magKNITficent

Gifts for Anna...

2010-01-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

A few years ago some friends of got married and now they're having a baby...

and I was so excited for her baby shower last weekend that I decided to knit a few things for their soon to be born Anna

Some Petal Bibs

Some Booties

A Boheme with some mods

and The Baby Chalice Blanket

A note on my absence...

2010-01-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

I think I intended to start knitting and blogging again after the wedding...

Shortly after we returned from our honeymoon my dad died and I intended to start up again after the funeral...

and then before I knew it years had passed and there had been no blog updates and not really much knitting to speak of. This year I'm hoping to get things back to the happy place I was in a few years ago and go back to blogging and knitting and sharing my inane stories and thoughts.

Photo MeMe

2008-02-28T04:59:00.000-08:00

Photo Meme
Instructions for the meme are:

Go to www.photobucket.com (don't sign in)
For each question below, type your answer in the "search" box and hit ENTER
Use only the first page of hits that come up and select a picture. If no matches are found to your search query you can revise your answer.
Copy the html for the photo you select and paste it in your post.

1. What's your first name?

2. What's your favorite food?

3. Where did you go to school?

4. What is your relationship status?

5. What is your favorite color?

6. Who's your celebrity crush?

7. Who are you listening to right now?

8. Favorite movie:

9. Favorite book:

10. Favorite Disney Princess:

11. Favorite Drink:

12. Where's your dream vacation?

13. Favorite dessert?

14. What did you want to be when you grew up?

15. What do you love most in life?

16. One word to describe yourself.

17. One word to describe your style.

18. What is your ideal home?

19. What is your favorite mode of transportation?

20. What are you passionate about?

Wedding Planning ate up my Knitting Time

2008-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

So I've been a seriously bad blogger. All the wedding planning stuff and work have made the knitting time disappear. I don't have any knitting pictures just a few pictures from the Save the Date Magnets we made, its the only crafty thing I've done since I started planning this wedding.

All the stress is enough to make a girl want to elope.

Black & Noro

2007-12-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

Black & Noro

Yarn: Noro Kureyon and Paton's Classic Merino Black
Pattern: Brooklyn Tweed's Noro Stripes Scarf
Comments: its a simple 1x1 rib pattern, and I love the way the black yarn makes the noro colors pop. It's super long, but I wanted it to be symetrical, but I just love the way it came out!

The Christmas Tree Skirt I made a few months ago is finally in use...isn't it pretty!

I had a great Birthday on Saturday, I got two birthday dinners, plus I got Colorado Fondu as a congrats for getting a job...So I ate all weekend, but it worked out!

Opposite of Everyone Elses

2007-12-03T16:43:00.000-08:00

While most of you spent the month of November committed to daily posts on your blog, I forgot to post for the entire month! I had a busy month, I started a new job, that I actually like, and that pays well.

As for the tilted duster, I'm a little pissed with it, the way I sewed the sleeve was all wonky and I just couldn't look at it anymore for a while.

I'll post more with pictures tomorrow.

World Series Rings

2007-10-31T12:30:00.000-07:00

As many of you may have heard the Red Sox won the World Series, they get some serious bling for it too!

Speaking of World Series Rings I got my own on the first night of the world series!

Joshua suprised me and asked me to marry him! The pictures don't do it justice, it is very hard to photograph somthing so shiny, but I tried. I just love it and I'm so excited!

Tilted Duster Update

2007-10-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well last week I had the ALCS so it gave me quite a bit of knitting time, and now I'm on the Skirt part of the tilted duster, as soon as I finish that I'll just sew on the sleeves and we'll be set.

Then we went to the St. Mary Magdalen fair, which I love, and we played some BINGO, ate some lobster and just all around had a good time. (but we never win at BINGO)

Unemployed Again...

2007-10-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Since I got layed off a few weeks ago, I've had a lot of extra time on my hands, the majority of this obviously goes toward the job search, but since I can knit and surf the web I'm getting more knitting done. I've started the Tilted Duster from the last issue of Interweave Knits, I've got the first sleeve done and I'm working on the second....

And I expect to make some more progress this weekend because the Red Sox play the Indians for the AL Championship....which means I get extra knitting time!

Aran Christmas Tree Skirt

2007-10-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Aran Christmas Tree Skirt
From Handknit Holidays

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (knit w/ 2 strands together)
Needles: US 13's
I love how this came out, I modified the pattern a little, I didn't add ties because I thought they'd look stupid. All the red around the edges is a braided cable. Even though I'm happy with how it came out I have to admit by the 8th or 9th repeat of the cable chart I was ready for it to be over! All I'm saying is Josh better fill it up with presents this Christmas or I'll take it back

The Great Thing about the End of Baseball Season...

2007-09-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

As we near the end of baseball season and the Red Sox played the Yankees last weekend which gave me 5 hours of uniterupted knitting time which allowed me to finish the Hemlock Ring Blanket I made for Josh's Apartment, it came out great! Especiall for being in Red Heart (which was the only thing in the stash I was sure I had enough of) But after a round in the washing machine with a little fabric sofner and steam blocking its soft and comfy, and beautiful.

And this weekend the Red Sox played the Devil Rays and I've had two nights of knitting time to work on this...A Christmas Tree Skirt, the pattern is from Hand Knit Holiday's and I'm using Caron Simply Soft held Double stranded to gauge. I'll give you three guesses who's Christmas Tree its for...of course Josh's....I think I'm gonna deserve a couple of presents after all the knitting I've done for him the past couple of months!

Getting into the Swing of Things

2007-09-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

It takes me a long time to get into the swing of things, but I think I'm getting there, the new job while not ideal is working out pretty well, and I like all the people that I'm working with, so its mostly good.

We still have some family things going on but all in all things on that front seem to be improving, which is a relief.

So hopefully this will lead to me actually getting to blog more and maybe even knit more!

Josh has his new apartment and I'm helping him decorate so we rasterbated...

Behold our Joshua Tree, he he he

And becuase he's so great for our five year anniversary he took me away for the weekend to St. Augustine...

We stayed ont the beach, visited the fort and met a very nice woman at The Alpaca Imporium, oh and did I mention the awesome ghost cruise? Here are some pictures...

Now for the WIP Wednesday, you'll see my Jaywalker and the most recent issue of interewave, excuse the drool!

And Nicole was kind enough to nominate me to be a rocking girl blogger, THANKS NICOLE, I don't have anyone to nominate because they've all already been nominated...so I guess thats good.

A Very Late Thank You...

2007-08-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

To Megan for my very cool swap package...

This is my Summer Blockbuster Swap Package... My movie was Absolute Zero
Megan go me some great Noro Silk Garden in this great Blue Color, some Aquae Soak, some great new stitch markers, and best of all CANDY, I assure the rasinettes were not long for this world!

Thanks Megan!

A Month Later

2007-08-13T15:03:00.001-07:00

We had family come in from Texas at the end of July, it made a great excuse to visit the Mermaids at Weekie Wachi, It was pretty fun

Well I've been working and I've just gotten my schedule worked out, and Its hard to find time to blog or even knit latley.

Finished Object

Zig Zag Table Runner

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Blue Mint

Needle: US size 7's

Notes: I made this for my mom, she wanted it to be machine washable and I used what was in the stash because I was broke, but it came out pretty well. I modified it from Persnickety Knitter's free scarf pattern

Swap Answers

2007-07-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Since this is a summer blockbuster swap, would you rather receive a summer action/adventure movie, a light romantic comedy, or a suspense/thriller?

