Surprise!

I have discovered why I am so tired. I am pregnant, again. This was not expected, but my husband and I will figure out the expenses and living arrangements.

I am now in the worst part....the first trimester. The queasy stomach, the complete exhaustion. With two other kids it is harder to handle. I think the worst is being so tired. It makes my mood flat and toneless. I also easy loose my temper. I miss being happy and laughing with the kids. Oh well, this will pass.

So, the funny thing about my pregnancies, that I discovered with my last one, is that I can't stand to knit or look at yarn! (oh the horror!) It only lasts as long as the first trimester and the illness (thank goodness!). Yarn colors make me queasy and knitting just seems an awful thing. So, needless to say, I will not be knitting anything for awhile. I will try to post, but being tired will keep me from staying up past my kids go to bed.

I like all those count down ticker bars on other blogs, so I will add one for this pregnancy. I don't have an official due date from the doctor yet, but I will guess at one.

Well, wish me luck everyone. I don't know how I am going to handle having two so close in age. Especially since my boy now is very active.

My kids! 8 months and 5 years.

Busy sleeping instead of knitting and blogging

I have been real tired lately, so when I get home and take care of the kids and put them to bed, I put myself to bed. I just can't seem to beat being tired. This is not good, since I have to finish up my bag for the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap.

I recently mailed out my first swap package, (spring into summer dishcloth swap) and I was so excited about it that I forgot to add the note card with my name and all. I had to email Michelle , my swap pal, and let her know. She just received it today. Take a look at her blog to see pictures.

When I originally set up this blog, I had planned to keep it only about knitting. I realize now that I can't do that. I don't knit enough to keep myself interested in blogging and I could really use a place (journal) to have some personal time. I don't get much of that between work, kids and home. I don't know how I will handle it, but let's see how it goes.

I'll start a bit by saying I have a daughter, which I have shown a picture of in another post, and I have a new son. He is now just about 8 months. Very cute! (I will post a picture tomorrow). My daughter, Karima, is 5 and will soon be going to Kindergarten. I know I will cry!

It is getting late and I will be dead tired again in the morning. I better get myself to bed.

Busy Knitting Instead of Blogging

This post has been sitting in the edit for some time. I thought I would just add the new HSKS trivia to it. (really posted on 6/6/07)

Trivia:"Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies." Who says this? Voldemort

Missed this one:
Trivia - May 27 through June 2
Who are the two people speaking in this quote and what book is it from? Order of the Phoenix

"I'm not trying to say what she did was sensible. I'm just trying to make you see how she was feeling at the time." Hermione "You should write a book, translating mad things girls do so boys can understand them." Ron




It has been a while since I have blogged. My personal time is pretty limited and lately I have been using the time to catch up with my knitting projects. I am working hard on my HSKS bag. I couldn't seem to focus on any one pattern, so I am making it up as I go along. I wanted to show my work, but I don't want to spoil it for my swap partner, so I will just post a picture of the yarn I am using.





Black and yellow are not my favorite combination, but the project is turning out pretty good so far.


For some time now I have owed Chan and Shannon my answers to the "tag" game.


Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog. Here are my facts:

1. My husband and I call each other "butthead". I know, it is a bit crazy but it works. We can use it in a fun sweet way and when we are annoyed.

2. I miss having a pet and my daughter wants a pet, but my husband is allergic to dogs and cats (and probably everything else). I have/had a dog, Jack Russell, but she is at my mom's house and has been for many years. She isn't really mine any more. I see so many cute little dogs and wish we could have one. A toy poodle or dachshund. I grew up with two miniature poodles and I use to dress them in my clothes and we would have a tea party.

3. I am diabetic (type 2) and have low thyroid. I got all this after my first child (daughter) was born. I still eat sweets because I can't resist, especially dark chocolate!

4. I love to read and used to collect first editions. Now I spend the money on yarn instead of books.

5. I have a tattoo on my lower back. It is the astrological sign for a Taurus circled by a wreath of leaves.

6. My favorite treat is Starbucks Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino® Blended Crème, full of fat and sugar, but yummy! This is my alternative to ice cream.

