tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277816382024-03-07T14:09:53.920-06:00Knitting, Gardening, Life, and Everything ElseMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-24596760368490533432010-11-07T13:13:00.000-06:002010-11-07T13:13:41.587-06:00Cake and Brownie Balls!Ok so its been like 7 months since the last time I posted but that's ok. I finally finished grad school, yay!!!! Can't believe it. Now I am doing things that I haven't been able to do since all my time was taken up by school. Besides watching loads of TV :) I have been doing a lot of fun cooking projects. The most recent being homemade pasta, ice cream and now brownie and cake balls. Between birthday gifts and graduation gifts I now have an ice cream maker attachment and pasta roller attachments for my Kitchen Aid mixer. They have been really easy to use and I'm having a ton of fun. We are now on our second batch of "ice cream" that was made last night. We did a gelato first but the hubby added double the amount of coffee making it a bit too coffee flavored. Last night we made frozen chocolate yogurt using Greek yogurt. That is all ready now and in my freezer! <br />
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I also am going to bring a dessert next weekend to my cousin's 30th birthday party so I am testing two different recipes for that; cake balls and brownie balls. The brownie balls were so easy to make and are ridiculously delicious. While I wouldn't say these are the healthiest of treats they are still manageable. The frozen yogurt is 180 calories with 3 grams of fat for a 1/2 cup serving (pretty good); the brownie balls are 115 calories, albeit a bit higher fat concentration at around 7 grams per ball; and the cake balls are about 170 calories and 7 grams of fat per ball. While it might not seem very satisfying to have just one of the brownie or cake balls I can attest the the brownie balls are pretty rich and satisfying. So even with if two brownie balls are eaten it's not the worst dessert. <br />
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I'm a bit back logged on the knitting projects right now. Still working on or at least still have to finish my hubby's scarf. But that's been on hold while I work on a baby blanket for my friend's newborn. However, I'm not very far on that either. Might just work on some bibs and burp cloths now and then go back to the blanket. <br />
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Have to go roll out the cake balls now, freeze them and then dip in white chocolate. Yummy!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-65497282333141495212010-04-01T10:44:00.000-05:002010-04-01T10:44:32.144-05:00FinallyAhh its springtime in Chicago and its finally nice out! The windows are open and there is actually sun. Such a great feeling. I am off of work starting today through next week Wednesday, ahh vacation!!!!! But I need to get a good chunk of my results chapter done for my thesis so at least I'll have more time to devote to that. I am also hoping to get some spring cleaning done too!<br />
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As for my dreams of the summer, I have also started my summer garden indoors of course. So far so good my seeds are sprouting. I am trying to not buy any plants this summer and only use the ones I am starting from seed. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can do it. It seems silly to me that you spend so much money on plants when you can plant a few seeds and have 10 plants for the price of 1. Of course I do not grow difficult plants so I can see the value in getting plants not easily grown at home. But I think planting your own seeds is fun and gets you excited about your garden. Not to mention how great it feels to watch them grow knowing that you did that! So I'll see what happens. I am starting marigolds, nasturtium, gerbera daisies, cosmos, geraniums, petunias, and tomatoes. I also have lettuce, strawberries and herbs to grow but I am waiting until I can just plant outside. I also have some cascading vinca coming in the mail now so I may just plant that outside too since its getting a little late to be starting seeds. I have used the peat pods in he past to start my seeds but this is the second year in the row I am just using some seed mix and planting in the seed kit. It seemed to work fine last year. I know that with the peat pods you can plant the pod and all but even with making a little hole in the bottom of the lining and planting the plant with the pod I am not sure the plant grows as well as not planting in the pod. It may just be my error in not cutting a hole bigger enough in the lining but I am fine with this current method. <br />
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Working on a scarf for my husband supposed to have been done by his birthday last week but I've been busy working and finishing up my thesis so maybe by Christmas he can get it :). Have been itching to get a little better at crochet so I may start learning that but don't have a lot of time to devote to it right now. <br />
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Have a pretty full travel schedule this year. Flying to NJ to defend my thesis in the coming months, going to San Diego for a wedding in the summer, and got a great deal on plane tickets to St. Martin in November. Very excited for my upcoming travels! Haven't figured out where we are staying in St. Martin yet or how many days. We are planning on splitting our week between St. Martin and Anguilla. But I have some books to read that might help us decide.<br />
