Dodged the bullet

Kids and hubby are at the ice rink - skating. Hubby got home too late to go yesterday evening. I wiggled out of it because I want to go the the conservatory tomorrow and take pictures of the orchid exhibits. Plus, it will be warm and toasty at the conservatory.

I was able to clear about an inch of ice and 6-8 inces of snow of the car after warming it up for 30 minutes. After picking up the kids from school, I slid off the ice and placed the sheets of ice ffor them build their ice fort. I told them that we can color the fort with Kool-Aid when they're finished building. Jokingly, I told them that they still have enough ice and snow in the backyard for them to build more if they want to. Here's a picture of the ice & snow free car plus M2 sitting in her ice fort with a silly grin.

I'll take more pictures of the fort when they're done. More yarn will be going up soon too. Keep warm.

Hippie Heaven 1 & 2

Come on over and take a look at Hippie Heaven 1 and Hippie Heaven 2. They are spun from 100% Polwarth roving dyed by Mandie of Ewe Give Me The Knits. It's a wonderful fiber to spin with. The yarn is soft & lofty. It is 2 ply. The color of this yarn consists of shades of berry, lavender/violet, melon/papaya & pink

Hippie Heaven 1 - Handspun Polwarth

Approx. 208 yds or 190m
Approx. 2.8 oz or 79g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted



Hippie Heaven 2 - Handspun Polwarth

Approx. 216 yds or 198m
Approx. 2.8 oz or 79g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted

Velvet Grapes 1 & 2

Added Velvet Grapes 1 & Velvet Grapes 2 to Etsy. Sale is still going on. Thanks for browsing. Keep warm and be safe.

Yarn Preview - Picture Heavy

Here are the new yarns. I'll start adding them tomorrow. I'll find time tomorrow even though M1 & M2's school has been canceled. Well, let the show begins.

Lazy Daisy - Handspun South African Fine
Roving from Pigeon Roof Studios

Approx. 292 yds or 267m
Approx. 3.9 oz or 111g

WPI: Approx. 15-16
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport


2Bnamed - Handspun Jacob
Roving from Shunklies

Approx. 210 yds or 192m
Approx. 3.6 oz or 103g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Boogaloo - Handspun Merino
Roving from Fat Cat Knits

Approx. 362 yds or 331m
Approx. 3.9 oz or 112g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Chocolate Cherries - Handspun Falkland
Roving from Spunky Eclectic

Approx. 268 yds or 245m
Approx. 3.9 oz or 110g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Flutterby - Handspun Superwash Merino Tencel
Roving from Spunky Eclectic

Approx. 202 yds or 185m
Approx. 1.9 oz or 54g

WPI: Approx. 19-20
Gauge: Approx. 6.75-8 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 1-3
Weight: Sock/Fingering


Aquilegia - Handspun Corriedale
Roving from The Fiber Denn

Approx. 336 yds or 307m
Approx. 3.9 oz or 110g

WPI: Approx. 13-14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Hippie Heaven 1 - Handspun Polwarth
Roving from Ewe Give Me The Knits

Approx. 208 yds or 190m
Approx. 2.8 oz or 79g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Hippie Heaven 2 - Handspun Polwarth
Roving from Ewe Give Me The Knits

Approx. 216 yds or 198m
Approx. 2.8 oz or 79g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Velvet Grapes 1 - Handspun Targhee
Roving from Black Bunny Fibers

Approx. 326 yds or 298m
Approx. 3.7 oz or 105g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted


Velvet Grapes 2 - Handspun Targhee
Roving from Black Bunny Fibers

Approx. 362 yds or 331m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted

Thanks for browsing. See you tomorrow.

My ears are falling off

I talked a lot tonight. First off, my aunt and her husband called from Perth. I couldn't talk long as I was cutting up hot peppers for dinner and my kids were waiting for me so that they can start chowing. After dinner (tons of leftover for tomorrow), I called my paternal Grandmother's house and I talked to .... let me count..... 10-11 relatives. It's like musical phone instead of musical chair. Then at around midnight, my sister called from my mum's ancestral home where mum's relatives are and I talked to another 7/8 relatives. That's how Chinese New Year is in Malaysia/Singapore. You'll have all the relatives congregate at one house, chat & eat all day long. Lots of noise and fun.
Anyway, Happy Chinese New Year to all of you.

Tanya

Tanya is spun from 100% superwash merino dyed by Ginny of Fat Cat Knits. The yarn is soft and lofty. It's 2 plied. The colors of this yarn consists of blue-violet, creamy white, and blue-green.

Tanya - Handspun Superwash Merino

Approx. 298 yds or 272m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 15-16
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport

Chinese New Year Sale

Xin Nian Kuai Le/ Gong Xi Fa Cai! - Happy & Prosperous New Year.

I'm having a Chinese New Year Sale starting at 12:01am, Jan 26, 2009 and ends some time on Feb 10. Listed price reflects 10% discount and clearance items are not included in the sale. More yarns will be added as time permits.

Coffee break

Taking a coffee break. The pianist at the Chamber Music performance is YuJa Wang. Here's another piece of Flight on the Bumble Bee on violin, by David Garrett .

