I did debate picking up the Elizabeth Zimmerman book "Knitting Around". I think I am going to do a wish list for my birthday and write down Zimmerman and Walker books. I have none and I think they would make a great addition. So, at 9:20 I am chilling with Veronica Mars, a cat hopped up on catnip, and my Wicked sweater. Oh la la...
As I sat knitting and focusing on my new project. Sigh. I heard a banging like someone knocking on the door. The noise came from the kitchen so I creeped on over to discover Ms. Puffiness opening the bottom cabinet. Repeatedly. Over and over again. So, I picked her up and plopped her on the sofa. Two hours later we repeated this whole event. Later on, Ninna (the tabby below) snifed some catnip and proceeded to make out with the carpet howling to an unknown tune.
Yup, Ms. Ninna joined me on the sofa as I attempted to follow the pattern. She seems to enjoy a lot of attention and affection. It seems a lot happens in the house when I am not here. More importantly here are my knitting updates:
Project A: I am working on the border, which I just discovered I need to seam on to the whole thing. Yeah. So you don't know what this project is but you will when I finally post the photo.
Project B: I need to pick up again. This one is much bigger than originally imagined.
Project C: No progress.
Homegoods Update: Ok, so I did find the two shams to match the original quilt at Homegoods. However, I was going to HG to look for an accessory for an upcoming event. I sent my father to the HG near him so we both had no luck so tomorrow I go to HG Parsippany yet again. Total HG trips: 4 Total Cost: Priceless (lies! It does cost, but's still fun!)
Project D: My Wicked sweater. I am so excited to knit this thing as I have heard good things and it is my first seamless sweater.
The tulips above are from DH. He surprised me with some sunshine. We just enjoyed Bangkok Kitchen yet again. Hmmm, I indulged in the red sticky rice with vanilla ice cream. Spicy food always make me happy.
Well, this week has been packed with lots of stuff for a lack of a better word.
Monday
DH and I picked up a new tv and a camcorder for my class. I have to videotape practice sessions and analyze my verbal and nonverbal communication and interventions. Then we took out a friend for her birthday for lunch and then shopping at the mall. Then, we did a huge cleaning in the house. Then, we went to Bangkok Kitchen. Here's the thing, we were supposed to go to bk for Valentine's Day but the snowstorm interfered. The restaurant is fabulous. The cost was good, the flavor was amazing and the decor was lovely. I would totally recommend it and it is located in the main street of Caldwell.
Tuesday
I went out with my mom to Michael's to take advantage of their framing sale. We had a few sentimental pieces re-framed and it was a good thing because we learned masking tape was used which the glue has acid and was causing the pieces to deteriorate (the matte and backing were also not acid free). I was happy the frames will now coordinate with our style. Then, we stopped off at Starbucks for some caffeine and off to Jc Penney for their curtain sale. Oh yes, I did pick up some curtains but we are comparing to sets and deciding on one. Then, I met with my partners from class and did our practice sessions.
Wednesday
I went out with Margaret to Homegoods. (Yes, I noticed the trend of the shopping and trust me I am not happy about this spending spree. Some of the stuff has been long overdue). Ok, it seems I found a new quilt but not the pillows (on Tuesday) so I introduced Margaret to Homegoods in search of the coordinated shams. And this is what I call the Homegoods Game. Typically, I find one thing I like in Homegoods and then I need to find in another store the missing pieces. So, off to Parsippany HG we went where I found these stunning shams but no quilt so I bought it. And later that day we went to Cedar Knolls HG where I found the quilt that matches the shams but not the pillows that went with Tuesday's quilt. So, at this point stuff gets returned. Three HG in two days.
