Peruse the Purple Poppy!

It's done! I'm very proud of it. I think it is the prettiest thing I have knit so far, and it is the first real sweater I've made for myself. I made a few adjustments to fit my ridiculously short torso, and it is still a bit too long, but better than if I didn't make adjustments. All in all, it was a fun and quick knit compared to other sweaters I have created. I'm not thrilled with these photos--I promised myself I would take them outside, but today it is snowing here in Virginia and I'm staying in! Stats: Pattern: Poppy from Yarnplay Yarn: Noro Silk Garden #241 and Cash Iroha #88 Needles: Bamboo Circulars and DPNs in size 6.

I'm a Triple!

Saturday, I've agreed to be a volunteer at the TNNA (National Needlework Assn?) booth at the Conference of Women Effected by Breast Cancer. What will I be doing? I get to teach willing non-stitchers to knit, crochet, or cross-stitch (I know all three). So cool! I have rarely had to opportunity to teach any of these things, and it will be nice if I can turn on at least one person to any of these three crafts.

I learned to cross-stitch when I was 15, (almost 30 years ago) from my then-friend, Sarah, who just wanted me to do the same activities she was doing (she taught me how to smoke cigarettes, too, but I quickly abandoned that). To her surprise, I took off with cross-stitching, working up to an impressionist painting several years down the road. I still do it occasionally, although I really prefer knitting these days. BTW, I married Sarah's boyfriend.

I learned to crochet almost 6 years ago for something to do with my hands and ended up getting quite obsessed with it. I made lots of afghans and small items, including baby sweaters when I was pregnant with Amelia. I resisted learning to knit, even though my friends Nell and Claire were nagging me to. I insisted I was happy being a crocheter. Well, until I happened into the knitting tent at the Knit Out and Crochet Too of 2004 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Now, I am "bi," as I told Nell and Claire. I love knitting the most of all, and my Flickr photos show it. Glad I get to share the wealth on Saturday. It will feel good to do some good with my crafts.

Well, Ok, Just One More Meme....

Alphabet Meme

Sorry, it looks too fun to pass up. From Miss Scarlett, my SP9.

A - Available or Taken: Taken

B - Best Friend: Todd

C -Cake or Pie: Chocolate Pie

D - Drink of Choice: Tea, cold or hot

E - Essential item you use everyday: Make up. I don't like the way I look without it.

F - Favorite Color: Green and Purple

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Bears

H - Hometown: Arlington, VA

I - Indulgence: Trail Mix

J - January or February: February-Valentine's Day is in it.

K - Kids & ages: Amelia is 3

L - Life is incomplete without: Purpose

M - Marriage Date or Most Memorable Date ( and why): Got married May 8, 2001, in Santorini, Greece

N - Number of Siblings: 1 brother, Reuben

O - Oranges or Apples: Crispy, crunchy apples.

P - Phobias or Fears: Car accidents

Q - Fave Quote: "Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" --Helen Keller

R - Reason to Smile: My daughter

S - Season: Spring

T - Tag 3 or 4 People: You wanna play? Go for it.

U - Unknown fact about me: I got my first college degree at age 33

V - Vegetable you don't like: Green Pepper (and my mother used to put it in everything!)

W - Worst Habit: Not paying bills ontime

X - X-rays: Just chest, back, teeth. I guess sonograms don't count.?

Y - Your Fave Food: Mexican

Z - Zodiac Sign: Cancer. Wahhh!!!!!!!

Where Have I Been?

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Semi Ta-Daaaaaa

In keeping with my 2007 Knitalutions, I finished the Sloane vest for myself, as well as the Broad ripple Socks I started I don't know how long ago. That's two WIPs done! Using circulars! Made a vest! Yay!

In keeping with another knitalution, I've been plugging along on Poppy, with the help of the KAL. It is so helpful to have other examples of the finished item other than just the one in the pattern book, and to hear what others are finding as they attempt the pattern. I finished the bottom panel done in Noro Cash Iroha (love that yarn) in Periwinkle (with random Silk Garden stripes) and completed the top part of the back of the sweater. Now for the front and then the sleeves. The Silk Garden is fun to knit with to see how it will stripe next.

