Knitting in Asheville

Dress Rehearsal

2011-04-28T06:05:00.004-05:00

1. It is morning (translation: I am typing in my sleep)
2. Mini Purl is fat, warm, and walks like a drunken sailor. She makes me happy.
3. Our backyard looks like an enchanted secret garden.

Now that stuff is all cleared up I can move on to more important things. My friend the chicken queen/aka Janice Higgins has inspired me to re-enact the royal wedding with sock monkeys. I know, brilliant! So I have one day to come up with wardrobe, wig (my only female monkey is in California) etc etc. I feel like running around pulling on my hair and clapping my hands, yelling "people! people!"

hmm, that is not very British of me. How shall we do this?

Fairy tale, lots of pomp? I heard they brought a disco ball into Buckingham Palace so, maybe Shrek style. I wish I had time to knit a lime green sock monkey. Oh, blast.

What the Deuce?!

2010-07-13T10:51:00.005-05:00

I just love saying that. What the....? Lately there have been many exciting things happening in my life. Here are a few highlights: Ashevegas2010 happened and it was epic. There were yarn shops and monkeys and gigglefits and lots of wonderful friends that met and re-met.
Last Saturday night Sister Mary Monkeypants and I attended Malaprop's author night and we got to meet Sharyn McCrumb! We gave her a handknit shawl and got SMMP's picture taken with poor Sharyn.
Sunday was The Big Crafty, which was colorful and a treasure trove of local art and creativity.
Then yesterday I had a random special moment. I was picking up a friend at the teeny Asheville airport and I saw this man who looked like he had stepped right out of National Geographic- nut brown, sturdy, huge brown eyes, handknit wool sweater with a special strip of pink around it, elaborate woven headgear with earflaps and pom poms. I kept looking at him, feeling drawn to talk to him. Finally I went up and gestured at his hat and showed him my knitting so he would understand what I was interested in. I knew he did not speak english, I could just tell. This lady came up as we were smiling at each other and said "Oh he doesnt speak English, he's a Shaman, a holy man from the Peruvian highlands." Which of course he was. So I went to pull the car around and I was thinking about synchronicity and how, somewhere in the Peruvian highlands a bunch of people must feel like they met Elvis to talk to this man. I decided if he was still there when I pulled back around then I must talk to him again. He was standing outside right where I had to park, with another man who was carrying his drum. I asked the other man if he spoke English, yes he did. Here is our exchange: "Please tell him that this hat is a gift, handknit, and this yarn is a gift, made locally here." He looks carefully at my hat and seems to like it. I hear him say gracias. "Can you ask him if he would mind taking this picture of my son and saying a prayer for him, he has a heart problem." I place my hand on my heart. Im looking at the medicine man. He listens carefully, takes the picture, puts his hand on his own heart, then takes my hands in his large warm ones and talks. The interpreter says "He says to tell you that he will pray for your son each morning in his morning prayers." I said gracias. We stood like that, smiling, well met, for a bit. I did not feel at all like I was supposed to bow or be intimidated, but I felt like we were equals, and there was a peace between us, and that we shared a feeling of good humor, and clarity. His energy felt like a tree, both alive and full of life force yet solid. Being empathic I am used to feeling energy from others but I have never felt another empathic person read me so clearly. It was interesting and I felt very open to it. like I said, we were well met, and that made us both feel amused. It was an unexpected joyous moment that I will treasure always.
I apologize if this post freaks some people out, as I usually don't talk about empathic ability or spiritual matters, but a good friend wanted me to blog about it so here you go!

Shakespeare, Superglue and Strippers

2010-06-06T21:51:00.005-05:00

I wish y'all could see what I have seen lately. My friend Lizabee knitted a tree! She is incredibly talented. I've knitted a sweater in hempathy, created a pretty doable marketbag pattern that's up in my ravelry shop, got to have a slumber party with Merino, made two new sock monkeys- a Shakespearean one and a Pirate one. I'm working on a gnome for the shop right now. Getting in gear for Ashevegas2010! Big yarn fun, cant wait! My dream date sock monkey arrived from Karen, his name is either Lyle or Bananaman depending on if he's in his superhero gear or what. He has a laser. Its not a pink pen, its a "LAZER" and he disintegrates tacky yarn objects. As you can see, he's pointing his "LAZER" at crochet toilet paper doll. Fortunately she did not disintegrate since apparently the "LAZER" needed recharging. Other news, crafty-wise, include my 9 dollar acquisition of a new shelf from Goodwill. It came from a coffee shop, or a strip club. It says "GRIND" with a big arrow pointing down on the top. AWESOME craft shelf. Also, I have been playing around with collage and the vintage book tutorial and made a few nifty little books for fun. I used vintage hardbacks and file folders and superglued my fingers together. I used a gift bag from World Market on the Girl Scout book, so it has ribbon ties! That one holds a mead calendar. The other one pictured is Mattie's gaming journal. More of those in the works. The basic tutorial is here.
You can do it! Get out that superglue!
I am collecting pictures for a steampunk version now.

Meaningful and Socially Important Blog Post

2010-05-02T06:22:00.005-05:00

Just kidding. It's about a finger. There has been lots of activity going on here in the pug palace what with sock monkeys and market bags being knit, powdered Mountain Gorilla in a can, boy magnets, and Sister Sin on the Lazoom bus tour. So finally I blog and it involves hot glue and Purl's finger. Also, it's just a borrowed finger, which Son #1 found under the couch in the man cave at work. It's Purl's pointer to be exact. Son #1 took it with us to a really scary Chinese buffet on Tunnel Rd. He wanted to put it on the buffet line or something but Ward said no. The place was seedy. Ward was chewing on a dubious rib at one point, while I sat knitting entrelac and praying Son #1 did not need to be airlifted to Mission for eating the "sushi". Suddenly I heard dog whinings outside the scrummy window. I started giggling. "What?" demanded Ward. "He's crying 'cause you're eating his mama" I told him. I mean, don't go there.
So we buy this hershey syrup for ice cream which is my main food group. Instead, the horde descends on the refrigerator every day and Son #1 tanks on chocolate milk. This morning, my big crafty idea for the week was to hot glue Purl's pointer finger to the top of the syrup bottle. A goulish crafty message: don't mess with my chocolate syrup, boy! Mwahahaha! I'm someone's Mom?

Sock Monkey Politics

2010-04-24T18:58:00.004-05:00

Reporting almost live from Asheville, NC this is Indiana Banana bringing you the latest important-type news. First off, Mom has been busy creating the mysterious sock monkey dream date for her secret swap and I'm real jealous of his outfit. I had to go with her to work today pretty much nekkid except for my hat. In related news, work was pretty cool because I met these really tough chicks, one is called Liz Viscious and the other one is Annie Knuckles. Annie is a knitter which you can tell from her awesome tatoos. They like to skate around and bash other girls up and act tough. Honestly I think Mom was charmed. They are doing roller derby in Asheville tonight at the civic center. Go roller derby! Later in the afternoon Mom and her friend L were having lunch when some nice people stopped by with a humongous camera so we went out to say hi. The nice man who was all dressed up decided to interview us on tv. He asked Mom about stuff like Asheville being "quirky" and he seemed kind of obsessed with golf. Mom told him how cool Asheville is and how excited everyone is that our President has decided to vacation here and that it seems like a good idea for him to demostrate fitness and love of the outdoors by relaxing at golf. She also invited Obama's wife "flotus" to come downtown shopping and offered to teach her to knit. Maybe she'll make a sock monkey! Would that be SMotus? Anyway after the camera was off we posed for pictures till Mom found out who they were. This guy in the picture with us is called "Ed Henry" and Mom had to sit down on the floor after L told us that Ed would show our interview on CNN to "millions" of people. Gee I hope my friend Noah will watch us! Mom hopes that Obama sees the interview. I am not sure I want the POTUS to see me nekkid though. Maybe Mom should knit me some pants in case I get my own fan club or something. Love, Indiana B.

Unexpected Blessings

2010-04-04T15:54:00.001-05:00

I wasn't expecting a Holy day. My mind was full of peeps, jellybeans and thoughts of Uncle Wiggly and his dear friend the Easter Bunny whispering in the new grass outside of our house this morning. You all know how much delight I receive almost daily from the whimsy and silliness around me. Anyway, I went to church this morning so that son #2 could help hide easter eggs for the children. I should go more often, and I always resolve to do that whenever I go but I was again struck by how unexpectedly blessed I feel while I am there. First I got to hug my sweet friend Lizabee, and wish her and her little family a Happy Easter. Then another gift- I walked into the foyer and one of my very favorite customers came right up to me- a lovely friend who's knitting is always so creative and here she was, a member of UU! The service was pretty good too. There was a poem by Mary Oliver about a big black bear that I need to look up and read over, and a good sermon about Jesus and hope and spring. The best blessing of all was the Easter egg activity that we do every year. Yes the children get candy, but this is even better- each adult gets a plastic egg and during the service we are invited to write a blessing for a child and put it into the egg. Mark said to imagine, if we were that child, what blessings we might like to recieve. My heart opened, and I wrote "For you, love, hugs, flowers, chocolate, warmth, peace, cartoons, happiness, comfort, toys, peace, sweet dreams, joy"
Then I sat and listened to the music and realized how many tender hearts were uplifted this morning and that everywhere people were feeling hopeful and reverent and miraculous.

This was enough of a gift but it got better. In order to understand better, a small story- I've been struggling lately with my snark. I like to take the laughing Buddha approach in my adventures with people, but there are times when I lose my balance and laughing with the world feels more like poking fun at it. In a mean way. It has been bothering me lately that my irritations have turned into a snarkfest, and although funny there is a part of me that wants to go on a snark diet. Story over.
So after the service, as the children were hunting their eggs outside, we adults went into Sandburg Hall to socialize and find the eggs that the children had hidden for US. I opened my egg, purple of course, and was delighted to receive such a blessing- I like to think that it is not just a sweet, which it definately is, but also a phrophetic, hopeful guide for my springtime: "YOU ARE NICE"

I hope I will be. A little child will guide me.

