Happy 4th of July!

To all of my fellow Americans, I hope that you all enjoy a wonderful day today, relax, have fun with friends and family, eat lots of good food and enjoy some fireworks for me!

Head and Hands

First off the head - I've had a mild to strong headache for over a week now which is really seriously kicking my arse. I think that it is weather related - we've had some really big ups and downs and serious temperature and climate changes the past 2 weeks here. Its not a migraine luckily, just an annoying headache that is there when I wake and there when I go to bed. At first I tried to medicate it out, but thats not working and I refuse to be popping Advil every three hours in hopes that it suddenly works - my stomach is thanking me for no longer forcing it to digest Ibuprofen. I've tried my migraine pills twice and no relief from them either. Now I'm just sitting and waiting it out and making the bf massage my temples every now and then.

Obviously the headache is not helping the WIPs proceed any faster, but some are moving along.

My blanket I am proud to say is now in the middle of repeat number 21! I'm getting there! I hope to have it finished before I go to Zürich on Sunday.

Monsieur Monkey's body is all sewn up, arms attached. I still need to attach the legs but I am not happy with their length, so I think I might add a few rows to them. I still gotta figure out how to make his tail, along with attaching his ears and embroidering his little face onto him. All in all probably about 30 minutes of work, I just need to motivation to finish him up.

I am re-making the weaved hot pad that I made for Mimi. As I do so I am writing down the pattern this time! I have actually in my head now two different versions. The one with the square and the two ovals and then a new version with a square and two more rectangular shapes. Also I've been thinking of triangles lately so perhaps there is something there as well in a new design......I need more hours in the day!

I've also been typing up the pattern finally for my Broomstick Sideways scarf. I finally found where I had it written down.

Okay, that is it for now. I have a TON to do at work today so I had best get busy on it! Happy Crocheting & knitting & general craftiness everyone!

Three down.....

About 37 more to go! WIPs that is, those little things I keep harping on the past few days!

Here they are......

First up we have the mystery dish cloth...I was not sure what it was supposed to be, but here is how I finished it up!


Next up, my finished Dragons. One orange dragon to replace the Green dragon for my nephew that I gave to my co-workers little boy who had Viral Meningitis (hes all better now) and a second one that my niece Megan asked for......she picked the colors "A pwink dwagon wif a wed tail and purpa wings pwease" Translated: a Pink dragon with a red tail and purple wings. And she is adamant on the colors, and so these are the results.....


This means I can add three new WIPs to my pile right????? *grin*

I am now almost finished with repeat 14 on the blanket and I am finishing up the Monkey hopefully today or tomorrow!

Happy Crocheting and Knitting to everyone!

Following the other to MS3

I'm a follower and I jumped on the Mystery Stole bandwagon. I have no clue what I am thinking about even attempting this size of a lace project, but attempt it I will! That is assuming I can find the right yarn to use. I think I might have something I can use in dark khacki green, but the pattern is requesting a white or black due to the theme.....I'm assuming the theme will be announced with the first clue (the pattern is sent in a series of clues, so no idea what you are making until you are done) so I could make a decision then. I will look if not this weekend for something at the LYS in a lace weight, otherwise fall greatly behind and have to wait until I am in the US and can pick something up there.

Details on MS3 can be found here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysterystole3/ You have until July 6th to sign up, currently there are 3,193 people signed up to make this KAL....nothing like jumping on the bandwagon eh? But I am sure that there is room for a few more, so step right up and jump on in - all aboard!

Oops - just looked again make that 3,195 people now!

Weekend of WIPs Number 1

I did it. I managed to go a whole weekend without starting a new WIP. Yay me!

The weekend consisted of a lot of working on several different projects as follows:


I am not sure what pattern I was attempting with this little cloth, so I winged a scalloped edging along two sides and a round circular on the opposite corner and the first of my WIPs was finished. I still need to tie in the ends (ugh) and then you will see a picture.


Any ideas what this mash of colors and parts is? Its Dragon numbers 2 and 3 plus a random purple head. I've finished crocheting almost all of the parts. Now I need to finish assembling them and embroider on the eyes. And make both a pair of wings since a Dragon needs to have wings!


Monkey monkey, who's seen the monkey? Hes been hiding away as I realized that the pattern was not complete, a few parts missing (like the tail - kinda critical) but I've decided to plod on and finish him up, winging the missing parts as I go along.