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Thinking I may buy myself a new camera as a graduation gift and have been interested in the newer micro four thirds cameras. Could be a fun gift especially to take on my future travels!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-64155014850787045832009-05-28T22:09:00.003-05:002009-05-28T22:19:52.725-05:00Cherry Tree is BloomingWell I guess its been a while since I posted anything but that's because I am starting to get a little break from the dreaded thesis process. I really thought I picked an "easy" research topic but that's not what its turning out to be. I have to defend my thesis proposal on Tuesday that should be loads of fun. At least the presentation is short. Its finally warm around here and my newly planted trees are blooming. Way too long of a winter and its great to have some greenery. Still working on that darn sweater from last August. At least I am down to my last sleeve to knit and then sewing it all up. Not that I'm going to need a sweater anytime soon. But I just need to finish it so I can start something else. Haven't decided what I'll make next but I have lots of yarn to choose from. <br /><br />I've recently become completely addicted to my cell phone. I have never been a "techy" kind of person and always opted for the free or cheap phone but my husband convinced me to get an iPhone and I got to say I'm really hooked on it. I don't know why I waited so long to get an awesome cell phone! I've even downloaded some great knitting aps. <br /><br />My husband and I are finally going to take our make-up anniversary trip and are heading to Jamaica in 4.5 weeks! Should be fun and hot! I am not really a fan of the heat but it will be nice to get a way for a while. Good thing we purchased travel insurance this time. Hopefully we won't have to use it. This will be our 3rd trip to Jamaica. Not that we love it just seems to be a cheap place to go. Don't think we'll make the mistake of saying were there to party this time. We are slightly naive and my husband jokingly told the guy at the resort that we were there to party and well we got a phone call to our room to see if we wanted to purchase drugs. Live and learn!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-63339743828771770602008-12-17T09:03:00.002-06:002008-12-17T09:11:35.081-06:00I think winter is upon us!It is almost 2009 and I cannot believe that the year is almost over. Although it has shaped up to be better! I am hoping 2009 stays that way too. I should so be getting ready for work or wait be at work, but I am delaying it a little because it just seems like today should be a snow day. I don't know why adults can't have official snow days from work but it's likely to have something to do with the fact that its WORK :). I finished another class on my journey through grad school. Thanks goodness! Now I just need to figure out what I am going to do for my thesis...hmmm that's tricky. I would like to get it done in '09 so I need to find something that would interest me but also not take too much time to do. I am sure I will figure it out but I am taking a few weeks off for the holidays and will think about in January. <br /><br />Zelda is hanging out on the desk with me as I type. I think she secretly wishes she could write something about the conspiracy between wet cat food and dry cat food and why can't she just eat a whole can of wet food at once! As for knitting, I have just not had a lot of time to do it. I think this year I finished a hat for the husband and a baby sweater for my friend and that's it. I did get the back done on a sweater for me. So, maybe with my time off from school I can finish that! I have so much yarn for so many projects that I do need to start something new.<br /><br />As for the shoulder it is much better. Still not 100% of what it was but better and manageable. Well as much as I would like to stay home and do nothing all day I should start to get ready for work :(.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-12535695487721619002008-08-06T22:51:00.003-05:002008-08-06T22:55:43.788-05:00RavelympicsWell, <br />Okay so like all resolutions, I have not been keeping up the blog. But, hey at least I am still knitting. I am just finishing up the Elizabeth Zimmerman's Surprise Baby Jacket for my friend who had a baby in May. I do hope that it fits when I am done, but I think it will. Not that a jacket is of any use in Chicago in the summer but its the thought that counts right? Anyway, the start of Ravelympics is upon us, yay! I am doing the To Dye for Sweater in Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n Bitch. I am excited to get it done. Three of my friends and myself are supposed to have done the sweater a while ago (2 are done with it). So, I figured this was a perfect opportunity to do this sweater. I hope I can get it completed by the end of the offical Olympics but we shall see. My knitting has been a bit slow lately due to many things including my shoulder. But, I am hopeful. Well that is about all. I'll check back in with updates!!