This little piggie...

What to make next

My knitting obligations are all met! I finished the baby blanket I was making for my mother-in-law to take to a baby shower. I was really happy with it and only found one mistake which, of course, I didn't point out since it was so minor. I forgot one small section (5 stitches?) of knit on a row of purling, so the garter stitch border is missing one ridge. No big deal. Other than that it is lovely. I just used TLC Baby Yarn by Coats and Clark in Powder Blue. I had my mother-in-law buy 5 skeins, but I only used one full skein and a few yards of another. Amazing how much yarn is in one skein! I also used my good circular needles to make it. It's the first time I've stuck it out with the circulars. Just seems like I'm always slowing down to push the stitches up onto the bamboo part of the needle even though the circulars are well-made and have a nice smooth join. I noticed it more on the rows with several yarn overs. I'm glad I stuck it out though because I want to get used to using circulars and they are nice for toting around a project...no big needles sticking out.

I also finished the socks I was making for Karen, my mother-in-law's friend. You can read about them at the end of this post. There's a picture there of one of them. The other one looks the same. Ha, ha.

I finally put the finishing touches (i.e. buttons) on this cell phone bag...another felting project. I'm waiting for some books of felted purse patterns to arrive at the library. I know I could probably play around with some existing patterns and figure out what I want, but I'm not much for improvising. Give me a pattern and I'll follow it! I'd like to make one for Claire's Girl Scout leader and I told my sister I'd make her one, too.

So, now I'm at that happy place where I'm anticipating the next great knitting project! Elliot and I went to Knit One in Squirrel Hill on Wednesday. It was pouring down rain, but we braved the weather and found the yarn store I've been wanting to check out for months. The Yarn Harlot was there last year and I know she's made other visits, too. Elliot was a very good companion in the yarn store and wanted to touch everything. Well, so did I. He was particularly fascinated with the ball roller and helped me roll my new purchase...Jitterbug Merino by Colinette in Mardi Gras. It will make some really wild socks! Watch Elliot's awesome winding ability!

The end is my favorite part!

THE SUN IS SHINING!!!

I realize that it is considered bad form to ever type in all capital letters or use exclamation points when blogging or messaging, but

HOLY CRAP! THE SUN IS SHINING!!!!!

The DJ on the radio yesterday played Katrina and the Waves "Walking on Sunshine" and said he was going to play it all day (which he didn't).

So, click on the video and turn up your speakers!!

THE SUN IS SHINING!!!!

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Ever since Christian was 5 or 6 he's had a great love for Kennywood Park. He can tell you any bit of information about its history, its layout or its rides. When Christian was younger his friends use to tease him and told me that Christian could somehow use the word "Kennywood" in every one of his spelling sentences. He has Kennywood posters in his room and a bolt from the original Steel Phantom.

Well, this past Friday, Christian went to Kennywood for his employee orientation!! He will be working on the rides in Kiddieland. Usually the younger kids (under 18) get to work the games or concessions so he was really happy to get to work with rides, even if they are mini rides for kids. It's a dream come true!

Saturday we dyed Easter eggs. There were no major dye incidents but I had the dropsies. I dropped 3 or 4 of the kids eggs and even made Claire cry! But it all turned out in the end.

Easter Sunday we had a lovely morning at our church, Jefferson United Methodist, beginning with sunrise service, followed by a pancake breakfast cooked by the men of the church. Yummy!

We had another service following breakfast, then we went home and enjoyed a nice day with family. Here we are before we all ran off to put on our comfy blue jeans. Usually we wear jeans to church anyhow (well, not Keith) but decided to wear something a little nicer for the holiday. God is good!

So Excited!!

It was so much fun!!! I went to Joseph-Beth Booksellers on the South Side Friday night and saw The Yarn Harlot!! There were quite a few people there...I think the manager said about 125.

Here's a review of the evening in pictures.

These are the ladies from my knitting group that went with me...


Jaretta did say she would sue me if I put her picture on the Internet, but I'm really hoping she was just kidding.

Here is the spot where Stephanie would eventually dazzle us with her wit and charm...


I love this shot of part of the crowd. Take a good look at the sign I circled. (click on it) HA!!


Jack was there...


...and then SHE came in (!!!!!) and after being introduced...


...took a picture of all of us with the SOCK!!...


...and then I got to MEET HER!!...


...and now we're best friends.

The End.

For Stephanie's version of the evening go here. You can sort of see me in my blurry best in the third picture. I'm standing in the back, directly above the middle of the sock. I have on an olive tank top. You see me??

I have to also mention that The Yarn Harlot LOVES Pittsburgh (as she should)!
Yay us!