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Friday, October 31, 2008
The excitement is mounting as the evening draws nearer. Yesterday saw a small Halloween cookie decorating party (sugar cookies cut with a biscuit cutter, frosted with orange frosting and then chocolate chips and raisins added on top to complete the jack o' lanterns' faces ... thanks, Mom, for making that so fun when we were little that I still love to do it now!) and a viewing of Disney's classic Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Oh, and the carving of the (huge!) pumpkin. Today we're making trick-or-treat bags, assembling clown and gypsy costumes, and crafting a few decorations to hang around the house, and then it's off to knock on doors. Halloween is taken very seriously around here ... evidenced by all the decorated houses. One house in particular has been adding something new to their outside Halloween décor each day for the last couple of weeks. We pass it every day on our way to check the mail, and the kids have decided that's the FIRST house they're visiting tonight! 
The weather has vacillated here between muggy, rainy, and warm (almost 20 degrees), to chilly and sunny, so the knitting muse is sometimes not sure what to inspire. Tank tops or scarves? I've been thinking that scarves are a wiser choice, and finished up one that had been sitting in my stash for awhile. It was supposed to have been a store demo for another colorway, but never made it that far. Knit in Shoeller/Stahl Wonderwool and Diamond's Starlight for accent. Just enough glitz and "lash", with lovely warmth and loft. And nice garter stitch "Zen" for the knitter. I think I know to whom this will be headed, but haven't exactly decided. Into the gift cache it goes, though. 
Also turned the heel on my second tweedy sock. Might get it done this weekend, and then I can start a new pair. I'm torn between the Misti Sock and a nice rugged pair in Briggs and Little's Sport. I'm in the mood to do a textured sock of my own that could double as a Christmas present and as a prototype for a new leaflet. And almost all the pieces of the pink jacket are done. Just a couple of inches left on the hood. Still stymied on just exactly how I'll block the pieces, though. I had such a great routine in our last house, pinning down deep into the carpet. Now, no carpet ... and this sweater will take longer than a day to dry, I'm sure, so using our bed? Not sure that's a great idea. I'm sort of partial to sleep. Can't possibly get away without blocking it, though ... it definitely needs it BEFORE seaming. Thoughts, tips, anyone?? I AM looking forward to trying out the new "Grapefruit" scented Eucalan that's just in, during the blocking. Let me know if you'd like a bottle ... I have both the 60 ml size and the 500 ml size. It's such a lovely, delicate scent, and is (of course) also a natural moth inhibitor, just like lavender and eucalyptus. (Those folks at Eucalan definitely know what they're doing.) Makes a great accompaniment to a handknit gift ... Hey, everyone ... enjoy those little devils running around tonight, save yourself some trick or treating candy and settle in with a scary movie and some supernatural knitting. |
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Wednesday, October 22, 2208 It's been all about birthdays, here for the last while. Unfortunately, a pink knitted jacket didn't make it onto the gift table (due to lack of knitting across Canada), but a bit of seersucker sewing did: 
Yup, I'm always off by a season. This should have been a summer sundress, but became a very flouncy, twirly fall party dress. Here's a better idea of just how much fabric is in this thing: 
It was a hit. Oh, I DID gift some knitting! I almost forgot! The birthday crown I mentioned earlier (was it September, or even August?): 
This also was a smash hit, and was really easy to make. The bonus is that the garter stitch stretches like nobody's business and fits the heads of the whole family, and then spriongs right back to fit the smallest head. I see more of these in my gift giving repertoire. Both garments were worn for a rockin' dance party to Sandra Boynton's "Blue Moo", also one of the gifts. Love those CD's she does ... we have all four, and let me tell you, as a parent, this is kids' music that I can listen to more than once without going crazy. Hey, when B.B. King is on the roster, you really can't go wrong. Hmmm ... otherwise spending time trying to organize ourselves in a new location, which is made even more challenging and time consuming by being in a new province. Everything has to be switched over, from drivers' licenses to medical, and let's just say we've spent quite a lot of time on the phone. Also still searching for just the right place to buy, but not having much luck. The weather turned a bit chilly this week, so we've been baking and simmering for warmth and comfort, and the pink jacket is once again seeing some progress. Still have to figure out a new blocking system, though, now that I have no carpets ... P.S. Are you in on the challenge to save energy and money by keeping your thermostat turned down this winter? Luckier than ever that we're all knitters! Bring on the nightcaps! Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Yup, so if you'd ever like to get a smidgeon of a feel for just how big this ole' country of ours is, just try driving across it sometime! BIG. Whole lotta Canada. And that's just one direction. I can barely imagine the span from top to bottom. Glad to say we made it across safely, with most our wits still about us, and with really less close calls than I thought we'd encounter. We wish, of course, that we'd have had more time to "tourist" across, instead of being so intent on the purpose of just GETTING across (without a U-Haul incident or some such thing). But even so, the scenery was amazing, and the provinces (or the little we saw of them, anyway) were truly admired. Let's just say, though, that I am DEFINITELY glad we have such imaginative children. Without their games with "Pooh" and "Sparkle" (a unicorn) in the backseat, I shudder to think of what the 9 day trip could have been like. 
We've now settled into a temporary spot for a month or two until we find just the right place to buy. And I'm here and open and ready for shipping orders. I wish I could show a bunch of "knitting across Canada", but I have to admit a shocking fact: I DID NOT KNIT A SINGLE STITCH DURING THE ENTIRE TRIP. After getting up each morning at 5:00 local time for each time zone we visited, and driving all day (I drove the car and he drove the U-Haul) until we'd stop for the evening, there was absolutely no contest between a bed and the knitting. Since we've arrived, I've managed to put a few rounds in on sock two in the tweed (my conscience won out over starting a new pair with the luscious Misti Alpaca sock yarn), and have almost finished the first sleeve on a pink jacket, but nothing too substantial. Maybe later this week I can post a couple of photos of some knitting and some party sewing. In the meantime, please cry your eyes out for me while I suffer eating/drinking all the apples and pears and corn and squash and cucumbers and tomatoes and pie pumpkins and lobster and apple cider and wine and beer that are now all available locally. I think I'm in heaven. Oh. And there's (no kidding) a fair trade chocolate factory at the end of our street. Half. A. Block. Away. Glad to be back online ... drop me an email to say "hello"! Oh, and both my toll-free and regular business numbers will be directed to voice mail for another month or two until I get permanently settled. Just leave your name and number and I'll return your call. And don't forget you can use my secure order form to order online any time. Oh. A parting tip on travelling cross country with two vehicles? Two essentials: walkie-talkies and a child old enough to help navigate while the 2 adults are driving! P.S. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! |
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THE WOOLLEN EARTH, General Delivery, Summerville, NS B0N 2K0 Canada Phone: (902) 633-2727 Email: |