Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance , TAKE IT!
If it changes your life , LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy...
They just promised it would be worth it.

It was worth the wait!

I came home from a luncheon today, and there was a box waiting for me by my front door. It just so happened to be from my ISE5 Pal, Ann.

First, there was the most beautiful scarf....

It is called "Argosy Scarf", crafted from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock in the colorway Olive Garden. She pegged my colors perfectly..... "think Tuscan landscape... dotted with sunflowers and lavender". I have to apologize for my horrid photography, it does not do this beautiful scarf any justice. It is truly stunning and Ann did the most fabulous job blocking it.

Then there was this yarn......Two beautiful skeins of Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering Merino. The colorway is called Ingrid's Blues, and is so beautiful. This yarn is begging to be knitted up into a pair of socks... with my name on it!

And then, this book.....

"The Secret Language of Knitters". I have only a short time to skim through it, but I know that I will really enjoy it. I will share some of the "whitty knittyism" with my weekly knitting group. It is surely going to bring a few howls from the ladies.

And there were other goodies... cookies that never made it to the photo shoot. I'm busy dusting the crumbs off my shirt now. And two beautiful lace patterns that I have been eyeing... "Print of the Wave" by Eunny Jang and "Wing 'o the Moth Shawl" by Anne Hanson. Now that I have finished my Christmas marathon of sock knitting, I will be heading back to my lace. These will be on the list.

Thank you Ann for making me feel so special. I enjoyed your package, and even more, I enjoyed getting to know you through your emails. You have touched my heart.

WARNING FOR WOMEN:

You've heard about people who have been abducted and had their kidneys removed by black-market organ thieves. Well, this kind of cruel theft is happening with other body parts as well!

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. I went to sleep and woke up with someone else's thighs. It was just that quick. The replacements had the texture of cooked oatmeal. Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs. Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans.

Then the thieves struck again. My ass was next. I knew it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear end to the thighs they had stuck me with earlier. But my new ass was attached at least three inches lower than my original. I realized I'd have to give up my jeans in favor of long skirts.

Two years ago I realized my arms had been switched. One morning I was fixing my hair and was horrified to see the flesh of my upper arms swing to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush. This was really getting scary - my body was being replaced one section at a time. What could they do to me next?

When my poor neck suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a turkey neck, I decided to tell my story.

Women of the world wake up and smell the coffee! Those "plastic" surgeons are using REAL replacement body parts stolen from you and me! The next time someone you know has some thing "lifted", look again - was it lifted from you?

THIS IS NOT A HOAX.
This is happening to women everywhere every night.
WARN YOUR FRIENDS!

P.S. Last year I thought someone had stolen my breasts. I was lying in bed and they were gone! But when I jumped out of bed, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept. Now I keep them safely hidden in my waist band.

Irish Ghost Story

This story happened a while ago in Dublin, and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it’s true.

John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a storm. The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stopped. John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door. only to realize there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn't on!! The car started moving slowly. John looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared through the window and turned the wheel. John, paralyzed with terror, watched as the hand repeatedly came through the window, but never touched or harmed him. Shortly thereafter, John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road, so, gathering strength, he jumped out of the car and ran to it.

Wet and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had just had. A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was crying and....wasn't drunk. Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the stormy night. They, like John, were also soaked and out of breathe.

Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other..."Look Paddy...there's that freaking idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!!"

Inish Oirr Cniotáilte Stocaí

Inish Oirr Cniotáilte Stocaí (Inis Oirr Knitted Socks) are the first in a series, inspired by our family trip to Ireland. Inish Oirr is the eastern most of the Aran Islands, where we spent a delightful day this past summer. These were lovingly created and designed for my daughter, Bevin.

Obligatory Stats:

• Pattern: Inish Oirr Cniotáilte Stocaí
• Designer: Me
• Yarn: YarnAddict 100% Easy Care Merino Sock Yarn
• Colorway: November Sockamania PLUS
• Yardage: 400 yd
• Needles: Addi Turbo US 1.5
• This pattern will be available after the New Year

Lifesaver Socks

These were made for my nephew, Patrick. They are simplicity plus. They were crafted using 2 socks/2 circs, toe-up with the Turkish Cast-On, and a simple K3,P3 rib. I named them Lifesavers, because they look like a roll of Lifesaver candies.

