I Wanna Webkinz

DD#2: I wanna a Webkinz.
Me: A what?
DD#2: A Webkinz.
Me: We'll see. (Translation.......I have no idea what a Webkinz is and probably don't want to know.)

No matter how cool I think that I might be, somewhere there is a group of people who are conspiring against me. They lie awake at night thinking of things that my kids will want to buy. They will also think of ways to market them to my kids so that I won't have a clue that these things exist.

So as not to appear too dorky, I avoid the subject of Webkinz. It works until we went Christmas shopping at a toy store that specializes in bobble heads. (Don't get me started on those.) The last aisle we go through has a Webkinz display.

Me (to myself): Maybe now I'll figure out what these things are.

The display is quite empty except for miniature T-shirts and body spray. This is NO help at all. I have gained no new insight at all. I mean...body spray???? targeted at kids???? Not even my children want to go around smelling like bananas.

Has the world sunk to a new level of stupid? I just don't understand.

DD#2: I can have Webkinz?

I ignore the question. I turn around and join DS . He is playing with Transformers. I understand those.

Last night I did what I should have originally done. I asked Google, what is a Webkinz?

Google told me that is was just another way for the toy people to rid me of my hard earned dollars and to give up Internet time.

I think that I'll go back to my 9.4 rating on the hick-o-meter and wait for the next fad.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Big Wishes in Little Packages

For many years now, I've bought tree ornaments for the kids. Each year I try to get something unique that can be personalized with their name and the year. Earlier this year, I bought the book Charmed Knits and using the pattern for the ornaments, I decided to make the kids their own Weasley sweaters.

The sweaters are great for using up scraps. All you need is 10g of DK (8ply) for the sweater and an arm's length of a contrasting colour for the initial. Because I needed so little yarn , and because I have a lot of scraps each kid was able to pick the colour for their sweater. DH had some wire that I used to make the hanger. What do the kids think of them? They love their sweaters!



I'm sure that you all remember how I use up leftovers of sock yarn with my crazy socks. Here is another way I use up the leftovers.

Please note: This is a pattern for those who already know the basics of sock knitting.


Sock Ornament

Under 5g of sock wool
2.25 or 2.50mm (US 1 or 1 1/2) DPNs

Cast on 24 sts (leave a long tail- this will be what you use to hang the sock on the tree). Divide onto 3 needles and join for working in the round.
Rib for 2 cm (3/4")
Change to stocking stitch and knit until leg is 6 cm (2 1/2")
Using 12 sts make a short row heel. Make sure that the cast on tail falls in the center of the heel. (use the last 6 sts from previous round and the 6 sts from the next)
Knit until foot is 3.5 cm (1 1/5"), then begin toe.
Decrease toe until there are 12 sts left, and finish the toe with the kitchener stitch.


I'm wishing you all the best this Christmas Season. All I ask is that you remember that the best gift of all doesn't cost a cent.

Until Next Time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Deja Vu

There was Deck the Hall-ing, there was Fa la la-ing and even even some Ho Ho Ho-ing. And I had to sit through all of it. DH got to miss out using work as a lame excuse. The things people miss out on when the have a full time, can't get out of it, type job.

The Kindergarten kids were, as usual, the most entertaining. They got to sing a song with so many verses that after a while we honestly thought the song was over, so we applauded. Nope.....not done yet.....there's another verse. I guess the little ones think that it's normal for the audience to clap 3 - 4 times during a song. Here is DD #2...can you tell which one she is....I think that she spent the whole time on stage waving at me...



Two of my kids attend a small school. It goes from JK to grade 4. But when they hold the Christmas concert, enough people show up to cause problems. The Fire Marshall told the school the the capacity of the gym is 177 people, not 250. So what do they do? Divide the concert in two with half the classes performing today and the other half yesterday. So if one afternoon of bad singing and crazy dance routines was bad enough.....guess what I did yesterday?

