual Model experience,  create some linkage. I go back to My Virtual Model and log in, and I swear on my Virtual Life, this is what I see!

  This is so NOT me!  Lynne, the Virtual Model, has obviously had a few too many Virtual Cinnamon Buns this morning!   And, she has visited the Virtual Hairdresser for a new do!  No matter what I do, I cannot change this model when I log in!  I keep getting a red flag which says "Your answer is required."  I AM NOT LYING ABOUT MY WEIGHT, VIRTUAL MODEL!

If I were creating the  Virtual Model categories, I would include

More  options for boob size.  Let's say, in addition to "small-medium" and "medium-large," we add the categories "va-va-voom" and "ginormous."

A category for flab. Love handles? Bra overflow? Saggy butt? Arm jiggle?  YES, YES, YES and YES!

More hair style options. My hair doesn't look like any of the style options. And, let's face it...no matter how good I can make my virtual body look, if I'm having a bad hair day, it's all downhill from there.

Anyway, thanks again for the inspiration, Dana. Appreciate it. And, I'll see you a little later when we meet up with Faith to spend the day in East Aurora for some yarn shopping at the Woolly Lamb, and lunch. And, Missy, I'll be watching what you eat.

Hooray for Typepad and two Featured Weblogs this week, which I thought were just fabulous.

U-Handblog   is for the purse and bag making fanatic.  Lisa has a great bag-making supply business, and her blog is such a treat to read. She includes the best tutorials for making bags, and is very generous in sharing her insider secrets to sewing the perfect bag....both in words and images.

Nona Swatches  is amazing to me. A swatch a day for the year. I feel like I have to check in daily just to cheer her on! Can you imagine the fortitude to keep up with posting daily? Let alone knitting a swatch a day and telling about it! It's informative reading, with lovely photos.

And, finally, one of the funniest photographs I think I've seen in awhile. From the Lion Brand site.

    Real dogs don't wear crochet.

Just ask Moses.

 

A Special Swap Indeed!  Do you know that I just about nearly almost was so close to ready to call in sick yesterday in anticipation of a Special Swap package that may have needed a signature? I couldn't bear the thought of having to wait until Saturday to go to the post office to pick it up. Well, turns out I did go to work, and when I got home, there was a package from Keri....no signature needed!

And see what a wonderful package it was!

  filled to the top with good stuff!

Oh. My. Word.  See for yourself...

Knitting on the Road! A Heart shaped set of potholders and a heat motif towel! A magnetic folding graph board!

Socks That Rock in "Lover's Leap which is the most beautiful colorway I have likely ever seen! Keri also sent the most wonderful little project bag (Keri, you are a VERY nice seamstress!) and rubber stitch markers AND wooden cable needles!  Not to mention some other drinkable and edible treats. It was such a lovely package, and I could feel the hearts and love all over it! Thank you Keri! You will be getting your surprise today or tomorrow!

Special Swap packages have been been mailed out all week...

Val sent Hearts and Roses off to Heatherly.

Leah will be waiting for the mailman to bring something from Renee , who mailed her package just a few days ago.

Marisol in California  mailed her package up the coast to Deb in Oregon.

Amanda, who had help from her kiddos, wrapped up a surprise for Mo. 

I got the scoop from Lisa about what she's including in her box for Elizabeth. Elizabeth will be happy.

And Dana gave us a sneak preview of the special gift she prepared for Susan., all wrapped in wonderfulness.

Which means, any day now, we will get a peek at these Special Swap Gifts as they arrive!

Love, Love , LOVE, Love, LOVE, love.  It's Valentine's Day, and so we naturally think of love.

I love love. I use the word a lot..."I love this cheek color!"  "I so love 'Steel Magnolias'."  "I love Lorna's Laces."  "Don't you just love that song? " "I LOVE Cheeto's!" Just yesterday, I commented on a blog that there is nothing sweeter than cupcake love!   We love babies, we love our pets. We love our husbands and children and parents, friends and family.