Obligatory Stats:

• Pattern: Lifesaver Socks
• Yarn: Regia 4-ply
• Yardage: 450 yd
• Needles: Addi Turbo US 1.5

Hot off the needles:

Obligatory Stats:

• Pattern: Ripples Socks


• Designer: Anni Design for Sockamania


• Yarn: Sunshine Yarns


• Colorway: Reef


• Yardage: 400


• Needles: Addi Turbo US 1.5


• Start Date: November 16, 2007


• Finish Date: November 26, 2007


• Notes: 2 socks/ 2 circs, toe-up, and added a few rows of ribbing at top.


• This pair is for my niece, Kyle Ann

Okay, So this is how I imagine this conversation went:

Walmart Employee: 'Hello 'dis Walmarts, how can I help you?'

Customer: ' I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week.'

Walmart Employee: ?'What you want on the cake?'

Customer: 'Best Wishes Suzanne' and underneath that 'We will miss you'.

October's Elegance Socks

I just completed October's Elegance Socks from the Sockamania blog. They were designed by AnniDesign, and she offers a different sock each month, free for members of the blog. Anni is very talented and so creative. The yarn that I used was expressly dyed to complement the pattern and exclusively to the PLUS membership. It is truly luscious and spoingy, and I would highly recommend her yarns for anyone yearning to be pampered. I used a Turkish Cast-On for the first time and it has to be the best technique that I discovered this year! Simplicity at its finest!

Obligatory Stats

• Pattern: Elegance Socks
• Designer: Anni Design, for Sockamania
• Yarn: YarnAddict Yarns Sockamania PLUS Merino Sock Yarn
• Colorway: October Club
• Needles: Addi Turbo 2.5mm
• Yardage: 400 yds

I AM SPECIAL

This afternoon, I returned home from Rhinebeck. It was a long whirlwind weekend that encompassed flying up to NYC to visit with family and friends and to attend the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck for the first time. There will more on that later. Awaiting my return to PI, I found the most fabulous package from my KTS4 Pal Tammy.

There were the cutest beaded stitch markers in a wonderful Christmas and Winter theme, and an adorable tin that is perfect for holding all those loose notions that I have scattered about my knitting chair.

And the goodies... lots of Teas and Chocolates from Trader Joe's and some yummy cookies.

And the yarn! Oh my, there was some sscrumptious Hand Maiden Yarn Sea Silk in the Renaissance colorway.........and some truly fabulous Socks That Rock Lightweight in Star Sapphire colorway that is a beautiful periwinkle.

And if that wasn't enough, Tammy was thoughtful to include the "Spring Shawl" pattern from Heirloom Knitting. Since I discovered lace, Sharon Miller's designs have been on my most aspired, most drooled over, most coveted patterns.Tammy, I am in awe of your creativity and truly touched by your generosity. Thank you for making me feel so special.

Another Estonian Garden Shawl

This project is finished, just waiting to be shipped off to my ISE5 Pal. She said that she would love a lace project. I am hoping that this shawl will be everything that she had hoped for.

This coming weekend, I'll be heading to Rhinebeck. So, the package will wait until after I return. I just might find a few surprises to keep this shawl company on its journey to my ISE5 Pal.

My Pal, she has done it again..

I was just about to walk out the door for my daily errands. You know.. the bank, library, post office, dry-cleaners, etc. However, there was this package leaning up against the door. My curiosity was peaked. The darn errands would have to wait.

I opened the box to reveal two packages that were so carefully wrapped in white tissue paper. But, not for long. I ripped open the first to reveal two skeins of Louet Gems in the Indigo colorway. My first instinct, as with all yarn, was to put it up to my cheek to rub it and smell it. It is truly luscious. I have never used this yarn, but with all the socks that I have planned in the wings over the next 3 months, that yarn will not be gathering too much dust.And then, as I opened the next package, I stopped dead in my tracks. I was, and if you can believe it, still am, speechless. There was the piece d' resistance (OK, so you can tell that I took Spanish not French). There was the most truly fabulous, mouth-dropping, incredible, fantastic, awe-inspiring, and most coveted sock blockers that I have ever feasted my eyes upon. And they were mine. All mine.

Just when I didn't think that it was possible for my pal to top her last package, she did it again. I am floored, and extremely grateful for her infinite generosity and down right good taste! Thank you. thank you. thank you. thank you.

And of course, I couldn't resist modeling my most recent pair of socks. Here they are, in all their glory, looking too marvelous....

I found it!

I found the most perfect shop in the UK to spoil my pal.