I'd like to thank however divided up the concert in a way to force me to attend both days. Hence the Deja Vu.



DS dressed up for the event. I had one lady stop me in the hall afterwards to tell me how cute he was.

I'm so glad that Christmas only comes once a year....Sigh...I know what you're thinking....in the near future my kids will get older and Christmas concerts will be a thing of the past.....and that I will miss going to them. Sigh.....you couldn't be more correct.

Plus it is a great time to work on a basic sock. It's great for when you're suppose to at least pretend that you're paying attention.




Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Last Sunday the Ottawa Valley got dumped on.....by a lot of snow that is. Throughout the area, we got between 37-50 cm. That's 14.8- 20 inches for those of you not metrically inclined. Insane is what I call it. I mean really people....what are we suppose to do with all this snow? Here is view from my back door during the storm. The blurriness, this time, cannot be blamed on my camera or photographic skills. The fuzzy look is from the continual curtain of snow falling.
This is my front deck. It's kinda sad that we haven't removed the snow from the last massive snowstorm we had 2 weeks ago. I've been busy knitting...not sure what DH's excuse is. I decided to stretch my legs and do a bit of shoveling. and discovered at it's highest point, the snow on my deck is up to my mid thigh. And that is just wrong!!!! Very Wrong!!!

The snow is still powdery so I quickly make progress. I got rid of about 1/5 of the snow.....just enough to look impressive but not enough to make DH think that I'll do the whole job myself. So as I am putting in all this effort, working up a sweat, engaging in this backbreaking work...what is my dog doing??????

She is just standing there....watching me. That dog is is a born supervisor, I think that she gets it from the kids.

I've finished the green sweater. I didn't take a picture of it as I couldn't wait to get it out the door. I really need to knit something for me. Wahhhhh, I can't! I've got two more projects that I've been hired to do. Enough of my pity party.....

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Bye Buy Bunnies

The babies are ready to leave home. As much as I would like to keep them all, it's getting crowded in the cage. Two of them are already spoken for and will be gone as soon as I get payment. So here you go, the last pictures of this litter.
These cuties are three lovable boys who love attention.

These two bucks were given the name "the twins" by one of my kids. They are the only white ones of the bunch. One of them is even the pick of the litter.

And last but definitely not least are my two does. I'm going to miss them all, but they've got to go.
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And now for some knitting! I started this scarf during my trip to Australia as I wanted something besides socks to work on while on the bus. It is Lucy Neatby's Sea Lettuce scarf. I purchased the Vero by Naturally from the Shearing Shed in Canberra. When I saw the colours I knew that it would be perfect for a project for my pink loving 8 year old. It is going to be a Christmas gift. (I guess that it is possible for me to finish a scarf)
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Go ahead....spoil me!

The famous brown truck came to my house today. Fortunately my dog didn't attack and eat the nice man. He did, however, thank DH for having the dog tied up. My dog is a subject for another day but let's just say that she is somewhat possessive of the house and her family.

What did Mr. UPS bring the Fibreholic today.....lots of goodies. My package arrived from my Hogwart's swap pal. Her name is Nancy and she lives in Denver, CO. Check out her blog, she makes gorgeous dolls.

First is the pair of socks she knitted for me. I was sorted into the Gryffindor house so the colours are scarlet and gold. I just love them. I think that I'll wear them to work on Monday and force everyone to admire them.But wait, that was only the beginning. She also sent a Christmas tree ornament, stitch markers, goat's milk soap, sock yarn leftovers, chocolates and two sets of crystal palace bamboo DPNs. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to trying out those needles. I think this calls for a cast on party, just me, some yummy sock yarn and Cat Bordhi's new book. What she may not have realized when she packed this parcel was I can find a crafty use for the green, red and gold tissue paper that was in the box.


My only regret....it wasn't summer so Mr. UPS wasn't wearing his cute brown shorts. :)

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Finally an end to the Montanas mess

Yes....we're back to that. Here is what has been happening between myself and that restaurant over the past month.

