More unfinished ...

But first,let me introduce ya'll to my peops: Big bro - Joe - and his youngest - Justin. Justin's 3 and a cutie, so what he needs a haircut, he's adorable! Those big brown eyes just snuggles up to my heart. I have to admit it, I can only take the kiddies in spirts. My lil girl is an old broad named Meme.

OMG, I have way too many projects still on needles. What am I going to do? I also realize I have way too many sets of knitting needles. Oh well. Back to the unfinished buz Misti Alpaca Kimono. Ok I swatched for this puppy with Grace at Rosie's Yarn Cellar, yup you heard me - Grace. Now, she's been gone from Rosie's for about three years now and I had to swatch way before that. Frog time. I'm going to use this for maybe the Box Shawl from Folk Shawls, maybe? Stay tuned.

Now, what in the world is this ...
I remember the yarn, Alpaca I found at Lambs Wool about two years later - I only purchased from Rosie's, Sheep and Wool, and Stitches my first couple years and I spent every Sunday in Rosie's for the first two years of my knitting taking classes - YUP! I think I should have asked to buy stock.

Wow, look what I found - Leda's Dream from Pink Lemon Twist, I actually got it when it was the Mystery Stole. I have the pattern somewhere around here. YUMMMM Zephyr, I have got to get back to this.

Well, I'm exhausted and will blog the rest of the unfinished buz next time. Boy, I had no clue I had all these projects still on needles.

FYI, I now have 419 songs on my iPod which includes podcasts. I'm so excited. I've had my iPod for like 6 years and I'm just learning how to really use it. Amazing! I'm techno slow, but I'm completely hooked on the Knitmoregirls and Under the Tuscan Gun. I think its time I brushed up on my Italian too.

Have a good weekend!

Unfinished Projects ...

Wow, I didn't realize I had so many. Some have been long since forgotten. Let's see:
First up, BIRCH - Sharon Miller, I started this is brushed alpaca and I did something wrong and threw it in the basket and its lovely, but I can't rip it out because it knots up and oh its soft as ever, but I swear I have to pluck alpaca outta my eyes for days.


Now here's my cabling scarf that I swear I love, but hate the cable needle, that sucker keeps slipping out of order. I forget which row I'm on, blah blah blah the yarn is Lorna's Worsted Weight, I forget the color. Lovely. I was going to do Melissa Leapman's Reversible Cable Scarf, one day I'll pick it back up. Maybe ...


Here's the Rectangle Shawl from Blue Sky Alpaca and the yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted. I love this yarn. I'm on the 3rd ball. Ok, I keep this one in the bag on the sofa right next to me and pick it up whenever there's a CSI Miami or L&O Criminal Intent marathon on, I love Horatio and Goran.


Now, Lady Eleanor how are you? Noro Sock, loving the brown, green and teal. Pattern is actually boring. I do about two rows and put it back in the bag on the sofa and veg. I get bored. I love seing the color change, but it soon loses its appeal. I hope it blocks bigger than it appears, I used too small a needles and now I'm thinking, should I rip or just have a nice entrelac scarf? Decisions.

Well, enough for today I feel like knitting. Next time more unfinished projects ...

unfinished projects ...

I've finished some stuff too ...

1. Commission work. Spider Queen (Hex) from Victorian Lace Today. In Habu Cashmere, 5 balls, size 3 needles. Here she is blocking. This was worth every minute, every second and the forever wait to block. It took me about two months to finally get it blocked. I gave the finished project to its owner with instruction on how to block. She had it for about a month and then gave it back asking me to block. Well, it sat in the bag, wrapped in tissue paper for two months. Then my brother Joe and his lil boy Justin came over and someway, somehow it got pulled and stretched while still in the bag. I got nervous and took it out to find it was snagged in spots. I panicked and blocked. Viola! Perfecto!








2. My co-worker Charmaine asked me to knit a set for her grandson. She was easy to knit for, she picked the colors and said, go for it. This turned out very nice. I was a little nervous because the yarn was thicker than I'm used to (hey, I'm a lace slut remember), so it knit up bigger. Baby Surprise Jacket, booties and hat. In cashmerino, three balls, size 3 needles. I actually got this done in three weeks too. The buttons came from Carlins at 8th & Arch.





