A Little Contest

I know I don't have a ton of readers so I will most likely hand deliver the prize to a friend, but I want to encourage people to vote.  I don't care who you vote for, (really I do) I just want you to vote.  So leave me a comment between now and November 5th telling me voted and I'll enter you into the drawing.  The prize will be winner's choice.  What floats your boat?  Handspun?  Fiber to spin or felt?  Some fingering yarn for socks, mittens or lace?  Let me know.  Here in Oregon we have a mail in vote.  When I was in college I voted absentee so I could vote for my god dad to win city council, which he did.  I've never had the chance to wait in line and go into the little booth.  In a lot of ways I feel lucky to not have to wait or be told I have limited time/chance to cast my vote. But I feel like I'm missing out on a step.  Anyways, we'll be voting soon and dropping the ballots of at the library.  I want to make it a family event and have a picture with e and E.  E isn't super cooperative about photo ops so I'll have to due some convincing.  

On to other news.  I'm working on carrying a new line of fiber.  I'm excited to try out some new things.  I'm also searching for some yarn stores to carry both my yarn and fiber.  I have an idea of what I want to send out to the shops as a preview but I've been having a hard time finding time.  e is so active and is awake for longer periods of time while sleeping less.  This makes me a little crazy and slightly unproductive.  But I have a sitter lined up next week for an afternoon and that is something to look forward to.  I was able to get some spinning in the other day.  It felt incredible to finish all four ounces.  I really like the singles, kind of a sport weight, maybe worsted after it's washed.  I just realized I forgot to take a picture of the leg warmers (secretly wrist warmers for me!) I knit for e out of some handspun.  I love the way they feel.  I'm craving more knits out of my yarn!  The leg warmers distracted me slightly from the cable sweater but I'm probably half way up the back.  I'm slightly regretting not doing the sweater in the round, but that would have required more fore thought (is that a term?) and I just wanted to knit. 

While I don't have pictures of any current projects I do have one of e, of course.

Don't forget the contest, vote early and tell me about your experience! 

Look Ma!

No cable needle!  Not only is it my first cable project, but I'm not even using a cable needle! Thanks to Michele!!  I'm using a pattern from Knitting for Baby.  The aran pullover is too cute to resist.  I've been able to get a lot done in the last week or so.  Surprising since e doesn't get the concept of napping anymore.   

Being away from the blog I felt like I had tons to write about, but now that I'm here...my mind goes blank.  I just read about this and grieved for a family.  I can't imagine.  Some times I can when E is feeling well.  I don't believe his disease will kill him any day soon, but the long term out look feels dark sometimes.  But the polly anna in me turns around and looks at the brighter side of life.  e is healthy, growing and happy.  That's a pretty good life.  

On the spinning front I'm still working on finishing plying the bobbins.  I'm on my last one and I'm itchy to get started on another project.  I have so many fibers to choose from I can't wait!

On the Knitted Wit front things are a little stalled.  I've been posting new treats in etsy which is always good.  I'm about to start offering new products once I place an order with a new company.  Some draw backs are I haven't dyed anything in a month, and I'm on the waiting list for the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat.  It's great to be considered but it takes a lot of planning to get ready for a show.  Especially with e.  So, I don't know if I should wait to do this show next year (if I can get in) and focus on other things.  Like BSG, Sock Summit, Knit-Crochet Show, OFFF and Soar.  All those things sound like they could keep me plenty busy!  

e is in his little scooch chair (his wheels) and he just discovered an electric outlet that he can't figure out how to touch.  Time to baby proof I think!  

 A dear friend gave us another amazing hat.  The photo shoot was a little tough because he's so wiggly.  Expect to see more pics of this hat!  Thanks Sarah!  I can't remember if I posted the first hat.  Can you believe how much he's grown!

I think I've rambled enough.  

The Best Laid Plans

Yesterday I sat down and wrote out all the little errands I needed to get done today.  I was lucky to have grandma over baby sitting so I actually could finish a few thoughts!  I was pretty excited to cross off all the little chores... Then this morning I realized it's Columbus Day.  No mail today. Also, no Canadian correspondence.  It's Thanksgiving there.  Well, shoot.  There are plenty of other things to do around the house.  

I've been plying up old bobbins that have been sitting around.  My wheel is right next to my desk so I just ply a minute here and there.  I'm on my last bobbin so it's been working.  I hope it will work for plain old spinning too.  And on the spinning front, there's been a lot of talk on ravelry about creating a portland spinning group.  I look forward to this!

I've started a wee sweater for e.  Aran Pullover, from Knitting for Baby.  Very cute and I've already made a ton of mistakes!  But I've worked them all out so far.  I'm using yarn I picked up at OFFF and I love it.  I'm having a hard time not just plopping down on the couch and avoiding all chores to make this sweater.  I also got a little tutorial from Michele at knit night on cable jumping.  Pretty handy.  I don't have a picture of the sweater in progress so maybe I'll find one of e.

I'm slowly adding more product to the store, so if you missed buying at OFFF you can find it here. I'm off to rescue a baby that won't nap!  I hope your Monday is as productive as mine!

The Big Day

So I've been thinking of this day since I probably knew I was pregnant.  I'm going back to work tomorrow.  This all feels a little more dramatic than it is because I've had some practice days.  No more training wheels.  I am going back just two days a week so it's not major.  The big point I keep reminding my self is that we're all going to survive, I need some space, and E and e need to relate.  I think E will come out with some confidence and I won't be so quick to intervene and fix. I also feel like I'm adding one more ball to the juggling mess I have going on.  My desk is a reck, I still haven't shown you the treats I picked up at OFFF and the list of to-do's keeps growing.  On the other hand, I've talked with a single friend and a mother of two teenagers and they're all busy. I'm not the only.  It's comforting.

I need to hustle, the debate starts in a few minutes and I still need to figure out what I'm going to knit on the bus ride to work tomorrow!

Time Flies

So I can't believe a whole week has gone by sense OFFF.  e and I had a great time seeing so many familiar faces and meeting bloggers for the first time.  We've been spotted all around the internet. There were a lot of people taking pictures of the booth but I wasn't able to ask all of them who they were or where the pics would be showing up.  If you stopped by say hi again!  There were a few people I missed seeing and some people couldn't even find me!  I'm hoping for a better location next year. 

I had a lot of great feedback on the booth and products and it felt like I solidified where I'm going with Knitted Wit and what some goals are.  I really want to thank Tactile for being so friendly and helpful with info.  I don't think it could ever be said enough, how generous the fiber community is.  

Sense OFFF we've gone to the beach for some r&r with the in-laws.  It was a great trip that went too fast.  e is growing leaps and bounds and seems to be on the brink of something new. He's trying anyways!  Now that we're back I have a lot of work to catch up on and get the family ready for me heading back to my day job.  Yikes!  I'm hoping to get a lot of wool in the shop, I have plenty left over from OFFF to last a little while.  So, hopefully a photo session in my near future and I'll post here when the update happens.  I'm off to enjoy the last few moments of e's nap.  

A little side note.  Does anybody have an apple peeler/slicer thingy?  We want to make apple sauce and dehydrate them for xmas gifts/e food.  We would love to borrow yours if it's not in use.