It's beginning to look a lot like...

the holidays!!

Had an incredibly productive long weekend - bought a Christmas tree, went to Target (on Saturday, not Friday) and bought tree decorations and the *right* curtain rods, assembled said tree, gave away a gigantic piece of furniture that was making us miserable, removed sheets from living room windows, hung new curtains in the newly naked windows.

Did I mention that we drank wine and tortured the cat, too? Yay for long weekends!

Happy belated Thanksgiving to my US friends. Happy belated Thursday to everyone else!

House of Sammon - SOLD!

Actually it was sold last week but the experience was faaaaaaar from ideal. A friend did say to me that "sometimes done is better than perfect" and those sound like good words to live by. I wish I could say it went to someone who will continue the knitting traditions but sadly it was sold to someone who I don't think knits at all.

Anyway, I'm sure you're dying to know how much longer I will be in this fine city of Toronto? Close date is August 1st, so that probably means I'll be leaving a few days before that. That should allow one or two more knit dates at the House of Sammon. Will keep you posted!

House of Sammon - 4 sale!

I can't believe how behind I am on posting to this here blog. Lordy! I've been overwhelmed with The Big Move and the fact that I'm pretty addicted to Wii and Michelle is a bad influence. Anyway, if you're interested in checking out the House of Sammon you can contact my agent for a viewing. We're taking offers on Wednesday. The listing is here. Wish me luck!

A microwave, two FOs & a new project

I am back from my travels, and boy, am I glad! And the reason is because of this:

Paul surprised me by finishing another piece of the kitchen puzzle. Now I'm not a big microwave user. In fact, I barely use it at all but when I do use it (reheating tea, melting butter, coagulating oatmeal) I like it to be in the vicinity of the kitchen. And that hasn't been the case since May 2007 (the start of the kitchen reno). Since that time the microwave has lived in the laundry room located in the basement. That's eight months for those of you counting. I have to admit that I wasn't counting. I just did the math and I'm REALLY glad that I didn't do that sooner (the math, not the installing). Now our kitchen is fully functional! The only things left are installing thresholds, trim, window frames and then paint for the trim and window frames. Oh, and the upper cabinet doors. I've gotten so used to the big, gaping holes that we call cabinets that I forgot about 'em.

Anyhoodles, traveling was good to me knitting-wise. Paul and I went to Collingwood to hang with a gaggle of friends, where Paul learned to snowboard and I did the walk of shame (instead of snowboarding), ate, fell down and hurt my tailbone and my pride (nothing like having 15 people witness your tumble down some stairs), played Wii (where I made up for my clumsiness by kicking ass) and knit. Our friends rented this big ol' house near Blue Mountain and at first glance it was really nice. But it was DIRTY and not in a good way. Long story short, I couldn't wait to get to my home for a shower. I know I shouldn't throw stones at glass houses as my place is not the cleanest, but at least I know WHEN I cleaned last, right? Maybe it's just that as I get older my internal Dirt-O-Meter gets more sensitive. I dunno. But I do know my friends are totally rocking and despite me being a little bit on the grossed out side we had a great time! While in Collingwood, I finished a quick project:

Ignore the weird look on my face and look at the damn scarf! What I love about this scarf is that it's made from Ms. Snark's handspun. It's awesome!!

AWESOME SNARKFEST II (the name I stole from Betharoopie)
Started: January 3, 2008
Completed: January 12, 2008
Pattern: One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Lorena's handspun (100% Shetland Wool)
Color: : "Good Morning"
Skeins: 1
Needles: Knitpicks nickel-plated 32" 3.00mm/US2
Notes: I used all the yarn!

Once I completed that, I cast on for the second Cedar Creek sock. This UFO had been languishing in my basket since September and I really wanted to get it done. In between eating cookies and marshmallows, I was able to pick up the heel stitches before heading home. Then I had to get ready for a work trip that took me to Ontario, California. I was gone for three days and two of those days were traveling. Seriously. From door to door it was like 10+ hours each day. In fact, my one day meeting was shorter than either of my travel days. That meant more knitting! When I got home this is what I had:

I wasn't sure if TSA was going to take away my needles so I added the lifeline. I went ahead and finished that sock tonight bringing my grand total of FOs for 2008 to three. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. A much better start than any of my previous years.