In further keeping with the knitalutions, I started Jaywalker socks, but the gauge is way to big. I will have to keep another knitalution (to frog when necessary). I plan to either start them over, or make Monkey socks from Knitty. I saw some on another person's blog, and they looked so pretty!

I also made my first mixed CD on my laptop's CD burner for my Favorite Color Swap partner.

Today, dh had to work, so dd and I made heart cookies and Valentines.


BTW, she is learning about people being married from her fairy-tale movies, but I think she is a bit confused. It seems she thinks people kiss and they are automatically married (I can see why from some of the movies, they kiss and the wedding bells start). She pointedly asked dh and I in a very quiet restaurant recently, "Are you married, Mommy and Daddy?!?"



Ta Daaaaaa!

But I Married One!

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Stop dating musicians. Get your resolution here.

Fave Color Swap Questionnaire

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors?

Purple, green and pink
I even love purple and green together.

2. What crafts do you really enjoy?

Knitting, (also crocheting, beading, aromatherapy, cross stitch and decoupage).

3. What products do you really covet?

Socks that Rock, Fleece Artist or Lisa Souza sock yarns, any other natural-fiber yarn (except novelty yarn), fancy buttons, ebony knitting needles, pretty knitting bags and any patterns.

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things?

Being with my family, shopping, working out, cooking, travel, Sudoku, reading, internet

5. Is there anything you collect?

Teapots and tea-related things, sheep. I also like hearts and little things to make my office look nice.

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol?

Sign of Cancer and year of the Tiger

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells?

citrus, florals (NOT vanilla or anything musk-y)

…types of music and/or bands?

showtunes and old pop music (from early 20th century), world music, classical, but I like most things except rap.

…authors?

Bronte and Lucy Maud Montgomery
I read mostly non-fiction.

…animals?

cats and dogs (and sheep)

…places to shop?

yarn shops; Nordstrom, Amazon, Teavana, Border's

…season?

Spring

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies?

Webs is my fave online yarn supplier. Some favorite brands: Noro, Debbie Bliss, Lorna's Laces, Malabrigo, Rowan, Koigu.

…candies or goodies?

I love sweets, anything with chocolate and nuts or cookies. Also love to try different kinds of tea.

8. Do you have any wish lists?

On Amazon. One knitting and one non-knitting.

9. Are you allergic to anything?

smoke (very)

10. Do you have any pets? What are they?

2 cats

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy.

I have a 3-year-old daughter.

A Fun Meme

Things I like that start with P:

Purple- My favorite color
Peanuts-Yum. Good thing I live in Virginia.
Popcorn-A requirement for being part of my dh's family, but I loved it before.
Prince Edward Island-The nicest place I have ever visited!Also the best place to eat potatoes.
Purring- By cats! My favorite sound.








Pearls-Not my birthstone, but my favorite jewel to wear, because they go with anything, and there are so many types and colors.







Puccini-One of the greatest opera composers.




Preschoolers-My favorite age for children. They are so cute and full of life and personality.





Peonies-A beautiful flower.

Peter Pan-Besides the fact that I am named Wendy because of it, it's a great story and, especially, musical. I was raised on Mary Martin, but Cathy Rigby is so great!

Playing-I specialize in Play Therapy, which is the use of play to express onesself and is like a child's free association.



Pugs-I would love to have one of these cute dogs someday! Awwwww!









Pizza and Pasta-Do I need to explain?
Purling- A knitting one!






Peaches- And anything peach flavored.









Paradise Pond-My favorite place on the campus of Smith College, where I went to graduate school 1995-1997.









Now, if you choose to do this meme, you must use the firstletter of your first grade teacher's first name.(Mine was Peggy). Sorry, I couldn't resist this one!

Who Knew?

I am a Nigella What Flower Are You?