I had a massive ball of aran weight yarn left over…probably about 200 grams worth. It had been used to begin many different projects yet always getting ripped back because I just wasn’t happy with the acrylic sheen it carried. So it sat in my stash- the Obvious stash that doesn’t fit above my wardrobe but in a frame backpack in the middle of my room-and I stepped around it each day.
I have finally put it to good use by making a simple scarf to match my coat!

Ok, so it wasn’t too frightful…but it was snowy and cold!!!! And it’s been more than a week since I’ve written, I know…but…that’s life.

And I was inside. Sick. More on that later. Let’s get down to it, shall we?

The Work Week:

Mmm, not a whole lot to report. I DID get my H1N1 vaccine though!!! I was so excited!!!! No flu for MEEEEEE!! Now I just have to get the regular flu shot and I’ll be set.

Thanksgiving was a blur, not enough time off!! Then last week…nothing to report really. It was work. So we’ll move on.

The Workout Week:

Well…I kind of sort of not really re-started P90X.

Kinda.

I managed to remember to bring it down with me after Thanksgiving. I did 2 days of it, then got a head cold of sorts. I’m thinking I’m going to do bits and pieces of it. It’s a very intense program, and I need to build back up to that level.

I also need to get back to training for a real race!!!! AND I want to do a few tri’s in the spring…and HOPEFULLY I’ve talked a few people in to doing them with me! *looks at her people* YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!!!!

Also this week…I changed my first bike tire!!!

*bows*

Yes, yes, SO PROUD!!!

Well, I changed the tube. I’d never changed a tire on ANYTHING so this was an accomplishment for me!

First, I had to get the wheel OFF the bike…that wasn’t too bad.

Changing the bike tire.

Then…taking out the old tube and replacing it with the new one.

Ok...I can do this...

All in all, it wasn’t that bad. In fact, it was a heck of a lot easier than replacing strings on a string instrument….we’ll get to that in a bit. That involved puncture wounds. Not ok. *shakes head*

Tomorrow I’m hoping to get some yoga in, and later this week a run or two before the Jingle Bell 5K on Saturday.

Then on the 19th there’s ANOTHER 5K so I’ll get my 9 races in 09!!!! WHOOO!!!! Speaking of which, I need to update the Race Rollcall page.

Moving on…

The Knitting Week:

Not a lot happened over break. I looked at my projects. I glared at my projects. But I didn’t really do much on them.

I did re-start the gray scarf for Aunt Cynthia….I got mad at it.

Evil Scarf....

The old one is on the straight needle. I can’t do straight needles anymore, especially when purling!!! I wanted to rip my fingers off every time. So…I’m switching to Addi’s and doing a straight knit. It’ll go faster, because let’s face it, Christmas is COMING!!!

Then Aunt Sarah’s hat is coming along nicely. I don’t think I’m doing the decreases exactly right…because my number ended up a little off….but…I’m just going with it. It’ll be a beret, and she’ll like it no matter what.

It's almost done!!

Other than that…I worked a little on Aunt Connie’s socks…toe up for the first time. On DPN’s. Not so sure how that’s gonna go…

Now it’s time for this week’s….

Favorite:

I’m going to have to go with a good, wet, sticking SNOW. Just like the one we got this week!

Mmmm snow!

Big, fat, HUGE flakes. The kind that’s PERFECT for making snow men. The kind that’s great for sledding…the kind that gets you out of school. Mmm, snow.

I didn’t get to go sledding, or make snow men, but I did spend the day watching it snow from the coffee shop window with the BFF. We had a good time even though we didn’t play outside much!

Other Junk:

Well, over Thanksgiving I did get to see my best friend and new new baby boy. I took them out for her birthday lunch so that was nice.

During the week I did manage to get some work done in my house. I hung up some pictures finally!

Yeah, they are cheap frames from Walmart...but hey, for thirteen bucks...I'll take it!

Then I spent some time this weekend with Carly and Calypso…

Mom, I don't trust you...