Probably a light romantic comedy or an over the top disaster movie, I LOVE disaster movies

What is your favorite film genre or type?
Romantic Comedy, Disaster Movie, Adventure

List 3-5 of your favorite films and why you like them

Sabrina(own it)- The old one with Audrey Hepburn, I just think its classic, the story is for the ages and I love it

The Day After Tomorrow(don't own it)- One of the very best disaster movies ever, I never get sick of that movie, every time it rains or someone talks about global warming I get the urge to watch it

National Treasure(don't own it)- Mostly I think I like it because it is way better than it has any right to be, its filled with semi-good actors that work exceptionally well together and it appeared to be an attempt to capitolize on all the davinci code furver, but its just a fun movie to watch

The American President(own it)- I know that its corny and very unplausable but I like it, I've seen it so many times I could probably act the entire movie out for you, plus it has Michael J Foxx and I LOVE him.

The Royal Tenenbaums- I love the dark comedy, I think it's Wes Andersons best movie, It just makes me laugh a lot

Do you like foreign films? Would it annoy you to watch a film with subtitles if you are knitting/crafting?
I do like some foreign films, but I don't think knitting and reading mix for me very wel

Is there a movie that you've always wanted to see but haven't?
I honestly can't

Do you have any favorite actors?
I like a lot of old movie actors too, but I won't bore anyone, Jake Gillenhall(sp?) Luke Wilson, Lauren Grahm, Mark Walberg

What kind of movie night treats do you like? Type of Candy? Popcorn?
I love popcorn, and chocolate covered rasins, and those melty mint things I have no idea what they're called

Are you a sock knitter, lace knitter, or hat/mitten/scarf knitter?
I'm an everything knitter...

What are your favorite fibers?
wool, alpaca, anything soft

What fibers do you dislike or are allergic?
scratchy wool, and over novelty yarns

What are your favorite colors?
pink, black, blue, green,

What colors do you not like?
nothing to pastel I like bright and vibrant

Is there anything else that your partner should know that will help her spoil you?
I've been on a serious yarn diet, so anything will be spoiling to me at this point!

Sensory Overload

2007-07-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the lack of blogging but I've had a lot of distractions this week

For starters the Bon Jovi CD Lost Highway came out and I've been listening....a lot...and working on the table/dresser runner I'm making for my mom

Then I started my new job Monday, and traffic and getting up at 6 in the morning is new to me, and a great deal of my new job involves sitting in front of a computer and typing. I'm not going to say the company I work for, I think I can get sued if I say anything not nice about them. I'm doing marketing for an internet bead company here in Orlando, its not as glamours of as fun as its sounds though.

BTW

Isabella is Dead to Me

Oh yeah the other thing that has been super distracting is this...

Josh got the first season on dvd and we watched it in record time, now thanks to the wonder that is netflix I'm off to watch season 2.

Hope Everyone had a Good 4th of July

Namaste

2007-06-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember that for my birthday Josh got me a beautiful Namaste bag, I loved it, but after a few months of using it the handles had started pulling away from the bag, the stitching was comming loose and I was very dissapointed. I wrote an email to Namaste's customer service department

After a very nice e-mail this came

It is a brand new bag, in the same color but improved handles, and on top thats a hand written note of apology.
After dealing with some very bad customer service latley I was so suprised. I'll be buying more things from them, as soon as I can afford it.

Mustang Sally Blues

2007-06-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

I'm back from KY, we had a blast, now I'm back to real life....

The day before we left I got caught in a terrential down pour, the one with hail in Altamonte, and I ran my car (my mustang) into a puddle. This was not your average puddle upon further investigation the puddle I discovered that the puddle beared great resemblence to a lake or small retention pond, upon opening the door to my car when the engine quit I found myself submerged in thigh deep water. Then I did somthing so monumentally stupid I hesitate to recount it, I tried to start my car! When I did the the exaust pulled the water into the engine compartment, locked up the piston and slung the rod through the oil pan. I have a new engine on its way, the insurance company, after much finagling) has agreed to pay for almost half (although we still have a $5/hr labor discrepency that is going to cost me an extra $300) and the carpets are dry and seats are dry and my hail bruise (because I had to then stand outside during the rest of the hail storm and wait for a tow truck) has healed.

I'll have a better story tomorrow!

No Blue Grass

2007-06-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

But...we did have a private suite at Churchill Downs yesterday...it was air conditioned with an outside balcony and a private bar tender, tons of food, and a machine to take our bets so we didn't have to leave if we didn't want to. We were talking to the Bartender and she said the suite we had was the one Michael Jordan had during the derby. It was a ton of fun.

Loads to Talk About....

2007-06-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what a hank of sock yarn would look like if two overzelous dogs got a hold of it...well wonder no more my friends

Isabella

I was hoping to have this finished before I left for KY on Thursday but it doesn't look like thats going to happen, I have had to reknit the neckline like 3 times and I'm still trying to get it the right length to match up with the back, I guess we'll see what happens, here is a progress pic anyway.

Josh and I got dressed up this weekend for a little dinner that my school had honoring graduates...

Kate Spade
My mom got me a great new bag, its a Kate Spade, but the very best part is that she got the bag for $11.99 (and if you know anything about handbags you know that is an insanley good deal)

Oh yeah, and my blogaversary was like on the first or the second, I guess I should aknowledge that, even though I'm a crazy bad blogger and didn't even blog on that day, or that week.

Randomness

2007-05-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

Finished Object

Pattern: Jaywalker from Magknits
Yarn: Austermann in the Petrol Colorway
Mods: I made the cuffs very short and changed the toe shaping

Josh's Birthday

I gave Josh a Power Juicer, he was so excited he made the PowerJuicer face...

We also had a dinner, a good time was had by all

Meanwhile, because Rouge is so huge and warm I've decided while its warm I'm going to put it aside for a while so I started Isabella from Knitty. The back is done (finished during James Bond) and I've started the front...

I Got Tagged....

2007-05-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Freakknitter from the Bad Ass Knitters ring tagged me to post 7 random facts about myself

The rules of the game are that I must reveal 7 random facts about myself. I then need to tag 7 others & list their names on my blog. I also have to leave those I tagged a note in their blog comments letting them know they have been tagged & to direct them to read my blog for the rules of the game.

1. When we remodeled our house I tiled my own bathroom, and hung drywall

2. I only own three pairs of socks (I wear flip-flops all the time)

3. I was a voulenteer at the last Democratic National Convention (I saw Howard Dean...Whoo Hoo!)

4. I don't have a single yearbook from High School

5. I was a child beauty queen, I have trophies and tiars to prove it

6. I was a scottish highland dancer

7. The only diploma I currently have framed is my kindergarden diploma (maybe I should get around th the other two soon)

I choose to tag

Nicole
Adrienne
Megan
Amanda
Teantae
Michelle
Veronica

Finished Object Friday

2007-05-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

Does one sock count? I have one finished Jaywalker and the second started, I'm hoping to get them done before Sunday (Mother's Day) thats proving a little harder than I orginally thought b/c Karen is down from Boston and my normal knitting/tv time at Josh's has been replaced with super fun games of spades and other stuff, so it isn't like I mind or anything.

I'm working on this knitting and reading at the same time, its kind of hard, but my readig material this week is a little more interesting: The Vanity Fair green issue is out, and its got a few great articles by RFK jr. and an article about the new electric sports car by Michael Shnayerson...I like it, anyway...