7. I'm going to knit socks for Sockapalooza4, but I have never knitted socks before. As the dead line gets closer I keep wondering why I joined the swap! (A little freaking here)

Quidditch for HSKS

Ok, My first Quidditch game (I missed the first one) Hope I can answer all the questions.

Trivia

1. Who is the Fat Lady's friend?- Violet- Rose- Lavender- Lily Violet

2. When the Fat Lady was attacked by Sirius Black and fled her portrait, who took over for her as guard of Gryffindor Tower? Sir Cadogan

3. Usually when Harry is in Dumbledore's office, what are the portraits of previous headmasters doing?- Humming- Snoozing- Giving Dumbledore advice- Arguing with one another Snoozing

4. Which one of the Triwizard champions did not go to the World Cup?- Harry Potter- Fleur Delacour- Cedric Diggory- Viktor Krum Fleur Delacour

5. Who did Harry give his Triwizard winnings to?- Mr. and Mrs. Diggory- No one, he kept them- Professory Dumbledore- Fred and George Weasley Fred and George Weasley

The next two are anagrams. Rearrange the letters to get the correct words.

6. Live gong cram la man (two words) Minerva McGonagall

7. Owl or video Oliver Wood

8. What author's name appears on the book "Quidditch Through the Ages"?- Albus Dumbledore- J.K. Rowling- Kennilworthy Whisp- Newt Scamander Kennilworthy Whisp

9. What does the Keeper do in a game of Quidditch?- Keeps the brooms in good working order- Guards the goal- Keeps the score- Holds the Quaffle Guards the goal

10. In the Goblet of Fire why did the Mad Eye Moody imposter put Harry's name in the goblet?- He wanted Ron to be mad at him- He wanted Dumbledore to expel Harry for entering the tournament- He wanted Harry to be killed during the tasks- He wanted Harry to win the tournament He wanted Harry to win the tournament

Picture Scavenger HuntFind these pictures and either post the pictures on your blog or links that will take us to those pictures.-

Dobby holding his sock from Harry-

Cho Chang and Harry's first kiss-

Viktor Krum and Hermione at the dance-

Mad Eye Moody

Chan's contest for dishcloth swappers

All of us dishcloth swappers have been sorted into three different groups. I was lucky to be placed into Chan's group. (Hi Chan!) Each group has a contest and here is the one for my group:

So, what gives you hope? My family and especially my daughter. She has this sweet quality about her that always leaves me wondering what she will be like when she is a woman. She comes to me sometimes, just out-of-the-blue, and will tell me she loves me. I love this picture of her.

How do you recharge and get energized when you're feeling drained? Well, currently I am being energized artificially by coffee but that is just for the daily grind. Other wise I am recharged by my husband when he gives me a hug and kiss then says how much he loves me, by my daughter when she makes her new brother laugh with a funny face, or by some little thing like a new book or a new pattern and some yarn (these things make me think how lucky am I with this life!). And what is your favorite summer adventure, whether it's a memory or an item on your agenda for this year or both? I will go with a memory....The summer that I flew to Morocco to meet my future husband. We had met online and then talked on the phone. As soon as I heard his voice, I knew he was the one. His voice made me feel peaceful and as if we had always been together. The summer of 2000 I flew to Morocco alone to meet someone that I had only talked to on the phone and chatted with online. Everyone was worried about me, but I wasn't. I knew everything would be fine. And it was. We traveled around Morocco and all the while I felt comfortable and safe. The following year he came to the U.S.,we married, and the rest is my happily ever after.

Update

Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap-

I finally ordered some yarn for the the bag from Knitpicks. I decided to go for some of their felting wool. I'm not positive that I will felt it, since, as I said before, I have never felted before. I don't want to mess up, especially since I am running out of time. I already know what I plan to fill the bag with, and plan to buy most of it next month. See sidebar with changes (again) to bag plans.

Summer Dishcloth Swap-

I'm working now on the dishcloth and really like how it is turning out. I hope my swap pal likes the color I picked. I went with something bright and summer like. I think it goes well with the pattern. I have also decided on what I am going to include with this and most will be purchased next month. Maybe I will post a picture, but I'd hate to spoil it for my pal if she peeks. Oh, I can't resist showing off...here is a picture:



Out of 10 pictures this is the one that was the best. My camera is not very good at close-ups. It is hard to see how nice the pattern is. It is called Diamond Drops from my 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar.At least the color was fairly accurate.


