Baby Its Cold Outside.....

There it is......WIP number two finished this week! I am on a roll now! *grin*

I've been working on this since July....started it in July and finished the entire teal section in a few days, put it away and finally picked it up and finished it last night.

I am so excited with how it turned out! A very quick and easy pattern!

Here are the details:

Pattern: Baby It's Cold Outside from Crochet Me Feb/March 2005
Yarn: Red Heart Ltd. Soft Yarn Solids - 7502 Lt. Teal
Hook: J Hook
Difficulty: Easy

Whats next you ask? Well, I am almost finished with Monsieur Monkey....the pattern neglected to include his tail, so I need to wing that one tonight and who knows, perhaps another FO for you tomorrow! I am also fighting the temptation to start on a Fat Bottom Bag.....I really want to clear out some more WIPs....but its oh so tempting just to start it. Then of course its a WIP which means I can work on it since my goal is to reduce myself down to 5 WIPs.

Ta Ta for now!

Baby Round Ripple....finished!

Finished! Just about a week to complete.


Details:

Pattern: Lyn's Round Ripple Baby Afghan
Yarn: Bernat Baby Coordinates in Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue & Purple Pastels
Hook: N Hook (9.0mm)
Time Spent Crocheting: 1 week
Size: 52 inches
Made For: My friend Megan's Baby
Pattern Modifications: Used 2 strands of yarn held together, larger hook

Overall, I really liked this pattern. It worked up very quickly and turned out really cute. I would make it slightly smaller next time, but otherwise no changes!

I still need to finish a few more WIPs and then I have a few project queued up in the wings waiting to be started including 2 different bags and a whole wardrobe of clothes for Dora.

Its here!

I am so excited! Mister Postman dropped off to me today a wonderful gifty in the mail......the 2007/2008 Catalogue Creations by Bergere de France. This is their annual catalogue which has small 2 inch samples of all of their yarns, and a plethora of pattern ideas for all of the yarns. Of course now that I've seen the yarns and the pattern pictures, I am going to have to run out and buy the pattern instructions.....yet again in French, but such is life in Belgium!

I am going to spend the big bucks this year on the CD Rom version which is going to cost me a whopping 3.90€ ($5.38 USD) and I will get not only the 128 patterns showcased in this years yarn catelogue, but also 150 patterns from their 2006/2007 magazines for Childrean, Infants and the Spring 2007 Knitting Pattern Leaflet. So I am spending just about 2 pennies per pattern.....I can handle the french for that cost =) They also have the 128 showcased patterns available in a print format for 3.90€ as well. Order the two together and they give you a 1.40€discount....order more than 49€in total, and they discount your order by €10, along with giving you a really cool looking knitting bag that says "I *heart* Tricot" (Tricot is the french word for Knitting)

Okay, I really need to get to work and get a few things finished....the new boss comes back from vacation on Monday and I of course don't have everything finished for him that he asked for....bad me!

As for the Round Ripple - I have 2 more rounds to go......it will be finished sometime this weekend!

The Sideways Lace Scarf Pattern

I’ve been putting off writing up this pattern and I am not really sure why. But I am now proud to bring to you my second pattern, the Sideways Lace Scarf.

This Broom-stick lace pattern is a very versatile pattern and extremely easy to modify for your desired yarn, size, available knitting needle size etc. I will first write up the basic pattern that I used, and then explain how it can be modified.

The Sideways Lace Scarf Pattern

Required Tools:

1.5 Skeins Bernat Satin Yarn
Size H Crochet Hook
US 19 (15 mm) Knitting Needle

Approx Size: 72" length - width as desired

With crochet hook:

Chain 253
Row1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain stitch (total 252 sc) do not turn

Row 2: Pull the loop that is on the hook onto your knitting needle, and working from left to right, * insert your hook into the back-loop of the next SC, yarn over, draw yarn through the loop and, being careful not to twist, place it on the knitting needle * repeat from * to end (252 loops on the needle)

Row 3: Without turning, insert crochet hook under the first 3 loops, yo & pull through the loops, pull loops off of needle, Ch 1, 3 sc into top of the 3 yarn loops * in next 3 loops on the needle, 3sc in each across * (252 sc with 84 broomstick motifs)

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 until you have reached desired width

Last Row: Turn, Sc in each st across and finish off

Optional: A fringe can be added to the ends if desired


MODIFICATIONS:

Any type of yarn can be used, with the appropriate sized crochet hook for that yarn....with bulkier yarn I would decrease the chain, thinner yarn increase the chain so that you have the desired length in your chain.