Nov. 7th-DH and I decide to try Montanas Cookhouse for the first time. Very rude staff and substandard food. Read all the details here.

Nov. 11th- Fill out the online feedback questionnaire and tell them what happened.

Nov. 12th- Get a call from the manager of that location. She apologizes and tells me that she would like to send me a give-X (gift card) as compensation. That would be fine with me. I give her my address and prepare to write a blog post on how promptly and efficiently this woman took care of the situation.

Nov. 26th- Nothing has arrived in the mail from Montanas. I call the restaurant. The manager says they are backed up, they just got the give-Xs in last Friday and it'll be mail out that week. She does write a letter apologizing once again and hopes the card will get me back into the restaurant.

Nov. 30th- Still nothing. I call the customer service at the head office and tell them.

Dec. 7th - The card and letter are sent.

Dec. 11th - My compensation arrived. It was bad enough having a birthday celebration ruined by rude staff and being put off by the manager, but a measly $25 gift card after all that is nothing more than a slap in the face.

The least I was hoping for was enough for a meal for two. Guess my good opinion isn't even worth that.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Larger than Life in Canada

I got this off a site called the American's Guide to Canada. Here are a few of her observations of Canada.

1. It's really, really big.
2. Ontario is huge. Ontario is at least two days' worth of driving on its own.
3. Canada's terrain is varied and gorgeous. From Cape Breton Island to Prince Edward Island to the Canadian Shield (a very old mountain range that in its day was taller than the Rockies) to north of Superior to the Prairies to the Rockies to Vancouver Island and back again, it's just stunning.
4. Canada seems to have this thing for putting very large...well, things into the middle of town. You'll see what I mean.

She's right, we do seem to like to put large things in the middle of a town. Nothing portrays this quirky behavior of Canadians better than during the first season of the show Corner Gas. The citizens of Dog River wanted to erect some large thing, as a tourist attraction, in the middle of their town. So we now have the episode of the "Big Dirty Hoe"

Here are a few of the large.....things that I have either visited, gone to the town/city for other reasons and had no choice but to see these things (because they were so big) or driven bye them along the highway.

1. A giant lobster in Shediac, New Brunswick
2. A UFO landing pad in St. Paul's, Alberta...(yes you read that correctly)
3. A giant magnet outside of Moncton, New Brunswick
4. Vilna mushrooms in Vilna, Alberta (question is which was named first?)
5. A giant Pryogy in Glendon, Alberta

This is just a VERY small sampling of the roadside/in town attractions that Canadians have. I encourage every one to check out these sites to see the others. Big Things and Large Canadian Roadside Attractions.

You'll get to see just how quirky we Canadians really are.

Until Next Time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

A post from my sick bed

It was bound to happen, I've got a nasty cold. Therefore I must be brief. Since I can' think of anything clever to say, I'll give you a quote from a book. Jejune did this awhile back and tagged the rest of us to do the same.

So here goes.....turning to page 161..... and here is the 5th sentence.

For once he decided to forsake his more adventurous tastes for a favorite from his younger days, pastrami drenched in messy Russian dressing on rye bread.

"Died in the wool by Mary Kruger"

You know that you are turning into a one trick pony when the librarian looks for books, with a knitting theme, for you. Not because you asked her to, but because that's all you seem to be reading lately.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Trying desperately to catch up

I read a wide variety of blogs. While I've been largely ignoring my own blog, I have been visiting others and thought that I'd give you an overview of how I spend my time on the Internet. While I visit more blogs than this, it's the best I can do with rambunctious kids in the background.

Mad Mad got off her death bed to let us know about the importance of a Tuna sandwich. She also discovered the whereabouts of the kid we all used to blame stuff on, when we were young. This kid didn't live at our house but always seem to be capable of household destruction. (or at least that's who we blamed) This kid is now all grown up and cleaning Mad Mad's house.

