Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! As Dickins, Tiny Tim says "God bless us everyone!" Or something like that. In any case, have a wonderful holiday with family, friends and great food.

Squee!! My Wollmeise has arrived, straight from Germany. Since you have to practically stalk the Loopy Ewe, I decided to go straight to the source. I now have to find the perfect patterns for these two yummy yarns. I got Rhabarber and Zenzi colorways. I also want Birkenrinde. The colorways are so beautiful and vivid. Not too mention the yarn is so soft........

I am almost done with my Tilted Duster. I left the sleeves for last. I am now knitting the first sleeve. Whoo hoo! I will post photos when it's finished.

Hoping everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season. Will blog again soon. Until then, Knit On!

First Snow and Dead Computer

Well, not only did we have our first snow of the season, my computer died and I had to purchase another one. Poor timing, the money I was planning to use for Christmas shopping was used on this:



So needless to say, I've hardly knit today.

Back to watching Brother's & Sister's

Until next time, Knit on!

Turkey, WIP's & FO's, Oh My!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. I have been sick this past couple of weeks. I did make it to Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.



I cast on the Secret of the Stole: Jaggerspun Zephyr in the Teal colorway with matching beads.



I also cast on FAWKES: I'm using Garnstudios Fabel



I have also cast on the Tilted Duster from Interweave Knits Fall issue. I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash in a brown colorway. I don't have a photo of the WIP yet. But will post one soon.

FO's:



Miss Dashwood from Knitty.com and Country Cotton Baby Socks





I finally finished the Mystery Stole #3......What do you all think. This was my first attempt at lace work and now I'm hooked.

Here is what I received from Helga Finch-Fetchley, my Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 partner. All the way from Heidelburg Germany. Beautiful socks from Nancy Bush, knit with Lorna's Lace...yummy! Also some scrumptous yarn "The Knittery" from Australia.



Lastly, I wanted to make a comment about a new yarn store here in Seattle that a few of us went to visit for the first time. Bad Woman Yarns. The yarns were nice, the prices okay, the customer service "CRAPPY". With the amount of options us knitter's have here in Seattle, I would think that the customer service would be impeccable. Especially, for a new business. It will be a very long time before I visit this store again. Leave me a comment and let me know what your experience has been, if you have ever been there.

On that note, until next time "Knit On!"

To Portland or Bust

Columbus Day weekend some of my knitting friends and I took Amtrak to Portland for yarn crawl. We had a great time. We caught the 7 am train down and planned on taking the 7:30 pm train back. After a long day of walking, shopping, eating and of course knitting, we were more than ready to head home. But Amtrak had other plans for us. Our train back kept getting delayed. I was beginning to think we were at SeaTac dealing with the airlines. We finally boarded our packed train at around 8:15 - 8:30 pm. We made it back to Seattle around midnight. But all in all it was a great day.



We visited Dublin Bay Knitting Company. The customer service was fantastic.

We also visited Knit & Purl. Now I found that this would be my favorite store in Portland, so far. The customer service was incredible. It was a small shop but they had quite the supply of yarns. The yarns are displayed by weight. I thought that was so cool. I purchased some Cascade 220 Superwash for my Tilted Duster from Interweave Knits Fall 2007 issue. They even wrapped my yarn in tissue paper. As haute taute as Tricoter likes to think and act like they are, they don't even go that far. I will definately visit this shop again when I return to Portland.



I have now cast on for the Tilted Duster. I have completed the Horcrux socks for the Hogwarts Sock Swap 2. I even got the package out in the mail to my partner today. Whoo Hoo!!


I also finished a baby hat and booties for a friend's new grandson.




Well onward with more of the project multi-tasking.

Until next time.....Knit on!!

Seattle Rain is Baaaack

The rainy season is back. I hate the fall and winter here. It's always so dark and dreary. I was born and raised here and still cannot get used to it. I would love to be able to afford being a "Snowbird". Sun, sandy beaches and Palm trees sound really good right about now.