Socktopus, a relative newcomer to the yarn scene, is now offering the UK, and the world, the finest, most luxurious fibers that are available.. anywhere. When it comes to retailers, Alice has raised the bar a notch. She offers exceptional products, at the best prices, and with the best customer service that you will experience in a long time. Alice, has the most exquisite taste in yarn, and being an avid sock knitter herself, she has an eye and hand for selecting just the very best. She carries Hand Maiden Casbah, a luscious blend of cashmere/wool and Fleece Artist Somoko, a luxurious blend of kid/silk/merino. I have been gifted yarns by Hand Maiden myself, and I have not stopped caressing them yet.

For the ultimate splurge, could Alice entice you with Camel Spin? It's another yarn by Handmaiden - camel down is really luxurious and exotic. This one is 30% camel down and 70% silk. Or how about another yarn by The Knittery, from Australia, which is a cashmere and merino blend (60% superwash merino, 20% cashmere, 20% nylon) - softer still than Casbah and it is truly absolute heaven! If you haven't been bitten by fiber bug yet, why not try some of the absolute gorgeous offerings of pure cashmere from Mama Llama. Oh and of course there is Buffalo Gold, from Texas. This is buffalo down which is an exotic fibre, rather dear, and rather warm.

Alice even has a Socktopus Sock Club in the planning stages. She has plans to showcase the exceptional yarns of local, as well as international hand dyers. Bookmark Socktopus. It will be the site to browse when you want the finest yarns that are available.

Another ISE

I joined the International Scarf Exchange 5. This will be my fourth round in this particular exchange. Each time, I have been blessed with the most fabulous partners, both up and downstream.

I have read the questionnaire of the pal that I am to spoil. She outlined the colors, type and style that she would love. Being the sneak that I am, my introduction to her I told her that I had only been knitting for about 6 months and I am just now learning how to purl. I told her that I love the beautiful selection of yarns that are available at my local Wal-mart. Isn't she just crazy about Lion Brand too? (Yes, I will be going straight to hell for all the lies that I tell, but heck.... I'll know everyone there!) I know that she would love a lace shawl, but with all the constraints upon my time, I really doubt if I will have the time to devote to it. I do have one already done, it's the Estonian Garden Shawl that I made using GGH Capri (a cotton/tencel blend) in a salmon color. I just don't know if it would be her first choice when it comes to the color.

The shawl is done, sitting in a drawer, all folded up and waiting to be loved and cherished. Would it be so tacky to send a shawl that I had already made?

I have heard from the person that is to spoil me. She sent an email asking a few questions, to try and get to know me more. I sent her a loooooong rendition, that just might have been a little TMI. Well, she asked for it! lol. I just hope that she uses this exchange as a change to try new and different techniques and yarns.... but most of all.... to just have fun!

A Sister's Gift

I was gifted this truly fabulous quilted jacket. Dee is so talented, and far outshines my abilities. She was making a quilt, when her son remarked that the color's were "so Aunt Dorene". And, yes, they are. If you could just imagine a Tuscan landscape with the luscious green fields, dotted with abundant sunflowers and lavender, you can picture colors that I'm drawn to. So, she decided to use some of the fabric and craft me a jacket. Isn't is just fabulous?

Look... even the lining is sheer perfection....

The colors didn't really come out as vibrant as they really are, as the flash did wash them out, just a tad. But, I hope that you can just partially imagine how truly exquisite this gift is. Boy, do I feel special!

O! M! G!

I just received a parcel from my Secret Pal. Actually, it went out west and Nick had to forward it to me here at the beach. It arrived today and when I opened it, all I could say, is OMG, over and over again. "Sock Pal" really outdid herself.

The package included a wonderful skein of Mini Maiden, the little sister of the Silk Maiden that I have been totally ga-ga over. It is a delightful blend of Silk and Wool and is in the most luxurious color called Sangria. Cocktails, anyone? I just can't seem to stop petting it. It truly is that luscious. Oh, my.
Then, there was a lavender sachet pillow from Peace Valley Lavender Farm, accompanied by a little tub of the Lavender Shea Butter. Nothing, I mean nothing, makes my yarn smell any better than lavender. A girl can never have too much lavender.
Finally, I came to a small package that was wrapped in a plain wrapper, from Knitty Noddy. Gingerly, I opened it to reveal.... "Knitting Lace Triangles", the latest book from my idol, Evelyn Clark. It is eerie, because I was seriously contemplating buying the book myself, just yesterday. I just ran out of time and never got around to order it. Talk about karma!
Well, "Sock Pal", you have put together one truly fabulous package and I am in awe. This one was definitely a "10". This is one that will hard to beat.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

More International Woes

Some people came up with some very creative ideas when shipping internationally.

Flat Rate Envelope:
The most cost effect way to ship is to use the "Flat-rate" Envelope. It costs $11.00 and has no weight limit.
Downside - it isn't too big and it is gosh awfully hard trying to cram any goodies in there.

