Secret Pals 4 Questionnaire

One son is at his grandmother's for the night, the other went out early as he didn't nap this afternoon, and hubby is gone to watch a hockey game. Perfect time for me to the Secret Pals 4 questionnaire! So here goes:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

No - I use acrylic for the baby sets I sell on eBay and my web site. I don't like "scratchy" acrylic and tend to stick to Bernat yarn. I live in a small town and am limited to one small yarn shop and another department-type store that sells mostly Bernat. Knit my first mohair scarf this month with yarn bought on eBay! I could see becoming a yarn snob for anything made for me personally! Other than that I am not overly fussy.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

No to both.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

No allergies, but I don't like smoke and no one is allowed to smoke in my house.

4. How long have you been knitting?

Probably 22ish years give or take. I started around age 8-10, I think.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I love food-scented candles and tarts. Love Yankee Candle! Anything that isn't perfumey or flowery smelling. Love strawberry, apple, vanilla, latte, etc. Same with bath - no over-powering flowery/perfumey scents.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Unfortunately, yes.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

None really. Used to cross-stitch a lot, but it bothers my wrists too much now. Pretty much just knit.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like 80s rock, some modern stuff but not rap/hip-hop, modern country. I was a Motley Crue/Aerosmith/Def Leppard/Bon Jovi/Ozzy kinds of music fan in school. Heavy metal but not too heavy (ex. Motorhead). I can play MP3s no problem.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

I like dark, foresty green, greys, browns. Have a few red sweatshirts. Most of my knit sweaters seem to be earthy/browns. I don't like bright, really vivid colors (fuschia, bright yellows, and such). Mitts, gloves, socks, I don't mind being a little wild, though.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

husband, just-turned 2 year old boy and just-turned 5 year old boy, and my first "babies" 3 bobtail cats

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

Be debt-free (or close to it) and be able to take "early retirement" so I can stay at home with my boys. Want my boys to be happy, successful, productive, wonderful adults!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Don't think I really have any favorites.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Nothing I've used so far that I totally dislike. Not crazy about boucle types, as I find it hard to tell sometimes if I missed/dropped a stitch. I will use them, but I like stuff I don't have to be constantly looking at as I knit. I like to watch TV or knit in the truck, so I don't like having to continually look at what I'm doing.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Designing and knitting my own baby set designs (makes me some money to buy more yarn!). Kind of into accessories right now (scarves, socks, hats, etc.)

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Smaller items like the baby sets, socks, scarves, etc., that knit up quickly and don't require much sewing. I hate sewing up! But ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

17. What are you knitting right now?

baby blanket as per customer's order, also house socks for myself

18. What do you think about ponchos?

My grandmother knit me one when I was a kid! Picture of me somewhere in it. I personally would probably not wear one. I would knit one if someone wanted one or asked me to.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

straight - only use circulars when required

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Only own aluminum and plastic, plain old grey. Never tried bamboo or fancy colorful needles.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

I don't knit a lot of socks, but I do knit them. I have some Bernat Sox yarn in Hippie to make a pair for myself after the house socks are done. Never tried the self-striping sock yarn, but it is on my list to try.

22. How did you learn to knit?

Funny story -- When we were kids one of my best friends came over one day and had needles and yarn. Someone, I forget who, had taught her to knit. I didn't have anything to use. My mother does not knit. Anyways, my grandmother was down, and I had taken two pieces of wooden dowels out of a basket I had and sharpened the ends to points. The other ends had wooden beads on them. It was summer, and Kelly and I sat out on the front doorstep, and she showed me how to knit. My grandmother watched as I sat there with my crappy, hard to use, home-made wooden needles and felt sorry for me. So a few days later in the mail arrived a box for me with pink yarn, purple yarn, and a set of needles (which I still have and will never part with, even though I don't use them and one is in quite rough shape). That was how it all started. I would classify myself as "self-taught". I pretty much figured everything out on my own, but some people did help out when I needed it along the way. I still need help with some things - I don't claim to be expert!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Sweater I started for myself on a camping trip summer 2004.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Love animals in general, especially cats. Scary to say, but Spongebob is kind of cool (hey, my kids watch it!).