Charity Knitting FO

I have one FairIsle hat with earflaps, additionally I have a set of mittins, and a double knit beanie that I didn't get a picture of yet...

Knitting meme

2007-05-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Mark with bold the things you have ever done, with italics, the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.

Here's mine:

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items)on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles (Ew! Never!)
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Mission Accomplished?

2007-05-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

Today is the anniversary of this....

It was 4 years ago today that GWB declared the end of major combat missions in Iraq since then 3,337 soilders have died, and 26,188 have been wounded and over 60,000 Iraqi's have been killed.

The more things change...

2007-04-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Over the last weekend I got to go to Jessica's baby shower, it was great. She looked so pretty, and I think everyone had a good time, her mom made some great food and everyone won prizes. I made her a few things I'd post the details and pictures but I forgot to take any... but we did have a good time!

The house has been oddly quiet. This is in large part due to Charles being gone for the next few months, I hope this works, and Rory focusing on his training/studying because he's decided to join the Army. I can't say I'm thrilled about his choice, but he isn't listening to reason and has made up his mind. On the job front, nothing, not even a phone call, maybe things will perk up as we head toward summer. In case I never find a job I'm working on my business plan and am going to start activley looking for investors, I have a few phone calls in to some venture capitol firms that specalize in female start-up's.

Progress Report on Rougue

It is comming out great, I'm taking a little break from it because I'm at the part where the neck splits and on the second half of the neck the cabling is done on the wrong side, I keep screwing it up, so I've decided to work on some chairty knitting, The Dulaan Project has a shipment going out in July so I thought I'd make a few hats and scarves from some stash yarn and send them. If anyone else wants to add some stuff to my box I'll mail it.

Look What I Got

2007-04-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

We had an okay holiday considering a key family member was absent from the festivities, it makes everything a little sad then. I got a Dove Chocolate bunny, and we had a big honey ham with scalloped potatos. It was fun to hang out with just my family for a little while.

Progress Report on Rouge

It is actually working up very well. I feel like I'm getting a little bit more skilled in the art of chart reading, which I hope will come in handy. I've attatched the pocked and worked the majority of the body, I'm doing the back pannel shoulder shaping, and I've finished the cables that are worked up the sideseams to the armpits...

Progress Report on School

This came the other day...now if only a job came with it

Violet please email your address to magknitficentATgmailDOTcom

2007-04-09T08:50:00.001-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

And the Winner is...

2007-03-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Violet won my contest, here is what she won...

A copy of the constitution and some Alpaca yarn.

I got my second BookSwap package from Manda and it was great. I got the Stephanie Plum books, a cute little stickypad, pen and some candy, including a godiva bar that didn't make it into the picture.

ThankYou!

I'm making progress on my Rougue

Both sleeves are finished and I started on the body, I'm still loving the pattern.

Meanwhile I've been working on some "camping' socks for Josh, I used the Thuja pattern from knitty and some stash yarn that didn't have a lable.

If you can manage there is a contest at the end....

2007-03-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

In response to Ah, Sunday, and if you can get through it all a my very first Contest.

I’ll start by outlining my own beliefs…

I’m what you’d call a lapsed Catholic, I attend church semi-regularly with my family, completed all of my sacraments, and I am a very proud Godmother.

I believe in the Roman Catholic teachings, even transubstantiation.

I believe that the Saint Christopher medal I keep in my car protects me (this does not make me a polytheist).

I am also an American.

I believe that the Bill of Rights is sacred, that the first amendment should hold as much weight as the second and so on (literally).

I know that the majority of the “Founding Fathers” were agnostic and intended (though never expressly stated in any legal document) for there to be a separation between church and state.

I separate my church from my state.

I have marched for pro-choice causes, because while my religion may forbid it my state has no right to interfere in my medical decisions (KEEP YOUR LAWS OF MY BODY!).

I vote democrat. I marched against the war, and against George W. Bush, because I think that America elected a stupid and self-serving president. (but, he was elected, technically)

Now in actual response to Ah, Sunday …

I feel like the author of that post responded to a caricature of Christianity, I will concede the point that organized religion is not for everyone, and I would never impose my religious beliefs on another person, there are so many religions and spiritual paths that a person can choose for themselves and I honestly believe that religion is a deeply personal choice that people make for themselves. I also don’t believe that my religion is superior or gives me the right to belittle or undermine any other religion or person who doesn’t subscribe to my views. She apparently does. I am deeply insulted that she would choose to compare my religion to a corrupt corporation that steals money, If I don’t have the right to judge her, why does she have the right to judge me?

As for evolution and public schools, the issue was decided in 1967, states can’t make laws the prohibit the teachings of Evolution, the decision has been tested by new laws and the decision stands.

As for “hold up” Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, it was originally approved for adults only the hold up was to get more studies after the drug had been administered to children, the precautions of the FDA were standard. Most pharmaceuticals are approved for use in adults and then later approved for use in children.
And just like I don’t think the government has the right to interfere in the medical decisions of women choosing to have an abortion, I don’t think they should interfere in the medical decisions that a person makes for their child. Also the vaccine is still considered effective in women up to the age of 27, so a woman would have time to choose for herself.

My plea to all people is for tolerance, most of the Christian religions in the US are young (50-100 years old) they are still defining themselves, it wouldn’t be socially acceptable for the modern evangelical movement to wage an actual physical war (like the Crusades), so they are waging a culture war. Just as you demand tolerance for your beliefs, views, and ideas, I demand equal tolerance of mine.

The reason the ‘Christian right’ has so much political power is because they vote, the problem with most sit on the fence types, is that they sit on the fence on election day…Americans were granted the ultimate political power, many of them refuse to use it…VOTE!

A Contest

Tell me the movie this quote is from and I’ve got a prize for you…

“America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.”

Be the first and you win, the prize is a secret, but it'll be cool!

The Real Life Country Song

2007-03-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

I've been having a bit of a bad week...so please bear with me while I indulge in a little self-pity

To start with, my youngest brother, who is admittedly a little troubled, has run away again. We haven’t spoken to him since last Tuesday night, we had a sighting yesterday, but he hasn't come home yet and it is driving everyone in my house crazy. No one is sleeping and everyone is just a little cranky and snippy.

I also lost my job on Friday, I'm not exactly sure why, I guess its one of those things that happens.

On the bright side, Josh got a new and fantastic job that he loves; I missed NGYK because we were out celebrating.

On the Knitting front...

I've decided that I'm a little to aggravated with the Lotus Blossom Tank, so my new Project Spectrum project is going to be the Rogue hoodie by Girl From Auntie. I'm knitting it as an early Christmas gift, and I'm so in love with it I'm probably going to eventually make another one for myself. I started with the sleeves, and I've thing I've got the hang of this cable chart-reading thing....

Some Finished Objects...

These are just some washcloths and hand towels, I used the stitch pattern from the MDK baby genius burp cloth. I needed something a little bit plainer than the cabling to work on in the middle of the night.

Finally, the best thing to do when your feeling a little blue, have a little retail therapy...I had to go down to KNIT! anyway to pick up the rest of the yarn she had ordered for me and I bought 2 skeins of Noro, I also purchased my very first set of addi turbo's, I'm in love...

Copyrights and Knitting

2007-03-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

The information about copyrights is a little confusing and when I wrote my pattern I called a friend who was a lawyer to have it explained to me, and I thought I would explain it to everyone the way he explained it to me.