A longer scarf needed? Increase your chain by groups of 3 (a group of 7 (21 ch) adds another 5 inches in length when using a H hook & worsted weight yarn)
A shorter scarf needed? Decrease your chain by groups of 3

Only have a Size 35 knitting needle:? I would suggest doing groups of 4 then, so make your starting chain 253, and increase or decrease by 4 to reach the desired length

Only have a Size 50 knitting needle? I would suggest using this with a group of 5, so increase your starting chain to 256, and increase or decrease by 5 to reach the desired length

Do not be scared to play around with needle sizes to achieve the desired Broomstick motif size

Ravelry Pattern Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sideways-lace-scarf

Copyright © 2007 Kimberly Langlois All rights reserved.

Reproducing or transmitting this pattern by any means for any purpose other than for personal use constitutes a violation of copyright law.

This scarf may be made for personal use only. Should you wish to make the finished scarves for sale, please contact for permission. Should you wish to use this pattern for a class or event, please contact for permission.



Sideways Lace Scarf Pattern by
Kimberly Langlois is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Baby Round Ripple

I'm still not feeling 100% so I've not been doing much on my off time, but I have been working on finishing up my swap ornaments and working on my round ripple afghan.

Here are the two pictures of it so far:


I am using Lyn's Round Ripple Baby Afghan for my pattern which I am really liking s ofar - very easy and it works up quickly.

I have slightly modified the pattern in that I am using 2 strands of Bernat Baby Coordinates held together with a size N (9.00mm) hook.

The colors are all in pastels - pink, yellow, green, blue and violet with 3 rounds of each solid color and 3 rounds between each solid change of one stran of the previous color and one strand of the next color. This concept is similar to the painted thread doily concept where you use 3 strands of sewing thread together and you round by round change one strand.

I have finish the first three colors, with the blended green-blue, solid blue, blended blue-purple and solid purple left to go. I am still debating on some form of border round - it will depends on how large the final afghan turns out if I feel I want to increase the size or not.

Hopefully I will have this done sometime this week so I can move on to finish a few of my other WIPs.

Things continue to go along here in the Maison de Kimberly. Saturday night my car was broken into - passenger door glass shattered, glove box contents strewn across the car.......what was stolen? Absolutely nada! Sheesh - I had a few CDs - must not have been their taste in music, my I-pod car radio transmitter (not expensive but not imported from US as not sold here), a really nice pair of shoes (wrong size perhaps)....they did not even steal the radio!

All the hassle of having to go to the police station, call the carglass company, deal with the paperwork and I don't even have the fury over having something stolen! I told the policeman that I wished they had at least stolen the radio, then I could have gotten a better one.....he came back with saying perhaps it could have been the car and then I would have gotten a new one of those instead.

I am busy working on a Round Ripple baby afghan. I am using 2 strands of Bernat yarn in pastel colors and slowly changing them out. Looking good so far!

The new job is not keeping me that busy so I am busy working on the old job a lot. It looks like I'll be doing more and more for the old job than I am for the new one...until October at least! Still not sure what I will be doing next - staying in Belgium, moveing back to the US, moving to a different country....the options are all out there, its just deciding what I want to do from a professional career and development standpoint versus balancing my family and the bf. *sigh*

I think that is it for today - everyone take care and I'll be posting some pictures soon!

I'm baaacccckkkkk!

Well, vacation is over and I am once again back to Europe with my nose on the grindstone.