Sockapalooza4-

Well, this one took awhile, but I finally ordered some yarn. (I'll let you guess the color) I have never used this yarn before and I have never made socks before....so wish me luck! I am really excited about finally making socks. Joining this swap is just what I needed, something to force me to make socks. You know....just do it, kind of thing.

Well, I've got a lot planned and I'm really looking forward to all these new experiences. I wish I had joined swaps before I had my second child. I would have had more time. Oh well, it doesn't matter now, I'll just keep working at it and it will get done! I claim not to have time to knit, so how am I getting all this blogging time in? hmmm....guess I'm not sleeping much any more. (Coffee, my new best friend!)

missed knitting and blogging

I would like to say I haven't blogged because I was out of town, but I can't. I have just been too tired and distracted with HP #6. I started reading it last Monday and have been using all my extra time just reading. NO knitting, no blogging and no sleep! Well, my excuse is that it is the first time reading it. I didn't read it when it came out because I was just too crazy for knitting to read anything. Now I am trying to do both and it is very hard to find the time when I can't stop reading. Oh well, pretty soon I will have some new yarn for one of my swap projects and I will be crazy with that. Any way, since I don't have any knitting to report, I will just post my answers to this weeks trivia questions from the Howarts Sock Kit Swap.

Trivia #1
What's the name of this potion?This potion has the colour of molten gold, and while exposed to the air, large drops will leap like goldfish above the surface without spilling. Felix Felicis (liquid luck)
Trivia #2
Which book is this line from?"Harry and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other; what if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excruciatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?" Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Trivia #3
Who utters these words?"Oh I am glad I'm not on duty. I wouldn't fancy having to go and tell the Irish they've got to stop celebrating." Mr. Weasley

Another Swap?!

Ok, I am becoming addicted to joining swaps. I said it, and admit it. Here is the proof... I'm still a virgin to swapping and yet I keep joining more swaps. (I'm a bit worried about getting in over my head) Well, this new one is perfect for me. REALLY! If you have had a chance to look at my completed projects you would see that I have made many dishcloths. It all started when I bought a 365 patterns a day book and wanted to try out new patterns. What better way to do it then making a dishcloth! Voila! So imagine me jumping around different blogs and finding someone with this swap button. I couldn't resist and checked it out. I read the requirements and the deadline was made just in time. Yea! Funny enough, the same person I found to have this new swap, also has a few of the same swaps as me! I hope she doesn't mind me putting her blog here. Well, now I need to answer the questionnaire for this new swap, so here it is:

When did you learn to knit? Who taught you? I think it was 1995. I learned from a family friend that I lived with for a year in Colorado. I only knitted for a year then stopped until in 2005 a co-worker talked about learning how to knit and got me all excited again. Since then I have been a knit and yarn junkie. (My husband just thinks I'm crazy)
What was your very first completed object? Funny enough....a washcloth!Your most recent? Jelly Bean (toy bunny) see my blog.

What was the very first thing you sent to the frog pond? (pulled out and started over) Your most recent? I haven't had any that I completely frogged and started over. My most recent frog was....a washcloth. I lost count and it had too many k2tog and yo for me to undo a few rows. I just decided to trash it or frog it.
What is currently on the needles for you? I have about 5 different projects, but the one that I recently picked up is my second Jelly Bean in Hufflepuff colors.
What types of needles do you enjoy working with? What have you tried and hated? Knitting dishcloths, I use only Clover us#8. It is the best needles when using 100% cotton. I find metal too slippery and plastic to clingy. For other projects I have used metal and plastic. I try to find the needles best suited to the yarn being used.
Have you knit dishcloths before? Yes
What was your favorite one? I made one as a gift using a cable stitch and felt it turned out really nice.
Least favorite? Don't remember.
Do you use homemade dishcloths or face cloths yourself, or give them as gifts, or both? I use and gift and sell.
What are your favorite and least favorite scents? (For your body, such as soap/lotion/etc) I love lavender, mint, rose, and citrus. My least favorite would be musky or powdery smells.
What are your favorite colors? I like all colors but I guess I focus mostly on greens and blues or reds and browns
What colors (if any) are your bathroom and kitchen decorated in? Bathroom is White with blue accents; Kitchen is pale yellow with red accents.
What other hobbies and crafts do you enjoy? Only have time for knitting and reading.
Chocolate: Dark? White? Milk? Ew? Love love love dark chocolate!
Do you like salty treats? What kinds? Of course! Pretzels
If you could go anywhere in the world for one day and spend the day any way you wanted, where would you go and what would you do? Hard question....I guess since this is all about knitting, I will say I would go to France and check out all the yarn stores.
Do you have any allergies? (Yarns, foods, etc. that might impact what your pal can send) None!

