The sunset this evening.....a view from our balcony. "Oh mama, it's beautiful" Noey said to me!

I got my first paycheck.... la la la la la la! So you know what that means!! Yarn purchases! My first purchase was the Berocco Soft Twist from YarnMarket which should arrive Monday. (which was actually purchased prior to the arrival of my paycheck.....but no one needs to know that!) My second purchase was 10 skeins of Noro Silk Garden from Jimmy Beans Wool for Klaralund. And then today my third purchase was some beautiful handpainted lace weight from HandPaintedYarn.com for Ella. (thanks to Lauren for the link!)

My Diagonal Scarf is turning out so pretty! I love it! The colors are just beautiful. Still not a good shot of the beads, but they add a little sparkle to it.

Thank you to everyone who left me encouraging words about my Baby Afghan. I have come to terms with it not being perfect. I still have to wash it, and weave in the ends.....maybe this weekend? Seems like we never have time for anything anymore!

I am getting in a little extra knitting on weekdays. I have to be at Noey's school a good 40 minutes before school lets out to find a parking place!! Is that crazy? So I sit in my car, along with all the other mothers sitting in their cars, and I knit! A full 40 minutes of knitting!

Clapotis is humming along again. I just completed the 7th dropped stitch, so I think I'm a little more than half way. I'm noticing in the picture a little pooling down on the lower right corner. Hopefully when I drop all the stitches it won't be so noticeable.

The Baby Afghan is done!

Fraught with mistakes, either mine or the patterns', but it's done! It really is pretty, as long as you don't look too closely! I was able to finish it up today after no knitting this weekend. Noey was sick and didn't go to school, therefore I didn't go to work. I was also able to clean the house and do a couple loads of laundry. I just need to weave in the ends, and maybe run it through the wash.....I even have almost 2 weeks to spare.

Now I can get back to Clapotis, and maybe start something new. I ordered some navy Berrocco Soft Twist to make this shrug. I think it is the same basic idea as the Vintage Bolero, and if so then I will make that afterwards. I was organizing all my yarn and supplies (again!) today and I realized how many future projects I have! and then there are all the projects I have seen and want.....I'm beginning to think I have a problem! The output is not nearly as great as the input!

I traded in my airline miles for an Amazon gift certificate......so I'm looking into knitting books.....any suggestions? I have $31.00 to spend.

Here's a close up of the detail. It seemed like it would be a really easy pattern, a seed stitch border, a lot of stockinette, and some K2 together and yarn overs to create the "lace". I don't really understand why it was so difficult!

Road Trip

No knitting content to report because we made a last minute road trip this weekend to San Diego to visit my niece, Megan. Megan called up Friday night all sad and lonely. Her roomate was going home for the weekend and she hasn't made any friends yet. So Noey and I decided to drive down Saturday for the day. It took a lot longer than I thought it would so we decided to stay the night.....with no provisions! After a quick trip to Target for undies, jammies, and toothbrushes we were in business.

We went to Old Town for shopping and lunch. Megan and I each bought Bohemian skirts at the street fair. Mine's purple.....darn I just ordered navy blue Berrocco Soft Twist for a shrug.....now I want to make a purple one! Then out to Soup Plantation for dinner......I never go out to eat, so this was exciting all in itself! Megan hung out with us in our hotel for a while.....she hadn't seen TV for a couple of weeks. Then we took her back to her dorm. (that's her and Noey above in her dorm room) The UCSD campus is beautiful, very wooded. It reminded me of my days at University of Oregon....aaahhh.....the memories! We had lunch with her today, and then drove home. It was a lot of fun! I haven't been that spontaneous since before Noey was born......or gone without makeup!

Since you asked.......

The only 2 local yarn shops that I know of are L'Atelier in Riviera Village in Redondo Beach, and Concepts in Yarn and Needlepoint in Hillside Village, on Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance. I know there is a shop, In Stitches, in Manhattan Beach, and Let's Knit Yarn Shop in Gardena, but I have not been to either one, as that is a little far for us. (although not as far as driving to Santa Monica for Wild Fiber!) There are a couple in Long Beach that I'd like to visit, Alamitos Bay Yarn Co., and Knitropolis.

And also for anyone who is interested - The Southern California Handweavers Guild "Weaving and Spinning Show and Sale" is Sunday, November 6 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center.

I've noticed on all the Southern California blogs mention of our wild weather earlier this week. It really is a big event when we have thunder and lightning! (we're such wusses!) Now today it's 93 degrees at my house!

Frustration and Stash Enhancement

My mom picked Noey up from school today (thanks Mom!) so I stopped at my LYS* to pick up a little something for my Secret Pal. In anticipation of my first paycheck in 3 months I made a couple of purchases for myself. The Artful Yarns Broadway is for a cute diagonal scarf. You can't really see it in the pictures, but it has little beads woven in with the yarn. They had a sample of the scarf made up in the blue.....so pretty! So the pinkish will be for me, the blue for my mom, I think. The Sirdar Country Style was on sale so I thought I'd try the Vintage Bolero again.