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really. The boys pretty much take over everything. I am afraid that they might break anything too fragile (boys are boys after all). I guess you could say that I collect yarn and patterns, although right now I mostly have just baby yarns. I am a huge Star Wars fan and have all the movies (can't wait til May to see Episode 3!) original and special edition boxed sets as well as the DVD set I got for Christmas, and a ton of Star Wars books.


So there you have it. In general, Secret Pal, I am not a fussy person. I don't get many "surprise" gifts. I pretty much pick out my own gifts at holidays and tend to guess whatever Travis ends up picking up for me on his own. I'm really looking forward to this! Real surprises! I'm so excited!

Must get back to the baby blanket. CBC is showing Return of the Jedi tonight at 10. Don't know why I insist on watching it, but I will -- I have three copies of it I can watch whenever I want to!

Happy knitting!

In the Deep Freeze

We are still experiencing very cold temperatures here in beautiful Nova Scotia. Today is a wonderfully sunny day, but it is -30 Celsius with the wind chill.

The Bernat Denimstyles scarf that I knit was for one of my co-workers who turned 40 on Tuesday. He loved it! He wears a black leather jacket that has a sort of V at the neck, so the black and white scarf looks great under it. He didn't have a scarf, so I wasn't sure if he'd wear it or not. Now I think his roommate might get me to make him one but longer. And actually one of the other guys at work went over to the Saan store on his lunch break Tuesday and bought three balls of the denimstyle in sweatshirt (grey & white) for me to make one for him! He wants his about 2 feet longer.

I finished the baby jacket yesterday and got quite a bit done on the blanket. I have to work half a day tomorrow and am off the weekend, so I am hoping to finish it so I can mail it off next week. I also started a pair of house socks out of Shetland Ragg yarn for myself.

I joined Secret Pals 4 and should receive my SP info by the 31st. I am excited! This is the first time doing SP, and I am looking forward to it. I was also looking into some different knit-alongs. I have never tried that either but have been thinking about it.

Off to work more on the baby blanket! Logan is listening to his Wiggles cd we made for him for the third time, and Darren is playing his Scooby Doo game on his PS2.

Happy Knitting!

All Shovelled Out

Well, we are all shovelled out after the blizzard. The store was closed for the day. That makes two Mondays in a row that I got the day off because of storms. That's a rarity! Here are some pictures I took this morning. I shovelled a little path along our front walkway and cleared the front steps off. We really don't use that door, but I like it cleared just in case of emergency. I also made a little path to the birdfeeders (in front of the bay window by the bush) so I could clear the snow off of them. They were froze up, so I made sure the birds could get the seeds out. There are two feeders, and one was pretty much snowed under. I had to dig it out some. There is a little sparrow of some sort that lives in the bush by the feeders, so I like to keep him happy!

I won't get the baby jacket finished tonight, as planned. I will get it mostly done. I should be able to finish it up tomorrow night at least. Think I will start a pair of socks for myself, too. I have some Shetland Ragg yarn that is 40% wool, 60% acrylic, that I will use so I have a warm pair of socks for in my boots! I knit a pair years ago and used them for slippers, and I totally wore the bottoms out!

Must go make hubby's lunchbox for tomorrow so I can get back to knitting.

Night everyone.

The Dakota in the little driveway. Just look at the snow to the right side of the truck! Took Travis about 2 hours to shovel it out. We went out tonight and tag-teamed the big truck. I used the shovel to knock the banks down, and he snow-blowed them away. Took a little over an hour. 

Our house. 

Snowed-in Freightliner 

Cool Logan! 

Darren and Patches 

This is Patches, the dog we are looking after til tomorrow. 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

We are currently being pummeled by the third major snowstorm in one week. We had one last Monday, one on Thursday, and it started snowing last night after midnight, is still snowing, and isn't supposed to stop til tomorrow afternoon. Plus the winds are like 100km/hr. We have a bank of snow in front of the Dakota that is about three feet wide and almost to the top of the engine hood. I have been out twice to clean off the steps and a little area for the dog to pee, but it just blows back in. Schools have been cancelled already for tomorrow throughout most of the province, and the 1-0 series highway is basically shut down. The pulled the plows off. No work tomorrow!

I finished the denimstyles scarf tonight. I did not get a chance to work on the baby jacket, but by the looks of it I will get it done tomorrow. (I will snap some pics of this mess when all is said and done and post some. Too much snow for the kids to play in -- it's over my littlest one's head!) I have about half a ball of yarn left from the scarf. I may make a scarf for Logan, or I might get some black yarn and make a stripey scarf. Haven't decided yet. For now I will just stick it back in my stash and concentrate on the baby set.