Finishing and Moving On

Finished!

(Sitting on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hey! Both book and bunny are Ravenclaw movie colors!)

Well, I finally finished my first Jelly Bean. I stitched up all the pieces and stuffed and put it all together but it took some time for me to put a face on it. I carried it back and forth from work to home hoping to finish it up, but I just couldn't do it. It remained faceless for a week. As you can see from the photo why I took so long; I hate sewing! If you could see my seams on the body you would see I have no patience for it (or a clue to what I am doing). After all of this, I am still going to try to make my Hufflepuff Jelly Bean. (yes I am a glutton for punishment!) My friend took pity on me and volunteered to put the face on the next one. Yea for me!

I changed quite a bit from the original specifications. I changed the yarn color and changed (well, messed up) the eyes. I decided not to use the required doll eyes because this first bunny was going to go to my 5 year old. I didn't want to take a chance that my 6 month old got a hold of it.

Ok, moving on to better things!

I joined two different swap groups, Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap and Sockapalooza4. I have both of my swap pals information so now I need to get yarn for my swap projects. My first focus is my HSKS pal, since this needs to be shipped out next month (June). I need to make a bag of some kind and then purchase the rest of the items to ship. I decided on the bag pattern....very simple and a quick knit, but I plan to felt it. This will be the first time I have felted a project. I hope I don't screw this up, since I don't have a lot of time. I am excited to try it though. It has been something I have been thinking of doing for a while now. see Vibe Tote. I plan to modify it of course, since I have to make the bag in my pals house colors (a fellow Hufflepuff!) Vibe does not have a yellow color. Too bad since it is a two tone color yarn, the second is black.

HSKS Questionnaire

HSKS Questionnaire
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Hufflepuff!
2. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
I don't use double-point and I don't like them so please don't buy them, it would be a waste of money. I haven't completely knitted socks yet, but I've played around with the two circular needle style and I like it. I really haven't tried too many brands, just Clover. My list of three circulars would be Addi Turbo (always hear these are great!) Knitpicks now has some highly recommended needles, and I'm not opposed to Clover. Go with size 3, 2 or 1 with 16" or 24" cable.
3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Sure! I am always open to try something new (except dpns) so I will leave brand and size up to you.
4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
I'm not in Ravenclaw, but I prefer the book colors because they are authentic.
5. If your pal decides to send candies or chocolates are there any that you don't like?
Candies are nice but chocolate is my favorite, specially dark chocolate. Yum! Just writing this made me go hunt some down.
6. What are your favorite scents?
I love fresh lavender, mint, and pink grapefruit/citrus (not all together)
7. Do you have any allergies?
No

New Quote:
"You will have your reward, Wormtail. I will allow you to perform an essential task for me, one that many of my followers would give their right hands to perform..." Who is speaking? Lord Voldemort

sockapalooza 4

Hey! I got in to Sockapalooza 4! Yeah!!!!

Oh my god! I got in to sockapalooza 4? I have never made socks before! What was I thinking? Well, I have been wanting and dreaming about making socks, why not!

Well, now I am committed. I am going to make socks! (and they will rock too! Hey, I've got to stay positive.)

One more thing to add to my list of projects. I need to find some good socks to make. Of course I need to wait until I get my partner to see if they have preferences.