Vacation was not exactly "rest and relaxation" this time around as it involved 2.5 days of missing luggage, including my niece Abby's almost completed baby blanket. A visit to the ER room and the Radiologist due to severe pain in my left side and lots of nausea (gall bladder issues) lack of appetite and sleepiness. A whirlwind 2 day trip to Chicago. And lots of other running around.

I did finish the Baby Blanket in time for the Birthday Party. But I of course forgot to take a picture of it....yup, I'm blonde. I'm going to ask my sister if she can take one or bring it with her and have my parents take one of it the next time they see each other. I casted off and weaved in the ends as we were driving up to the party!! Talk about cutting it close!

I "accepted" a new job position here in Europe for a few months. We are creating a sub-region of the smaller countries in Western Europe and I'll be setting up the monthly finance and budget processes for this new region. Loads of fun. Lots of work and new headaches as I will be also still involved in the old position to some extent.

That is it for now. I have a ton of e-mails to catch up on, several new pattern books to go through and lots of knitting and crocheting to get done. I want to finish up a few more of these WIPs I have laying about.....progress is being made on them though! And I have a swap obligation I need to fulfill.

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!

And the price is.........

The USD cost of that....ummm...lovely purse is: $439

Which means our winner is Ikkinlala with a bid of $450.....nope, this is not the Price is Right, so even an overbid counts as it was the closest. The Euro cost is €323 which my BF choked on when I told him the cost. I still can not believe the cost - the materials are cheap, the look is tacky / gaudy, the handles are rosey pink leather (which do not come close to matching anything else on the purse) and the inside is a cheap cotton. I guess they took into consideration the amount of time needed to tie on all of those thingies.

Ikkinlala - I've sent you an e-mail asking for your information!

Thank you to everyone that played! I'll have to keep an eye out for some crochet items here in Belgium and do this again - it was fun to see everyones "bids"

A wee little contest.....

Do you remember this purse:


I went into the shop today while waiting for the bf to finish smoking his cigarette when we arrived at the apartment building.

Upon a closer look, the purse is merely a lattice frame with the thingies placed all over them. The handle is a belt type handle, and the interior is lined with cheap cotton.

The price?

Let the guessing start....just remember that this is the same shop that sells simple acrylic garter knit scarves for $75 and beaded flip-flops for $150......

I will run a little contest to see who can guess the closest to the price in USD with my converting at todays spot rate of 1.36 (ie. 1€ is worth $1.36)

The winner will receive a gifty of my choice....perhaps a gift certificate, some yarn, chocolate, I really don't know at this point in time!

This contest will end on May Day....the First of May

Lookie what I got!!!

Here are the pictures of the kitchen swap goodies that I received from Mimi....Are they not wonderful??







A wonderful Crazy Cloth (it is perfect Mimi!), a Tunisian Dish Cloth (great work- congratulations on your first attempt at Tunisian!!) Two lovely coasters (I love the edging on them....how did you do it?), some Anchor and Cannon cotton (check out Mimi's web site if you would like to order some!), a cute magnent, veggies and a little french package with flowers inside.

Mimi - thank you once again so very much - I have enjoyed swapping with you! I hope that you like what I have sent in my package to you! *hugs*

FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats right folks. Its Friday lets hear a "Hip hip hoo-rah" from the peanut gallery!

Today is starting off excellent!

Not only is it once again around 70, sunny and blue skies, but I received my Swap Package from Mimi!!!

I am thrilled to pieces with what she sent me! I can not wait to show it all off to you, but I need to get home so I can arrange and properly photograph everything! it is all going to go to great use and I am amazed at the talent that Mimi has - thank you so very much for your generosity and kindness Mimi!

Pictures to come.....

This Friday is also my last day of work for, get this, FOUR whole days! I actually get to take the public holiday off for a change! I'm not sure yet what I am going to accomplish for the weekend, for taking a look at my WIP listing on my sidebar, I sure as heck had better finish a few things!

Okay, I need to get to work and get a few things done today so I can leave for my 4 day break with a clear conscience - I hate having things left unfinished!