Yet another mash assortment of parts (with some still hiding away in the bag). These are random Turtle body parts. I've finished one of the turtles, now to finish the others and get some Turtle pictures up!


The lovely blanket for my soon to be 1 year old niece Abby.......I've been working on for probably 18 months now. I finished just over 2 repeats this weekend, so now its 12 down, 13 to go - not yet half way but oh so close....this just might be done in time for her graduation from high school!

That's it on the WIP updates. I need to take a a closer look at everything that is in my pile and make a decision on frogging or continuing.....I think the picture is going to get a few big red X's through it as I decide to frog several of the items!

Vacation countdown: 2 weeks and 4 days

Geekiness at its best.....

Check out the top 10 list of geek-fest yarn creations including crochet & knitting projects!

I've made a promise to myself...no more new WIPs until I finish a few of what I have started...gosh this is hard to do....so manny cute patterns out there, so much yarn in my stash, not enough time in the year.

A crafty type of post......warning - horror pics

First off Kudos to Kelly for knowing where my title from yesterdays post was coming from! I love that album of Pink and sing Leave Me Alone (I'm lonely) to my BF all the time.......I don't think hes realised yet exactly what I'm singing LOL

Second, onto my frightening discoveries and a little bit of self awarenes......

I've been trying to organize and clean my apartment up a little bit, especially my crafty type goodies. Well, this is what I have found & need to say.

"Hello, my name is Kimberly. I love to crochet and knit and collect yarn. Hello, my name is Kimberly and I almost have more WIPs than I do shoes"

My Mom is gasping in horror right now since she KNOWS how many pairs of shoes I have ... or at least she knew how many I had the last time she visited and also those she helped packed that I did not bring with me to Europe.

Here is a snap of the WIPs that I found while cleaning.....there are a few missing, including the second photo of the blanket I'm working on for my neice.....


Realistically I can probably frog a good portion of these as many of them I have no interest in finishing, some I have no clue what pattern / hook I was using and some I won't have enough yarn to finish (idiot me who goes gung ho on a project only to go uh oh)

Aside from the WIPs I also found a plethora of partially used, almost finished skeins from past projects that I have to figure out what I am going to do with them:

And last but not least, the doily that I finished for a swap partner. It in no way compares to what she sent to me, but it is the best that I can do and I put a lot of time and effort into it.....I hope she likes it!


Many thanks to all of you for the good wishes yesterday. Its been a hard week here for me with my almost buying a plane ticket to go home at one point.....it was on my screen waiting for me to hit the Okay button I was that close to ordering! No, it was not for good that I was buying but for a quick several day trip.

I'm not dead just floating

And not even belly up! Well, some days I fear its getting close to me rolling over and giving up yet I still keep floating in my little pool of cubical fishies trying to avoid getting gobbled up by the big bad shark. Blub blub blub

Just wanted to check in - lots going on and nothing I can verbalise really. I finally think its all getting to me, but I keep looking at my calendar and I know that I get to see my family in 24 days and counting. I need some eskimo kissin and sand castle squishin to cheer me up and get me through the next few months.

Change is coming, I just don't know when, where or what yet. Unless something major changed with my current job I know that I can not stay in this position no matter how much I like it and the people I work with - my sanity would be in even more in question and walking on an even thinner line towards a breakdown than I currently am.

I have to go to the post office tomorrow. I have several packages that HAVE to get mailed out to the US. I hope those that are getting them forgive the tardiness.

Crafty type updates coming soon......I've been sorting my craft area (note, its no longer a shelf, or a corner, but an area) and have made some frightening discoveries!

Lack of a title, too much on my mind

I am sure to develop an ulcer from stress and worry.

I just found out that one of my best friends, Paul, has been sent to Iraq with his doggie Ben (hes a K-9 MP) So I am now going to have the stress of worrying about him non-stop. How do people handle it? I've known for all of 5 minutes and already my mind is starting to freak out. Please keep him and Ben in your thoughts!

My list of to-dos is growing longer and longer - I will never finish any of them it feels like!

I have a swap obligation that needs to be finished and I already know that whatever I make is going to be lacking (in my own mind). My swap partner mailed hers out to me the very first day as she was going on vacation......I have no idea how I am going to compare with the wondrous and amazing items that she sent to me! I'm the little Toyota trying to blend in with the Mercedes and Porsche's! I'll post pictures when I have the time!

I received my invite for Ravelry - now to take pictures of my stash, organize my projects and patterns, remember my flickr name and password......

