A Day in Santa Fe

It was sunny but cool (70s) and I got to wear my "Santa Fe" poncho to town. Today I gave mom her Mother's Day present - 3 hours of spa bliss at the Downtown Day Spa. I dropped her off and made my way to Needle's Eye where I purchased more Koigu yarn and a beret pattern. Feel in love with a pair of boots at Back at the Ranch but had to walk away -- reluctantly. They told me my all time favorite singer, Ronnie Dunn, comes into the shop at least once a month!

Later, we took a bus tour around town to learn the following from our tour guide about Santa Fe:

• Santa Fe means "Holy Faith"
• 5th largest state
• 148,000 population
• 230 art galleries

Around the Enchanted Circle

Drove from Santa Fe to Taos to check out LaLana Wools by the Plaza. Picked up a really pretty indigo dyed handspun but could only afford one skein so it will be reserved for a special project. The next destination was the 86-mile scenic byway circle connecting Taos, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. Made many stops along the way for shopping and snapping mountain shots. My favorites include the Rio Grande Gorge and Spanish pottery roadside vendors. It was a full day and I'm already saddened we only have one more day left of our trip.

Old Town in Albuquerque, NM

Found the energy to get up early and run for 30 minutes on the treadmill at the hotel. We checked out and headed towards Village Wools. I was in sock heaven and purchased some much sought after Koigu yarn. It's going to make the most beautiful pair of socks. We spent the day shopping in Old Town and visited the Thunderbird Harley Davidson dealership then it was on to Santa Fe where we checked into our cozy casita at the Santa Fe Motel & Inn. Had the best ribs at the Cowgirl BBQ around the corner. It was fun to sit outside and watch the sun set on the mountains.

Santa Fe Bound

Wahoo! I'm on vacation. Loaded up the rental car and picked mom up for our Mother's Day getaway to New Mexico. After driving all day I was pleasantly surprised that the one thing I didn't factor into our itinerary was that we gain an hour in mountain time. That allowed us to check into our hotel in Albuquerque in the daylight and head for Hooter's for chicken wings, a Corona and a margarita for mom. Bless TJMaxx for always being open until 9:30 -- we fulfilled a late night shopping urge.

Riding Destination: Texas

Did you hear about the storms and tornados in Texas this weekend? Well, we rode through it for about 150 miles. I can deal with riding in a downpour but it's the cold that does me in and that's what it was like all weekend. Took a break in Amarillo where we always stop at the Tripp's HD dealership - the HOG group next door is always so gracious and invite us over for lunch. Spent a little time riding in Palo Duro Canyon (where it didn't rain) and attended a very good for the soul conference in Ceta Canyon.

Knitting at Botanica

I am backdating this as I feel obligated to post something. Work took me to KC for a couple of days and I've had no knitting time. Last Sunday, I met Lia at Botanica for an afternoon of flowers and knitting. Did you know you could purchase tulip bulbs there now for $.15 each in all different colors? That's a pretty good deal.

Oh, So Santa Fe

This Mitered Moss Poncho by iknitiative was a breeze to knit and is perfect for my upcoming trip to Santa Fe, NM. Although, right now, it's kinda hard to be excited about a wool poncho when today's temperature was a record breaking 96 degrees!

Blocking Poncho

The poncho panels are complete and now laying out to dry. I blocked and sprayed with water and the wool was smelling a little "sheepy" so I added a little Bath & Body Warm Vanilla body splash to the water bottle spray. I'm hoping the finished poncho will fit as good as it smells!

New Hair-Do

Believe it --- I cut about six inches off my hair. Growing out bangs has given me so much grief that I decided to even it all up so growing it out wouldn't look so shaggy. I know it's short -- but my hair grows fast.

Felt Clogs

Here's one of my most favorite things. I've probably made over 20 pairs as gifts for family and friends over the years. This is the third pair for myself. I've lost one pair at a hotel and I wear my grey and charcoal ones just about every day so I felt the need to make another pair to match all my camo.

Phase I: Knit from 3 skeins of Lamb's Pride worsted wool

Phase II: Shrink to fit with two agitation cycles in hot water washing machine








Phase III: Dry and trim up mohair fuzz with clippers

Yoga Socks

The temperature in my yoga class is always set at freezing so these yoga socks from kpixie are perfect. I doubled up sock yarn to get the required gauge of 5 1/2 sts to the inch. How about this display of flexibility??

Girls Just Wanna Shop

My awesome friend Melanie invited me on a road trip weekend of shoppping in Oklahoma City. We tore up Penn Square mall and dined in true honky-tonk style at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Bricktown. Sure would've been nice to have seen Toby (by the way - he's great in concert). Looking at our hotel room you'd think a tornado passed through -- no, that's just Melanie --that's why I love ya, girlfriend! Thanks for the invite and soon we'll be "In the Wind".

Tabi Socks

How fun are these? Knitted the Tabi socks (Japanese split socks) in about a week out of 100g of Fortissima cotton from Not Just More Socks. Decided to make them in white to match my somewhat large collection of flip-flops.

Poor Daffodil

Why so down, daffodil?? Just when spring fever starts to kick in we get punched with a spring snow. That's life in the midwest for ya.

Flea Market Baskets

My friend, Jenn and I went to the Flea Market this morning. My mission was to find some more baskets to keep my knitting projects organized and easily accessible. Mission accomplished--found two Longaberger deals to add to my collection. Now I've got quite a project pile in my knitting nook corner of the rec room.

New Projects from Wildflower

Went to Manhattan today and visited my favorite shop, Wildflower. I think I've said this before but Kennita is the nicest shop owner around. I just get a good, creative vibe in her shop and always walk out with several projects. Also, she has the largest selection of sock yarn I've found. Ponchos may be on their way out but I thought this would be perfect for an upcoming trip with my mom to Santa Fe. The evenings are cool and I could bunch it up with a turquiose belt. Talk about being in Noro heaven!

The other project is one I've been debating for several years from Mission Falls. I'm going to tackle the tank first and then try the matching Bolero jacket. There was a time this cotton was discontinued but demand brought it back.

Hot Water Bottle Cover

Let me explain...there's something nostalgic about a hot water bottle so I was compelled to make this cover out of Opal sock yarn. I've never used a hot water bottle but I'm almost looking forward to my next backache. It just seemed like a luxury item I thought would be nice to have around. Why do they call it a water bottle anyway? Isn't it really just a fancy plastic bag?

Made in Connecticut

Blocking my socks I made during my trip.

Wool Connection - Avon, CT

After a week of being cooped up in a classroom and evening social dinners - I was ready to shop!! Wool Connections is located about 30 miles from the Hartford Bradley Aiport. Since this shop is also one of my favorite mail order catalogs for great kit projects this was a "have to" destination. I spent several hours with the friendly staff and ordered a capelet kit that can't arrive quick enough. Also purchased this unique recycled sweater knitting bag by Susan Todd. Check out their website in the above link!

Knitting in Connecticut

I just had to share this moment from the Marriott outside of Hartford, Connecticut. Nothing like knitting on a plane all day and then calling for room service. I'll be occupied the rest of the week attending a financial brokerage workshop. On a positive note, I should be able to complete a pair of socks on this trip.

Wrist Warmer Burnout

It's official. I'm burn out on wrist warmers and need a break. After seeing the movie Eight Below and feeling sentimental toward my dog(s) - I think I'll knit them a sweater. How long can Sassie tolerate a wool turtleneck??

Happy Valentine's Day

I love my Valentine!!

A Hat 4 Amy

My darling neice, Amy, joined me for a yoga class and then sushi on Sunday. I made her this hat from Hip Knit Hats. (There are many errors in this book so be sure to check the attached link).

What a great 3-day weekend to clean out closets and drawers for a garage sale/DAV and part with the old stuff. Got to do Flora's yoga class three days straight!! It feels so good to train with weights, do cardio and then top of with stretching and breathing. The pressure's on to get in shape for summer.....

A Scarf from Aunt Janine

I received a package in the mail to find a wrapped Christmas gift from my Aunt Janine in Portland, Oregon. My aunt is new to knitting and I SOOO hope she knitted this with loving thoughts of me! My fellow knitting "goobers" know who you are -- we put so much of our feelings into knitted projects for others.

Fun at Work

Another New Year's resolution I made to myself is to enjoy my job and have more fun doing it instead of being so stressed out all the time. So this time, instead of driving at 4:30 a.m. to get to a new client in Kansas City by 8, I decided to leave a day early, have a nice meal and spend the night. Stopped at a knitting shop in Olathe called Knit Wit and guess what I purchased -- more sock yarn--Regia Silk. It's OHH so soft. Also picked up the 2nd series book, Not Just MORE Socks. On the cover is the Japanese split sock named Tabi that are worn with flip-flops. Gotta make myself some of these! Topped off a great day with a sushi dinner at the Sushi House in Town Center. Cranked up the heat in my hotel room to 74 for a cozy night's sleep.

Super Bowl Wrist Warmer

I had the best seat in the house at my sister-in-law's Super Bowl party. Snagged the leather recliner by the fire and knitted this one lone wrist warmer.

Wrist Warmers

Really, this was just a coincidence. I had this sock yarn from Regia that I decided to knit the wrist warmers from the 2006 Knitting Pattern-a-Day calendar I received from my friend, Celi. Turns out they match my funky socks Resolution #3. How cute to have them both match--I must have really liked the colors of this yarn. I believe they are the same ones Lia is knitting all the way up her arm. I don't think my body building days will allow me to get away with that but I did make them 2" longer than the pattern called for so I could have a cuff (or not).

Resolution #3

After suffering from One Sock Syndrome last year, I tackled sock number two to finish my new year's resolution Project #3. Knitters beware - Sockotta yarn by Plymouth does some funky stuff that I'm not happy with. One sock has a "blotchy" pattern while the other has vertical stripes. On the positive side, this may help me overcome my fear of actually wearing my completed socks without the worry of wearing holes in them. (Instead I treasure them as heirlooms in my sock drawer). I'll definitely just wear these babies around the house and not give a worry to worn out toes! A special thanks goes out to Connie who helped me graft the toes. You'd think I'd have it down by now!

Resolution #2

Finally...some time to knit and complete my new years resolution project #2. Hung out at Panera this morning and completed the Amelie Jacket from White Lies Designs by Joan McGowan-Michael. Substituted Reynolds Saucy mercerized cotton.

No Time for Resolutions

I can't begin to explain how busy and stressed I've been with work client presentations and out of town travel. Seems like I'm working at home every night and wake up to start it all over again. A coworker asked me what the heck I'm doing sending out emails on a Friday night at 10:30 p.m - I need a life - time to knit - nice weather to ride - something!! I've had absolutely NO time for my New Year's Resolution and I'm in a funk. Looking forward to meeting with my KIP friends next week!

M&M Choppers

Spent the day with my kick start only, shovel lovin girl, Melanie while the boys wrenched on husband's new engine and ran it on the Dyno machine at Melanie and Matt's shop, M&M Choppers in Galva, KS. Plans for our Girls Only annual motorcycle trip are pointing towards a cabin on Lake of the Ozarks. Summer cannot come quick enough!

Happy New Year - Resolution #1

Happy New Year. The time for new year resolutions - mine to complete all unfinished projects laying around haunting me from 2005 before starting anything new in 2006. Started with figuring out the I Cord bind-off to complete this felted messenger satchel from Knitty. For felted "wearables" I prefer Cascade 220 wool over the hairy mohair in Lamb's Pride. By organizing my knitting cabinet I found I have sock yarn for 14 pairs of socks!!

Sasha Skirt by Louet Sales

The Sasha Skirt was an absolute joy to knit and fits great. Each ruffle a different pattern attached to a stockinette stitch underskirt. Substituted Euroflax sportweight with southwestern colors in Silky Tweed and Silky Wool by Elsebeth Lavold. To cut expenses, the underskirt was knit in brown Plymouth Wildflower cotton/acrylic. As intended, the top ruffle matches my turquoise perfectly.

Merry Xmas 2005

Had a sandwich tray, chips and dip, roaring fire Christmas Eve with my father-in-law, mom and husband. I was surprised with a Dell MP3 player (of which I can't run yet because I don't have Windows XP) and a black rhinestone Harley belt buckle -- isn't that what every girl needs?? You probably can't make it out but I also got a diamond Harley bar and shield logo necklace. Ordered a new engine for husband's bagger from our good friends @ M&M Choppers.

Yet Another Skirt

Now that the Christmas sewing projects are complete, I can focus on my obsession with knitted skirts. My knitting coworker, Celi, and I split the cost of this peasant skirt pattern from Louet Sales we ordered online and headed to the LYS. Like always, I was drawn to the most expensive yarn in the shop for this project. For example, just the bottom ruffle is a whopping $40 bucks. I figure I'll be able to budget one ruffle every month!! More to come.....

Christmas Purses

Every year I make homemade Christmas gifts for female friends, cousins and aunts for Christmas. Just couldn't think up a good knitting project so I dusted off my (new) Pfaff sewing machine and constructed a purse pattern idea borrowed from a knitting meetup friend, Libby. Libby explained a girlfriend of hers made up the pattern and sewn them for all her friends. Of course, I had to make one for myself in cowboy boot material.