I am thrilled, scared and so excited all at the same time. Wow! when I jump in, I jump in BIG Time! LOL

This and That and a Little Bit of Jelly Bean

Well, here is more of my Jelly Bean! I love it and can't wait to make more. In fact, I have decided to make another one in my Hufflepuff house colors for the Harry Potter and the Book 7 KAL. Yes, I got in! I have been trying to figure out what to make for this KAL. I wanted to make something original, but didn't know what to do. While working on my Jelly Bean and looking at the sweater colors, inspiration hit. What a great way to show my house colors! I love it when inspiration hits with a great idea. I even decided I was going to visit the local HP store and buy a house button to pin to my "Harry Bean". Ok, I could work on the name a bit. Come up with some great witch/wizard name or something. Or how about something like Bertie Bots Bean or Hufflepuff Bean? Well, like I said, I'll work on it. I was planning on my next project to be a hat for the Charmed Knits KAL, but I will have to make my Hufflepuff bean first. I can't wait to start it and I still need to finish up the first one.

Now, back to my last post and the quote from one of the Harry Potter books: I'm going to say it is Dumbledore and Tom Riddle.

This Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap is really cool! Jeanne just added a Quidditch game to win house point and prizes. She even came up with a great way to find the Snitch and win 150 points! If you like Harry Potter, you have got to check this site out. Hurry, time is running out to sign up. Speaking of time running out, I need to get on the ball and start thinking up some kind of knit bag to make. The requirements are to knit or sew a bag in our swap pal's house colors. I'm sure I can find something.

Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap

Go Hufflepuff!


I just have time for a short post. I just found another Harry Potter KAL! Well, it isn't really a KAL, but a sock kit swap. But we do have to knit up a bag. I'm really so excited about it. I added the logo to my side bar (it is so cool!)

There is also ways to win house points so I'm going to try to answer the posted quote:

"There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!" "You are quite wrong. Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness." Who are the two people in this conversations?

Well.... I thought I knew that one, but I'm having doubts now. I think I will double check my answer in the books and then post my answer.

Knitting or reading?

Here it is 5 days later from my last post about knitting Jelly Bean and I haven't worked on it at all. I should be done with it already, but I got caught up reading all the Harry Potter books. A couple of months ago I decided to reread the series to lead up to the last book coming out in July. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I was suppose to read a book a month, but...well...I just couldn't stop! Here I am half way through book #5 now and find that if I keep going at this same rate, I will be done with #6 next month! Too soon!

So, I am forcing myself to put down the book and go back to knitting. But I can't get HP off my mind, so to satisfy my craving I have browsed around Harry Potter sites and found quite a few KALs! I joined Charmed Knits KAL and just need to buy some yarn to make the hat. I don't have any yellow (Yes I was sorted into Hufflepuff) and need to find just the right color. I think the Hufflepuff color was referred to as "canary yellow". I'm also hoping to hear back from another KAL. I'll let you know if I get in.


While I'm looking around for the right yellow, I need to finish up Jelly Bean because I already have too many unfinished projects hanging around. I almost forgot that I need some felt and buttons for the eyes and some stuffing! Guess I have a big shopping list for this weekend.

Fun with Jelly Bean

I had a chance over the weekend to do a little bit of work on my Jelly Bean pattern. Once I got past all the increases, I really enjoyed it!

I didn't have any green and pink yarn, and I didn't want to buy any, so I made some changes to the color. I scrounged around my stash to find something suitable. I really don't have a very good stash. I have mostly cotton yarn for my washcloths and novelty yarn I just pick up because I like it and hope to use it some time. I really envy the knitter who can go through their stash and make just about anything. I have yet to achieve anything like that.

As you can see the photo above, I used one of my novelty yarns. It,s a very soft fuzzy yarn and will definitely add a different look. I have just enough left for the arms. I'm glad I didn't throw it out. It really wasn't big enough for a whole project, but just enough for this little accent. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out. As I mentioned before, it's my first knitted toy and I'm finding it really easy to make. (I hope I still enjoy it when the time comes to stitch it all up)

Must Knit! Must Knit!

I have been knitting for a few years now and I just love it! It became quite a passion and obsession. I was really doing well, until I had my second child. Since then I haven't had time to do much knitting. It is very hard to find the time to knit and my mind is just bursting with all the things I want to make, so I decided to create this blog to list all the projects I hope to complete in my lifetime (if not sooner).

I thought this would help clear the clutter of all the paper and random patterns I have floating around. No more printing and forgetting! I hope also that this will relieve my mind a bit of the pressure of the"must knit!" feeling.