In my neighborhood...

I want to share a little of the neat things that are in and around Jeffersonville.
So every few days a new picture and story will appear.
Today's picture is.. Schimpff's Confectionery Schimpff's is a wonderful place. You can walk through and watch the candy makers at work. I find it really neat that there are teenagers making candy right along side grey haired senior citizens. The top photo is where the candy is made, further back is the candy museum. The bottom photo is the store. Go inside to buy some of the wonderful candy or have a seat at one of the small tables and oder a sandwich, soup or ice cream. Don't forget to get a real vanilla or chocolate coke. Take a minute or two and check out their website. The candy store has been in the same location since 1891.
The Grinny Possum, pictured below, is in my neighborhood too.
Until next time...

A prevention plan and some other stuff.

I made a plan. The first mitt is ready for the thumb to be started. So I went out and bought another set of size 5 dpns and am going to cast on the second mitt at knitting tonight. Maybe this will prevent the possibility of "one mitten syndrome"
If you are just lovin the yarn on the banner as much as I do, then here is some info.
It is James C. Brett Rio, label says KER Rio 06 Garden machine washable 80%acrylic 20% wool, 232 yard skein. Not quite sure yet what I am going to make with it.
I had Eli and my nephew Noah at Pizza Hut yesterday. Eli was enjoying the all you can eat pizza buffet. I was knitting while they finished up and Noah said "Aunt Sonna you a good hat maker". He is so sweet! I will have to make him a new hat. The one in the picture a few posts back is too small now.
I have a few pictures to share. This is the front of the LYS Grinny Possum
Tomorrow I will show you all of the goodies on the inside.
Until next time...

What were you doing Oscar night?

I was with my knitting friends or should that be friends who knit or friends with needles/sticks. I don't know so today I will just call them Tabitha, Meagan and Stacy. We sat around watching the Oscars, eating great food and knitting. No wait, I was the only one knitting. I wonder what was up with that. Later today I will find out who won the Oscar picking contest. I haven't seen even one of the movies nominated for best picture. Back to the knitting. As you can see the first of the two driving mitts has grown.
From left to right: Tabitha, Stacy, Meagan and me. Since Lora is no longer with us
(She's not dead, just moved to NH) we wanted to send out a big Hello! Sorry about the flash glare in the background. This was the only one where we all were looking straight ahead and not making some silly face, Stacy.
Until next time...

Knitting in public..

No the driving mitts are not done yet. But they did get worked on last night. I went knitting in public. Bet you can never guess where. No, not the store or at a school. If you said in the lounge of a bowling alley you would be right! I went bowling for the first time in at least 15 years. Are you picturing that? You know it is not nice to laugh at people. I'll let it slide this one time. It was pretty damn funny. I bowled a 66 on the first game, and yes I was the loser. Lets call it my warm up game. Started to get in the zone on game 2 and bowled a 97. I really really wanted to break 100. But on the bright side I did beat John, he bowled a 71. By the third game I was getting tired, right hand a little stiff, too many flashing lights. Venus and the sun were no longer aligned. I bowled a 75, John bowled his best game 118. I have a competitive streak that rears it's ugly head when I play with others. It has even been known to show up during the silly games at baby and bridal showers. It is kinda like the Hulk, just shows up and takes over.

I will have some more knitting time later this evening. I am going to an oscar/knitting party. There is going to be a game tho. Wish me luck.

Until next time...

I know where UFOs come from....

Tedium- Knit one purl one knit one purl one knit one and so on and so on.
I am finally making something for myself. It has only taken over 18 months to get to me. I have a nerve and circulation problem in my right hand, from an injury 13 or 14 years ago. My right hand will be ice cold and my left will be perfectly normal. I have the 2007 Knitting pattern a day calendar and am working on the driving mitts from Sat/Sun Feb. 10 & 11. I really like the way they look and I love my yarn di.ve' It is 55% wool and 45% microfibre. The color is Grape Leaves. Which would make you think of purple, right? It is beautiful hues of green. But the 1x1 rib is just boring me to tears. It almost makes the brain go to sleep. My hand is cold right now so I need them. So I will need some help from you. Keep asking about the driving mitts. I need to be pestered and nagged, especially if I get the right hand done first. The left one may never become a real mitten .
Until next time...