Gift Certificates:
Read your pal's blog and try to find out what LYS she frequents. Is there any one in particular that she really likes. Email them and ask if you could purchase a gift voucher.
Downside: You email them to inquire. They will email you back and ask to you call them. So, the 10lb** voucher, at the current exchange will cost $21.00, $4.00 in postage, $4.00 for a phone call. I'm up to $29.00 for a 10lb voucher. I ask you. Doesn't 10lb sound kind of skimpy? Just how much can you buy for 10lb?
** I apologize but I can't find the symbol for the British pound.

Order Online:
Go to http://www.amazon.uk.com/ and order a book. Let's say "Victorian Lace Today"
Downside: In the UK, that book cost 21.00lb. Do the currency thing and that equates to $44.00!!!! My poor dollar is taking such a beating! I can order the same book from http://www.amazon.com/ and even with the shipping abroad, the same book will cost me $28.75.

By the end of this exchange I will have figured out all the angles. But for now, I'm still trying....

Suggestions, please....

I am participating in the Secret Pal 11. I usually like these sort of exchanges as I get to plan a surprise for another knitter. But, with my current exchange I am facing a dilemma, and perhaps, you can help.....

My first package was to have a theme - Spa indulgence. It included some luscious yarns (linen, silk, cotton), along with patterns to make some spa-like accessories (washcloths, bath mitts, sachets). Of course, it also included beautiful collection of elegant sundries (bath salts, lotions, oils), aromatherapy candles and some decadent chocolate for the ultimate indulgence. My problem is that my partner lives abroad. This package that I put together will cost over $40.00 in postage alone!!!!!! Yikes, and this is just the first of three packages that are due! Now, I don't begrudge spending money on someone. Heck, that's what this is all about. But, I do begrudge spending that sort of money just on postage. That's downright ludicrous. It's absurd!

So, I'm back to the drawing board and open for any suggestions.....

Does anyone have any lightweight, and I do mean "lightweight", suggestions for a wonderful package?

Oh, the heartache.....

The finished MS3 had been discarded, sent to a forgotten corner of the room. I avoided it. I had poured myself into this project for the last two months and I just couldn't bring myself to look at it anymore. So, there it sat, as a blob of knitting nothingness.

Today, I finally got up enough gumption to do something about it.
So, it went from this.....
to this....
...... in under 60 seconds.

Ripping back the 500+ yd of yarn, it felt like eternity. I am planning to knit another of the first half (clue 1-4) and then grafting the two pieces together. I know that I'll be so much happier with Plan B.

Mystery Stole 3

Have you ever seen any of Melanie Leesburg's designs? She has some fabulous patterns at her site Pink Lemon Twist. I particularly love Leda's Dream and Moon Dance Shawls. She is so talented that I just had to join her Mystery Stole 3 KAL. It is my first that I have ever done and it was a wonderful learning experience. I grabbed my needles and yarn, and followed along, blindly, each week as a new clue was revealed.

Clue 1 thru 4....

I loved this. It had a wonderful point, a delightful pattern and it was the first time that I had ever worked with beads.

Then, Clue 5...

The stole began an abrupt turn and a totally different pattern was emerging. I didn't think that I was going to like a shawl that was asymmetrical, but to keep with the "spirit" of the mystery, I plodded along. Heck, what did I have to lose? A little time? And, I just might like it.

Clue 5 thru 7....

I really like the pattern that she put together for the "wing". Unusual, and stunning.

The finished shawl (unblocked).....

Here it is, draped across my bed. Disappointment sets in. I paraded around, trying desperately, to imagine the beauty of it. It is gawd awful! What was the girl thinking? It looks like the Sesame Street song, "Which of the two is unlike the other? Which of the two doesn't belong?" They are both truly beautiful patterns, by themselves. But, they just do not belong together. Please, do not get the impression that this is a feeble attempt at bashing Melanie. This is my humble opinion, and only my humble opinion. I think she is a very talented designer. And as a designer, you will come up with a design that some will love, and some will hate. I believe that this is that one.

I will be frogging the "wing" and making another half consisting of clue 1 - 4 and graft the two together. Heck, I might even do yet another shawl using just the wing pattern.

Thank you Melanie. I might not have liked the finished product, but I did learn so much and really did appreciate all the time and effort that you have given, freely, to this KAL.

An aside:

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold's Hempathy (hemp/cotton blend)

Color: White Beach

Yardage: 1,071 (7 skeins)

Needles: Size 6 Denise