Well, I can't believe its been a whole month since I last posted. Bad blogger! A lot has gone on in this past month. First, my aunt took me and my cousin to "High Tea with Debbie Macomber". It was so fun. We ate and drank and saw Debbie. We even got our photos taken with her & a copy of her new book: 74 Seaside Avenue




This last weekend my best friend got married for the first time, finally! Whoo! it's about time. We have been friends since our freshman year in high school. She has been the greatest best friend that anyone could possibly hope for. She's been there through my ups and downs, to include my divorce many years ago. We have shared so many laughs and tears. I wish her all the best. She deserves it.



Here I am fighting for the bouquet!! I've been single the longest so watch out its mine!




I told you, its mine! All mine!




Now on the knitting front.

I finished my Felted Beret from Fiber Trends and did a touch of needle felting on it. That was a first for me. It turned out okay. What do ya think ?




This next weekend a group of my knitting friends are headed down to Portland on Amtrak for a Yarn Crawl. I will take photos and post about the trip. I'm so excited since I haven't been on a train in years. Plus, all that knitting time!

Until next time, Knit On!

Movie's, Knitting and other Crafts

Well here it is Sunday and September. This year has flown by so quickly. I am on the last couple of days of my last vacation of the year. Bummer! I have been watching quite a few DVD's. Today I watched Tristin + Isolde and have Age of Innocence waiting in the wings. I think I will leave that for tomorrow.

I've been working on MS3, clue#3....whoo hoo!











My BFF Janet is getting married at the end of this month so I thought I better get started on the necklace I promised her for her wedding. What do you all think?








On Friday, I went over to another friend's house and had tea and biscuits. We worked on our Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 crafts. Here's a sneaky peek at what I did. That's all you get for now.....Let the suspense build.




And it's always a lazy day for Zoe, my new kitten. If she isn't attacking my things, she's here in the Strawberry Pot sleeping and sunning herself. OOPS!! I woke her up......

Well Happy Labor Day and Knit on!

We have a WINNER!

Isela of Purling Sprite has won a set of stitch markers in my Blogiversary contest.

Thank you for participating.

Please email me your address at:

lisamartz (at) msn (dot) com

Thanks again and congratulations!

Blogiversary Contest ending!!

My blogiversary contest is coming to an end. You only have until August 31st to leave me a comment if you would like to win a set of beaded stitch markers. I will then draw from the comments and contact the winner.

Good luck!

Knit on!!

I'm A Triathlete ! Again....

Today was the Danskin Triathlon. Last year was my first time doing it and again this year I was a gluten for punishment. I even shaved off 18 minutes from last years results. Yeah! I am absolutely afraid of the open water swim. I can swim but I am not a swimmer. We had to swim 603 meters. I am always so relieved when that part is done. Then on to the 20k Bike and 5k Run/Walk. Today the weather was so bad. Normal Seattle weather except this is August and we usually have wonderful weather. It down poured the whole time. The weather man said showers, not rain!




Here we are after receiving our metals all soaked and still smiling. Myself and my DBF's two sister's Michelle and MerriAnn. Could we be smiling cause it's over.....hmmm...


It is a wonderful experience. Any women that has participated will attest to that. Nothing but women bonding and participating for a great cause.

Until next year. *sigh*

Knit on!

It's My Blogiversary!!

Well I really can't believe that it has been a whole year since I started to blog. Wow the time goes by. I am going to have a contest. Leave a comment and you could win a set of beaded stitch marker's.

On another note, I have found my Mojo again. Thank God. I was getting worried about it. But I am back to sock knitting and I also restarted the Mystery Stole again for the umpteenth time. I had started off with Jaegger Zephyr and didn't have enough of the color & couldn't get anymore. Then I was told by someone in my Stitch & Bitch group to try Skacel's Merino. That was a big mistake. The fiber is so fine and tangles and breaks very easily. So I found a LYS that had the Zephyr (in a different color) and have restarted and it's going great. I am still on the Clue 1 but it is coming along.

Well, I guess that's it for now......Like I said previously, leave me a comment for a chance to win a set of stitch marker's.

Til next time .......Knit on!

HELP! I Can't Find My Mojo!

I lost my Mojo and can't seem to get it back. I've been going through some serious personal issues that have taken a emotional tole on me. I haven't knit any since the Mariner's Stitch & Pitch Night. Knitting has always calmed and relaxed me during upsetting times. But not this time. Hopefully, I will find it soon. I have too many UFO's not to.