One of Mad's readers had a wardrobe malfunction at the police station. She was trying to get some information for a story.
In a deep husky voice "So Officer, how was your day?"

Georgie was hit but a truck, but fortunately is recovering with the aid of some gorgeous fibre. Tinkingbell gave away Australia. I was hoping to win, but it's probably best that she gave it to someone local. I learnt that Cathy has pain issues. Either that or she is willing to endure anything for the sake of knitting.

Jejune is in the middle of a move, having babies with attitude and is about to become famous. Stay tuned people. As well as Georgie, Kristen and Nancy have been posting some AB FAB recipes. Nancy's house has also been taken over by short winter type people. Mandie has recently been converted to blogism so we'll have to see what happens.

Poor Taph! I fear that she'll never get to wear hand knit socks ever again. I believe it's a family conspiracy and they are plotting against her. This lady also pumps out hats faster than you can say "Store wide sale, all regular priced yarn is 20% off" I am in awe of this woman.

Franklin recently posted a request for a Dolores body double. The poor gal needed a respite from her notoriety by creating a cunning ruse. I entered Isolde as a possible candidate in this contest. I'll let you know if she wins.

Here is how things are going with the commissions. The first is getting near the end. The sleeves are done and both the front an the back are knit up to the armholes. The tank top yarn has been swatched. The last is a Jo Sharp design that a client wants me to finish. She knit up to the armpits and is worried about messing up the top portion.



Lastly, someone recently found my blog by googling "Turkey sex scarf hidden video" Hmmm not sure how I feel about that.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Friday Fantastic!

It was another early Christmas present, but well worth it. Friday night DH took me to see The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Words cannot describe the mind blowing experience of seeing this group in person.

The first half of the show was one of their Christmas stories and the second half was less structured with songs from other albums. I still can't believe that the ticket price was as low as it was. Last year TSO played 2 Canadian dates, this year it is 5. They had not been to Ottawa before and with any luck they'll be back again.

Why did I like the show????

Was it the the hypnotic voice of the narrator???.....Yes
Was it the light show???....Yes
Was it the pyrotechnics???....Yes
Was it the laser light show???...Yes
Was it the songs and the various vocalists???...Yes
Was it the music???...Yes
Was it how they put everything together for a performance that blew my socks off???....YES!!!

DH let it slip that I'll be seeing a couple of their CDs in my stocking this year.

In other news...

I finished The Friday Night Knitting Club by sneaking off every now and then to read a chapter or two before I was discovered missing.

I was able to finished the boy's quilt on time by burning some midnight oil. And yes, it is another double sided quilt.



So now it's back to the grindstone with my knitting needles.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

It's a Marshmallow World

It looks like Old Man Winter is finally here. This is the scene as I look outside of my garage. You can see my driveway, the crab apple tree on the right and our wooded area on the left.

Problem with this photo is what it doesn't show you. It doesn't show you the ice pellets coming down making the roads very slippery. So slippery, the buses were cancelled today for our area and this causes many problems.

Problems

1) Since the buses aren't running because of bad weather the kids are home today.

2) I picked up a copy of The Friday Night Knitting Club and was planning to read it today. I can't, because since the kids are home today, I can't seem to find a quite place in the house to read. I move to one room and they follow me there only to start an argument (this is a never ending cycle)

3) Since the kids are not being constantly occupied by school activities they assume there is nothing to do, so in comes the whining and complaining. I won't let them watch TV all day, so it seems I've taken away their only source of entertainment

4) The kids need mittens. They younger ones at least as the teen is too cool for warm hands. After digging in the winter box, I find all kinds of scarves and hats. I also find one pair of pink mittens and 6 single mittens. So in order for my kids not to get teased about wearing mismatched mittens I must, at great sacrifice, knit mittens. Did I already mention I hate knitting mittens????