Sister Mary Monkeypants Gets Mischevious

2010-04-01T20:42:00.004-05:00

Who am I kidding, "gets" mischevious! Her middle name is mischevious. Sister Mary Mischevious Monkeypants. So she did call me from Oklahoma the other day, pining for a seder. I tried to explain to Kathy that they should open the door for Elijah (she thought I meant while she was at work) and that Matzoh was like a giant cracker, but she asked would it be good with bacon on top. SMMP decided she would just start some junk up on April Fools Day instead. She snuck onto the phone AGAIN, and had some really specific pranks for me to carry out: I had to yarn bomb the street lamp in front of Purl's. Also, she told Ward to lock the front door and leavea note for the horde after school. The note said "Moved- left no forwarding address- Occupant" but I left the back unlocked. She had me leave a horrible picture on Lindsey's computer desktop but lets not go there. I had to buy Merino this GIANT bone, twice as big as he is. She even impersonated me and managed to piss off the prude at Kilwins. She actually called there and demanded "chocolate poo" for April Fools Day for the horde, and they got offended and informed her that they do NOT create "inappropriate" things. Hey lady, EVERBODY POOPS (yelled Sister Mary Monkeypants). She has been one busy sock monkey. I'm exhausted. The only prank I got was Mattie pretending to have an F. Which is kinda funny.

Thrifting score

2010-03-12T21:44:00.003-06:00

Last night was really nice, Lindsey took me and Stacey-face to Bouchon for dinner. It's very intimate and the food is fantastic. Stacey said last time she was there she saw Andie Mcdowell. I drank a rasberry margarita and laughed like a horse all evening.

Today was pretty fly also. I went over to Lizabee's house and we watched the video for the OWL program that the parents have to see. We also looked at the awesome costumes for Lizabee's play. She is a sewing genius. Then we went to AC Moore and the Goodwill CLEARANCE store, out behind the regular store on Patton. WOW. A dollar per pound for clothing! Needless to say, I dug around there for a few hours. I got a little girl's halter dress, which i just sewed up the bottom and now I have a new bag with cute buttons on it.

Also stopped into the consignment shop ETC and ruined my bank account by finding the perfect office chair for Purl's. Also scored these crazy silk curtain things, and put them up in the boys' room to replace Ben's tacky sheet fort. It looks so cool!!! See what you think. That's ben celebrating his new room divider by drawing himself a mustache, beard, and wearing a hat.

Birthday Seriousness Oh Noes!

2010-02-27T18:06:00.005-06:00

It took me a week to figure out what I wanted to say on my birthday this year. I'm not very exciting in person, not a terrific knitter, a particularly good parent or that great of a wife, but somehow online I seem to have a knack for making and keeping some really fantastic friends who are very creative, talented, funny, and loving. With these friends in mind, I am blogging as if I have something important to say. Possibly no one will read this and thats ok too, but just in case my tractor girls peek or the terrific Asheville crowd is following me, these are my birthday thoughts.

I have been concerned with a few things this year. Chiefly, this earthquake in Haiti. I wonder, every day, how those people are doing without shelter, living there with family dead or missing, children, animals left to fend for themselves. I worry. Let's not forget them.

I have a new hero this year. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have watched her slog through the ick and the fear and the whole terrible ordeal with a determination that I cannot even convey. I'm so very proud of her.

Just this week I witnessed another epic battle between good and evil when the horrible landlord of the Miles building downtown decided to get nasty with the owners of the Humor Shop. These are good, decent people with children to provide for, making do as best they can, and that landlord is trying to grind them under her expensive heel. I keep wondering how I can help.

This year has definately been epic. I'm turning 42 today, no big deal at all, yet I've been fussed over and spoiled so much that I'm embarassed. This is a positive thing, being so rotten. I have a theory that until your loved ones really make a big deal out of your birthday, until you really feel that people are celebrating your life on the planet, you'll need the party and the songs and the cake. This year, when I was asked "what do you want for your birthday?" I thought about Haiti, and my friend recovering from chemo, and my new friends from the humor shop, and I thought about how I'd love to help them all, heal them all, no more fevers, no more worries, a new job for Brenda, for Bruce, and I thought about my family, the loud boys and the crazy dogs, this unique city that I've come to love, and I don't need one single thing. I'm grateful for everyone, everything. Im lucky to be here.

42 is no big deal but Im so blessed to have these beautiful people thanking me with their gifties and their love. What else can I say? That is all.

Horde of Zombie Pugs?

2010-02-15T08:32:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Year, plus there was a great Mardi Gras parade downtown. I love Mardi Gras. Well, I love cake anyway, and there's king cake involved. And feathers. Feathers are pretty cool. Too bad I missed it, but we had more snow and ice and Ward wrecked the car trying to avoid hitting a bus.
We walked up to the store though, and got everything to make Ward his Valentine cake. Then I spent the day obsessing about what we would do if the school called and one of the boys was sick and I couldn't get to them. I did start the Everlasting Bagstopper, or as I am calling it, the gobsmacking bagstopper. It's an easy knit. Pretty too, in the Katia cotton. Had to stop my pretzel sweater, I can't get any help on what to do after the second cast on. I'll ask Gay at Wed knit group since she's made it before.
So this morning school was cancelled again, and I was carrying some cake to bed to avoid the blast of cartoons. I don't really recommend carrying cake to bed if you live with a herd of pugs. That is all.

Cupcakes, Mardi Gras and Ravolympics

2010-02-12T07:13:00.002-06:00

Tons happening as usual here, and February is packed full of shenanigans. I missed the fetish ball because I got overexcited about my new teapot Cheryl. No lie. I was taking sexy pictures of the teapot late that night when it dawned on me that I was supposed to be at the ball. Is this a sign? I'm turning 42 later this month. I think yes. It doesn't take much to get me going these days. HA!

TeamSockMonkey is casting on tonight when the Olympic Torch is lit, and I have already ordered goodies for the team through our shop on cafepress. I set it up so all swag proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders for Haiti. Urbangypz is our official prize sponsor, donating her luscious hand dyed yarn to our winners...go team!

Meanwhile, the shop has been jumping, Lindsey finished her chemo and THAT is great news. My lil recycled magazine stitch markers are starting to sell too- yay!

I'm linking to BlogAsheville because she has some really cute valentines day pictures and info about local stuff happening for Sunday and even mardi gras!

Best Week Ever

2010-01-24T10:56:00.003-06:00

Finally getting to blog! Christmas was a whirlwind, and we had lots of traveling afterwards getting Knittymac moved up here and settled. Gearing up for Ravelympics and sock wars, and fundraising for Haiti was next. Our direct link to donate to Haiti is: http://www.firstgiving.com/puggerhugger
The funds are going directly to Doctors without Borders. So, anyways I finally got to go to Connecticut to see Brenda! I feel like I have a whole family there now, I just loved them all. It was such a great trip! We did a lot of cozy knitting, coffee drinking, watched loads of Father Ted, and visited with Sophia and Bronwen! We went to Brenda's LYS which was lovely, and WEBS! It was relaxing and wonderful. I cant wait to have them here for Ashevegas 2010! Geocaching with the Emperor was really fun too, and I managed a whole round on the death sock. Here are some pictures.... There's me trying to stuff Sophia into my bag and take her home, there's the sign in the candy shop where I bought Fred some goodies, and of course Dharma being a splendid sock hostess and bringing me coffee and mint ice cream. Back to the grind here, surrounded by snuggly pugs and yarn. Im happy to be home but can't wait to go back!

To Look Forward To

2010-01-01T16:20:00.003-06:00

I kind of enjoyed 2009, and I'm predicting that 2010 will be the Year of Yarn. Let me lay it out for you: I'm lucky enough to be living in crafty Asheville, working at Purl's. I'm a cookie, and Captain of TeamSockMonkey Ravelympics 2010. You already know about the Christmas Hippo. So my year looks like this:
January Knittymac moves to Asheville, and I get to go to CT to visit Brenda! WOOHOO!!! A week of knitting and IRL hugs and giggles!
I'm using some buter-soft Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton to make this blankie for the shop. So far it has been fibercrack just as predicted. Bought some Ella Rae Latte in Amethyst (oh yeah) to do a Thermis cowl. That Latte is so soft, and it shimmers like Mirasol.
Also? SOCK WARS V I am puggerhuggersockninja!
February is time to knit a box of chocolates, and start Ravelympics! Also maybe some sort of birthday thing.
March-May I'll be saving up for Ashevegas 2010, our annual yarn crawl and social sock monkey party here in Asheville set for he last week in June.
June I'm really hoping to take the horde to some sort of beach, since Matthew has never seen the ocean. Ashevegas 2010 of course will be AWESOME!! More on that later.
July Im hoping Brenda and Don will come down here and camp out. Crossing my paws.
August- holy carp that's fall! Time to save up for SAFF. Urbangypz has decided to do a booth at SAFF this year and asked me to help her out. I can't WAIT!
Hopefully by fall I'll be finished with Ward's cardigan. *weak laugh* Also on the needles about 3 pairs of socks, the infernal wallaby, Ward's entrelac experiment...
Of interest- Jane Thornley and possibly this scarf.

Action Bastard & The Christmas Hippo

2009-12-24T12:22:00.007-06:00

I bet THAT title has never been used before. We are having a zany Christmas Eve here at pug palace. First, got home from work to a surprise package from Jollypyrate which included such wonderments as Alligator Jerky, Nun crochet book and magnet, a Pirate ornament, beautiful goodies like stich markers and pink sock yarn, key lime taffy and other fun goodies. It just totally made my day and I felt very cheerful and thankful for my friendship with Naomi.