Well, I must go have a bath and hit the hay. Good luck digging out to anyone in Nova Scotia! I hope this is it for awhile!

Happy Knitting,
Sheri

Oh no! More snow on the way!

I can't believe it, but we are supposed to get another 5 cm of snow tonight, 25-35 cm tomorrow, and periods of snow on Monday! Where are we going to put it all?!? January and February are our worst months. It gets soooo cold, we get one storm on top of another, and we end up with a mountain of snow. It just stays too cold for it to melt. Hard to believe just two weeks ago it was like +10 and raining. Today it's -9 but the wind chill makes it feel like -24.

Looks like we will be dog sitting for a couple of days starting today. Our friend's grandfather died so he and his wife are going to New Brunswick for the funeral. I will try to get a pic of him to post. He's a good dog. He does take seizures sometimes, so I am hoping he doesn't have one at our house. I don't want the boys to see that. (And I really don't want to see it, either!) Don't think my cats will like it much. Probably won't see them til he leaves Monday night! We had two of my brother-in-law's dogs last Saturday night. One is a Valley bulldog, the other a boxer pup (who is very hyper and not housebroken yet). That was interesting to say the least. But there were extenuating circumstances, and they had nowhere else to go for the night.

Well, I am probably half-way finished with the denimstyles scarf. I hope to put the fringe on the end tonight and cut the pieces for the other end as well. I should definitely get it done Sunday if not tonight. A co-worker is turning 40 on Tuesday, and there is a party for him tonight at the local bowling alley from 7-9 (it has a bar). Hope to pop in for a little bit at least. He will be mad at me if I don't. He is hugely popular in town, so I imagine it will be packed. Tomorrow I will finish the scarf and hope to finish the baby jacket I am working on as well. Then that will leave the matching blanket to finish, and that order will be done. I have some new baby set patterns in my head that I am anxious to start working on, so I will be glad to get this order done. I also would like to find that sweater I started for myself last summer and finish it! I need it for all this cold weather! I also have some Bernat Sox yarn that I must get around to using, too.

I hope everyone has a nice day. Everyone in Nova Scotia brace yourselves for our next big storm! Good weather for knitting!

Another Snowstorm

Well, we had another snowstorm today that dumped about 10cm more of heavy, wet snow on us. Hopefully that will be it for awhile.

Didn't get much knitting done today. I had hoped to get the body of the baby jacket I am knitting done today, but that isn't going to happen. I also have to finish that Denimstyles scarf this weekend.

As you can see I like blogs with a lot of pictures! I have posted some more that I took today.

Well, I must go have some supper. Happy knitting! I envy anyone in warm weather right now!

Sheri

The coconut cream pie I made last night. Yummy! 

Up close and personal with Logan! 

Travis getting home from work this morning in the snow. 

Bernat Denimstyles scarf I am knitting for someone. 

Darren playing my old Super Nintendo. He has a Playstation 2 but likes the old Mario games as well. He has my old Sega at my parents' house. 

Annie Blatt mohair feather and fan scarf -- something to keep for myself for a change! 

Our 1998 Freightliner Classic, taken last April when we first got it. The house is now a beige color with an ivory trim. 

Typical Wednesday

Just a typical Wednesday here today. Took Darren to preschool this morning, then Logan and I went grocery shopping, then I came home and did some bookkeeping. We picked Darren up at 11:30 and took the boys to McDonalds. Haven't been there for quite awhile. Darren had Wednesday afternoon playgroup as well, then it was home for even more bookkeeping. We have a 1998 Freightliner, which my husband uses to haul containers from the paper company in town to the piers in Halifax every day, usually two trips a day. That means it's year-end time! Haven't had time to knit so far today, but am looking forward to doing so really soon.

I got my third ball of Annie Blatt mohair yesterday, so I finished my scarf last night. I really like it now and am happy I got another ball. It was too short. Now it measures about 60+ inches long (haven't measured it). I am also working on a scarf for a friend out of Bernat Denimstyles in Jordache (black and white ragg yarn). Also have that baby set to finish! I like to take a break from the baby blanket once in awhile. It's sooooo monotonous I need the change.