CEDAR CREEK SOCKS
Started: August 15thish, 2007
Completed: January 22, 2008
Pattern: Cedar Creek Socks by Kaci Kyler Hays
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Sock Candy"
Color: Scheherazade
Skeins: 2
Needles: Knitpicks nickel-plated 32" 3.00mm & 3.25mm
Notes: used larger needles than the pattern called for.

Now I just have one thing on the needles and that's the Thick & Thin Cardigan from Stephanie Japel's Fitted Knits, also known as The Jimi Hendrix X-mas Cardigan. I'm afraid it's going to be rather snug, although I think I'll be able to wear it. I just may not be able to button it.

Clappy Scarf and a kitchen renovation

What a crazy weekend! Friday I finished the Clapotis Scarf for the DKC's Knit For The Cure drive. I kinda feel I've been working on this forever as I was trying to work on other things at the same time. Finishing the scarf wasn't what was crazy. What's crazy is that we tore out the kitchen cabinets in like 2 hours. Who am I kidding? I had nothing to do with it. Paul and Dom did all the work. And Dom was even sick! These dudes totally rocked. However I did assist in a Home Depot, burger, beer/wine run.

During the removal of the cabinets, Paul decided he was curious to see what type of insulation (if any) was between the inside wall and the outside wall. He discovered there was insulation (which was a surprise). However it was comprised of cardboard and tar (which was also a surprise). I bet you can only imagine what Paul wants to do first before we do anything else.

Sunday morning I shunned grubby house stuff and met up with Sophie to do a little damage to our wallets. I bought a slew of books - a few which were back ordered so they couldn't be photographed.

In addition to the books I bought 10 balls of Jo Sharp's SoHo Summer DK Cotton for the cute a-line top from Jo Sharp's Saturday book. I actually swatched last night and it's pretty close to spot on.

(I have more Jo Sharp yarn that I bought about 6 months ago and I think I'm going to do the Bianca's Jacket from Interweave Knits Fall 2006. I still need to swatch though. I guess these will be the projects that will take up most of my time for now. Next I will need to cast on the Hand Maiden Sea Silk for a wrap I promised a friend. But really this is just a side not to myself)

Sunday afternoon I couldn't avoid helping out any longer. I donned safety goggles and a face mask and wielded a hammer and crowbar to start removing the walls in the kitchen. I have to admit I like throwing around a hammer especially when it comes to destruction. I had most of the nasty-assed tiles removed and a nice size hole started before we decided we had to set up a temporary kitchen in the basement. I can see the fun has only just started.

CLAPOTIS SCARF
Started: April 4, 2007
Completed: May 4, 2007
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Pattern Modifications: I made it a scarf size so I think I only 4 increase sections.
Yarn: Patons Impressions hand-dyed wool (donated to the DKC)
Color: #3504
Needles: US7/4.5mm Addi Turbos
Notes: This scarf was made for the DKC's Knit For The Cure.

Just Stuff...

I "updated" my layout because blogger asked me to but unfortunately I lost some links and stuff in the process. I guess I didn't read the fine print before clicking okay. I didn't even notice if there was fine print. I don't have time to fix things now. If you notice that your link is no longer there, don't take it personally! I promise to bring you back. As soon as I figure out all the new bells and whistles that have been installed. *grumble, grumble*

Tonight I got some good knittings done with a group of awesome gals. Have I told you how much I love having a house? A space to call my own? A place that I can say, "Hey Knitters, come on by!" and then they do (even on incredibly short notice) and flop on the couch and chat and giggle and say silly stuff and eat chips and dip? Thank you, ladies, for making my dream home even dreamier.

Just for the record, even with all the flopping and giggling and eating I made very good progress on a few projects. The body of the Huggable Toy Bear is now starting to look body-ish as opposed to a pair of "Ken Pants." I cast on for Lé Slouch, although I will have to riiiiipppp (used the wrong size needle for the cast on). And I touched Paul's arm warmers. If I keep this up maybe I'll get more than nine projects done this year.

Oh, and my sweet husband was like, "Nine sounds like a lot." And then I felt good. For about 10 seconds. Until I saw Ms. Snark's list. And then I was humbled. I hope for 2007 I gain the strength, knowledge and time to complete a third of her list. *bows down* That doesn't sound like a New Year's resolution, does it?!

Egads!