Things took a dire turn at that point, when Ward started ranting about how E-book software got hacked and how it annoys him that all e-reader stuff isnt free and can't be transferred. I am totally nervous, having spent gobs of money on his Christmas gift...a Kindle. See, I was thinking gadget, he loves gadgets, and he loves to read on the commode (TMI?) but his lil pda thing isnt big enough for much reading right? And the kindle does pdf's, audio, and tons of free downloads plus cheaper versions of new stuff, and is a gadget did I mention he loves gadgets? *sigh* Anyway I woke up this morning with a really bad anxiety migraine. I just know he will hate this gift and I will be just sick about it. On the bright side, I love gadgets.

SO, Action Bastard is this piece of leftover Christmas felt that Ben made into a little person to play with. He loves action figures. Actually he loves to destroy them, eat them, and put them in jail, rescue them, cover them in modeling clay....you get the idea. Having destroyed every action figure in a ten mile vicinity, he MADE the felt one and christened it "Action Bastard". I love my family.

The Christmas Hippo, well, what can I possibly say. Ok, I was at Kmart, turned a corner and there, amongst the usual Cheery brightly lit yard junk like penguins, snowmen, etc. was...a hippo. I looked at Hippo, Hippo looked at me. I was charmed. I mean, WHO DOESNT NEED, VIOLENTLY NEED-a christmas Hippo. Maybe the guy who can AFFORD a giant Elvis on his roof. Otherwise? Oh me please! I didnt buy the hippo because, frankly, I thought Ward might file for divorce. I did try to tell him how awesome Hippo was, but only once, then I dropped it because why dream? Right?
This morning, Ward, scoring MAJOR marriage points, goes to Kmart, comes home and sets in front of me our new Bowman Family Holiday Mascot: CHRISTMAS HIPPO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all. oh one more thing- love to my dear sweet girls- Brenda, Lizabee, Naomi, Fru, Mary, Amanda, Lynne, Karen, Stacey, Lindsey, Becs, Kelle, Cindy, Laura, Mac, Ashley, and Tina even though she probably has no clue I have a blog. I love you and Peaceful Night, Merry Christmas, Happy Days.

I am in Love

2009-12-23T07:23:00.002-06:00

dear bunnyfoofoo, yes I will bring you to work today and knit you into a cowl possibly. I shall take more photos of you, sexy beast, that show your glittery parts. Maybe a different backdrop? Im all a’flutter, since only about 20 yards of you exist. Its a good thing urbangypz didn’t make like ten hanks of you or I would just have had to mug her and run away. I still remember the moment our eye(s?) met…how you tumbled out of her bag in slow motion, shining in all your glory, and I grabbed you up. Next thing I knew you were stuffed in my bra. XOX - pugger

Santa is from Canada

2009-12-15T17:03:00.003-06:00

This year, Santa is from Canada. I am totally convinced of this. Manitoba to be exact. He sent us these gorgeous candy apples today. Then, I saw a box on my porch that said "monkey business" on it. Inside was a load of the BEST most thoughtful Christmasy goodness! Santa included a singing dancing rabbi, a hellokitty necklace from etsy (you know Santa shops handmade!) and HK journal and stickers. Also, yummy chocolate toffee my favorite of course. There was a sweet card, and a small ornament that said it all: best friends. Which made me cry. Cause Santa is my best friend. Yay! Also, the most beautiful bracelet I've ever had- a real Troll bracelet, with a gorgeous glass bead and a yarn bead! I hope that Santa gets the same cool bead so we can keep being twins.
Santa you are the best! See you in January for big squishy hugs and a week of knitting! I love you!

Crafty Saturday Stuff

2009-12-13T08:54:00.003-06:00

Here's a great idea for a Christmas Wreath from Magpie & Cake! a Knitted Heart from Ben Cuevas- anatomically correct. Awesome collages by Stephanie Levy on etsy. Also, kind over matter has a new free tutorial for cute paper cone trees.
Meanwhile, last night I made a cowl. What do you think?

Felted Kindle Pouch Pattern

2009-12-13T06:55:00.004-06:00

Don't tell Ward, but I got him a kindle for Christmas. There are some fantastic handmade kindle bags on Etsy, but I wanted to make him one myself. There's one pattern for a knitted bag on ravelry, but nothing that looked suitable for a guy, so I made one up. Here's the pattern:

Using size 15 straights (14") or circs in 24" or longer
2 skeins super bulky weight 100% wool yarn (I used Socos)

Cast on 80 stitches
Knit in stockinette until you use up two skeins of yarn.
You'll have a huge rectangle.
Just sew up one end so that you make a pocket.

Felt!

Here are before and after photos. Enjoy!

Crafty Goodies

2009-12-10T07:21:00.004-06:00

There are just so many creative people on the internet! Filth Wizardry has a great free printable for the holidays, with legos! A beautiful and sweet holiday gif t is up on resurrectionfern. There's a great glitter menorah tutorial on this blog. Also, just for random creepiness, how about gifting that old boss with a box of 1000 live ladybugs?
That's pretty dang creative.
In my corner of earth, I've vowed not to cast on anything else till the WIP pile goes down, so I've got two different socks going, one sweater sleeve, one sweater back, and Japanese Crochet Legwarmer #2. I'm going to break the vow today though, I can tell. I have to make some sort of knitted _________ to felt for Ward's Christmas prezzie. Mysterious! Exciting! Winging it!
Pictured: Japanese crocheted legwarmer #1 and a gorgeous bed & brekky in Black Mountain that Son #3 and I just happened to see the other night, all decked out for the holidays.
Merry Christmas!

Oh No, Cheerful in December?!

2009-12-06T16:06:00.003-06:00

Yes, I admit, I'm one of THOSE people. Peace on Earth, humming Charlie Brown Christmas music under my breath, buying gelt, and squirreling away shiny things for loved ones. I think it makes me an optimist, but somehow it just feels as if the collective heart of our planet just focuses more on love in the starry nights of December. Anyway, here are a few images for you- son #2 holding his candy house, and the Noel thing- see Ward's face? He's always said he wanted his own NOEL, so he could switch the letters to say LEON. The season of candy and mischief is officially upon us! The Pink-a-trocious tree is up, potato latkes are on the shopping list, prezzies have been mailed off, letters to Santa written, and my thoughts are on loved ones- Brenda, to have a joyous holiday this year with her new darling grandbaby, Lulu, that dear Grandpa pug is going to be all right, Lindsey, to be able to overcome the chemo effects in order to enjoy Ben's college graduation, Naomi, who gets hugs and buttercream frosting to deal with Sister Mary Monkeypants... My love to all of you!

Flying Monkeys

2009-11-13T06:14:00.003-06:00

Sorry about the fuzzy photo, I think my camera is used to taking pics of yarn. Son #2 was a great flying monkey in his play at school. Go figure.
There has been an explosion of cute crafty lately (isnt there always?!) but these especially caught my eye today- felt Thanksgiving meal tutorial , edible flying spaghetti monster tutorial, awesome etsy shop of steampunky goodness , and the stretchy sock bindoff is up on knitty! Also, loving this blog with such cute cute pretty things!
Off to work, me pretties!

Revenge

2009-11-09T21:08:00.002-06:00

It's a small victory, but satisfying I hope. I'm in a library swap in pincushions and we had to find out our partner's favorite books and make some sort of pincushion with that theme. My person loved Little House on the Prarie. I made a Nellie Olsen Voodoo Doll. I got such satisfaction sticking the pins in her!
My domo case came in the mail today and selfishly I refuse to either gift it or let little boys have it but hogged it for sock knitting. Isnt he cute?!

Shoes

2009-11-08T19:08:00.003-06:00

Son #2 got his first pair of cool boy shoes this weekend. Here is the song my boys like to sing about shoes. Uhei, not this r-rated version usually. Also, Urbangypz gave to me the luscious blue yarnz and I'm supposed to make something she can put on her site but I doubt she's expecting this hug scarf I'm making for my Brenda. I want to design one that is a bit shorter so the hands just cover the boobs of the wearer, then put intarsia on it that says "save the tatas". Also, first row of cookie A monkey socks done after frogging twice. Trying to get them perfect for Lindsey.

Danger Will Robinson!

2009-11-03T07:07:00.002-06:00

There is a downside to living with four pugs. In the cold winter mornings, with two warm pugs scrunched up behind your butt under the blankets, one snoring next to your head and one curled up against your belly, you could never get up. It's a serious concern. Like global warming.
Lion brand has just released four short vids about knitting socks.I'm hoping I can conquer that hole in the gussett thing. Much more fun lately: knitty Otter's Entrelac Tutorial
So easy! So much fun with Noro.
Im working with Urbangypz who has double superpowers: she spins and dyes. See her cute face pictured above? She gifted me with blindingly green lime sock yarn. I like this local yarn celebrity. You should check her out.

Sister Mary Monkeypants is BACK in Black

2009-10-26T16:55:00.004-05:00

SMMP arrived home in style, toted to SAFF by Pixiethief. She's resting on the dining room table right now, calmly surveying her domain and smoking a knit cigarette. She's also clutching her new instant holy mary toast stamp and her new purple monster friend. Notice the sparkly bikini?
I know she's tired from chasing that scary looking nun we saw at SAFF. She was trying to sneak up on the nun to get a healing blessing for me since I'm apparently trying to die of exhaustion and too much fun crammed into one weekend. There's cuppycake porn from Fru (god bless her spunky glittery self) and Becca teaching Nick how to spin.
I had so much fun it should be illegal. The pugs were very bad, and I got prezzies and lots of sock yarn and learned how to felt teddy bears. YAY!

Pimping Myself!

2009-10-19T10:26:00.003-05:00

Its that time again, vote for best blogs in Asheville (best craft blog could be ME) yes?
If you want to scroll through the list here's a link

There are some really interesting blogs out there. Especially, you know, mine.
Plus, if you vote for me and leave a comment, you could win my random drawing for a pair of knit WonderWoman panties. Oh YEAH!

Candy Sushi Birthday

2009-10-16T11:08:00.002-05:00

Son #1, my sushi fanatic, turns 14 in a few days so I made him a candy sushi bento platter. The plate is brownie, the green icing is supposed to be wasabi. MMMMM wasabi... I dearly hope he likes! Also pictured, a naked Eric Northman doll from TrueBlood. Clothes to follow when I get that figured out. Have a great weekend!

