SP 12 Question #3

"What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?"

The perfect amount of stash...I think that would be when I can go to my stash and the right yarn for the project is there in the right amount that is needed to complete said project.

Pile of Craft

Today, Niki and I went to the Pile of Craft sponsored by The Charm City Craft Mafia (what an awesome name!) and wandered around the tables o' crafts and goodies. We saw pottery, t-shirts, monsters, jewelry, yarn (I was tempted but purchased none), note cards (got me some of those), hand painted tiles (thinking about purchasing some of those for the kitchen) and even some vegan baked goods (Jason has yet to try his mini key lime pie, but Niki loved her Brimley Bar). I even got some freebies-magazines with step by step instructions on how to reupholster furniture! I've been looking for some direction in that area since we have a couple of old recliners that have great foundations, but need a little loving on the outside.

The coolest part of the the morning/afternoon adventure was that the craft fair was in a church that really isn't a church anymore. It's used for crafty as well as community type stuff. Yet another way to reuse and recycle (a bit of a theme at the craft fair too!) and keep Charm City's charm.

SP12-Question of the Week #2

I'm a bit slow...I missed Q#1: What's your favorite summer beverage? I have 2: Arnold Palmers (who knew the Iced Tea and Lemonade together had a name???) and Iced Caramel Lattes

Question #2: As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation?
This is an easy one! Being able to go to the library and check out as many books as I could read in the alloted check out time (3 weeks usually). I always finished reading the books before it was time to take them back!

Problems in Iowa

As many of you know, Jason lived in Iowa and went to the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!). While he was there, he lived through the "1000 year" flood. This week, Iowa has yet again been experiencing the "1000 year" flood. The pictures show water covering cars, roads, bridges. It looks horrible. Every day Jason checks the online newspapers from Iowa to see more pictures and shows them to me. On Thursday before going to class, he showed me one from 1993 of "The Strip" in Coralville where he used to live. The Strip is the road he walked down during his 1000 year flood. While he's talking about the places, I'm looking at the people in the photograph. There are two guys just looking at one of the shops. I look closer. It seems to me that the taller one resembles my husband! I ask him to take a look. He says it could be him and his friend, who had a camera that day (the other guy in the photo is holding a camera)...we think it's Jason. What about you? (Click here and then look for the DonutLand sign. Go straight down and you'll see two guys. Taller one is Jason?)

Secret Pal 12

It's here! I've signed up and even got a message from my pal and sent one to my spoilee.

Here's my updated questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely not like? I love to knit with just about any kind of yarn except acrylic!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Straights are in a roll up thingy, circs are in a bag and the interchangeables are in their case

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for four years (self-taught) and consider myself to be an advanced intermediate

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon and Loopy Ewe (see side bar)

5. What’s your favorite scent? Citrus

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Sugar free Reese’s cups/sugar free Dove chocolates or any kind of nuts

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Scrapbooking has taken a backseat to knitting! At MDS&W, I purchased a drop spindle and some roving, but need to learn how to spin!

8. 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 stuff and yes, MP3s can be played.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand? I like just about all colors, but my fav(s) are blue (navy, cobalt, midnight) and yellow (butter)

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Husband and 1 cat

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, no

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

13. What are you knitting right now? A baby blanket for my cousin (due in Sept.), socks (2 pair-late bday gifts)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Prefer circs-bamboo or addis

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? yes and yes

17. How old is your oldest UFO? About a year (started a sweater and just haven’t gotten back to it)

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Elephants (but my husband says that the herd is getting too large for the house!)

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have yet to try Louets gems, Noro Sock and more (but the first two are high on my list to try!)

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? 2 socks at a time, magic loop

Currently, I use 1 circular to knit everything but the toe of the sock then switch to dpns.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, I am! I wear a size 9 1/2 US

23. When is your birthday? September 6

24. What’s your Ravelry ID? srapalmateer

Gluttony

I am a glutton. I can't stop. I don't know why...

I've put myself on a diet.

The temptation is too great.

I've succumbed.

If I can't purchase it; I will give myself the opportunity to win it!

SOCK YARN!

Gingersnaps with Tea is having a contest and the prize is sock yarn. I couldn't resist. Oh my...

Maps

I asked Jason what he wanted to do for his birthday and he said, "Let's go see the Maps exhibit at the Walter's." So we went yesterday.

We saw all kinds of maps: maps of the world, specific places, make believe places, aerial maps of the ground, pictorial maps, maps in books, maps on tiles, maps of the cosmos, maps as art and many more. The maps that I found most interesting were:

• the map of Maryland because it was from the 1700s and four counties (Garrett, Carroll, Howard and Wicomico) weren't on the map! It was interesting to see places that I know existed back then (some spelled differently, of course)-Towson, Bel Air, Abingdon, Joppa (my hometown) and more.
• the map of fairy tales/nursery rhymes because it showed many of the tales that I knew as a child and many more still that I had never heard of.
• the map of the US Civil War because it was a moving map (on a TV). It showed a timeline, various historical happenings (Lincoln elected, first shot, etc.), where the battles happened, how the sides progressed and the casualty totals. I never realized how high the totals were for both sides. I've always heard that it was the bloodiest battle fought on US soil, but never knew the figures were so high.

I also found that the maps were from a wide range of cultures; many were pictorial in nature while others where three dimensional. Maps where not just for telling where places are or how to get to point B from point A, but also works of art. For instance, in a painting done by Vermeer, he painted the map in the background so well, people could identify which map it was and display it with the painting. Amazing.

We left the Walter's and went to dinner at Mi Casa (Niki, thanks for sharing that place with us!) which is always yummy!

Happy Birthday, Jason!

Summer?

It feels like summer...

• school is (almost) out...7 days to go!
• 3 of those are 1/2 days due to exams being administered
  
• the humidity is high (ugh!)
• grad school has started
• only one class right now (2nd begins the end of June)
• tons of work already!
  

Looking forward to sleeping in late...