New Gadget...

Andrew and I were at Ikea on my birthday and I found this fun little gadget for socks.  I call it the "socktopus" and it hangs from the rod in my laundry room.  It has 8 legs with clips that hold my socks while drying.  I figured it was the next best think to buying 8-10 sets of sock blockers, which would cost a small fortune.  Usually when I dry my socks I have them sprawled out on top of the dryer and they often get knocked off and down the side of the dryer, which drives me nuts!  This "socktopus" gadget is so handy and it only costs $3.99.  Can't beat that!  The only thing I don't like about it is it leaves a small mark on my socks (from the clips).  I'm hoping it will only be temporary and won't damage the socks.  I'll keep using it and see what happens.  I still might have to invest in more sock blockers and hang those from my "socktopus" if the marks cause problems or my socks stretch.  The first batch that I washed dried good though.  Oh, the other thing I like is the arms fold up when not in use.  This comes in handy when opening and closing the door to my garage.  So, all in all, I'm loving my "socktopus"!

Yarn heaven...

If there is a yarn heaven I was in it yesterday when I went on a tour of Cascade Yarns warehouse with Allyn Knit Shop and my friend Kristen.  I can kick myself for not bringing my camera.  I would love to show you the floor to ceiling, wall to wall, aisle after aisle boxes of yarn.  It was an awesome site but also a little overwhelming.  I was so glad I brought along of list of projects that I wanted yarn for.  Otherwise I would have went crazy filling my shopping bag (not that I didn't anyway though).  It was amazing to see how much yarn they had and all the different kinds of yarn in one place.  It was also a little funny, OK it was REALLY funny, to see a bunch of women bent over, frantically searching boxes for that perfect yarn before anyone else could get their hands on it.  My husband would have got some good laughs.  There were some people taking pictures and I'm really afraid of what I might look like in those pictures :)  After all, I had an agenda too.  I was lucky enough to find yarn for several projects that include scarves, slippers, hats and sweaters.  I could have kept going but my checkbook wouldn't allow me to.  It's amazing how fast it all adds up when you aren't paying attention.  Here is the first project I made last night with only one ball of Lana Grande yarn.

Cascade has such a large selection of yarn that made it really fun to dig through boxes looking for the perfect color.  Along with the boxes of open bags of yarn, we could buy unopened bags off the shelves in almost every color imaginable.  It was nice to be able to buy sweater quantities like that and pick any color you want.  Plus we got a discount too, which made it even better.  If you missed this trip, Sonya from Yorkshire Yarns, www.yorkshireyarns.com, is going next Sunday, Oct. 17 from 12-5.  Contact her for more information and get signed up today.  You won't be disappointed.  Just make sure you have your list, your checkbook and your camera and you'll have a ball.

New Addition...

Meet Fred, the newest addition to our household :)  He is quiet, doesn't eat a lot, never wants anything and never talks back.  I love Halloween.

Check those "boobies"...

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I made this hat.  I believe it will be going to a teacher that has survived breast cancer.  I guess it is time for me to finally go in for a boob squeeze too :)  Breast Cancer (or cancer in general for that matter) is such a horrible disease.

The pattern is free and can be found at http://carissaknits.blogspot.com/2007/10/pink-ribbon-hat.html.  It was pretty simple and quick to make.  I used up some sock yarn I had, just held it doubled to get gauge.  The yarn I used was On Your Toes.  It's kind of scratchy but hopefully will soften up with washing.  The recipient has already gone through treatments and her hair has grown back so I'm not worried about it.  I love how it turned out and hopefully she will too. I hope you all take the time for your boobie squeeze too!!

In over my head...

October has hit with a vengeance and I'm beginning to wonder if I am in over my head!  Sink or swim right?  I'm going to try my hardest to swim, swim, swim.  I recently signed up for an online tech editing class.  Thought I would dabble in design myself or helping designers with their patterns.  Well, I got my first assignment and I'm trying not to laugh.  What was I thinking?  Positive ease, negative ease, sleeve caps, schematics... my mind is whirling.  But, I CAN do it... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.  After all, this doesn't look complicated does it?

Along with the tech editing class I also signed up for a photography class at my local community college.  This class was supposed to be a "beginning" digital photography class to learn the in's and out's of the digital camera.  According to the class description we would learn how all the functions and settings work on the camera (which I desperately need).  I was excited for this class because my manual for my camera is so hard to follow and understand.  Well, I was sure in for a surprise... during the first class, and I've only taken one, the instructor spent almost the entire first hour talking about himself, HIS business, how HE takes pictures, showing HIS samples and talking about HIS business.  At the end of the class I had not learned a thing and I walked out of there more frustrated than when I went in.  On top of all this I am swamped with many school and knitting things, kids that have a never ending "I want" list and PMS.  Let's just say that October has hit like a hurricane... I sure hope the forces die down soon or my husband might have to commit me to Western State Hospital :)  But hey, I could get some good drugs and some much needed rest right?  After all, it's only 30 minutes away and they could visit me on the weekends :)  Or maybe I should just make myself on of these for Mommy "time-outs".  What do you think?

What is a true friend?

What is a true friend?  Yes, someone who listens, someone who has a shoulder to cry on, someone who will be truthful even when it hurts...BUT when you have a friend who will switch plans at the last minute because your car puttered out on you AND surprise you with a homemade lunch (while picking you up at your front door) because they know you don't take care of yourself very well, THAT is a true friend in my eyes and that friend is Lisa... you ROCK girl!  THANKS for being who you are... you are an amazing person!!