WonderWoman Skivvies and Collage Art

2009-10-05T21:09:00.004-05:00

I'm getting closer to my goal of designing this project. Today the yarn arrived, and now I will find a way to chart the white stars on the blue background before I cast on. Ward finally hung the bamboo pole on the wall so I can display the scarves that made it home from Traveling Scarf year. That experience was such a great way to both make friends and learn new stitches. In other news, son #3 came home with a classic piece of collage work. He was told to fancy up American Gothic. His version, as seen in the photo, he calls "The Trinity" and says its Santa, God, and three pengins giving birth to the earth. I love it. I'm wondering if the art teacher had a clue what he did there.

Crafty Halloween and Nunsense

2009-10-02T08:07:00.004-05:00

A week or so ago I posted this link on facebook for these totally cute crafty pumpkin scrapbook decorations. Well, last night I got to digging into my scrapbook papers and decided to go for it. They are so fun! Here are the ones I made.
We also have a new nun, from our dear jollypyrate that was randomly RAK'd to me, Sister Mary Tailor Moore! Cute!!

Surprises and RAKs

2009-09-29T15:32:00.003-05:00

I don't like to whine a whole lot so not many people are aware of hard times at pug palace over here, but we sure have had our share lately. Only my Tractor girls really know what's what, and today one of them, MarySK, sent me such a wonderful RAK that I was speechless. Mary dear, you astonish me with your generous heart! This package arrived out of the blue to lift my spirits and I am showing off what I got from her: TWO skeins of Stroll from KnitPiks, one is Playtime and the other is Tea Party, also get this the ENTIRE set of harmony dpn's!!!!!! Now I'm all in a dither about what to cast on for socksies! Yay!
Also in the surprise category, thegirlpurls sent me a very sweet thank you for joining the bookworm swap in pincushions: three patterns! Yay! Thanks Lori!
I am working on my own prezzies too, including a set of crazy looking hootowls,
and trying to design a handknit Erik doll from Trueblood. Let me know if you like the idea of a squishy Erik doll to hold under your pillow, k?

Nick turns 11

2009-09-27T15:17:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Nick's 11th birthday today. We went to see the movie 9, which was pretty neat. Very cyberpunk. We had him fooled into thinking we just got him a set of pads (see pic) but then we gave him his skateboard. He seems pretty pleased with it. Cake with homemade frosting after dinner, woot!

Welsh Sock Pirate Invades Whimmy Diddle Competition

2009-09-19T16:09:00.005-05:00

I've never been to the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway before, so it was high time I dressed as a pirate, and dragged Ward and our visiting sock monkey to the Appalachian Heritage Weekend's 29th Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition. I'm still not sure, but we think the event involves a stick of wood and spinning and noise. We DO know that the prizes include a moonpie and that is the important thing. I'm pretty sure that we intimidated the other people who apparently had no idea that it was National Talk Like a Pirate Day. I found a pitiful hand-knit sock similar to the one pictured here, with a price tag of $83.50. When I asked the snooty Guild woman -who made the typo?- she informed me that the sock (ie Christmas stocking) was handknit. I told her the socks I was wearing were also handknit. So therefore if I went home and whipped up some thick ribbed red n white socks I could sell 'em there for $83.50 EACH?! She looked at me and my monkey, in our pirate bandannas, and tried reallllly hard to come up with lots of vague snotty reasons why we could not possibly be in her Guild. AS IF!
We did have fun watching the sheep shearing, and Mary Mwinci rolled around in the roving just to make y'all jealous. She thought the Gee Haw people were a bit serious. So I'm off to furiously knit some thick red socks.

Bonsai Potatos! ARRRRRR!

2009-09-19T11:56:00.003-05:00

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day, me mateys! I have loot to report, spotted off the bow. Our dear friend 8ntfrogn, a wench of generous crafty spirit, sent the Jr pirate knitter a pair of handmade skull knitting needles. Also, cheers for the harddrive since our computers have recently been under attack by the fleet. In addition, my favorite Canadian Pirate Manitoba2ct, who is off invading a wedding with sock monkeys today, sent our crew a chest of magnificent plunder! Manitoba2ct, see if the sock monkeys can get SMMP's cheating boyfriend CHAD to walk the plank before he gets hitched. ARRRR!
Also, the pirate pugs are busy trying to attack our sock monkey visitor as she and nunderwoman stuff themselves with booty including gummy fangs and brains, gum eyeballs, and chocolate. Ahoy! yarn has been hidden and cards stuffed into jewelry box. We are all reading up on the Zen of Potatos. Much cranky piratical love to you and Don the Armadillo! Grrrrr Arrrrrrgh....PS: loving the pug soap!!!! XOXOX

Amazing Nickly

2009-09-16T11:04:00.003-05:00

Time to brag. Yep. Here are a few pictures of my ten year old son, with the thingey that he knit. I.am.exlpoding.with.le.pride.
He decided to make it into a "sweater for mini purl". Shown here modeling of course.
The only other thing I can say: fruitcakes! Mwah ha ha!

Hawt Pink Skivvies

2009-09-10T06:38:00.004-05:00

Ward is much better now, and pictured here being greeted by our latest houseguest- visiting Welsh sock monkey Miss Mary Mwinci. Mwinci means monkey in Welsch. I figure I might spell it correctly once out of two times, eh?
Since we are a house bursting at the seams with boys, I decided right off toknit Miss Mary some panties. I used this pattern and thought I'd be clever and make them bigger. As you can see from nunderwoman's fearless pose, the hawt pink britches are huge. Back to the drawing board.
It did give me an idea though- I could almost step into these me own self. Started wondering how cool would it be to get some cotton worsted weight in wonderwoman colors, knit up some boy shorts in my size. Then I thought of fru- cupcake panties! And Jollypyrate- black skivvies with a skully! The possibilities are endless. I think I can do up the pattern. What do y'all think: a pattern for plus sized knitted wonderwoman skivvies. Let me know.

Lame

2009-09-04T18:45:00.004-05:00

Lots going on at Pug Palace. We have a new foster fellow, named, well he came in as BlindWillie only he's no longer blind due to helpful meds, and Eric calls him Oscar, but he told me his name was Phillip and Son #1 calls him Charlie. Its all good because he's deaf. Anyway, Saturday I called an ambulance for Eric, I thought he was having a heart attack. I mean five little boys were running through the house hollering, plus seven dogs. Then he complained of chest pain, got sweaty and threw up. Anyway it was his gall bladder and today was surgery day. Was supposed to be an outpatient thing so I brought a sock and a little cap I'm working on. Finished the sock, halfway done with the cap, still no word, the guy finally comes out and tells me the gall bladder was all icky. Ok, he showed me a totally gross picture. And he said gangrenous, not icky. So the hubby has to stay in hospital for a few days, and I'll be back n forth checking on pugs, little boys, hubby, and I swear when it's all done I will buy myself a pound of fudge and eat it all by myself.

Farewell Mr Fish

2009-08-17T21:50:00.003-05:00

I told son #2 that Mr Fish would most likely die the first time we looked at him. Brave Mr. Fish lasted two entire days! We had a proper viking funeral complete with burning boat as he was flushed to ValHalla. The boys were thrilled.
Day two with Oscar, he seems to be feeling pretty happy to be here. Such a sweet guy!
Also, I'm almost done with my butter jesus brea bag. I used Malabrigo so it was a fun knit.

There's a New Kid in Town

2009-08-16T21:21:00.003-05:00

We really do have a pug palace vibe going now. Today we got a new rescue boy, his name is blind willie but Eric wants to call him Oscar. I really dont object to either name since the little fella is deaf, also blind. Did I mention starving? His lil ribs poke out. Finally, a pug I can fatten up. He's a really good natured little guy, 11 years old and very active and friendly with all the other dogs. Jolly is overjoyed and keeps trying to kiss him. We are NOT keeping him, NONONONO, just fostering, so if anybody wants to adopt him let me know. We won't let him go to just anybody of course, he's got to go to a MAPR approved family.
In other news, it was a fun weekend of family stuff. Saturday we were at the Ingles Family fun day at Camp Rockmont and the boys all had a blast swimming and eating lunch. I finished Eric's first Thuja, which, surprisingly, fit. Laura has a girl crush on me, yay! Monk n Psyche rawked, yay! I bought oreos, yay!
And of course today was spent picking up Oscar and getting him adjusted to the house. Fearless blind pug!

Random Crochet and Slipper Socks

2009-08-09T09:10:00.002-05:00

I finally finished the cupcake socks so I decided to try my friend Knittymac's pattern for socks on two straights. The pattern is called "Seabury Socks" and I used some plymouth encore heather and some pink peace fleece. They are kinda rustic looking because you have to sew them up after you bind off and I suck at sewing but they came out cute for slippers.
I also randomly decided to crochet a pretty edging on the valances that I made for the bathroom, and I had a matching yarn from the webs grab bag (not worth the dosh really). I have tons of ridiculous one skeins of weird colors in part acrylics now, so this was a great way to use one up. Turned out ok, I just did a sc then dc every other stitch.

Lollipop Pies

2009-08-03T12:50:00.002-05:00

Today we are having foodie fun. I saw this blog post and we made lollipop pies! We used apple and cherry pie filling, and the boys had fun scooping and rolling dough and putting the teeny pies together. I had our oven on 375 for about thirty minutes. Now I am forcing them to watch Gone with the Wind. Being born in Georgia they have to at least see it once, right? On the needles: chemo cap for Mother-in-law's friend Tobi.

