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    • All photos, ©2006-2008 Elizabeth Cuzzacrea-Bienas, All rights reserved. Please do not use, copy or reproduce the photos from this website for any reason.

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    February 2008

    February 29, 2008

    Eye Candy Friday

    Grwh1

    I did some spinning on my wheel on Tuesday night.  Since Starbucks was closed, the yarnies came over to my house.  Everyone had spinning on the brain I guess because there were like 4 or 5 wheels in this little space!

    I spun up a couple of ounces of wool that I purchased last year.  The label wasn't specific, but it was nice to spin. 

    Grwh2

    I have another bobbin filled like this one too.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this as far as making a 2 ply or leaving it as singles. 

    I still have to take some pictures of my wheel and share...maybe this weekend.  I've been using it a lot and getting more comfortable spinning which is great.  I did my first 2 ply the other night and it's hanging out on my niddy noddy waiting to be set.  I hope to have some time this weekend to do that and then I'll share.

    I'm so glad it's the weekend - have an awesome Friday everyone!

    February 28, 2008

    Dropping stitches...

    The mini-Noro-sock-yarn Clapotis continues...

    Drop1

    If I said that I really liked it before, then I really, really like it now!

    Drop2

    I love how it's scrunching up where the drop stitch rows are.

    Drop3

    I'm loving the yarn too.  It softens right up when knitting.  It's single ply too which is neat to work with.  I've read that the fabric gets really soft after soaking.  I can't wait.  I think this is going to be great for spring.  It's really light and airy.

    So the stitch dropping continues and I can't wait to get this one done.  :)

    February 26, 2008

    WIP - Clapotis

    I've wanted to knit the Clapotis since it came (which was around the same time I started knitting).  I'm not sure why I never got around to it before.  On Saturday I was looking at all the socks made with Noro Sock on Ravelry, trying to get an idea of what to make with my newly acquired stash.  I came across a couple of Clapotis (or is it Clapotii?) that had been made with the yarn and fell in love. 

    I decided to use one of my skeins of the Noro for a smaller version of the Clapotis.  I started on Sunday and now I'm ready to start knitting the straight section.

    Clap2

    I stopped increasing around 77 stitches instead of the full 107.  The original is also made with a heavier weight yarn so mine will be thinner fabric and less wide.

    Clap1

    I already love how the colors are changing gradually.  I haven't even gone through a full repeat of colors yet either.

    Clap3

    The yarn is knitting up into a neat texture too.  It's thick & thin and it's giving it a really neat looking fabric.

    Here's the Ravelry link - Clapotis.

    I can't wait to see how this one turns out.  :)

    February 25, 2008

    Noro Sock Yarn

    I finally broke down and bought some Noro Sock Yarn on Saturday.  I was at Renaissance getting something else and I couldn't resist any longer.   

    Colorway 164:

    164

    and 184:

    184

    I've already started a project with the top skein that I'll share in another post.  I like the yarn a lot so far.  I have something in mind for the second skein too which will be started after I clear a few things off the needles.

    February 21, 2008

    And another one...

    I picked up some tickets to see the Foo Fighters during the internet presale this morning. 

    Foo_fighters_2007_3

    Dave Grohl...here I come!  I hope I can contain myself.  :)

    I can't wait to tell Adam!  He's at jury duty right now and doesn't even know yet.  He's going to be really excited too because he's wanted to see them live FOREVER.  This is going to be a great show.  I hope July 9th comes quickly.  :)

    February 18, 2008

    FO - Branching Out

    My Grandma turned 80 this past Friday (side note: my youngest brother has the same birthday as her and he turned 24 this year!).  She requested a scarf for her birthday and of course, I answered her request.  :)

    After Ravelling for a bit I remembered how much I liked the Branching Out scarf and moved it to the top of my queue.  I headed over to the LYS to get some yarn and already knew I wanted to use something in worsted weight.  I really like how lace patterns look in the heavier weight yarn.  Adam was with me and helped me decide on the color because I wasn't sure. 

    I think he picked a great color:

    Bo1_2

    I love the way the leaf pattern turned out and the yarn has a gorgeous sheen:

    Bo3

    And one more photo for the heck of it:

    Bo2

    • Pattern - Branching Out by Susan Lawrence (Knitty, Spring '05)
    • Yarn - Yarns Northwest Silk & Merino (2 skeins)
    • Needles - Size 8 KP Options
    • Time - About a week or two to finish & block
    • Ravelry - Link here

    I like how this FO turned out.  The pattern was very easy to knit.  Knitting with heavier weight yarn made the lace pattern go really quickly.  The pattern repeat was short and simple to follow which makes it great for a gift.

    This was my first time working with the Yarns Northwest Silk & Merino.  I liked it a lot and would definitely use it again.  The silk content gave it a beautiful sheen - especially after being blocked.  The merino made the scarf soft, but also was crisp enough to show the pattern off.

