ALPACAS

Went for a little drive this afternoon to East Palestine
to visit dozens of alpacas. Sycamore Valley Alpacas on
Chain School Road. There were three different
breeders there, lots of new babies (crias) hopping around,
more like new lambs or goats. Some were skittish, but others
stood there and let us pet their downy heads.
My dad went with us, couldn't figure out where we were taking
him as it was way out in the country.
Tried to talk he and Lee into buying a couple of the alpacas
but my pleading didn't work.
It also brought up the subject of "when are you going to use
that living room decoration, your spinning wheel".......
Did talk with a lady at the Alliance Carnation Mall about learning to
spin. She is with Custer's Alpacas in Atwater OH. They have a space
at the mall, selling all sorts of things made with alpaca fleece (even some
yarn) They offer beginning spinning classes, one on one. $20 for 1 1/2
hours. May have to try that, don't think I'm ready for the spinning
group at Canfield Fairgrounds yet. Need to feel more comfortable
with my wheel (other than dusting it !!)
Pam

Cyberfriendly

Hi Thursday Knitters,

No matter how hard I try to stay in the last millennium, I am forced to get into this one. Me, blogging!!

Thank you, Amy, for being cyberfriendly and getting others to be by setting up this blog. I like reading about my knitting friends since I don't get to the shop that often.

This summer has been a difficult one for me, especially since August. I can tell there's a problem when I have no energy to knit! In the past 8-9 yrs., I have never gone for more than a day or two without knitting. Now, I have two projects on needles and haven't been making progress on either. I did put aside a cotton (Provence) intarsia sweater to work on stash yarn projects to sell at the Leetonia craft fair with Amy. The other project is a large (felted) mitred squared tote bag that was supposed to be finished for the craft sale, oh well. If I ever get it finished, I will get further into the millennium and try to post a photograph.

I am going to try to go to the Spinners Group on Monday. It's at the Canfield fairgrounds and a easy drive for me. I haven't been spinning since the last meeting I attended, probably 6 months ago.

If this blog allows requests, I would like the Thursday Knitters to post project photos like Gail did. I enjoyed seeing the socks, especially since I was there when she bought the yarn, they look great, by the way.

That's enough of me delving into the new millennium cyberspace.

Keep knitting, love to all, Jane

Peggy

My first post will be to inform all my knitting friends who are curious about the newest addition to our "dog" family. Peggy is a rescue Boston Terrier. When Steve called her Margaret today, I realized all the names we considered were forms of that name: Peggy, Greta, Rita, Marge, Madge. I've been singing Peggy Sue every time I call her. I just can't help it. Thanks to Flo for being so concerned she called me to find out if puppies are on the way after the great laugh we had about it last night. The vet could not tell at this time. It won't be a factor as she gets spayed next Wednesday. She weighs 14 lb., has an underdeveloped right back leg. She runs sometimes on 3 legs and then puts the 4th down and uses it. She get around really well that way so must have been doing that for some time. The worst thing is her teeth. She has no teeth on either side of her mouth and the front ones are loose and rotten. Hence the very BAD breath. She will be having that taken care of Wed. as well and also her dew claws removed. I know she will be looking much better soon and I am really happy we could help her. I know we can never believe the stories of people who give dogs up, like the fact that she wasn't spayed because they wanted to breed her. ?? She has such a sweet dispostion and is getting along fine with the other dogs. Vlad is not even as bent out as he was yesterday. I know she is in a much better place now and is happier already. I'll give you a funny visual. When I leave work, 4 black and white dogs following me out and to the car, 4 dogs running up and down the couch, 4 dogs playing with Steve and a rope and now 1 dog alseep on couch, 1 on back of couch, 1 on dog couch, 1 on dog bed in chair and one husband asleep on recliner. And these short nosed dogs snore, sometimes the husband does too. We are nutty dog folks but makes life fun.
I have been knitting up a bunch of baby things for Steve and Mel's daughter due in Dec. Every time I think I have knit my last baby item, I come up with a new one. So far: car seat blanket, dress w matching ribbon hat, booties and jacket, bunny snuggler, slip stitch blanket, flannel blanket w/crochet around the edge, pink and brown ribbon hat and I'm in the middle of a dress/bag made out of softy. Pam has been the best friend also knitting a sweater and crocheting a bib. I also have a cupcake hat of Amy's to give. This baby (they aren't letting us in on name choices) will have plenty of grandma knit items. I heard tonight there might be a shower for Mel when I go to visit in Oct. That would be fun since we don't live close enough to be a part of day to day life with them. My visit will be a surprise to Mel, Morgan, and Mailee. That makes the trip even more exciting.

