tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87779722699430946692024-03-19T15:58:54.586-05:00Surly PurlerDiscovering who I am stitch by stitch...Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-28675274124179709402011-04-21T00:59:00.002-05:002011-04-21T01:12:50.029-05:00RIP dear friend of mine<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We are gathered here to mourn death of a dear friend of mine. She has been with me through thick and thin. (Well mostly thick to be honest, not so much of the thin)<div><br /></div><div><br /> <div><img src="http://fairfaxfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Sugar-cartoon-c274485_s.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div>I have decided to give up processed sugar for one month. I came to this realization tonight when I was recapping my day. I ate 2 peanut butter eggs, 2 high sugar caffeine drinks, oh yeah and then 2 more later, a few cookies, some brownies, oh good gracious it was a bad day. Clearly, I can't control myself. Admittedly it's hard to control yourself when at work even the soy beans are chocolate coated.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was doing so well a couple of weeks ago. I was going to the gym 3 times a week and eating really well. I want to get back there, but honestly even then I was still sneaking a cookie here and there. Which is fine, but I can't stop at one cookie. Until I can control myself I'm going cold turkey. I'm 100 percent sure that I am addicted to sugar. </div><div><br /></div><div>So let the withdrawal begin!</div></div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-9773164629644100552011-04-15T00:02:00.002-05:002011-04-15T00:24:25.833-05:00Screw EfficiencyI can't understand why some people just don't get crafting. <div><br /></div><div>"Why don't you just buy a sweater?", they say. Excuse me, why don't I buy a sweater? Because I don't want to. If I could go out and buy a sweater and get the feeling that I do when I'm making a sweater, trust me I would. I may just go out and solve world peace while I'm at it, or maybe the financial crisis better yet how about making either political party compromise on anything. </div><div><br /></div><div>I then explain that I craft because I really like taking raw materials and making something. We evolved and thrived, because we are brilliant craftspeople. Yet, as a culture we don't really make anything anymore. We manage things, that's about it. We manage the machines that craft. I'm sorry but there's just no romance in that, no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">joie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vivre</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>After taking all of this in I then hear, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ok</span> I understand all of this, but what I still don't get is that it just is not efficient." Well, I say if I wanted efficiency I would buy a pair of socks at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Walmart</span>. But they aren't the socks that I want. I want socks that I made. I don't care that by the time that I make socks I could buy a pair and wear and wash them a few times. I know that I must now have become a little bit less American. I understand that I am trained in my career, etc to maximize efficiency at all times. I understand that to get my chores done at home, go to the gym, do my grocery shopping, do the laundry, iron the laundry, walk the dog, and have a bit of free time left to relax and knit a bit that I must maximize efficiency. But I say this...</div><div><br /></div><div>Screw Efficiency</div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-25418048564091345012010-05-04T17:44:00.004-05:002010-05-04T17:57:40.818-05:00Ch-ch-ch- changes... well I guess not so many<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQVQ59IiG3gGAY8PQ7FX1xN8EndhMsBXw709AtDgTErd1ITbMuwAAYPgfQaFSFYEyJSdYIvSsBCnH-PiAAVBsiTz0QdpgRdvy5nHTd9WuaIgnJ3gNnMgwJYNubfHCSzbe3MhmL7mO37_Z/s1600/collageus.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQVQ59IiG3gGAY8PQ7FX1xN8EndhMsBXw709AtDgTErd1ITbMuwAAYPgfQaFSFYEyJSdYIvSsBCnH-PiAAVBsiTz0QdpgRdvy5nHTd9WuaIgnJ3gNnMgwJYNubfHCSzbe3MhmL7mO37_Z/s320/collageus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467552255849231026" /></a><br />Here I am blogging again. I'm not quite sure why, I just felt a yearning to write again. Perhaps it was because I went to Maryland Sheep and Wool this weekend, or maybe it is that I read my boyfriend's mom's <a href="http://cheryllynchquilts.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. Who knows. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Onward and upward to the few changes that have happened. I work as a supervisor in retail currently. I am no longer a yarn rep. I found that, for me, when my hobby became my job my hobby wasn't fun anymore. I am still living with my bf and we will be together for 3 years this summer. That seems crazy. I feel like we just met. We are still a happy little family with our somewhat worse for wear pup, Cooper. Our poor mutt, which we adopted and were excited because he was a mix and so should be less inclined to inbreeding and therefore be more healthy.... right? Wrong! He is fairly healthy but he has epilepsy and seasonal allergies. Yup my dog is a ginger dog. He doesn't know the difference though he just gets a few laced treats in the morning and night. In fact, he might just be happier and slightly more rotund due to all of these yummy snacks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKCwuqGGBuHcg9EQS-w63wyY7-4KtSbJ0mWL2ANVTvjFgHIfM6L85Blk9f9NfXPych1_NbHoKX4wQ2xsUKTAjevwZtTh02yzkKRTmyTF5SsFJR2hTRRCTIQZR5P1vPEHEPbfH_UCU2uHK/s400/coop.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-71521810558263789392008-01-17T08:05:00.000-05:002008-01-17T09:26:44.447-05:00Ch-ch-ch-changesOh, where to start! Well, to begin with I moved out of my parent's house. Thank goodness, I love ya mom and dad, but I was starting to go a bit crazy. Where have I gone? Well I must have gone crazy living at my parent's because I moved in with my boyfriend, Roger. Fast, you say? That's true, but hey it's been a little more than two months now living together and so far so good!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6PA3tT3KbeDFmaNakRic39cpQULBXVo21IPgSr-FwkVwF-61hgUuzvDTT-t62RQZAnvncWUbrymbbG9MzPSMTMsQABQStL44DaLdJZp7QQqhLmFNs1kZ4ArW7mEPJN_7Qu04myY2OG7i/s1600-h/rogerandloren.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6PA3tT3KbeDFmaNakRic39cpQULBXVo21IPgSr-FwkVwF-61hgUuzvDTT-t62RQZAnvncWUbrymbbG9MzPSMTMsQABQStL44DaLdJZp7QQqhLmFNs1kZ4ArW7mEPJN_7Qu04myY2OG7i/s320/rogerandloren.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156448622107086114" border="0" /></a><br />We rent a little house in Phoenixville, Pa. The house is great, it has a big kitchen, washer/dryer, screened in porch, a nice yard, garage, and a nice office for me. It's also a great location, although I do miss the mountains down in Virginia.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0oYmrBLVnAHeMxG5mjpTGX7_mNOHNy2rDvfvn9Vl_YqVZekAJOLkKsjjkpn3J1upiJO6my4BSVEyleVzqg7GM5Wx3hr6NULYAPvNrhqVoLRCKhAaAqF1K5EhXnTrUnSknfllnqoYVg2e/s1600-h/coop2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0oYmrBLVnAHeMxG5mjpTGX7_mNOHNy2rDvfvn9Vl_YqVZekAJOLkKsjjkpn3J1upiJO6my4BSVEyleVzqg7GM5Wx3hr6NULYAPvNrhqVoLRCKhAaAqF1K5EhXnTrUnSknfllnqoYVg2e/s320/coop2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156449034423946546" border="0" /></a>Oh, and one more big change, we got a dog! His name is Cooper and he just had his 1st birthday. We adopted him at the ASPCA. They said there that he is a lab mix, but I don't think he has any lab in him. My guess is an Australian Cattle Dog mix. What do ya think? We've thought about getting one of those puppy DNA tests done, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I am rather curious though, so perhaps down the road. He's been a great dog, very cuddly but active too. I'm hoping to make him my new hiking buddy. I did five miles with him the other day and he wanted to keep going, so I think it might work out. I also set up the tent to see if he'd go in it, and he did! He's on the road to becoming a great backpacking pup.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX0hENm1dLjCMAhxDgmzRW_COiFP4NxhYnvW_nEjuWT9a2L-HPK3777KGmE83fzSDCrilt0yEFD1KLLFORbk1RfFYDigmXeW6i3IihsyRhwuFiuOij3ML-06oFDzZKwKQhXox1spuZ3fn/s1600-h/Cooper4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX0hENm1dLjCMAhxDgmzRW_COiFP4NxhYnvW_nEjuWT9a2L-HPK3777KGmE83fzSDCrilt0yEFD1KLLFORbk1RfFYDigmXeW6i3IihsyRhwuFiuOij3ML-06oFDzZKwKQhXox1spuZ3fn/s400/Cooper4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156447239127616770" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a pic of Coop sitting on the very nice pillows that Roger's mom made. I swear it's the one and only time he's been on them in the chair. They are much too nice for him to be on them, but come on he looks really cute.