Put me in the Zoo!*

We went to the Atlanta zoo with a few friends from my MOMS group today. Had a BLAST!

Here's the wee one posing with the giraffe.










Here is Mei Lan. She's a 7 month old Giant Panda & is beyond cuddly!

And of course, no zoo trip would be complete without pics of the lion!!


The wee one was good (for the most part) & is ready for a bath & bed tonight!











*With apologies to Dr. Seuss

International Tote Exchange IV

Signups have started!

You’re invited to join International Tote Exchange IV. We hope you will decide to participate. So how does it work? You will make a tote/purse/handbag for your Secret Pal and a different Secret Pal will make a tote for you. The "totes" can be big or small, knit or crochet, felted or not - whatever you want to make.

If you are interested please go to the blog http://internationaltotexchangeiv.blogspot.com/ and read the rules. If still interested, send an e-mail as described below. Hurry! Sign-ups close 05/15/2007.


The Sign-up Process:
Send an email to ToteExchangeHostesses gmail com Please include:
Your full name
Email address
Blog address (if applicable)
Blog Signature (e.g. lauriec is how my blog posts appear)
Street address
Phone number
This information will only be available to the Hostesses and your Secret Pal.

We will send you an invitation to join the blog.
Join the blog.
Complete the questionnaire and post your responses to the blog no later than 05/15/2007
Sit back and wait for partner assignment!

ITE IV is underway!!!

YAY! I've decided to do a Nicky Epstein bag for this swap! Just not sure which one yet.

Here's my questionnaire:

1. Name and blogger handle: Laurie (LaurieC)

2. Blog URL (if applicable): http://knitwitarmywife.blogspot.com/

3. Do you want a purse that is felted/not felted/surprise me: Surprise me!

4. Color/fiber likes and dislikes: I'm open to anything!

5. Do you tend to be dressy or casual? I'm usually casual (SAHM) but something dressy might be fun for a change!

6. Prefer a pal who lives in the USA or international? Doesn't matter!

7. Miscellaneous info (anything you want to tell your pal): This is my 4th TE & my 2nd as a co-hostess! I enjoy knitting, beading, some stamping, cooking & baking. I'm an Army wife & a SAHM (stay at home Mom) to a wonderful 3 yr old little girl. I love history (both US & foreign) & love to read when it doesn't get in the way of my knitting *wink*. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!!

Magic Yarn Ball Swap

Magic Yarn Ball from Mary before. . .







Magic Yarn Ball from Mary after.


I am SO spoiled!! She sent me 2 balls (big ones) of my favorite S & C colorway. It matches my kitchen colors! I also got the Yarn Harlot book, 3 packages of beads, cable needle, needle guide, a cute Boyd's bear teapot, a package of bubbles for the wee one & even a chewy dog bone for my Libby!!

Thank you so much Mary! You made my day!!

Psssst

It's Leslie J's birthday today!!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday full of yarn, hockey & hershey caramel kisses!!

xox

Lazy Sunday

Quite possibly my favorite way to spend the weekend. Get out of the house on Saturday & run errands & then spend Sunday at home being lazy.


Yesterday I met a friend of mine from Yahoo 360. She's also an Army wife & her husband is deployed as well. She's originally from here & was home for a reunion. We went to lunch @ Cheddars & had a nice time. Of course the wee one didn't eat her lunch. *sigh* The 3's really ARE worse than the terrible 2's!

Yesterday's craft was making 7 sets of stitch markers! Man, those things are addictive & quick! I'm doing a stitch marker swap so they'll come in handy. I'm also in a felted bag swap, ITE IV, & a dishcloth swap so 3 sets will go to my partners in those swaps.

Last night she went to bed at 715 (guess she was that tired!) so I put in Gang of New York. LOVE this movie. The time frame (mid 19th century) & early NY history are so appealling to me. I tell you that I am a history geek----I REALLY am!

This morning was spent doing laundry & talking to Hunter online. He's doing well & is "bored". It's a good thing when the guys in the aid station are bored---it means no one's getting hurt! Then I talked to both my MIL & my Mom. The wee one & I had a late lunch & now I'm staring at a mountain of laundry that is begging to be put away.

I'm hoping the wee one takes a nap so I can get the laundry folded & put away and then get the toys picked up in the living room. How can 1 child make such a mess? I swear, there's a group of kids who come in my house at night & mess up the living room!

Disney on Ice!

Today the wee one & I went to see Disney on Ice with my girlfriend & her 2 wee ones. It was our first time going so when Michelle told me that the last time she went ALL the kids were dressed in costume. So off to Target I went to find a costume. Settled on Snow White & kept it hid in my closet until this morning.

Here's the wee one before the show showing how sweet she can be.

And here we are during intermission.

We both had such a blast! I loved to figure skake when I was little & miss skating outdoors! I'm one of those people who are glued to the figure skating competition during the Olympics too!

Guess who I just talked to?!

The fabulous LeslieJ! She's in sunny CA with her sister & was at the taping of tomorrow's Ellen show! How cool is that?

Look for her next to DJ what-his-face. She'll be wearing a purple shirt (Shhhh, dont tell the MSU alumni association!)

Loss of Innocence

My heart & prayers go out to the students, faculty/staff & families at Virginia Tech. Their lives will never be the same.

My husband's cousin is a student there & was one floor below the shootings at West Ambler-Johnson. We were lucky---Bobby is okay. Thankfully he had the forethought to call his Mom & Dad before they even had a chance to worry about him.