Mimi - Thank you again! I will be getting your package out Priority Air-Mail to you tomorrow! I hope that you will be pleased with what I am sending.

Destination.......Shanghai!

I think I left you all hanging on where my big vacation is.....Sorry!

I am going to China for 10 days to visit my friend Zori! She has moved there for 6 months to work. I am so very excited! We are talking about possibly going to Beijing and Tokyo Japan as well......exciting times.

Anyone know of yarn shops in any of these locations? =) I'm going to try to take very little with me - its only for 10 days, so hopefully I can have room to buy souvenirs.

Here is a conversation I had with my 6 year old nephew Andrew.

Me: Guess where I'm going on vacation!
A: I don't know.
Me: I'm going to China!
A: CHINA!!!!!!!!
Me: Yup
A: That is sooooooo cool Aunt Kim
Me: Ummm...why is that cool?
A: Because they have lots of toys in China! You can bring me some when you come to visit in the summer.

lol - how he equated China right away with all of the toys that are made in China, i don't know, but connect the dots he did!

The dragon and the kitty purse were big hits with my co-workers children. ALthough the girl said right away "I want a green one too" lol I guess thats yet another Dragon on my to-do list of things to make.....I think I have 5 now to make - 2 green, 1 orange, 1 pink and 1 "Pink with a Red tail"

Meow.....meow......

For the past 2 weeks I've been watching my friend Lauras cat. He is a crazy guy....when they came to pick him up for the first time in two weeks he decided to hide.....First behind my closet doors, and when he was found out, he hid under the couch. When my friend's husband pulled him out, the cat dug his claws into the floor in a futile attempt to stay under the couch and in my apartment - it was too cute.

Anywho in honor of the Cat, I decided to find a cat pattern to make. Here is what I found to make: http://naidascrochet.tripod.com/patterns/hellokitty.html

And my finished project:


It worked up very quickly (about an hour, excluding the face details). Instead of using felt for the eyes and nose (no clue where I would buy it!), I used yarn as well and embroidered them on.

This is going to one of my co-workers little girl, Elise, as her twin brother has come down with viral meningitis - not good! They are 3 years old, and its hard for her to understand why her partner in crime is not able to play with her. For her brother, I am giving him my nephew's Charzon Dragon - I'll make my nephew a new one before I go to visit in July. They say that it is going to take Roman 6-8 weeks to recover...poor little guy!

I am off to take the bf to work. We went to my favorite Lebanese restaurant to eat dinner.....I had to be rolled out the door I ate so much!

Have a great week!

Trains, taxis and metros

I took a whirldwind trip to my favorite city in Europe, leaving at 7:30 am and getting home at 11pm to give training to several co-workers. In the title are those places where I had the pleasure of crocheting yesterday. Did not finish anything, but made progress on seveal items. It is only an hour and 20 minutes on the train, so not a whole lot of time.

Here are a few pics I snapped with my cell phone - I did not bring my camera as I was not sure if I would have time to actually visit the city (the office is about an hour south-west of the actually city - mainly due to traffic congestion which is HORRIBLE!). but I was able to find 2 hours to do a quick walkthrough of my favorite buildings.

In real life this was a cool snap shot, but the cell phone darkened the sign too much, c'est la vie.

The Walls of a museum near the Eifle Tower (I forgot the name of it - apologies) - a faux front covered with plants - very cool in real life!


It does not matter how many pictures I take of it, I always take more..something magestic about it rising out of the sky ilne like it does.

Kimberly Kimberly bo Bimberly

Banana fana fo Fimberly.......
Mee mi mo Mimberly.....
KIMBERLY!

Introducing my take on the Name Game! I've seen this on several blogs recently.....Sara, Netter, Sue......

Here is my version!