Death March and Ravelry News

2009-07-30T10:12:00.003-05:00

The boys have been staying up alllllll night and sleeping all day so the hubs decided it was time for a Bowman Family Death March. I dragged them up at 8:30 and took them to Sunny Point Cafe for brekky. YUM! Pictured: banana bread french toast with chocolate sauce, OMG! Also pretty fruit plate. Shrimp and bacon grits... Oy Vey! Then we ran around Asheville all afternoon. I gave them sugar and forced them to drink coffee. They all got their shaggy summer hair buzzed off, and son #2 got his first mohawk. Awww... They crashed at 8pm- score!
Also, my designer shop is open on the rav, with the little eyeglasses bolero pattern available for free download. Im very excited about it- Mary made one already and its so pretty!

DSCN0070

2009-07-30T09:56:00.001-05:00

DSCN0070
Originally uploaded by marysk

Here's a picture of my eyeglasses Bolero, test knit by my good friend MarySK! Beautiful job! available as a free download on ravelry!

Inspired

2009-07-28T15:30:00.003-05:00

Every so often I get inspired to try some new form of crafty. Have you SEEN the stuff on these craft blogs?! I decided to go with simple and bought a cardboard bird box from the craft store. I think it is supposed to be a pencil holder but works great for dpns etc. Then I snuck over to Sweeten Creek Antiques and rummaged till I found an issue of Fireside Monthly dated 1872 or something crazy like that. I used decoupage stuff from the craft store and just played with the pictures, and now I think the bird looks kinda cool.

There was an incident

2009-07-16T20:21:00.004-05:00

Last night there was a scary thing that will forever be called "the Mini Purl incident" in Bowman family history. Without getting into details, let's just say that it woke the entire famdamily @ 4am, and I have a healthy respect for Truelove, who gave me the pumpkin cure for pug poo. God Bless her. So this morning son #2 and I went off on an aromatic adventure with Dharma the visiting sock monkey, to get the blankets washed.
We had a blast (after the blankets were safely out of the van) in South Asheville. We found pg tips at Ingles! Woot! We went to a cool new thrift store on Sweeten Creek Road and I scored some acrylic paints, an ink pad set and a great belt, and son #2 wasted, oh excuse me, spent, ten bucks on fricking candy. Hey, it was his homework in the summertime bribe money. We took Dharma into 12 Bones, the frickfracking BEST bbq I have ever tasted OMG!!!! I think Obama ate there when he was in Asheville. It's really interesting too, I think it used to be a jail? I want to go back and eat in the cell. (see pic of Dharma next to the flying pig).
At one point we drove past this random field on Sweeten Creek Rd and someone had mowed a giant smiley face into it. That was such an Asheville moment for me. Lots of knitting to catch up on!

Why I am Fat or Pugs and Beer

2009-07-14T13:20:00.003-05:00

I think this is the usual multi-themed post. First a picture of the apple pie a la mode just to torment you all. hey, it had fruit in it right? Healthy! Next is our discovery that Easter likes her brewsky. Ward was having his semi-monthly beer and Eastie Beastie jumped up and made the "Daddy gimme that because its MINE" face. Also pictured, a random package that I got by mail from someone on rav who addressed it to "buggerhugger" which was slightly alarming but the cards sure are pretty! Still can't figure out what the package was for, but thanks 3Spirit! Also my cupcake sock, taking shape...

Who Needs A Mini Purl Fix?

2009-07-12T12:06:00.004-05:00

Hard to believe that anyone would abandon this sweet little old girl. So thankful we rescued her. She is making fast friends with nunderwoman here, and is so pleased with herself that she rolled onto her back for belly rubs. Also pictured, the beginning of my cupcake socks.

Mr Foster Goes Down

2009-07-11T13:46:00.003-05:00

Despite heavy peer pressure (KATHY) I just frogged the hell out of Mr fricking Foster. It felt soooooooo good.
Then I crocheted handles for the Haekelbeutel
Two down, what am I, kidding? I'll just keep casting on more stuff. Well, don't your projects tend to change focus as your skills increase? Or maybe it's just ADD.

Monkey goes berserkers

2009-07-10T12:48:00.002-05:00

It has been a weird couple of days. First I was knitting the Beehive hat and it turned into a ginormous hat explosion. Then this morning ward and I were talking and all of a sudden there was this HUGE crashing sound followed by a big ZZZZAAAAAPPPP. We thought at first a squirrel had kamikazied on the power line because all the power went out, but then we saw a huge tree was down at the top of the culdesac. As I got closer I saw that our new monkey guest, the peaceful Dharma, had climbed to the top of this really tall tree and stomped till it fell onto the power line. She said she wanted the boys to stop playing computer games and pay attention to her instead. I woke their butts up and they are all playing twister while I get caught up over here.

An Eighties 4th of July

2009-07-04T06:23:00.004-05:00

It is early in the morning at pug palace and I have a yarn hangover. Well worth it though, since I stayed up till 2am reading crafty tweets and finishing these fingerless gloves. I was so in love with them that I wore them all night. I woke up with Madonna hands! All I need now is some lace hanging out of my hair and some new gravity bra to hold up my boobs so I can wear that shirt with no shoulder. Anyway, the yarn is Valley Southwick from Webs and its a cotton bamboo blend. Its perfect for summer things, meaning I can wear them driving around looking all crazy in my antique sunglasses with a sock monkey in the car. She's all dressed for fireworks tonight, too. Maybe I'll knit her some matching gloves.

gorgeous collage

2009-07-03T10:39:00.001-05:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by tamsyng

So crafty, creative and inspiring!

Ahevegas Tractor Retreat 2009

2009-07-01T12:03:00.006-05:00

As Borat would say, "great success." Since my peeps requested it, here is a rundown of what all we did... Friday I drove to the Atl to pick up Knittymac at the Needle Nook. Great yarn store! Small, but has tons of great yarn including a huge wall of Dark Horse Fantasy, lots of patterns and accessories. We browsed. Then we got stranded at a Cracker Barrel right outside of Atlanta when the van overheated. It could have been so much worse! We were in a/c, with food, iced tea, and they sell both sock monkeys AND John Deere merchandise. The people were extremely nice to us and right before I had a nervous breakdown we were randomly approached by an angel disguised as a fat redneck woman who both diagnosed my car trouble and gave me fifty bucks out of a clear blue sky. So we waited there for five hours, the hubs rescued us and we made it, hot n steamy in his car, to Asheville by 11 pm. Meanwhile the hub's Uncle knew a guy who fixed the van for free! Knittymac and I met up with ILSM at the Holiday Inn and they gabbed till 4am. Lizabee was thrown into hostess mode and they had a tea party at Purl's and dinner at Early Girl Eatery.
Next morning we met at Mast with sock monkeys in tow and began a memorable shopping/touring spree. These gals were going on three hours of sleep! After Mast (more sock monkeys, tractors, cute totes, candy, and silliness) we headed to Haywood. We went to Malaprops and looked at craft books, then we went to Earth Guild. Earth Guild was a big hit, and books, yarn, needles, wheels and roving galore were fondled and purchased. Then it was lunchtime, so we ambled over to Woolworths which is an art gallery with local artists and has an old fashioned soda fountain. We strolled and ate lunch. Sock Monkeys had an impromptu party on the counter, and Knittymac had a free ice cream sundae for her birthday! Afterwards we went to Purls and shopped more yarn goodies! Then we decided that it was naptime but we HAD to visit yarn nook first. Naptime was forgotten in a flurry of more yarn. Linda (yarn nook) was overjoyed. The sock yarn in there is to die for. We had a short rest afterwards then it was off to the Fiddling Pig for a wonderful dinner, with lots of sock monkeys who loved the live bluegrass, clogging and fried pickles. Dharma was reunited with Noah, and all the kids were there. After dinner we sang happy birthday to Knittymac and she opened presents and we had mocha choc cake from Lizabee. Then the hardcore girls went back to Holiday Inn to knit into the night, and drool over ILSM's awesome color choices and stash. Sock Monkeys partied at the hotel, even the annoying thing was invited. At 1am I left and went home to grab some sleeps. Oh! ILSM got to meet the puggles that evening too!
Sunday I tried to get up in time to get the Mac to church but we ended up playing hooky at pug palace drinking coffee and looking at yarn, which the hubs thought was somehow funny. We got ILSM and met at World Cup, eventually taking over our back room hangout and knitting with glee. ILSM handed out her first batch of hand dyed sock yarn which, guys, is astonishing and you need to keep an eye peeled for her etsy store. She also made us all stitch markers! Lizabee and I handed out the goody bags and everyone seemed to like/love those! We had treats and coffee and ended up with a very sweet, touching ending ritual that included all of the tractor girls, even the ones we love so much that couldn't make it. Pixiethief was there! She's adorable, and added to the fun. We ended with tears and hugs, and I got gifted with nunderwoman which is another post for later. Some of us parted ways then, and the rest went for MORE shopping at the hippie store and later ate hotdogs before ending with a bang at the home store, which has yarn! Big surprise. Pixiethief got me the Hansi Singh book (!!!!!) so I got sort of stuck there on the sidewalkk drooling for awhile over knitted loch ness monster and angler fish patterns.
So that was the gist of it, I think- I know I left out things like Lizabee's homemade peach pie, sock monkeys riding pugs, and lots and lots of wonderful sharing of life stories and knitting talk. We thought of you all very often, talking about Pgurl, Manitoba2ct, Amandaleigh, Unforgrettable, 8ntfrogn, TiredM, Sugarmomma, Gramma, MarySK, Sillyfru, and many many others. Were your ears burning? We love you all and met in your honor, and it was as wonderful and loving and silly as you'd expect. I'll let ILSM tell you about her trip to the sock monkey shelter, but we took tons of pictures and the monkeys made friends and (mostly) behaved. That's all folks!

Bono?!

2009-06-30T20:07:00.001-05:00

lbm with bono
Originally uploaded by grammagramma1

Somehow, Lulu got hold of Bono for a picture of one of our Tractor Sock monkeys, who happens to be my godchild Ladybird Murphy! La te da!