3. Jasmine's Jade Ramblin Row and Zimmerman Sweaters (I forget the name of the sweaters pictured, I think it was the June project). Size 3 needles, Koigu solids, multis from Loop, and a bunch of millends from Rosie's Yarn Cellar. I did the blanket first, trimmed everything in the green that I splashed throughout. The remaining yarns finished the sweaters.

Next time, unfinished projects ... way too many, but I don't care I'm gonna blog them all ...

I'm still knitting ...

I've finished some projects, for real I did. And as always, I have several still on the needles. I'm a needle hog, I have to start as many projects as I can and then when I'm sick of looking at the needles, I get them done.

Here's my koigu pi. The shawl took me 1 month to knit up. That's right, 30 days; however, that dang border took me 9 to 10 months. I stayed up that final night until 4:30 in the morning, determined to get that thing off the needles. And here's my like #8 top down sweater. I have issues loving the sweaters that I knit, maybe because I'm a shawl slut, or maybe because I see how large the sweater is and I'm like - YIKES is that mine!!! I got this yarn, Wings from Rosie's sale bin about 3 years ago. I've cast on and frogged several times, but this time its actually looking like it will be a good looking, 3/4 sleeved mock turtle neck or maybe a cape? Spring is here really, do I need another sweater? Cape? Poncho?

World News ...

For me and many others in the world today it feels like its been 32 hours in every day ... my jobs talking layoffs! The world is talking layoffs. California, Detroit, Pennsylvania. So many people, no jobs! My heart is breaking.

I'm a legal assistant at a med-sized Center City firm where I've been since 9/11/00. Me and my friends are concerned because hey, times are tough and I keep thinking, I've been working since I was 12, what'll I do with myself. I worked through Jr. and High school, college, only once in my life did I actually quit a job without having something already on the burner - that's a story for another day, I'll probably call that, what the F*&! was I thinking.

Anywho, picture this - My First Job - Al's Deli on 7th & Winton in South Philly. Mr. Al was at least 70 when I was 12, but he kept that store open for what seemed like forever. Oh I still love beef brisket with potato salad on it on pumpernickle bread the way Mr. Al made my sammy. I can smell the fresh cut brisket and bread, just thinking about it. I worked at the Deli part-time after school and summers until I turned 17, then I took a job making lots more money at Dr. Salvatore's Family Medical Practice as, a receptionist on 7th & Snyder. Well, I'll never forget Mr. Al, Mark, Sheeba, Ms. Molly and the Deli.

Back to the story, this particular Saturday afternoon before Easter, around 4:30 I saw a pair of shoes that would change my life forever. I ran home and asked my dad for $7 (that's right, eat your heart out I'm over 40 and shoes did at one point cost $7). My dad shouted, "What do you think I'm made of money?" My heart sank! How dare he, he never told me no. He had the nerve to shout GET A JOB! Well, I hit the door running, straight around the corner (I grew up on 7th & Jackson) and into Mr. Al's Deli shouting I need a JOB! I'll sweep the floors, I'll walk Sheeba (his 100 pound German Sheppard that everyone was afraid of), I'll stock shelves, I need $7 now! He told me to calm down and asked why I needed the money. I told him, I'll work for life for $7 (who knew). I shouted, I have 15 minutes to get back or she'll close and lock my shoes up. He told me to walk Mark to the night box at the bank and then I could have my $7. Well, I shook my head no no no, panting with tears in my eyes, I begged to work for $7, trying to explain I needed the money right that moment. I put my hand over my heart and swore that I'd be back to sweep up and stock the shelves for the "rest of my life" if he gave me the money. He handed me $7 and told Mark to walk me to the store. I ran tugging Mark. I got my shoes! Cream victorian lace up shoe boots to go with my cream Easter Sunday lace dress with matching gloves. I was beautiful, mom put ringlets in my hair and a lacy ribbon! I went back to Mr. Al's and sweep up. I kept my word! Dad always said, my word was my bond and that I had to keep it ...

