This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Happy Friday!!

Love these ladies!!

 Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Epic Fail

So I've finally hit the knitting wall of failure.  It was bound to happen.  I've been chugging along beautifully, so it was about time that something should go wrong. And it's not really wrong.  My gauge was spot on.  I have a tendency to be very tight on my tension - which is great for socks, but not so much for other items. So,  I even went up a needle size. And it worked...sort of.

Let's start at the beginning. While I was at SAFF, I found a sale bin and in said sale bin was this really cute little kit for a really cute hat. AND it was on sale for dirt cheap, so I HAD to buy it, right? It also contained this really yummy hemp yarn that is soo soft. This is what I was supposed to get....

Like I said, really cute. Not exactly what I ended up with. Now let me preface all this by saying I have a huge jug (head) so I made the largest size on the pattern.  Surely by casting on 90 stitches and going up a needle size would be enough, don't you think?  Not. Please keep in mind that I haven't blocked it yet and I'm sure that will help some. But I don't think it will help enough....

 Soooo....yea, um, I think this qualifies as an epic fail.  That and the designer has a TINY head.  The sixty four thousand dollar question is should I block it and see if that helps? I mean how much give does hemp have? Block it and pass it off as a child's hat....or just frog the whole thing and start over.....hmmm.  Thoughts? Have you stopped laughing at my beanie? I know, all it's missing is the propeller.   Are you wiping away tears?  Really? I'm glad I could provide your entertainment for the day.

Finally, on a happier note, I am proud to present Piper Georgia...the latest additions to my wonderful family...

Mother, father and siblings are doing wonderful.  I can't wait until the holidays to get my hands on this little bundle.  Look out world, here she comes and she's already rocking animal prints!

Not a WIP Wednesday

I refuse to conform, so this isn't my WIP.  This is my sister-in-law with the latest addition to her family.  

A beautiful baby girl born 4:14 CST, Monday October 24th (The day after Car Guy's birthday - He told her that this was NOT what he asked for - Ha Ha.) A whopping 8lbs, 3 oz. As you can tell from the picture, she makes beautiful babies.  

We'll get back to our regular (alright - irregular) schedule of random yarny goodness tomorrow.

SAFF - Revisited

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful day! I am happy and tired. I think my girl Mel summed it up perfectly when she said she has a "too much fun with my girls weekend hangover." I don't think I've had that much fun or laughed that hard in a long time. There were a several laughing/crying moments.  I read somewhere that you can burn a lot of calories by laughing and that's a good thing because something needed to offset the stew, meatballs, cake balls, etc. These girls are the best!

But I know why you're here...you want to hear about SAFF...Well here you go...

Annie found us a wonderful "cabin." It was at the top of a half paved road and I swear we heard banjo music as we drove up....like in the movie Deliverance. Then the road switch to paved and there it was, surround by the beautiful trees.  Do you see the tower there?  It had the most amazing views of the mountains and foliage.  It's peak season for the leaves and the colors are amazing.

 This is the view - I'm afraid the pictures can't capture it.  It was absolutely breath taking.

Friday was spent getting settled in.  After we ate dinner at the cabin, we went to The Chocolate Lounge where we had various chocolate delicacies and enjoyed each others' company. I had what is called a Pots de Creme. Rich, dense chocolate custard with rich coffee and whipped creme...OH. MY. GOODNESS! It was heaven in a cup. We were by far the loudest, funnest group there. There are two phrases that seem so innocuous that will always make me smile...."Read it out loud" and "I do not have THAT."

Saturday morning, we got up with the sun and after breakfast, headed to SAFF. Once we got there, we went straight into sensory overload.  It was amazing.  There was so much to see and touch.  The colors were amazing and it was so difficult to make up my mind.  I know I stood in one booth for twenty minutes scratching my head.  It's moments like this that make me wish I were independently wealthy. Here is just a sample of what we saw...

Pictures do not do this free form sweater justice.  It was absolutely gorgeous

There was so much to see and do. I came away with some beautiful purchases, incredible memories and new friends (Waving to Suz, Jana and Fru).  So thanks for including me ladies! You are amazing! Can't wait until next time! Is there a spring show anywhere?!?!

Wednesday?

How did it get to be Wednesday so quickly?  This week is FLYING by.  I'm really kind of glad since I'll be going to SAFF this weekend with my Yarn Girls.  I'm sure to have some lovely pictures from that.

Source

We've had some major activity around here.  I don't know if you have been watching the news, but the President came to my little North Carolina home town and spoke at the community college.  I wasn't able to go and it was probably just as well.  The media was telling everyone that if they had classes or needed to be on campus, they needed to be there by 7:00 AM...not me man.  If you hang around for any length of time, you'll find that I am NOT a morning person. But he sure stirred up some excitement and brought national attention to my neck of the woods.  It's a little surreal to the the community college I attended on the national news.

I don't know how many of you remember me starting this shawl.  I started it a while back as a Christmas gift.  I mentioned when I started that I wasn't really happy with it, but that I'd gotten to far into it to frog it....Well, about that.....Frogged. It just wasn't working for me.  The yarn wasn't cooperating, the needles weren't cooperating and every time I picked it up, I'd heave a deep sigh, like "Oh My Goodness! Do I REALLY have to work on this thing?" That statement is enough to explain why it was frogged.  If you don't enjoy working on it, why bother.  I've decided to crochet a shawl instead.  The request was for "one of those lacy shawls" but not that it be knitted - big sigh again....of relief.

I finished the shawl with the Malabrigo yarn.  I LOVE it.  I think the family was getting a little tired of it when we had a brief cold snap because I was wearing with everything.  That yarn is so amazing! It truly is a knitted hug - LOVE it - I know I've said it already, but I'll probably be saying it for a while....love, Love, LOVE!


OK.  Sorry about that. I'll behave now...probably not, but anyway....I don't know if you'll hear much more from me this week since I'll be leaving Friday for SAFF.  (Did I tell you I was going?) So I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Oh!  Quickly, before I forget.  I don't know how many of you have smart phones, but a lot of them have an auto correct feature when the user is typing and the results are hilarious!  If you need a good pick me up go to this site.  I promise you will laugh.  Fair warning, some of them are a little racy and have bad language, so if you are the least bit sensitive or easily offended, don't go there. Otherwise, ENJOY!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Happy Friday!!

 Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Beach Days

Hello Everyone!  Hope all is well in blog land. I am feeling pretty good myself after a weekend at the beach with Car Guy.  The Boys remained home and stayed with a friend of ours (Thanks Sweetie!!)  Call me silly - I know Number One Son will be 18 next month (YIKES!!) and Number Two Son will be 16 in December (another YIKES!) but I just don't like the idea of leaving them home alone.  I'm not worried about what they would do because they are fully capable of taking care of themselves and they do appreciate the "wrath of Mom."  However, I can't speak for other teenage boys when they find out that some one's parents are out of town, so I just don't take the chance. It's OK, you can call me over protective but I prefer to be smart and aware than deal with the consequences later.

Several of you commented on the beautiful beach picture in my last post.  I wish I could take credit for it, but Number One Son took it.  He's got a good eye if I do say so myself.  I enjoy his photos and thought I'd share that one since I was headed to the beach. 

Oak Island Light House

Car Guy and I had a wonderful relaxing weekend at Oak Island.  We arrived late Friday night totally exhausted.  We had just enough energy to walk down to the beach and say "hello" - a tradition started in my childhood. We walked back to the house, fell into the bed and awoke Saturday to a beautiful sunny day.

South Port Marina

After breakfast, we drove over to South Port, a historical southern port town, and wandered through the antique stores and galleries.  South Port has changed so much since I was a child and is absolutely gorgeous.  Evidently, the antique stores attract a lot of attention from out of state.  Here is a conversation that Car Guy and I actually overheard:

Lady One:  "Did you make it to the Derby this year?"
Lady Two:  "No, we've been a few times, but we usually just go to the Breeder's Cup."

Well alrighty then.  I hope they spent a ton of money and didn't catch us giggling.

We had a quiet dinner out at a little pub and then went back to the house where I worked on my latest project. This is a picture of it as I worked on it in the car on the way home Sunday. I completed it at home Sunday night and am so totally in love with Malabrigo yarns now. Not only is it G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S., it is an absolute joy to work with - so soft and yummy.  I would love a blanket out of this, but would end up in the poor house if I tried to buy enough yarn to make it.  That's alright.  I have my own little bit of Malabrigo heaven and I'll show you once I get the pictures taken.

Here are some more pictures from our weekend. 

South Port Marina

Beautiful Beach Front Dream House.

Protective Dunes

Oak Island Pier

As much as I've enjoyed revisiting the weekend with you, I'm afraid that I must get back to the real world. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  In this case, more of what I'm looking forward to...

Inspired by Soulemama

Ugh!

I must be hitting a dry spell.  I feel like I have a creative block. I know that I'm having a major case of "start-itus." I've started all these projects and just don't feel motivated.  The last thing I finished was my hat. The scarf is almost done, but still on my needles.  And Christmas gifts?!  Yikes!  Not a one is finished!  They all feel so endless.  Do you ever feel like that?  Like "I wish these socks would just knit themselves because at the rate I'm going, they will never be finished?" Thus the "Ugh"

I met with my knitting/crochet group last night, which is always fun.  But I think I was making faces at the wrap/shawl (one of the many Christmas gifts) while I was working on it.  I just can't seem to "jump on it."  So, what have I done to combat this problem?  Oh Dear.  Ahem......I've started another project....for me.....this will NOT get the Christmas gifts finished.....but...it's Malabrigo and it's been sitting in my stash since last week...and it's sooooo gorgeous.....

And that's a lousy picture.

This one is a little better.  

But do you see what I mean?  It is so beautiful and feels like silk.  So yummy!

So I'm hoping that maybe this will motivate me.  I'll make myself a pretty little shawl and I'll take my basket to the beach with me this weekend. Maybe, while we're there, I'll sit on the beach and work on all my projects.  And maybe, dare I say it, I'll finish one?  Oh wouldn't that be lovely?  How do you deal with these blocks?