Your Name: Kimberly
Famous Artist/Musician/Band: Kelly Clarkson
3 letter word: Kip
Street name: Kimberly Drive (My Aunt and Uncle live on it)
Color: Khaki
Vehicle: Ka (Ford)
TV Show: Knight Rider
State/City: Kansas City, Kansas
Boy Name: Kyle
Girl Name: Kimberly…..okay, Kristen
Alcoholic Drink: Kamikaze
Occupation: Knight
Flower: Kansas Feather (not really sure what this is…..googled plant names….I cheated!)
Celebrity: Katie Couric
Famous Leader: King Arthur
Toy: Kite
Animal: Kitten
Food: Kippers
Something found in a kitchen: Knife
Reason for Being Late: Killer traffic
Something You Throw Away: Kleenex (used of course)
Cartoon Character: Kanga (Winnie the Pooh)
Type of desert: Key Lime Pie (yummmmmmmmmmy)

When I woke up this morning.....

You were on my mind, you were on my mind. I've got troubles oooooh oooooh........

I do so hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine involved spending an obscene amount at the Grocery store, doing another 10 loads of laundry (still have another 10 to go.....honestly!), a little bit of shopping (books and clothes and 1 crochet hook) and a whole lot of nothing!

Crocheting and knitting you ask? Well I did work a fair amount on my cross stitch project - I have 2 of the 4 characters outlined, I need to finish Tigger and Eeyore along with a few embellishments on Piglet that I've not done yet.

I've also been working on the items for the kitchen swap with Mimi.....heres a snap shot of one of the items.....notice the dreaded ends? Lets just say that I am not even half way done with them being tied in.....tonight hopefully!

I also made Mimi a hot pad that is my own design....I saw a similar one on a blog and it stuck in my head haunting me so I sat down and figured out how to do something similar.....its not the same as the one I saw, but along those lines.

As for the Cro-tatting, it is coming along - I've actually managed to finish a few of the loops on my first project. I'll have to stick at it - I might try switching hook sizes with the yarn I'm using - perhaps that would make things easier for me. I found a few different Cro-Tat pattern books in my collection, so I have a few patterns that I can try out.

I did buy some cream colored thread this weekend. I have a runner pattern that is worked in motifs that I've been thinking about doing for over 2 years now......I figure that now is as good a time as any to start it, and hopefully it will be done before Christmas!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Friday the 1"th Foddie Friday

*gasp*

She actually remembers to post a Foodie Friday? It can not be! *grin*

Here it comes...

Spaghetti & Meatballs

1 1/2 pound of ground beef 3/4 C fine dried bread crumbs
1/2 C milk 1/2 C Parmesan cheese
2 beaten eggs 1 Tbsp. minced parsley
1 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/8 tsp. pepper
Dash of garlic salt

Combine all ingredients and make into meatballs.

Pan fry til brown in about 3 or 4 Tbsp. olive oil.

Remove when browned.

When all meatballs are browned add 1 C minced onions and cook til tender for 3-4 mins.

Add 2 Tbsp. flour to oil to thicken it up. Stir.

Replace meatballs in pan, add following and simmer 1 hour:

1 large can tomatoe juice 1 tsp. worchestershire salt
2 small cans tomatoe sauce 1/4 tsp. pepper
6 Tbsp. minced parsley 3 tsp. sugar
6Tbsp. fresh chopped green peppers 2 small bay leaves (crumbled)
2 1/2 tsp. salt

Cook pasta, serve with garlic bread and enjoy!

Cro-Tatting Anyone?

I bought a while back a Cro-Tat set - a few hooks, instructions booklet. I think its all written in Greek though as I can understand nothing!

Yeah, I know, I really should NOT be starting any more projects, but I was trying to find an awesome pattern to use to make something for my partner (Mimi) in the Fiber Freaks Kitchen swap.

I figured Cro-Tatting would be something unique, and how hard can it be, right? I have instructions, a fairly well functioning brain and a fair to good knowledge of crochet.

Ugh!

I got stuck on the very beginning of the pattern when you start to do the Cro-Tatting special stitches.