I had no clue deli's sprinkled sawdust on the floors to make sure nobody slipped. I was sweeping until 6:30 that night and the dust wasn't going anywhere. Mr. Al stopped me, gave me a pint of Half and Half - for my mom, he knew mom loved half and half in her coffee - and had Mark walk me home. I had a grin on my face a mile long that night even if my arms hurt like heck.

Fast forward 3 weeks, my Newfoundland Hound, Sally a 110 pound dog (and I was afraid of Sheeba) ate the tip off one of my shoes (who would have thought), but I got one wear out of em, so I was happy.

Today, I feel like I'm waiting for the bomb to drop. There's a knot in my stomach that won't ease and I think my eyes are gonna pop outta my head.

Inauguration Day

My firm setup a television in our Justice Roberts Room and I rushed up at 11:45a. I got there (front row) just in time to see Rick Warren open the ceremony. In December 2008, Barack Obama chose Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. Rick caused tears to well in my eyes. He was direct and honest.

As I sat, I got chills anticipating Biden's swearing in and then our 44th President, Barack Obama. My eyes teared as I sat on the edge of my seat. Joe Biden got sworn in around 11:55 and Katie Couric said, technically at noon Joe Biden becamne the President of the United States of America.

At about 12:09p Barack Obama took the stage (I thank God for my eyesight, Barack Obama is one handsome man), to become the 44th President of the United States of America. Words could not escape our mouths, the room was still. My brain shouted, OMG, I'm witnessing history. I am a part of this historic event. My eyes welled, my heart pounded in my own ear. And his words again united this nation. He did it! Barack Obama's my President! FAITH. He knows struggle, he knows strife, he knows fear, he knows God and the brotha is FINE. George Bush set the bar so low, Barack only has to step over it to succeed. This is one amazing brotha as my nephew put it, Auntie he's Superman for real for real!

To close this joyous ceremony, Reverend Lowerly himself, a real poineer from the Civil Rights movement. His benediction was oozing in wisdom and love. Thank you Reverend Lowerly, you put the feelings we all have into words.

Oh and one more thing, Aretha Franklin - Thank you Father for her voice, she's an amazing singer. And thank you Ms. Franklin for wearing clothes that didn't make you look overflowingly silly. And that hat - GORGEOUS - where did she get it?

Here's to our future.

One day at a time.

Howdy!

I've been MIA from blogland, what can I say, I've been reading instead of knitting (oops). Its that dang border on my hugmongious pi-shawl out of the lovely koigu - Sugar Honey Iced Tea, I still haven't finished that dang border. I know. I'll get back to it, this summer, sometime. I also have to take pictures of the finished knitted projects, but I can't seem to put these books down.

I just just - last night - finished "Color of Law" by Mark Gimenez. There I was in Borders, browsing and this book just fell off the shelf right into my hands (seriously). I turned it over and instantly had a flash to one of my favorites - To Kill a Mockingbird. Mark you did good. It was fresh, fast-paced, and the hero was named "Atticus" - what a man! That golf club would have done me proud too and the lil girls - one named Barbara Boo and the other, Pajamae (Pa shu may). I haven't read a book in two days in a while, not even a Patterson novel. Thanks for the rush.

Next up in my hands will be Adbuction by who else, Mark Gimenez, then The Perk by Mark Gimenez (when it hits the shelves in July I'm on it). But while waiting for The Perk, I'll have to read Sail by Patterson - I just can't get enough of Patterson. And anything with the word "shark" around, draws my eyes in like a hawk. I'm love the ocean - I blame my dad and Ernest Hemmingway! Somewhere down the line, they got me hooked on the sea and its world of creatures. SHARK!!!!!

Happy Birthday

April 9, 1933, my grandma Sally and grandpa Robert had a beautiful baby boy. My dad! WFO, Sr., Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday!

Hope you have many many many more!

Have a blessed one!

Ceme

P.S. Meme told me to tell you, why didn't you invite her to the birthday party!

Ravelry

Ok, I typed an entire blurb for my blog and my computer went blank. Why?????

Well, I'm not completely brain dead, I remember writing, I love Ravelry! And, Knitster Chelle was right: when you fall, you fall hard.

