Week of studying

Sooo, I went home last Wednesday to study for my three midterms this week. I was actually supposed to go to Blizzcon in Anaheim, California, but because of my exams, i stayed and studied most of the weekend. I got a couple of breaks, but most of it was spent grinding entrepreneur finance into my brain. Yes, very fun. I have a midterm tonight, tomorrow and Thursday. I can't wait for the weekend to get here.
I did get some knitting done while I was home. I finished my dad's socks, finally. Here he is wearing them below. He likes them and will hopefully wear them. I did the garter rib from sensational Socks and knit them in Trekking XXL, forget the colour though, sorry.

I also finished my Corazon Mittens. These are a project for my production class, so thankfully those are done also. The yarn used is Nashua Julia. it's a great yarn and very soft. I'm quite proud of these.

My Sundara sock club shipment arrived today. While I like the name, I'm not fond of the colour. I'm not a huge purple fan, if you hadn't noticed. I'm willing to part with this one heh. I'll sell it for the normal price of Sundara sock yarn $23 plus shipping.

Last week Mac and I also had a photoshoot while he was laying on his bed outside. This was one of the cuter ones.

I am also in the process of destashing some yarns. These will included some Wollmeise, Hazel Knits, Plucky Knitter, etc. The images will be posted in my next post if you're interested.

Wow, I'm 23. . .

Yep, I'm getting up there. Anyways, this past weekend I picked up Boy and we went to my parents house in Rockford. On Saturday, the main reason we went, was to go to my local apple orchard. In January it was hit by a tornado and the buildings were leveled. So over the past 8 months the orchard cleaned up the area and rebuild almost everything. Yeah, that's dedication. They have award winning cider and apple donuts ( HEAVEN!!). They also have kickass fudge and apple pie with vanilla ice cream. It's a tradition in my family to go every year and it was fantastic to go after such a devastating storm. Below are some pictures of the main barn outside and in. I also did a crap load of homework while home, yeah great fun *gag*. Oh well, thats what college is for.


That beautiful chocolate boy below is having surgery today on his left hind leg. He has a torn acl and has been limping since the spring. My mom and the vets wanted to wait until fall to do the surgery so he heals better in the cooler weather. Talking about cooler weather, yeah fall is here!!! Btw, his name is Indie (Indiana Jones).

And of course my family, boy and I celebrated my birthday with an awesome dinner of a roast, mashed potatoes, gravy and of course cake. My mom ordered the cake from mary's market, our friends own it and they used to have awesome cakes. Well, this cake had more frosting than cake. it was rather disgusting, not my mom's fault and I told her that, but just ew. I love sweets but frosting gets to me after a while and it was just too much. I asked her to get a chocolate cake and instead we got a frosting dome with some chocolate cake inside. yeah. . . .

Then Sunday Boy and I headed back to Iowa. We went on 20 coming and going, which is a beautiful drive I might add, because I wanted to cut some time off of dropping him back off at UNi in Cedar Falls. It cut off an hour, which made me happy. Below is a picture of Mac's crazy flying fur when the windows were open.

I also frogged the blue socks in the previous post because there were mistakes that were annoying me and also because I need some dummy (plains stockinette) socks to work on in class. Brainless knitting projects in class help quite a bit.

Also, sock club packages will go out this Saturday and there will be a shop update on Sunday.
Oh and HA HA to Tom Brady for getting injured at the beginning of the season and out for the rest of it. HA HA!

Less Than a Week to Stitches. . .

I was at Gencon, a gaming convention in Indianapolis, over this past weekend. I would have taken pictures if my camera were charged. . . oops? Anyways, before we went I finished dying up and skeining all of the yarn I will be taking to Stitches Midwest. There are about 120 something skeins. You can see some of my new colourways on the top. I really hope you guys like them. =)

While at Gencon, I walked around and knit most of the time. I got pretty far on my Raptor's Tower socks and started my sister's second sock. The cabling is basically done, except for one mistake that needs to be fixed.

The main draw for me at Gencon are the vendors, especially the artists. Jen and I walked around and found these awesome prints of "My Little Demons." I was and still am a My Little Pony's child and LOVED them!! I bought one for my sister for part of her Hannukah gift and these two pictured are mine. I couldn't resist LoL.

We also found a LYS in Indianapolis which was more like an unorganized warehouse than a LYS. It had tons of yarn, but the organization was horrible! It was messy and yarn was everywhere, sticking out of things and piled in laundry baskets, etc. I still bought some sock yarns and a skein of Malabrigo Chunky, which I have never tried before. There is also a skein of Aussie Sock ($12 for 400 yards!!!), a skein of Misti Alpaca sock yarn and 2 skeins of Regia Bamboo.