I don't have the pattern here, but it went something like this:

Chain 6, form circle, 12 sc in circle, attach with a sl st to first sc. (so far, so good)

So far, so good, I think I can handle it so far. Then the one that is confusing me:

Reverse sl st

Huh? I gotta do what? The instruction on this stitch say: "working left to right, insert hook in next st to the right, yo, pull lp through st and lp on hook." Left to right? I put it in the previous stitch? Perhaps I'm just not thinking, perhaps my hands don't work this way, but every time I try to do it it seems like I am doing something wrong as I just can not coordinate.

I do wish that there were better picture tutorials out there.....the first stitch of a "new technique" for me and I can not get it right.

Back to the drawing board to find a different pattern that does NOT include the Reverse sl st!

Roaring and ready to go!

I've shaken off the last of the cold and I am now fit as a fiddle!

Before I forget - does anyone have a MySpace account? I don't use mine much, but my friends from back home have been pestering me about it, so I am trying to get better about accessing it and visiting others pages. Here is mine: http://www.myspace.com/kaml2000

Oh ugh! Last night I passed the shop that is located in the ground floor of my building and had a WTF moment. This is what was in the window:

I really care not to think about how much money they are asking for it. Its literally a bag with pieces of shinny raffia (I think thats the word) cut up and plastered all over the bag. Not my cup of tea......I really wonder how long it will be until someone buys it. Perhaps on Saturday I'll venture in to see what the price tag is. For comparison, they were selling a piece of ribbon to tie back your hair for $50 and a simple stockinette scarf in acrylic for $75. Some flip-flops with seed beads were going for $125

Okay, its now been 9 months since I met the BF...where is the time going? Here is a picture of the two of us that I snapped with my cell phone this weekend. Apologies for my windblown hair look - we had just arrived to a bar to watch the soccer matches and had walked the 5 miles from my apartment in rather windy conditions.

Ooooohhhhhh! I was in HEAVEN last night! I had Dominos Pizza - yumm!! There are 4 shops here in Brussels, and I finally passed one of them the other day. None would deliver to my apartment, so it was necessary to go pick it up, but I could never find them. Needless to say, now that I know where it is, I will be going back for more! Even the bf agreed with me that it was better than the Pizza Hut here!

Nothing new on the Crafty Front.....will see if I can actually get something else comlpeted this week. The pattern on the scarf has been hand written - now to just type it up and get it posted!

Happy Crafting!

Random thoughts for the day.....

My Aunt sent these to me, so I thought to share with all of you!

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don*t get sucked into jet engines
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, "What the heck happened?"
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your rear tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day today!

On the road to recovery....

Many thanks to all of you for the get well wishes - they really meant a lot to me to read! I am starting to get better - I am now left with a plugged nose and a hacking cough.

My fever peaked at about 102°, which is for me the equivalent of 103° - my normal body temperature is not the 98.6 that we all have pounded into our heads, but right around 97.4 - 97.6 I'm a cold blooded type of girl I guess!

I did get my submission in on time on Friday, which meant that I had the WHOLE weekend off - no work, no e-mails, no text messages checking on progress......nada! The weather was nice, so I bundled up and went for several long walks with the boyfriend from my apartment into the center of Brussels. A nice walk, and the fresh air and exercise is helping me regain some equilibrium after working so much and then getting sick and still working.

On the Craft front, not a whole lot accomplished. This having a boyfriend does seem to limit the time that I can craft...for some odd reason he wants my attention to be on him and not my yarn.....go figure!

So to recap my list from almost 2 weeks ago that I wanted to get some items knocked off plus the addition of my other WIPs that I can think of:

Peach Doily *** No updates
Triangle Potholder * No updates
Monkey (1 of 2) ** No updates
Hat *** No updates
Sideways B-lace Scarf * Finished - need to get the pattern posted
Crazy Stitch Potholder ** 10 of 15 rounds
Cabbage Patch Bathing Suit * Finished!!!!!!!!
Baby Slippers * No updates
Doll Sweater *** No updates
Baby Blanket *** No updates
Blue Jean Bag *** No updates
Cross Stitch Wall Hanging ** No updates

* = small time required ** = moderate time required *** = large time required

I hope that having to keep re-typing this list will give me some incentive to start working on them.....soon