New Year Shenanigans

Happy 2009!

I will start with the knitting content. As we put away the Christmas decorations I am taking breaks to add a little to the Clapotis. It has been a pretty easy project and I can't wait to be finished with it. I love the Ice Queen cowl/smoke ring that I finished and will take a picture of it with someone wearing it and will post that later.














Now on to the fun we had in S.F.

Our friend Cody really knows how to throw a party. When he has one at New Years we always try to be there. I think the first one that we went to was over a decade ago. This year was a blast.


Cody (wearing the entrelac beanie) rents this warehouse space in South San Francisco and has, over the years, turned it into a fabulous home. He calls it The Cabana. The bedroom is behind that window and there is a TV/lounge room just past those black curtains.

He works in catering so feeding a small crowd is no big deal. The food was fabulous!

Cody and his friends are a creative artistic bunch. Most of them go to Burning Man and have a zest for life like no other group of people that I have ever met.



So, this guy pulled up with the Photo Boof. It's just like the photo booths that we had when we were kids. You go in and push a button and it takes four pictures of you.











The guy that designed the Photo Boof has it rigged to a computer and a projector. It shot a "screensaver" like progression of the pictures it took onto this white truck/van. (that's my silhouette)



Also in front of Cody's place was the "Yat Tub" (think yacht) Another free thinker....he turned this little boat into a jacuzzi! Uh, no I didn't go in. But I did check the water temp, it was nice and hot!

The party went on through the night and into the morning. I took pictures, but, photos of people dancing just don't look as bloggable as you might think. Justin the DJ played the best music. there were balloons and champagne at midnight and a parade of the most interesting attire.

I like going to S.F. it reminds me that there is is more beyond my tract home.
I would say that there is only one down side to this little visit. The Cabana is hard to heat and is down right COLD.

Kip took this picture of me all bundled up in front of my laptop. I was googling a question that came up. What is the different between Cannelloni and Manicotti? If you are wondering too, just click on the link and find out.

We are home now and all caught up on our lost sleep.


I am filled with the usual New Year desire to clean out drawers and organize my life. I call it New Year Nesting.
2008 has been a crazy year...good and bad to the extreme.
I hope that Peace will break out all over the place and prosperity will blossom and cozy up to us all.

Christmas afterglow

Ugh, I am trying not to be SICK! I'm also getting ready to celebrate New Years in San Francisco. I hope there will be some good blogable moments. I should be stopping at a yarn shop or two.

Here is the adorable Snickers. The sweater was too small. She did wear it well. She is such a nutty character. She loves to run up your body and try to cuddle your head. I gave her a boost and found out that she has great balance- as you can see in the next photo.




































I look startled in this picture, but I was more amazed that she could balance on my HEAD!

















On the 26th I started a Clapotis for the long car ride. Plus, I casted on for Ice Queen and it went much quicker than I expected. I finished it today



This is Art Yarns Beaded Mohair & Sequins. Ultra super beautiful! A joy to knit, touch and wear. The pattern is fun and easy.

ok...back to the packing and Zicam

Clapotis

So, I guess I can't take a decent picture of my Christmas tree. Instead I will show you that, while I am wrapping presents I am also making a Clapotis. It seems to be going pretty quickly and is good for mostly-mindless knitting.



I will be posting pictures of The Yorkie in her sweater, we will open presents tomorrow night. I thought I'd share my photoshop skills with you in the mean time.











I turned this photo





Into THIS photo.

I think Evan and Rachel look so much nicer in front of the posh Christmas living room. don't you?

Back to the last minute preparations and the Clapotis knitting. Oh...if ya don't know.....it's pronounced Clap-o-tee. It's Frenchy.

dogs need sweaters...right?

This little sweater didn't take as long as I thought it would.



I didn't have a pattern. But, I did make a gauge swatch.




I used Encore DK that I bought on my yarn crawl.






I hope it fits little Snickers.





...off to make sweet treats!

Some Bunny

We had an evening of spinning at the yarn shop. I'd say that this bunny rabbit & friends were the stars of the evening! She sat patiently while yarn was spun from her wool. I found out that their fiber is called wool...I also found out that I get all itchy eyed in the company of these big bunnies.



Just thought I'd throw out some non Christmas content. I have no time to do all the stuff that I have to make time for.

I'm certain you, my dear reader, are busy polishing the mantle and making grandma's fudge recipe and won't miss any new posts from me. Although I am starting a doggy sweater and if it looks good enough to put on a dog I'll let ya see it.

Surprise Baby!

This looks like a whole lotta nuthin'. The Baby Surprise Jacket. I had been meaning to make this little gem for a long time. I just finished it and I must say that I think everybody should make one at least once. Actually, I think once you've made one you will make others! the miracle of it is that Elizabeth Zimmerman figured out how to make it in the first place!

behold with a little folding .....

we get a quite lovely little baby jacket. It's for the shop. I am planning on leaving this one unseamed and I'll make another one and stitch it up for comparison.

Cally and Judy...I posted... so leave a comment why don't ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A few years ago my favorite Thanksgiving tablecloth and napkins shared the dryer with a black pen. I was so upset and mad ...there was black ink all over it. Then, I was frustrated when I couldn't find a suitable replacement. I used other tablecloths, but never really liked them as much as the ruined one.

This year, I am dressing the table with my best china and silverware that was my Mother's. The meal will be as sumptuous as always...

.. I'm using my favorite tablecloth with the ink stains.

To me it's just a little reminder that it's the people we sit with at the table that are important.