Last night I finally cast on my dad's socks for Hannukah. I'm farther than I thought I'd be for gifts. It'
it'll be nice to have them finished and knit for myself again, even though I have been knitting some for myself.

The sock club is definately going to happen and I hope everyone signs up. It'll be better than the last one with awesome new colourways, patterns (by the great and awesome Karen). There will also be great goodies included!
Boy and I both start classes next week, oh goodie. Hopefully I'll see him next weekend because I REALLY miss him. =/ Well, at least now we'll only be 1 1/2 hours apart instead of halfway across the country from eachother.

Ahh. . .Holiday Knitting. . .

Yes, I said it. It's July and I have until Thanksgiving to finish all of my projects. Most people will be receiving socks or a hat. My dad will hopefully be receiving a sweater and socks. We shall see if that is a little over ambitious for me. Below is a picture of most of the sock yarn that hopefully by November will be in the actual shape of socks. We shall see.
The red Sparkly yarn (Tempted Glam Girl inRoxanne) is for my mom, the green STR being knit into Brigid's is for my sister, the purple and yellow (spunky eclectic) is for my grandma, the yellow is for my grandpa, the Numma Numma is for my brother, the pink is for my brother's girlfriend, and the other green ones ended up being for me. Not pictured: boy's STR in Lucy in the Sky in mediumweight, dad's sweater, and cascade heritage that is still in the mail.

Here is a close up of the Toasty and Glam Girl yarns. This was my first order from Loopyewe.com.

Below we have three beautiful balls of merino/mohair blend fiber from the Spunky Eclectic fiber club. It;s beautiful when it's in a ball, but when I drafted it and started spinning it, YUCK. The balls of fiber are not the same and it looks bad being spun because the colors don't blend well. =( So sad, such soft fiber too.

Sign-ups for the next MacKintosh Yarns Sock Club are up in my etsy store. This is limited to 25 members. The sign-up will be up until August. Thank-you!

Boys, snow, sick boys, and more snow. . .

Sooooo my bf Steve is here until the 3rd and everything was great until he suddenly got sick yesterday. Just my luck eh? Have a sick boy with me when a blizzard goes through Iowa and everything is gorgeous, blah blah blah. =P Nah, we're still having fun doing stuff like catching up on movies he didn't get to see, etc.
I dragged him to see P.S. I Love You, a book I fell in love with long ago when it first came out. Gerry Butler is hot as usual, I'm not sure I like Hillary Swank in the role of Holly tho, oh well.
OH and SWEENY TODD ISN'T PLAYING IN IOWA CITY!!!!!!!! WTF??????????????? oh yeah, upset!!!! Anyways, I just wanted to give everyone an update.

The sock club has been sent out and should be to it's recipients soon. I am making up a new box for my Harry Potter swap partner, damn the mail. The socks aren't HP colours tho. I hope you still like them, knitting the fastest pair I know. =P I hpe to have that in the mail right after Christmas.
Umm and yeah, I'm ALIVE!!! amazing. . .

and the bf has requested fingerless gloves with the fingers cut off, get what I mean? Yeah, never done fingers before. . . .this should be interesting. . . heh started them tonight while watching "Knocked Up." Great film hehehehe. Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

Oh and contest announcement will be right after Christmas also.

3 more days until vacation!!!!

Yep, I said it, 3 more days until an entire week off from class!! Damn I love Iowa! When my sister Jen was at Wiscnsin they only got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday off. Hawkeyes get an entire week and a half off including the weekend! Yay!!!!!!
Okay, onto the knitting update:
I have a shitload of Socks That Rock that I need t knit up. I grabbed my mediumweight Farmhouse and started knitting. These were going to be for my dad, but as I kept knitting I said to myself, "Hell no, I'm keeping them." Sorry dad, I'll knit up something really quickly for you. You may notice that it isn't just a 4x2 rib, the knit stitches actually are mockcaled twice in a row to break up the monotony of ribbing. I think it looks cute and does what I need it to do. It is also easy enough to knit while in class. Yes, I knit in class and none of my professors have said anything because I take notes and participate.

Below are Alicia's stockinette socks. I knit these either in class r when I'm really bored. They're almost done, so that will be one more thing to strike from my list. =)

I'm knitting my sister one of the chunky hats also because she watched me knit mine and mentioned, key word there mentioned, how she needs a warm hat for winter and wishes, another key word, I would knit her one. I love guilt trips. . . . .