I can't help but think about those who weren't so lucky & cannot fathom the pain they are feeling. May God bless them.

Phew, I need to blog more often

Warning, cuteness ahead!
Here's the wee one the night of her birthday @ Hunter's aunt's house in Atlanta. We had a small cake for her, sang happy birthday & then . . .








she fell asleep in Grandma's arms. It doesn't happen too often so when she falls asleep in my arms I love to sit & hold her. Grandma did too!

Then. . .





on Tuesday we had her school party. Cookies w/ a "B" on them, juice, Dora party hats & goodie bags.

She was still feeling ookie from the ear inf. & wanted to sit on my lap.




She's off the meds (cefprozil) as of today & THANK YOU GOD! I will NEVER let them prescribe it for her again. It zapped her appetite, left her w/ funky pants & over all irritable. She also had a mild rash & if she took it with milk she'd vomit. Just lovely. Next time I will insist on a z-pak as she's never had these problems before.

Today she fell asleep for a nap later than normal so I let her sleep until after 5 & now she won't go to sleep. Have I learned nothing in 3 yrs??!! So she's in her room fussing that I wont let her out. *sigh*

I'm starting to get goodies together for my Magic Yarn Ball Swap partner. I've fiigured out what yarn to send & have some stitch markers to make---have to break out the beads!

Mary----here are 2 tutorials on how to make stitchmarkers! http://knittgeek.blogspot.com/2005/07/guide-to-stitch-markers.html

and

http://chrisknits.blog-city.com/beaded_stitch_markers_2.htm

It's pouring here tonight & is supposed to pour tomorrow as well. I may have to take the wee one out to play in puddles to tire her out tomorrow!

What a difference 3 yrs makes!

Today is my daughter's birthday! She is 3 but in her mind she's 5. She is spunky, fearless (except when it comes to meeting the Easter Bunny!), sweet, smart & the apple of my eye use a corny phrase. I never thought I could love someone so much!

Here she is minutes after being born:

and a couple weeks ago with our dog Libby.

Happy birthday to my wiggly one. Mommy & Daddy love you more than you know!

Questionnaire for Felted Bag Swap!

1. How long have you been knitting? How did you learn?

I learned to knit when I was 8 or 9. My mom taught me & I can remember having a hard time w/ purling! I made 2 bags for my Barbies! I stopped knitting in college & didn't pick up the needles again until my now 3 yr old daughter was 6 months old & I made a hat for her. So while I learned as a child I really didn't start knitting as a true hobby until 11/04.

2. What are your favorite yarns to knit felted bags with?

Araucania nature wool, Patons's Merino, Brown sheep nature spun.

3. What are your favorite needles to knit with?

Addi's (everyone says this!) & crystal palace. I also have some brittany birch that I like as well.

4. What are the last 3 bags you knitted (include URL for Yahoo! or flickr album or your blog if you have them!)? You can also link to patterns if you don't have pictures of your finished objects!

1)International Tote Exchange III
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90711551@N00/432384537/

2)ITE II
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90711551@N00/260069388/

3) ITE I
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90711551@N00/177806995/

5. Do you carry the bags that you knit, give them as gifts, or both?

Both.


6. What is your favorite felted bag that you have knit for yourself?

My 3rd bag---my noro booga. It's oversized, purple varigated & gorgeous!

7. What are your favorite colors? Do you like bags in these colors or choose other colors?

Red, purple, blue---jewel tones. Also pink! I'm open to everything other than yellow!!

8. Chocolate: White, Milk, Dark, or not so much?

Yes, please!

9. Coffee, Tea, or Milk?

Yes to all 3, especially pink milk!!

10. Do you prefer sweet or salty treats? What kinds?

Both. I love almond roca, peanut brittle, hershey kisses w/ caramel. Chips, pretzels, caramel popcorn, cheddar popcorn.



11. If you went into Bath and Body Works and could only come out with one item, what would it be and what would it smell like?

Just 1? OMG, this is a toughie. Tie between the "look ma, new hands" hand cream & the pink grapefruit shower gel.

12. Do you enjoy any other crafts or hobbies? Do you collect anything?

Im also a stamper (very beginning!) & beader (ditto). I collect Estee Lauder patriotic compacts, whiting & davis bags (pre 1940) & watches (baume & mercier, hamilton, gruen)

13. Are there any bag patterns you have not yet knit, but hope to someday?

I have a noni pattern that I haven't made yet & just picked up Nicky Epstein's felted bag book, so YES!


14. What is currently OTN (on the needles) for you?

A shawl for a friend, a baby bib & my Yahoo Monthly Dishcloth group's KAL.

15. What is your most recent finished object before that?

MDK's baby bib

16. What's cutest: Puppies, Piggies or Pixies?

No question, puppies!!!


17. Do you enjoy reading? Books, Magazines, or both?

Both when they dont cut into my knitting time! LOL


18. Do you have any children? (kid-kind or pet-kind apply!)

1 of each---a 3 yr old little girl (well will be 3 in 5 days) & a 4 yr old miniature schnauzer.


19. What are some of your favorite yarns for other projects?

Plymouth Fantasy Naturale, noro, oigu, cascade fixation,
sugar & cream, lorna's laces. Acrylics for baby blankets only for the fact that they can be machine washed.



20. And for the final question, one I see debated all over: Novelty Yarn: Love it! Hate it! or It depends!

depends on the project. I've made some pretty scarves w/ ribbon yarn & ladder yarn carried w/ another yarn but they're not my favorite yarns for regular use.