And, upon coming home to see Tracy Friday night…I found this.

What's in that case???

FIDDLE!!!!!!!!

Yeah. I nearly screamed. He traded his guitar in to buy me a fiddle. I am still in shock.

So the fiddle caused me to also want my dulcimer. So that meant a trip to the music store to get strings since one was broken…and of course since we were at the music store, I had to buy a fiddle book!!! And some picks. And a mute for the fiddle (Which I cannot for the LIFE of me figure out how to put on…any suggestions?!?!) and other randomness.

Remember how I said changing a bike tire is easier than changing strings?

Yeah.

So I brought the dulcimer and fiddle home….much to the cat’s dismay…

Tomorrow, there WILL be a hairball on this, you do understand that, yes?

And I replaced the one broken string on the dulcimer.

And while tuning it…I broke another.

Good thing I bought a pack of strings at the store!!!

Now all the strings are replaced, and I’m working on remembering how to play. So far I can play a mean “Hot Cross Buns” and a pathetic first line of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”…

I haven’t done much on the fiddle yet. I can make it make a noise that doesn’t send animals and small children in to tears. That, I think, is progress.

That and my request for lessons from a local music school.

So now we shall close with our

Stellar Snowy Shoutout:

This week’s shoutout goes to Miss Chrissy….who has expressed a mild interest in doing a triathlon and I am using this shoutout as a shamless attempt to twist her arm in to joining me in April and doing a tri!!!

Chrissy you do NOT need someone there kicking your butt to do it. YOU can kick your own butt. I will be your online support system…but YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

DO IT!!!!!!!!!

Ok, have a great day/holiday/week/whatever everyone!!!!!!!!

Not since Limp Bizkit collaborated with Jay-Z has the union of heavy metal and (w)rap been worth its weight in platinum.  A fashion hybrid really, the latest stud from celebrity brand Tolani’s collection of sumptuous scarves incorporates that current craving for embellished details with our warmest winter necessity.

Whereas dainty details and floral fillers were once part of the formula for femininity, the woman of today means business and knows how to exude a sense of empowerment with the slightest of accessories.  No longer does tough-chic conjure images of biker chicks in leather, chains, and with helmet hair.  No, she’s more a vision of authority; a vision of capability; a vision of physical dominance.

Studded details are a head to toe must-have in more ways than one, from the fall hard-core rendition of Chuck Taylor high tops by What Comes Around Goes Around to the latest luxury scarf to hit Michelle Gellar’s hallway closet.  Though she might have retired from the vampire game long ago, perhaps the resurgence of our cave dwelling enemy has her and Halle Berry paying particular attention to their necks these days.

Realistically, during these chillier months, more often than not our intricate tanks and nifty necklaces get smothered by bulky outerwear.  While we all know that only freshmen brave the arctic in little more than spaghetti straps and open toed pumps, it’s still tempting to rip off our insulation and show off what’s underneath.  But then again, what a ghastly error it would be to affiliate with that collectively juvenile age group (or to catch the whooping cough, for that matter).

The Tolani stud scarf instead makes outerwear the layer to show off…the type that makes you want to keep on the winter gear upon entering a crowded room. So when the hostest with the mostest points to the guest bedroom for coats and other extras, you won’t hesitate before saying, I think I’ll hang on to this.

Here’s the newest item off the needles — the Transitions Scarf. If you can knit and purl, you can easily make this scarf!  A very clever slipped-stitch edge provides a lovely finish on each side. And, there’s still time to knit this one before the Holidays!

The sample shown here was knit using Bernat Soy Natural Blends yarn — a lovely yarn with just that little bit of sheen that will make this a perfect “out on the town” scarf. Knit it in a lovely merino and it becomes great for everyday wear.

see the PurpleSage Designs pattern page for lots more details!

purchase this downloadable pdf knitting pattern through Ravelry.com for only $2.00USD

Busy, busy. I haven’t had much time the last few weeks, but I just wanted to post an update. I recovered from my “stall out” and was back in the swing pretty quickly. I finished the Baby Yeti sweater, and the bonnet that I was working on.