5) Tomorrow is a PD day so there's no school tomorrow. This makes it a 4 day weekend for them....and for me!

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Feeling Quilty about my Stash

I was reading Georgie's blog and she has adopted the No Guilt Stash Manifesto. All I can say is good for her!!!!! Go George!!! Go George!!! Go George!!!


I don't feel in the least bit guilty about my stash, in fact I relish in it. But as I have promised two baby quilts for a charity auction I am feeling in a quilty mood. I'm also feeling a wee bit pressured as the auction date has been moved up to this weekend and I still have one to do. I just hope that my kids weren't planning on any parental time with me this week (or laundry).

Because I like a challenge, (or the fact that I'm slightly insane) I make my quilts (in all sizes) double sided. For example these are both sides of the first quilt which is suitable for a girl. The next one will have a boy's theme and colours.



In response to some emails and comments:

DH is a fair weather BBQer. So any chance of him cooking on the grill in the winter will be impossible. I'd have a better chance of getting him to dust the top of the piano. As for me, it's an unwritten rule in the house about who rules the grill. I can handle it as it just means I plan for many BBQ meals in the Spring to Fall to get out of cooking supper.

The Challenge sweater was delivered last night. The client really liked it and it fit her perfectly.


Seven Things Update

I haven't forgotten or quit but I think that after the holidays, I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.

Last week
IN
an extra water bottle for the bunnies (one just isn't enough for Isolde and the babies)

OUT
12 books (to be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan)
1 roll of door prize tickets (given to my DD cadet unit)

Until next time
Yours in Yarn
The Fibreholic

To block or not to block

Or I could title this post...One Down and Two to Go!

Last night I finished The Challenge with a week to spare. Yeah for me! I celebrated last night by working on something non-commission related. It was wonderful. (snicker) Actually what I worked on was a quilt for a charity auction and a pair of socks for my sister for Christmas and these are both deadline pieces. So basically I just traded one kind of commitment stress for another.

The green sweater is well on it's way and the client wants it by Christmas. No problem. The tank top is at the end of the queue.

Blocking is a wonderful thing. Not only does it produce a wow factor with lace, it hides your mistakes and transforms your work into something beautiful. If you are ever wondering if you should block a sweater, look at this.






What a difference...n'est pas????? (note to self....pictures are better when taken in natural light.....but you get the idea)

Now that this sweater is finished, it's back to the grindstone. At least I've got some nice baby alpaca to fondle when the work load gets to me.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

It's BBQ Time???????

I don't consider myself as a lucky person as I usually don't win anything. But yesterday was an exception.

Last August we took the kids to a local restaurant for supper. The restaurant isn't much to speak of in the way of frills, but it does have good basic food at good prices. Plus it has air which I don't, and on a stinky hot day, is a very good thing. When our meal was almost finished, DH and I were asked to fill in a questionnaire. These were then put into a draw. Yesterday, I got a call telling me that I won. (And yes if you look very closely, you can see a ball of yarn in my pantry...what's your point???)


This is what the gift basket contained.


Not a bad haul for the 60 seconds it took me to fill out the form. But do I think that it's kinda weird to win items for a BBQ, in mid November, when today the temperature went to zero degrees and we had flurries? Oh yes, it feels weird. But I'm ready for next year!

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Dishcloth Dilemma

DH: We need more dishcloths.
I just stare at him.
DH: You could knit more, if you have the time.
I then give him The Look!
DH: Or we could just buy some.
Now here I am trying to keep up (but I am failing) with the seven thing challenge. Should I just buy the dishcloths or should I make them? Well it turns out that about 10 years ago I bought an obscene amount of cotton on cones that is still in my stash. So I pull out my crochet hook and go to work. It does feel good to use up stash for something we need that will get used straight away.

There is no way that I'm knitting these things, I've got too much on the go. Now considering what I charge to knit for others, I was trying to come up with a price for these dishcloths. While he appreciates the dishcloths, he is not going to pay me $10 for each one I make.


