Sock Madness Wrap Up

The last time I talked about Sock Madness I had just finished the second round. The finale has come and gone but the fun memories remain.

I have to say I was very pleased with all of the patterns this year. In years past there have always been a few rounds that did not "float my boat", but this year the socks just got better and better.

Here are the rest of the pairs in all their glory!

Round 3: Talia's Wings

Round 4: Lucky Diamonds

Round 5: Dimpled Diamonds (The round I got knocked out!)


Round 6: Fire on the Mountain
I love the way this pattern is knitting up! I am on the heels of both pairs now. However, they are on hold while I finish up a couple of other things.

And finally...
Round 7: See You Later!

What? No picture? That is because I have not started them yet. But soon my pretties, very soon. Right after round 6 gets finished. This is by far my favorite pattern of the lot. And I have a special yarn all picked out for it. I can't wait!

And that's it for Sock Madness 3. Time will tell if I join up next year..new mods., new baby, and goodness knows what else may put my competitive knitting on the back burner.

And guess what? I have even more FO's to share. Not to mention what's in the works.

The consequences of swallowing Watermelon seeds..

At least, that is what I was told when I asked about pregnant bellies. "Oh that lady sweetie? She swallowed black watermelon seeds and now she has a watermelon growing inside of her."

I don' think there was a child more afraid to swallow a black watermelon seed then me. I always wondered....how did they get it out?

Whatever happened to those shawls I promised?

Yeah, I don't really know what happened either...


Without further ado:

Vernal Equinox Shawl
I knit this shawl as part of a KAL on Ravelry..it was a lot of fun!
Stats:
Started Jan. 2009 Finished April 14, 2009
Yarn: Baruffa Cashwool
Needles: size 2
Thoughts: I love it! I think it is absolutely breathtaking (if I do say so myself).
I gifted this shawl to one of AJ's aunts as a thank you for all the baby stuff she has given us.


Mystic Ice
Yet another shawl in the Mystic series..what can I say? I am addicted to these patterns!

(I know this next pic is sideways..I still need to figure out how to flip it with the new camera/software)

Stats:

Started November 2008 Finished April 16 2009

Yarn: Yarntopia Treasures 10/2 Tencel yarn in "Sharks Tale"

Needles: size 1 (I think)

Thoughts: Although I do really like the shawl, it is not my favorite. All my favorites from this series still need to be finished (some are barely started!!!!).

I can't complain about the cost of the yarn, and it truly is beautiful..I am just not thrilled with the striping...oh well, that's a handpaint for ya. Also, the tencel is a little wierd to work with...it felt a bit like string.
With all that though, I did buy more of this yarn in 2 different colorways.

I may not have been blogging..but I have been knitting!!! Hopefully I will catch up soon with the blogging!

So much to show, but not much to say..

I gotta be honest, I have not felt so much like blogging lately. Of course, this is at the same time I promised myself I would start posting more often.
But I have been doing a lot of knitting, and believe it or not, I have finished a few things! (However that pile of knits I showed a while back that just need some finishing work? Yeah, still sitting there).
But anyway, I have a few more socks to show off and then I think I will be caught up on the sock FO's..for now anyway.

So here we go:

1) January Mystery Socks for the Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry

Yeah, these have been done for a long time, just never got around to blogging about them.

2)Tokena...round 2 of Sock Madness And now I am on to round 3, woohoo! These were a lot of fun. My first (successful) color work socks. These will always be special to me because when I was on the home stretch and ready to toss them aside for the night (the pattern was making me cross-eyed), I felt the wee one move for the first time, and then many times after that. Needless to say, I finished the socks that night. First, because I wanted something material to always remind me of the moment, and Second, because I was getting such a thrill feeling her nudges there was no way I was going to bed any time soon!

3) Salida for the Sock Knitters Pentathlon International

Not sure if I will keep going with this KAL/competition..I just loved the pattern. The next one is entrelac, I am debating knitting it. We shall see.

4)Eleanor

These were knit again for Sock Knitters Anonymous. The Feb. KAL I believe. I like these a lot. It was my first experience knitting with Koigu. Not sure if I understand what all the fuss is about, but I did like it.

OK, well that is it for now. I have a few shawls finished up and ready to show off as well. But I think I will save those for more blog fodder later.

Have a great weekend!

A Little Good News Today

I love this story, and I love her!




(Click on the picture to see the video)

oh yeah...by the way...

Two weeks ago at our Doctor's appointment we found out we are having a GIRL!

And isn't that just the neatest ultra-sound picture you have ever seen? We also have a DVD we record all the ultra-sounds on. Pretty darn cool.

We are 22 weeks and counting tomorrow, (HOLY CRAP!!! that is more then half-way!). I already think she is just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen (and here I promised myself I wouldn't be one of "those" mothers, lol).

And daddy, yeah he is already wrapped around her tiny little pinky. And here I was concerned he would be disappointed if we had a girl. Nope, not at all. Although he does think he is going to raise a little tomboy who loves football, NASCAR, plays softball and wants nothing to do with boys until she is forty. Although, he says Barbies are OK. lol.

I can't wait 'til I catch him playing "dress up tea party" with her. I know it's going to happen, and I will be darned sure I am armed with a camera.

And crazy enough, we are about 95% sure on a name. I mentioned my two favorites, and he loved them both. So unless something else really floors us, or unless our little miss has different plans for her name (it happens, I picked mine). We are thinking of Lillian Makenna Martin, it just seems to fit somehow.

Good Karma

About two weeks ago I received a lovely little package from Kim, my SP13 spoilee (spoiley?). What a sweetheart she is.
Her package contains the first things we have received for the baby:



A sweet little bib and matching cloth, and the cutest green washcloth with lil baby footprints in it! And I love the book, I think after one glance through I had 4 projects planned.

Thank you Kim, you are awesome!

This package spurred a huge influx of baby items, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of others. We (well I literally) have been given an awesome electric breast pump, baby bath, bassinet, baby sling and front baby pack (don't know the real name). One of those baby beds that go on the bed with you, a portable changing bed..WOW! And that is not to mention all the beautiful clothes and toys. Plus, there is a baby swing possibly coming our way.
And I have not even had a shower yet!!!

I can not express everything I feel. Too be honest, things have been really tight financially for us. I have not worked since August, and in this economy being pregnant finding a serving job is pretty much impossible. I am receiving unemployment but it's a ridiculously small amount. So Poor Adam has really taken the brunt of it all.

It's a damper for even the most positive person (which I am not, lol.). And I have been really worried about how we would afford all the things we need for the baby. It has been hard enough to put food on the table, let alone come up with money for a breast pump, etc. We have not really shared our worries with anyone (except my mom, hi mom!), it's not like we expect others to take care of us.

So when friends and family gave us all of this beautiful stuff it was just...amazing. I am speechless, how do I even begin to thank them and let them know how much their love and generosity means to me?

So yes, some things are rough for us right now, but I feel so blessed. I am more happy then I think one person should be allowed.