Class, classwork, midterms, papers, brain seeping out of ears with info I wish I could hold onto. Yep, that's college! I actually love college and am going to miss it when I enter the "real world." =(

Mac is loving the cooler weather and constantly wants to go out on the balcony and try to cat one of the birds on the birdfeeder. Blah, typical dog, except he sucks at hunting. hahahahaha

Note to Susan, I'm hoping to have your package sent out by Saturday. Thx soooo much for your patience with me. =)
Ashley awaiting your sock club package, yours will be sent out latest by Thursday with the extra skein of yarn, again thank you for your patience. =)

I play World of Wacraft and thought this was cute! Click on the pic to see the entire thing.


OH we beat Minnesota!!!!! GO HAWKS!!!! Wisconsin beat Michigan!!!! yay!!! OSU lost to Illinois, bastard Illini, but they still have a shot at the hampionship, which is good and if they don't go there they'll go to the Rose Bowl. And the Packers destroyed the Vikings!!!!! Life is good! Sorry Janice. . . . =P
John got a job at a law firm in Madison so we happy now.

eewww

I've been sick for the past week and a half and haven't gotten anything done. I have some orders that need to be sent out and I apoligise for not getting them out. The fact that I am even able to type is amazing. The sock club shipment will most likely be sent out a week later than stated because I'm behind from being sick. I don't want to send you contaminated yarn, that would suck. *I wash the yarn so when I'm well don't worry*
I have:

sinus infection
swollen mouth
cold sore (painful bitch)
fatigue
stress
more stress
swollen throat
migraines
etc

don't really want to continue

one positive, the Packers are undefeated and Brett Favre is still hot for a 37 year old man. =P

How time flies. . ..

when you're half asleep most of the day and realise you just went through 5 hours of classes. . . .weird eh?
So I'm 22, thanks for the birthday wishes everyone! Below is a pic of my cake. Yay! Yes, it's Hawkeye themed, wow, shocker. . .
Anna also got me some yarn, Cascade Pastaza, which is 50% llama & 50% wool. It's soo soft! I bought some more so I can make a hat, mittens, & a scarf if I finish my grandpa's.

Below is a pic of the scarf. I'm just about to finish the second skein, only needs about 1/2 of another and it should be done. It's kind of slightly growing on me. . . I still hate knitting scarves!

What else have I been up to? Below should be an answer, but I've also been working out, walking Mac, doing homework, trying to sleep, etc. The usuals when you're in college, except ordering in pizza for breakfast, lunch & dinner constantly. =P Yay for Smart Ones.


SOCK CLUB!!!!!!!

The sign-ups for he sock club will only be up until the 25th. They will be taken down by the evening of the 24th! Thanks!

Oh and Yay to the Packers for winning & Brett Favre is still HOT!!!!!!! hehehehe I'm heading up to Madison, Wisc this Friday with my sis for the Hawkeye vs Badger game. It should be awesome!!! Go HAWKS!

We Tortured My Dog. . .

Great title eh? We didn't REALLY torture my dog. My sister & I were at Iowa Book and saw this adorable Iowa jersey for a dog. I bought one, the one I thought would fit & it did. And we rushed back to my apartment to see it on Mac. I think it fit, while my sister said it was a little tight. Sooo now I have to return it & get the larger size. He's not a huge dog. Blah! Pics below, I think it was adorable!


Below is a pic of my progress on my second pair of Wonk Cable Cabin Socks. I like it so far. The pooling is cool. =)

My shower has reached maximum capacity at the moment. Jen helped me dye up 2 more coloursways for my Loopy Ewe order. Behold Tonks & Half Blood Prince. Don't be fooled. each one of those skeins is actually 8 oz, so 2 actual skeins come out of it. Sweet eh?


SOCK CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I lowered the price for the sock club because I was a dumbass when I posted them up.

Monthly is now $35
Complete payment is now $175

I hope this is more reasonable for people. Smack me if you like, I give you permission. ;-)


CONTEST!!!!!!!!!!

The winners of my football player contest will be announced Saturday right after the Iowa, NIU game at Soldier Field. For people who chose the same players that I think are hot, there will be a coin toss for the winner. Don't be afraid to choose the same player as someone else. Fair game for everyone because really none of you know my taste in men, unless you know me personally. . . .lmfao

Free Yarn Contest!!! & parents are coming. . . . .

*Warning* Big POST!

Okay, first off. I FINALLY got my sisters stupid demonic Badger socks off the needles!!! It took 9 months, but they are finally DONE!!! They're actually closer than I thought they would be. Not horrible. Now she can wear them to the Iowa vs. Wisconsin game up in Madison on September 22nd. I can't wait!!!!