Here We Go Again! Hogwarts Sock Swap 2

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire Second Years


1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?

Ravenclaw

2. Shoe size? Foot length? Foot circumference?

7 ½ - 8 10” 9”

3. List your three favorite sock yarns.

a. Lisa Souza
b. Koigu KPPPM
c. Sock that Rock

4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn? If so, which brand?

Collinette Jitterbug
Wollmeise

5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn?

Either

6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash?

Greens/Yellows

7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward? Lace? Ribbed? Fair Isle?

Lace

8. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, animals, etc.)

Smoke

9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them?

I have 2 cats

10. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?

No

Owl Post From Hogwarts

I received quite a few items in the parcel. Harry Potter postcards & stickers, Jelly Belly's & chocolate, beautiful Gryffindor stitch markers, "Bee Bar" Lotion, drawstring Sock Bag in Gryffindor red, Addi Turbo's (whoo hoo!)
and I've left the best for last: Gryffindor socks in the Jaywalker pattern.


They fit perfectly. Don't you think?


Thank you so much, Stephanie!!

Looking forward to being a 2nd year at Hogwarts this fall.

Whoo Hoo!! Ravelry

I received my invite to Ravelry yesterday. I spent most of the afternoon and evening setting up my account. It looks likes it is going to be a great tool for us knitters.

Yea!! More FO's

While being on vacation I have been able to catch up on some projects. I actually completed two pairs of socks.

Diamond Back Socks from Yarnballboogie knit with Kindred Spirit





Horcrux Socks knit with Regia




I am almost done with the Violet's Pink Ribbon Monkey Socks. Oh, I almost forgot. I am participating in the International Tote Bag Exchange. I have finished my partners bag, but I cannot post a photo right now since my partner knows who I am. After she receives it I will then post a photo. It turned out great so I hope she likes it.

I have also started on the Monterey Bay Scarf from Interweave Knits





Here is the loot I came back from Victoria with, from Beehive Wool on Douglas Street. Of course, more sock yarn and a pattern for a cute felted Tea Cosy.


I am now thinking about the next socks that I will knit. I put in another order to Lisa Souza for a skein of C'ant Elope and a skein of Agua Fresca. They are so scrumptious......yummy....squee....!!


More to come later....until then, Knit on!!

The Big "50" Abduction

Well, on Friday morning I was abducted by my BFF Janet. She whisked me off to the Victoria Clipper for an overnight trip to Victoria BC, Canada. She and my DBF Michael had this all planned for a couple of weeks. Boy, did they get me good.

Here are the photos of the trip.

I did not leave "Owl" behind....

Here's Owl looking up some of the city's attractions.

Here I am getting a little sick from the rough ride through the "Straights" Of course, Janet made me up a Barf Bag in French.....

Here is Owl and I standing on the balcony of our hotel room. The famous "Empress Hotel" in the background. We are so excited about "High Tea" there tomorrow.Owl and I are in yarn heaven. We found "Beehive Wool" on Douglas Street. About a 15 minute walk from the hotel. We did a lot of fondling......This is a must see if you ever go to Victoria.

Here we all are checking out the cool phone booth. Although, Owl really wanted to make a call to "Jolly ole'" England! We had to yank her out of there.......



"Oh my gosh!" My heart be still.....is that really the "Traveling Gnome"?





Does it look like me???


Here' s a guy for the ladies below....


Here I am at the Legislation Building. For those of you that don't know, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Here we all are at "High Tea" in the beautiful majestic Empress Hotel. They began having high tea here in 1909 because the Duchess of Bedford would complain about getting a little hungry around 5 pm every day. So high tea began and became a tradition here at the Empress. the tea sandwiches, scones and cookies were wonderful. The tea I had here was the best I have ever experienced. Can't wait to have it again. They gave you a complimentary box of tea at the end.













Look they didn't even leave me a crumb........(sigh)


The Empress Hotel and it's beautiful surroundings.

We couldn't leave Victoria without posing with our favorite guy that sits outside our hotel at the fountain.

Here we are back on the Clipper, with all our stash, for the ride back to Seattle. Hopefully, it won't be as rough as the trip up. This time I have my motion sickness pills and ginger candy to help.



If this is what happens at 50, I can't wait for my next birthday......