What have I been doing? Working, Ravelry, knitting, Ravelry, reading, Ravelry, cooking (oh I made a dish - ok, I'll tell you about it on Ceme Eats Drinks and Shops later) and watching the Complete Jane Austen on PBS. What can I say, I'm an Austen, Bronte, Shelley, Collins, Brown, Dumas, Shakespearean classic book lovin nut, and if you put it on film, I'm there - ok, I know its a lil over the top, but from the mouth of my great grand mom, "you were here on this earth before for sure because my babe's soul is way old."

Now, back to Ravelry - oh my goodness, I learn something new each day. I learned today how to add my pictures to other groups (I'm a lil slow when it comes to technology, but I'm out there is what counts right - LOL!).

What have I been knitting ...

1) EZ's pi shawl - almost done - I'd say I'm at 90%. In Koigu on size 3's. Pictures to come. I have to take them this weekend.

2) Still got the Sampler Shawl from Folk Shawls on needles, I'm bored with all those dang stitches.

3) I swatched for Princess on size 2's with peach zephyr. I think I need 0's. Oh well, I got ahead of myself.

4) My top down sweater - frog! Classic Elite Wings on size 4's in dark olive. I cast on to tight. (For those who know me, I know, I know - LOL!)

5) Landscape - I have frogged the Lorna's Laces (something didn't look right) and now have Sea Silk. Shawl pic to come.

Well, that's it for now. I have got to go, the lil leprechaun is after me. I leave you with a picture of Meme waving

What's going on?

Congratulations Courtney and Max! Clyde is just as nice a name as Cecil. But I was kinda partial to Cecil - :o)

Why am I knitting less?
Why don't I feel like playing with my yarn?
Why don't I pick up my needles?
What is wrong with me? Please - NO ANSWERS - :O)
I check my favorite knitting blogs every day, but I'm not inspired.
And by the way - Knitster Chelle need I say it - ;o)
And Lace Maven - please, I'm totally addicted - ;o)

Well, at least I've been somewhat productive.

I finished reading:
Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides
Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin' by Paula Deen and Sherry Suib Cohen
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
You've Been Warned by James Patterson
Third Degree by Greg Iles
Christmas with Paula Deen by Paula Deen

On the table to be read:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel by Lisa See
The Deen Bros. Cookbook by Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen and Melissa Clark
Invisible Prey by John Sanford
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Well, for those of you who haven't reached a stalemate, happy knitting!

Ceme

The complete baby set

Well, I finally have all of the pictures from Corey, Jr.'s baby set that I (with the help of Knitster Chelle) knit up real quick this summer. Isn't is adorable! Now, I have to do a pink Baby Surprise jacket (maybe I can convince Knitster Chelle to do the hat and booties) by x-mas ...

Baby Surprise Jacket








Rambling Row blankie








Knitster Chelle Hat and Booties








Ceme

Princess Shawl

I've placed my ordered - isn't it lovely (drooling)

look ...

Soon!

Ceme

Coffee/Tea Swaps

Ok, I have good news and not so good news:

First Good, look what I got from Kathy, my Tea Swap partner. Stunning -
I love everything. Thanks Kathy.

Now, the not so good, I haven't heard back from my coffee swap partner with her questionnaire answers. I'm starting to worry because in order for me to get something that I know she'll like, I should at least be able to refer to her q-answers. Oh well, I have until 11/17 to get the package out - hopefully the Coffe Swap will go as nicely as the tea swap.

Ok, if you get a chance, check out Ceme Eats, Drinks and Shops. I've been taking cooking classes (not because I don't know how to cook, but because I want to entertain more and have a broader selection of recipes) at Williams-Sonoma. And see what we did in class ...

Enjoy!

Ceme

TS4 Questionnaire

Restrictions on type of tea? Only green, black, herbal etc? No restrictions, but I'm not crazy about raspberry tea unless its blended with something else like Earl Grey or something

Loose or bagged? Either

Treat preference? Butter cookies are my norm, but please "no" chocolate

Yarn color preferences? Anything in the browns and green family are to my liking. Actually, I love to try workign with a dark cranberry color.

