A Great (Birth)Day

I've started counting backwards now (so Birthdays aren't so painful) but I always love a reason to have cake!

Here's my Birthday (& next Anniversary, Christmas, New Years, & Valentines) day present:

My Ashford Joy DT along with fiber to practice on from The Woolery in Frankfurt KY.  I'm really glad I went in person and tested out different wheels before I bought one. I thought I had my heart set on a Kromski Fantasia (and almost just ordered it). It looks really cool with it's more "modern" design, but after trying out several there in the shop, the Joy was THE ONE.

She's awfully pretty, very petite, and quiet as a mouse.  Great travel wheel.

She's hoping her new owner practices more and keeps her busy. I'm really enjoying spinning but realize just how much practice I need! Well, at least I know she'll be patient with me.

A BIG Thank you going out to my blog buddy Dawn for the fluffy goodness and other birthday goodies (my lotion was already in use and didn't make it to the photoshoot!)! I've been having so much fun picking up different fibers and can't wait to try these out too! Thanks for thinking of me! ♥

Off to spin some more.....Hope everyone had as great a day as I had. :O)

Birthday Bonanza!!!

Another year, another cake. Always happy to have one of these around! (My BD is the 2nd)

There's only five candles because we only had five pink ones. Plus, The Big Guy suggested we put ALL of my candles on but then made a "remark" about how they weren't going to fit..... and we didn't have enough anyway..... yea, he's a riot. So, I don't feel so bad about my bounty this year. Guilt can work to my benefit yet again.

(ETA: These stash yarns were purchased over several paydays! LOL! I make my birth"day" sort of my birth YEAR around here.)

Socks That Rock MediumWeight in the Mustang Sally Colorway. I grabbed this off of the ISO/Destash board on Ravelry. That is one addictive place to hang out. It's very dangerous for someone like me. Upfront, this isn't my first purchase from there - and it's certainly not going to be my last! But I do try to avoid it as much as possible. I already have a skein of this that I haven't used yet but the price was too good to pass up. Yep. Dangerous.

I purchased these from a new yarn shop in my area. Well, I discovered it's quite aways away (about 45 minutes) but at least it was a nice drive! They just opened last month so I felt the need to show my support (and enhance my stash). I actually bought three of these Cherry Tree Hill Select Semi Solid's. I got the Azalea, Slate, and Lotus Colorways. (Lotus is already OTN's, hence no picture). I just LOVE the colors of these (which explains why I came home with 3 skeins- gulp!) I picked up a few cotton yarns as well because she had the prettiest washcloths crocheted up in Plymouth's Jean Nee that I just have to replicate somehow. They're pretty basic, but the Jean Nee is just so soft, squishy, and delicious in this type of project. When I saw them, I thought of my Mom and her delicate face from her cancer surgery 2 years ago. My Mom certainly deserves the best.

I think I ordered these from The Loopy Ewe last month. Malabrigo Sock in colorway #808-Violeta Africana (which looks way more purple in real life, my camera picks it up as blue). Add to that "Tiziano Red" which is also already in use for the girls fingerless mitts (pictures to come soon I hope). The purple Cascade Fixation just jumped into my online cart (honest! ) Not sure how that happened but I already have something in mind for my youngest using that.

My splurge. Fleece Artists Handmaiden Casbah in the Victoria colorway. Cause as you can see it matches my tablecloth. Seriously, those are my colors. If it reminds me of ROSES. It's mine.

Of course I couldn't help but visit KnitPicks for my Birthday! These are skeins of Stroll (handpainted sock yarn). Colors are Dolly (pink) and Make Believe (purple/blue). These are soooo pretty. I haven't decided what these will be yet. I picked up some extra Harmony tips (why do I always need the size that's already in use?) and the double ended crochet hooks for good measure (free shipping). I'm now eyeing those new Zephyr needles. There's no doubt I'll be trying them, I enjoy using my acrylic straights that I got from Joanne's a long time ago. I love that they're so lightweight (my wrist pain is an issue at times), and these are supposed to be a way better acrylic.

Thank You Thank You Thank You so much to all of my fantastic knitting blog friends, Ravelry friends, and all of my wonderful family who made my day so awesome. We're alone here in our town, but the phone calls and messages on Ravelry and here kept coming all day and it sure made me smile. It makes turning 39 (again) easier to bear!

Happy Knitting!

Just Checking...

how accurate this is....

