Kitties Kitties Everywhere!

I have only knit a couple of rows on Fifi this week. I need to get crackin'! Meanwhile, here's some major Kitty Cam action!

Mikey looks like a patchwork quilt after his doctor's appointment yesterday. They shaved the inside of a hind leg, his neck and an arm in an attempt to draw blood! Apparently it takes about 6 months to grow back, so at least they won't have to do it again anytime soon.


Fortunately both patches are on the same side so I guess his photos will all be taken from the other side!

Meanwhile Greg kept trying to get on my lap to look at the computer as I was typing:



I got up and when I came back he was looking at another website:

Can you see it?

Cat toys dot com! WoW! I better hide the credit cards! At least I'll know who's responsible for any unauthorized charges!

Another one of those blog quizzes!

You Are 15% Left Brained, 85% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

No big surprises here!

Stash Enhancement and other happenings

So the mailbox brought me some major stash enhancement today. I guess it's not really "stash" if it is earmarked for a specific project though. The first package is stash because it's not for anything specific--something I don't typically do. Three skeins of Rowan Calmer purchased for $3.99 a skein on clearance from Cucumberpatch's Ebay store. I love Calmer and I can easily make a tank from 3 skeins of this. I would have bought more, but this was the last of it!

The second package contained some Berroco Denim Silk which I have been looking everywhere for. This yarn has been discontinued, which for the life of me, I cannot figure out why! It is 20% silk and 80% rayon. It is a fine tape and it is heathered. The color I got is like that of slightly acid washed jeans. I found it at New York Knits though a Google Search. Everyone was out of this color. This is to make the Blue Smock pattern on Gay's blog.

The color is actually bluer than in the photo.

Lastly, I finially received the yarn for my Red Carpet Convertible which is the other project for the SKC Knit Along. The yarn called for, Classic Elite Playful Weekend, is too expensive and I'm not sure that I like the texture. I ordered some Noro Hana Silk ribbon from Stash which is in the UK. The price including shipping was way cheaper than anywhere in the US. I've never seen this yarn before so I took a chance in ordering it. I figured that I couldn't go wrong given that it was 100% silk and I was not disappointed! The color is an intense red and it has that delicious crunch of silk! I love it and can't wait to see how it knits up!


I got my hair cut yesterday. It's not that different but it will take a little getting used to. She cut about 3 inches off the length and it's quite blunt . She didn't cut the layers at all and did heavier bangs. Cathy's haircuts always prove to be the best, so I'm sure I will be used to the slight change in no time!


I did some research for fabric for "the gown." I found a vibrant bright turquoise silk charmeuse at G-Street and it's a fabulous color. I didn't buy it as I found the same stuff on Ebay from a Canadian fabric dealer. I will have to get the silk organza for the lining at G=Street though. I decided that I am building a bra into the dress which will make it so much easier to wear. The challange will be how to bustle it. I realized that there is a godet in the center back and typically I bustle this cut of skirt with fasteners on the center back seam--with a godet, there is no center back seam. Once the dress is finished, I will put it on the dress form and play around with the bustling part. I don't think it will be a problem.

Mikey had to have blood taken today and the vet had trouble finding a vein. Poor guy had to be shaved on part of his neck, one arm and the inside of one leg! He looks like a patchwork quilt! He's a good patient and never fights or struggles. The vet and technician always say he deserves a treat!

I really need to get to work on Fifi. I would love to finish it before I go to New England on Monday 7/23.

Kitty Cam:
Mokey takes time away from his 19th floor view to pose for Ems.

One step forward, two steps back!

Last week I needed to frog part of my Fifi sweater. This was an emotional experience for me as I've never had to frog rows before! The pattern designer suggested that I frog back to the point where the sleeves are separated and the body joined for the size extra small--row 43. I had done size small and had joined the body at row 51 plus I had knit another 15 rows. I wasn't happy with the neck--it was just a little to close. Because this yarn is so stretchy, making the smaller size would pull the sweater down. So here's Fifi before the frogging:

I needed to frog to this point--notice where the needle is pointing:

I decided to run a lifeline using the cable of my KnitPicks Options needles along with a smaller size needle:

As it turns out, my lifeline wasn't totally straight so I pulled it out. The Calmer is such a lovely yarn that I was able to gently rip and the loops stayed intact so I could pick up the stitches with no problem! Samantha decided to lend moral support during the process:

Here's where I am at this point:

I thought I'd get a lot done on my Williamsburg trip since I let HD drive, but I ended up reading. Perhaps during my hair appointment I can get a little done. I want to finish this baby soon so I can get to my other summer projects. I have to do the Red Carpet Convertible for the SKC KAL, Coachina from Knitty, Sizzle and the Ribbed Silk Corset. That should more than keep me busy!