Well, we stopped off (finally) in Denville to visit Nonna's Knit Cafe. We were warmly greeted by the owners. I haven't seen a lot of Plymouth yarns so this was something new. Nonna's has Artyarns, Debbie Bliss, Odyssey, and something I was really excited about: Sublime. Sublime yarns I have read about on online UK stores and I was very happy to touch it. Oh, so soft. Yummy. Margaret picked up some of the fuzzy baby yarns and some patterns. I made a decision after all this home buying stuff not to buy anything on top of which I have more than a half dozen baby projects in the queue so until I can clear some space in my room there will be cease and desist on fiver purchases.
Speaking of Project A (which cannot be pictured as my friend checks my blog) is moving along quite well. I can't wait to finish!
Project B is slowly moving. It is divine working with the yarn.
Project C is on hold because I am focusing on A and B and well it is pretty quick.
Ok, hopefully I can finish these project so I can start posting photos of knitting projects.
Here are the answers to the SP10 Questionnaire:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love merino wool and alpaca. My favorite yarn is Malabrigo. I love the Fibre Company yarns. I love Debbie Bliss. I love Greater Adirondack. I don't like acrylic yarn.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use my sheep to store my straights. I use a case from the Organized Knitter and a box.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for over two years. I am comfortable saying I am intermediate. I have made my first sweater and I am comfortable knitting patterns and learning new things yet I have not been successful with lace.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, sorry. I can create one as there are some books that are already in my library and others I would love to join my library.
5. What's your favorite scent?
I love sweet fruity clean scents. For example, grapefruit, citrus, and lemongrass. Nutty scents and floral scents make me feel egh.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I like jelly beans especially Belly Jelly. I like white chocolate reese's peanut butter cups once a month. However, I don't like chocolate. Seriously, I am not a fan of chocolate. I attribute this to my Caribbean heritage but I love sweet candies. I love Maynards Wine Gums from England and I love Dulce De Leche or Dulce De Coco.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin. I do love scrapbooking.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love jazz music, hard rock, female vocalists (like Tori Amos not like Celine Dion), and I like garage rock. My computer and ipod play mp3.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love earth tones, warm yellows and reds, and I love most shades of green. Charcoal grey, purples, and chocolate browns are beautiful! I am not a fan of yellow, pink, and orange.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have one DH. I have five furbabies also known as the owners of the house. Five cats. We are thinking about adopting a dog. Yes, we are crazy (but if we admit we are crazy does that really mean we are sane?)
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, mittens and ponchos.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I just started making sweaters and I love it.
13. What are you knitting right now?
I am making a bunch (yes, a bunch) of baby blankets for pregnant friends. When it rains, it pours.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I think so.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love circular needles and I love bamboo. I love the addi naturas and Bryson plastic ones. I love Lantern Moon ebony. I don't like metal needles as my hands heart when it hits together.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I currently own a winder. Yeah! I own a winder. Yeah!
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I believe my oldest project is a sweater which I need to do all the finishing. I started it in September.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Sadly, all my favorite holidays have past. I love Halloween. I love Christmas. I love New Year's. I am on the holiday low.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really. Oh, but I do seem to have become attracted to Dia de los Muertos skeletons. I am loving the skulls.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I would love any of the Barbara Walker books. I love Malabrigo. I love alpacas and soft warm yarn. I don't have knitting subscriptions but I am a fan of Interweave and Vogue.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I always enjoy learning new techniques. I will probably take a new class in the Fall or Summer.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am not a sock knitter. No sock yarn please.
23. When is your birthday?
April 19 19XX.
Well, in addition, to my knitting retreat for the day. I brewed some Gingerbread coffee which was a gift from Adventures of a Busy Mama and let me tell you I love this coffee. I hope they do another Knitter's Coffee Swap because it was great. And, DH told me he liked this one because he felt the coffee was secretly for him. Thank you once again Kim!
Okay, so what's the deal with the paint chips? Well, our dining room is mustard. I am not a fan. I miss having one red room and a dining room that is red is so dramatic. The problem? Which red? Ugh. Now, I admit the red we had in our condo was the middle color in the strip all the way to the left. While, this color appears slightly fuchsia it didn't look that way in the room for lack of natural sunlight. Our existing room we want to paint has five windows so there is a ton of light. Decisions, decisions, decisions....
Yeah, my prize arrived! I have been reasing Deb's blog since I was introduced via Stitchy McYarnpants Rhinebeck Blogger Bingo game. Deborah had a contest on her blog and I was the lucky winner so I received two skeins of the Online Linie 161 Solo in red. This is the ruffle yarn that Annie Modesitt designed a scarf pattern that can be picked up only at LYS. If you hit her site she lists the stores that carry the pattern. I can't wait to play with this yarn.
Deborah sent this over with this awesome postcard. Let me tell you I love this postcard. In fact, I may have to find the other ones in the set because they are so cute. This card may actually make it into a frame.
Thank you Deborah!
La Flaca spent the night and this afternoon we strolled through downtown Caldwell. We went into new stores, Interior Living and The Frame Shop, and stopped into Tasty Coco. Tasty Coco is a very hip coffee shop with not only yummy coffee and sandwiches but also the nicest people working there. Did I even mention they have amazing artwork on display? Truly amazing local artists.
Then we found Somewhere in Time. This shop has a mix of French Country, Country, antiques, and rustic. We couldn't resist picking up this laundry sign as well as the Lamb's soap sign. Deborah is the owner and her mom Arlene works there. Arlene was incredibly pleasant and extremely helpful. Let me just say it was really difficult to not walk out with more (antique sewing bobbins, sheep paraphernalia, rustic wood boxes, cross-stitch samplers, planters, etc). The store is so well organized and has such cute things, like they had sachets made from old quilts. Definitely check them out if you can!
On Sunday, I picked out a beautiful button but I never added. I have to figure that one out as well. Oh, the Elizabeth Lavold Class AL is fabulous! It is soft and and the sweater is so damn warm. I can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow. Yes Margaret, I promise to wear this to sns on Sunday so you can see it.
Firt purchase was six skeins of Classic Elite Premiere to make one clapotis for La Flaca (for either mother's day, next Christmas, or next Birthday). This cost $27 in total for all this yarn.
Second purchase was Debbie Bliss Cashmere. For 50 yards of caashmere originally $15, it cost $7 bucks a pop (or was it $8 anyways) a great price. I am plannig on making a cowl neck maybe for me or someone else.
I ran into Dallas Scarf Lady. If you stop by sns ask Sheila about Dallas Scarf Lady (btw she's from Dallas). I am very excited about the yarn purchases but I seriously need to finish some yarn projects. Finishing one of my sweaters would make me feel better.
I picked this up at D. Marie who was having their anniversary sale last weekend. It is the perfect size to hold straight needles.
I also was given a house shaped tape measure. Very cute!
Did I mention I love my new needle holder! (I actually do have a lot more needles than this but I haven't fully organized my stash and accessories).
Since, we moved into the new house we have fully taken advantage of Craig's List (BTW the founder of said site is from Jersey). We have sold our dining room set, removed our sofa, computer desk, and we have acquired our new dining room chairs and a sewing table. Ok so let's begin with the dining room chairs. The people who owned the house before us left the table which was very nice but no chairs.
Last night, La Flaca (my mom) calls and tells me that there are chairs on Craig's List and after an email and phone call later we went this morning to investigate. The price of the chairs was fabulous and I think they fit nicely in the dining room. They say Aries have a thing for symmetry and after looking at the photo - well it is confirmed (for me at least).
The sewing table I found last week and on Friday DH and I took a ride up to Andover Antiques and picked her up. Let me explain that in this one corner there are five or six antique stores and they are all so nice. The furniture was all gorgeous- I want a bigger house! 
We stopped by on a Friday at 4pm and they were incredibly helpful and nice. The table is tiny fitting perfectly into my nook on my arts and crafts room. On the top of the table is engraved the J.D. Flock Company Hackettstown, NJ. On the other side is an engraved tape measure. I love the idea of an engraved tape measure. I don't even know if I will use it, but I think it fits appropriately.