Cupcakes Rule

2009-06-25T14:35:00.003-05:00

I am about to head to the Atl to get Knittymac for Ashevegas Tractor Retreat- very psyched! But first, some cupcake pron brought to you by AmandaLeigh- candybritches to those of us who love her best. 'Manda always sends THE BEST swap packages! She was my swap angel for baked goods and I got spoilt! Two bags of cookies, one choc chip and one huge bag of Pumpkin choc chip (meh boys thank you and ask for your hand in marriage) also an awesome book of cute cupcakes called "Hello, cupcake" and another one with dessert recipes. TWO I-said-TWO skeins of the new Kureyon colors (do I deserve all this??) ok then my favorites of all: a cookie cup cozy, a cookie soap (hope the boys do not eat) one of those adorable scrabble tile necklaces with a cupcake on it which I am wearing, a cupcake magnet, a cupcake stamp, three (!) pattern holder magnet strips with cupcakes in case I forget what they look like, a scrappin set of stickers, a cookie stitchmarker, another set of cookie stitch markers from etsy, adorable Im telling you! And the last thing cause she knows me so well, pink pug stitch markers, but they have earring posts on them so I stole two for earrings, k? Amanda sweetie, you are the best most cuppycake queen of all time! Thank you so much!

Hand Salve

2009-06-23T17:34:00.003-05:00

Hello my friends, today was fun and tiring too. Lizabee and her son Art came over for a visit at Pug Palace. Wonderful Lizabee NEEDS to have an etsy store, because her upcycled tote bags are just the cutest things I have ever seen. I am only going to post one, which is maybe my favorite, and any of the Tractors will be able to guess who it is for so don't y'all tell her!! Lizabee did the totes then I added crochet brooches, stitch markers, special yarn, a handmade card, and of course a nun, to each bag. We also did decorated tins that I poured the hand salve into.
In case you want a recipe: I used olive oil 3 parts to one part local Asheville Beeswax from the market. I melt the beeswax in the oil on the stovetop. I add a few (2-3) drops of essential oil while it is still hot, and pour it into the tin. That's it! Today I made three kinds- some wanted cinammon, and I did add a drop of nutmeg as well. Some wanted peppermint. The rest asked for "fruity but not too sweet" and I went kind of crazy and mixed grapefruit oil, bergamot, and lemonbalm. Those three are cheerful yet relaxing, yes?

Unexpected Score

2009-06-22T15:12:00.004-05:00

Wow. Ok, this is all a bit embarassing. I started the purple scarf group back in September. I got into so many in Traveling Scarves that um, I think I forgot which ones I finished. All I know is that when I'd get a scarf I'd follow the directions or requests and mail it on. Anyway I was pretty sure I was done with purples till this package arrived from AmandaPage. OMG the scarf is gobsmacking gorgeous! Also included, possibly just because she is made of awesome sauce, was a recipe for honey crackles, a pink floweredy tape measure, a yummy smelly good pink sheep soap, TWO gorgeous sets of stitch markers and some pretty postycards! Oh, and the bobblesheep washcloth, which is so cute and is already in my stack of things to make...Oh group 44 rawks!
Ok also, same day, another package from 2mayboys who I had been coveting her adorable sock monkey tape measures, and she sent me one! AND a freaking beautiful project bag! Dawn, I will get my yarny Rak revenge! You are the best! So yeah this whole post is me bragging about being spoiled. Uh huh. That is all.

Not What it Looks Like I Swear!

2009-06-21T15:59:00.002-05:00

Jolly Bean has this old suitcase that he adores. He sits in it out in the garage, and stores his toys and bones in it. Son #1 decided to take him for a ride around the house, and omg he LOVES it! Ever since the first ride, he gets soooooo excited that he gets to roll through the house without using his paws. He looks so pitiful in the pics but I promise it is all voluntary.
Valentina redecorated the window in front of my knitting area, too. She's posed herself in the top basket and wants to know what all the fuss is about with pugs in suitcases.

Good News or Bad News?

2009-06-20T07:48:00.002-05:00

Thanks to MarySK and her prayer to St Anthony, Patron saint of lost things:

"Dear St Anthony, please come around.
Something is lost and must be found-
Pugger’s pattern!"

And this morning I found it on a shelf in my craft closet! Ok, this was after I ransacked the living room and rearranged the furniture and culled all my old patterns...still. So I was all happy till I read it. And of course I've been screwing up the decreases. And now I'm pretty sure it's going to be time to frog. And frog. And I might just toss it and move on. *sigh*

Mr. Foster and the Waterfall

2009-06-15T06:50:00.005-05:00

I was browsing Etsy and Flickr last night through links on Craft Mag. and saw some really creative ideas. Here's one for a free father's day card that looks fun! One more, which the hubs will like since he obsessively hoards those little plastic honeybears: honeybeararium.
I did FINALLY cast on for Mr Foster, and he as one teeny paw! Also I keep knitting the scrap wrap, which is starting to look like water, isnt it?

Yarn Flowers and Dubious Cake Pron

2009-06-14T12:08:00.002-05:00

I made some crocheted brooches last week for the Tractor Girls and they turned out kinda pretty. I used a pattern I found in a Simply Knitting mag, which I am too covered up in pugs to look up right now. Here's a picture of little Purl "modeling" one of my favorite ones. The hubs turned forty on Friday and I had this awesome zombie cake planned but he wanted jello and cool whip, so the cake pron is not all that, unless you really enjoy fruit. SO thankful to have a new hard drive!

FO's, and Superheroes

2009-06-07T11:38:00.003-05:00

I finished the Lord of the Rings inspired Washcloth for the hubs yesterday, totally in love with this pattern and yarn. Also was nervously knitting with scraps of Noro last night and did up this hat, which turned out surprisingly well I think.
The great things about this week: Ward made it to Atlanta to drop son #2 at his wonderful camp. Also being dropped off, son #1 to see his best friend from GA for a week! Translation: one week, one kid, sunshine sock monkeys and pugs.
Also keeping me smiling is 8ntfrogn's prezzie, hilarious stitch markers with my old ravetar and a crazy WW photo of me. She made these! Thank you, Karen!

Almost Summer

2009-06-04T20:40:00.005-05:00

I like summer, except for the pollen thing. We have baby birds that were just born in the eaves of our house, and fireflies in the yard. I'm being all busy with dr appoinments, school conferences and getting son #2 ready for his heart camp. In my spare time I'm doing a crochet Haekelbeutel out of cotlin. I also started on my buddy's Dollywood swap doll, which so far really does look pretty cool- it's going to be wonderwoman! I got a surprise package from Grandpa today, probably for Easter but she let me take a few pictures of her loot: a box of ring dings which is almost as funny as a box of ding dongs. Also a funny card, and an Amputee Bunny. Totally serious. He claims to have had his arm bitten off by a cranky wizard. Easter is allowing me to put him on a shelf with a few friends so that Jolly can't disembowel him right away.
So I thought the latke party thing was today around 1pm, no worries. Then Son #3 last night insists that we ALL come and that its at 8 bloody am. So we get up a 6am, stumble around make the latkes, go to the school...yep it was laer in the day. And no parents. So for revenge I whipped out Valentina, dressed in her new satin outfit, and sweetly asked the teacher to pose with son #3. He of course was the only one who was aware of Valentina's gender issues, and you can tell from his face that he was not amused to be in the picture. Sweet sweet revenge.
Tomorrow is knitty Friday- yay! I'm hoping Lizabee and I can go check out the hotel for tractor retreat. Speaking of Tractors, submitted here is the June page of my fab nun calendar!

World Coffee Asheville

2009-05-30T19:46:00.003-05:00

This oasis of peace is where my friend Lizabee and I meet fairly regularly to knit and hang out. The coffee is pretty decent and the goodies qualify as cake pron. Pictured here are coconut cupcakes and strawberry shortcake. Fru, do I win anything for posting cake pron? I'm hoping it will lure you to Asheville!

Etc

2009-05-27T15:27:00.003-05:00

I think I am blogging just as an excuse to post this picture of Mini Purl in her summer dress. Which I bought today at Etc. Consignment Shoppe. They have a pretty good selection of clothes and shoes for women and some good books. I was able to get a few good pairs of shorts for son #2 and a few shirts, bathing suits and sandals. No website but the address is: 1500 Patton Ave Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 251-1160‎. Also, look at Purl's cute lil dress! AIiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Happy Towel Day!

2009-05-25T15:57:00.002-05:00

It's a weird weekend, isn't it? I finally convinced the kids to turn off the Land of the Lost marathon. That show is so freaky. I can't WAIT to see the new version with Will Ferrel who is my future ex-husband.
I want to shout out to our Veterans, and say thank you for kicking ass on behalf of our country.
It's also Towel Day, so celebrate accordingly.
I'm busy planning the Ashevegas Tractors Retreat for my girls in June and it's getting pretty exciting. We have a yarn party planned for Friday night, and Saturday we might get to tour an Alpaca Farm as part of this weekend-long WNC Farm tour. We want to do a walking tour of the Grove and do the Woolworth Art Gallery, Earth Guild, Malaprops, and get our knit on. Then Sunday we will do a yarn swap and Lizabee has a special goodbye ceremony she's planning.
Meanwhile, I am slowly knitting my first toe-ups. Yay!

Cotlin Review

2009-05-21T08:27:00.004-05:00

Yesterday Mini Purl went to the vet for her re-check. Little loaf of bread has gained a pound! Doc says it's her thyroid and she will feel even better on thyroid meds. Also we did xrays and her lungs are totally cleared of infection, doc said she's a totally different dog and that we saved her life. I was glad to hear it! Now she's scheduled for dental on Tuesday which means pulling her rotten teeth. Poor girlie.
In yarn news, I got a skein of Knitpicks Cotlin in blackberry and used some of it to whip out a Terry Pratchett Inspired Handkerchief thingey. I LOVE this yarn. It is soft yet strong, no splitting, smooth, and the blackberry color is like a deep dark purple. Fabulous. The pattern was a fun fast knit too, and would not look so crooked except Easter was in my lap (as usual) and leaped off at one point jerking all my stitches off the needles. Ya. So it's crooked. Now I want to get a crapton more of this exact color and make a summer tank or something. I'm also doing my first toe-up sock pattern and man, it is SO much more fun than cuff-down!

