7 Year Blogiversary!!!!!

Wow..7 years..I've loved blogging...and I've resisted all the other things that have come along...don't have a Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest account.....there is only so much time in the day.....

I have made tons of blogging friends...and even have met some in real life....it is a joy and a privilege to know you....

Those of you that have followed along here know that I took a cross country trip this summer....and while I was at a yarn store in Chicago...I purchased this...

When I got home...I realized I already owned this....so I am going to give this away to a lucky reader..More than likely there will be additional goodies, but I'm not sure what yet...seeing as I am going to another fiber festival on Saturday....

It will be randomly drawn and open to anyone...one entry per person....see here's the thing...I want someone who has actually read my blog to win..not some random stranger who visits once to try and win a prize...so that's why I'm not asking people to reblog, facebook or tweet it for extra entries....while I love having readers...and having new readers, most of the time these people do not return (I am guilty of this too)...I want someone I "know" to win....

So entries will close Wednesday Oct 30 at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.....

To enter..we all know how much I love yarn...so please introduce me to your favorite yarn....why is it your favorite..what have you made with it?

Good luck!

YOP: Weeks 42 and 43

Today is my BLOGIVERSARY!!!!!!!!   I'm 7 today!!!!  Stop back later for a Blogiversary giveaway...It'll be open for a few days...

Since I was away last weekend, I did not post.  I have a few small projects to add to my list.

I cast on my dissertation, which is the previously failed Creekbed by Stephen West...I'm determined to do one of his designs.

I had three challenges to finish for this Nerd Wars round...Giving Geeks, I made a monetary donation to a local domestic abuse shelter....it sickens me that there is a need for these....

We also were to be inspired by LARPing or cosplay.  I found out what a LARP was during a season of Beauty and the Geek and, of course, the Supernatural episode with Charlie, LARP and the Real Girl......my team unity was also to be inspired by the creepy in Stargate...so I made Todd the Wraith....

The last challenge, I am still working on....we had to base it on an atmospheric event....and I'm going to go with the Northern Lights....I am making a pair of fingerless mitts from that purple/blue/green yarn I bought last week from Tess Designer Yarns...I have one completed....

Swap Partner - don't read!!!!    I have also cast on a Lucy hat for myself.....I had also posted hers on Facebook and my Mom has requested one....so with Christmas and her birthday coming up..I'll need to make her one...

YTD Completed:
Crown for Natalie: 1/5/2013
Sparkie the Monster: 1/21/2013
Casseiopia Shawl:  2/9/13
Crikey Cowl: 2/10/13
Feet Blankets: 2/12/13 
Eros the Owl: 2/16/13
Ladder Up: 2/20/13
Chocolate Peep: 2/26/13
Czech Republic flag: 2/27/13 NW
So Cazh Socks: 3/9/13
Deep Blue Seas 3/23/13
Spock bear  3/23/13 NW
Stargate Keychain 3/24/13
Noodle Baby Hat 3/24/13 NW
Bunnies, It Must Be Bunnies 3/30/13
Beaded Camo Sock 4/7/13 (technically done, but need some fixing)
Green Spring  Dissertation for T7  4/21/13
Daffodil 4/27/13
Cotton Baby Hat 4/25/13
Citrus Flower Hat 4/28/13
Cute Critter War: Dragon, Mameshiba, Monkey and Mike (May 2013)
Demented Owl and Mameshiba (CCW2 May 2012) 
Monkey for Alexis  6/8/13 (NW)
Car blanket for me  6/15/13 (NW)  
5 Monkey Head Keychains (June 19, 2013)
Snorkle (June 19, 2013)
Wilkey's Cowboy Hat  (June 27, 2013) NW
Spring Lariat (June 27, 2013) NW
Plum Pudding Starghan (June 25, 2013) NW
Christian's Beanie (July 18, 2013) NW
Jello Flowers (July 21, 2013) NW
Black Beanie (July 31, 2013)
Bag Hat (August 6, 2013)
Cedar Leaf Shawlette (August 2013) NW
Spring Buds (August 2013) NW
Eyeglass case (August 2013)
Charity hat (August 2013) NW  
Lacy Mitt Gloves (August 2013)  
The 8 Beanie (August 2013) NW
Ice Cream Cozy (August 2013) NW  
Mice (September 2013)
Ali Winter Hat (9/21/13)
Phillip Beanie (9/25/2013)
The Lucy Hat (9/29/13) 
Monkey Hat (10/5/2013)
Age of Brass and Steam (10/6/13)
Really Big Bag (10/13/13)
Todd the Wraith (10/27/13)