Bunny Update

I was really going to try to go a whole week without a picture of the babies. But today I could not help myself. They are 4 weeks and are starting to eat solid food. I caught Isolde and the kids at luch time and had to show them off.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

A Happy Birthday Blowout

I was looking forward to going out with DH to celebrate his birthday. We planned to check out a restaurant that we had never visited then head to a movie. Yeah I know, wild and crazy time.

It was a school night so we didn't need to go overboard since both of us get up at zero dark and stupid during the week.

We decided to try Montana's Cookhouse. (For those of you in the Ottawa area it's the one in South Keys) It's a restaurant with a "home home on the range" feel. I almost expected a group of ranch hands to show up for some chow. When you get to your table you find it covered with a sheet of brown paper. We weren't the only other adults, in the place, to take advantage of the crayons provided, at each table, to colour.

Everything was fine, until our food arrived....that's when the evening started to go downhill. The waitress brought us our orders and left. We sat there, looked at each other and commented how nice it would be to have napkins and cutlery with our food. The description of my meal, in the menu, didn't quite line up with what I received either. Also, if I want pasta that tastes like it came from a box with powdered sauce, I'll stay home and make it myself.

We eventually got our cutlery and napkins, I sent my meal back, things were said by a staff member and I just shook my head in disbelief.
DH : That was patronizing!
He is clearly not impressed at this point.

We finish our meal and it is now time for dessert. But wait.....another server comes rushing over to our table and, without a word, grabs our dessert menu from our table and brings it over to customers on the other side of the room.

That's it!!! I've had it!!! All I want to do is leave that place...ASAP!!!

Normally, I'd just go to the manager, complain about the service and give him/her a chance to make it right. Hard to do when he was the rudest staff member we had to deal with that night.

Montana's has a website set up for feedback where we will be entered into a draw. I don't think that we will win the $1000 weekly draw, with my comments. But at this point, I don't care!

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Challenge

We interrupt what seems to be a blog full of bunnies with some actual knitting.

1. The Client wants me to do a cardi with simple moss stitch, knit in the stitch below and a very basic cable. Not a problem, I could probably knit this thing in my sleep.
2. The Client wants me to re knit this item. She has frogged it and rolled the wool into balls. No problem here either. I wind it into skeins, wash, blah blah blah and the wool is ready to go.
   
3. The Client hands me the pattern. It isn't written in English. Not a big problem, I've spent the last 18 months translating patterns into English.
4. The Client is leaving the country at the end of the month and would like to wear the cardi a couple of times before she goes. Not a huge problem. If I don't knit anything of mine, I should have it done in plenty of time.
5. The Client has me knitting with a wool that no longer exists. The company that made the wool also no longer exists. So if I run out.....There would be a MAJOR problem.

Yes I know, it's a lousy picture. But personally, I think it it belongs in the frog pond.

Date of Note
Today is DH's birthday. He gets older and I remain 29...how do I manage that?????

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

A fuzzy update

For those of you who, like myself, have dial up, I'm including a photo as well as a video. They are now 3 weeks which means I'll have to give them up in 5 weeks.






Sigh...Occasionally I do stupid things. For example, take on a commission that requires real speed. I have a hard and fast deadline as the client is leaving the country in a few weeks. I'm really beginning to hate this sweater.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

It ain't pretty...but it works

I am failing miserably at this seven things challenge. On one hand I haven't had the opportunity to get rid of things but on the other hand, in the last two weeks, I've only purchased one thing.

I've been so busy knitting for other people...it's crazy. But one thing that I have done, for which I am quite pleased, is my shake it all about item.

Two pairs of men's jeans. One with the knees torn out so badly you wonder what is keeping the bottom half of the leg attached to the rest of the jeans. These were turned into cutoffs for next summer. The second pair, covered in paint, was worn in the crotch area and beginning to be obscene. So what do I do? Take a pant leg from one pair and cut it to size and a pocket from the other pair and turn it into a small project bag. Using bias tape and Velcro, Ihad in my sewing stash, I came up with something quite usable.