I am in the process of booking my flight back to the US for vacation, I need to decide which airline I want to take. The cheapest is Northwest via Detroit, but I have never flown them internationally before (after my experience with Lufthansa I don't want to try another unknown airline I'm thinking). My other option right now looks to be American. Will make a decision soon.

I think that is it. I am still behind on blog reading and commenting, but I'm slowly getting back to it. I'll catch up one day soon....just in time for my week in Zurich and then 2 weeks in the US!

One, two, three...NOT IT!!!

Crap, not fast enough. I'm it as shown by Yasmin AND Kathy

Here goes:

THE RULES:
Each person tagged gives seven random facts about themselves along with the rules of the game, as well as tagging seven others by listing their names as part of the blog post and leaving a blog comment for the tagged individuals to let them know that they've been tagged.

Well I've already done the Sevens Meme so now to think of some new things....

1. I've gone out on a date with a guy from every continent except South America (then again, some people consider South and North America to be one continent so if you're in that group, consider that I've gone out on a date with a guy from every continent)

2. I'm a pack rat and like to save everything...I occasionally do a complete dump but the lack of clutter does not last!

3. I hate washing dishes

4. I love to procrastinate

5. I would love to go to law school

6. I'm a huge family person and can not go more than a few days without talking to at least one member of my family

7. I love travelling - planes, tranes, automobiles....heck, I'd travel by unicycle if it was my only option! I'd never be happy staying in one place for the rest of my life.

Now who to tag: Vik, Kelly, Jenny, Kayt, Marvie, Jessica, and YOU, yeah, YOU!

I'm back!!!!!!!!

I am back from Shanghai and China. All in all a VERY interesting trip including a lovely bout of food poisioning which I am STILL not over fully.

Work is keeping my hopping, so hopefully I'll get some time to fill you all in on my trip, but in the mean time, here are a few pictures:

Myself and my friend Zori at the Gardens in Su Zhou

Visiting the Great Wall (not the best - the food poisioning was in full swing)

At Yu Gardens - TeaHouse behind me.

YARN!!!! A shop in Beijing - I did not buy any as I had already hit my maximum for luggage capacity, but a really nice selection!

Strange taste anyone? I was constantly looking for Chinglish

Hello from Shanghai!!!!!!!!!

Hi! China is wonderful! I am having so much fun here!

We found two places today to buy wool - only bought 2 balls of sock wool, but I did buy a set of sock needles, a few hooks and a few circular needles for a few dollars - very happy!

We spent the past 2 days in Sanya - a resort beach town on a Southern Island - it was gorgeous! I can not wait to get home and get my pictures downloaded! I'll try to snap some with my mobile phone so perhaps I can show before I get back to Belgium!

Sight-seeing more in SHanghai tomorrow and then on the weekend off to Beijing.

Talk to you soon!

All packed and ready to go!

My bags are packed and I'm heading out the door!

But before I go, here is my most recent project....at this stage it was 1 row from being finished, it is now finished but no time to take a picture:

I'm bringing my camera, so be ready for lots of pictures when I get back!!!!!

*hugs*

Two days and counting!!!

I can not wait!

My trip to China commences in 2 days! Woo hoo!

I am soooooo looking forward to it, although my company is not since I am refusing to take my PC with me!

Heres what I heard on the phone today......"What??? You're going on vacation? You'll be checking e-mails right? What?????? You're not taking your PC????? But what if I need something?" Argh! Its technically only 5 working business days that I am gone.....can they not survive without me? There are 40,000+ other employees....one of them HAS to be able to help!

My thanks again to Deneen for her help in trying to track down yarn source! Thanks!!!!!!!

I will wait and pack on Thursday - I figure if its critical I'll remember to pack it, if not I can always buy it there. As long as I take my camera, contact case, glasses & pills I'll be just fine and dandy. I do this every time I go on vacation and so far I've never forgotten anything major!

Okay, I am off for home and hopefully will finish the baby afghan I started this weekend - its not that big but its turning out really cute! It is for a CAL that I am doing on using multiple stands of yarn....kinda like the painted doilies concept but only using 2 strands and using worster weight and a large hook.

Will write again before I go!

My future job.....

Ever want to drive a really nice car around?

Go to Munich Germany and apply to be an Airport Taxi Cab driver. They drive nicer cars than me!

