BWB...

Yep-that's me, "Bad-Weather Blogger." When the sun is out, expect me to be nowhere near the computer, but when it's rainy, I could sit here all day. What's been on tap today?? Well, a good trip to Michaels, where we found the following:
Buttons for booties (little daisies!)
buttons for hubby's costume vest (a.k.a-the sweater that I painstakenly knit for him and then promptly killed in the washer on Christmas Eve-ring a bell??) Yep-now it's being used for his "Bum Costume" in the school musical production that he is in. Nice...
6 lovely skeins of cotton-ease, all in my new summer palette-to be crocheted/knit into many things, but above all else, clutches to be sold at the salon.
Chochke junk for the girls(they were with me after all) and.....
silk flowers-thought I hated 'em b/c they're fake and I love real, but honestly, with the price of real lately, I can't afford fresh flowers every week. And these looked so good, they're easy maintenance when you've got them stored downstairs in the basement at the craft station....
Hey-can you tell which ones are real and which one is fake?? I think these pass for pretty decent looking ranunculous-my new fav. flower, by the way...

catching up...

Seems like I've been everywhere but blogging lately! So much has happened and been worked on but to type it all seems like it will take me forever!!
First things first....the CRAFT STATION!!!

Here is a pic:


How nice is that?? Hubby did it all!! He incorporated EVERYTHING that I need to actually get things done in an organized fashion!! And he forced me to re-organize my stash and purge the stuff that I really won't get too!! I was actually surprised that he didn't balk at all the yarn and I couldn't believe that most of it (notice I said MOST) fit into the shelves...I left out some acrylic nonsense for the back shelves of the basement and I actually donated a very large box of it to Interim House-an organization that helps women in Philadelphia recover from drug/alcohol addictions by teaching them to knit/crochet. How great is that??? I love the idea of knitting/crochet helping anyone out of trouble and I think that this organization is great!! It really felt great to send that big box to a good cause too.
Hubby also made this adorable SHEEP CAKE for my birthday-how great is that??


Yep-he's a keeper! He always makes my birthday feel extra special!
We went into NJ for my birthday-for two reasons....I wanted to check out Nona's Yarn Cafe to see what it was all about. I really liked the concept of a cafe and a yarn shop, although I have no interest in doing so at my future shop. And here's why: The owners no longer really run it as a cafe b/c their primary customer (women) are on diets so the food/beverages went to waste. Their cafe section is very small with just a few biscotti and cookies and water for tea/coffee. That's it. I'm thinking they should downsize their advertising then, though since I found them in the Debbie Bliss magazine, with a big ad for their yarn cafe....
Anywhoo-the women owners were very nice-a little assuming, but nonetheless very nice. They allowed me to ask them questions about their business and they didn't blink when hubby came in with the girls. Good. One of them, however, rubbed me the wrong way by asking me "Why do you want to own a yarn shop, huh? What-do you want to get the yarn at wholesale, is that why??" Huh?? Lady, right now, I get my yarn for free by working for a yarn shop, so why would take on such an aquisition just to get yarn at wholesale?? A bit of an assumption, but their business is struggling so I'm guessing she's just a bit bitter....I did manage to buy 5 skeins of gorgeous Plymouth Kudo yarn for my birthday present to myself-my summer clapotis! Love this yarn so far-a mix of cotton, silk and rayon-and multicolored of course...perfect for summer.
Now-back to those business questions-they were very helpful in telling me things that I was already aware of but to hear it live made it sink in. KNOW YOUR BUSINESS AND MARKET BEFORE YOU START A BUSINESS!!! They admitted to going in blind and overbuying bigtime and now being stuck with a lot of overhead. They also admitted to now just starting to go to shows and not really being up on what is big in the market. They stick to what their loyal customers want but they didn't seem to branch out to get new customers. They told me that their majority of customers were women age 50+ but the whole time I was in there, at least 5 women my age and younger walked in with the last group being a group of 3 teenagers. Hmmm??? Maybe some young-looking samples and free marketing on Ravelry/facebook/twitter might help? How about the local schools/colleges-offer a 10% student discount? Maybe I'm just a little over-eager and their enthusiasm is worn out. The owner did say that they haven't made a profit at all during their 4 years in business. That in itself is scary...