And just look what's inside......

Yes, I've casted on another sock........so what's your point??? I know that I'm a weak woman. I just can't help myself.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The ghost of Halloween past, present and future

During DH's stint in the military, we lived in base housing. Base housing usually has its own subdivision that is well separated from the rest of the city. The area is usually quite large and on Halloween we could expect over 100 kids come to the door. The military police would patrol the streets giving that warm and fuzzy safe community feeling.

WARNING!!! Pet peeve approaching.

Throughout the night I would come across kids who were not from the neighbourhood and were driven to mine by parents. I didn't get ripped off by buying overpriced candy to give it out to kids from all over the city. My kids aren't going to their house....not that they're home to give my kids candy because they are standing at my door. Do I yell at the parents and tell them to go bug their own neighbours for candy? Do I refuse to give candy to the kid???? Sigh...I just grin and bear it. I make my own kids cry enough...no need to do that to some stranger's.

Fast forward to today. We are living in the country, on a street that is 2 km long with about 8 houses. No one on the street gives out candy. If they did I don't think that my kids would want to work that hard for candy and chips. So what do I do???? I am not hypocritical. I do not drive the kids to the nearest town. On the closest non school night, we rent movies, stay up late, eat junk food and the kids camp out in the TV room. While there is a small bit of complaining they are generally satisfied and I'm sure they won't need therapy to get over the not going out trick or treating.

The babies are now old enough to be held by the 8 and 6 year old so we had our first play date when they got home from school.

The teen went to a Halloween dance last Saturday night. I think that she really needs some help in the makeup department.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Your weekly bunny fix

This is what you've all come to expect on a Monday morning. A glimpse into my world of baby bunnies. There are two weeks old. About half have their eyes open and ears up. My kids are anxiously waiting till they can hold them which won't be for a couple more days. A couple of the babies are already finding their own way out of the nesting box.If you can handle even more cuteness, here's a group shot. In case any of you were wondering, they are as soft as silk. Tinkingbell, "put down the shears now!". They aren't ready for that.Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

My Hands for Hire

I'm making good time on Salinas (the green sweater) so I decided to work on another of my commission pieces. I have to turn this..... into this.... There was counting and math involved. There will be swatching and measuring and all that fun stuff. She found the tank top at an ooh lah lah kind of store and has lived in it for the past few years. She wants something to replace it as the top is getting worn.

I received a call from the phone tag client and I met up with her today. The guy who wants the fisherman's sweater will have to wait until the yarn is ordered, comes in, is paid for before I can start.

I'll try to answer a few questions that I've been getting. First of all, there will be a burning of the midnight oil and now when you see me, I will always have needles in my hands. As for the commissions themselves, then tend to fall on my lap. There will be a bag of yarn and pattern waiting for me when I get to work or someone will call (or come in) asking if there is someone who knits for other people. I either get volunteered or offer my services. I have yet to come across a pattern that I really didn't want to knit. If I did, I suppose that I would just ask for an amount so outrageous, the client would say no thanks.

I have yet to come up with a formula for how much to charge. I can only estimate how long it will take me to knit the garment. I know that I'll probably end up with slave wages if an hourly rate is calculated when I'm finished. So far, however, I've been content with what I've gotten when the project was finished. Last year, I knit a Philosopher's sweater for a client. About three weeks after delivering the finished item, I received a call from the client. She had me knit the sweater for her mom and called to thank me once again and to tell me that her mom has worn the sweater and it has received many compliments. Needless to say, that call made my day.

I have encountered three scenarios in knitting for others. 1) I am to knit the item to the measurements found in the pattern, 2) The clients sends me the necessary measurements or 3)The client comes in and I get the necessary numbers.