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-61316911607015398542008-03-09T11:51:00.002-05:002008-03-09T11:56:34.035-05:00Daylight SavingsWell,<br />I have obviously not been keeping up with my blog, oops :). I have been very busy though. I am midway through my semester, yay! After this class, I only have 4 left! Cannot wait to be done. It will be nice to have some part of my life back. My shoulder has been doing better. I have been exercising it and that seems to be helping. Still have not finished that darn hat! Oh well, I have until March 25th to finish for it so I can give it away as a birthday present. Today I have a big cooking day ahead of me. I thought I would cook most of my dinners for the week today. I just have so much to do when I get home from work that having dinner already done would be a great help. My husband and I are still trying to figure out if we are going to reschedule our trip to Antigua or just eat the money. We shall see. We wouldn't go until Jan 08. The problem we have is that he may start grad school as well and classes start when we would like to go. So, I do not know. I am so looking forward to spring!!!!! It has been a very long winter here and a little warmth and sunshine is in order. Well that is all for now. :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-4913136770917898872008-01-27T19:09:00.000-06:002008-01-27T19:30:10.297-06:00Its almost FebruaryI cannot believe that January is almost over and February is here. That is good for us in the north where the short days and cold nights make for good knitting but some mild depression. It was so nice today (40 degrees and sunny) that my hubby and I took Kandi (our dog) for a walk. We went to the lake and walked around in lots of snow. Kandi had so much fun. I wish I could let her off leash but she is so bad about coming back when called so we have to keep her on leash. On the knitting front, I did do one round the other day. My shoulder is starting to feel better although I feel like I will jinx that at any minute. So, we'll see. I did start another semester of grad school this week it should be an interesting course. I have four more days of work and then I have a three day weekend, yay! I have currently worked 8 days in a row and am feeling a little tired. Oh, we discovered a new pizza place today! It was super good. Since moving to our condo we have not found a place we really like. No, not all pizza in Chicago is good pizza. But, today we found a place and loved it! So, that is my excited new of the day. Kind of boring but its my life :). Well, that's it for this week. Hope this week is a good one!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-18434553874505813272008-01-21T21:04:00.000-06:002008-01-21T21:14:04.588-06:00It can't get any worseAh how my January is turing out to be one of the worst months. On a positive note I did do one round of knitting today. Just taking it slow. My grandfather passed away the weekend before this one. I really didn't think this month could get much worse but it has. He had been ill for a while and at 85 had lived a good life, but it is very weird to not have this person in my life anymore. I cannot come to terms with deleting his phone number from my cell phone so it is going to stay there just a little bit longer. At least I have very good memories that make me laugh and cry at the same time. I think the strangest part of everything was going back to work on Monday after it happened. I was explaining to a friend (who recently lost her father to cancer) how it is so strange that while your life has been altered everything else around you is the same. People at work, work related problems, traffic, television shows, mail, etc... It is difficult to explain but you feel sort of in a "twilight zone." My cold is sort of improving now and my shoulder has been feeling better. So, I think health-wise I may be on the mend. I just hope that Feb is a better month!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-12720233483613518282008-01-09T14:16:00.000-06:002008-01-09T14:21:53.529-06:00In like a lion...Well,<br /><br />I thought I would keep true with my resolution and update my blog. Its been about a week and what a week it has been! I am currently on a knitting sabbatical. My mild knitting injury turned into a flare-up of my arthritis in my shoulder and I had to go to the hospital for 36 hours. Not much fun really. Starting to get back into the swing of things, still some pain in my shoulder but infinitely better, and now I have a cold. It has been a rough start to 2008 and I am hoping that this will only mean that the year will get better! My husband and I traded in our car yesterday and purchased a new one so that is pretty exciting! We also celebrated our 2 year anniversary on Monday. Not in Antigua as we would have wanted but at home. Although, there has been some unseasonably warm weather and we did get to enjoy it. So that is my weekly post. I hope that next week will bring one with more cheer! Stay warm.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-32538478995159153852008-01-01T17:49:00.000-06:002008-01-01T18:04:14.436-06:00A New YearIn keeping with the tradition of resolutions, I have made a few knitting resolutions for myself. <br /><br />1. Keep up with my blog. Maybe a weekly post would be good vs every few months.<br />2. Finish up some of my projects. I do not have many UFOs (unfinished objects) but I have lots of yarn for new projects.<br />3. Clean up my yarn supply and donate yarns I am not going to use.<br />4. Learn a new knitting techinique (I have not done much with color work and I would like to learn how to knit in the Continental style).<br />5. Clean up and inventory my supplies. This is huge. I have so many various places to store needles that I need to keep better track of everything.<br /><br />That is it. It is a lot but some of these things can be done in a weekend or two. Plus it will help me clean up my closets :). <br /><br />Right now I am working on a lovely black ribbed hat for my hubby. I did too much knitting yesterday that I need to take a few days rest. Have a very sore shoulder and elbow. I was hoping to have the hat finished before Thursday, but it looks like the hat will be traveling to Antigua with me. Not too bad for a winter hat to have a a beach vacation. I will likely need to bring another project too in case I finish the hat. <br /><br />Other things I am doing now include getting a much needed break from grad school and getting used to my new job. I am slowly getting myself setttled in. It is definately not my dream job but will do for the time being. I am also celebrating my 2 year wedding anniversary in 6 days. Time does fly by. Well, that is all for now. My next entry will be after my little vacation, hope we have a great time!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-78777067127302517832007-02-26T20:23:00.000-06:002008-12-11T13:02:19.953-06:00New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6th3kVjZAH2Yi44AyWEtiBWPHAkszQeP0Q84KALvmjD4QSRHhJ3KcZwuX-VbYOAzAz0aQb9Q9AeDQFKjAtSZQANAj5Cg-VIRwVZkfQyeXwzCqvqcUzZO7sPVJ4o3bwIhmjRa/s1600-h/P1000497.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6th3kVjZAH2Yi44AyWEtiBWPHAkszQeP0Q84KALvmjD4QSRHhJ3KcZwuX-VbYOAzAz0aQb9Q9AeDQFKjAtSZQANAj5Cg-VIRwVZkfQyeXwzCqvqcUzZO7sPVJ4o3bwIhmjRa/s320/P1000497.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036035706739177954" /></a><br />I cannot believe that there are only 2 more days left in Feb! I will be happy to see spring though, it has been a very rough Feb here in the windy city. Still snowing today. I have had a very productive month though, I finished three projects! My first finished project was another pair of socks. Its a new pattern and I wanted to try out the pattern first before I made them again for my mom. She has requested blue socks. I was supposed to have them finished by Christmas...oops...maybe her birthday would be better :). I also finished a baby blanket that I made for my friend's first baby! Lasly, I finised the odessa hat by Grumperina. That only took 1 week to do. I am going to do another one in black without the beeds for my cousin's bday. Still working on that dog sweater though, go figure. I have about three more inches until the back is finished. Then its off to do the neck and chest and then finishing. I will be very happy to get that done. As for school, I am almost midway in the semester. I got an A in my last class, yay! So, just working on that. Going to read Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathanabe for my book club book. I started reading it a while ago and was very moved by it. Should be good to pick up again. That's all for now.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1163104714423378042006-11-09T14:35:00.000-06:002006-11-09T14:38:34.436-06:00First sweaterYay!!! I finally finished my first sweater. Its the laced edged tee I started in June. There is a lot of love in spots, but I am so happy I finished. I need to take a picture and put it on here. I am working on a dog sweater now for Kandi. I hope she at least wears it and does not try to take it off. Other than that, just trudging along in school. Finished my midterm, did not think I would ever finish that. Still need to unpack some boxes from the move, oh well eventually. Ohhh, we have a new edition to the family, a little kitty we call Zelda. She is definately Zelda the supercat. Will need to add pics of her too. Well, that's about all for my new adventures. Jamaica in 6.7 weeks!!!!! Can't wait.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1156107079904586882006-08-20T15:48:00.000-05:002006-08-20T15:51:19.913-05:00Drop-outWell I am an official drop out of the amazing lace challenge. My summer has been the busiest in years. We moved end of June and had to relocate for a few weeks and then officially moved into our own place end of the 1st week of July. So, it has been unpacking and settling in. Not to mention, one of my BFs is having a baby in 4 weeks and I am more than half way done with her baby blanket so I had to stop working on the lace to work on the blanket. So, with my lace still in the early stages, I am a drop out. I will still finish the project and post my pics, but right now a little less stressful knitting is what the doctor ordered.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1151902180916064892006-07-02T23:44:00.000-05:002006-07-02T23:49:40.926-05:00The pheonixSo there have been a few changes here. 1.) an address change. Well I guess a few address changes as I am living in the burbs until the new condo is ready. The "kids" are enjoying it at the g-parents. I am not enjoying my commute! An hour each way. Used to be 15 min. Oh well, it will be faster again soon. 2.) Glorianna has taken on some new colors. Yes, I again foolishly thought I had safely stored away my work but alas we found it on the floor in a tangled pile. So, new ball purchased and delivered. I am now two times through the pattern. I really love this new color. I think it will work well. So, needless to say my life has been a little too crazy to think about a poetry entry into amazing lace. But, that is alright. I will try with the picture challenge next. Well off to bed I go. I need to find a safe hiding place for Glorianna.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1150341492868081792006-06-14T22:15:00.000-05:002006-06-14T22:18:12.870-05:00New Partner<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0957.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/320/100_0957.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Meet Lace Edged Tee. We'll call her Crayon. I can't just work on one project at a time, so I had to add a new one. This will be my first attempt at an article of clothing. It is coming along well. We'll keep you updated on the progress. <br /><br />p.s. Glorianna is jealous of the time Crayon and I spend together.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1149827371286609222006-06-08T23:06:00.000-05:002006-06-14T22:14:05.646-05:00Challenge #2 (X-treme Lace Knitting: The Great Yarn Quake)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0954.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/200/100_0954.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I know many people have heard about the great Chicago fire. But, I am absolutely sure that no one has heard about the great Yarn Quake that rocked my condo. Glorianna (my partner in crime) and I were carelessly lounging on the couch, when we heard a horrible knocking sound coming from the office closet. We paused, looked at each other, and decided to investigate. Stealthfully entering the office, we noticed that the closet door was slightly ajar. I, in my infinite wisdom, decided to open the door. Wham!!! My yarn stash had come down upon us like a flurry of angry pigeons. There we lay under this pile of doom barely breathing. I was certain of our fates and wondered how the morning paper would describe our deaths, the headlines would proclaim "death by yarn stash." Glorianna, my hero, helped me push my yarn tangled arms through the rubble to reveal us laying beneth. All I could do to keep myself sane was to continue to knit our pattern by memory. A sort of S.O.S. I knew that if someone saw movement they would know that there was still hope. Luckily, we need not wait long. My husband arrived home and immediately called for backup. Later that evening Glorianna and I recalled our horrific events over a nice glass of scotch. We do agree on one thing, sharing this moment together bonded us closer than we ever thought we could be. <br /><br /><br />*please note no yarn was harmed during the shooting of this photograph.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1149731977849042122006-06-07T20:56:00.000-05:002006-06-07T20:59:37.860-05:00The fustration of picking up stitchesSo I started my new project, the laced edged tee ( in addition to my Elizabeth I scarf, cannot do just one project )<br />I am having issues getting the correct number for my stitch pick-up. I am doing an "iventive" way of getting the correct stitches, I hope it comes out okay. Other than that, I have been trying to thing of what my X-treme lace knitting picture would be. I have many ideas but only one can be submitted. Wonder which one I will pick...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1148610790391988702006-05-25T21:30:00.000-05:002006-05-25T21:33:10.400-05:00Itching to start a new projectWell, I finished my socks!!! Two pairs down. I have two more pairs of socks to go with a new pattern. But, I think I will take a small break from knitting socks. Tomorrow, I start my gage swatch for the amazing lace race so I can start my scarf! I am also going to start making a lace edged tee from knit picks. I was thinking the yarn for the tee would be a bit more white, but I think it will be fine. I had to check my project to do list b/c I forgot what one of my yarns I ordered was for...yikes. Too many projects. I am glad I finally got to upload my first entry into the lace race. Should be a good time. Off to watch some T.V.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1147921828993130552006-05-17T21:49:00.000-05:002006-05-25T21:04:59.493-05:00Amazing Lace Entry No. 1:<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0943.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/320/100_0943.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />me w/partner<br /><br /><br />Contestant no. 1000035<br />Name: M.A.P. <br /><br />AKA: Windy City Knitting Chick, or Presto<br /><br />Age: 28<br /><br />Profession: Dietitian by day, swanky knitter by night<br /><br />Why do I knit: Because I need some creative outlet in my life. And I find Knitting to be more addictive than ______ (fill in the blank to your vice).<br /><br />Biggest secret: I have a yarn disorder, I go on and off the same yarn diet. Binging and starvation, not the healthiest. And, I secretly purchase and hide yarn from my hubby :).<br /><br />Why did I enter the Amazing Lace Race: I like a good challenge to motivate me to do something new. It was also a great excuse to try knitting lace.<br /><br />On my partner: (Lace Scarf, Queen Elizabeth I:pattern Glorianna) We are a new team, just met today for the first time. I think we are going to enter into some hardships, laughter, and tears. But I know we will prevail! My partner's roots are vintage, but surely a goody. I think my partner and I will be traveling together to such exotic destinations as Freemont, MI, the office, my den, rooftop deck, and so on...I believe that this constant travel will be a bonding experience to ultimately bring us closer to being the best team out there. (my current partner does not know this, but I may have the start of a polygamous relationship with some new partners, TBD...)