The moment that you write/create something original and tangible it is copyrighted, you don’t have to do anything. The problem would come if you were trying to sue someone for stealing your work. To sue someone you would need evidence that yours was the first. There are a few ways to protect your work.

The first way would be to register your pattern by submitting a copy and the appropriate paperwork to the Library of Congress along with a fee of $45 dollars. In July of this year the copyright office is going to introduce a way to submit online, and reduce the fee to $35. This is expensive but entirely fool proof, because the copyright is registered and protected forever.

The second way, sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright”, would be to seal your first copy in an envelope and mail it to yourself, and leave it sealed and just file it away. This establishes when your pattern was written, because postmarks are unique everyday, this sealed envelope would be pretty good evidence of when your pattern was written.

The third way is to sign, and date your work, with a copyright symbol. If you consistently date your work with the symbol, it is usually sufficient proof of when the pattern was created.

I’ve never registered a copyright with the Library of Congress, for my own work I usually just sign and date it. Obviously, I’m not a lawyer and this is all second hand from a friend, but as far as I know its all credible.

Copyright Links:
http://www.copyright.gov/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

2007-03-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

This is some of what I've been working on. I did some dyeing the other day. I used the KnitPicks dyeable yarn that Megan got me. I like the variation I got with the pinks, I'm a little dissapointed in the green, it came out a little too solid for me. Overall I like it, it came out pretty.

I havn't been knitting much because I had blood drawn from my hands (and accidently scraped my bone) and I gor pin pricked in three different fingers for enzyme tests. I did however finally manage to start my project spectrum, I'm doing the lotus blossom tank in Papiro, it isn't going well, I've had to rip it back several times. I have gaurge issues with cotton, I can knit a swatch, it can be dead on and then when I'm actually working the cotton its way to huge, I don't understand it.

Semi-Finished Object Friday

2007-02-23T20:30:00.000-08:00

I've been working on and off on the Fiber Trends Flamingo since before Christmas and I finally got around to the felting today, I'm in love with it.

Pattern: Fiber Trends Flamingo
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino

Campalicious

2007-02-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

Nicole, Josh, Mike and I went camping this weekend and we had a blast. We camped at Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. The worst thing was the cold, but we were tough and we earned out polar bear badges. On Saturday we climbed to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and while we were there this stupid man taunted us everytime we stopped to catch our breath, it was pretty mean, I tried to key Mr. Be Fit's car, but Josh never lets me vandalize private property. Then we hiked to the bottom of this quarry in the park, which ended up being stupid, because there was nothing to look at, and Nicole hurt her ankle in the nasty mud. We also took a walk to the beach, even though it was too cold to swim we had a nice walk and it was very serene and calm.

Billy Joel

2007-02-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

Because of a christmas gift overbuy I have two tickets to the BIlly Joel concert in Jacsonville that I need to sell, the concert is Wednesday. I know it is short notice but if anyone wants to buy two tickets comment or e-mail me...they'll be $130 (that's the face value plus the convenice charge).

Thank You

2007-02-04T10:59:00.000-08:00

I got my package from my bookswap pal today...it's very exciting!

She got me Mason Dixon Knitting, several skeins of cotton and one very beautiful skein of Euroflax Linen, I can't wait to start knitting some of the stuff from this book. She also made me some great pink and green stitch markers, they're great.

Thanks!

uber update

2007-01-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Josh and I went to the Scottish Highland Games (I’m Scottish) over the years we’ve had a few pipers in my family, as well as dancers and drummers and I love the games, I’m also a sucker for a man in a kilt. I’m pretty sure Josh just goes for the beer, but apart from sunburn we had a good time.

I’m knitting charity “no hair day” hats for Nicole, here is what I’ve got so far, they are some type of fun fur that I got when fun fur was cool…

And then Amanda told us about a great yarn sale in Mt. Dora, that everyone else has already elaborated on. I went with Nicole and Amanda and we got had a blast on out little road trip, and I got a ton of yarn

I got some cotton/linen blend and mercerized cotton that I think will make some great tank tops

I also got some blue merino, which will probably end up being a gift for a friend who is a die hard duke fan, I also got some alpaca in an off white, and some wool in brown plied with some aqua that will be bolster pillow's or somthing for my mom.

I only spen $32 in Mt dora...
and then at the Chez Casual stop I got some Jitterbug Sock yarn in the Jewl color way and some Patimes soy silk in a pink and green color way to go with my handmaiden sea silk.

Last but not least I finished my Argosy, which I'm in love with and tried to wear, but its too itchy, if anyone has any ideas on how to make the SWS less itchy I'm open to suggestions! I want to wear it!

There's a Tall Black Man in My Bed...

2007-01-16T13:39:00.000-08:00

The man is Barack Obama,
and his book is modeling my Argosy.The book is excellent, and I like the way Argosy is turning out. I’ve had a few problems reading and knitting and for all of the Patton’s SWS’s good qualities it’s not so fun to frog, also the two skeins I got have had a few knots and I hate that, not just because of the knot but it changes the self
stripeiness of the yarn.

Calorimetry

2007-01-13T20:53:00.000-08:00

I made Calorimetry from Knitty

I knit it using Misti Alpaca that I got from Nicole this christmas, I shortened the pattern, and changed it to a tighter gauge so it wasn't as wide. I love it, I've worn it a few times, mostly around the house when I don't feel like doing much with my hair.

I'm working on the Cabled Cardigan from Knitting for Babies. It's the 3T size, probably for one of my cousins kids or charity, It's almost done, just attaching the sleeves and hood.

And I just started Argosy from Knitty out of SWS (natural geranium)

On a less knitterly note, my Godson was offically adopted on Thursday!!

Here he is with his new offical parents, and the judge who officated the adoption

And on adoption day you can have ice cream for breakfast!!

My New Year Resolutions

2007-01-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

As always I want to lose some weight and be a little heathier, since I'm never any good at keeping my resolution my mom and I are starting a biggest loser club, the basic idea is that people win money for losing weight. I started a new blog for it and if your interesting in it after you check out the rules let me know.

Go here------> http://biggerlosers.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2007-01-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

I've been pretty busy so I haven't updated, It does look like everyone had a good Christmas and I'm happy for everyone.

Here are the knitted gifts that I gave...

I made some beanines for Mike. The Blue one is the Lockheed Star, the grey on is the Stargate symbol for Earth, and the black and green pattern is actually Mike translated into bianary. Making the Bianary hat was fun and it was my first fairisle project and I'm addicted and totally looking for some new fairisle patterns to do.

I also threw caution to the wind, ignoring a very famous curse and knitted Josh a sweater. I used the Jesse patter from SBN, but flames aren't Josh's style

I gave Josh's brother the Harlot scarf, I gave Karen the cashmere doublesided cable scarf, the patons 1x1 scarf, and a version of brancing out that I did in black patons wool, she loved them but I forgot to take pictures before she took them to her house.

What I got for Christmas...

Sorry no pictures more of a list

Josh got me a seatbelt wallet to match the purse I already have, and it is so neat!
My mom and dad got me a new digicam and printer and a brand new black Coach bag that I love!!
Jessica got me a gift certificate to Jo-ann that I'm dying to use and Nicole got me some great super soft alpaca its a dusty pink and I'll post a picture of it later, and Adrienne gave me some great handmade stitch markers

Thanks you Everyone and I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year too!