The big news today is the first rain of the season in Southern California and you know what that means! Worse than usual drivers! Us native Californians just can't drive in the rain! So it was fun trying to get Noey to school on time and me to work!

*I don't know why I keep shopping at this LYS. I guess because it's the only one close by. They don't have a great selection and their customer service sucks!! They act as if you're bothering them if you ask a question, and heaven forbid if you ask them for something they don't carry. I'll guess I'll have to make a trek back to Wild Fiber once I actually have my paycheck in hand.

Meanwhile back at Chez Noey, I'm completely frustrated with this Baby Afghan. I'm having a lot of trouble with the lacy insets. The first time I thought I just wasn't paying attention, the second time I thought I was just stupid, but a third time? I think there's a mistake in the darn pattern. So it's not going to be perfect.....I just don't have time to restart or start something else. I feel bad about that. It's for a very good family friend, shouldn't it be perfect? I don't think anyone will notice the errors, especially after a baby has rolled around on it and spit up on it, but still......my sense of perfectionism is going to make this bother me!

The Baby Afghan is coming along, slowly. I'm worried I won't have it done two weeks from today for the shower. I made a mistake and have to rip back one row, and now looking at the picture I see another mistake on the right side border. Ugh! I don't wanna start over!

Meanwhile Clapotis waits patiently for me to get back to her. I hope I can remember the pattern. I really want to finish her.

I get my first paycheck at the end of the month so I have been plotting and planning my yarn purchases. I've been wanting to make Klaralund, so I think Silk Garden will be my first purchase. But then a magazine or catalog seem to arrive daily and I find more projects I want to make.

I got another cute eCard from my Secret Pal! Thank you!! Very cute, and Noey loved it too. We had to play and replay several times!

Noey is in the swing of Kindergarten and loving it. Everyday she discovers something new. My job is going well. It's very busy and challenging but I like it. And my boss is great! I am her assistant so I figure it is my job to help her out and make her look good, but she is constantly asking if there's anything she can do to help me! Plus, I found out I get 2 week off paid at Christmas, 1 week off paid at Easter, 4 weeks off in summer, 2 of them paid! It just keeps getting better and better!

Noey has chosen her Halloween costume!! This is a big day in our house! We talk about the costume all year long! Noey decides and changes her mind a dozen times. (most recently she wanted to be a CHIPMONK!) But this is the one! Yeah!

Secret Pal Stuff

I got my Secret Pal today, and I heard from the pal spoiling me!! She sent me a cute Hello Kitty e-card! Thanks SP! Yeah! I'm so excited. I had so much fun last go round.

To the pal spoiling me - I don't know if you saw my questionnaire answers......scroll down a bit and you'll see it.

Updates

I've been chugging along on Clapotis. I think I'm about half done, just dropped my sixth stitch......I just love dropping and unraveling those stitches. I've been working on it pretty steadily, but it seems to take forever!

But, I had to put good ole Clapotis away because I get to knit baby things!!! A friend that I have known for 35 years (he's 36 now!) and his wife are having their first child!!! Yeah! Finally I have a baby to knit for.

So I found this pattern, a simple but pretty baby afghan, and I chose this aqua and white "Baby Soft" yarn, and I thought this should be a fast and easy project, right? Well, no, not really! I'm having trouble getting it going. I think it's the size 13 needles - I just can't get the first row to come out even. I cast on and frogged 4 times last night before I finally gave up. The shower is October 8, so I think I have enough time to get it done.

In other news, my job is going well. I am the administrative assistant to the Director of a preschool. The position was open for several months, and the previous AA......ummmm.......let's just say she didn't work out, so the office was in quite a mess. But I was an organizational expert in my previous life BC (before child) so I have been organizing and organizing and organizing. Today was the first day of school for the preschoolers and all went well.

Noey is doing great in Kindergarten. We love her teacher, and she's making lots of friends. She told me on the third day that she already knew everything, and they didn't even teach "2+2" yet!!

Secret Pal 6!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? I am not really a snob, but I do prefer the higher end yarns. I do use Lion Brand on occasion, and will use a nice acrylic.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? Nope, neither.

3. Do you have any allergies? No allergies, but I can't stand the smell of smoke or strong perfume.

4. How long have you been knitting? Almost a year

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon

6. What's your favorite scent? Plumeria, vanilla, coconut.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Oh yeah!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I sew, sometimes, mostly for Noey.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? I like alternative rock, classic rock, and just plain rock. No to MP3s.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? My all time favorite color is PINK, I'm now into GREEN, hence my new favorite color combo is Pink and Green! I also like the combo of turquoise blue and brown.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? No pets, one husband, and the most adorable, smart, and funny 5 year old, Noelle.