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAT37QDrwJqIbEgvwD1kO9vElqxvOI0MFOQjdvIAlWzYlvEBkPbE7DPU2-CUA9H08PTI1h4YaZgOjt4SchN6q3ODAGjNX76sk1cvy2MX6Ips4RN8IMgJ7_1M4Ofct6rLC9SBHmMzSDPq_/s1600-h/Cooper21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAT37QDrwJqIbEgvwD1kO9vElqxvOI0MFOQjdvIAlWzYlvEBkPbE7DPU2-CUA9H08PTI1h4YaZgOjt4SchN6q3ODAGjNX76sk1cvy2MX6Ips4RN8IMgJ7_1M4Ofct6rLC9SBHmMzSDPq_/s320/Cooper21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156449296416951618" border="0" /></a><br />As for the important information, my knitting... I have been moving along slowly with my projects. I do have 800 yards of delicious qiviut to make a shawl out of. I've been looking around at patterns, but so far I haven't found anything that seemed perfect. Suggestions?Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-3248727600079052772007-10-28T08:05:00.000-05:002007-10-28T08:31:30.322-05:00Bacardi in Terra<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocZUsC5ZhR3AOqs2bT1XDqhPM0u-NtmsNBGDRjZD568LSzwFsNf6ZAypY9FnIuUxLEcWs7XJcf5vX5t8yfYFk3IbyRmqU3Xdw_njSKzi1SE9YhSneRsi_Yfh-7UoURMxGFb38WQCq6tmU/s1600-h/bacardi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126373583080783698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocZUsC5ZhR3AOqs2bT1XDqhPM0u-NtmsNBGDRjZD568LSzwFsNf6ZAypY9FnIuUxLEcWs7XJcf5vX5t8yfYFk3IbyRmqU3Xdw_njSKzi1SE9YhSneRsi_Yfh-7UoURMxGFb38WQCq6tmU/s400/bacardi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Meet my next project everyone! Sorry I couldn't find a larger picture, but it's Bacardi, a fair isle sweater from No Sheep for You. As if the pattern itslef isn't interesting enough, I'm using a brand new yarn (not even in stores yet!) from <a href="http://www.soysilk.com/">South West Trading Company</a>, <a href="http://soysilk.com/terra.html">Terra</a>. It's a dk 50/50 cotton, bamboo blend. I can't wait to get the yarn! First I have to pick out colors though, I need to choose six. I'm always tempted to pick 6 different colors for fair isle, but I do think fair isle looks better when it's more tonal with just an accent or two. Here are the colors that I was considering:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTAk_k7LB8alvT70FVHMtY8U_qi7F_RdW8WER2sn2FDXfdPDBA1nCrViT0f5BKbxqLtdHAk64-PT8rRjt1Tr4f_5zjxn0pURgGQsjbZCMV9oURcN0usonZfl4_v9XbMalzHC8dGUXTgZo/s1600-h/brown.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126376142881292130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTAk_k7LB8alvT70FVHMtY8U_qi7F_RdW8WER2sn2FDXfdPDBA1nCrViT0f5BKbxqLtdHAk64-PT8rRjt1Tr4f_5zjxn0pURgGQsjbZCMV9oURcN0usonZfl4_v9XbMalzHC8dGUXTgZo/s400/brown.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMWdUtcMNIUYrQS5SBDtpKY6ysmE2iOjvqqDWJfZxJXIFZFomN-EYoUcabb2tsbzYHvskq1QWb0P51ud62xJ5nJGJrYcGtEud9uJtsrEpgS2VRm6PUAl3gB9UgHibo_dXuFDEsCf41YLx/s1600-h/mdgreen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126376726996844434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMWdUtcMNIUYrQS5SBDtpKY6ysmE2iOjvqqDWJfZxJXIFZFomN-EYoUcabb2tsbzYHvskq1QWb0P51ud62xJ5nJGJrYcGtEud9uJtsrEpgS2VRm6PUAl3gB9UgHibo_dXuFDEsCf41YLx/s400/mdgreen.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBepaOl45JZUOljL9QGy8_FTXIw1H7_hD9f8dcTC-sWWBemy4mijNxjkCLBvo1Jrt8D6BVBwH5CgAyvwbdaKpv-0uVkJdlCqn31BjHWHL7FLFM8IltZnLZEoUfSk5sPP8XeWHZfRN_lS8l/s1600-h/navy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126376817191157666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBepaOl45JZUOljL9QGy8_FTXIw1H7_hD9f8dcTC-sWWBemy4mijNxjkCLBvo1Jrt8D6BVBwH5CgAyvwbdaKpv-0uVkJdlCqn31BjHWHL7FLFM8IltZnLZEoUfSk5sPP8XeWHZfRN_lS8l/s400/navy.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8cyImKfrZox3AI5heiaexN9flNKLOQvqBp9Fq4q56S-5xTbDOO2Wt43vww66uKUFsq1RIGgPY3ABC2ZDSsHaZ6QpQXft9GYGUuVFmVAFufqwQ72tbtP-RafFTfH17NlaGxYDHfcVIno4/s1600-h/natural.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126377195148279746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8cyImKfrZox3AI5heiaexN9flNKLOQvqBp9Fq4q56S-5xTbDOO2Wt43vww66uKUFsq1RIGgPY3ABC2ZDSsHaZ6QpQXft9GYGUuVFmVAFufqwQ72tbtP-RafFTfH17NlaGxYDHfcVIno4/s400/natural.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126376533723316082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiEi4WyaXeTITLwWAyiWVsnK8kPdyiqv6BVPB-lyqbnggv1Jv6_AlxoD3DoFvRaPkQKb9-QLnzR_6t2RUJye0_H0pZeCsrRZuQecoQX6FoxvTtC1Nscs-JVY0LwxaZn1pcyZ-yQxiAH9s/s400/lt+green.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>The sixth is a chocolate brown that I couldn't find a photo of for some reason. I think the colors above might be too safe. What do you think? Here are the other colors that I was considering</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-VAByxBptXuoRt2SIykWnkPl4LVRNuGVOsNWS-hbiBZxEs71emXPmYBssyVMVAX-B9U2FuUaeCZV6La0jpRLUinREUdTl6QWdmoOgzWeHq8Yr-l01xBxvZ1oUX0RqrnjjD8Tlh-LnrFY/s1600-h/blue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126377903817883602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-VAByxBptXuoRt2SIykWnkPl4LVRNuGVOsNWS-hbiBZxEs71emXPmYBssyVMVAX-B9U2FuUaeCZV6La0jpRLUinREUdTl6QWdmoOgzWeHq8Yr-l01xBxvZ1oUX0RqrnjjD8Tlh-LnrFY/s400/blue.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_aCm8dWvlPeAJ0Tm7IpBmmIQWynPhByPY-UXeO8Inx8B1zSXYaEmDcpwovu0X3_NT9_U4G8AIqvttXq1NcAjo1SMbDzMdxyWYFJ0pcb7lAoZECdnhaEDGvsdRYmloPAb6o48XprQMWif/s1600-h/orange.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126378028371935218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_aCm8dWvlPeAJ0Tm7IpBmmIQWynPhByPY-UXeO8Inx8B1zSXYaEmDcpwovu0X3_NT9_U4G8AIqvttXq1NcAjo1SMbDzMdxyWYFJ0pcb7lAoZECdnhaEDGvsdRYmloPAb6o48XprQMWif/s400/orange.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126377963947425762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPMZqwo5A6dqWYHTTgwjyBNvnqTSt0nYi7EWr5oAeiEWZ_3LM26fCKwa5isBMTH-G2Xl9VWxXlkljtXCFQLwt6PYSPYHJNqya3-nxxTsgtoeDnTqTYccumAJ17CxdIW-_OSBcXoon9sla/s400/gold.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>I might do the light blue instead of the brown or one of the lighter greens. Regardless of what colors I choose I can't wait to start my first fair isle sweater! </p>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-7054786490856137442007-10-02T20:01:00.000-05:002007-10-02T20:32:05.219-05:00Knitting for Penguins!My sister was in class and in one of her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">class</span> her professor talked about penguins and oil spills. I'm sure you all know about the terrible effects of oil spills on birds. Basically the oil covers their feathers and the oil destroys their natural oils which makes them very cold. Also, the penguins will try and clean themselves and end up <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ingesting</span> the oil and poisoning them. What is the solution? Penguin Sweaters! Which also happen to be insanely cute. They keep the wee penguins warm, in style, and inhibit them from preening. <div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116914847144734514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbwCFLkoNyFD6taXRQK3cFRGBD403gjaUzKSW31W_szLE-YiezZ5UAi8DV75sog2861VduC003BxC9OQsdq1I2RQ6iyEmyc7dalOclVlr0WXaX6_wHsfgEX9AwpONLxFEKPHMR0rv1Fv6/s400/penguin-sweaters.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116915049008197442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeyJ4E4q2-3bqnQVPOqZf7vY6v6W1rWZekt-dK3bfvLS_CuJKWCAJ0a14RcdqdBc2YY2ypoasHyq_DuQmNgM3Q1EO3NhuQzMhGHp57XfnK8NxjAEZXNAxYHWsEZOrx6vHi3poWCdmNUlu/s400/pensweater.jpg" border="0" />Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-11046045834330612482007-08-28T15:08:00.000-05:002007-08-28T15:10:37.274-05:00Vick's JuryI couldn't help myself...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103846100259160882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mwROdHMEPFpEWRBOY-bcUR4mVqm0bvJbmeDRRHjiU37iPXn6NBqIgDLMIu0Tqdc7IoVG3V1WgIg0UdxMvLAkQKQ81qUwyLmdfv4EgoZLIFhmFndEh_NVQpE7A_DrUnN89UizONyS_sRD/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-49416569402129941382007-08-02T18:02:00.000-05:002007-08-02T18:19:08.150-05:00Birthday Wishes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AH309hudb_lLRbpVopnd9YxyBh69J106TxFucsTWGoHtzDLWutBIfgj1tK9aOQUl90LQeIYXpHfAPORQSObisXA7QiYIRSFduRb2winRLzRbhWq13-WLP_CeJKnKo6bVv5c77U0aHMzL/s1600-h/lost.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094246242442770834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AH309hudb_lLRbpVopnd9YxyBh69J106TxFucsTWGoHtzDLWutBIfgj1tK9aOQUl90LQeIYXpHfAPORQSObisXA7QiYIRSFduRb2winRLzRbhWq13-WLP_CeJKnKo6bVv5c77U0aHMzL/s320/lost.jpg" border="0" /></a>I googled "being lost" to find some pics and this is one thing that came up....I just couldn't resist using it.<br />As a rep, I go lots of places that I've never been to before. This caused me to get lost ALL THE TIME! I have made more u-turns in the past week than most people make in a year. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Originally</span>, when I first mentioned to my family that I should maybe get a GPS system she said, "People have gotten so crazy with technology, there's no need for something like that if you just use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mapquest</span> in advance." And at first, I agreed. That is until, you make a wrong turn and then those directions don't help you out much... you just stay lost. For a while, I would jokingly call my mom my GPS system, because I would call home and get her to hop on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mapquest</span> for me so that I could get back on track. She thought this was funny and a great plan, that is until my fiftieth call. It just wasn't working.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094245344794605954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4KvKOe3P2uJlw80iReiry0YkbqZ9vCMfNYLeT3fv0KGLNtcm37fr4qXsCGvNcHoGLJT6qjrq9uzzStUa-9i31scgwQ1_U2ONny0Rwd9Z7QbdEj9ocm8qapSmNsqPw6XDf7slocgFERqg/s400/gps.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Luckily, my family wised up and I got GPS for my birthday... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">horray</span>! I absolutely love it, I selected the male Australian voice and I call him Outback Jack. So far Outback Jack hasn't steered me wrong, but we'll see its still early in the relationship. He's a tad <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bossy</span> though, watch it Jack.</div><br /><br /><div>I also, got more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">flowy</span> pants (if you know me, you know how often I wear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">flowy</span> pants), an awesome fair trade necklace, a pair of reefs, a vegetarian cookbook, and a cute little purse. Life is good!</div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-39413394461464255152007-07-21T21:42:00.000-05:002007-07-21T21:55:04.035-05:00Eek , moving out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWQaa9JDeH9WA5XVNoOs12UZQNL99AZPvDr4CJk42OuR2NCjxl1KdVUY-F-jdmL1lnv579H9RoxixfJBWII2pIAyFKAsxfvGm1NZCYacVhCvk7LVsKa5DWl3Y9sPOJPdOcEsKckSu5bs5/s1600-h/movingwoods.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089849093579831666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWQaa9JDeH9WA5XVNoOs12UZQNL99AZPvDr4CJk42OuR2NCjxl1KdVUY-F-jdmL1lnv579H9RoxixfJBWII2pIAyFKAsxfvGm1NZCYacVhCvk7LVsKa5DWl3Y9sPOJPdOcEsKckSu5bs5/s400/movingwoods.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Most of you know that I am moving out of my apartment. I was planning on staying in the burg, but after repping for a bit now I've realized how much easier it is to travel up north... so many shops in such a small area! Thus I am doing the unthinkable and moving back in with my parents. It'll be fun though, because my sister is also living at home to finish up her degree. The family is reunited.</div><br /><div>I remember vividly the night before leaving for my freshman year of college and thinking, "This is it, the last night of what I've known for 18 years." And here I am back again, never say never. When we were planning the move my dad was adamant the I claim the guest bedroom as my office. I said, "No, no I need a craft room... to house yarn etc." Then I realized why are we arguing? They are the same thing to me and that was a cool realization. How many people get to claim that they need a room soley for yarn and crafts that is therefore the office, because they are lucky enough to have such a fun job. </div><br /><div>In other news, I've jumped back on the dating train... part of the reason for my lack of blogging...</div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-15439063026429275512007-07-05T19:40:00.000-05:002007-07-05T20:01:07.152-05:00Qiviut my Heart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eOxGkFK08xXpr_Qu3o6dB0MVLzbalGWNyH52XG8_AHtDGOqORkSu-3A-iF5ku7WntDtEQ8In2LkzGSDcTD4p7zWUzDNFAZYk9fTSdgfggQhcU8jIIcVZZp5edq57-vdH1Wp1-gdrS92-/s1600-h/sweater.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083882365361867362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eOxGkFK08xXpr_Qu3o6dB0MVLzbalGWNyH52XG8_AHtDGOqORkSu-3A-iF5ku7WntDtEQ8In2LkzGSDcTD4p7zWUzDNFAZYk9fTSdgfggQhcU8jIIcVZZp5edq57-vdH1Wp1-gdrS92-/s320/sweater.gif" border="0" /></a>Most of you know the amount of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UFO's</span> in my possession. With the new job and companies saying to me, "Want to knit a sample, anything you want you can have", the amount of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">UFO's</span> has increased exponentially. That being said, I was in Stitches with Style in Newark, De today and they had 3 delicious skeins of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">qiviut</span>.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div>The store recently changed hands and I was walking around trying to get a feel of the shop now that the inventory has changed. It's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">definitely</span> my kind of shop, loads of natural fibers! She has lots of smaller companies that I've never heard of, which I love to see. In a little basket were 3 skeins of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">qiviut</span> in cute little bags that were tied with yellow ribbons. There was also a small knitted swatch that had obviously been handled a great deal, because that's when the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">qiviut</span> gets really yummy. Each skein had nearly 400 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">yds</span> and was only $80. That's half price! I carefully reached out and touched the knitted swatch. I was so excited at the price and the feel of that swatch that I got a bit teary eyed. Then I envisioned a luxurious shawl knitted from 2 skeins. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>I kept touching and walking by it and staring. Linda, the fabulous new owner, said she would hold a skein for me. I was trying to be good though and said that I may call back later. </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083882030354418258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt3StF655HzBUwZMShqQFrRGmqbqMcf5gKRsvXXYdOmftaA-mx0MysE4_iadecRGidElqYVy8bCEOOvdWAv5oBocAgDTL6CUOZ0AKsgl0Nr-hne4GlmEPSPseJ38BXgpaFX5CHCsjjpKA/s400/MuskOx0001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>On my way back to my parents house I was trying to scheme of a way to rationalize paying $160 right now to buy yarn. I couldn't...tear...then the solution. It was so simple, ask my mom to buy it for me! I know what I'm getting for Christmas this year!</div></div></div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-87345238446695652232007-06-30T20:21:00.000-05:002007-07-01T10:56:07.396-05:00Reppin' it up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr4VgmEA2zIQUGSAFC6JZm0v8nzHTPoiF2XA_mpO_jCPYbqXj5WllzkyHPvaoKqZV3IjfjfBjxLQPbjZxTI6sjc3nn06S7o400Xf0hx8NtDbeaHPFtcXqGTRU-jcdJGmeaAvz2anWdy-Y/s1600-h/bricksalesman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082041954695662130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr4VgmEA2zIQUGSAFC6JZm0v8nzHTPoiF2XA_mpO_jCPYbqXj5WllzkyHPvaoKqZV3IjfjfBjxLQPbjZxTI6sjc3nn06S7o400Xf0hx8NtDbeaHPFtcXqGTRU-jcdJGmeaAvz2anWdy-Y/s320/bricksalesman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7ugZFz9eIrilWkSOGjfacdLYYCJmYDHvBrH5VX4LBEL9QwHQzFIQZuv5BSHUTVEDi3MeE_iexDPCdqnAKTPjq3R2iiyXh9Gv7CaMDsd1AjriNfquI4Z4DI0Vjzestbn0n4LmxKF9x5iU/s1600-h/bricksalesman.jpg"></a>Now that I'm a yarn rep, I basically live on the road. Here are a few tips/ tricks and what I've learned:<br /><br /><ol><br /><li>If you see a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Krispy</span> Creme store, close your eyes. Even if you're driving still follow this guideline, it's better than the alternative.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>It's perfectly legal to pass over a double yellow when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">over-sized</span> trucks are taking up both lanes.</li><br /><br /><br /><li><a href="http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/anniechun/powershop.d2w/report?hbtype=ppc&hbv1=google&hbv2=AnnieGeneral">Annie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Chun's</span> meals </a>are the best! I'm completely serious here...biodegradable bowl, no refrigeration, microwaveable, low sodium, no preservatives, and pure deliciousness. Perfection!</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Super 8 is great. The rooms have a microwave, refrigerator, free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wifi</span>, HBO, and a continental breakfast: usually muffins, cereal, coffee, and juice (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">umm</span>, I mean, Tang). Best of all it's cheap!</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Don't knit and drive, you'll ruin your gauge.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Let Sims be your family. I know it's sad, but let's face it I am pretty isolated now. Sims is my stand-in family and friends. (Sadly, I'm semi-serious) Although the wonderful people I've met on my travels have kept me sane so far (a few of you are seriously threatening my sanity however and you don't want an insane person driving on the same interstate as you, so take it easy on my me would ya)</li><br /><br /><br /><li><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Audio books</span> are the most essential item for long trips. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ahh</span>, the many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">frivolous</span> romance novels I have had the pleasure of listening too...so many fun-filled hours and delicious men(wink). I usually think of Bear...ahhh...Bear.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Stop fretting about what projects to bring with you. It's a fact that you will want a different project with you, no matter what. And for goodness sakes you are bringing a massive trunk filled with yarn anyway!</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Stay in the right lane!!! Honestly, I can not emphasize this enough. Please please please stay in the right lane unless you're passing. If you're going to sit in the left lane and travel at the exact same pace as the car in the right lane....don't pass! It's illegal people, spread the word.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Always remember that you are in sales and it's key that you have a voice to sell yarn. Therefore screaming at cars who are not following rule 9, is counterproductive. Also, following rule 7 to avoid singing at the top of your lungs to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Broadway</span> or rock music will likewise prevent loss of your most powerful weapon.</li><br /><br /><li>And lastly, don't travel by donkey. You carry too much crap around for that.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082039841571752466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTJ-OiAqo8dCsZxbenqNYSwId2qod_Cr3mBgwiGSNc8z_EqJ7BUQ_2iJFFfGfDjBdHeXeQFx57fs1UhJq7cuPL3LPoWD2WLsR2i49Q5Ay3j5ZbnuGPTsMBYhpr_k3YdGJ0T63m0W9XdoE/s400/TravelingLightigUdF3.jpg" border="0" /></li></ol></div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-32335072183471042342007-06-12T20:25:00.000-05:002007-06-12T22:00:25.292-05:00Neighbors in Humanity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL609D1YPODmfg4OP-Ze2iPi3mNdK3HDZCbVN86EQJIrImaSIzylXswxiWcqWY43bM4Sq2C7FsBzQNkMCU3Sjw-ypytWGLJJ742VuEhh59YwxxmcspOgzDVSC_Fb-PgVQjiZrhdvxco8EA/s1600-h/neighbors_humanity.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075376093113934434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL609D1YPODmfg4OP-Ze2iPi3mNdK3HDZCbVN86EQJIrImaSIzylXswxiWcqWY43bM4Sq2C7FsBzQNkMCU3Sjw-ypytWGLJJ742VuEhh59YwxxmcspOgzDVSC_Fb-PgVQjiZrhdvxco8EA/s320/neighbors_humanity.jpg" border="0" /></a>That's right Gina I just couldn't help it! I had to relive that Halmark card moment somehow. Let me explain to everyone who was not lucky enough to be at the Vogue Knitting Party at TNNA (ya, I couldn't resist rubbing that in either), exactly what I'm talking about. <a href="http://www.skeincocaine.blogspot.com/">Gina</a>, <a href="http://www.pugsandknits.blogspot.com/">Mimi</a>, <a href="http://www.blissfuldebbie.blogspot.com/">Debbie</a>, <a href="http://www.misfitknits.blogspot.com/">Belinda</a>, and I were all at the party and the topic of the squares for the VT afghans kept coming up. We were talking with the cool chicks of <a href="http://www.modernyarn.com/">Modern Yarn </a>about how even if you weren't there and had no direct connection with what happened, people were still affected by it. It was at this moment that Gina interjected with the beauty pageant queen comment of "Well, we're all neighbors in humanity". I'm lucky that I didn't have a mouthful of a cocktail or I may have sprayed it all over Debbie Bliss. The only way it could have been better is if she had made a grand arm gesture with a slight head nod. It was the funniest moment at TNNA, seriously, I'm laughing now writing about it.<br /><div><div><br /><div><br /><div>Here's a pic of my Farmhouse cottonblossom sweater that everyone has been wanting to see. I LOVE it! Note the new hair cut. I cut about 11 inches off and I got it highlighted for the first time ever.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075372803168985634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiwR2gJSiAq5JzKVdHJ4nkGdExzHYNB-m8B8HmYy8B5D4dV9MUQpNBtnIxvwWLdiMxHrAGqmm3bF_fWANr-Xau5OD6P7WsVJbZWPRoBT_Yb6a_lEaw00wGoMZ1fcC8TDZnUMR5q7L1apR/s400/038.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />And here's a tam that I made yesterday with Farmhouse Fat Sheep (great name for a yarn). The pattern is from Knitting Nature. Norah Gaughan is a knitting rock star.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075373391579505202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiu2e_3770fZDCl0VoeQxq0JCXq9zgpXeo6Yo8XiuQaN3_L4i9caufqmvE8QpPyGGzA1Pn-XgSwo2K7-nKYPBbH6eBnn6K9frbubqmB2leIIQIBhJm9TKJRXZ1JJbKIw3jgotCB-0lKgW/s400/041.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P5HykRcACPXZCsBaSMmpwVuKZU6aupT2wsXgLFQuyZuGoq1aI8gBp1gDgK6ID3uZjPhJFLQFlOacCAJs7duEo12rp9082fxXphX3sFlwC2w9afX1P-QAXLsOb3kTw152isfbs3BtwWoh/s1600-h/044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075373692227215938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P5HykRcACPXZCsBaSMmpwVuKZU6aupT2wsXgLFQuyZuGoq1aI8gBp1gDgK6ID3uZjPhJFLQFlOacCAJs7duEo12rp9082fxXphX3sFlwC2w9afX1P-QAXLsOb3kTw152isfbs3BtwWoh/s400/044.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>I just couldn't help myself and I had to arrange the baby skeins of Farmhouse Bopeep yarn into a yarnbow. Yarnbow was a typo and I was about to delete it, but I like it!</div><br /><div>I arrange all yarn into rainbows, I love how it looks. I guess other people like it too, because I sold quite a bit of it today.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YD06_5p1JaSApBTd8STbdWuCy2JiBz4PpCliL0-Sdg6Qz5Zq9jjvnJA619-0J-juvgvwyAR87YwM3UUY-ZkmEy0a3ftkSK08NsFMtRKvG9LaRovOku24Qdw529i1QXyFxY2654zt47wS/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075373898385646162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YD06_5p1JaSApBTd8STbdWuCy2JiBz4PpCliL0-Sdg6Qz5Zq9jjvnJA619-0J-juvgvwyAR87YwM3UUY-ZkmEy0a3ftkSK08NsFMtRKvG9LaRovOku24Qdw529i1QXyFxY2654zt47wS/s400/037.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YD06_5p1JaSApBTd8STbdWuCy2JiBz4PpCliL0-Sdg6Qz5Zq9jjvnJA619-0J-juvgvwyAR87YwM3UUY-ZkmEy0a3ftkSK08NsFMtRKvG9LaRovOku24Qdw529i1QXyFxY2654zt47wS/s1600-h/037.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YD06_5p1JaSApBTd8STbdWuCy2JiBz4PpCliL0-Sdg6Qz5Zq9jjvnJA619-0J-juvgvwyAR87YwM3UUY-ZkmEy0a3ftkSK08NsFMtRKvG9LaRovOku24Qdw529i1QXyFxY2654zt47wS/s1600-h/037.JPG"></a></div><div>While I was arranging and posing for the above pics, I saw my dad holding our cat Pete and realized he looked like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. I begged him to pose with the pinky at his mouth claiming it would get me more comments. I know, shameless, but it just may work....ha ha ha (Dr.Evil laugh)</div></div></div></div></div>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-72273259474311798822007-06-02T20:10:00.000-05:002007-06-02T21:02:15.638-05:00Someone help me!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimqOvJibUmhyphenhyphenoMfSfx72SEf77jPW5S_8vyXXjIVcQ7WggPqewjk6E9j5tBhcDkw-fV0UlihzvxnkYjnoAc0t3aj36flP0SGHzSZnaJwMSQBvEfEDAbC79qTaZh1gvz9PHt6Evv8nIHWIA/s1600-h/stripey-yarn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071647806710543698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimqOvJibUmhyphenhyphenoMfSfx72SEf77jPW5S_8vyXXjIVcQ7WggPqewjk6E9j5tBhcDkw-fV0UlihzvxnkYjnoAc0t3aj36flP0SGHzSZnaJwMSQBvEfEDAbC79qTaZh1gvz9PHt6Evv8nIHWIA/s400/stripey-yarn.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TNNA</span> with the wild and crazy Mosaic crew. We miss you Sandy! Thanks for holding done the fort. It's knitters gone wild here at the Hyatt. If I hear <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=SMF2Eb0Wa_I">Shoes</a> one more time, I'm going to pierce my leg with a knitting needle. I swear I'll do it, I really will.<br />Last night we had delicious food at a steak house. I had some of the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pinot</span>. It was a 2005 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Macmurray</span>....yum. Mimi had quite a few <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cosmos</span> and Debbie had a healthy number of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Appletinnis</span>. They were highly entertaining. I have great pics soon to come.<br /><br /><br />Today at the show they had a contest to see who could get the most free samples. I think <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.skeincocaine.blogspot.com">Gina </a>won, but she also made up the rules...typical =>. I was working most of the day and didn't get around to see all of the booths, but here's where I need help....all of the companies I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">repping</span></span> for keep telling me to come by when the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">show's</span></span> over and take anything I want. Let's take a sec and think about that. Anything I want, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">umm</span></span> ya, anything I want. These people don't know me yet, because I would clean them out of house and home if I took anything I wanted.