Freedom and FOs

FINALLY!!! The school year has ended. I actually had my last assignment and presentation for the credential program on Tuesday. Then I finished my long term subbing job at the school where I student taught on Friday. Friday was actually a teacher work day and I offered to clean out the classroom I was subbing in. This is more difficult than you would think when it's not your stuff. They wanted everything cleared off the desks, so I just put it all in a box and on a shelf. Hopefully the teacher will appreciate it. While I was cleaning (and sweating) the principal came into my classroom and said that she knew a principal who was looking to fill some openings. She wanted me to call her right away! It was around 9am when I called the other principal and she asked me to come in for an interview at NOON!!! I had to leave early, rush home, shower and put together a portfolio. Talk about STRESS!!! Overall, I think the interview went well. They said they would let me know by Tuesday. It's not my first choice, but it's a job!

During last week I was also able to complete some projects. One was this bag for my cousin's birthday:



The other was this Baby Surprise Jacket for my niece. I made it to replace Trellis (see post below). It's not as detailed, or nice, but definitely a much quicker knit.





I didn't finish the two things in time to send the package early enough to make it by my cousin's birthday, but I did send it the day of her birthday (which I was impressed by considering all that I have going on). My cousin called me the day she received it. She was walking out the door to buy a book when she found the package. She was able to use the bag for her purchase. The next day, she said she was glad it was a little chilly so that her daughter could wear the jacket. I must say, again, that a knitter loves when her/his work is appreciated!

Yesterday was World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP). I really wanted to go to one of the meet-ups, but it just didn't work out that way. I was determined to participate, so I took my knitting with me when I went out for pizza.





I think it would have been more fun to be with other knitters. Really need to find some knitting friends!! I've tried converting some of the friends I already have, but that hasn't really worked.

While I was working on my project, Eddie was watching me. The pattern for one row is "yo, k2tog." As he's watching me knit this row he says, "STOP, you're about to do two together!!" I had to explain what a k2tog is. It was so cute. He was like, "Oh, I just didn't want you to mess up." Considering he's not a knitter and doesn't know about k2tog's, that was an excellent observation!

After pizza, we came home and baked some peanut butter cookies. I knit in between batches.





The cookies were ok. They were a "lighter" version of peanut butter cookies. The only ingredients were peanut butter, splenda, baking soda and 1 egg. They turned out pretty dry, but don't really taste bad. Much better when you dip them in milk (according to my sister). While baking these, I learned that there is not really a way to substitute baking soda. When I was looking at the recipe, I decided I had all of the ingredients. When it came time to add the baking SODA I realized I had baking POWDER. Not the same. Fortunately, Eddie found some in the back of the cupboard (always a sketchy place to find things). To test the baking soda, I sprinkled some into some vinegar. It fizzed, so it was still good and it did it's job for the cookies. It really is the little things that can make you happy.

Today is my graduation from the credential program. I'm not all that excited about it because graduations are always SO LONG!!! It will be a nice close to the program though. The graduation is at 5pm (that's right on a Sunday...and Father's Day, ridiculous). Anyway, then I have one week off. I'm leaving for Colorado on Tuesday with my step-dad. Then the following week I start the Masters Program. I must be crazy!

Wow!! This was long! I'll finish up by wishing a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all where it applies :)

Farewell Trellis...You Were Loved!

You will never believe what happened!! My cousin called to inform me that her baby bag/backpack had been stolen from her car. It was a very nice bag in fact, but that wasn't the worst part. The beautiful sweater that I had knit for my niece was in it. We were both very upset over this loss. After she told me what happened this was basically our conversation:

L: Whoever stole it was probably hoping it had a wallet in it. What do you think they do with the stuff they don't want?

Me: They probably just chuck it on the side of the road.

We both sigh with misery.

L: I really doubt that the theif appreciated what they found in the bag.

Me: Yeah. I highly doubt the thief said: "Score!! A hand knit cabled baby sweater. Someone spent a lot of time on this and put a lot of love it to it too. It's priceless!! I scored big time!!"

If the thief did think that, it might have been some consolation.

Here is Trellis in the works:



And completed:



And when Trellis was too big, but her recipient wore her with pride anyway:



Trellis puts you right to sleep:



Trellis makes you happy:



And Trellis helped you coordinate with your best buddy:



At least I know that Trellis was loved for a long time while we had her with us. She will be greatly missed! My cousin also told me that she and her husband had planned on framing the sweater when my niece grew out of it. That's a whole extra level of love people. Although it's upsetting that she was stolen, nothing makes a knitter happier than a project that was appreciated, used and loved. I couldn't ask for more! Trellis will be missed, but her memory lives on!