Well, must go watch People's Court and knit! I do love my court shows! Might make a pie, too.

Happy Knitting!

Logan and the after-effects of chocolate frozen yogurt -- ain't he cute?! 

Snowblowing out our Dakota. 

After the Storm

We had a really big storm go through here last night. We got about 50cm of snow. It blew really hard as well. Most things were closed today (including where I work - hooray!). Hubby had no work either, so he got to shovel and snow blow today. Got some knitting done. I sewed a pair of booties together and finished the bonnet for an order I have. I also got one sleeve finished and most of the other one done for the jacket as well. I will go out and finish that once the boys are settled down for the night.

Here are some pictures I took today. Hubby is waiting to use the computer before he hits the hay.

Happy knitting!

Traumatic Thursday

We got a mess last night -- just a light covering of snow, then freezing rain, then rain about dawn this morning. No school today! I had to take my 5 year old to a doctors appointment in Lunenburg (about 45 minutes away), so I am glad it cleared off. It is supposed to be quite warm tomorrow but rain hard. My littlest one will be 2 tomorrow. It was quite the traumatic scene here a little while ago -- he cut his finger on a can. He's a bugger for getting in the fridge. He got ahold of the cat food can and cut his left index finger on the sharp edge. He pulled the first Spongebob band-aid off but has managed to leave the Blue's Clues one on (for now). You'd swear he cut his finger off the way he screamed!

Well, I started a feather and fan scarf out of the Anny Blatt mohair yarn I bought on eBay, but two balls wasn't enough. I wanted it longer. I got in touch with the person I bought it from, and luckily she had more of it. I bought another ball. That will make it 60" or a bit better long. I will post a pick when it is done. I like it -- definitely a keeper for myself! Still trying to decide what to do with the Clara yarn. Still have a small cell phone holder or purse in the back of my mind.

Must go try to do some knitting now. Haven't had a chance all day. Darren (the 5 year old) rented a new game today for his PS2, so I imagine I will get sucked into playing that with him!

Happy knitting!

Yeah! It worked!

Finally got the pictures to post! Oh, joyous day!

Anny Blatt and Clara yarn bought on eBay. 

Tulip lace with picot edge preemie sweater. 

Beaded feather and fan baby blanket. 

WIPs

I am trying to post some pics of my wips, but so far it isn't working. I have temporarily misplaced my UFO. I moved it the other day because my 2 year old got into it. Now I can't quite remember where I put it. It can't be too far, so when I find it I will snap a pic of it. I also wanted to post a picture of the yarn I got in the mail yesterday that I won on eBay. I plan on making a scarf for myself out of the green Anny Blatt mohair. I am not sure what to make with the other yarn yet. A little bag of some sort crossed my mind when I originally bid on it. Have to do some pondering on that one. I have been outbid on some black mohair (for now). I also am bidding on some Berroco Optik. I had originally planned on combining the two and making a scarf. Think I'll wait and see if I win the Optik, then I will see about getting some more black mohair.

It's quite cold here today. The wind is blowing really hard. Good day for staying at home to knit, but unfortunately I have to work til 5.

I will keep trying to post the photos!

Happy Knitting!

New Blog/My First Blog

This is just a quickie post. Decided to start my own knitting blog after reading some over the past few weeks. I will be working on it off and on over the next few days and trying to get some pictures organized for adding to the site. Hope everyone had a good New Years. I have lots of kintting projects planned. So far I only have one UFO -- a sweater for myself knit with Shetland Ragg yarn I got on eBay. I started it last summer while we were camping. I also design and knit baby/preemie sets and sell them on eBay as well as my other site (http://darganknits.tripod.com). I don't like to start too many projects at once (or they end up going the road of the Ragg sweater). Right now I am working on an antique white preemie sweater set to sell on eBay, as well as a custom order for a beaded white feather and fan sweater set with matching blanket.

Well, happy knitting. Hope to have this site up and like I want it to look within the next few days. Not too much knitting done yet today - had a bowling birthday parties for my boys. One was 5 last Friday, and the other is 2 this coming Friday. Nice size party, had pizza and cake afterwards. Good thing about not having it at home is someone else gets to clean up! (But actually I had everything pretty well cleaned up before we left.)

Thanks for stopping by!