I drive an Audi A4 which in itself is already a really nice car (thankfully its a company car and I did not have to buy it myself).....the taxis I saw yesterday during my business trip to Munich were Audi A6s, Mercedes, BMW 500 series.....

I want to be a Taxi Cab driver in Munich......it must pay really well!

Happy Mamas Day!

To all of the Mothers out there, I wish you all a Happy Mothers Day!

And to my own wonderful mother.....


I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you have done for me over the past 28+ years. The wisdom and knowledge you have shared. The love that you have showered on me is returned ten fold.

Thank you Mama!

Keep on hooking!

When I opened my mail yesterday, I saw these in my box:



What can they be you ask?

Why only MY brand-spankin new Egg-handled one of a kind Jimbo hook, and the Travelling Hook from DoD!



I started in on my DoD hook project last night - ooh boy does that hook work nicely! I can not wait to see how my Egg Hook works for me....but I told myself "no-no" to touching it until I have the DoD project done and the hook on its way to Stacey who has been waiting just as (im)patiently as I have been!

No worries Stacey - it will be on its way this weekend!

Choo Choo.....All Aboard!

Here it is....the completion of my oldest outstanding WIP (even older than Chloe!)


"Hee hee hee....they let me drive" Pooh exclaims



"Chugga chugga Pooh....where are we g-g-go-ing?" asks Piglet



Oh boy, oh boy oh boy! Ooh Ooh Oooohhh! Tiggers LOVE Choo Choo trains!



Oh bother, they put me in backwards. Thats okay, its only me, Eeyore.



This will be going to my littlest niece for her birthday in July.

WIP Wednesday.....I've got Fo's!

To update my extremely long WIP list:

Daisy Square * Finished
Triangle Potholder * Finished
Kitty Purse * Finished
Crazy Stitch Potholder ** Finished
Cross Stitch Wall Hanging ** Finished

Peach Doily ** 17 of 26 Rounds
Monkey (1 of 2) ** Only the legs and tail to go
Dragons (1 of 4) ** head & body done
^Dishcloth * 1/4th completed
^CPK Outfit ** Shoes & Pants done

Hat *** No updates
Baby Slippers * No updates
Doll Sweater *** No updates

* = small time required ** = moderate time required *** = large time required ^ = New project

Yeah, I started 2 new projects.....but I finished FIVE, count them - FIVE!! Of my WIPs. I am so excited to actually see some things getting finished!

Okay, okay, here come the pictures and details:

First up, my Charity Daisy Square:

Next, the Dishcloth with 26 ends to weave....the missing round would have made this into a square instead of having the zig-zag edging which I think is kinda cool. I am thinking on this pattern that there HAS to be a way to do this in a square (6 ends to weave) instead of triangular wedges (24-26 ends).....next up is to figure out how! The pattern was in a book I have...I'll try to post the book later.


Based on her input, a Kitty purse for my niece who insisted that it have a pink bow and a red handle.


My most recent Crazy Cloth Dishcloths, and where I have them hanging in my kitchen...now added to the hooks are the ones that I received from Mimi as well!


Thats it for the pictures for right now....I still need to get the pics of the Cross Stitch sampler (which still needs to be washed and framed, but that will happen in July when I'm in the US) which I'll try to post later today or tomorrow as well as pictures of what was in my mailbox today!

Where did the weekend go?

Here it is Sunday night.....errr Monday morning...and I swear I missed both Sat and the whole day on Sunday. It is crazy how fast they seem to fly by.

Purse update: It is still there in the shop...its been moved out of the window, but no one has bought it yet....I'll keep checking back and once I see its gone (perhaps I should say IF I see it gone) I will let you know.

I have been working on the crafty front. I finished a dishcloth, well almost. The pattern included a border that I did not like so I kept it off.....plus since I had already weaved in 26 ends, I could stand the thought of weaving in another 2.

I really think that weaving in the ends is one reason why it takes me so long to finish all of my WIPs.....I'd just as soon leave a project 90% done just so I don't have to tie in the ends when I am finished.

The weekend has seen significant progress on a long outstanding WIP of mine...I think that I've been working on it for at least 3 years, and no, its not crocheted or knitted since I've only been doing those for 2 and 1 years respectively. I should finish it up in the next few days so pictures will be coming soon!

I've also finished my Daisy Charity square to send to Krystal. Take a look at her blog for the pattern details. She will gladly send you a copy of the pattern, the only stipulation is that you send her one finished square in return.

Have a great week everyone....pictures will be coming soon!