Hope that answers some questions.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

No surprises for me this Christmas

Today is the Teen's birthday. She is 14 and I feel old. Where has the time gone? She keeps reminding me that she'll be off to university in a few years....that doesn't bother me. It's when she reminds me that she'll be able to drive in 2 years is when I feel the gray hairs creep up. Birthday Girls need a gift so.....

There we were in Future Shop, just browsing, minding our own business. The plan was to look at the DVDs then head to the Ipod section to look some more. While looking through the TV shows on DVD we commented at how many shows were now available on DVD. We've been watching a lot of them lately through the online movie rental service Zip.ca (same idea as Netflix....I know there is an Australian equivalent but the name escapes me) or borrowed from a friend.

Oh where was I???? Oh Yes!!!!

Back in 1984 the BBC put out the series "Robin of Sherwood". I first saw the series on a PBS station about 10 years later. I love this series but then I love anything to do with the legend of Robin Hood. (I even love the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner even though he couldn't come up with a British accent to save his life) I taped most of the series off of TV and watched them over and over and over...you get the point.

So there we were in the TV section and what do you think jumped out at DH. The complete series is out on DVD. He scooped them up immediately and said "Merry Christmas". He said that he could come back and buy them while I wasn't there but wasn't going to risk it. He has seen other DVDs that I would love but when he came back to do Christmas shopping, they were gone.

We bought the teen a gift card for her birthday and DH bought the videos for me, for Christmas.

Now all I have to do is wait 8 weeks.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Watch where you're putting that tag!

I've been tagged. Georgie tagged me and gave me the rockin' girl blogger award. Now Nancy has tagged me with a challenge to come up with 7 interesting things about myself. Easier said than done. They may not be interesting, but here's my list......

Seven Things....about Me!

DH was in the military for 22 years. I have never been fortunate enough to live overseas but so far I've lived all over Canada. I've lived in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

I make my own soap, hand cream and other bath and body products.

I have two college diplomas. One I got after High School, the other because I was bored and decided to go back to school to fill my time.

My fondest childhood memory was when my mom told me that she had seen some of my knitting and that I was now good enough to tackle something harder, like a sweater.

I love to travel but outside of Canada, I've only been to the US, England and Australia.

I play the piano, flute and sax.

I've been known to turn around and tell the people behind me, regardless of who the are or how big they are, to shut up. It is a movie theatre....not their living room. I paid to hear the movie not them or their crinkly bags of candy, they brought from home, because they are to cheap to buy popcorn. This is my biggest pet peeve.

Gotta go knit.......
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Babies...week 2

The Babies are a week old and no longer look like little pigs. They have a fine coating of wool and I already have an idea of what colour they will be. Their eyes are still closed, but the ears are starting to pop up. Last Monday morning I miscounted, there are 7, not 6 babies. So like any proud bunny Grandparent, here are my update photos.Seven Things Update

Last week
OUT
a large garbage bag filled with towels (didn't count them) My MIL was doing some house cleaning and decided we needed her old towels and sent them with my parents when they came to visit. Why?????? I have no idea why she felt we would want them.
2 shopping bags filled with kids clothes
It all went to charity.
IN
I was doing so well, I hadn't bought a thing. But on Sat I walked by the local fabric store and heard the seductive whisper calling my name. I bought one piece of cotton for quilts and a piece of flannel for a pair of sleep pants for the teen.

This past week
OUT
Arrrrgggghhhh nothing. I'll have to do better this week. DH is selling things on Ebay like crazy but I'm not going to count his totals with mine. He is doing it for the money and not to live with less stuff.

IN
2 skeins of Hacho yarn (hand painted DK/8ply Merino) (free at the Jane Ellison workshop)
The Mirasol Collection book (I had to get her to sign a copy while she was here....didn't I???)
1 skein of lace weight baby alpaca from Misti Alpaca.
1 pattern for the "shy sheep" cardigan. Can't wait to make this one.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic