Two of my favourite things: Tripping and Swapping

My boyfriend and I just got back from visiting his parents in New Brunswick.  If you haven't visited the East Coast in late summer, you must put it on your To-Do list right away!

While there we went berry picking... along the side of the road!  Imagine that, fresh blueberries, blackberries and raspberries right at the end of your driveway.

Even Cash was getting in on the action eating the berries right off the bushes!

Cash and I like to take our time when getting things right... expecially pictures.  These were taken on the dirt road in front my boyfriend's parents' house.  To the right, just past that brush, is the Bay of Fundy. 

       Almost...

That's better!         

While on the East Coast, we drove to Halifax and spent the night.  It is such a beautiful city filled with hills, a bustling Wharf, and great seafood restaurants (if you ever go, you should check out The Economy Shoe Shop.  We stopped in for dinner and were amazed at not only the fresh seafood, but also how much there was of it.  We ordered Mussels as an appetizer, and were SHOCKED at how big the bowl was - 64 mussels in total, for only $10!).  Everywhere you look, you are reminded just how steeped in History the city is.

And Peggy's Cove - well it speaks for itself. 

Standing on the enormous rocks beside and even larger ocean certainly adds some perspective to your life.  If you've never visited this amazing spot, you should definitely make a plan to.

                                          

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On the flipside, I entered a Birthday Swap on Ravelry, and received my package when we got in from our trip.  Sheer magnificence!

Opening it up:

So many goodies, so little time:

A lovely card from my partner:

A beautiful row counting bracelet:

A hand knit Tudora, some chocolate, and a Rav button nametag:

Some chocolate covered almonds (my favourite!), cashews, and cleanser for hand knits:

A hank of malabrigo, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!, and have already started thinking of what project to make with it:

AND, a hank of Hand Maiden hand painted yarn. It's so soft and squishy, I can't wait to make something with it:

I truly am a lucky birthday girl!

Thanks Vespa!!

just lovely...

but lonely is a freedom that breathes easy and weightless
and lonely is healing if you make it

A Very Knitty Birthday!

My boyfriend hit it out of the park this year!  Grand Slam-a-lam-a-ding-dong!






Among the gifts he ever so thoughtfully picked out for me were:

A beautiful bouquet of flowers, including my absolute favourite, daisies! 

A bag to display that I am not only patriotic (Woo hoo Canada!), but also a knitter!  And it's HUGE!  Carry a sock project?  You bet!  How about a hat?  Of course!  A sweater?  No sweat! 

All three?  You better believe it! 

 Will be getting A LOT of use out of this one.

A new mug for work!  All the ladies (and gents, I'm sure) will be green with envy!

I've been coveting this bumper sticker since I first stumbled upon the Knitty website. 

True story: Last night I went out for a couple of drinks with some friends and was DD, since the bf and I are playing (early!) in a softball tournament today.  As I was driving one of my friends home, a cab driver slowed down in the lane beside me, pulled back a bit, and was reading the sticker.  He loved it!  Asked us if we would make him a sweater.

Knitting related gifts are the best!

I've finished shell #2 and have started working on the body for my Sheldon project.

Progress has stalled a bit, but continues on.  It's so hard to stay focused in these dog days of summer.

Annie                                                                              

and

            Reesey

say Hello!

 
 
 
 
 
 


Now, off to play the last two games of our tournament.  Wish us luck!

The Smoke Ring and the Shell

Finshed my Wavy Feathers Wimple, and can't wait for the cooler weather to get some wear out of it.

I've started working on Sheldon and am really excited with how well he's turning out!

Specs:

Pattern: Sheldon from the Winter 2006 issue of Knitty

Yarn: Cheapy acryllic gathering dust in my stash

Needles: 3.75 mm 24" circ; 3.25 mm dpns

To echo many other knitters who have knit this before me, so far I'm finding this to be a really finicky pattern. There is a lot of finishing involved, from crochet edges to simple seaming and stuffing.  I was prepared for this, so I haven't let it bother me (too much).  I'm planning to create a variable wardrobe for this happy little turtle, complete with three different brightly coloured shells.  When I'm finished, GQ will be knocking down this turtle's door! 

Modifications: I started this project before I had a chance to buy the right size of dpns, so I didn't bother with the i cord to connect the top and bottom of the shell.  I don't really notice a difference, and have a sneaking suspicion the recipient won't either. 

Until next time!