So, onto projects for me: Right now, working on a last-minute baby gift and my clapotis, then it's the girls' dresses and some clutches for sale, a hat for hubby (for his show??) and a summer top for me....we'll see...

They really do multiply!

Yep-these little bunnies were all over my kitchen a few days ago-my daughter's pre-k treat for her classmates. She loved them and I loved making them!-All 30 of 'em....

As for knitting, I haven't really done any, but with my birthday coming this weekend, you know there will be some spending going on for a sweater...possibly from my new Classic Elite books. We are going to in Denville, NJ on Saturday for a birthday treat! Hubby has been working so hard on my craft station in the basement-I can't believe he's so game for this as well. I will try to behave....a little! :0) Full review to follow next week!

The crocheting is plugging along-I'm on my second "Professional Hat"-this one in red, for my youngest daughter. I added a crocheted flower to Madi's-I think it came out great and thankfully, so does she! She wears it everywhere!


Next on the hook will be Baby Mary Jane Skimmers for a friend who's due any day now. I'm using up some soft acrylic in my stash and I'm very proud. Really wanted to go out and by some eco-cotton for it but I'm trying not to do that. I really want to get going on a huge stash-busting project that I actually started last year around this time, but put it down to get shop samples and other projects done-the "Ripple Afghan"-in crochet~! One of my fellow Ravelers turned me on to this project, I believe her ravelry name is tpoulsen(Tina) and she lives in Denmark. She knits and crochet the most beautiful things and her ripple blanket inspired me. LOVE IT!!

I'm definitely "hooked" to say the least!! I do still get frustrated at the inconsistencies in pattern writing for crochet, but hopefully, with time, I'll get used to it! We'll see....

Hippety-Hoppity....

Easter's on it's way!! Yep, found some un-used upholstery fabric that I had leftover from a small chair that I recovered and the color reminded me of chocolate so.....I came up with these to sell on my etsy shop: www.yarnygirl.etsy.com!
So fun, right?

As for knitting, I finished up the shrugs for the girls for their Easter dresses and of course, my oldest likes hers so much, she wants me to make one for her doll-that's b/c Grandma got her Easter dress with matching doll dress so naturally, they have to match! I'm dilly-dallying with crochet still and while I am getting it a little better, I'm still struggling with it a bit. But I will keep going until I get it!

After the crochet project, I do finally plan to get summerlin on the needles. I would also like to CO for a sweater that I've fallen for from the new Classic Elite books. There's always something!!

On tap for today-outside play! It's sunny and mild (50's) so we're heading to the playset! Will probably draw with chalk and blow some bubbles too-and count robins of course! Happy Spring!!

Feelin' Ducky....

THIS is how I've been feeling lately-like I'm upside down with my head in the water about so many things that I've got on tap. Finished one of two shrugs for the girls for Easter and I keep coming up with more projects for them!! Ready to cast on for their Summerlin dresses, and I've got another summer dress pattern for them from a knitting magazine that I borrowed from a friend. However-for some odd reason, I've been occupying my time by experimenting with free-form crochet lately?? I've been working on some easy crochet booties-made the pattern up myself and it's working out great! Only problem is that I don't know what stitch pattern Is at all-basically, I have no idea about crochet but for some reason, I can't put it down!!?? Odd, right?

I'm even using valuable Ravelry time searching more crochet patterns: crochet bunnies, booties, dresses, blankets.....what is up with me?? Seems so strange that I would be doing that when I've got so much on tap to keep myself busy (just check out my queue on Ravelry). I guess I've got Spring fever???

Plans are already in the works to do some spring cleaning of the stash. Hubby is busy building me a "Craft Station" complete with room for stash storing, large table for sewing, blocking and beading and of course, workspace for designing. I'm really excited about this as I hope it will get me more organized and able to use my time more wisely when designing. I've got so much stuff all over the place. It'll be so nice to catch up, organize the stash and know where everything is....