Your Birthdate: August 2

You're so intuitive, it's like you have a sixth, seventh, and eighth sense. You connect with others freely and easily - and you tend to have many best friends. Warm and caring, it's hard for you to close your heart to anyone. Affection is like air for you - you need to give and receive it to survive. Your strength: Your universal compassion Your weakness: Your unpredictable mood swings Your power color: Mauve Your power symbol: Butterfly Your power month: February

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Hmmmm.....I think I am intuitive, and the MOOD SWINGS thing is spot on, but although I love the color mauve, it looks terrible on me! LOL!!!!

I'm so spoiled, VERY spoiled, la-la-la

(Picture Heavy Post)

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I don't want birthdays to count anymore number-wise, but PRESENT-WISE, now that makes me happier than all get up. First, I tripped and fell off the "Stashdown" bandwagon (again!) and went to one of my LYS's yesterday. (We kind of celebrated yesterday, ran errands, went to Outback for dinner, and shopped till we dropped -technically, I WAS a day early, but no one remembered the bet, we were too full and tired.)
This particular LYS moved into a bigger location and carries a much wider assortment than the other one here in town (she's been open longer). Plus, even tho Ms. Owner isn't exactly the friendliest I've met, she remembers me even if I haven't been in for a year! -I KNOW the other YS lady never remembers me! I have to say: selection + remembering me as a customer = you'll probably get my $$. I almost hyperventilated on all the yarn fumes in there, it's a knitters paradise really. Miss C and I could've stayed in there all day (if we had more time & money!)

Then I finally got myself a new phone....LUV IT. AND I opened Miss Dawn's Box: Doesn't my phone look pretty with my card?? So..... "ME" (Both items!) LOL! Here are some of my goodies! I didn't realize I had the nail file underneath! But I LOVED everything she sent me!!! My Lamb magnet makes me smile big time! Look at that FACE!

She also sent me a jar of green olives stuffed with garlic!!! I laughed so hard! My daughter took a picture of me but if I showed that one no one would ever visit my blog again!

Yea, I looked pretty bad!

I bet you can guess what this is and what it's for??? I tried to get a closer up pic,

I need to try that again....

Wa-la!! My Ultimate Present in the World!!!!

(It Worked great to hide my face and fat.LOL!)

I kept it on for hours, after Miss C finally gave it back!!

I didn't want to take it off....ever. (I look tired, I AM tired!)

A thing of Beauty. A true Masterpiece.

Miss Dawn tried so hard to get me to make a shawl when she was making her first. I totally chickened out and abandoned her but she's way better at everything than I am! And I'm not ashamed to say being lame pays off!!!! See what happens????????? Magic!!! This is very inspiring though.... someday......check out her blog! She has more now!

Today is "recoup" day. I've gotten calls from Family, hugs from my girls, and chocolate cake from the Big Guy so I totally need a nap about now! Well, after my pastrami sandwich (Gee Dr, I don't know why my cholesterol is up?!) This "age" thing...oy.

All I need is a rocker! And more yarn.

Have a Happy August 2nd!!!!!!!

Early Birthday Fun!

So far I'm 50/50 when it comes to opening things before my birthday!!! My friend since elementary school, Rhonda, sent me my life's prescription: Chocolate! I opened this box early (ahem, I forgot my birthday was coming - getting old stinks). (That's me on the right - cause I know I never show myself on my blog! LOL!) Her box of goodies came with a card that has our picture inside! That was so cool! We took that one last summer when I was in CA. We have fun with our Birthdays because she's 6 days older than me, so I always have to rub that in... We're sticking to 39....I'm pretty sure from now on.

Here's a bigger pic of us from that day:

NOW>>> Miss Dawn sent me this box of goodies!

And I'm SAVING it (Cause The Big Guy bet me $5.00 that I wouldn't be able to wait until my birthday). I only cut open the taped part so far!! This is NOT easy for someone like me, who if there's a present with my name on it anywhere within a 50 mile radius, I'll open it ASAP. I've been that way since I was little (my Poor Mom). Well, He thinks he knows me so well....this time I'm gonna show him! Miss J (my oldest) was ready to bet me $200!!! Now if she only had that much money I'd sure show her! See how well they think they know me!??? I have SOME control for gosh sakes. Just because I have no control most of the time (especially when in a yarn store), when it comes to a bet...that changes everything!!

Yessirreee. I can do it. Now if I can just figure out what day today is.....