Things I Learned on My Vacation

1. You can make anything out of Lego.


2. Giraffes are large animals with long black tongues.



3. My children are exhausting.



4. My children make me laugh everyday.



5. My husband makes me smile everyday.



6. Christmas celebrations are a whole lot different in the desert.


7. Family vacations are amazing. Can't wait to do it again.

I'm Back....

You may have noticed (or maybe not...) that I've been away. Miss J. has been holding down the fort for the last couple of weeks while I've been holidaying.

I can tell you family holidays aren't conducive to knitting - too much amusement parking, eating, swimming, family time-ing.

But I do promise to show you some amazing pictures of beaches and kids and all around fun.

Soon.

First - laundry.

Weak

So it turns out when it comes to yarn, I have no self restrain.

Have you seen this?

Yeah, me too. And the only reason I'm telling you about it is that I've already ordered my kit.

Weak, weak, weak.

It will have to wait until after Christmas when my calendar frees up. Any knitter interested in a KAL?

Little Red

Sometimes, I like to spring things on my friends. I like to keep a project under wraps so that my knitting friends will be surprised when I wear it into a Stitch and Bitch or shopping excursion.

When we decided that the Rogue Knitters needed a getaway, I started knitting this.

I have loved this pattern since it appeared in the Twist Collective last year. Careful planning allowed me to acquire the yarn for 25% off. That made this project very economical. I used Briggs and Little Atlantic, which is the recommended yarn. It is very rare that I use the same yarn as the original project, but it really worked out well in this case.

I love the crazy cable. I love the flowers. I love how warm this jacket is and how special I feel in it.

Is it Enough?

I have been thinking about Christmas knitting. While my fingers have been busy cruising through socks for loved ones, I have been thinking about the gift of my time, my craft, my yarn. I have been wondering why I feel that my knitting isn't enough. I often feel the need to supplement my work with other gifts.

But why? Why is my time and effort not enough, even for me? Why do I not give enough value to my own knitting to believe that it is a kind and lovely gift all on it's own? Or maybe I don't think that the recipients of my handiwork won't understand the time and thought that I put into their gifts.

My knitting is more special than a gift certificate. It is more heartfelt than a card. It is more time consuming than a trip to the mall. And I hope it is enough for my loved ones.

Ahhh......

The ladies of Baadmedicine took a vacation. We headed off for a mountain retreat with a couple of ladies with similar interests. That is to say, we like shopping and knitting. We started our trip off with some shopping at a new mall just outside of Calgary.

We also had the opportunity to check out three (?!?) yarn stores in our travels. The first was Pudding Yarns in Calgary. Catty was delighted to find a plethora of Koigu yarn. Needless to say, I had to indulge, too.

See? Koigu and Shibui and Fleece artist. Oh, my! I also acquired shares in a skein of Louet Mooi with plans to make a Pretty Thing Cowl, but the yarn is currently in T's custody. I have visitation rights for next weekend.

We also stopped by the Knitting Room after a bit of a detour. If you plan on going, may I recommend calling ahead for directions? Annie will be happy to help you. I picked up some Berocco Suede for slippers as seen in the Interweave Knits Holiday edition.

Saturday was spent at the Willowstream Spa. I recommend it. Andi and I were completely stress free and mellow after a dip in the pools. That was BEFORE we had mimosas for lunch and massages in the afternoon.

One quick stop at Knit and Caboodle in Canmore where I picked up some Madelinetosh Worsted and Malabrigo Sock yarn.

I really think you wouldn't do wrong at any of these shops but the combination was ideal.

And we're already planning our trip for next year.

Gone Knitting

We're not here. The ladies of Baadmedicine have kidnapped Andi and Catty and are heading out of town. There will be shopping, knitting, wine, a spa, good food. There will be time spent with friends and yarn.

Next time, you should come along.

Arrrr

I have been wondering what to knit for my oldest nephew this Christmas. He is 11 years old. He is fashion conscious and discovering girls. He's into his music and is often seen with his earphones plugged in.

He's cool. So what to knit for this young man?

Skulls on socks. Oh yeah.

In Isolation

We're holed up here at Chez T. No outside contact. No visitors. No getting out and about. This was fun for the first 24 hours. It isn't so fun anymore. We've done all our tried and true methods of distraction and we're out of ideas. There are only so many things to do to entertain an almost 6-year old all day long without being able to go anywhere.

The Punk came up with a great idea, all on his own. Let's try knitting, he suggested.

Note the tongue. This is his concentration look.

So, even though things are a little boring, and birthday parties had to be postponed, and hockey games cancelled, this more than made up for it.

My 6 year old (well close enough). Knitting.

Mittens

When I was a little girl, I did Ukrainian dancing. I performed at school and for seniors. I performed at talent shows and peroghy suppers. And I always wore a white cotton blouse with billowing sleeves. The neckline and sleeves were embroidered with black and red roses, stitched by my Baba. There were different patterns for the embroidery. Some girls wore grapes on their sleeves, some had geometric designs but I loved the roses. When I was little, they were tiny rosebuds. As I grew, the roses grew. By the time I hung up my dancing boots at the ripe old age of 20, the roses were large blooms.

I've been looking for a way to thank my Baba for her hours with the needle. I have settled on a pair of mittens from my needles. I think Baba will love them.

I just hope she wears them.