I didn’t finish NaNo, but I had a great time doing it and will definitely try to be more prepared for it next year. I don’t feel too bad about my stats though. I finished with just over 25,000 words. Only half of the requirement, but not too shabby for a first timer. Next year, I’ll try to have more of my Christmas knitting done earlier so that I won’t feel the pressure of having so many things going, and maybe I’ll be better able to stick to the daily word goal. It was unfortunate that this year MIL’s cancer returned, and some of my “lost” time was spent at the hospital. But those are things that we can’t plan for, and I know that I’ll be looking forward to next years NaNoWriMo all the same.

Moreover, I have started and finished two scarves and I’m moving on to mittens for the grand baby. Wish me luck on that one! I’ve never done mittens before, so I’m hoping I can manage that thumb.

Pictures coming soon. (I forgot to get pics of one of the scarves & I don’t know if I can get it now, but I’ve got all the others.)

Happy Holidays!!!

2 for the price of one!

One very quick-knit and the other requires a little more concentration.

Lots more information on the South Mountain ~ Naturally patterns page.

This downloadable pattern pdf is available through Ravelry.com for $3.95USD

I had a large ball of aran weight yarn that has been sitting in my stash for quite some time. I really like the shade of purple but kept ripping out any project I made with it since it looks quite acrylic-y sometimes. Since one can never have too many scarves, I made one to match my purple coat.

The second installment of our Top 10 Gifts, this time it’s the under $30 selection.  In no particular order, here’s our picks.

1. Gentle Fawn Adopt Clutch

Simple and functional clutch with a push button closure, clear id sleeve, and inside zippered pocket. $24.95

2.Nixon Reston Scarf in Lipstick

 The Nixon website says “50% pima cotton, 50% bamboo knit.”

Ohh, sounds fancy! $29.95

3. Volcom Splatter Wool Sock

Listen buddy, I’m only gonna say this once. If you’re wearing those striped tube socks snowboarding instead of snowboard specific sock like the ones pictured above, you’re blowing it. COME AND GET A PAIR. YOU’LL THANK ME. $19.95 

4. Volcom Atmosphere Tech Wool Sock

See above, only replace “buddy” with “girlfriend” and pretend there is a girl writing this. $19.95

5. Element Margaret Beanie

This beanie is deep. Like deep fitting. But I bet you could write some deep poetry if you were wearing it. We also have it in black so you could get deep and dark. $29.95

6. Spitfire Burner Bearings

Whooooo!!! Bomb some hills. $24.95

7. Sideways T-Shirts

Classic. Black tee, white Sideways logo. Not many left. Show some love for the SW/BS. Perfect stocking stuffer. Wrap it up, it’ll look like socks. But when opened, the recipient will not have to fake a smile. $19.95

8. S’NOT RAGS

Photo: Mark Colbert (Hope you don’t mind!)

We just got a re-up of S’NOT RAGS. They won’t last for long. Couple styles for little faces too. $29.95

9. Nixon Show Biz Wallet

It ain’t leather but it sure looks like it. Simple tri-fold design with 5 different colors available. Zipper coin pouch, cause the kids request it. $22.95 

10. WeSC Sverker Beanie

Simple and warm beanie from our fine Swedish friends at WeSC. Ribbed beanie with embroidered logo. Also available in green. $24.95

Yarn: worsted                 Needles: 10          Mult: 4+1             CO: 21

All Rows: K3, P1 to last st, K1

The yarn I have chosen to work this project is Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand Yarns in the color Eggplant.

CARIBBEAN BLUE Felted Beaded Scarflette Full Handmade with Wide Satin Bow Tie and Peacock Feathers Corsage

Available at my Etsy shop:
Magical Laboratory of Fashion
© COPYRIGHT NOTE: All of my designs, photos and descriptions are protected by copyright. They may not be duplicated, copied, reproduced and/or republished without permission or notice. All rights are reserved.

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