<br /><br />Our Strenghts and Weaknesses: Partner's strengths: solid pattern and charting. Weakness: will challenge me when misreading the pattern. My strengths: I rock on my yarn-overs :), I can wrap my yarn around the needle with great speed and agility, and fair/good on my increase and decrease techniques. Weaknesses: lack of patience. Sometimes I get so excited to see the finish work that I rush, make a mistake, and have to rip back, ugh!!! I think I may have some challenges with blocking. We shall see. <br /><br />Plan of attack: I think I will work at a slow to moderate pace to elimate as many mistakes as possible. Try to work through the pattern at least twice per day. I do hope we can work well together because I would like to have more than one partner and more than one finished masterpiece.<br /><br />On the other contestants: I see there are some saucy knitters and my partner and I look forward to the challenge. <br /><br />Will you love me or hate me?: Well, I will let you decide, but I can tell you this I am a strong competitor...and the force is strong with me...<br /><br />Why we are going to win: I don't know how to tell you this, but people know me. I'm kind of a big deal. I have many leather bond knitting books and my yarn stash smells of rich mahogany.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1147313416667018072006-05-10T21:06:00.000-05:002006-05-25T21:09:29.716-05:00Socks R' Us<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0948.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/320/100_0948.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0947.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/320/100_0947.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I finished my first pair of socks!!!!! I am so excited. I even started my next pair. Same pattern and yarn just different color. The new ones are a natural color. There is a little bit of love in my second sox since I didn't rip back my one wrong row, but it fits great. I fixed my first sock where Kandi added her own art work as best as I could. And they both look good. So happy!<br />Went to a yarn shop today and spent some money on patterns. My chief enabler was with me as usual :). Mostly lace patterns and a few more sock patterns. I love how quickly socks knit up, instant gratification. Well that is my exciting knitting day today with lots more to come!!!!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1147232295253394892006-05-09T22:35:00.000-05:002006-05-09T22:38:15.253-05:00The "kids"<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0739.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/200/100_0739.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Just wanted to post a pic of my "kids" my cat (Sasha) and cute dog (Kandi). They like to sabotage my work!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1147228954586792642006-05-09T21:39:00.000-05:002006-05-09T22:41:31.986-05:00AlpacaSo,<br />I signed up for the great lace race. http://amazinglace.licketyknit.com/<br /> I am super excited. I got my friend (soxy knitter) to join me. Project and yarn on order, yay!!!! I am shaping the gusset of my sock. There is of course a little bit of love since I knitted one row the wrong side. Oh well, I am learning. I'll upload the pics once I am finished with them. Well, I am off to finish shaping the gusset.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27781638.post-1147137919118491202006-05-08T20:06:00.000-05:002006-05-25T21:16:39.536-05:00First time blogging<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0938.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/200/100_0938.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0856_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/200/100_0856_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/1600/100_0858_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6325/2931/200/100_0858_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Well this would be my first blogging effort. Hopefully, it will be fun! Right now I am working on my second sock of my first pair of socks. Of course, Kandi (my dog) got to the first of the sock pair and chewed the cuff, ugh!!!!! This is the second project of mine that she decided to contribute to. The first project was a hat from Hats, Gloves, Scarves by Louisa Hardening. I had just finished and was going to sew the seam and she got to it over night, chewed the top and chewed my bamboo needles. Needless to say I had to purchase another ball of yarn and refinish the top. Good think she is so cute :). Other projects I have made are: scarves, of course, poncho, capelet, hats, and mittens. I have not designed any of my own work yet. Still learning how to knit and just getting the courage to do more involved projects. I am becoming a whiz on double pointed needles and find that they are fun! I have a great knitting group made up of my coworkers. We try to get together after work at a local bakery and cafe to knit. One of these days we will make it to the SNB at the MCA. Well that's all for now. Gotta go work on my sock!!!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373700215035363230noreply@blogger.com0