Later today I'll post some pictures of out New Year's Eve

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-12-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

So the 1st was my birthday and I had a great time. I had a big dinner at roadhouse (no pictures because I forgot my camera) but I had a bunch of friends: Josh, Mike, Cindy, Jen S, Jen A and her hubbo John and of course Jessica.

I made out like a bandit, I have such awesome friends. Josh go me a Namaste knitting bag in a pretty bluegreen color as well as every size straight knitting needle he could find (I think he's sick of making trips to Michaels for needles). Karen got me a bath pillow and a great book. Michelle got me some great purple and green yarn. I didn't take a picture of the giftcards I got from Jessica, Cindy and Jen S and Mike C. But I appreciate everything that I got

Thanks Everyone!!

In other news we finally have a fireplace, thanks to the Bocco Brothers who put up the brick and the new mantle!! I had a visit from a chimney sweep yesterday, I was very disappointed he didn't sing at all...

Excuse all the crap in front of it, I was still cleaning up from putting the last clear coat on it.

BookSwap 1 Questionnaire

2006-11-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

1. What is your favorite book of all time and why?

The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
I love reading this because seemingly unconnected vignettes tell the story of the main character.

2. What type of book do you most enjoy reading?

I know its very general but I love most types of books. I read the clasics, latley I've been in a Jane Austin phase (I missed it in high school) I don't read sci-fi or fantasy. I also like political fiction like Brave New World and The Handmaid's Tale

3. What fictional character do you most resemble?

Probably Jo from Little Women or maybe Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. I'm independent, opinionated, loud, and unexplanably tradidtional

4. What is your favorite type of sweet or chocolate?

I'm a huge fan of sour candy like gummy worms and sour patch kids, but you can't go wrong with any type of choclate.

5. What are your hobbies?

Knitting, writing, photography

6. Do you collect anything?

unless yarn counts...

7. What is your favorite color?

probably pink, and green, but I like color so any colors are good

8. What is your favorite movie and why?

Its a tie between The American President and Sabrina
I like The American President because what seemed like a romance movie was actually pretty pithy and insightful (it was written by Aaron Sorkin) and Sabrina because of the character arc, cinematography, and story.

9. When is your birthday?

12/01 and your crazy if you thing your getting a year

10. What is your favorite scent?

Clean Laundry

11. Do you have any allergies?

A big bad allergy to Coconut and Coconut Oil if I eat it touch it or breathe it I get sick

12. Do you have wishlist on Amazon or another site?

13. What kind of music do you like? Are you MP3 compatible?

All types, rock, country, pop, rap, clasical, clasic rock, everything

Did you miss me??

2006-11-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

Bad Blogger, No cookie!

Here is what I've been doing,

Statistcs, Thanksgiving cooking, and of course shopping.

I went to my aunts house in Lake Wales, no pictures because I forgot my camera. She lives on a canal that connects to a giant lake, and we had a little visit from an aligator, he wanted turkey and came up to the back door. The food was awesome, I made penut butter pie and we had a smoked turkey and a honey baked hame and all the side dishes.

To be honest I spent most of my time hanging out with Karen, my best friend visiting from Boston. We've been hanging out while she's down. Karne and I love to shop...

We pretty much went everwhere starting at about 5:30 this morning. The only places we skipped were Best Buy and Circut City.

Here is what I've been working on

the fibertrends flamingo pattern

I just have to seam up the sides,felt it, add some eyeballs and stuffing

Here is what I've finished

It is a basic beanie and 1x1 ribbed scarf finished. Modeled by Joshua, not the intended recipient, but an excellent model I knit it using patons mill ends that I got from AC Moore.

I need to make a big Thank You to Megan for this

It some dye your own sock yarn from knitpicks, it is sooo soft and awesome.

Productive Insomnia

2006-11-07T20:56:00.000-08:00

I busted out the darkroom the otherday and developed some pictures that I took ages ago. Forgive the glare at the bottom, I took a picture of a picture and there was some glare. At the top corner you'll notice a dark red wine colored harlot scarf. I started it last Monday and finished it up Friday. I knit it in some Carron Simply soft on size 10 1/2's It knit up quick and easy I just loved it.

Saturday Josh and I went to the UCF homecoming game, the most interesting thing that happened was a guy got kicked out of our section, needless to say UCF got pounded, it was kind of pathetic.

Here is the other scarf I finished this week, its a multi-directional scarf, it uses short row shaping to get a sort of triangle stitch pattern. The yarn is an alpaca that I got on clearence at AC Moore a few weeks ago, it was very soft until I blocked it now its a little itchy, I'm taking suggestions for fixing that if any one has any ideas. The added the brown sheer ribon, I like the way it turned out except for the itchyness.

Last but not least I finished my grey cabled scarf, it was too long after I blocked it to get all in one frame so here is just a section of it. It is so soft I used cascade 220 and I like it so much I want to keep it instead of giving it away for christmas.

Thank's so much to those of you who left supportive comments after my bad day post. Everything is improving.

Right now I'm working on some secret projects...and a 1x1 ribbed hat to go with the blue/brown/black 1x1 scarf I did a few weeks ago.

Bad Couple of Day's

2006-11-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

Sorry I won't have any pics today, I can't find my camera.

I finished that grey cabled scarf and started a harlot scarf in red, I'm not sure what its for I just needed somthing sort of mindless to stress knit, to avoid stress eating.

Josh got some bad news, he was sort of layed off I guess and he has to find a new job, My brother Charles broke his hand and got suspended for three days, totaly unrelated incidents, and my brother Rory went to they keys and has a sunburn so bad it borders on sun poisoning, perhaps two days on a boat with no sunscreen wasn't the smartest thing he has ever done.

So everything has been a little yucky the past few days, but on the bright side I might pass statistics this semester, I got a 95 on the first test.

Socktoberfest Slacker and a Survey

2006-10-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

I think it is entirley possible that I will not finish one pair of socks before the end of October. Oh well I'll live....I have made a few beanie's for Christmas gifts....they are all getting some type of embrodery or patch to make them less boring. I used the London Beanie pattern, which knits up pretty fast.

The red scarf from the last post had to visit the frog pond, bcause Gucci and Bogger attacked it, It just wasn't worth untangling so I unravled and rewound the yarn.

Survey Time

1. FIRST NAME?

Maggie

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

No one, but my Papa picked my name

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?

When Rory got in is accident, I cried a lot

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

In cursive, my printing is very sloppy

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?

Roast Beef

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I hope so

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?

Yeah, but it barley counts, I wrote in it sparatically through High School

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Hell Yeah, we get along great

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Probably not, I'd be very afraid

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Peanut Butter Captain Crunch

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Most of my shoes don't have laces

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

I'm like Super Woman strong, URGHH!!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?

Chocolate

14. SHOE SIZE?

6.5 or 7

15. RED OR PINK?

Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

My body...but I'm working on that

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

Karen

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

I don't think I care

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Jeans, black sweater, and flip flops

20. LAST THING YOU ATE?

turkey and ham sandwhich with spicy brown mustard

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Fuck Was I by Jenny Owens Young

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Thistle

23. FAVORITE SMELL?

Gardenia or Magnolia trees after the rain

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Mom

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?

Hands

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from?

Yeah

27. FAVORITE DRINK?

Long Island Ice Tea

28. FAVORITE SPORT?

Swimming, Water Polo and Football

29. EYE COLOR?

Greyish Blue

30. HAT SIZE?

22.5

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

No

32. FAVORITE FOOD?

Steak

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy Endings

34. COFFEE OR TEA?

English Breakfast Tea

35. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Winter

36. HUGS OR KISSES?

Hugs

37. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Cheesecake

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

I have no clue

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

No clue

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?

Little Women (reread)
Learn PHP in 24 hours
and
Dreamweaver MX 2004 manual

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad?

Laptop no mouse pad

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?

Studio 60

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS?

music

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?

rolling stones

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?

London, Ontario

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?

I don't think I have one

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Winter Park, Fl...Native Flroidians represent!

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

I got it from Nicole and Megan

School Sucks and The Birds

2006-10-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

I had two major papers due this week. One was a thirty-four page research proposal using a real company as a model to to achieve diversity, the Other was only fourteen page paper examining in inane detail the complexities of the supply chains of three companies....needless to say my brain has turned to goo.

I'm making progress on the Josh Sock, no pic though because Josh refused to model his own sock for the blog...How Rude!

Here's a pic of a red cotton semi-lace scarf...I just found the pattern online. It's turning out pretty well, I think I'm going to give it a black border when I've finished the body.

My house has sort of been invaded by wildlife. A bald eagle has taken up residence in one of our trees, and a bunch of Canadian geese have joined us for winter. The eagle is camera shy, but here are some of the geese.

And then some Yarn Porn to make you jealous. While Josh was in Boston he stopped by a yarn shop and picked my up some of this...

It is so soft, I'm seriously considering rolling around naked with it.

My best friend Karen went to the Ben and Jerry's factory and she got me an ice cream lock...tres cool

Swaptastic Goodies!!!

2006-09-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a scarf, a Christmas gift, very simple 1x1 ribbing in wool mill ends I got from A.C. Moore. Here it is...

And my KnitFlix Swap package came today...

Sister Te Sent me a great package, totally themed Black and White. She got me Casablanca, black and white M&M's, black and white popcorn and best of all 3 whole skeins (190 yards) of Black and White sock yarn!! The sock yarn is Jawoll, it is a super wash wool/nylon/acrylic blend and it is sooo soft

Off topic....

Josh went to Boston this weekend with some friends for some "male bonding", which I figure is basically getting drunk and going to strip clubs and cigar bars with his brother, but he knew I missed him and he surprised me with these...

Bad Blogger...

2006-09-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

So yeah
I've been a little busy and there has been a lack of posting. Here is what I've been up to.

Josh and I went over to Tampa for Stitch and Pitch, no pictures of the game because I'm an idiot and forgot the camera, but there was some swag: A tote bag, and some goodies, including a sublime stitched pattern with mermaids, some bamboo needles and some other stuff

I made a 2 bags
This blue one, is from a pattern I got at KNIT!, but totally changed to be bigger, I like the lining and the buttons

The grey one is from Interweave, I like the shape but not the size, it will probably end up as a clutch that someone will get for chirstmas.

I also started the Cabled Hat from S&B Nation, in grey

And I'm overcoming my SSS (second sock syndrome) with my Jelly Bean socks

Random Question

How can a young woman graduate from high school, and be attending college and not know what the 19th ammendment is? It's sad to think that there might be an entire generation that doesn't know.

But Why is All the Rum Gone?

2006-09-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

I went to make some Labor Day daiquiris and my Rum was gone....Apparently my brother thinks that any liquor in the freezer is fair game

I went over to Knit! Today, I bought some Cascade 220 to make the Retro Stripe bag from the Fall Interweave Knits.

I'm going to knit it without the stripes, and probably make it a little bigger. I didn't buy anything else, mostly because I have to be able to feed myself, but they have some beautiful new sock and lace yarn by Cherry Tree Hill, when the cash flow improves I'll be picking some of that up.

Progress Report

It's going pretty well, I haven't had to do much more frogging.

My Gucci doesn't feel good and she's sort of laying around today, she looks so pathetic

Random Question

Why do some people where their cell phones on their belt.................. Mere inches from their pockets?

I finally figured out how to knit and drive...

2006-09-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

Make someone else drive you.

So yesterday, Josh and I went to the Mac store, being a Mac geek I had a blast playing with computers I can't afford. So anyway Josh bought a new ipod and I knit my cable scarf.

I mailed this to my Summer Sock Pal yesterday, is should be there soon, then I'll post pictures of what I sent her.

I had to frog on the cabled scarf, this is how big it is now. You can compare it to the picture with the Mac bag at the top. I don't know how I got that far without seeing a flaw in one of my cables. Maybe it was denial.

Off Topic

I don't think I like MTV anymore, I watched the VMA's and I wondered how can a channel that plays an unending series of reality television shows of varying qualities give awards for music videos? Perhaps the problem was that I watched it with the worst kind of teenager, you know...self-centered, socialy apathetic, and overly opinionated in all the wrong places.

Josh and I have been together for 4 years now...Happy Anniversary to Me

I think that's it, I have a hot date tonight!

Finished Object Wednesday

2006-08-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

So yeah....Because of Ernesto a bunch of my deadlines for school stuff got pushed back and I had a few days where I could knit, so here's what I've got done now.

My branching out, it has 30 repeats of the pattern its knit in a phildar cotton, and I added a ruffle detail at the end. I'm going to give it away as a Christmas present to Josh's grandma who is very sweet and will appreciate it.

And then I made a Beanie for a friend of mine Mike, he is an intern at Lockheed and really drank the kool-aid. So we were joking that he would like anything if Lockheed's logo was on it, and since he wears beanie's just about every where I thought this would be an appropriate Christmas Gift. It's essentially the London Beanie pattern with the logo embroidered on, its in Carron Simply Soft, and it knit up quick, just in a day.

At long last my Tempting II, it wasn't that it wasn't finished, I finished it ages ago, but I couldn't decide if I liked it, I'm still not sure, but I figured I better face the music. I decided to go with the girls on Craftster.org and just skip the color all together. I have to say it was a totally aggravating pattern, and I don't think I would knit it again.

And here is a scarf I started for Christmas. Its got double sided cables...

ADHD, Insomnia, and a Sock

2006-08-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've had some trouble sleeping this week and it seems to be making me stupid, I have cast on for the same cabled hat about 9,000 times (this may be an exaggerated number, but I'm not sleeping right and everything is exaggerated then). I walk to the fridge and forget what I was there for...I have a bunch of other symptoms that put me in same category as an ADHD 2 year old, I won't bore you.

On to the sock, I finished it a few days ago, its in the Lion Brand Jelly Bean self striping sock yarn. To be honest I'm not in love with the colorway, it seems very random and the colors look almost dirty or something, I'm going to try washing it and see if it improves.

Now to address a few requests:

A smaller button(for everyone)

A Cheesecake Recipe (for Michelle)
ingredients
8 ounces (1 Pkg) brownie mix
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 Large eggs
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips, melted

preparation
Grease bottom of 9-inch springform pan . Prepare basic brownie mix as directed on package; spread batter evenly into springform pan. (use your best judgment, this is the crust if it looks to thick take some out)
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes (or longer it needs to be mostly cooked though but not all the way or it will burn when it goes back in)
Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla; mix at medium speed on electric handheld mixer until well blended.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Transfer about 1/3 of the cream cheese batter to another bowl. Pour the 2/3 of the mixture over brownie layer in pan. Mix melted chocolate with remaining 1/3 of cream cheese batter, then spoon over the cream cheese mixture. Cut chocolate batter through cheese and chocolate mixtures several times to achieve a marbled affect. Bake at 350° 35 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.

The Code to Post a Button (for Jessica):

Just fill in where the quotation marks are after you host the image someplace (like photbucket) and put in the links part of your template and it should work. (I had to post it as an image because blogger thought I was actually trying to use the code) if you have and questions email me.

...and she cooks too

2006-08-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

I havn't gotten very much knitting done in the last few days, but I've been busy none the less...

On Wednesday I had to get up early (7am), because I am such a kind person. And then I cooked dinner for 8, we invited Kristi and Gary (my cousin and her husband) over for dinner. Here's what I made

I chopped and grilled the zuchinni (marinated in lemon juice, garlic juice and olive oil) and chicken and then made a creamy marsala sauce to pour over the chicken

Oh and I almost forgot, a marbled choclate cheesecake with a brownie bottom (all from scratch)

The Beach and Stash Enhancment

2006-08-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

I've been a bad blogger, so I'll catch everyone up, starting with my trip to New Symrna on Thursday with DBF. Not many pictures because the camera was acting weird. Mostly we swam and took a walk, I got some good shells (I have no idea what to do with them, they're just there). It's nice to just lay in the sun and do nothing...

Saturday was the NYGK yarn swap at Megan's house. I went out to dinner with Jessica and Nicole, Chevy's is yummy! We had mucho fun at the swap, we ate, we drank, we knit, we traded yarn, and we met Knitwillis. Having never been to a yarn swap I had nothing to compare it too, but I had fun. Here are some pictures of what I got....

This great aqua phildar superwash from Megan, and 2 bags with a mix of yarn from Adrienne, teh red is mostly novelty yarn and fun fur, the green is a mix of some homespun, some more expensive yarns, and some novelty yarns. I think both bags will make some fun scarfs, maybe for christmas presents.

Oh I almost forgot, I made a button!! I hope everyone likes it/uses it. It's huge, so it has to be resized but I'm proud of myself.

2006-08-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

So, as you can see, from the progress bars, I've finished my Tempting II (sans band, its a long story I'll get into during the next post) and I finished my sock for the summer sock swap. I have to make the pattern for that look pretty and pack a few things up and then off it goes to my sock pal.

In the wake of a lack of knitting projects I started a pair of socks in the LB self striping jelly bean color way, probably a Christmas present for DBF's mom. I worked about one repeat in my Branching Out, just to prove to myself that it will one day get finished.

In other news...
I've been totally distracted by the idea of camping on the beach. DBF Josh and I are toying with the idea of going to Cayo Costa and camping for a day or two before he starts his big new job.

Pictures Tomorrow

To Dye For

2006-08-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

To start with I dyed some yarn, the great blue color. Here are photos of the entire process, I'm sure you'll enjoy them. YOu'll notice my stained arms. I dyed it in plastic bags in the microwave and I'm happy with thre results, it was fast, and the yarn seems to be colorfast, and I love the color.

I'm also almost finished with my tempting, I've added the sleeves and I;m working on the yoke, which is kind of like knitting into a black hole, but hopefully, I'll be done by the end of the week.

Also, Nicole and Jessica asked me to post a picture of me actually wearing the dress and hat from the wedding I went to over the weekend, so here I am iwht my DBF Joshua.

It just keeps going....
I wanted to let everyone know that the Devil Rays are participating in Stitch N Pitch My DBF wants to come with me, and if anyone else wants to I think it could be a pretty fun and different thing.

Knitting (and Blogging) Withdraw

2006-07-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

Because I was on the verge of my statistics final, I've been studying like a madwoman, instead of knitting like one. I took the final, it was awful and if I manage to somehow pass, you'll find me at church singign praises and offering a sacrafice at the alter. So I have made only an inch worth of progress on my tempting II and almost nothing on my sock.

I had to miss NGYK on Tuesday because I toataly spaced and forgot it was Charles' (my youngest brother) birthday, he turned the big 16, and we went to Joe's Crab Shack in celebration, and he drove. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, we're all alive.

Now, when I have perfectly good knitting time, I have to get my outfit together for this wedding I'm going to on Saturday. I did find a hat, in this great vintage shop in Austin, its from the 40's and was actually worn once to the Kentuky Derby, which is cool.

And here is the dress I'm wearing with the hat, and later today I'm gonna head over to Shoe Land, and Ross and see if I can't find a bitchn' pair of shoes to go with it all.

And as promsed here is the pencil roving I got for $1, the picture you can't tell that its this great hunter green, I still have no idea how to spin it into anything so it will probably sit in the stash for a while.

I need a project Idea, I promised to knit somthing for Olivia, my cousins daughter, she's adorable, and I'm looking for some ideas. Here is her picture for a little insperation.

In other news, even thoguh lately I've been the slowest knitter ever, I am seriously considering Sock Wars ( I read about it on Nicole's blog). But I have a couple of secret projects in the works that I've been dying to finish, so I might just skip it, but it sounds so fun.

Everything is bigger in TEXAS

2006-07-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Even though my Tempting II went to Texas it did not get any bigger. I have to say I am feeling very incompetent after seeing how far along Nicole is on hers.

Yesterday I went to a tea party, at Michelle's house. I had a blast hanging out and knitting, and meeting new people. It made me want to throw a party.

I'm about to turn the heel on my secret summer sock, I actually tried to knit without a heel, I wasn't paying attention and had to do a little frogging to fix, but its all set now.

While I was in Texas I visited Austin and found some great shops including a yarn shop where I found some great pencil roving for $1!! I bought it, I'm not sure if I'm going to use it for some needle felting, or if I will learn to spin and make some yarn. Since the camera is packed I have no pictures of the roving. Maybe Later. I also saw the Texas state capitol building, it is very tall, and I saw the worlds largest urban bat colony, and an outdoor performance of 7 brides for 7 brothers.
Just so the post isn't pictureless, here are a few from Texas

Road Trip!!

2006-07-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

I'm headed to the Lone Star State, Houston, to be more specific. My Mom and I are going to drive over there. We leave Thursday and come back the next Friday or Saturday. We are going to see my Mom's sister and a cousin who just had a baby.

Meanwhile, I haven't done much knitting, instead I've been trying to organize and clean up my room; finish unpacking and other sorts of unpleasentness that keeps me from knitting. These pictures show off the new clean room, my picture wall and my gourgous new bedspread, its pink and green. I still have to add some more art to the walls to break up all the pink.

Here is my lonley enlarger and all of my darkroom supplies. It calls to me. "maggie, take pictures, develop them, use us."
It's been a while since I took any pictures, my camera and all the darkroom stuff was in a box in storage until this week. So hopefully, soon.

And now for the knitting portion of todays blog post......

I started my sock for the SSP, no pictures, until after they get it though. I did however make a resoundingly stupid error on it, so I had to unknit, but it is totally fixable, no worries. I've gotten no work done on Tempting for the SKC.

Johnny Depp Ruins Knitting!!!

2006-07-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess he didn't ruin it , but while I was knitting during Pirate's Thursday night my gauge was total off and I had to rip back about an inch or so.

I'll forgive Johnny though, first because he's cute and second because the movie was AWESOME!! I loved it, we saw a midnight showing, that's when the weirdos come out apparently. Kids dressed up and were singing, it was a little ridiculous, but the movie was very exciting and the end was just very cool. Whatever you do don't bring your knitting though, its too exciting to knit through.

