Time Flies...

Wow, so it was June last time I posted... what happened there?

I think it was a phase where I was processing a lot of things... lots to think about but not a lot to write about. My old computer went Kaput so there was that. My camera wasn't working properly, took a while to figure out my son had borrowed it and messed up the settings. You know... stuff.

Oh well, new year, new start... onward ho!

So what's new? Well... lets see... I had a birthday, I'm getting to the point where I choose not to mention my actual age, ever. Twice recently, I've mentioned that I have a 16 year-old & got the response," Your son is HOW OLD??" I'll take that as a complement. I'm more than old enough to have a 16-year-old son, several friends in my age range are Grandparents (hopefully not me any time soon).


Ginger and Simba are both doing well.Ginger turned 12 in November, she's getting to be an old lady with her little gray paws and snout.


Simba is fitting in well with our little family, he's in remarkably good shape for an older cat. He's a bit of a clutz though, constantly knocking things over... he is a big guy. He is a social guy too, loves attention... they both do. I don't know what I would do without the pair of them, they make me laugh every day. Im really glad I bought light colour chairs...Simba loves them!

Speaking of big guys, the boy is closing in on 6'3" and size 13 extra wide feet... no socks in his future, nope. He dwarfs me. When did that happen?


Still loving the knitting... knitting, reading and coffee... the three things I can't live without. I was so sad when Calgary Farmer's Market closed at the Currie Barracks... it was such a great location and going there was a part of my weekly routine. I look forward to checking out the new market when it opens.

My stash is under control... for now. Budgetary constraints forced me to scale back. I finished some projects... nothing spectacular... a cowl for a friend and a shawl for me. Both from the same yarn, Fleece Artist Big Merino. I love the yarn and these were both quick and satisfying projects.

Cherry Garcia Cowl

Mistaken Rib Shawl

I do finish things once in a while.

And that's it for now... I will try to be a better blogger.

In with the new...

I passed quietly into 2010, a mellow evening at home with my son. Looking back, I haven't completed much in 2009 knitting wise, a lot of other things got in the way. I would like to declare 2010 the year of finishing. Oh yes... finishing what I started...

The only project I started and finished in 2009 was Lady Eleanor

I think I can do better.

First up will be Mara (of course)

Then Wisp...

The Travelling Sweater...

Dianna...

Wrenna...Meret...Greenjeans... it's a long list.

You get the picture. At least four of the above projects must be completed before I allow myself a new project. My plan is to go through my stash putting yarn and pattern for project it was purchased for into plastic bags, as I finish what I've started I will pull new projects from the stash. Shouldn't be too hard, I buy for specific projects. I joined 2 sock kits which should stave off the inevitable need to go project shopping... which inevitably leads to project starting and later... inevitably project abandoning...

Yep Woolgirl got my attention this year, I signed up for Oz when it was open and for my birthday... Alice. They are also going into the new stash organization system so when the muse strikes they will be ready and waiting.

I also plan to de-stash. This will take work but as part of my total de-cluttering program, I know it will make me feel better. I plan to do some de-stashing as contest give aways, some as gifts and RAKs and some as straight up sales so keep a weather eye open...

And as for the rest of my plans... total de-cluttering program... personally, emotionally... physically... time to pack up the excess baggage (or buttage as the case may be) and get rid of it!!

Happy New Year to you all and may 2010 be an awesome year for everyone!

Finished loveliness!

Blocking...


I am so happy with this cowl, another Awesome Amy pattern (that's what I think her nickname should be from now on "Awesome Amy" Swenson). Chameleon Colorworks is a treat to knit with. No one believed it was actually wool it's so soft and fluffy feeling.

Specs: Shapely Cowl by Amy Swenson
Needles 4.5 mm (US 7)
Yarn Chameleon Colorworks Evolution in Ophelia Sport Weight 150 yd

Loveliness to come...


Mmmmmm... Mini Maiden, bought here with my birthday gift certificates.

What to do what to do... I'm thinking an Abby out of the Sangria and a Woodland Shawl out of the Victoria. What are your thoughts?


The Last Year of Lace kit for 2008, Nancy Bush's Snowdrop Shawl

New Years is for resolutions right?

Here are mine.

Finish projects

Stash Slower
Buy only what I love with specific projects in mind.

Get creative
I would like to dip my toes into the areas of design, dying and spinning. I already have some pattern ideas in the works and my absolute love of colour pulls me towards dying. I am by nature a creative person... an idealist... 7 years of art college speaks to that... the 15 years of working in the advertising industry that followed didn't completely knock it out of me :-D.

Support local, Canadian, independent businesses at every possible opportunity
The bricks and mortar LYS isn't going to be around if nobody shops there. If you want a place you can go to hang out and have a coffee, knit and chat with your friends, and get real help when you need it--you need to be supportive. You need to give back to those people who make up your local community. Have you ever tried going back to a Wallmart or Michaels or E-bay and asking for help on your latest project? I'm all for supporting the independent crafts people too, spinners and dyers, but I would like to try to do it locally. Look for a local craft collective (ideally in my perfect world, I would start one). It's the same reason I shop at the farmer's market. I know my money is going in a more direct route to the people who've earned it.

Expand my knowledge and understanding of the craft
Learn, learn, learn... it's what keeps my mind from turning into complete mush.

And on a more personal note...
Focus on what I love, be passionate, be grateful for what I have and tell the people I love that I love them more often.

That's it, that's all... Happy New Years to all my Yarnie friends! XOXO M.