I am a woman of faith, as many of you know. And, I typically don't get to "faithy" on my blog. I believe you know where I'm coming from. But today, as I ponder the expression of love, the definition of love, I can't help but think about the Love that I know I can count on. It exceeds any love that I can express or feel, as real as that is. It actually completes any love that I can feel or express.

When I have not loved Him, He will never take His love away.

When my life is a mess, whether I have caused it or not,  He is abounding in love and faithfulness.

When I have rejected Him, or turned from Him, His love endures forever.

When I have hated my enemies, He loves me. He loves my enemies.

When nothing in this life or this world makes sense, my hope is in His unfailing love.

His love is better than life. It's better than cupcakes, babies, husbands or the perfect yarn.

Not because I deserve it,  or have earned it, or that I am good enough for it. He loves me just the way I am...every nasty, stinky, unpleasant part of me.  He loves the secret parts of me that no one else could love. He draws me to Himself with loving kindness and God help me, teaches me to try to love others in that same way. 

Happy Valentines Day. I love you.   

How to spend a Saturday.

Lunch with my husband, eating The Best Cheeseburgers Ever.

A Movie.

A stop at one of my Favorite Yarn Stores, where I bought some of  This in Mocha, to Knit this:

  With which I fell in love while I was in bed Friday night, sleepy-eyed, leafing through the Spring 2007 IK.

I had some great Car Knitting Time as well, and was able to knit through a skein of GGH Bel Air to start this Rebecca Lace Hoodie:

 

So, right now, at this very moment, I have two sweaters that I love on the needles, and one on my mind, a Lady E shawl under wraps  and a pair of socks on the side. As I'm knitting one, I'm thinking of another....such shameless knitting hussy, I am.

Special Surprises. We love them, don't we?  A certain gift, a card, an unexpected visit.

A treat from Meghan and the boys arrived in the mail today. Let me tell you, it pays to teach your girls how to make good sugar cookies! AND how to make a good gift....The shipping box was very well stickered and labeled for Valentines Day. It was surprise enough to see the box! Knowing that the ONLY real sugar cookies are  mom sugar cookies, and the only sugar cookies for Valentines Day are heart shaped,  they sent a bag of heart-shaped sugar cookies for two...decorated, I'm sure, by Jon J and Augie.

   What I did NOT teach my daughter how to do is to make truffles.

And, there she goes, making truffles, and being the most excellent cook that Meghan is, they are wonderful. I just want to look at them.

  All cozy in their little red nest, packaged in a perfect heart box with a bow. She knows how to please her Mama!

Aren't they pretty?  The best gift of the day.

Let's see...another special surprise is Special Swap. We swap according to a theme which I determine prior to each month's swap.   This swap theme is Hearts and Roses.  It has been such fun researching and shopping for my pal.  At the end of this month, all of the Special Swappers will have gotten their packages, and I can't wait to see them...stay tuned for a very special swap update as the month concludes, and I call a new theme.

Bloomin' Feet is underway, which is a Secret Surprise Sock Swap. Amanda knows by now that she has me sucked in...me, a non-sock knitter, who has determined that I like knitting socks every now and then for someone else.  Better yet, I like getting hand knit socks in the mail! In fact, right now,  I am wearing the socks that Becky made for me for Toasty Toes.  Amanda runs a fantastic swap, and I am privileged to be a part of it.

I have chosen to use Tofutsies for my pal's socks, and I am knitting the Nancy Bush Child's First Sock, in the shell pattern.    The shell pattern was chosen to go with the yarn, which is spun with Chitin, a fiber made from shrimp and crab shells. (I do love a theme!) What I wonder is if the yarn, with that slanted pooling stripe, will lend it'self to the lace pattern?  This is the Nancy Bush sock...

    What do you think...will the yarn work with this pattern?

Have you had a favorite special surprise?