    I'll be mailing this off to Grandma this week.  She and Pappy (my Grandfather) are vacationing down south for about a month so the forwarding might take a bit to get to her.  I'm anxious for her to get it and to hear what she thinks.  I hope she loves it!  And if the color isn't right then I can blame Adam - haha!

    February 17, 2008

    C is for...

    We took an impromptu trip to the Market yesterday with a friend.  We were out running errands when he called, but I never give up a chance to go the market.  The sun was shining in Seattle for the first time in about a year...and of course went behind the clouds the minute we got there.  :) 

    Anyways, I had my little point & shoot with me in my purse thankfully because we weren't near our house to get my DSLR.  So, all my C photos are from the Market. 

    C is for Corner Market - on Pike & Pike:

    Ccornermarket

    C is for Camera  man - the Discovery Channel was there taping the fish throwing when we passed by:

    Ccameraman

    C is for Chocolate - I never can resist going to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory when I'm at the market:

    Cchocolate

    C is for Coconut Macaroons - thanks to our friend Emile for introducing me to the little store in the market that sells these heavenly treats.  :)

    Ccoconutmacaroons

    February 16, 2008

    C is for Concerts

    This morning I picked up tickets for Adam and I to attend this concert:

    Concerthed

    I can't wait!  I've seen Dave Matthews Band live around 15 times or so, but have never had the opportunity to see Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds play acoustic live.  I've heard from many people that it's amazing and should not be missed.   

    The cool part is that your concert tickets also get you in early to see the Dalai Lama speak on stage with Dave Matthews.  Awesome, to say the least.  It's not every day that you get the opportunity to hear the Dalai Lama speak. 

    About a week and a half later a friend and I are going to this concert:

    08423anidifranco_2

    Again, I can't wait!  It's been too many years since I've seen Ani live.  This will be my 4th time (yes, I'm a concert junkie!).  She puts on an amazing show and I'm happy to have found someone to go with me because Adam could not be talked into it.  :)

    My C photos for the ABC-along will be posted sometime tomorrow.  Have a great Saturday!   

    February 15, 2008

    A meme

    Sabbath posted this Valentine's Day Meme on her blog and I noticed today that she tagged me so here are my answers.  :)

    How long have you been together?  We just celebrated 9 years together last month.

    How long did you date?  A looooong time.  :)  01/99 - 09/06...almost 8 years.

    How old is he?  29.

    Who eats more?  He does.

    Who said “I love you” first?  Sadly, I don't remember...it was probably me though.

    Who is taller?  Um, have you ever seen us?  :)  I'm 5' and he's 6'2".

    Who is smarter?  He's a genius so there's really no competition there.  He's smarter than most people I know.  :)

    Who does the laundry?  Not me.  ;)

    Who does the dishes?  Nope, I don't do this job either.  Let's be honest, Adam does all the household chores except cleaning the bathrooms...that one is mine.  Since I started school he's pretty much taken care of everything in the house.  Husband of year - for real!

    Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?  He does.

    Who pays the bills?  Me, that's my other job besides toilet cleaner.  HA!

    Who mows the lawn?  The landscapers.  Ahhh, condo living. 

    Who cooks dinner?  Depends on the restaurant we're at that night!  We eat out far too often.  When we eat in though I usually cook dinner unless we're having something he knows how to cook and then he helps.  It's probably 50/50 at this point.

    Who is more stubborn?  Eh, we're splitting hairs now.  I think we're equal.  He would probably say me and I would probably say him, but we're both very stubborn.

    Who kissed who first?  I think he did, again I have the worst memory.

    Who asked who out?  Neither, we just sort of started dating I think.

    Who proposed?  No proposal.  We both decided when and where.

    Who is more sensitive?  I'm the biggest drama queen alive.

    Who has more friends?  That's hard to say - we both have a lot of friends.  He's got a huge group of friends from the Marine Corps though so I would say he probably wins this one.

    Who has more siblings?  I have 2 brothers and he has 1.

    February 11, 2008

    FO: One Row Handspun Scarf

    This is the other gift I made for my Mom's birthday.  She needed a scarf to match the new jacket she received for Christmas. 

    Orange1

    Orange2

    • One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - here.
    • 2 skeins of Di.Ve' Teseo in Orange Burst (I love this colorway!).
    • Size 10 KP Options needle.
    • A couple hours here and there to knit.
    • Ravelry link - here.

    This pattern is simple, simple, simple.  I love the finished effect and texture of the stitch.  The scarf is really soft and smooshy.  I imagine it's keeping my Mom very warm too because it's nice and thick without being bulky.

    This is my first time using Di.Ve' Teseo and I liked it.  It's very soft when all knit up.  If you have any issues with fuzziness though you will want to steer clear.  It's definitely a fuzzy yarn as you can tell from the photos. 

    I'm really happy with how this turned out.  Mom says it matches her jacket perfectly.  :)