Noro-licious March 31, 2008

You know, once in a while, a project comes along. It may not be something vastly spectacular, but for some reason, you are immensely attached to it, and you just want to show it to everyone you meet. Well, that is this little handbag for me. It was a quick project that only took me about a day to do all of it. I think it is just the love of knitting and that something so simple as the act of St st can make you happy. Thus being said, I give you my “Noro-licious” clutch.

Sooooo pretty! But wait folks, there’s more!

It is essentially, reversible. Yes, that is the same bag!!!

I cannot even begin to express my love for Noro yarns. There just aren’t enough adjectives in the universe. Such an amazing yarn that gives us knitters incredible versatility. This particular Noro was a random ball of Silk Garden Lite that I had in my stash. The pattern is the Knitted Handbag (ravelry link) by Kristie McLeod from Simply Knitting. One of the great things about Simply Knitting, is that with each issue they give you a free gift. This past issue they included the clasp to go along with the handbag pattern they were showcasing. What a great way for us to try something new! The magazine is a little pricey, but, with the free gift and the wonderful patterns, it is definitely worth the price!

Here I will shock you a bit. I ventured into a great sewing shop, knowing that I would be doing this bag and that it needed a liner. Sew Much Fun 4 U is located in Concord, NC near the Concord Mills Mall. They really had a great selection of fabric. What you see above here is what I decided on. Very me isn’t it? Well, here is where I really shock you. I got my sewing machine out and sewed that sucker to my knitted fabric! I know! It’s been ages since me and my machine have had time together. It went pretty well! The clasp I did hand stitch on.

That may have been a bit tricky to try on the machine. Ya think?

And well, since it was such an easy little bag, I thought I would add a bit of needle felting. Something I haven’t tried yet. Now that I have I dare you to stop me!!!

Swirly…. heh.

How great is that! A custom design with some left-over yarn! I’m in love! I hope you all get out there and try something new. It doesn’t have to be something elaborate or fancy, just something that makes you happy!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Yummy Yarn Pr0n March 28, 2008

She is a dirty, rotten, enabler………….

I speak, of course, of Cristi. A.K.A. Turtlegirl, a.k.a. DIRTY ROTTEN ENABLER! I also would like to refer you to THIS post.

Do you see?! And if it isn’t bad enough, you see, half of the stuff she posts for you all on Yarn Pr0n day, I have already tried to steal from her house!!!! That’s right folks, I am close enough to get to touch this stuff! So naturally…… sigh…. my stash grows. Here it is… Look… Drool…. go Buy it at your nearest LYS.

Yummy by Universal Yarns is 100% Superwash Wool

Go ahead, do the mmmmm, and drool!

Look how pretty we are!

I know you want to touch it!

But do you want to know what the colors REALLY look like?

Yes, they really are that green.

My flash is the only way to pick up those colors like that.

If you are around the area, let me know, and once you have held the Yummy, you can call me a Dirty Rotten Enabler too.

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Cunning Cranial Devices for Alex March 27, 2008

So, every month several dozen hats from around get sent off to an organization called Hats for Alex. I am not going to go into the story, but if you would like to know more about the organization please click on the link either in this post, or —> on my sidebar. This month, is the month of the Jayne Hat for Alex. For those who know, then you are aware of the man called Jayne. For those of you who do not, you should! Firefly was a fantastic show that aired for only a short time. I suppose good things do come in small packages. But the hat was worn in one episode by the character Jayne. His mother knit it for him, probably handspun the yarn as well, and sent for her little boy to keep warm. Well, us Browncoats wish the little ones who benefit from Hats for Alex to be cunning, and warm as well. Without further adieu, March’s Jayne Hats for Alex. (P.S. They are made from Vanna’s Choice yarn held double on size11 needles. They’re bulletproof….. well…. almost.)

The pom-poms! There’s too much!

“Jayne’s a girls name.”

“Might we all want to step back a few paces before he opens that?”

“A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he’s not afraid of anything.”

If not Hats for Alex, get involved with a charity you like. Give something back to those in need.

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

WIP Wedensday March 26, 2008

Hi everyone! Happy Hump Day! It is especially happy for me today, because I am home and NOT at work! YAYAY! So today was a good day to catch up on cleaning around the house. DH and I thought if we were going to host any get-togethers here anytime soon, that our apartment should at least be presentable! It has also been a great day to catch up on picture taking and blogging. Hence, I am here now talking to you! I have several projects I would like to let you in on, so here we go!

