What's on my needles?

Entries in stitches (2)

Tuesday
Mar172009

My how time flies!

Yes time flies when you have too much to do, doesn’t it? It's been over a week since my last post, I'm so sorry! What have I been up to?

Well I've been working on a secret personal project, that for now I can't share, but maybe someday soon, I'm aiming for later this year. It isn't related to knitting, but I can't say that knitting won't be a part of it. It's a different passion of mines that I've always aspired too, and hopefully I'll make it happen. It's the right time in my life for me right now to do this, so wish me luck 8) I would shed more light on "what it is" but for now, I need to keep it under wraps.

The project I've been working on requires a lot of research, a lot of soul-searching and a lot of time to think. I've slowly started trying to balance my other passions, like knitting, which I love, and need to focus on balancing it more. On top of this, there's the normal work grind and raising my kids, although their both completely self sufficient, they require more "mental" support from me and my husband. When your kids get to the teenage years, the game changes, and a lot of questions are asked about decisions for their future, about life in general.

It's too easy when their big to forget about them in the sense that you don't have to "babysit" them, as it once was required. You know when their babies, toddlers, little kids, they can get into anything, and it involves a lot of "physical" stamina to keep them safe. There's also planning the college layout for my daughter, which has actually turned out better than planned, because my daughter put the effort forward and was promoted to a TA for her class. Lastly, there's my son who begged to go to a completely different High School than my daughter, it was first a deliberate "NO" from me, but eventually I reached a compromise with him and I think it was probably the best decision I've made thus far for him. It means a lot of commitment on his part, like being responsible for his own transportation, keeping his grades in the A range, and also getting involved in sports. He is now on the wrestling team, it was a major surprise to us, but he did it and now is learning the brains of wrestling. Ok, so are you sick of my life now? LOL!

Onto the more fun stuff and exactly what this blog post needs!

Granted this is a late share, but hey, better late than never!

My Stitches Loot, yes it's small, I was practicing restraint the whole time, and now that I see what I bought, I'm amazed at how little it is!

Stitches 2009 Goodies

From Plymouth Yarns, Baby Alpaca, in a black tweedish colorway, so soft! Suri lace, now this, it is the green ball you see there, this fiber is the softest I've felt ever, and that little ball has over 400 yards! There's also some naturally dyed fiber from "A Verb for Knitting" in black. I love this so much, I just had to buy some when I saw it and I have to say again, WonderMike is the nicest! He was working the booth when Marisol and I visited. Another friend, Leslie a.k.a. Tapmouse, was working the BMF booth and she aptly pointed out the LSS goodie in my hand in the Muddy Bottom Breakdown colorway as being a "Rocky" color, and she is so right! I love it, the beige is just too gorgeous, I just don't know what to make with it! Lastly I purchased the cutest bull magnet, cause I love magnets! And that's it for the loot, not a lot, but definitely pleasing.

Now, I have some knitting time scheduled, that's my plan, to block out specific times to knit otherwise I'll get lost in my private project if I don't.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Sunday
Mar012009

Stitches Experience

I went to Stitches West 2009 this past Friday with Marisol. It was my second time going to Stitches and this time I was more prepared than the first.

The first time was an overload experience, where any and all fiber I encountered seemed irresistable. I bought up almost everything I got my hands on, including gadgets and jewelry. I was the novice shopper, easily preyed on by all vendors. I think, if I'm not mistaken, I tallied my total purchases at about $700.00, if not more. I did suffer from buyer's remorse aftwards, but quickly occupied my mind with other thoughts to forget about it. I did promise myself that I would set a reasonable budget for my next time.

And so I did set a budget, I came in my second time under a whopping $200.00! I'm so proud of myself, and at the same time upset, I really should've splurged, but oh well, there's always next year.

Marisol and I ran into some good friends, Tapmouse, who was manning the BMF stand, and also Mike from Yknit, who I have to say is the sweetest person!

Here's our little group hug (left to right, Marisol, WonderMike, and ME (burgundy):

Stitches West 2009

After all the shopping and touching of everything soft, I was pooped! We had started our day off at about 9 a.m. and finished about 4 p.m.

I'll share the my goodies from Stitches later, for now I'll leave you with this good-bye shot of Marisol and I. 8-)

Stitches West 2009