<br /><br /><br />I can't wait!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071649047956092274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yNszd_1_YT0aIvmRUXYUqEO-5XLkCPYhhM-vAWkr2l1NRSuGD6kmafv9X4PZd479vVu74p0HmZLZeclC3IXjksFVBQRa3oDtXPVKnA5lBMe28cwQ1u37VIlr7EDdq5HCDZ3sOBuPRe4W/s400/vk25.gif" border="0" /> Tonight we all went to the Vogue knitting party. We met every knitting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cele</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCKao4HtHcqh2JjTlD8-wB9UZR7I78sya1clFhx8D14SmHprHa0s6j7J0Z9SgDE8pJwVYss7X8jvZLEcO9Xx82QwQx4VZCRX2K1XYKhFJZneM5Xw81hw8aehFQE9axjBYpR5PvUaV3evq/s1600-h/bh_metallicgroup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071648463840540002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCKao4HtHcqh2JjTlD8-wB9UZR7I78sya1clFhx8D14SmHprHa0s6j7J0Z9SgDE8pJwVYss7X8jvZLEcO9Xx82QwQx4VZCRX2K1XYKhFJZneM5Xw81hw8aehFQE9axjBYpR5PvUaV3evq/s400/bh_metallicgroup.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">brity</span></span> you can think of, well almost. We met: Debbie Bliss, Cornelia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tuttle</span></span> Hamilton, Louisa Harding, Jane Ellison, Kat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Boardi</span></span>, Maggi Jackson, Nicky Epstein, Claudia, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Maie</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Eunny</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jang</span></span>, Karin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Strom</span></span>, and probably more that I can't think of right now. Many pictures soon to come.<br /><br />I have a gut feeling that something bad is about to happen. Around all of these celebrities, my dear friend Mimi did the most unglamorous thing. I'll let you all use your imaginations.<br /><br />By the way, I finished my Farmhouse Cotton Blossom Sweater. I love it and wore it today to the show.Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-35662452273992165472007-05-21T20:02:00.000-05:002007-05-21T21:46:39.621-05:00Looks so nasty in those khakisI've been knitting my little heart out and yet I don't think I'll finish my Farmhouse sweater tonight. I'm very close. All of the pieces are done, I just have to knit some trim, weave in ends, and seam it. I still don't have time though, o well. Maybe I'll finish it tomorrow night. Well I'm not really in a writing mood and heroes is on, but I wanted to put up a blog. Here are some pictures of my trip up to Mt Rogers.<br /><br />A kiss on my pack for good luck!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASgv0t-sZ1_V96mTqYrQZqYCR71xs-GboizR-KVhGYRHrT_jjkSeA59ED1rj0gXc6zgKOfa4BZYRN9S9x6jYQExhtufk3dGp70aSJjk1UyIKI9CYlKE75zQsmVXz1xpWsqBlGAQ8uVkqL/s1600-h/kisspack.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASgv0t-sZ1_V96mTqYrQZqYCR71xs-GboizR-KVhGYRHrT_jjkSeA59ED1rj0gXc6zgKOfa4BZYRN9S9x6jYQExhtufk3dGp70aSJjk1UyIKI9CYlKE75zQsmVXz1xpWsqBlGAQ8uVkqL/s400/kisspack.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067186615590253746" border="0" /></a><br />View from the tallest mountain in Virginia, pretty good eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZoAzfUMCEaSIcPrgzEF5szd0E9BKOg9u-8WGUwI3JWtxL7ePIb9dr47ZoXTEGrVVPNnET4zdfup7SWJ_ZsNsX3yXm14zY-HOHjzSC55nczOliEYLdrpf0mLXebD_DS_2JTxYHxgSV5MI/s1600-h/mountains.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZoAzfUMCEaSIcPrgzEF5szd0E9BKOg9u-8WGUwI3JWtxL7ePIb9dr47ZoXTEGrVVPNnET4zdfup7SWJ_ZsNsX3yXm14zY-HOHjzSC55nczOliEYLdrpf0mLXebD_DS_2JTxYHxgSV5MI/s400/mountains.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067188535440635138" border="0" /></a>High mountain pasture where wild horses can be found<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW2_R1GR-fjdExQ5RVeuvveYKX1dN4ulFO_XGXFLHBvupj1o2CvL4NdN9y2aEMaw6bFfO9CWkg4Aqb0_t_arZGAaom0QG65ot4U9EEd0Yr-CVcK1E4Ph4F2ht9xspyTsYy3Fw-w8iSLIC/s1600-h/meadow.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW2_R1GR-fjdExQ5RVeuvveYKX1dN4ulFO_XGXFLHBvupj1o2CvL4NdN9y2aEMaw6bFfO9CWkg4Aqb0_t_arZGAaom0QG65ot4U9EEd0Yr-CVcK1E4Ph4F2ht9xspyTsYy3Fw-w8iSLIC/s400/meadow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067187942735148274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love my tent!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pz_0PLFiAM6UzTIHv4G27AFtWsxxIYMKcE078NG4EZUj92ACuqtPm_br0YiZC4br4jhjsNlpgZkbjF5BhpJvDYRD-UlPlrJsmU-X-dqzk_8ND4i7QydUIIy32un88yJeyP7L-dqd_bxP/s1600-h/tent.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pz_0PLFiAM6UzTIHv4G27AFtWsxxIYMKcE078NG4EZUj92ACuqtPm_br0YiZC4br4jhjsNlpgZkbjF5BhpJvDYRD-UlPlrJsmU-X-dqzk_8ND4i7QydUIIy32un88yJeyP7L-dqd_bxP/s400/tent.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067189347189454130" border="0" /></a>Ok, so I do get a little bored hiking by myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurdnB1AXfzntjfg4M8BoTkzf_0dMcFm8bIF9u06_PSz3TOnd3x7x0zzDvlXXsLvG5HEVWy96fYyZ8QyBZU8YOHLhCA3EYP5Gmqj2umqA-M8pHvZKm7T48ObzXrnPCHs4RQTwMOW-ZsGKA/s1600-h/scary.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurdnB1AXfzntjfg4M8BoTkzf_0dMcFm8bIF9u06_PSz3TOnd3x7x0zzDvlXXsLvG5HEVWy96fYyZ8QyBZU8YOHLhCA3EYP5Gmqj2umqA-M8pHvZKm7T48ObzXrnPCHs4RQTwMOW-ZsGKA/s400/scary.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067189179685729570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The wonderful hail that I hiked in. It was actually kind of cool.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpfzKaiFW1LC8WTUHiiZc-Zd9mA9CUbqZICw_y-ybIYXaXCAEdperoPW2mt5uWfvNKqbSNG6ELJ9B77s9pSGTbdowML42vFMZQiWANrlVEYW7rXXfcPcr2S2Y70pevhyphenhyphenD8I9Q-qv5DQie/s1600-h/hail.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpfzKaiFW1LC8WTUHiiZc-Zd9mA9CUbqZICw_y-ybIYXaXCAEdperoPW2mt5uWfvNKqbSNG6ELJ9B77s9pSGTbdowML42vFMZQiWANrlVEYW7rXXfcPcr2S2Y70pevhyphenhyphenD8I9Q-qv5DQie/s400/hail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067187384389399778" border="0" /></a>Here are the boys I met from tech when I was up on the mountain.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw14H5ooX6xuJuIACmFwl8HCkeWlbQho1yFPlpSc_dLD1t4gp0fDj5c6AhAUyQ-ZMDoZM4zdqpG9t1sRNTIWkdp7sABiNf-5-aHRMpt_sdwQIlq2IyBNYyRvt1XDEiiFtJee6sNIkQ2eH/s1600-h/boys.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw14H5ooX6xuJuIACmFwl8HCkeWlbQho1yFPlpSc_dLD1t4gp0fDj5c6AhAUyQ-ZMDoZM4zdqpG9t1sRNTIWkdp7sABiNf-5-aHRMpt_sdwQIlq2IyBNYyRvt1XDEiiFtJee6sNIkQ2eH/s400/boys.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067187199705806034" border="0" /></a>O ya, I'm a badass.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVzBipbCWDHFJyynGeRWExegVYazTjht74sX3EYXc5Qe7lsgdt72XqJoiGu8ULHVYIlmu3PIOVOE3s6o0KRj4hYuoflavUK12H8Lb_2Q_h1dah_5XNekxBjn670mUOIHpuWFBXzZe7Bme/s1600-h/badass.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVzBipbCWDHFJyynGeRWExegVYazTjht74sX3EYXc5Qe7lsgdt72XqJoiGu8ULHVYIlmu3PIOVOE3s6o0KRj4hYuoflavUK12H8Lb_2Q_h1dah_5XNekxBjn670mUOIHpuWFBXzZe7Bme/s400/badass.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067186757324174530" border="0" /></a>Not a great pic, but it was so beautiful there. In fact, I stopped right there and cooked eggs for lunch. And may I say dehydrated eggs have a bum rap, they were delicious.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiwJVwLhW2BL3nr4QmU4Z6jmkmym-ePrsNvT0Ri4g8FqW2-7Uo_SqWv5CLVVzP5TqV3R16_R1oVPKj2dO7pcXmehNICJZAF4BPYqGSFdSOL4tp45k53Iw8LLZOB_0gm_ld2g3GMiQ6oiW/s1600-h/waterfall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiwJVwLhW2BL3nr4QmU4Z6jmkmym-ePrsNvT0Ri4g8FqW2-7Uo_SqWv5CLVVzP5TqV3R16_R1oVPKj2dO7pcXmehNICJZAF4BPYqGSFdSOL4tp45k53Iw8LLZOB_0gm_ld2g3GMiQ6oiW/s400/waterfall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067189823930824002" border="0" /></a>And lastly, here's a totally different hike. It's my sister, Kate, and Annie hiking up to the Cascades.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVaPMGRkdnNdrz6ednQ1lfGqMjFUrbBFZOB99EwoSuSBVE9cRT4axyoFfAAWRQUAJViTn7UxlXkCZfbyDCJ9DFrpeKAmJBDWzMdnnEsH4fEnsJ3tUQNDI4qTMtHV4RbA93S81OqjyBqDx/s1600-h/pupcascades.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVaPMGRkdnNdrz6ednQ1lfGqMjFUrbBFZOB99EwoSuSBVE9cRT4axyoFfAAWRQUAJViTn7UxlXkCZfbyDCJ9DFrpeKAmJBDWzMdnnEsH4fEnsJ3tUQNDI4qTMtHV4RbA93S81OqjyBqDx/s400/pupcascades.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067188844678280466" border="0" /></a>I LOVE HEROES!Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-46006854086565062502007-05-16T20:19:00.000-05:002007-05-18T10:06:12.145-05:00I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcqUnz2pmzcrnjNZbufXs1KtYC8xPb2Vv_Q0e1D0dBmToCWMTycWiHkSo5UAWZzBOK4Ow128dOI3nvnPmmCKnwECxk7OvQ6TRmjFWiE5bnGTuAXHlTl6jb_Yq0l0GTix22-8yHaPB3g3R/s1600-h/summertimetunic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065340346588656738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcqUnz2pmzcrnjNZbufXs1KtYC8xPb2Vv_Q0e1D0dBmToCWMTycWiHkSo5UAWZzBOK4Ow128dOI3nvnPmmCKnwECxk7OvQ6TRmjFWiE5bnGTuAXHlTl6jb_Yq0l0GTix22-8yHaPB3g3R/s400/summertimetunic.