These lovelies started off as on sock, toe-up, ML style. Well, I got frustrated. It just wasn’t working for me so I ripped it out, divided the yarn and started two, toe-up, ML. Much happier. I am almost to the heel, so I am wondering what I am going to do with them there. See, I’ve never done anything toe-up. I shall keep you posted!

A while back, on a day known as March 14th, me and Elizabeth Zimmerman began a journey together. As it was Pi Day, it seemed only fitting to cast on for her Pi Shawl. Well, after a few minor setbacks, it is going alright. It’s not perfect as it is my first attempt at a real lace-weight yarn. The yarn, by the way, is JoJoLand Harmony veriegated lace wool. It is quite stunning and I am hoping by the end of it I can decide what to do with the ladders I have created. Sighs.

Because I will be damned if I am ripping this out again!

O.K. moving right along!!!!

Jared Flood’s Hemlock Ring Blanket is moving along quite nicely. The Cascade Ecological Wool is really nice to work with and I love seeing the pattern just kind of emerge from my needles. A truly satisfying knit.

I love the petals!

I would like to make note that if you notice my sidebar ————————->

My dear dear friend is helping me become more “tech savvy” and I just adore her for it! Thank you YeaIKnit! It was such a fun Monday after Easter hanging out with Aimee, Jane, Dani, DH (no blog or computer skills to speak of. Hey, he’s a chef, who needs them!), and Rich (not a blogger that I know of!)!

Well, off to finish the cleaning, get a good walk in, and head off to BAM!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Send me on my way…. March 22, 2008

So, a little late to post, but Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I know I know, it was Monday. But trust me I have been recuperating since then! Turtlegirl76, Knitterboy76, DH (a.k.a. Pork Chop), and myself headed up the Light Rail for an amazing evening. Now, I must tell you that since I was around 10ish, Rusted Root has been the center of my musical world. Only a few bands hold as high a status in my life as they do. And until Monday, I had never seen them in concert. Wow. What a great night. So, without much further ado, Rusted Root.

Martyr

More Martyr

Drum Ecstasy

Cristi, JP, & DH (Pork Chop) waiting on the Light Rail

The end of a fabulous day, because did I mention, This was the day I got a new job!!!!!!

More to come later….

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Stolen from Katydid Knits March 21, 2008

What Corey Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you’re too busy having fun to care.

What’s Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

This looked fun. Oddly enough it is very true. Those of you who know me, know that even though the description is widely contradictory, that is exactly who I am. Try it out Thanks Pam for posting this!! I needed something fun for today.

Oh… yarn Pr0n. I suppose you would like some of that huh?

Ok, so the stinking flash is the only way you get the true colors of this gorgeous yarn. Now, my other pictures are washed out looking, but very pretty

So, what you are looking at is…..

Mirasol’s Hacho 100% Hand Dyed Merino Wool 137 yards

Shade:304

Dyelot: 75664

Purchased at: Charlotte Yarn Charlotte, NC

It screamed “KnitDiva! KnitDiva! Take me home, for I am yours! Your colors, yours forever!!! Make beautiful socks out of me!” I swear it is true! Ask Cristi! She was there! So was Aimee!!! At anyrate, I hope you all run out and buy several skeins of it, because it is marvelous! So soft… so delicious!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear…… March 13, 2008

So yes, it has been quite some time since I have last blogged. Bad, bad Knitting Diva. I shall try not to leave you again for so long! Now, some of you that know me, know that I have not been the happiest the last few months or so. Well, today reached a huge peak of unhappiness. It was just a crappy day. No way around it. I got home, and things didn’t really get much better. Until DH came in with the mail. He says, “Hey, you have a package.” I thought to myself, self, you didn’t order yarn in your sleep again did you? No, self, I did not do such a thing. Well, it was not a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, but I sure felt like it was Christmas time again!!!!

ZKnitter has sent me this wonderful little project bag that matches my fabulous needle cases that I ordered from her.

It is the total cuteness!!!

I have four sets of interchangeable needles….. it holds them all!

A girl has to have her DPN’s as well! (hush CrimsonPurl)

Now people, for me, it’s the little things that make me happy, like my favorite song on the radio on a sunny afternoon when I can drive with the windows down, or peanut butter and chocolate (always a good idea). So my little project bag, that may not seem much to you, was enough to really make me smile and appreciate the friends that are made in the knitting world. Thank you ZKnitter. It was wonderful to get to meet you on March 1st, struggling as we did to learn the arts of Double Knitting and Fair Isle.

I promise my friends you will hear more from me more often! I have lots to say!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.