Ready for Guitarman

2009-05-17T22:26:00.003-05:00

This weekend I managed to finish this pair of socks, although it was not easy with all the cute pug action going on. I mean, I walk into the bedroom and they have taken over! Jolly better not try to eat my socks. I'm casting on for the hub's birthday socks next, using a pattern my friend Cristi-Lael told me about called Guitarman.

Tasty Bumblebees

2009-05-15T15:08:00.002-05:00

Well it was a good title. The pugs have been really intrigued lately with bees that fly through the house. This one was attacked and taken down by one of our smaller dust rhinos, then the pugs stalked it for awhile before they decided it was yummy and crunchy. Also pictured, Mini Purl kindly allowing us to scratch her belly. You can see the loaf(as in loaf of bread)has such a hard life here in Pug Castle. I got my Opal skeins and Malabrigo today, that I traded for, but Im so sad, the Opal is just solids, nothing exciting like Harry Potter or Rainforest. The Mal is purty though! I'm started on sock #2, and can't wait to finish up. Mr FUnky Monkey arrived today, the colors are just drooly. Am I making a bit of sense?

More Craft Stuff

2009-05-11T09:34:00.002-05:00

I decided to embroider the doll face using the tutorial from WeeWonderfuls and I love how it turned out! All ready to go to Esme, my little online Shayna Punim.
I also finished the Baby Bolero from www.annieamelia.com, and yes Brenda I am going to wash it before I send it to Sophia since Easter is modeling it. LOL. I might do another one just for Easter since it was such a fun knit.

Naughty Barbie and Hoochie Mama Bratz

2009-05-11T09:25:00.004-05:00

My friend Lulu invited me to join a barbie cake contest on Ravelry. I explained that I am a cake EATER not so much a cake decorator. Just to drive home my point I thought I would explain some things about Barbie. First of all, if I was going to do a barbie cake I'd use the "anti-Barbie" as my cake topper since I am pretty sure the model is based on my uh, zaftig form. Also, Barbie is not always so nice as you can see from the illicit mud-wrestling photo above. Then there's the day that slutty bratz doll kicked Barbie's ass. Of course I might still try to do the cake thing but only if I could get away with the barbie nun cake.

Doll Attempt

2009-05-10T10:21:00.002-05:00

I'm going to post some pictures from this doll in progress, because I pretty much followed the directions here and the end result is so cute I think. Also, if you are either interested in dolls or you got sucked into the whirling vortex of Lulu's Dollywood swap, or both, this link is hugely helpful.

Good luck! I think this little girl may go to Esme after she gets a face.

Tractor Swag

2009-05-07T20:22:00.003-05:00

My friend Kelle was my secret swapper in tractor swap and she sent me a huge box of awesome sauce. Her theme that she picked was black n white (for nuns) and she sent me two gorgeous skeins of Claudias handpainted sock yarn, candy, a beautiful Scarf, a doily, a cute crocheted horsey and well, look at all this stuff! I loved it. Surprises rawk. Thank you so much, Kelle!!!!! We all love it, the puggles are still chewing on their doggie toys. XOX

Bunneh

2009-05-06T20:02:00.003-05:00

Mr Wiggly has inspired me. I got some cute baby clothes from Goodwill, and made this handmade version. I haz no sewing machine, so I'm hoping bunny looks ok. Mini Purl helped pick out his button eyes.

Mr Wiggly Sings Queen

2009-05-05T21:31:00.003-05:00

Today I woke up and Mr Wiggly was in the yard, serenading me with Queen. I love living here. Let me explain. I’m not really awake in the mornings, so I step out the side door to look at the trees. Lately the birds have been so busy flying from the gutters to the trees building their nests and talking up a storm and I wanted to watch them. Instead I’m eyeball to eyeball with this natty bunny rabbit dressed in his best evening suit, not ten feet from me. He immediately began channeling Freddie Mercury, and I told him to please wait there while I got the camera. Being such a showboat he obliged me, and I snapped his picture. If you click on the youtube link you’ll get the exact effect of my morning. Beautiful view, fun wildlife with fabulous taste in entertainment. I was so inspired that I sewed on Miss Pink Floyd’s Purple ‘do. I don’t know where she got the tatoo though, we woke up this morning and she was complaining that her ass was on fire. At least it’s tasteful.

Ashevegas Herb Festival

2009-05-01T14:44:00.003-05:00

We have a new sock monkey visitor! Miss Pink Floyd/ValenTina Turner, "America's Darling of Drag Divas" has arrived in style.Almost immediately upon meeting her, she announced that we were making an unplanned pitstop at the Asheville Herb Festival. She was savagely disappointed because "it wasn't THAT kind of herb festival" but she managed a few photo ops: She agreed to pose for one booth because the lady wanted her for a blog. Also, she posed with a banana tree, and some secksie sounding soaps that she wanted me to buy for her, something about "dirty old man" and "stud bubbles". She was not pleased when I bought lilac cream. When we evaded the cops and made it home without incident, she made friends with son #1's sock monkey, ironically enough named by unsuspecting son as Lola. *sigh*
Needless to say, we are all thrilled at her arrival and look forward to lots of exciting adventures! Anyone with suggested adventures for a transgender sock monkey please do let me know!

Breakfast Surprise

2009-04-28T07:23:00.003-05:00

Pug sillies began last night as Easter helped me to put together the sock monkey blanket for Sophia. We forgot to cook chicken for Mini Purl's breakfast, so I was up early this morning to make it as she did her teeny happy dance in the kitchen. She got SO excited that she left us two small gifts on the kitchen floor. While the chicken cooled, the sock monkeys and my pink bear girl all had pug rides on the couch for fun. Silly pugs and sock monkeys. I think we should enjoy it while it lasts, because as soon as I read that the swine flu has reached North Carolina I'm yanking the boys out of school and my days will be full of home schooling and squabbling. Woot...

Goodies!

2009-04-27T14:51:00.003-05:00

Today has been both relaxing and happy here at the Pug Palace. First of all, Brenda called with the wonderful news that dear little baby Sophia has finally decided to be born. Mazel Tov to Bronwen and Jeff!
I finished reading Eat, Love, Pray and just in time to send to Brenda with her sock monkey blanket which I will get to work on tonight. I can't recommend this book enough- it is truly a gift.
Kathy sent me the rest of the sock monkey faces and squares for the blanket, along with a HUGE box of goodies- yummy chocolates, gummy candies for the horde, a book from my Amazon wishlist, fabulous yarn, a monkey bookmark, nun bowling game (hahahaha) and the best card! Thank you Kathy! Is this my secret swap package? It must be! I love it!
Grandpa sent a welcome package for Mini Purl, some biscuits that she is delightedly gumming, and the cutest hotdog outfit ever. Seriously. Look! We love you, Grandpa!

Posy Pillow

2009-04-26T20:58:00.003-05:00

Mixed review of Stitches South here. I think SAFF has spoiled me. SAFF is here in Asheville, at the Agricultural Center, and there are sheep. And lots of deals, unique yarns, little farm stalls, tons of Ravelers. Stitches South was at the Galleria in Atlanta and it was fine I guess, very organized. There were booths representing many of the major yarn brands but they weren't selling yarn just had samples. The LYS's from GA were there, and some others, but I kind of prefer the crowded noisy stuffed to the rafters SAFF environment.
I DID get to see Turtlegirl76, and she was wearing the perfect sweater to match Guy Monkey. I scored some gorgeous sock yarn and Guy got to pose with the famous Miss Babs, shown here with my secret pal's lime sock yarn whichMissBabs hand dyed herself.

When I got home, after the pug attack, I finished the cute Posy Pillow from AnnieAmelia, and petted my sock yarn. A LOT. And no, Sillyfru, you can't haz it. I think I might try Jillwalkers!

Fo's and Mini Purl Update

2009-04-23T16:03:00.002-05:00

I finally got tired of all of my wip's and finished off a few things that have been gathering dust, including this fish scales scarf made of Taos Silk. Slippery thing.
Also, as you can see, Mini Purl is feeling right at home. I took the pics with her little bodygaurd, the Mighty Bean, so you can see how tiny she really is. I love the one pic where he's looking at the camera like "WTF?!"

Guy the Ska Monkey Rides for BlueRidge Pride

2009-04-18T09:12:00.006-05:00

For those of you just tuning in, I am part of a craft group online that shares a mission to send our Sock Monkeys all over the world. Each sock monkey visitor stays a month in each location and there is a lot of photo journaling, blogging, and adventurous silliness. Right now I am hosting Guy Fox, the Ska Monkey. Yesterday as we were driving downtown, he flung himself out of the van to investigate a herd of pink flamingos. He talked to their leader, a Miss PinkPants, who explained that they were involved in a lovely fundraiser for BlueRidge Pride . They even let Guy pose for a photo! Apparently, for a small donation, you can arrange to have this entire herd of lovely flamingos land in the unsuspecting yard of your choice. Mwah ha ha!!!!!!!!!! Guy is trying to talk me into flocking the UU church.
Of course, we can't WAIT for next month's visitor, a transgender sock monkey with a huge heart and loads of personality. We are hoping to make some friends in the Asheville Community that will welcome ValenTina in style.

From Stinky to Fabulous

2009-04-17T17:38:00.002-05:00

My friend Manitoba2ct is the best. After a really harsh few days, I popped into Ravelry to see what my friends have been up to. B knew what has been going on over here and she did the only thing she knew might cheer me up, she took Sister Mary Monkeypants to Knit Night and was courageous enough to approach a REAL LIVE NUN. Meet Sister Judith. A good sport. I love you to bits, B!

The New Kid

2009-04-14T19:27:00.005-05:00

Well, these sweet ladies rescued this little girl from a kill shelter and brought her to me today. They were calling her Lilly, but I hope they won't mind us changing her one-day name to Minnie Pearl. You can't really tell from her pics but she's a teeny little thing! Nine years old. Very smart. Jolly is just, omg, beside himself in love with her. She's fostered through Mid-Atlantic pug rescue. They are terrific.
In that picture, Pearl is sleeping on the couch and Jolly is protectively snoozing with one paw on her. Awwwwww!