Oh Happy Day!!!

I received my STR package today and I'm super excited about the color of the yarn. It's PURPLE!!!! Only the best color in the world :) The first month, it was red, which I'm not crazy about. Then it improved with green. It really won't get any better than this for me. I can't wait to start working on these socks and yet I will have to because I have so much school work to do! The end is near, but not here.

As you can see in the picture I also received a very handy luggage tag. I can't wait to go somewhere so I can use it!!!

I also received my sock club yarn in a bag filled with goodies from a LYS. The kit included the yarn, a sock pattern, point protectors that look like socks, candy, a pen, rinse free wool wash and powdered lemonade. I love it all and the bag it came in too!!




They will be having KALs the first and third Thursdays, but unfortunately I won't be able to go to either one this month. I have a class on Thursdays and thought about leaving early, but I have an appointment scheduled with an advisor for starting the masters program (yes, I'm nuts!). I really wanted to get out there and meet some knitters, especially since the World Wide Knit in Public Day is coming up. I know that there are knitters from this yarn shop that are planning on meeting up somewhere to knit in public. I was hoping to get to know some of them before the event. Oh well!! Next month!

Catching Up

For Mother's Day, I made breakfast for my mom and family. I also decided it was finally time to block a lace scarf that I made awhile ago (probably about a year ago) and give it to my mom for Mother's Day. I really haven't done lace blocking before, so I had put it off for quite some time. This is how I did it:



Like my official blocking device? Yeah, that's right, I used my bed. After pinning it down, I decided that next time I should probably use more pins. I only bought one box from the store. I thought about two, but went with one. When in doubt, always buy extra. Here's the scarf after blocking:



Tonight, I finished my STR socks from MARCH. The next shipment is for May and it usually comes at the end of the month, so I may have finished them just in time. Here's how they turned out:





The pictures are a little dark. I really like the color of the yarn, but I'm not all that pleased with the way the socks turned out. They are a little baggy. I made the medium size. Maybe next time I should try the small size. I wear I size 8 in women's, which I think is more of a medium size. What do you think?

March/May...Whatever!

So I finally started my March socks from the STR sock club. I figured I should get on it since the May shipment should be coming towards the end of the month. Hopefully I can finish these socks by the end of the weekend (ha!). This is what I did tonight while watching "August Rush"...



which, might I add, I did not think lived up to its hype. My mom told me how great the movie was, but I thought it was too predictable and a little cheezy! Wasn't a fan. Just glad that I didn't totally waste my time because it got me to sit down and start these socks :)

P.S. Take notice of the adorable stitch holders. My cousin made the ball of yarn and sock and I did the pancakes. So crafty!!

No Time!

I swear there is no time for anything!! Well at least not the things that I would rather be doing right now. I am student teaching all day every day right now, and then I have classes at night on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Somewhere in between those things, I have to make time to write lesson plans, do busy work assignments (don't even get me started), buy groceries, eat, bathe, you know...the basics. While all of this is going on, I have started the job hunt, which is practically impossible with the budget cuts and no school district seems to know what openings they will have. Many people at the job fairs are telling us to not be opposed to substitute teaching. Why do they even have the job fair?? Argh!!!

Anyway, this weekend Eddie actually complained that he hadn't seen me knit anything for awhile. This is not because he is not there all the time. It is true, I have not been knitting. So last night and today I started the handles to the Market Square bag. I am so close to the finish line on this project and it has been dragging on. Must finish!!! I will post pictures soon(er or later) when it is finished. I apologize for the boring blog, but needed to post something!!

A Little Something...

My cousin told me that she was sending me "a little" something in the mail for a special day for me to celebrate. She said I shouldn't get too excited about it. It turned out to be so much more than I could have anticipated:



She sent me 4 balls of yarn, a book about yarn, PURPLE cards and PURPLE candles. This chick knows her stuff!!! I am so excited and I love her dearly. Not just because she sent me great stuff, but because everything inside the package was personalized for me. She is always thoughtful with her wonderful words of advice!

Between this and my last post (the yarn cake), I think my family is picking up on my obsession of this yarn and knitting thing. It's awesome :)