Thursday, December 30, 2010

A New Year.....A New Outlook

I have been racking my brain for some original, entertaining ideas for blogging in 2011.  Let's face it, my life is not newsworthy on a daily basis.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  Peace and quiet is what we strive for, however, it does impose some challenges when it comes to blogging material.

I have been discussing a few ideas with a couple of important people in my life and will likely designate a couple of days a week on the blog to specific subject matter.  What I am most excited about is the first challenge will involve the SF.  In the past, I have encouraged him to participate in the craziness that is my blog proposing a 'he said, she said'  format since he always has so much to say offline, but he wouldn't bite.  (He's yelling over my shoulder that it is because he isn't as witty as I am.  I say it's laziness.) We have now come up with something that appeals to both of us.  A photo challenge.  A fun challenge really, but if you know anything about us, we both love a little fun competition.  And if you know the SF intimately, you know he makes a better loser than a winner, so here's hoping he loses.

Weekly we will select a subject for our challenge.  The image will be our own interpretation of the topic.  I'll post each one of our photos anonymously each Monday, and entitle the post MUGSHOT MONDAY.  In the meantime, I'll  attempt to figure out how to work the voting thingamajiggy on the blog (I have a week or so to figure it out - should be plenty of time) so you, the readers, may vote and hopefully we'll garner a few more comments and encouragement.  I will also announce the next week's subject matter at that time.  Hopefully, we can agree on some rules to post by the first submission.

First MUGSHOT MONDAY challenge - RED.  Don't ask me?  The SF picked it.  Apparently he already has a million ideas.  We will alternate choosing subject matter from the numerous ongoing challenges posted at DP Review website.  The first MUGSHOT MONDAY photos will be displayed on 10-January and will continue weekly....or until we get bored.  Look forward to your participation and if you feel like joining in, please feel free to email me a photo and I'll add it to the challenge.  Any and all are welcome.

Monday, December 27, 2010

More Christmas Knitting....

As promised, a few shots of my hubby with his new Christmas toque on....
watching the Canada vs Russia game on Boxing Day.



The pattern, if interested can be found here.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Happy Man....

With Happy Feet

 


Someone is looking for a toady scrub with those new socks. He figures since knitting them was a team effort, that he should reap some of the glory.
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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Just In The (St.) Nick Of Time!

With 26 minutest to spare, I have finished the dreaded Christmas bedsocks for my dear husband. Unfortunately the SF is out protecting the people, so he is not able to be home to enjoy them.

Hmmm....these are looking like an awfully good match with my new Christmas jammies. I might have to reconsider gifting these babies....

...or just make a pair in my size.

Merry Christmas to all!
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Maybe If All Family Members Had Been Cooperative?

Then I might have got 'er done last night. But someone had their own agenda.

This was where I left off last night. I say A for effort! I have about 2-1/2 inches to go. Turkey is now in the oven. Sweet Potato Pie is just about done. Double-Cooked Mashed Potatoes are done. Stuffing done. Husband & dogs, napping. Time for me to hit the sticks again. Christmas isn't over yet and even if it doesn't get done today, he did get a hand made toque. I'll post a photo of that later.

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Friday, December 24, 2010

The Home Stretch


Well.....that might be stretching it because when you wear a size 13 shoe that stretches on for ever and ever....let's just say that I could be up all night long. It's 10:41 pm here right now and I'm not hopeful.

In the knitting world, fingerless mitts are on fire right now. There is currently 4,317 patterns for fingerless mitts on RAVELRY.com and more impressively, 120,764 pairs of fingerless mitten projects completed there. I'm just wondering if toeless socks will catch on with the same zeal or zest? Maybe the SF will start a new trend with his toeless sock. I sure hope so because I need to get some sleep before I have to get up in the morning and see what Big Santa left me under the tree.
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You Thought I Was Kidding, Right?


Posted by PicasaI told you he gets closer and closer.

Seriously?  This knitting is exhausting work.

Take Note....
A knitter covered in loose strands of wool usually indicates some frogging (ripping out your knitting) has taken place.  (Excuse the pornography.  This shot gives new meaning to the term "blue balls".  And, as some of you may know, when Ernie actually did have a set, he only had one visible externally therefore this photo is true to form.

Where was I...Heel Flap done.  Check.  Heel Turn done.  Check.  Gusset...in progress....frogged.....in progress!

Geez....I must have been a really good girl this year because either he's JUST watching TV or I got a lot more presents than he indicated....probably more than I deserve but I was a pretty good girl this year.

Despite My Best Efforts

...this Christmas is becoming reminscent of last. Not because I am knitting the Christmas Sock but because the SF is downstairs wrapping his presents. Apparently I am not the only procrastinator. Thank goodness for gift bags!
Sock progress.  Cuff done.  Check.  Leg done.  Check.  Heel Flap...in progress....
Posted by PicasaEveryone needs a trusty knitting companion like mine.  He gets closer and closer until he has me pinned into the corner of the couch and I can't move without crushing him.  What would I do without him.

How To Get Out Of Making Dinner.


Lonesome Sock
How to get out of making dinner.....threaten that his sock won't be done for Christmas and endure the guilt trip associated with him making dinner after working a full day.


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One hour down....cuff done.

Dinner's calling.  Must eat!

Bah! Humbug!

As a majority of the population does, at least I'm hoping, I have procrastinated on one of my gifts.  If I recall, I was in the same position last year?!  This time around I thought I would have a little fun with it.  Of course it is a knitting gift.  I think last Christmas Eve the SF and I were in separate ends of the house while I knitted away and he sat by his lonesome.  Actually, I think he was wrapping presents.  This year, I started knitting them in front of him.  They were, in actuality, a last minute request on his part.  He wanted a pair of ankle socks to wear around the house.  Our friend T refers to these as bed socks.   I searched my patterns and extremely large stash, made my selections, gained approval and cast-on.  One sock down.  One to go.

I currently have 7 hours until Christmas arrives...... let the countdown begin.  Did I mention I still have dinner to make, dishes to do, dogs to play with......

Regardless, casting on...  updating soon.