Headless Sock Monkey

2009-04-13T16:52:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I can't sew worth a damn but this page makes it so easy a cavegirl could do it.

Gramma sent me this hilarious wig, which I can't decide if I look more like a roller derby queen or a cartoon girl from the Flintstones. Either way I wish I was a man because this wig would be drag queen-a-licious!! Also, some generous lovely Meowing person mailed me a crap-ton of Easter goodies, pictured here with the half-sewn sock monkey. I love my overseas candy fairies! XOX

PS: Tomorrow we are getting a new foster pug, a little black girl pug, dumped at a kill shelter because "she's old". Stay tuned!

Call me Crazy

2009-04-12T14:11:00.003-05:00

But I cast on for another wallaby. Also finished Pickle's Group 30 scarf, and spent the morning cleaning. After a power nap I found several strange things had occurred: computer parts had exploded on the dining room table, and a scary action figure, previously buried in the boys' room, was unearthed and had made advances on one of the racing nuns. What to do. I want to make Easter (the doglet) a pink cuppycake for her birthday. I assume that her birthday is today. Time for tea!

Wonderful Wallaby!

2009-04-11T13:19:00.003-05:00

I can't decide if I feel like smoking a cigarette or dancing a jig or what. I'm definately making this again.

Stop the World:

2009-04-10T06:32:00.002-05:00

The Annual UUCA Book Sale is this weekend, Apr. 10-11 from 9am-4pm in Sandburg Hall.

I'll be there at 9am this morning. See Ya!

Update: The entire set of Horation Hornblower for the boys, five Robert Heinleins, Three Anita Shreve, Bel Canto, The Kite Runner, Three knitting books, Two Cornelia Funks for son #3, A vampire book for son #1, math puzzles for son #2, a copy of Bottoms Up, and I only spent $27 bucks.
Also, instead of boring book pics, look at my little girl, ready to mail herself to Brooklyn to visit her boyfriend Grandpa Pug.

Monkey Day

2009-04-09T14:32:00.004-05:00

Today started out as a regular knitty Thursday, with Lizabee meeting me at World Cafe. We knit, and gab, and knit. But then we went thrifting, and I found a sweater (for a sock Monkey) and some cloth for a Tractor Swap, and when I got home there was mail! Along with a copy of "Eat Pray Love" which my tractor girls are swearing that I must read right now, there was a sock monkey dishcloth from sweet ABitKnottie, SO cute! Also, ILoveSockMonkeys' sock monkey faces came in for Brenda's blanket and they are PERFECT! WOOHOO!
Yeah the only weird thing I bought was this teeny skirt that is all pink and sparkly and might fit my ankle if I hold my breath. I don't know what came over me, I have three huge boys. I'm hoping it fits Shoshana's little doll girl. Either that or I am now buying pink clothes for imaginary little girls. Cause it's too big for a sock monkeh.

OW!

2009-04-07T20:36:00.003-05:00

Scrambled Tuesday: it's snowing. I love it. Jolly modeled Shebear29's crochet scarf for me, looking all cute, then ran under the table and jerked the laptop down RIGHT onto meh foot. Meanwhile, Amandaleigh had me all faklempt with this description of my Tractor group:

just remember a couple of things…

we love each other unconditionally
we love sock monkehs
we don’t bite (unless you ask Gretta real nice like)
we love to share
we will do whatever we can to help each other out, no matter what
there is no better place anywhere for support no matter what’s going on in your world.

ETA

cheetos and buttercream frosting should ONLY be used for medicinal purposes, never recreational!!

Also I am fascinated by peeps all of a sudden. So funny. And is it bad that I'm crushing on Adam Lambert? Wow I loved his song tonight, who cares how gay he is.
And, I am NOT into guns. Just, you know, fyi.
And Brenda called me, yay!
Right now, in order to scrub the images of Courtney Love from my brain, I am collecting pictures of cupcakes on photobucket.

And Now for Something Completely Different

2009-04-06T07:10:00.002-05:00

Candybritches posted this in my group the other day, and I just can't get over it. I mean, a merkin is silly enough, but a MONKEY MERKIN?! Also, I'm intrigued by how easy it looks to actually make one. There's also the very awesome and hilarious cthulhu menstrual cup available from this creative knitter.

How to celebrate Spring with heathen boys

2009-04-05T13:02:00.003-05:00

We stuffed the plastic eggs with dollar bills, candy, and chores. Then we put all the black licorice jellybeans into the golden egg. I made them swear that whatever they got in their eggs they had to keep. Mwah ha ha...
Of course Ruby helped hide the eggs. It's her last day, she's being put down tomorrow which is why we went ahead and had the egg hunt today.
Try chasing four boys with two pugs on leashes and a wild Sock Monkey while taking pictures. The sock monkey found three eggs all by himself. He got some jellybeans and has to clean out Ward's car. The pugs are exhausted. Everyone is smeared with melted chocolate and there are plastic eggs on the floor.
We got some great pictures of Ruby in the purple flowers that are growing all over the yard. It's a good day. Sunny, happy to be here with these messy boys and my pugs and the flowers and Ruby looking out at the woods.

Asheville Sidewalk Astronomy

2009-04-05T12:51:00.003-05:00

I read about this cool free event here and since son #3 just finished studying this stuff in school we took Guy the Ska Monkey and headed to Pack Square. It was really nice, downtown Asheville on a Saturday night is so pretty and friendly. We heard street musicians and we got to see Saturn. It looked exactly like a glow in the dark sticker. I wonder if Guy was the first sock monkey to see Saturn. We stopped in at Marble Slab and got ice cream afterwards. Guy wanted pistachio but he settled for sharing son #3's peanut butter oreo cone.

Socks Class!

2009-04-03T15:46:00.002-05:00

Are You Addicted to Knitting?

If so, you might want to come to my first knitting class! I am going to teach Silver's Socks class at Purl's! Only $45.oo and it will run once a week for four weeks from 10:30-12 noon starting April 23rd. Tell your friends!

Seriously I'm really psyched. Silver's is such a great way to get introduced to a skill that has intimidated many knitters. She breaks it up so well that you turn the heel without even realizing it.

10 Foster Pugs Mwah ha haaaaaaa!!!!

2009-04-01T11:50:00.005-05:00

Last year I had the boys convinced that we were shipping them off to military school for April Fools' Day. Son #1 actually cried. So this year the hub and I took son #2's bed and moved it into the other boys' room. Then I put all the dog crates and dog toys into Son #2's room and papered the floor in newspaper. I told them that they all have to share a room because Mom is getting ten foster pugs from MidAtlantic Pug Rescue. This was all Easter's idea, with help from Stripey the Sock monklet.

Update: Damn kids. The military college stunt ruined them for life. All three of them pretended to be thrilled with the ten extra puglets. Blast.

Crazy Craft Swap and Confused Ravelers

2009-03-29T18:21:00.003-05:00

Ok, my girlies are confused. When they have birthdays I get these awesome packages. I sent Manitoba2ct a big fun something last week and she mailed me gummy chocolates. Today is MarySK's birthday (HAPPY DAY MISSYMOO) and her package is waiting to be mailed Monday, and she sent me a striped sock monklet yesterday! I think she knew I was lonely. He was carrying pretty yarn and a gorgeous dishcloth knitted by Mary. XOX!!!

The Church had a craft swap yesterday too. I brought tons of yarn and fleece and scrapping stuff so I would not feel guilty when I came home with new crafty things. The deal was you just showed up and traded stuff. I scored BIG time! I got: a big artist easel and beautiful japanese papers, ribbon, a tin, magnetic tape, gel pens and colored pencils, three skeins of tahki cotton in pink tweed, a quilting kit (for Rik), dark green wool, gold wool, purple red heart (yeah I know but it's PURPLE) a copy of Interweave Knits Spring '08, ROWAN #34!!!!, pretty scrapbook paper, a knitting card, some cloth for Lizabee, a special surprise for my Tractor Swap partner, a bunch of Colinette ribbon yarn and mohair yarn, and six moonlight mohair Lion Brand. DUDE. OK, Mac, so I have reported as requested. :)

Riordan Wins!

2009-03-21T19:01:00.002-05:00

I ran a contest on Ravelry in honor of my 10000'th post or something. 10000000000'th? Anyway, the first person to post a picture of a sock monkey donating a blanket/toy to their local animal shelter won their favorite yarn. Sunniechick won, shown here is her photo of visiting Riordan Monkey, helping out by giving handknit blankets to the homeless kittehs. Yay!

We're on TV!

2009-03-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

My god-monkey is on the telly, and Bev talks about the Traveling Tractor Monkeys! Woo Hoo!

Extreme Sheep LED Art

2009-03-20T08:58:00.000-05:00

Blabbermouth Contest

2009-03-19T09:06:00.002-05:00

So in honor of hitting my 10000'th post on the rav (yeah yeah I know) I was informed that I should do a contest thingey. So here it is: first person to post/email me a picture of a sock monkey donating a blanket or toy to your local animal shelter wins your choice of yarn skein(s) as long as it is under thirty dollars. Cool? Ready Set GO! Oh, post to Tractors Sock Monkey Silliness Thread if you can!

They're Magickally Delicious

2009-03-13T17:02:00.002-05:00

Pugs. Should we dye Easter green this year?

Hippos and OMG Jolly is too cute!

2009-03-12T20:42:00.003-05:00

I'm so proud of Son #1's clay talent. Here is his science hippo. Note the cute paper teeth. Also, I looked around and perched on his chairtop sleeping spot was the Mighty Bean. I snuck the camera off the shelf so you can see the view of Jolly that I get, causing lots of squeaky baby talk and doggie puggle kissing every day.

Unholy Glee

2009-03-12T06:51:00.001-05:00

I know, I'm being a big yarn goober. But look, I fused the pouch!