It's snowing and I'm rambling

Yup. That's right!! It's snowing again. About an inch by now. I just finished spinning my last pouf of Polwarth. They will be plied later tonight or tomorrow. Good thing we're having steam boat/hot pot for dinner. For those who are tired of the snowy, cold, dreary days of winter, I found some photos of sunny beaches of Malaysia on Flickr. Here's Pangkor Laut 1 & 2, Malaysia/Singapore and Pulau Kapas. We're at Pulau Kapas 6 years ago (M2 was 4 months old). I didn't get to see much as I was nursing. One night I did leave her with my mum after nursing and went fishing with my dad. We caught squids and the next day we asked the food stall owner/vendor to cook it for us. I have photos of our trip but I can't find the digital files. I wonder if I have them on 35mm film. Off to do prep work. See ya later.

Excused

I was excused from yesterday's ice-skating escapade. I'm needed to be able & nimble to cook the Chinese New Year dinner. They don't want me to be attached to the hot water bottle & coach. Hubby, M1 & M2 went ahead and had fun. I was knitting with frozen fingers while waiting for them. M1 & M2 are plotting to get me on the ice next week. I better prepare my body as I haven't exercised in a long time. Any suggestions? After we arrived home, they had ice cream. I don't know how they do it. I had to drink a cup of hot tea in order to warm up.

M1 & hubby helping M2(first try)

M1 decided to go off on her own(3rd time on the ice)

M2 doing better by the time we left

M1 & M2 in the backyard when we had 8 inches and neg 15F
(Jan 14/15)

Pattern: Noro Striped Scarf #1
Yarn: Plymouth Boku #15(2X) & Lamb's Pride Worsted #M04(1X)

Pattern: Noro Striped Scarf #2
Yarn: Plymouth Boku #11(2X) & Plymouth Boku #60(2X)

Marigold and Forest Path are up on Etsy. I'm off to watermark the new yarn now. I'll pop back in late tomorrow night. See ya!!

P/S - The phrases that President Obama used - "Apa khabar?" & "Terima Kasih" is the same as what we used in Malaysia. Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia are related.

Oops. I forgot to post the link of the pianist who played at the Chamber Music that we went to. Enjoy.

Robinhood 1 & 2

Added Robinhood 1 & Robinhood 2 earlier today. They are spun from 50% superwash merino & 50% tencel. The roving is dyed by Amy of Spunky Eclectic. It's 2 ply, nice drape and sheen to it. This is due to the tencel. The colors in the yarn are tan/taupe/wheat & shades green. 

Robinhood 1 - Handspun Superwash Merino Tencel

Approx. 198yds or 181m
Approx. 2 oz or 57g

WPI: Approx. 19-20
Gauge: Approx. 6.75-8 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 1-3
Weight: Fingering/Sock


Robinhood 2 - Handspun Superwash Merino Tencel

Approx. 222yds or 203m
Approx. 1.9 oz or 55g

WPI: Approx. 19-20
Gauge: Approx. 6.76-8 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 1-3
Weight: Fingering/Sock 

Chinese New Year is this coming Monday. I'll pop in when I can as I have to tidy/clean the house before CNY. Kids went for karate today as they're finally well enough. M2 wants to take part in the kata competition that will be held on Feb 28. M1 is still deciding. We're going ice-skating at the Uni this Friday. I'm not sure whether I'll join them on the ice. I'm sure to flounder and fall. I did tell my kids that the rule in this house is to try it once. I guess I may have to follow my own rules. See ya.

I'm behind

Just received M2's yarn for her Einstein coat. I ordered an extra hank for M1's coat and moebius. M2 is sick and didn't go to school today. They have been away from their karate class for a month now. I hope that both of them will be healthy by tomorrow. I have more handspun that I'll preview as soon as they uploaded to my photostream. I still have more to add from the previous batch. See you soon.

Carmen Miranda 1 & 2

Just added Carmen Miranda 1 & Carmen Miranda 2. They are spun from 100% south african fine, dyed by Carol of Black Bunny Fibers. South African Fine is derived from Merino. Therefore it has many of the characteristics of Merino. It's a wonderful fiber to spin with. The yarn is soft and lofty. It's 2 plied. The colors of this yarn consists of bright lime green, melon, pink, red and yellow.

Carmen Miranda 1 - Handspun South African Fine

Approx. 268 yds or 245m
Approx. 4.1 oz or 117g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK /Light Worsted


Carmen Miranda 2 - Handspun South African Fine

Approx. 298 yds or 272m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK /Light Worsted

Sweet Dreams 1 & 2

Just added Sweet Dreams 1 & Sweet Dreams 2. They are spun from 90% merino & 10% tencel roving, dyed by Tracy of Copperpot Woolies. The colors of this yarn consists of soft pink, lavender & sage. It's navajo plied. The yarn is soft & lofty.

Sweet Dreams 1 - Handspun Merino Tencel

Approx. 292 yds or 267m
Approx. 3.1 oz or 87g

WPI: Approx. 16-18
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport


Sweet Dreams 2 - Handspun Merino Tencel

Approx. 270 yds or 247m
Approx. 3 oz or 86g

WPI: Approx. 16-18
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport

Sneak Peek

Here are the photos and specs of the new yarn. They'll be added as time permits. Happy browsing.