Kitty Cam:
Samantha has her own method of monitoring my computer use!

"No more blogging, Mommy! It's time to spoil the kitties!"

New project in the planning stage!

I am in the process of planning a new, non knitting project. HD and I are going to a summer black tie event and, as luck would have it, the two formals I have are winter ones! Darn! An excuse to make another smashing gown! I've been looking for just that excuse! I plan to make this:


I love dresses with trains and I found an article showing different styles of bustles. Both my other formals have this shape of skirt and I did a French bustle in the back that worked out perfectly when I wanted to move around more freely. It appears that this little lovely will require some specialized lingerie!

My quandary for this dress is finding a source with the type of fabric I should use. I have found affordable silk charmeuse which is lovely and drapey but the pattern calls for Peau de Soie, Shantung or heavier bridal type satin. Of course as luck would have it, G-Street's summer sale ended this past Sunday and I just couldn't get there. Everything was 25% off and I had a coupon for an additional 25% so I easily could have chosen a fabric that normally goes for $50 a yard or so. I'm thinking that I may have to use one of the discount silk vendors out of California unless I end up going with the Charmeuse which I can get almost anywhere. I'm thinking turquoise or a lighter shade of olive or apple green. I have a muted pumpkin color silk for a winter gown so I need more of a jewel tone for this one!

I spent today with HD roam around Colonial Williamsburg which was enjoyable with the exception of the excessive heat and humidity--well into the 90's with a heat index over 100 degrees! Ems told me that there was a horrible storm in Baltimore with hail. Also, apparently lightening hit the steeple of a church and caused a 5 alarm fire. She was watching it from her 19th floor window! Glad I missed that! It'll be good to get home tomorrow!

Kitty Cam:
Greg knows how to spend a hot day--chilling on an easy chair in the shade!

Busy Busy!

I've been busy beyond belief this weekend! I was in charge of the music for my niece's wedding today. I sang a couple of songs, played the piano for the whole thing and coordinated rehearsals with Bird on Trumpet, DH on guitar and a violinist! It turned out to be a lovely wedding! I will catch everyone up on my knitting antics at a later date.

Kitty Cam:
This one's live action! Harley seems to think he's a ferret!

Slow and Steady

So--my Fifi is making progress. The gauge is smaller than I swatched--7 spi instead of 5 spi. As a result I am knitting size Small instead of Extra Small. It seems to fit fine, but I wish the neckline was wider. Someone on the SKC KAL started theirs as a size Medium which casts on 140 instead of 120 then they joined the body earlier as if knitting an extra small. I wish I had thought of that. I'm thinking that I may be able to correct it somewhat when I block it.



The weather turned absolutely delightful this weekend. Yesterday was simply fabulous! I got caught up in a stupid task though. I offered to wind a skein of yarn for a friend. It was a beautiful skein of Anne Schaefer fingering weight merino, mohair blend. All started okay but then the strands of yarn coming off the skein started getting hung up on loops, if that makes sense. The skein seemed to be twisted--as it it were twice as big originally then doubled up to make a manageable size, if that makes sense. Well, my 5 - 10 minute task of winding a ball of yarn with a swift and ball winder turned into over an hour. I ended up with two small balls of yarn and about 50 yards of tangled mess! I've never encountered that before! If I ever purchase this brand of yarn for myself, I will have the shop wind it.

DH, Bird and I went to the movies last night. We saw Live Free and Die Hard. Gotta love the Die Hard movies. I'm always amazed at how may beatings and explosions one can live through! It was entertaining and the company was good! I will work more on Fifi today but need to focus on perfecting the music for my neice's wedding.

Kitty Cam:
Breakfast at the OK Corral!