What do you get the man that has everything...

a felted wine cozy, that's what. I made this for my dad's December 9th birthday. It went great with his other gifts. A wine cooler/fridge and several bottles of wine.
Now I need to start thinking about Father's Day. Ignore the messy counter, and sorry about the pitiful bottle. I think it actually had olive oil in it.
Until next time...

And still more FOs from early 2006...

The bib and burp cloth set were donated to the local La Leche League group. It was part of a raffle to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2006.
The drawstring pouch was made for my nephew Noah. I had him for the day and he brought some of his favorite little toys with him. In an orange purse that belonged to his sister Zoe. So I had him pick from my stash his two favorite colors. Which happen to be blue and purple. I just made it up(I wouldn't really call it designing) and knitted it in the round exactly like a hat. YOs were the openings for the icord drawstrings. Very simple, but he liked it. Please excuse the very messy desk.
The scarf was made for my SIL Jeannie's 2006 birthday.
Don't worry I have more for later.
Until next time...

Some FOs from early 2006...

A few London Beanies made with Cascade 220. Nobody will wear them tho, because they think the hats are too itchy. My nephew Noah is wearing the orange one.

I had a wonderful time...

at the knitting retreat. Wooded Glen was a beautiful location, we drove through a covered bridge up a hill. On the way up the hill we saw 5 deers and 7 wild turkeys.
With the sparkling snow and ice covered branches is was a winter wonderland. The only noises we heard were the knocking of woodpeckers and the howls of coyotes. Grinny Possum Fiber Arts is one of my favorite LYS. The retreat was organized by Grinny Possum's owner Ann. We got to try our hand at a drop spindle and spinning wheel. Learned a little about modular knitting, slip stitch knitting and crochet. Played some knitting bingo and ate wonderful food. My roomie, Tabitha, was a natural at the spinning wheel. On the drive home she kept saying "I want one". We each left with our own drop spindle. It was wonderful to see what the other knitters had made and were making. I learned alot from them. As Sunday was wrapping up, there was talk of doing this again in November. I'm all for it. I want to send out a big THANKS to Grinny Possum for a wonderful event! I forgot my camera, but might be able to get some pics from one of the other ladies. Until next time

A mini-vacation...

As of 4:00 today I am going on a mini-vacation. I will be joining fellow knitters at a knitting retreat. It is only about 30 minutes from home so it was easy to arrange. Olivia does not like to be left with "the boys" so she is having a sleep over at Mimi's house. I hope daddy does not fill them with too much sugar and let'em stay up all night. I think Hutch will miss me the most. He follows me through the house all day long, like he thinks I might disappear or something. I will tell you all about tomorrow after 4:00. Hey, there might be pictures.
Until next time...

Now for a long story....

A few years ago I met a young mom at the local La Leche League meeting. Since we were both there I knew we had at least one thing in common. We became fast friends. Her son was just a little older than Eli, so we would have playdates. She was originally from Seattle and her husband was from Chicago. A job change brought them here. By the time her daughter was born we were the best of friends. Her children were students at the area's Waldorf School. Parent participation is one of their big things, so for one of the lessons she had to learn to knit. I will be honest. I made a little fun, probably had a laugh or two. (I am rightfully contrite for my terrible behavior. We mock what we don't understand.) As the summer went on, she had knitted some really neat things. I became a little interested and was asking questions, she said that she would love to teach me to knit. Well, between the two of us we had 5 kids so it was hard to get the one on one time. We talked about it all summer, saying "what about this weekend, or maybe next week". The right time never came. By the time fall came around a job opportunity in Seattle opened up for her husband. With in about 4 weeks they were packed up and on their way. We both talked about the fact that we never did get around to the knitting lessons. One day in November of 2005 (it had been about 2 weeks since they had left) I was in Hancock Fabrics. I don't even remember why. While I was looking around I saw a sign about knitting lessons, they were relatively cheap so I thought why not. The first few lessons were very frustrating and involved quite a bit of mumbling curse words under my breath, but I was determined to become a knitter. I began working on a basket weave scarf. It was to be a Christmas present for her. The mistakes were there, but everyone said that is was very good for my first project. I sent it on to Seattle with the other gifts. She called when it arrived and I tried to get her to open it early but she was stubborn. I on the other hand, am not so stubborn, with her on the phone I opened her gift to me. Inside the box was the book Stitch'N Bitch, a pair of size 8 needles, beaded stitch marker and a needle case. She made the needles, marker and case herself. Also included was a beautiful hank of Manos del Uruguay in hues of purple. She could hardly understand me through my tears. I was telling her that I had learn to knit and had made her a scarf and she had to go open her present now. By the time she had her present open we were both in tears.
So, my friend Emily can take all of the credit for my interest in learning to knit and for all of the joy it has and will continue to bring to my life. Thank you Emily.
Until next time...

