SWAG

Well, here's my package bound for Germany! It's my first international shipment and I hope that the various postal systems take good care of it!

Also, I really hope my new friend in knitting enjoys the stash!



That's all for now!
Knit On & Happy Shooting!

My New Pick (and a Shrug Too!)

I have to let you know how THRILLED I am with Knit Picks!! This is their Memories - 100% Merino Wool--sock yarn in the "Smores" colorway. It is every bit as luscious IMHO as Lorna's Laces and is knitting up wonderfully! (Yes, those are KnitPicks 6" dpns in size 0 which I got for a wonderful price too!!) Knit Picks is definitely my new pick for where to buy yarn!! Less expense, wonderful quality.....what more is there to say??!!




As promised, here is a photo of the shrug I knit for my swap partner in Germany. It is knit from 7.5 balls of Lion Brand Merino/Cashmere blend which was on sale at a LYS. It is super soft and wonderfully warm and it will be hard to pack it up and ship it off......but alas! I must! I used a pattern found on DIY Network's website for the show Knitty Gritty. It is basically a knit sampler of lace stitches. Because you knit it with bulky yarn on size 11 needles, it knits up super fast! It looks cute on my 15 year old daughter and my 50-something knitting pal as well....so I'm quite sure that my swap partner will like it! (It is made in colors she likes!)
When I get her full package put together, I'll be sure and post a photo. I've never shipped anything overseas.....I'm hoping the postage won't shock me into heart failure! (Then again, I filled up both our vehicles at the pumps today.....can't get much more sticker shock than THAT, can we???!!!)

That's all for now!
Knit On!

Cover Girl

I made the cover!!! I knew that The Iowan was going to publish my State Fair blue-ribbon photo in the portfolio section of the new issue, but to my great surprise they also used it on the cover! I am thrilled to say the least!

I'm afraid I'm going to fail miserably at one of my resolutions......I haven't been out to shoot any photos just for fun or personal challenge in the month of January despite my good intent to do so twice a month. There's still a week (plus)... so I may not be a total failure yet. We'll see. I have a deadline this Thursday at the paper and a new project on top of my regular monthly commitments....so we shall see indeed.

On the knitting front....I finished a shrug!! It's so soft--made of merino and cashmere (and headed for Germany soon!) It's a gift to my swap partner there. I promise to take pics and post them soon!

Also, I broke down and went crazy shopping at Knit Picks. I went to get some sock yarn for my swap partner.....and of course got some for myself as well! I am loving working with the one type--it feels and works up very much like Lorna's Laces...but it's only $3.99 a hank! I can dig that!! I'll take some pics and post. I'm trying my first ever "toe up" sock to see how long I can go on the cuff. It's been fun!

Well, that's all for now. Pics to come....SOON!!!

Knit On! (And Happy Shooting to you photo bugs out there!)

Happy New Year!

Well here it is 2007 already! I remember vaguely thinking that my folks and grandparents were kidding when they talked about time going faster and faster the older you get. I so totally get it now! Happy New Year one and all! (Even if it is the 3rd already!)

I'm looking forward to this new year. It's like the slate has been wiped clean and we all get a big "do over." I like that! Some things about the new year I can anticipate (like the promotion I got just as 2006 was ending! I'm still doing freelance writing and photography for the local newspaper/publishing company....but I'm also taking on Managing Editor duties for the local monthly magazine and perhaps a book project for the publisher! Dreams come true!)

Our family is looking forward to the birth of a new baby: my brother and his wife are expecting in April. That will be great! (And I'll be knitting up a baby blanket before then! Mark one project in the list of things I must accomplish in 2007.) I also have to knit a few more blocks for the Aran afghan I did for my sister & her husband for Christmas. It really does need a little more girth if it's going to warm anyone other than her 7 year old. (Project #2!)

In the list of "resolutions" for the New Year: I've told myself I am going to knit my first sweater this year. Period. I'm not kidding.

I AM giving myself permission to let it be child or even infant sized rather than the extra-lovely size it would need to be to fit moi. But hey! Everyone's got to start somewhere, right??!!

I am also going to use up my current sock yarn stash on members of my own, immediate family. They watched all those lovely socks march out the door as Chritmas gifts to others. I think they deserve a little of the love too!

I am also going to get out and shoot photos just for fun at least twice a month. I realize I need to keep the creative juices flowing and keep honing my eye. So that's the deal and I'm sticking with it.

(Have you noticed how NONE of these resolutions have anything to do with losing weight?!?)

I'm starting off the New Year with my first international swap via some lovely ladies in Germany. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!! Stay tuned....I'll keep you posted. If all goes well I hope to do another one later in the year.

Well, that's it for now! I've got a sock to finish for myself from the yarn I bought as a souvenir on vacation in Michigan this past summer. (I put it off while finishing up Christmas knitting.)

Let me know what your plans for 2007 are!