Sock knitter? No

Any allergies or things you want your pal to know? Chocolate makes me itch, coconut makes me ill, mohair makes my eyes itch

Do you collect anything? Teapots, cup & saucer sets

What are you knitting right now? three shawls, rambling row blanket, top down Ceme Design sweater, my second baby surprise jacket for another co-worker.

Coffee Swap 3

I almost didn't make it. Coffee or Tea - I like both! Here's my answers to the CS3 questions:

1. Whole bean or ground? Ground
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully Loaded
3. Regular or flavored? Flavored
4. How do you drink your coffee? Creamy with Equal
5. Favorite coffee ever? Blueberry, Hazelnut, Toasted Almond
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? FUSSY
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Butter Cookies or Custard Tarts
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Please "no" chocolate
9. Yarn/fiber you love? Lace weight - Habu, Alchemy, Misti Alpaca, Zephyr, Jade Sapphire, Helen's Lace, Schaeffer
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Chunky, fuzzy or hairy - oh my
11. What's on your needles? Three shawls - Sampler, Spider, Ceme's Design and a Ceme's Design top down sweater
12. Favorite colors? Greens, browns (cranberry is a color I want to try)
13. Allergies? Mohair drives me nuts. Chocolate makes me itch.
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest?
I really dislike flirt, fur, fuzz or fluff yarns.

Tea Swap 4

YIPPEEEEE! I had such a great time participating in TS3. I absolutely love this swap. As an an avid teapot, and cup and saucer collector - my teapot collection is well into the double digits, and my cup and saucer sets are, lets just say I have some real beauties - I absolutely adore the delicate beauty of fine china and I sit and knit after selecting the right teapot and it makes me feel like royalty! I remember as a child going to my first tea ceremony with my great-grandparents. And when I went to tea with my teachers Ms. Overtone, Mr. Brown and Mrs. Brown, I had a blast (so what my cousin Larry wore a powder blue suit, hey is was 1970 ok - smile). Oh and when my mom would let me and my baby sister have tea with the china my grandmother gave her (that my granny purchased in England), we felt like big girls!

Tea to me is a celebration. I still have tea with my grandmother - every chance we get. I even have my best friend and granny having tea with me and we sit and talk and I pull out my knitting and we have a wonderful time.

Well, now that I've said that, I have to call granny, to make our plans for tea tomorrow! Have a great weekend! Happy knitting!

Ceme

Wow, summer is over already ...

What a wonderful summer we had here in Philadelphia. Not to hot, not to wet! All in all this was one of our best. Does anyone remember a few years back when we suffered 100+ temps for weeks? HOT! HOT! WAY TO HOT!

Well, I spent the summer nesting. Me and my siblings took a trip down memory lane and WOW wonderfully fond memories. Diving in the pool, running around the tennis courts, basketball, horseback riding, boating .... My big brothers Billy and Joe would escourt me and my baby sister Lanie to the Lakes (a section of Fairmount Park in South Philadelphia) to go boating, play tennis or basketball, horseback riding, and of course, swim (that is everyone except Lanie because she was always afraid of getting wet and she still is - LOL). Every single time we went my parents would arrive later with a big cooler of sandwiches, iced tea or lemonade and these big honeydew melons or cantaloupe. My mom would always say, lets pick a cool spot under a big shady tree and spread the blanket - boy those were good simple times. We'd eat and fall to sleep on the blanket. Good times indeed. And family vacations - oh my goodness, we had a blast. Once we went to AC to see the horse dive from the pier - that was a fond one - crabbing, building sand castles. And we loved it by the lake in Connecticut - visiting my father's family. Or in Houston, with Aunt Betty - oh my goodness, those breakfast buffets Auntie prepared! I miss Houston - my fondest memory was how green everything appeared. I fell in love with Houston, I really think it was the breakfast buffets - waking up to the smell of hot biscuits and bacon - smile! Or driving cross country - dad is a retired truck driver, so he didn't mind long distance driving and boy, how did they manage with four lil children. WOW!

