Purls and Pugs

Meme!

This one is going to be difficult!!!

5 Things that Have Never Been Revealed on my blog before (at least I don't think they have!):

1. I own my own gun. I really like to go to the range with my dad and practice. I think everyone should learn to shoot a gun...it educates people on the correct way to handle one and would help prevent stupid accidents.

2. I have met the infamous former-Governor George Ryan and he gave me money! I was the recipient of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award for Eastern Illinois University. Besides a cool medal, the winners also get a check. George Ryan was the person handing out the awards...see, I'm not crooked. What's really cool is that I was the Student Keynote Speaker, and I was able to ride back to the Governor's Mansion in his big van and had a private tour of the mansion by Illinois' First Lady!

3. I applied for a job with the FBI and was accused of being a spy during the polygraph. I was really nervous because I wanted the job so badly. They say nerves have nothing to do with a polygraph (well, that's what the FBI says), but I beg to differ! This was the worst experience of my life to this point. Imagine how they treat real criminals! That whole experience killed any sort of thought of going into public service.

4. I was the Homecoming Queen in high school. I was really surprised because I was never one of the über-popular kids. I was friends with just about everyone, but not in the In-Crowd.

5. I have been skydiving. I would recommend it to anyone! It has been one of my favorite memories...It was actually a sunset jump--Best place to see the sun set is while you are in the sky!

Pass it on: Go ahead and do it if you want!

Team Spirit

I have always loved the color orange. I think it stems from being a life long Bears fan. Then I went to high school and I was a cheerleader for the Orange and Blue. Too bad I just didn't go to Illini....Then I would be Orange and Blue through and through.

Regardless, Bonne Marie made up this little pattern in honor of the Chicago Bears going to the Superbowl (market!! HA!). I decided that I NEEDED to make it, so I ran right out to the yarn store and got me some yarn. I finished this baby in about 2 Rome episodes. And I have enough yarn left over to make another!! I think I am going to try to crank out a bunch of these for some of my friends. Nothing like some good old team spirit!

Pattern: the Player by Bonne Marie at ChicKnits
Yarn: Plymouth Galway in color 10 and 91
Needles: Denise Interchangeables size 10.5

It's good to have sleeves!

Monday is the beginning of school. Which means that I will not have as much time to knit. So, this weekend, I made it a point to try to finish the bulk of the knitting on the Central Park Hoodie. I also did some other knitting that I will share tomorrow.

So, I completed both sleeves. It felt like it took forever, but really, I think it only took a week or so. And I am a fan of doing both sleeves at the same time. Any mistakes I made or changes, I just did at the same time and didn't have to worry about writing down.

Now, I guess it is time to start sewing. That will have to wait until Tuesday for what little daylight I can squeeze out after work. I keep seeing all the finished ones out there, and I just cannot wait to get mine done. I have a feeling it will be one of those sweaters I will wear quite a bit!

Central Park Sleeves

I am still working on those silly sleeves. Even though they don't look even in the picture, they are. I have been working them at the same time. It's cool, so everything is the same...but I have to say the most annoying thing is the tangling of the yarn.

I still have a long way to go on these sleeves. But I was still thinking about the next thing I want to start. Hello?!  What about the other projects that need to be finished? Too many cute things out there to make....story of my life.

We are going to the Super-Market?!

It has been 21 years in the making, but the Chicago Bears are going to the Supermarket! No, I mean, Superbowl! With approximately 14 minutes left in the game, one of my friends started to say, 'I think we are going to the Super...' and she was immediately interrupted with 'Market! You can't jinx it! There is still time for the Saints to come back!'

The best part of the Superbowl this year is that my two favorite teams are playing each other, and I called it back in August. Yes, you read that correctly....I said in August that the Bears and Colts would play each other in the Superbowl! Wish I would have put some money on that. Man, I would be rich....

I tried to knit during the game on Sunday, but really didn't get very far...lots of yelling and singing the Bears' Fight Song (Yes, I know all words...have since the age of 10), and touchdown arm waving prohibited knitting anything. I am still working on the sleeves of the Central Park Hoodie....going strong.

A Little Voodoo

I decided that I am getting so close to completing the knitting of my Central Park Hoodie, so I needed to start blocking the pieces I have done.  I pulled out my blocking wires and went to town. While I was pinning down the wires with the t-pins, my husband said I was doing Voodoo. Ok, not quite, but whatever helps him get my knitting.

I started two sleeves at once, and have not gotten passed the ribbing. I am hoping that doing them at the same time will make life a little easier...at least I won't think this sweater only needs one sleeve! I also decided to pick up some buttons today at Jo-Ann's so that I don't have any excuse to finish this project!

Yoda decided to play poker with the big boys on Saturday. Now, she is paying the tired price. But how cute is that tired pug? She reminds me that I need to finish that quilt....Ahh, not enough time in the day!

Hey, Bears Fans!

Go, Bears! They actually won a playoff game! The Superbowl could happen! I was actually at the last playoff game that was at home before this one. It was cold and crappy and they lost. That is the biggest let down...you sit through 4 hours or more of crappy cold weather and they lose! Well, that is not the case this time...only the Pats won yesterday, too, and they are formidable opponents.

I also completed my first project of 2007 this weekend! I decided a sweater really did need two sleeves after all.

Project Details

Pattern: Knitting Pure and Simple Neck Down Pullover for Women #9724
Yarn: Knit Picks Main Line in Butter Pecan
Needles: Addi Turbos size 8
Notes: Instead of roll cuffs and neck, I added ribbing. I also changed the raglan a bit to be a little wider. I like the detail that provides.

Yoda was so impressed with the finished sweater that she decided she wanted in on the final shot of me wearing the sweater. I think this is a great color....no Yoda hairs show!

A Sweater Only Needs One Sleeve, Right?

Ok, so it's not like this is a complicated pattern. Top-down sweater, cotton-wool yarn, stockinette...but for some reason it has taken me forever to finish! I had the body done pretty quickly, and it has been waiting for sleeves for several months now.

I decided to pick it up the other day. I mean, shoot, I need to finish some of these sweaters I am doing. So, I am hoping that I can get this second sleeve done this week and have a new sweater soon.

It is a pretty basic sweater, but that is what I seem to need right now. I am still working on the Central Park Hoodie, but you know how it goes...need to finish something for some motivation.

Yoda is not so sure...This is a face only a mother could love!

Has it really been 5 years?

Seriously? Has it been five years since I graduated from College and joined the real world? I guess so.

I was presented with my 5 Year Pin today at work. That seems like a really long time to me. Yet, I still feel like I just graduated...High School! I guess I have been doing alright in the real world. I haven't been fired and I bought a house.

Eek! Does this mean I am becoming an adult? Man, I hope not. I think that's what turning 30 is for...only a couple more years of being a child, huh? Nah, I don't buy it! Someone pass me a beer...