Here is how far I am, after the rip back.

Progress Report

2006-07-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

I don't have very much news. The new knitty is up, a little dissapointing, more winter stuff than summer, but a few cute things and prolly some good christmas presents.

Tempting II

I've made some progress, it seems a little slow, and I almost got kicked out of my statistics class for knitting, it really annoyed my professor, but this is what is done so far.

Ball Band Dish Cloth from MDK

I just started this on the 4th, I didn't want to have my pretty sweater around all that BBQ sauce. Its fun to knit, I should have chosen a better contrasting color though.

Cursed Cast-On

2006-07-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

I started Tempting II for SKC but it seems to be cursed, because I had to do the cast on like 5 times. First I twisted it, then I miscounted, then I did the wrong ribb pattern...but it is on now and appears to be mistake free thus far.

Maybe my mistakes had somthing to do with the distractions in my front yard. Tractors galore all weekend to dig up and repair the septic tank.

Progress Report:

The white sweater is about half done. I finished the body of the sweater and have to work on the sleeves. It is on hold however until after I finish Tempting II and my summer sock party socks

An i'm sure as you gathered from the pictures that I have indeed found my camera.

Random
Aww... look at my patient DBF, waiting for my blogging to be done.....He's so sweet he even took me to see The Devil Wears Prada.

Yarn Porn
It is actually pink and purple verigated sock yarn. I love it I might use it for my jaywalkers...then again my summer sock party pal might get it!1 ohh (good thing its a secret)

Where is my F-ing Camera!!!

2006-06-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

No pics today, I can't find my camera, I think my brother stole it.

I finished the body of the white sweater this morning and I headed over to AC More (SP?) and purchased the yarn for my Tempting II!! I god this great heather pink color that I just fell in love with. I did the swatching and discovered I have to go down to a size 7 to get the gauge...That doesn't usually happen to me but I'm glad I did the swatch.

The library finally got the Happy Hooker and I scooped it up, I'm thinking of spending some of this weekend teaching myself to crochet from the book...Although I might just wait until there is someone around who can show me too.

As the resident nerd in my house I've spent the last few hours trying to fix the family computer (boy am I glad I have my own Mac) they have managed to download some type of virus that has disabled task manager and system restore. So now I have to back up all their files, find the windows restore disk and totally wipe the hard drive...I don't think that news is going go over well to Charles (youngest brother) who seems to be trying to collect all the music from ABBA to Zapa as it were.

that's all I've got for now. I'm planning heading to Sip and Knit tomorrow to find sock yarn for my pal, who shall remain nameless, maybe I'll have my camera by then and can update you with a hoard of pictures.

Godzilla Post

2006-06-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

If you only want to read about knitting skip to the obvious title below.

First I'm going to share a link to somthing silly. I heard this song Knitta Please on Cast-On (a pod cast) when she talked about the muse of comedy and I thought it was so funny. The download is free you just have to scroll down and find the mp3 downloads heading on the right hand side. It is so funny.

Mike Bryant's Knitta Please

I had my statistics class, nothing makes me feel stupider than math. It might help if my teacher answered questions. I just have to keep reminding myself that it is a requiremnt for graduation.

I took my god son Troy to the science center yesterday. Here are a few pics of that: you can see the progression of the day, science to sleeping.

****** READ ABOUT KNITTING STUFF HERE*******
A felted French Market Bag

On to the actual knitting part of this blog post. I started a very small sweater from this book "up the back and down the front" I don't partiularly care for the swater so much. It is a very plain v-neck that I'm knitting in white Carron Simply Soft from the stash. I'm interested in the technique, I think I might use it to write my own pattern sometime in the far off future

The sweater and the book in the background.

I got my sock buddy for the Summer Sock Party. Party On!! I'm overly excited because this is my first swap of any kind and I think it's going to be fun. I'm keeping my identity a secret from the person I'm sending to, but mine isn't keeping herself a secret. I think it's sort of fun to keep the secret, at least until you send it, but I see the benefits of revealing youself too. I can't find any color ways in a sock yarn that I love, I checked etsy and ebay. I think I might dye my own, which I've only done once before, so that could be fun, or it could be a disaster.

Oh yeah, and check back, I'm adding links to my lists.

FMB is Felting

2006-06-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

That's right, as I write this post the FMB is in the machine FELTING!!! I'm so excited, here it is pre-felted

In other news my God Son Troy is returning from Venezuela, unfortunately he is sans fish pillow, it apparently confused some drug sniffing dogs ( I think it was some of the kool-aid died yarn) and was confiscated by customs. Don't despair Megan, I promised to knit him a new one so you will eventually get a pattern and pictures, its just farther off than I originally thought.

Beach Houses and Building Inspectors

2006-06-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

So yeah... Not so much knitting has been getting done this week. My house has sort of been under construction since we moved in and we are finally getting the final inspections done, but we lost the Inspection Card and apparently that is a very BIG deal, so I had to go to the county and buy a new one, that was fun...NOT!

This week my mother is newly obsessed with the idea of purchasing either a beach house or condo, so she has taken me out to Daytona and New Symrna to look at a few.

Then there was the Statistics test from hell, not to mention that I was recruited by DBF's mother to help with his little bro's Eagle Scout Court of Honor which kept me busy too, I made a DVD of scouting memories, helped decorate and other such stuff.

On the upside I did a little retail therapy, I bought a beautiful new dress for this wedding I'm going to at the end of July, the only on in the store was ripped so they are going to ship it to me, and when I get I'll put up some pics because I'm in love with it, and the very best part is that Mommy did the buying so it was retail therapy without the buyers remorse whem the credit card bills come.

On to the Knitting...

I have made some headway on the FMB, I've bound off for the handles and I plan on using my time off tomorrow to finish up the knitting for it at least, and maybe felt over the weekend. You can't actually tell anything from the picture except that there are more stripes, there just wasn't a good angle.

I also made a little (about ten rows) progress on Branching Out. I love the way it is turning out, it just takes some concentration to knit lace, and I don't always have the patience for it.

Boooring!!!

2006-06-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

I joined the Sexy Knitter's Club with Nicole and will be knitting Tempting II from knitty.com, this is very exciting. I'm going to need six balls of Rowan Calmer, hopefully I can find it somewhere cheap, but I think it'll be fun. I just need to get a few projects finished, I need to me a little more monogamous to my knitting projects.

Haven't gotten very much knitting done since Tuesday, I had class on Wednesday, and Thursday was just a little crazy. Today I finally got up to the LYS to get some more brown Cascade 220 to continue on the FMB.

After some discussion on Tuesday everyone agreed that the seed stitch scarf needed a some fringe...but alas there is not enough yarn for fringe, so I think I'm just going to leave it with plain edges.

Sorry no pictures, hopfully I'll post a few tomorrow after WWKIPD at Lake Eola.

2006-06-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

The FMB is coming along nicely, I am about to run out of yarn though so it might have to get put on hold until Knit! reopens. So far it isn't to bad, I was afraid it was going to get boring b/c of all the boring stockinette stitch. You can see the progress for yourself.

The other think I've been working on is a seed stitch scarf, it's all finished, but I can't decide what to do with the edge. I was originally thinking of doing fringe, but the I thought about a ruffle or somthing else. Any feedback would be good, I'm going to bring to SnB tonight and see what people think.

My New Knit Blog

2006-06-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

This is my new Knit Blog