WIPS:
Crochet:
Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels done
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.
The Trellis Shawl (February 2013) - frogged 3/9/13
Orange cotton wrap (started ?)
Aurora fingerless gloves

Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
 Lucy Hat (started 10/13/2013)
  
Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Hermione's Everyday Socks (January 2013)
A Heart Full of Love: Johnny's Socks (January 2013)
Adele socks: (April 2012)
Faces in the Wallpaper (Sept 2013)

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Breath of Fresh Air Scarf: (April 2011)
Creekbed: (Feb 2012) ( restarted 10/20/13)
Bedford Springs Shawl   

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in

Charity: 
  Hats:

Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt
Water Bottle Cozy

Gifts: 

Owl for Rose

Hats for Beckett 

2 Stargate keychains 

1 pair Stargate earrings  

 
WIMs: Projects I have the yarn and the pattern
  Sweaters:
Baroque Tabard Tunic
Test Pattern Sweater
Car Coat
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller   Wholehearted
West End Scarf 
Gathering Leaves
Alhambra
Petal Edge Scarf
Filippi Scarf 
Firefly Scarf  Fraxinus  Danube Cowl
Simple City
Fire and Ice
Multnomah
Leylines 
Holden Shawlette Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
 

Hats and Mitts  
Hermione Hearts Ron
Nehalm Hat
Felicity
Stellar
Cabled Headband
Fetching   Cayunga Hat and Mitts set
Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts
Evergreen Gloves
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat

Socks:
Memento Mori
Rubus
Siren Socks
Hey, Have I Ever Steered You Wrong?
Savory Lace Socks
Autumn Flame
Firebird
Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars
Twin peaks

Bags:

Sarape Shopper
Pleated Purse Circular Felted Bag 

Stash Saturday - Rhinebeck Version!

There were so many beautiful yarns to behold....and I've been coldsheeping it for 2 months....but, still, I was good!

Last year I came home with four skeins....this year?

Five skeins and a couple of mini-skeins....

The kit in the back is one of the new SOAK kits...this one has a pattern for socks...The colorway is Cinnamon Kane....love the deep dark red of it....

The purple in front of the kit is from "the fifty shades of grey" vendor..Tess Designer Yarns....It is cultivated silk and merino...it doesn't seem to have a color name....the three mini-skeins at the top are also from there...two are destined to be fingerless mitts...the other is a gift...

She had this one line called "Kitten"  it was to die for! It is cashmere and silk.  Her stuff really is gorgeous...I plan on getting some kitten next year....


The next skein down from the top, in that fiery red that is hard to photograph is from Jill Draper Makes Stuff.  It is Hudson in Fiery Foliage.....loved the reds in it....

Below that is a Socks that Rock medium weight in Farmhouse.....My friend wanted the Rhinbeck color...it was too pastely for me...so I opted for this color instead....

The last one, on the bottom, was actually the first skein I bought....It's from Angoraonline, but isn't actually angora....it's MCN mix....I bought some angora from them last year....

The other purchases were soap, socks from Red Maple Sportswear (every year - the best socks!), kettlecorn, some books...and my big purchase...a woven shawl....

It was such a crush on Saturday..that I only saw one vendor with woven shawls...on Sunday I was able to see more and bought this plaid beauty....I love it!  I can't find the vendor tag right now...but when I do, I'll add a link....

so, all in all, I was pretty restrained.....New England Fiber Festival is this coming weekend...I'll only be going on Saturday..it's not too far a drive for me....and it's indoor, which is good, as it got really cold this week.....

Tomorrow is my blogiversary! 7 years!!!!!  I do have a little giveaway planned....

Nerd Wars At Rhinebeck!!!!!

So on Saturday we had a Nerd Wars meetup, during and after the Ravelry meetup.....it was a TON of fun!  So many Nerds together in one place to celebrate our nerderies, craft and each other....

Many Nerd Warriors had been to Rhinebeck, but this year, the founder of Nerd Wars, the great Elise, was coming for the first time....she lives in Maine...some of us have met her (I consider myself lucky because I had traveled to Maine and met her) and some of were overwhelmed with meeting her...

Lots of hugs were given (she gives amazing solid hugs!  Love it!)

We took some pictures together...sadly some people missed the pictures....

We talked and admired projects...Elsie had brought Arthur Dent...Shedubba made him in T2..and created an accessory for him to carry that represented each team...She also brought the Moss that I had made for her...But what we all oohed and aahed about was the nerd Wars scarf...

Which I think was done in T4....that last one is our team's Stargate square

It was great nerdy fun...and I have to say the best part of the weekend for me.....

Saturday at Rhinebeck!!!!!

