Happy New Year

For some reason, starting a new year seems like there is new hope for things. It feels like a change can actually happen. This year my focus is going to be on having fun and enjoying myself. I have my online store to work on. I have my kids who are getting to a really fun age. My husband and I will have our motor finished by the spring so we can cruise around in our camaro this summer and maybe go to Mission Raceway Park a few times. I have a feeling that this is going to be one good year!

On to other news. Lorna's Laces has arrived and is now up online Valley Yarn. We will receive the new Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn in January as well. We have ordered all 12 colors. There is a sale on right now with 10% off everything in the store until Jan 8.

I haven't posted for awhile because of the holidays and because I was working night and day trying to finish my mom's Christmas gift (featured below - sorry for the blurry picture, our camera needs some serious help).

Last night I started a pair of socks for myself. I am going to fit some knitting in for myself but I am going to budget my time because I was so behind this past Christmas and that really takes the fun out of it for me.

I don't have a plan for this sock yet. I just cast on last night and started the ribbing. I love Lorna's Laces. It is so beautiful and soft. This color is 901 Baltic Sea and I am using Knitpicks 3.25 mm harmony needles (which I love love love and they're very pretty).

TGIF

I am so glad it's Friday. My husband and I are going to go Christmas shopping tomorrow and go out for lunch while my mom looks after the kids. Even though it will be really busy with xmas shoppers, I am so looking forward to having some time away from the house and going for lunch.

Christmas knitting is slowly, no quickly, falling behind.

In other knitting news, Lorna's Laces has shipped my order. I'm really excited to get that. It should arrive shortly after Christmas (I think it will be slow due to lots of shipping this time of year).

I also ordered the new Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn. It will be arriving in January.

The 2008 Annual International Fibrefest is booked. We will have a booth and the date is March 7 - 11 am to 8 pm & March 8 - 9 am to 5 pm. It will be at the Abbotsford Exhibition Park this year.

So that's all for now. Have a good weekend!

Snow in the forecast

I love the snow. I feel like a kid when it snows and it is so beautiful (until it gets too warm....then it's just messy!). Were supposed to start getting snow tomorrow through to Sunday morning but then it is going to get really warm and turn to rain, blah, I don't like the rain.

Christmas knitting is still moving along. I don't really know if I can't fit any more time in on knitting and I feel a like I should have more done by now. As soon as I am completely over this cold and I am rested, I am going to have a few late nights knitting, you know, just to get to a point where I feel I'm OK;)

In other knitty news, I sent off my registration for the Fibrefest 2008. It is a fibre festival in Abbotsford, BC on March 7 & 8. It will be the stores first time with a booth and I am really looking forward to it.

Well, back to the books. I am wearing my bookkeeper hat today. December is full of deadlines for me, christmas knitting and baking and finishing company books.

3 cheers for snow!! hiphip horray hiphip horray hiphip horray

new yarn in the store

We got tons of new yarn in the last couple of days. I ordered 20 or so colors of Malabrigo Worsted and I also ordered some new Noro Kureyon and Silk Garden yarns. I have also added Araucania's Patagonia cotton to the line up. I'm really liking everything I got in....so much that I can't help but keep 1, or 2 or 3:)

Araucania has used Jane Ellison to design alot of new stuff. I quite like what she has done. Since Araucania yarns come in these beautiful varigated colors it can sometimes be hard to find a nice pattern that doesn't take away from the yarn and yet, isn't too boring to knit or wear. She has managed to bring out the best in the yarn and the colors.

Also new, is the Malabrigo line. The colors are absolutely brilliant. It has been impossible for me to take a picture and capture the true color. I am going to encourage everyone to check Malabrigo's web site as well to confirm if the color they are seeking is actually what they will get!

Finally a note about 'christmas knitting'. I am moving at a snails pace on my knitting (no offence to any snails). I am already thinking about baking, shopping and everything else that goes with the holiday season, and, I kinda think there's not enough time.

christmas knitting

I only have one Christmas present on the go right now. It's an Aran Waistcoat (I think that might be an overseas term), it's a vest. Anyways, progress is really slow. Slow for two reasons 1. I can't get much knitting done during the day and 2. there is about 80% cables throughout the whole sweater, but then that is what makes aran sweaters what they are.

The pattern keeps me interested, I only hope that it will be done well before Christmas because I am wanting to give it to my mom. My family really likes home made gifts because we all like to make things and we each can appreciate how much time and effort can go into something.

Spinning, spinning and more spinning

The spinning wheel is together and it's so beautiful. It is so fun and interesting creating things. I have so many plans in my head I am going to start a spinning journal. I think I am going to invest in a drum carder and buy some wool from some of the local farms.

We Remember

My family and I would like our soldiers, past and present to know that we remember and we appreciate there sacrifice.

I have had several people in my family that have fought in different wars as well as served in the army and the navy. I am proud of that and I wish I could have known them. They had all passed away by the time I was born.

Thank you.