Looking forward to the sale tomorrow. Hope to see everyone there on Saturday. I had to get posting on the blog so Shelli would have something to read. : )

TGIF

A busy week here a Knit Wit Knits. Getting ready for the sale this weekend and putting new yarn away. Some yummy stuff has arrived.
A big crowd last night as well. When Amy and I got back from a food run I was delighted to hear everyone laughing and enjoying each others company...a perk of not buying yarn on line !!!
Glad to see Flo looking good and out and about and to have Shelli back as well.
My favorite project right now is a shawl made out of the merino /silk/Sterling Silver yarn. My UFO I am concentrating on finishing is the edging of my PI shawl...miles and miles of it !
Thanks too to everyone who shop sat after Olivia was born so I could go and give the new Mom an opportunity to get a nap. happy knitting Kay

What a reunion it was

It was so nice tonight and the best was that Flo was with us just like her old self...so amazing after having surgery 1 week ago. She looks wonderful and we are so happy she is with us....
The table again was so full of people coming and going just keeping all the chairs full.
Found out that Kay's new Grand daughter is "Olivia Marie" very cute,,,,and born on Kay's birthday :-)
My news is that my daughter, Heather is pregant due in May 2008...I'll never want for a new knitting project...
Oh I forgot, Kim has a new baby to...Peggy...you'll have to ask her about that one..

New Use for Legos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV19wqtfyF0

Just wondering what everyone has been working on? I bought a bunch of single balls of Fixation at Kay's 4th of July sale and have been a mad woman knitting up footies using it, planning ahead for Fall weather. The blue and yellow ones are made from some left over cotton picked up at yard sale. I'm also working on a blanket for my newest foster daughter using the Hemlock Ring pattern. I'm up the the 90th row, only 30 more rows and the border to go. I'll post pictures as soon as it's done and blocked.

Sounds like you all have such a great time on Thursdays. Hopefully I can stop in soon. My poor hubby is working 10 hours a day, seven days a week so life is a bit rough right now.

Gail

Missing You All

I had eye surgery (PRK) on thursday. I was fine til about 6pm and then the pain and watering eyes began. I have had eye surgery before but this was so different and I had to take pain meds and believe me I wasn't going anywhere.

Day 2 I went in for checkup to the Dr's. Was fine til I left the office and I think the sunlight hit me and I could barely drive home. It was a tuff day for me but I seem better this saturday morning but won't be leaving the house.

Another checkup on monday. Hope to be back to normal. If I can I'll be there on thursday with some special news....

We sure had a table full of knitters last night. Poor Kay kept losing her seat everytime
she got up to help someone....someone else would walk in the door and take her seat !
We missed Flo, but she called in and gave us an update on her surgery, in her morphine
fog...she may be coming home Saturday or Sunday if all goes well.

Kim brought a yummy dinner. DiRusso's Turkey Sausages in the crockpot with peppers and onions. Those of you who weren't there missed some good munchies !!

Can't wait for the retreat. Seems like everyone is going this year. Will be fun.

...Pam

Thursday

Can't come for a while on Thursdays due to U-8 soccer. Never going to make it to guild due to ballet. :-( Can't believe that I will have to run after 2 kids' activities next year!

Can't wait 'til the retreat. Anyone else going?

~Amy

Camera

Sorry. Pictures will be delayed due to malfunction of the digital camera. Have to send it in for repairs.
Did you know you can subscribe to this feed at the bottom of the screen?

Have a good weekend!
~Amy

Hedgehog

Finished the Spiderman Hedgehog. I think he turned out well. I'll try to post a picture when Tommy opens it.



I also finished turning last year's pullover into a cardigan. I did a crocheted steek and then knit a hem and sewed it down. That sweater will sure get a lot more wear now. It makes a nice jacket.



Well, gotta go start gathering the stuff for Tommy's party. Can't believe he is 5!



~Amy

Fair

Thanks for inviting me to join Amy! Guess this means I need to try and get to some of those Thursday Night Knitter's get togethers at the shop. I wanted to stop in and congratulate everyone on the great showing at the fair!! The knitting was just fantastic. I was so amazed at how many wonderful projects Helen had in the knitting and crochet departments! Amy, your Pi is just beautiful. I've had that pattern forever and now think I just might get started on it.
Gail

Sleeves in my Pi

Well as some of you know I had a ruff start with my Pi but am moving along nicely.
I am on the 7th ball of Baby Alpaca Granda...It is such wonderful yarn to work with. Not sure about starting the sleeves,,,it makes me nervous to get into that waste yarn area.
I made a Sour Cream Coffee Cake yesterday and today I made Pecan Encrusted Chicken and I also have Cinnamon Roll Dough raising...
Can you tell I've been knitting and watching the FoodTV channel...Love it
That's not all for today,,,,I still have a massage patient coming at 7:30...So this will be a full day..
Shelli