I had such a great time this year at Rhinebeck.....two friends were with me...Maureen who drove with me and Laura..who drove from Mass....we stayed over and Maureen and I headed back on Sunday, but didn't stay long....we left pretty much after the Rav meetup...

Saturday was CRAZEEEEEEE with the amount of people...you couldn't even get into some of the barns!

The "in" booths this year were:
Miss Babs - about 9:30, that was the line for Miss Babs...I've bought from her in previous years, it was never like this!

The Fold (Socks That Rock)..of course, they had a Rhinebeck color.  I did buy something from them on Sunday...so much easier to get to the booth!

And Cephalopod Yarns..I did not take a picture..it was not as bad as last year....but we got there late and it was pretty picked over..

We ended up at the Author booth right about ten and were first in line for Clara Parkes...I only have one of her book..The Book of Socks, but I bought her new book, The Yarn Whisper..and I got to take a picture with her...she was so nice!

We went to the Ravelry meetup...so many people!!!!

I did not get a picture of the Rav picture, but it'll be up on the site soon...

We also had a Nerd Wars Meetup...but going to do a separate post for that....so now I'll just share some pictures..

This was very full of AWESOME!

And the yarns!

More cool things....

A great time was had by all....

Rhinebeck Video!!!!!

Gale Zucker took pictures at Rhinebeck last year and in 2010....it's a great video of what everyone wears!!!!!!  And I'm in it twice!!!!

Rhinebeck Style

See you there!

Friday...woo-hooooooooooo!!!!!

Rhinebeck is tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my Really Big Bag is here for Show and Tell.....

I started this bag sometime last year as a stashbuster....I had bought a ton of Paton's Soy yarn on sale for $3.00 a ball...and thought it would be perfect for a felted bag.....

This is after I finished crocheting.....it is folded in half and sewn at the top to keep it folded..and then the handle was sewn to opposite sides...so kind of like a messenger bag....

And after felting...or fulling...

Closeup

Before Felting:  16" deep, after 14" deep
                           28" wide, after 23" wide
              Strap:   64" long, after 60" long (still too long, but I'll make it work..my Tim Gunn moment!)




I'm really thrilled with it all around...I also added a pocket to the inside for my phone and other small things...

It's the same pink as the edging, but crappy night photo.....

It's a bit heavy, but so are some of my other bags...we'll see how it holds up at Rhinebeck!

And go on over and check out Tami, Wisdom Begins in Wonder and Natural Suburbia for some others..I'll link when the others are up....

It's Wednesday.....Again.....

It's actually Tuesday night...and Tuesdays I am usually shattered...I already took about an hour nap...

I work from 7-4 on Tuesdays..long freaking day.....and today it was 7-4:45.....

I have started one thing this week...

It's this...

I

I know..crappy picture..I took it last night....it's the beginning of a Lucy Hat by Carina Spencer....there's a story behind it....but that's for another day....

I also started a new book....see The Hubs and I have nooks....and when I got The Hubs the upgraded version for his birthday, he gave his original one to his sister....so three of us are on the account...and she downloads all the freebies....so I don't know when this story arrived (or even if it was free), but I started it on Monday...its called Driftless....I'm only 21 pages in...but it is interesting....

now it's bedtime...I'll just post this in the morning....I'm knackered......

Good morning..and the link for Tami is up..so you can head there for other WIPs..

The Awesome.....

Have you seen this?

The Halloween Top Hat from Red Heart... the link should take you to the gallery on Ravelry...I think I need one of these.....I first saw them on The Crochet Crowd's Facebook page...

One of the challenges this month is a Cosplay challenge.....how awesome would this be for that!!!

YOP: Week 41

What a week!  Because we had a 3 day weekend coming up, this week lasted f.o.r.e.v.e.r. and I had a workshop on Tuesday, so only taught for 4 days!  This is a 4 day week, but Rhinebeck is next weekend, so I bet this coming week will also take forever to end! I'm planning on doing two weeks worth of lesson plans, so I don't have any work next weekend.

Onto the projects!  I have finished crocheting The Really Big Bag, which I want to use for Rhinebeck.  I will be fulling (felting) it today....I can't wait to see how it turns out! 

I have also finished my Age of Brass and Steam, although I have not been able to get a very good picture of it!

So those two will be added to the completed list....

I am also still sorting through the stash and bagging things....this is good because it will keep me from buying too much next weekend...I'll never say I won't buy anything, but I seriously have a yarn addiction and I have so much of the stuff!

This week I need to cast on my dissertation, Creekbed, and I am going to cast on another shawl, Bedford Springs, which I added to my list last week, I've had the yarn and pattern for a couple of years.