He can bake too...

Not only can John fix most anything with a motor, make a piece of furniture out of scrap wood, and draw cool pictures on restaurant napkins, he can bake too.
For Eli's 5th birthday (1/10)we had a movie party. Trying to stay with the theme, I was looking for a spider or pig cake. So after not much luck I started surfing the net. I saw a couple ideas for cakes. I showed a picture of one to John. He said "I can make that". And he certainly did! Lots of adults and kids enjoyed the Wilbur cake. After eating cake and opening presents, most of us watched the movie Charlotte's Web. Unfortunately the birthday boy cried, which made me cry too.
Until next time...

Today's not looking good, maybe next year.

Well, life reared it's ugly head and said "No, you are not going out for Valentine's Day". My 5yo was feeling kinda puny last night. Complained of a sore throat, head hurts and when I checked on him later he had a fever. The doctor verified what I had thought. Eli has strep throat.
So instead of going out to a nice dinner with live music by Another Colour, and maybe some dancing we are all staying home. With fingers crossed that it doesn't start spreading. Can't forget to mention that the reservations are non-refundable.
Until next time...

Why I don't buy cards....

I just have to share what John and I do on some holidays. In the past several years I have decided that the card industry is a rip off. Makes up some holidays just to sell cards. Really what is Sweetest Day? Why do employers acknowledge and appreciate their workers only on Secretaries/Teachers/Bosses/Nurses Day?? Oh, and don't forget that after finally finding that perfect card, it probably cost $4 or $5. So on special holidays, ie Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day and our anniversary, we go to the store and pick out a sweet or funny card and show it to each other. Sometimes there is laughter or a warm feeling of love and then we put the cards back and go home!

Some FOs from 2006...

My very first hat was knitted for a wonderful little boy. Daniel found his perfect parents in cousin Suzannah and her husband Tim. The back pack was my first intarsia project. It is the Punk Rock backpack from Stitch'N Bitch. It was a b-day present for my beautiful cousin. (Hi Lauren!) This year she wants an ipod cozy. I made these cool ornament "cozies" for the kids to give their teachers for Christmas. The pattern was gifted to one of the yahoo knitting groups I belong to.
Thank you Judy Sumner! If you want to see the pattern and lots of other great stuff, check out the Knoxsocks link under Don't miss these. More to come later. Until next time...

Can you ever have too many books?

Books are something that I have always loved. As a child I had some wonderful books read to me. Watership Down took quite some time, but I loved it. My favorite book was called The Snuggle Bunny by Nancy Jewell. I still have my copy, it is over 30 years old. It looks that old too. I decided one day to surf the net and find another one. When I did find one on a used book website, it was selling for almost $200. So I will continue to read the kids the one that was mine.
When I began knitting I was able to combine my love of books and my new hobby.
Some of the knitting books I have are; Mason Dixon Knitting (it's loaned out right now, but I know where she lives), Bags A Knitter's Dozen, Ponchos & Wraps A Knitter's Dozen, 200 Knitted blocks, The Knitting Answer Book, Stitch 'N Bitch & SNB Nation, Knitted Toys, Pursenalities, Modular Knits, a couple Vogue on the Go, and Vogue Dictionary of Knitted Stitches (from 1984). My friend got it for me at a library sale for $1.50. What a steal!
So you don't think me obsessive many of the books were Christmas & or B-day presents.
My family was happy that they now had something to get me. When asked I would always say "I don't know". Now I get yarn, needles, lite up needles, books and bags. There are still a few out there that I would love to have. One Skein Wonders, Cables Untangled and a really good sock book. When ever I get one I always sit down and read it all the way through like it is a novel.
Until next time...