Well, this summer I didn't go to the Lakes - I'm to old for all that activity, but I did do some knitting. Here's pixs of two different versions of Icarus. I have to frog the green Andrea (its too wonky), but I started again in Claudia's Handpainted Silk in the lovely Copper Penny And I started a reversible cable scarf And I managed to find time to got some eye candy

Well, enough about me. Meme is begging to say "Hi!"

She's absolutely adorable, always begging me to take her picture!

Well, I did finish a few things this summer too, but the pixs came out blurry, I'll post them next week.

Enjoy the weekend!

Ceme

Celebrity Gazing

Ok, picture this ... (can you tell, I'm a big Golden Girls Sophia fan) Sunday in church (St. Patrick's) after the Priest says, "Mass has ended ..." I make my way to the back of the church and before I get to the steps ... there he stood, who you say, Mr. Mark Wahlberg! That's right - Markie Mark all grown up - and ladies he's absolutely, positively, 100% eye candilicious, with gorgeous on top! He's so polite too, which makes him even more yummy to look at! The man is short though ya'll - LOL! Only about 5'6/5'8 at the most. My head comes up just over his shoulders and I'm 5'3 1/2 (YES MARY, I'M 5'3 1/2 - LOL!). Well, Mark was in my way so I politely said, "excuse me" and he said, get this, "my bad, let me get out of your way" - LOL! YUP! Mr. Cutie Cute spoke nothing like a tough guy - LOL! A thick Bostonian accent lets you know he's definitely from the Boston area. Gorgeous, polite, rich, no wonder his girlfriend didn't let go of his arm the entire time - LOL!

I have to say, seeing and laughing with Mark wasn't as exciting as meeting Danny Glover, because I did a full blown tap dance for Mr. Glover - LOL! Picture this, walking through the Reading Terminal, back when Mr. Glover was in town filming Beloved, and standing at the fruit stand, right next to me, was Mr. Glover. I looked over and smiled and it hit me - that's Mister (from the Color Purple). I said, oooooooooooooo and started dancing - LOL! Then I spoke, "dag Danny, youse dusty!" YUP! I called the man DUSTY with a capital "D" to his face. And then I added, "not only are you dusty, but your sneakers are dirty!" Well, he was dusty and his sneakers were dirty, but did I have to go there - LOL!

Well, that too was fun, but not nearly as fun as when I meant "Julia" that's right every young black girl who grew up in the 60's knows of "Julia" and I got to meet her. I stood within arms reach in John Wanamaker's in November 2000 and she even spoke to me ... get this, "nice outfit" and "you can wear a hat" - was what Ms. Diahann Carroll herself said to me. She is the cutest person.

I've meant countless sports people, but I only knew of Dr. J, Darryl Dawkins and Bobby Jones. I didn't know the guy I sat next to at my doctor's office who played for the Flyer's (later to find out, he was Eric Lindros). He was there to see sports doc, Dr. Manpau (however you spell it). The man was very handsome, but I had no clue as to who he was, I guess that's why he sat down next to me - LOL! He felt safe - LOL! All the other women in the doctors office (including personnell) were swarming around us. YUP! They kept asking for autographs for their sons, husbands, boyfriends, fathers, etc. I was like, WOW! And then there's the Eagles. I got to meet Donovan, and I'm not a fan of his at all after our introduction. He's rude!

And last, but not least was my introduction to Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries. The man captured my heart with his book, "The Source of My Strength." His blue blue blue eyes speak of great worship and love and respect for Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I enjoyed meeting the other celebrities, but I adored meeting Dr. Stanley!

There goes my celebrity gazing post!

Oh and the time I went to the Steeler's game with my big brother all so I could see Franco Harris! Well, I never got to meet Franco, but I sure was horse from calling his name ... GO FRANCO GO! Oh how I loved me some Franco - LOL!

Wishing and a hoping ...

Check out my wish list. I was blog surfing and stumbled across finished lace shawls from Lace Maven, Lacefreak and Miss Alice Faye and I want:

1) the Shetland Lace 1 Ply Spring Shawl
2) the Princess Shawl
3) the Nesting Shawl
4) the Unst Shawl and
5) the Simply Stunning Collection

All from Heirloom Lace!

Well, I guess I better hunker down and get ready to spend a fortune!

Ceme