On a family note, we have joined a CSA!!! I'm so excited about this-we are going to be doing some volunteer work this summer on a real farm!! The CSA is going to run for 20 weeks and we purchased a full family share. We will get weekly packages of whatever is harvested (seasonal veggies and flowers) and they are possibly going to sell fresh eggs and milk at pickup. Yay! On the farm, the kids will get to play with the goats, chickens, pick some veggies (tomatoes, peas and green beans) and pet the......ALPACA!! Yep, there are two on the farm that are the farmer's pets and he shears and spins their fiber and HE KNITS! How cool is that??? I've already asked to see if he'll let me watch when he goes to shear them this spring-hopefully, he'll let me! We are so excited!!!!

On a sad note, we spent the whole afternoon there, petting the animals, plucking the eggs from the hens in the chicken house and touring the farm. Wouldn't you know, that night, Madi was already congested and wheezing and the next morning, really stuffed up? Today she is really bad, coughing up a storm and cannot breathe through her nose. Her allergy tests came back with being allergic to dogs, cats and dust, but no trees/grasses so I'm a bit boggled by why the trip to the farm did so much damage to her. Yes, they did have a doggie there that she pet, but she LIVES with a dog?!? I'm just out of my mind frustrated with all of this sickness. We are set to go to CHOP in May to figure all of this out. The poor girlie-she can barely breathe today....

Can we say addiction??

Yep-it's official!

I'm officially addicted to:

1. Twinkle Chunky yarn
2. The stitch pattern k1, *yo, k2tog,* k1

I will be making plenty more of these beauties-in varying thickness of yarns for gifts, and for me!! I know just the laceweight yarn that is sitting pretty in my stash for the next one!!! Perfect for spring-it will be!!

Anyway-here's why I'm saying that I'm addicted to this yarn-it's soft, plush and lovely AND yours truly, who rarely knits a pattern more than once, already duplicated the scarf (from previous post) for one for my BFF. Banged this one out in a week's worth of school drop-offs and pickups (those 10 minutes of waiting really do add up to good knitting time!). This baby is done and in perfect timing as I am seeing my BFF tomorrow and will give it to her then!! Hope she will love it-as she does love peachy/pink colors!!

My next project is already on the needles.....simple shrugs for the girls for Easter. Also-just arrived, is beautiful fabric bought from www.fabricsupplies.etsy.com-awesome store-great, fresh fabrics, terrific pricing, and super fast shipping!! I'm using this fabric to make two summerlin dresses for the girls. Can't wait!!




Still debating the charity carpet bag-while it would benefit my daughter's school, I'm not sure I've got enough time to do it now and I really don't want to stress myself out with it.....we'll see!!

Instant Gratification!

Ok-I have a guilty pleasure.....BULKY, pills-while-you-knit-it, designer (shocking sticker price) yarn!!! But-only when on sale!! And boy, was it worth it!!!

To back up a little, I spent a glorious day in Milford, PA, taking a finishing class with Jill Deal, of JillDeal, Inc-a very lovely LYS right in the heart of the quaint little town of Milford. I spent my whole day there (while my DARLING HUSBAND watched the girls!-LOVE HIM!) learning great techniques, eating lunch that was provided by the Hotel Fauchere, and chatting it up with some lovely ladies. There were only 4 of us in the class so it felt like a private, all day lesson! Perfect! Then I sauntered over to the shop (the class was held at the Emerson House of the Hotel Fauchere) for some kid yarn that I need for easter shrugs for the girls and that's when I saw it....Twinkle Soft Chunky....in French grey....at a sale price that I just couldn't pass up. There was one left and I snatched it right up! Jill's very sweet employee (wish I could remember her name-she's always so pleasant!) rang me up and then proceeded to wind my skein into a cake the size of Texas! I told the super-nice employee that I was going to leave it as a centerpiece on my kitchen table for awhile...but i lied!!!

It didn't last there for long b/c I couln't wait to knit with it! I found a great pattern online from Jen Reilly at Sage Yarn Blog called "Super-Fast, Ultra Cozy scarf"-need I say more?? The scarf knit up in 1 1/2 hours and really is cozy!! I think I'll be wearing it a lot!!