Fun with a capital F...

My online knitting buddy (Hi Paula!) led me to a blogger that organized a hat drive for Boston's Children's Hospital. She is collecting fun fur chemo caps for the pediatric cancer ward. The brighter, furrier and "funner" the better.


This cause has special meaning to Paula, who lost a young daughter to cancer. My two caps were knitted in honor of Jenny.





Same two hats, with three different models.
For more info check out the link "Minestrone Soup" under
Don't miss these.
Until next time....

Before he was a yarn thief....

he was a cute fluffy 10week old puppy we adopted from the Kentucky Humane Society . He joined our family the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We spent several weeks looking in all the local shelters trying to find that one special puppy. It was so hard seeing all of those cast off family members knowing I couldn't take them all. There were a few that left us in tears. Being a dog lover all of my life, can't remember a time I was without a dog or two, I was horrified by the abuse some of the dogs had endured. It just made me want to scream "Love and care for your pet or don't have one". I'm going to channel Bob Barker now "Control the pet population Spay or Neuter your pet". John, the husband, is a big Starsky & Hutch fan so...

Drop that yarn!

Is this the face of a yarn stealer? You bet it is! It is so funny how dogs will figure out your favorite thing, most prized possession and steal that. Hutch has gone into Olivia's room and somehow gotten her favorite Barbie. It was rescued without damage, just covered in dog slobber. Well, if Hutch thinks I am not paying enough attention to him he will sneak to the only yarn that is not in plastic bags under my bed, and snatch and run. I have some of my prettiest yarn in a med.sized brown wicker basket. Most of the time one of the kids will yell "yarn" and I know that he swiped some. I'll call "drop it" and he will drop it and keep on walking like he was completely innocent. The other day I looked up from my computer to see a ball of yarn fly up in the air. He had stole yarn again and was playing with it.
You have to love a dog that appreciates the finer things in life. But he better not put his slobbery dog mouth on my Mongolian Cashmere (smokey mountain/colorway) ever again!
Until next time..

numbers 15 and 16 ColorSwap

15. Do you burn candles? Yes
16. Do you have a sweet or salt tooth? sweet

ColorSwap info

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? If I am buying yarn myself I tend to buy wools or natural fibers. But I do not shun the occasional Red Heart or Lion Brand if it is special.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? No just knit
3. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? none just knitting
4. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? really soft wools or wonderful wool blends, alpaca
5. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? am not a fan of novelty yarns
6. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? cables
7. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? hats
8. What are you knitting right now? chemo hats and Irish Hiking Scarf
9. Are you a sock knitter? Not yet but hope to be some day
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Are there any colors you hate? I love shades of green, yellow, browns and reds. I do not like pink
11. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon
12. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) no
13. Do you have any religious prohibitions or restrictions? none
14. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I really like the food smelling candles, ie pumpkin spice, apple pie, orange things like that.
17. Do you drink coffee, tea or cocoa? cocoa yes, coffee occasionally
18. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married 11years 2 boys 1 girl ages 5-7-9 with girl in the middle. assortment of fishes, a turtle and a wonderful puppy named Hutch

19. What are some of your favorite things? magnets, scary movies, roses, sweet tarts, books and office supplies
20. Is there anything that you collect? Things related to elephants
21. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
22. What is your birthday? (You don't have to tell the year) 7/29

Later that evening....

I got to see the magic that is knitting. I met one of my knitting friends at the regular spot, hey I got to go knit twice in one week. Tabitha brought four pieces of knitted fabric, and with very little help from me, waved her yarn needle and turned those pieces into 3/4s of a sweater. She still has one sleeve and one shoulder to sew in. We hope to see pics of her beautiful daughter wearing that sweater very soon.

Until next time....

The first hurrah...

Well, I succumbed to the peer pressure (hi Lora) and have found my way to Blogland.
I absolutely adore knitting. Can't believe I went all these years with out knowing how.
I found knitting or knitting found me, in the fall of 2005 and have never looked back. I never say that I learned how to knit, but that I found knitting. Didn't know that I had been looking, wish someone had pointed me in the direction a looong time ago.
Have a great story about that, tell ya another day.
I will soon post pics of lots of FOs and talk about WIP.

Until next time...