Peace To All In The New Year!!!

So have any of my family and friends made "resolutions" for this New Year?!? I for one have not & will not do so in the future...There is much less pressure in doing the best you can on a daily basis rather than looking at the new year as a whole. I have made a mental list of what I need/want to accomplish for the year. It doesn't make it quite so committing as it would be on paper and it is much more forgiving this way (for me anyway).

Here's to a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year filled with peace & love!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR...Well this isn't exactly the lion laying down with the lamb (but you get the idea)...Tootie wishes you all a Happy New Year too!

Greetings From Quechee Gorge, VT

There is nothing like spending a few days in a beautiful place like Quechee to get you in the Christmas spirit...Quechee Gorge was virtually a winter wonderland! Even though Rich & I are getting rid of nasty colds, we couldn't help playing in the snow with Tootie and enjoying all there is to see & do in Vermont.

On the way to Quechee (we just had to stop at Webs) where a few skeins of Dream In Color's Smooshy and Malabrigo Silky Merino just happened to jump into my basket...I have no idea how that happened...We also went to a charming shop in Vermont called Northern Nights Yarn Shop where a few skeins of Claudia handpainted yarn came home with us.

We stayed at the Parker House Inn (which I highly recommend); a gorgeous bed and breakfast. Our hosts were Adam and Alex and they made us feel right at home in their charming retreat. We did some shopping at Simon & Pierce, antique stores and enjoyed the local cheese and wines.

We also found an awesome little cafe & book store in Putney, VT where we had a nice lunch among all the homey decorations and holiday goodies...complete with a little kitty (that Rich fell in love with) and a dog for me. The pumpkin/apple soup & quiche were so great that we had to stop there for lunch on the way home as well & off to Basketville for a few trinkets too. We decided to pass on a quick stop at Green Mountain Spinnery...I decided that I did enough damage at Webs & Northern Nights to keep me busy for awhile...

Happy Holidays everyone!!! Now back to the business of crocheting, knitting & baking a multitude of cookes...

Peace To All

Christmas Is Quickly Approaching!!!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here...Guess I've been knee deep in crochet & knit projects to notice. Tootie just got her doggie collar for Christmas & I'm quickly checking off those last minute items that need to be sent...(Kelly)!!!

To get you in a festive mood - here is Tootie sporting her new collar.

A Most Awesome Phone Call!!!

Well as if I weren't doing enought cartwheels yesterday...I had a most awesome phone call. You will not believe who called me yesterday...drumroll please...(ok wait for it)...the very talented, wonderful DORIS CHAN herself!!! My very helpful mentor in the CGOA designing program called to congratulate me. It was so much fun chatting with Doris. She is so down to earth...just like gabbing with my old girlfriends. Doris - thank you so much for all your support. You are as great a mentor as you are a designer. I am so looking forward to book #3!
Kim Guzman has been very helpful too. Kim started spreading the word of the pattern release & she set up a designers page for me on Ravelry. Something that I probably would never have figured out how to do. Thank you Kim!!! One last thought...What an awesome feeling it is to see one of your designs worn by a beautiful model. Let's just say...my day has been made!

Could it possibly get any better than this???

Here Ye...Here Ye...It's Finally Here!!!

Yes I'm doing cartwheels...(well I'm thinking about doing them anyway)...The long-awaited Vintage Pineapples Shawl pattern is now available online here - http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_eco/sseco_pineapple_shawl.html The shawl features Caron's new Simply Soft Eco yarn. So run right out & buy some Eco yarn, look stunning & help out the environment all at the same time!!! A portion (sorry I don't remember the amount) of the yarn is made from recycled plastic bottles & you would never realize it if I didn't tell you.

So be "green" just like Kermit...Ribbit-Ribbit - so "hoppy" the pattern is available!!! Oh geez someone is just a little too excited...

Happy Crocheting

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

It is absolutely beautiful around here this time of year! The sky is a deep shade of blue in sharp contrast with the different jewel toned leaves - autumn in all its glory.

This is the beautiful site I saw this morning while Tootie & I were going for a walk. It is also a great inspiration for a new design project! (mental note)

So while the squirrels are gathering their nuts to store for the long winter ahead, this "hooker" is gathering up her yarn & supplies & thinking of what yarn will go with what design for the long winter ahead. After all - hibernation isn't that bad when you have a wonderful husband, a warm cuddly dog & a basket of yarn to keep you company...Oh & of course a lot of walks too in between the flurry of falling leaves & snowflakes...

I've been working on designs more than personal projects, so the only picture I can show of my stitching is a scarf that I made with a few random skeins of Beadnik. (Everything else is a surprise)...

Happy Stitching!!!

Where Did September Go?!?

I must have blinked! What happened to September??? The month is almost over. It has been quite a busy month. Design projects, charity projects & Christmas presents have been flying off my hooks & needles. Here is a small sample of what I've been working on...Most are designs & Christmas presents (neither of which I want to show pictures of here)...because...well - they are surprises! It is pouring rain today, so it's really a great day to cuddle up in the chair & crochet without feeling guilty about not walking. Don't get me wrong...I really do enjoy going for a nice long walk with my awesome hubby (Crabby Dick) & my four-legged best friend (Tootie) BUT today is really just made for needlework.

The projects that I am showing here have been donated to the American Angels Group & will be going to our soldiers...a very small contribution but if we all work together we can at least give our soldiers a little comfort for all they do for us!!!

It should be a great crocheting weekend for all of us in the northeast...RAIN...RAIN & more RAIN through Sunday!

til next time...