12. What are your life dreams? My biggest dream was to be a mom, so now I'd just like to have a big house with a front porch and a huge backyard.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I like Noro Kureyon and Silk Garden, KnitPicks Andean Silk or almost any silk blend, any self striping yarn, Brown Sheep, Cascade 220

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Scratchy, cheapo acrylic/synthetic.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? To start and complete a sweater for myself.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Shawls/wraps, scarves

17. What are you knitting right now? A tank top for my niece, Clapotis, chenille wash cloths for Christmas presents, circle afghan for my parents

18. What do you think about ponchos? I don't like the big bulky kind, but I do like the feminine, lacey mini ponchos.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I use both, but use circular most.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? All three.

21. Are you a sock knitter? I desperately want to be!

22. How did you learn to knit? Self taught

23. How old is your oldest UFO? Almost a year, but I think I will frog it rather than finish it.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Hello Kitty and Care Bears

25. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and my birthday

26. Is there anything that you collect? Italian charms, and Fiestaware

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have 'em all...Interweave Knits, Vogue, Family Circle Easy Knitting, and Creative Knitting.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? Naturally Noro by Jane Ellison, Stitch N Bitch Nation, The Handy Book of Sweater Patterns

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?? I covet just about every pattern I see!

My life is perfect

Sure, I'm a little overweight, my hair won't turn out right for nothing, I hate all my clothes, the traffic here is horrible, our condo isn't big enough and it's never clean, I never have enough time and/or money for knitting......but all in all I have to say my life is perfect!

All I ever wanted was to be a mom who walked her child to school, and picked her up when the bell rang. A mom who sat down at the kitchen table and did homework with her child. A mom who took her child to ballet and waited patiently for class to end. A mom who made chocolate cake with her child just because. Well, my dream has come true. I am that mom! I am so blessed, fortunate, lucky to have my life. I'm just feeling grateful today.

The Big Day

Today was the first day of Kindergarten! All went well, and Noey was a happy girl! She told me it was "fun, fun, double fun!" I had a few tears after I left her, and I thought about her all day long, wondering what she was doing. I couldn't even knit, I was so anxious! But all was well when I saw her smiling face at the end of the day.

Here she is in her little uniform! She looks so little, yet so grown up!

Updates

It has been a crazy, busy week and my mind has not been on knitting or blogging. In no particular order: I started my new job last Thursday....so far, so good, I'm trying to get Noey ready for Kindergarten....which starts Tuesday (yikes!), Noey lost her first tooth!! (that was exciting!) Noey and I went to Adventure City (that was fun!).

I finished up and/or started several projects early last week, but haven't actually knit since last Thursday! Kinda scary......even DH was worried. But I haven't been feeling too good (migraine) so I didn't want to knit or blog. My mom picked up Noey today for the afternoon, so I'm going to try to sit down and knit.

First up.....I finally joined the bandwagon (albeit a little late) and started Clapotis! I'm using KnitPicks Andean Silk Twist in Poppy Field. After a number of froggings, I am now almost finished with the increases. I really like it....which is funny because Shar used almost the same yarn and didn't like it at all!! I can't wait to start dropping stitches!

I finished Noey's French Market Tank Top. It turned out really cute, and fits her perfectly, however she wasn't in the mood to model it for me. Next to it is a One Skein One Dollar Wonder I started using the Turkish acrylic I got at the Fiber Fest, which cost......as you may have guessed $1.00! The orange colors match just right, so it will be a cute little outfit.....just in time for fall.....although fall in California is pretty warm.

This is the best shot I could get of the uncooperative child.

My Mini Poncho is finished, blocked, seamed, and crocheted, and pretty cute if I do say so myself. I'm not sure about the flowers though. The picture in IK shows one flower on the bottom, but I'm not crazy about that. What do you think of these 3 at the top? or maybe just one at the top?

I got my KnitPicks order - some more Andean Silk to finish my Clapotis, some more natural Wool of the Andes to experiment with Kool Aid dyeing, and this wonderful book.....Wrap Style. I love it!! Already picked out a couple of wraps I want to add to the queue. I really like that this time they put yardage and yarn weights needed, as well as the yarn they used.

On Wednesday, Noey and I went to Adventure City as our last day of summer extravaganza. It is a nice little (only 10 rides) amusement park for little kids. (think Camp Snoopy) We had a great time, it wasn't too hot, it wasn't too crowded. Noey, being the big 5 year old that she is, wanted to go on all the rides by herself....including The Magic School Bus!

Thoughts and Prayers

I just feel sad today. The news just breaks my heart. We have been praying for everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina.

We have first hand experience with the devastation a hurricane can leave. My brother and his family lost their home and everything they own in Hurricane Andrew.

Please know that The Red Cross and other agencies really do help out. My brothers' family received emergency supplies and shelter from The Red Cross, and they were eternally grateful for the kindness of strangers. So please donate whatever you can, even if it's just a dollar or two....it helps.

Both Webs and The Naked Sheep are donating 10% of their yarn sales to hurricane relief, if you can think of yarn shopping right now.