I also need to make a couple of baby hats for a friend, both of her nieces are pregnant....I still have time.....one needs to be a minion hat....

YTD Completed:
Crown for Natalie: 1/5/2013
Sparkie the Monster: 1/21/2013
Casseiopia Shawl:  2/9/13
Crikey Cowl: 2/10/13
Feet Blankets: 2/12/13 
Eros the Owl: 2/16/13
Ladder Up: 2/20/13
Chocolate Peep: 2/26/13
Czech Republic flag: 2/27/13 NW
So Cazh Socks: 3/9/13
Deep Blue Seas 3/23/13
Spock bear  3/23/13 NW
Stargate Keychain 3/24/13
Noodle Baby Hat 3/24/13 NW
Bunnies, It Must Be Bunnies 3/30/13
Beaded Camo Sock 4/7/13 (technically done, but need some fixing)
Green Spring  Dissertation for T7  4/21/13
Daffodil 4/27/13
Cotton Baby Hat 4/25/13
Citrus Flower Hat 4/28/13
Cute Critter War: Dragon, Mameshiba, Monkey and Mike (May 2013)
Demented Owl and Mameshiba (CCW2 May 2012) 
Monkey for Alexis  6/8/13 (NW)
Car blanket for me  6/15/13 (NW)  
5 Monkey Head Keychains (June 19, 2013)
Snorkle (June 19, 2013)
Wilkey's Cowboy Hat  (June 27, 2013) NW
Spring Lariat (June 27, 2013) NW
Plum Pudding Starghan (June 25, 2013) NW
Christian's Beanie (July 18, 2013) NW
Jello Flowers (July 21, 2013) NW
Black Beanie (July 31, 2013)
Bag Hat (August 6, 2013)
Cedar Leaf Shawlette (August 2013) NW
Spring Buds (August 2013) NW
Eyeglass case (August 2013)
Charity hat (August 2013) NW  
Lacy Mitt Gloves (August 2013)  
The 8 Beanie (August 2013) NW
Ice Cream Cozy (August 2013) NW  
Mice (September 2013)
Ali Winter Hat (9/21/13)
Phillip Beanie (9/25/2013)
Age of Brass and Steam (10/6/13)
Really Big Bag (10/13/13)


WIPS:
Crochet:
Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels done
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.
The Trellis Shawl (February 2013) - frogged 3/9/13
Orange cotton wrap (started ?) Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
   
Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Hermione's Everyday Socks (January 2013)
A Heart Full of Love: Johnny's Socks (January 2013)
Adele socks: (April 2012)
Faces in the Wallpaper (Sept 2013)

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Breath of Fresh Air Scarf: (April 2011)
Creekbed: (Feb 2012) - frogged
Bedford Springs Shawl   

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in

Charity: 
  Hats:

Monkey hat (10/5/2013)

Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt
Water Bottle Cozy

Gifts: 

Owl for Rose

Hats for Beckett 

2 Stargate keychains 

1 pair Stargate earrings  

 
WIMs: Projects I have the yarn and the pattern
  Sweaters:
Baroque Tabard Tunic
Test Pattern Sweater
Car Coat
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller   Wholehearted
West End Scarf 
Gathering Leaves
Alhambra
Petal Edge Scarf
Filippi Scarf 
Firefly Scarf  Fraxinus  Danube Cowl
Simple City
Fire and Ice
Multnomah
Leylines 
Holden Shawlette Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
 

Hats and Mitts  
Hermione Hearts Ron
Nehalm Hat
Felicity
Stellar
Cabled Headband
Fetching   Cayunga Hat and Mitts set
Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts
Evergreen Gloves
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat

Socks:
Memento Mori
Rubus
Siren Socks
Hey, Have I Ever Steered You Wrong?
Savory Lace Socks
Autumn Flame
Firebird
Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars
Twin peaks

Bags:

Sarape Shopper
Pleated Purse Circular Felted Bag 

Some Finishes!!!!!!

I have finished my Age of Brass and Steam!!!!!!!! However I can't get a very good shot of it!

This picture is blurry.....

This picture does not show the colors right...so the colors are more grey like the top picture.....I'm so loving it!!!!  Maybe I'll get a good picture one of these days!

Then I made two hats for a couple of guys.....the exchange students staying with my sister...and a student teacher who was with us for awhile...

And then I just made several hats for a friend's baby.....she just posted a picture (I have the okay to repost)

I didn't post the mice I made a couple weeks ago for the secretaries at school.....

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  It's a 3 day weekend for me!!!!

Check out the other finishes...here.  The other two I usually link to are not up yet.....