I mention free yarn in my header. Well, there are 4 batches of yarn I'm giving away. I'm even paying for shipping. I'm doing "Fall Cleaning" and need to get rid of it. It would break my heart if I had to throw it away. =(
Below are the 4 batches. They all have enough for at least SIX pairs of socks each. Some have more yarn than that. There is some Lorna's Laces, Trekking, Jojoland Melody, Jojoland Kaleidescope, Twinkletoes, etc. In order to get it you must find a picture of a Hawkeye Football player that you think is attractive and explain why you chose him in the comment section. If you all choose the same player, I will know you've gone through my blog and will not be happy. =P Some advice, go for players from between 2003 and 2006. =P or go here to look: Hawkeye Sports. I will pick the people who picked the most attractive player in my opinion. I mean come on, it's free yarn! ALSO, PLEASE POST THIS ON YOUR BLOG! *forgot, sorry*

Batch 1


Batch 2


Batch 3


Batch 4

The yarn for my Loopy Ewe order, sock club and update arrived today. It actually surprised me. Yes, that is a shitload of yarn. weee!!! Let the fun begin. . .!!!!


Talking about college. Parents mean a few things to college students:

1. Money
2. Real Food
3. Grief and Annoyance
4. Money & Real Food
5. Reminders of why you are at college
6. (in my situation and the worst of them all) Clean Dorm Room/Apartment and much criticism and bitching if opinions differ in cleanliness

I am not known as being the cleanest person on the planet, shut up Anna. And my parents are coming on Saturday which means they will, mainly my mom, expect it to be clean. They are BOTH clean freaks. So is my sister for that matter. So, this means I have had to clean my entire apartment. Below are som pictures of the progress. No, there are not before pictures because I didn't think about it. Oh well. I'm doing better in my apartment than I was in my dorm.
Below is my living room, yep tons of yarn on the coffee table. Most of it waiting to be wound into hanks.

Next we have my kitchen with a huge pile of dishes in the sink (those will be taken care of shortly).

My computer room (where I am right now typing this to you) and where my sock stash resides. (sorry no pic yet) It also happens to usually be the brightest room in the entire apartment, no idea why. It was a disaster earlier, so the fact that you can see the floor is a miracle. =P

I also cleaned my bedroom, stripped the bed, put most of the laundry away, etc. Mac decided my blankets (waiting for the sheets to be cleaned) was a great place for him to snuggle in. In other words, not like my bed wasn't already covered in dog hair, considering the munchkin sleeps on my bed, he decided the blankets were now conquered in the name of "MacKintosh Apple Computer." Oh well.

I also feel really bad for Janice because she moved her daughter into her dorm today and it stormed all morning here in IC. =/ Hope nothing got ruined in the mud hole in front of the dorm. Oh and yay for a new Hawkeye who's mother is a kick ass knitter!!!

Also, I'm sad because I just found out that I can't go to one of my best friend's wedding. She's getting married November 11th in downtown Chicago. The 11th is a Sunday and I have class the next morning. IC is about 4 to 5 hours from downtown Chicago. The wedding is from 6pm to midnight. Not exactly reasonable for me. =( I was supposed to be one of her bridesmaids. =( =( =( =( =( =(

News Flash!

I HATE BEING FEMALE!!!! There are certain parts of my anatomy I could DEFINATELY do without! Okay, enough with the angry you're a chic and guys have it so easy, etc etc shit. Now, where's the Midal and my heating pad?

I have a finished object! Yes! It is amazing! I finished the second of my Wonky Cable Cabin Socks. Pattern coming soon. Anyways, the amazing part about this is. . . . they were only knit on ONE set of needles! No SSS here! I like them, they'll be nice this winter while walking to class. Btw, classes start Monday, actually can't wait.

Next we have the yarn I am sending to Claudia of Wollmeise. We're doing a swap. Both of the skeins below are a tencel/merino blend. One is obviously Half Blood prince and the other is Japanese Maple. I LOVE the luster and sheen of this yarn. It maybe added to my collection in the spring. One of the skeins in the sock club may be this yarn also. *hint* *hint*

A long with yarn, I dyed up some roving. This is called "November." Yeah, how original eh? Okay, shut up now. LoL. One of my customers asked me to dye up some roving to show her employer in Chicago, a yarn store owner. Sooo I'm dying up more. or will be once the painkiller kicks in and I'm fully conscience. I like it a lot and don't want to put it in the etsy store, but I must. *cries*

Talking about the sock club. 14 sign-ups have been added to my etsy shop If you need monthly billing, please message me. Thanks!