Birthday bounty

Thank you so very much for the many thoughtful birthday wishes. I tried in vain to quietly celebrate my 38th birthday at home last Wednesday which so happened to be Halloween. This was what my evening was like: knit, knit, knit. Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong. Trick or treat!!! Candy, candy, candy. Sit down, get comfy, knit, knit, knit for 3 minutes. Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong. You get the picture. Most would have given up on knitting but I had a last minute submission deadline I was trying to meet so I was VERY focused. Thing 1 refused to deal with the rugrats citing that he was going to enjoy his first Halloween at home by playing X-Box 360 with his friends. Needless to say, I was worn out by the end of the night.

My friends and family are incredibly generous and the birthday celebrations have continued since Wed. Just look at all of the goodies they've given me (not to mention the food I've been treated to).





The Things gave me some Burberry Brit (Thing 1 wants to "un-hippie" me and says this will help me get started) and most everyone else gave me something fiber related: a beautiful needle felted ornament, handcrafted Tibetan prayer flags, Dave Simpson's yummy fiber, Burts Bees hand salve (oh so needed right now), Knit Picks Harmony Needles, many skeins of Karaoke Soy Silk, Lavendar candle by Diptyque and birthday moola from the Rents and MIL. But most of all, I have been blessed with the love of so many friends and family. While all of these goodies are appreciated, their love is the bounty that I speak of. It means more to me than any other gift I could receive. Thanks everyone!!!! (((Big hugs)))

News Flash!!! Yes, I have been knitting and spinning. I finally finished my Hokie socks that I started at MS&W (yeah, I know that was like 6 months ago).






The facts - yarn: Regia Silk colors, needles- stretchy circulars (I LOVE them) size 3, pattern: toe up recipe using figure 8 cast on, 64 sts for the foot, short row heel and 62 sts for the twisted 2x2 ribbing.

And just so you know especially the sock knitters among you, there will be nothing more than "plain vanilla" toe up ankle socks here if I'm knitting them for myself. I don't like ridges across my toes, I don't like anything past my ankles and I don't like patterns that can leave imprints on my feet. I'm uber picky about socks and have been since I was a kid. Therefore, exhibit B - another ankle sock.



This sock is made from handspun Finnsheep and Creatively Dyed Yarns handspun roving. One down, one to go.

Speaking of handspun, I've been spinning like a fiend since I came back from the Fall Fiber Festival.


(from left to right) I finally finished spinning the merino/tencel so that I can finish the second half of my Morning Glory Wrap . I also finished spinning the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Mulberry Silk/Merino to finish my Sahara. I've spun several 50 yard sample skeins with my fiber finds from Fall Fiber Festival 2007. (two colored yarns - one is my first successful attempt at Navajo plying - and ball in back) Creatively dyed yarns Corriedale roving, CVM/Gulf Coast from My Favorite Yarn Shop, "Krinkle" Fall Fiber Fest Rambouilet fleece, Stony Mountain Fibers Cormo (last two) Misty Mountain Farm dyed Finnsheep and Finnsheep/cashmere. I have a pretty good sized collection of handspun skeins that I need to set free into projects. I'm having a hard time letting go of my babies though.

Finally in the crazy crafter department, I had some apples that were going bad and decided to make apple head dolls out of them something I haven't done in probably 30 years.



The Things are grossed out by the "ageing" process which pleases me to no end. Dare I say that the busy-ness of life seems to be slowing down. If it continues, I'll be posting more often than not.