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm in love with the summer interweave knits! I like almost all of the patterns, but there are a few that I adore! I love the summertime tunic. I like how simple it is. I've been working so hard to advance my knitting skills that I really like the idea of an easy knit that I can enjoy, but it's still chic.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iD90QRvW0htV3Yd7F9B7mhax_fTZGX3SAxjHNnheHH2zJHcBKUps4EXQgOvrkeiHpdC7bJYd3aI3YMxExZ9XjOoZsm7AkFmQSVkIjKePxCbHCzc-4kEJV6jGuXtNt2aBaiIXcimZrIbi/s1600-h/oragamicardi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065342356633351282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iD90QRvW0htV3Yd7F9B7mhax_fTZGX3SAxjHNnheHH2zJHcBKUps4EXQgOvrkeiHpdC7bJYd3aI3YMxExZ9XjOoZsm7AkFmQSVkIjKePxCbHCzc-4kEJV6jGuXtNt2aBaiIXcimZrIbi/s400/oragamicardi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Next is my favorite pattern writer Norah Gaughan. I don't think I've ever seen a pattern of hers that I didn't like. I love the cut on the sweater, I love bell sleeves and of course seed stitch. I can't wait to knit it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-I-JGldEx8JUaa7e3gLrEYvh8HCpgpnOFyl0rji9dY0u2bPGHkJwXwcRV_e1Vwt2Y50fl0vmJj85f-feN6QTyoLjYW9lXqN3_RfkhDJpePgTWkaE2w5n2Ic9besaciEwKn9MC7Uum7xv/s1600-h/syncopatedcaps.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065342799014982786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-I-JGldEx8JUaa7e3gLrEYvh8HCpgpnOFyl0rji9dY0u2bPGHkJwXwcRV_e1Vwt2Y50fl0vmJj85f-feN6QTyoLjYW9lXqN3_RfkhDJpePgTWkaE2w5n2Ic9besaciEwKn9MC7Uum7xv/s400/syncopatedcaps.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the more difficult patterns in the issue the syncopated caps are beautiful. Ooh, fair isle how I love you so.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22HyVn6-p_Ae-SEV7YTEOXH1FA87Gv04P_cC2Pkd7bNAMg2cb2PTmTGPHL5Izd1E-4fnIXXda8BYNr8-AFOjvLXt9Ivlf7N69oWsGziHFn1JTMsvIrXfpjbMD6STVG5Vb9Eu0mLWC-yu6/s1600-h/motorcyclegloves.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065342975108641938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22HyVn6-p_Ae-SEV7YTEOXH1FA87Gv04P_cC2Pkd7bNAMg2cb2PTmTGPHL5Izd1E-4fnIXXda8BYNr8-AFOjvLXt9Ivlf7N69oWsGziHFn1JTMsvIrXfpjbMD6STVG5Vb9Eu0mLWC-yu6/s400/motorcyclegloves.jpg" border="0" /></a>And of course the motorcycle gloves are one of my favorites. I mean come on combining motorcycling and knitting, shear genius. I am totally going to knit these.<br />I'm also in love with <a href="http://www.vtorganicfiber.com/">O-wool</a>. It's produced by Vermont Organic Fiber Co. Every yarn they make is organic, which I of course love. The pic below is of Balance an organic wool/ cotton blend. I see a balance fair isle sweater in my future.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065914897248744610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWR-hd693LRO6sdZiJTJVD6_rO2rJg_FMGVhorn1f471kWlr3IUEQUtSfuTe2cfYQXBcuQH6FHUHO9ZzTSPtlV23RxfwYFca8BDZ8UiBLLLqIe3rLL5PhCaI0E9UQMtt_8GNGLf5kbYk7/s400/BalanceTwist(LRes).jpg" border="0" /></div><br />Lastly, I heard that my favorite musical, Spring Awakening, was nominated for 11 Tony's! It's so good- run to Broadway and beg for tickets. It's definately a must- see musical.Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-12673677394518138162007-05-09T17:17:00.000-05:002007-05-09T17:54:00.328-05:00They call me Baby Field GreensRecently I have fallen victim to the dark side. This is my cry for help! I have enrolled in the Knitting Mafia of Blacksburg. I'd say we have about 7 members right now. We have taken hokie colored yarn and using our knowledge of guerilla war tactics, hidden skeins all over Blacksburg! Ha, ha, ha! Ok, so we're not very vicious, but you feel pretty naughty doing it, which is why it's o so fun. We should all come up with knitting gang names...what's yours?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9og_hfIqDdkUbBgpdJxk_P6QGP7GAHUhdKYll79rcQ7cKuP3Man39gFZxAuITq0nh3Aeo4t2K_kTCQw_PWfAWFw0HurgnSbBhBYxKndaOovlbM-ZYAUR7pF5KB8uEBef33ynS6MdDMvlI/s1600-h/cascades_fam.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9og_hfIqDdkUbBgpdJxk_P6QGP7GAHUhdKYll79rcQ7cKuP3Man39gFZxAuITq0nh3Aeo4t2K_kTCQw_PWfAWFw0HurgnSbBhBYxKndaOovlbM-ZYAUR7pF5KB8uEBef33ynS6MdDMvlI/s400/cascades_fam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062693685566824930" border="0" /></a>Mine is Baby Field Greens, it's really my motorcycle gang name though. I belong to a motorcycle gang, umm ok so it's really just my family and we call it a gang, but we look seriously badass in our matching tees and chaps. The pic above is of the rest of the gang, there names from left to right are : Black Mamba, Seitan's Angel, and Scampy. Annie, the dog, does not have a name or tee yet, because she refuses to get in the side car. Black Mamba has suggested sedation to get her in the sidecar, I'm not sure that's a great idea. I think it would still be hard to get her in, afterall she does weigh 150 pounds. I bet we could get Purl in, what do you think Gina?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3BF1Rz_XZJca0Kelt30Zlah64zud4VMSXCJ5bG8HGxKTNqiQGKJce1fm4wu7KQGmUrWhW2HK4AYnSZGCpyw-27svpuU3HlW1vFqE2qU49P0QStL5EgsDUbXc450Jl04faPA4VHDEAWa_/s1600-h/jungle_randr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3BF1Rz_XZJca0Kelt30Zlah64zud4VMSXCJ5bG8HGxKTNqiQGKJce1fm4wu7KQGmUrWhW2HK4AYnSZGCpyw-27svpuU3HlW1vFqE2qU49P0QStL5EgsDUbXc450Jl04faPA4VHDEAWa_/s400/jungle_randr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062696438640861682" border="0" /></a>In other news, I have been puppy sitting purl. It was loads of fun. I took her to lacrosse, we went to the park where we both met boys (thank you Purl), and we stayed up late and drooled while we watched Bear climb mountains. Well, I was drooling at Bear and she was drooling at the fudgesicle I was eating, but it was a deep bonding experience nonetheless.<br />I have been good though and I am projecting to finish my Farmhouse sweater this weekend. I can't wait to finish it! By the way, I saw on IMDB that the completion date for the Friday Night Knitting Club movie is in June 2008. Does that mean that they are definitely going to make it, anyone know?Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-23397219662977667552007-05-04T19:52:00.000-05:002007-05-04T20:15:58.019-05:00Autographs anyone?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13VDz4ert4cp56JOlwTMpL08QUAHPEGxoK0SOInkaIT4OK6G5vtIXpeMzw6wxFbTnueiTIkgxSDsiCUynWIHoYqftAH_HGIDO0KgU67VW5P2H_uWzeg3O5hQYeeJ_6Kb2uqEjIuTdzrEI/s1600-h/nytimes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13VDz4ert4cp56JOlwTMpL08QUAHPEGxoK0SOInkaIT4OK6G5vtIXpeMzw6wxFbTnueiTIkgxSDsiCUynWIHoYqftAH_HGIDO0KgU67VW5P2H_uWzeg3O5hQYeeJ_6Kb2uqEjIuTdzrEI/s400/nytimes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060875278018077138" border="0" /></a><br />That's right. I was in the New York Times. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, so maybe my name isn't in the paper and maybe I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">out shined</span> by the fabulous Gina,Mimi, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lawre</span> but the side of my head looks damn good! My knitting prowess is in fine form too.<br />The square I'm knitting in the photo is an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">intarsia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">masterpiece</span>. It's a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Canadian</span> maple leaf for my French professor Mme. Couture- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Nowak</span>. I'm currently working on a square with a lacrosse stick and ball for Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Granata</span>, a fellow lacrosse coach. Hopefully, I can get started in the next couple of days on a square for Stack who I marched with in the Marching Virginians. I'm thinking of doing a band hat with a plume.<br />If your one of the two knitters left on the planet who have not heard about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hokie</span> Healing, here's the deal: squares must be 8 inches by 8 inches (so it's a good idea to make them a bit smaller and block them out to size), they must be maroon, orange, white, or black (absolutely any shade of orange and maroon, that's right any shade!), any stitch can be used so go wild or not whatever you want, send them to <a href="http://www.mosaicyarnshop.blogspot.com">Mosaic</a> by the end of May. So many people are worried about the shade of color, but what they don't realize is that the beauty in these blankets (at least to me) is that they are all a bit different. The idea is that people are uniting from all over the US to make a sort of memorial to those we lost, so be unique and do something different. Thanks to everyone for helping!<br />Sorry that I've been MIA for so long, just trying to get myself together and regroup. Those of you that don't know I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks. I have thrown my Biology degree out the window (well maybe I'm just locking it in the closet for a rainy day) and am going to venture in to the all too enticing world of yarn. Ha ha ha. I'm a yarn rep! I've spent the last couple of weeks feverishly knitting samples. I've already discovered that it doesn't really matter what your work is or how awesome it is, you still want to be doing something else. For know I'm spending a lot of time knitting samples and longingly staring at a lace shawl, 2 new pairs of socks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">qiviut</span> scarf, and so many other projects that I should not be doing now! I love the yarn and projects that I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">repping</span> for I just have knitting ADD, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ahh</span> don't we all....focus, Loren, focusLorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-75818106515458882802007-04-16T14:08:00.000-05:002007-04-16T14:23:32.915-05:00I'm fineI'm sure you've all heard about the shooting on the Virginia Tech campus. I'm fine. My senioritis finally paid off. The beginning of the semester I was planning on taking a class in Norris, but it seemed like too much work for a pointless class so I dropped it. I also wasn't on campus today either, so I'm fine. I'm going to sit in my apartment and knit.....Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-40834501938429804512007-04-13T19:29:00.000-05:002007-04-13T20:52:20.991-05:00Home, home on the RangeOur starting point for the hike was the Heart of Appalachia Information Center. We needed directions there and we were on the phone with our mom trying to get there. She couldn't find it on Google or Mapquest and we got a bit frustrated with her. We like, come on it's an information center...Did you search for an information center? Likewise she was frustrated with us. We finally found it and when we got there it was all too clear. I'm shocked that this bustling info center, or should I say a shack with a couple brochures, was not on Google. Sorry Mom!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHCHu-wADBFAGNHgZQ34onDFBZLAndZbS_vg9OS4_CcO5jUm9ZlPtfmrDlWpHnzceK3A9fZGjMbV-aacxbDRdKZGkvW_ej4GlA8-YvcTpmIKFThXtrQlq0iqLoV-c1e1YkhzfbtUxlk1d/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHCHu-wADBFAGNHgZQ34onDFBZLAndZbS_vg9OS4_CcO5jUm9ZlPtfmrDlWpHnzceK3A9fZGjMbV-aacxbDRdKZGkvW_ej4GlA8-YvcTpmIKFThXtrQlq0iqLoV-c1e1YkhzfbtUxlk1d/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053087065996787906" border="0" /></a><br />This was by far the hardest hike that I have ever done. You would hike this massive, steep hill (mind you with about 35 pounds strapped to your back) and you'd feel great that you made it up. Then you'd walk 5 steps and descend down a massive, steep hill. Repeat this process ten or so times a day and that's Pine Mountain Trail! I got to the point that the uphills weren't that bad, but the down hills felt like my toenails were being torn off my feet. My sister just kept saying where's the flat part. (She used to nice flat Delaware) I kept telling here that it's called Pine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mountain</span> Trail for a reason. It wasn't well marked either which was really frustrating.<br />We did have a great time though! Despite the difficulty of the trail there was lots of frolicking and singing on the trail. My favorite was story of the trip happened on the first day. We sat to eat a delicious lunch of cheese <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sandwiches</span>... ooh <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwq6vKrPjqaqMY8-g0-ELgQ8RzauCY5muIjjv55Gb4BFgD567HB7G2N2njWYD_D6VOd9dGyuePomW8aLlxWpEY52IyC-y_QN8sRmTgRFhkMqkvPRzv2oVRIuo3iVp7SJhd6ChvLjR7Myl/s1600-h/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwq6vKrPjqaqMY8-g0-ELgQ8RzauCY5muIjjv55Gb4BFgD567HB7G2N2njWYD_D6VOd9dGyuePomW8aLlxWpEY52IyC-y_QN8sRmTgRFhkMqkvPRzv2oVRIuo3iVp7SJhd6ChvLjR7Myl/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053094195642499282" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ahh</span> how exciting...when I noticed that my sister had brilliantly packed 8 slices of bread for 4 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lunches</span> for 2 girls. She forgot that a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sandwich</span> takes 2 slices of bread...I guess. We were two days short on lunch. Fear not, we most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">definitely</span> did not starve. On the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">contrary</span>, we had loads of food. Weeks before we left I started dehydrating like a champ. We packed ingredients for french toast, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">southwestern</span> omelets, hot cereal, spaghetti with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">italian</span> biscuits, minestrone soup, mashed potatoes, hash browns, lentil-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bulgur</span> chili, and loads of snacks (including of course chocolate, dried pineapple and the obligatory Cliff bars). In fact, it's entirely possible that we gained weight, well maybe not.<br /><br /><br />The first night in the tent, it was windy and there was an animal crawling around our tent. Now, bears don't scare me when I'm hiking, but when you are in a tent and can't see what's around you that's a different story. We found out the next day that there was a dog around the campsite, at night it sounded a lot bigger! To lighten the mood I got out my Ocarina that I bought in Alaska. It's basically a small clay flute. I played Home, home on the range, somewhere over the rainbow, and jingle bells while Kate sang along (I'm surprised her singing didn't scare off that dog roaming around). By the way, sing to yourselves home, home on the range and see if you can pick out what's wrong about this song, the biologists in Kate and I couldn't help but notice.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0-CTRt-6glRi5dn4gJcGgYl5OElJ5toVWlaquLqGBLrWcv6SXi8v00Eu8fZdOzgymcEKKSdpy9gqeX4kI8txn2BWez0hDgxElP2JWO-0F_PQdmy-VoCT6nopOztioHxAm6umtxCPdPEU/s1600-h/DSC_0042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0-CTRt-6glRi5dn4gJcGgYl5OElJ5toVWlaquLqGBLrWcv6SXi8v00Eu8fZdOzgymcEKKSdpy9gqeX4kI8txn2BWez0hDgxElP2JWO-0F_PQdmy-VoCT6nopOztioHxAm6umtxCPdPEU/s400/DSC_0042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053094882837266658" border="0" /></a><br />The worst thing that happened was forgetting my knitting! Ugh, I can't believe I forgot it! Also, Kate got blisters the size of a silver dollar piece on her heel. It was really gross! We made it off the mountain though and had fun doing it, which felt great!<br /><br />Happy Friday the 13th!Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-2517733137035612272007-04-09T19:01:00.000-05:002007-04-09T19:28:18.581-05:00Back to Blogland!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jppns9xx4-p7NtHV9TJ9dkvTgWWzshBH2IOnvAn63Jsx1gbcsQMsK6kUTx4NLgQlmlmF0cIN-zg1kS4U5VVEppzrDMhb27Fafg3o24nsxaKl3YToRXc7_8wt2uR87ATsdEn9tspWx-51/s1600-h/cascades.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jppns9xx4-p7NtHV9TJ9dkvTgWWzshBH2IOnvAn63Jsx1gbcsQMsK6kUTx4NLgQlmlmF0cIN-zg1kS4U5VVEppzrDMhb27Fafg3o24nsxaKl3YToRXc7_8wt2uR87ATsdEn9tspWx-51/s320/cascades.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051584419694327026" border="0" /></a><br />My apologies for not blogging sooner. I have been waiting for my sister to e-mail me pics from our trip, which she has yet to do. However, I felt an obligation (and recieved a few death threats => ) to continue blogging, so I'm back! Before Kate and I left for our big trip, we went to the Cascades. I'm that orange dot next to the massive waterfall! It was gorgeous and the most instantly gratifying hike that I've ever been on. I had to walk across the stream for this photo op and I'm not sure my feet have ever been so cold. I can't believe the water was still moving. Then, of course, I fell coming back across and got wet from head to toe. I am such a klutz, it's amazing my fingers are coordinated enough to do garter stitch.<br /><br />On another topic...Happy Easter! I couldn't get back home, which my family was not too happy about. Since I wasn't home, I made alternate plans on Sunday. I rented the third season of Six Feet Under, made a pizza and a brownie sundae, and that is all I did all day. It was wonderful!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxm1rvL6ncNWO6aQGjOY96Q04t1B_h6hTdDbcAJSz8xbAZSmbiA5E19taOLMZonbxnBDV5Wpa-ElAnImT8RCj3W1FPMKxWiXokR349l8sByXCVfrHXtCx1dIGahn32N6DZm_8bLwVyg7k/s1600-h/ruffld_surp_B2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxm1rvL6ncNWO6aQGjOY96Q04t1B_h6hTdDbcAJSz8xbAZSmbiA5E19taOLMZonbxnBDV5Wpa-ElAnImT8RCj3W1FPMKxWiXokR349l8sByXCVfrHXtCx1dIGahn32N6DZm_8bLwVyg7k/s320/ruffld_surp_B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051587546430518530" border="0" /></a><br />I also knit all day. I've been working on the wrap sweater that was on the cover of interweave knits. I'm not sure about the sleeves, but I love wrap sweaters. The stitch is nice too, great texture. I'm using Farmhouse Cotton Blossom in Dusty Rose, which I adore. I normally hate cotton, I don't like how flat the color looks when it's dyed. The Farmhouse is a cotton, nylon blend and the nylon gives the yarn a sheen that I love. I'll put pictures up soon!Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-55049398888378113052007-03-24T21:56:00.000-05:002007-03-24T22:20:09.161-05:00Kate's Here!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUebkohTUFgYwXS_5yO4ZORxazj5UldXZaGju-wK3AmiF2-_KhALiMDhj3Z1LvW0gnOJkfPi6HK_e5lFP8b2Q73yKb4d4JE_BHDJpSh5Zw6Cuo5KEDg6pGc_2dRq231LHrXkE_wm7DGgyW/s1600-h/Jenkins+KY+under+the+AM+fog+cover.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUebkohTUFgYwXS_5yO4ZORxazj5UldXZaGju-wK3AmiF2-_KhALiMDhj3Z1LvW0gnOJkfPi6HK_e5lFP8b2Q73yKb4d4JE_BHDJpSh5Zw6Cuo5KEDg6pGc_2dRq231LHrXkE_wm7DGgyW/s320/Jenkins+KY+under+the+AM+fog+cover.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045693533919124114" border="0" /></a>My sister's here this week for her Spring break. Next weekend we're going to hike <a href="http://www.pinemountaintrail.com/">Pine Mountain Trail</a>. I'm so excited to get back outside! Just me, kate, and bears (eek). I started out as usual packing for the trip. Initially, only the basics, there were no frills going into my pack. (Note I said initially) I talked with my mom one day and she just couldn't help but to ask if I were packing any yarn. "No, absolutely not" I replied "this is a hiking trip, not a knitting expedition". There were a few moments of silence and then a slow and careful "Do you think you can go four days without knitting? I mean not even a sock?". "Of course I can go four days without knitting" I quickly answered. Then it sank in. All I could think about was four days, hmmm, that's 96 hours without knitting. What could I finish in that time? Loads of Lizard Ridge squares, a couple pairs of socks, scarves, lace....ahh how could I commit to something when I can't knit for days on end. I mean I guess I could grab some sticks and sharpen them, maybe knit with some grass or tree bark, not exactly ideal. After all of this ran through my head, "Well socks don't really count and they don't weigh much either". Yup I cracked, thus a pair of trekking socks will be thrown into my pack. I'll be sure to get pics of me on a mountian summit knitting a pair of socks. Oh come on, that sounds awesome!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzeIQo3kTmTHV2Mo5dGU9T_-w6diqCrM8WFrCrmGEA8fLgCg_U9bUUqOd_mya4Zmt1iG9PM88wWsV1fvrOwHz6lCYPyVDZ4W4_FfkQVJhRCOuFDYyzTyOG5_9HU0gAGkdwEgduDSgqy32/s1600-h/PICT0239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzeIQo3kTmTHV2Mo5dGU9T_-w6diqCrM8WFrCrmGEA8fLgCg_U9bUUqOd_mya4Zmt1iG9PM88wWsV1fvrOwHz6lCYPyVDZ4W4_FfkQVJhRCOuFDYyzTyOG5_9HU0gAGkdwEgduDSgqy32/s320/PICT0239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045696132374338210" border="0" /></a>On a completely different note, I just saw <a href="http://www.littlechildrenmovie.com/">Little Children</a> at the <a href="http://www.thelyrictheater.com/">Lyric</a> and I highly recommend seeing it; great acting, interesting plot, good movie. Gather up some friends, go to the movie, proceed to the nearest coffee shop (knitting in tow), and have some great conversation.Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-79068075066399757752007-03-17T19:33:00.001-05:002007-03-17T19:34:09.940-05:00BYOBFirst of all, Happy St Patty's day to all! I completely forgot to wear green today... o well. I haven't really posted in a while, because I have been working on formatting of the blog. Now if you want to see what I am knitting, the percent bars tell you how far I am and you can click on the project to get more info including: pics, where the pattern is from, what yarn I'm using, and any other useful tidbits of information.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lov1l6sQPg4/RfyA9nGGY0I/AAAAAAAAASI/rRco5PQ10bc/s1600-h/muskox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lov1l6sQPg4/RfyA9nGGY0I/AAAAAAAAASI/rRco5PQ10bc/s320/muskox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043047478703055682" border="0" /></a>The knitting love of my life right now is definitely my <a href="http://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.htmlhttp://surlypurler.blogspot.com/2007/03/qiviut-lace-scarf.html">lace qiviut scarf</a>. It's so deliciously light and airy. I adore the feel of it and the pattern is really nice too. For those of you who have no idea what qiviut is I'll give you a brief education... Qiviut (kiv-ee-ute) is from the down of a muskox and actually that's what qiviut literally means- down. It's an amazing fiber. It's eight times warming than wool, has a smaller micron count than cashmere (so it's softer once it's blocked and handled a bit), very strong, and is the lightest weight natural fiber known to man. It's very rare as well and also expensi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lov1l6sQPg4/RfyDTnGGY1I/AAAAAAAAASQ/9NHR2vC5x8c/s1600-h/ooming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lov1l6sQPg4/RfyDTnGGY1I/AAAAAAAAASQ/9NHR2vC5x8c/s400/ooming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043050055683433298" border="0" /></a>ve! I can't remember how I initially heard of qiviut, but when I found out I was going to Alaska last summer I was determined to find and buy some.<br />I visited the <a href="http://www.qiviut.com/">Oomingmak Co-op</a>, but they don't sell the yarn only premade garments. They are gorgeous though and each pattern they use is specific to a tribe of Native Americans in Alaska. My search continued and finally in Fairbanks, I found some Windy Valley Muskox. It is fabulous!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lov1l6sQPg4/RfyGN3GGY2I/AAAAAAAAASY/biDXq4j0-9k/s1600-h/bag.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lov1l6sQPg4/RfyGN3GGY2I/AAAAAAAAASY/biDXq4j0-9k/s320/bag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043053255434068834" border="0" /></a>On a non-knitting note: I already loved Ikea, now I am sure that we are sole mates! They have started a new campaign called BYOB- bring your own bags. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/">Ikea</a> is going to charge customers five cents for every throw away plastic bag that they use and then the proceeds will be donated to American Forests. Why are they doing this here's why: <span class="body"><b><br /></b>The amount of plastic shopping bags that we all use once and toss is overwhelming.<br />- The average family of 4 accumulates 1460 plastic shopping bags a year<br />- 100 billion are given away each year in the US<br />- Plus it can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to break down in the environment.<br />I love the idea of this campaign! But let's all take it a step further. Knitters Unite! Let's knit our own bags and challenge ourselves and family members to use recyclable bags. Check out my hemp for knitting bag or the tote made from recyclable bags. It's great for the environment and it's instant gratificaition. I always use reusable bags and I generally get compliments from people in the grocery store, plus I feel like I'm saving the environment every time I buy groceries. That's one more reason to buy food, hooray!</span>Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-70373409670039175282007-03-17T19:28:00.000-05:002007-03-17T19:30:39.138-05:00Recycled plastic bag toteGot tons of old plastic bags under the sink? Me too. Shred them and make a fun tote that you can reuse at the grocery or for an interesting purse. It's fun to save the colorful bags (like the ones from Gap) to add interesting stripes.Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-18151391060745108192007-03-17T19:24:00.000-05:002007-03-17T19:28:24.791-05:00Hemp for Knitting BagThis is a wonderful reuseable grocery bag. I am using three colors of Hemp for Knitting that I purchased in Maryland a while back. It will be great at the farmer's market, but just as practical everyday in the grocery. It's pretty compact when not full, but expands to an amazing size when filled. I love the feel of it of the hemp for knitting, super durable and still soft to touch. Here's an idea, try using Euroflax...just in at <a href="http://www.mosaicyarnshop.blogspot.com">Mosaic</a>!Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777972269943094669.post-61258228167570821692007-03-17T18:40:00.000-05:002007-03-17T18:43:25.030-05:00Chaco Trekking SocksThese are basically a sock that you can wear with a thong sandal. The idea behind these was to create a sock that I could wear with my Chaco's which have a toe loop. I love to wear them, but it's too cold in the morning and at night to wear them without socks, thus I created the Chaco Sock. I made up the pattern myself and I used Trekking, because it's a nice sturdy wool and I will put a lot of wear and tear on these socks.Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792547698351188108noreply@blogger.com0