That Which Can Now Be Named

I know, that was very Harry Potter of me.  But I'm so excited now that I can post about a few of the "secret" projects I have worked on recently. 

First off, are two patterns that I tested for Gardiner Yarn Works .  Both are for the upcoming line for Fall of 2008.  

#1 - The Star Mesh Scarf

Fantastically modeled by the Incredible Digit Girl, this scarf is lace-y and light yet warm from the soft wool of Shibui Sock yarn I used.  It is only a four row pattern repeat but has the look of a more difficult design.  I will definitely knit this pattern again and might even use the yarn called for in the pattern -  Handmaiden Camelspin.  

#2 - Kids Stripey Raglan 

This pattern was just a blast to knit.  I actually completed this project fairly quickly and, thanks to the great design, had only two small underarm seams to sew.   This particular sweater is a size six and being modeled by the son of a good friend.  I plan on knitting another in a size four so The Incredible Digit Boy will have one to wear this coming winter.  I used Ella Rae Classic yarn for this project.  It was a good choice.  A nice worsted weight with good stitch definition.  

Now the next project was very exciting for me.  It's definitely not a pattern I would have chosen for myself.  It's the Flow Motion sock by Cat Bordhi.  This is the first of her patterns I've tried and I have to admit I was a little intimidated by the design (lace-y, toe-up, and two at a time).   

I'm happy to say that the socks came out very well and can currently be seen here.   Just goes to show that all types of yarn can make lovely socks.  

Nothing in Particular

I'm nursing a little bit of a cold and am not in the most creative of moods. I blame the extremely crappy weather we are experiencing here in the Pacific Northwest. I was watching a newscast last night that described this month as June-uary. We're definitely more winter than summer right now.

So, since I'm lazy, here's a few recent pics from the Digit household.

The Incredible Digit children standing proudly in front of their Nana's artwork hung in her own home.  
Group photos from our visit with family in San Diego.  One of my husbands lovely cousins, Carla, graduated Summa Cum Laude from SDSU with a degree in Nursing.  We are all very proud of her.  
Another group photo of the more immediate family...us with my husband's parents and brothers.  It really is so nice when we can all be in the same town if only for a few days.  
Following the family visit, the Incredible Digit Husband travelled to Yokohama Bay, Japan for work.  It was a very short 48 hour stay, but his hosts there did take him out for a bit of sightseeing.  This beautiful statue is one of the most impressive of the sites that he visited.  
It is the Great Buddha of Kamakura.  According to Japan-Guide.Com:

"The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha this is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple.  With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan." 

The site goes on to explain that though the statue was originally housed inside a large temple, a tsunami tidal wave in the 15th century destroyed the building and the Buddha has stood in the open ever since. 

While I did miss him during his trip, I wish that he had been able to stay another day or two and explore the area a little more.  Oh well, we'll just all have to go as a family one day in the future.  

On the knitting front, several of the projects I'm working on cannot be discussed in this forum yet.  I was lucky enough to get pattern for the Malabrigo Slippers by CoCoKnits.  They are adorable house slippers that can be customized with different accessories on the front.....including a separate panel made to look like penny loafers which can hold an actual penny.  Too cute.  I have some Izu yarn by Shibui Knits that I'm going to use.  I'm also going to check out the stock at Stitchjones yarn for some additional combinations.  

But now I'm going to relax on the couch, drink the tea that my wonderful husband made for me and, most likely, doze off for a bit.  Cheers!

Tag, I'm It

I recently got tagged for a meme by the lovely Sharon of Stitchjones so here is all the pertinent info. 

1)  What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was living in Tujunga, CA, working as a full-time temp for the Kaiser Permanente Sales Dept, taking a Two-Dimensional Design class at Pasadena City College, and participating in the Without Alarm II Art Exhibit which was held in the empty Los Angeles City Jail (also used for a myriad of TV shows and movies).   Oh, and not to be left out:  nursing my poor little Jack Russell Terrier back to health after being attacked quite badly by another neighborhood dog.  All while the Incredible Digit Husband (then boyfriend) and I were getting ready for our imminent move to Oregon.  

2)  What are five things on my to-do list today?  (no particular order)

1.  Pick up a classmate of the Incredible Digit Boy and take both to their preschool class. 

2.  Look for a coffee table for the living room. 

3.  Make and drink very strong coffee.

4.  Shower - because my hair looks like a Nick Nolte mug shot.

5.  Say a prayer for a dear friends grandmother who has been diagnosed with uterine cancer (join me if you like).

3)  Snacks I enjoy?

Punschrullar - a Swedish Apricot Marzipan confection available at your local Ikea

Pan Dulce - Mexican sweet bread available at Su Casa Imports or Grande Foods both in Hillsboro

Any kind of dark chocolate but especially with an orange flavor added

Any kind of cake - I'm not choosy

4)  Things I would do if I was a billionaire?

Buy a house for my mom so she could stop renting.  

Set up college funds for my niece and four nephews.  

Donate large sums of money to art programs for homeless/low income children and teens.

Buy and customize a large studio/workroom for all my craft stuff.  It would by my office :-).

5)  Five places that I have lived (besides Oregon)?

Exeter, New Hampshire; Yuma, Arizona; Paramount, California; Eagle Rock, California; Long Beach, California.