Carmen Miranda 1 - Handspun South African Fine
Roving from Black Bunny Fibers

Approx. 268 yds or 245m
Approx. 4.1 oz or 117g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK /Light Worsted



Carmen Miranda 2 - Handspun South African Fine
Roving from Black Bunny Fibers

Approx. 298 yds or 272m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 12-13
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK /Light Worsted

Tanya - Handspun Superwash Merino
Roving from Fat Cat Knits

Approx. 298 yds or 272m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 15-16
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport

  
Forest Path - Handspun Alpaca, Corriedale & Romney
Roving from Jehovah Jireh Fibers

Approx. 208yds or 190m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 11-12
Gauge: Approx. 4-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-9
Weight: DK/Light Worsted/Worsted


Marigold - Handspun Alpaca, Tunis & Romney
Roving from Jehovah Jireh Fibers

Approx. 236yds or 216m
Approx. 4.2 oz or 120g

WPI: Approx. 11-12
Gauge: Approx. 4-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-9
Weight: DK/Light Worsted/Worsted

Robinhood 1 - Handspun Superwash Merino Tencel
Roving from Spunky Eclectic

Approx. 198yds or 181m
Approx. 2 oz or 57g

WPI: Approx. 19-20
Gauge: Approx. 6.76-8 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 1-3
Weight: Fingering/Sock



Robinhood 2 - Handspun Superwash Merino Tencel
Roving from Spunky Eclectic

Approx. 222yds or 203m
Approx. 1.9 oz or 55g

WPI: Approx. 19-20
Gauge: Approx. 6.76-8 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 1-3
Weight: Fingering/Sock 

Pandora Radio

I forgot to mention that I found this internet radio that I like. I listen to it while I browse. It's Pandora Radio. Found the link on Beanie Cap Guy's blog. Love his photography too. Now I have to look for a Pandora radio add-on for Firefox. That way I can listen to it without having to leave a tab open all the time. Check it out.

Ran out of yarn

Ran out of yarn for M2's Einstein coat. Scrambled around and ordered more yarn to finish M2's coat and extra for M1's, just in case.  Started a Noro Striped Scarf for husbeast. He asked if it's his and I said only if he behaves. The kids just burst out laughing. BTW, my sister called me a durian, prickly on the outside but soft inside. Blah....

I do have more yarn to add to Etsy. Photos taken and proofed but not watermarked yet. I'll let you know here when it's up. Talk later.

Long Coat

There are many knitted items in Sweet November and I want to knit some for myself. I want to knit this

It looks a bit like Eisntein Coat but it's in stockinette stitch and a sash. I can't find the exact pattern but did find one by Knitting Pure & Simple. It's called Neckdown long hooded cardigan. If anyone know where I can find the patterns of the knitted items in the movie, please buzz me.

Thank you

Just took down the sale. Thank you very much for your support and participation. More yarn will be added soon.

Password, please

I watched Million Dollar Password last night. Craig Ferguson and Serena Williams were on. Craig Ferguson is hilarious. At times, he was sparring words with Regis Philbin. Craig Ferguson's also very good at giving the clues. We play a game like this with M1 and M2 at home. We called it the Word Game. We'll give them a category and 5 clues for them to solve it. Sometimes hubby is the one giving the clues and most of the time, I get the answer after the first clue. So most of the time, I'm banned from playing.

I'll be taking down the sale while watching Letterman & Craig Ferguson tonight (ETA: not tonight. I meant tomorrow night). So, go over and take a look. If you miss it, I'll be having another sale soon. I have more yarns to add (as time permits) and they are drying now. I'm in a self-reflective mode at the moment. At times I wish my brain will stop/quit analyzing. I promise not to go AWOL on you. See you soon.

Crocus

Added Crocus to Etsy. This yarn is spun from 100% of superwash merino, dyed by Tamara of Spincerely Yours. Color of the yarn consists of sunny yellow, spring violet, white and deep purple.

Crocus  - Handspun Superwash Merino

Approx. 310 yds or 283m
Approx. 3.8 oz or 108g

WPI: Approx. 15-16
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport

Penny

Added Penny to Etsy. It's 100% merino, dyed by Ginny of Fat Cat Knits. The yarn is lofty and soft. Colors of this yarn consists of fuschia, lavender, apricot, peach, & white.

Penny  - Handspun Merino

Approx. 356 yds or 326m
Approx. 4.1 oz or 116g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted

Atoll

Just added Atoll to Etsy. It's spun from 100% superwash merino and dyed by Ginny of Fat Cat Knits. Color of the yarn consists of  aqua, amber, murky dark khaki & lots of white, for contrast.

Atoll  - Handspun Superwash Merino

Approx. 298 yds or 272m
Approx. 4 oz or 115g

WPI: Approx. 15-16
Gauge: Approx. 5.75-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-5
Weight: Sport

Alpine Cove

Alpine Cove is spun from 100% jacob humbug top. It's kettle-dyed by Joanne of Shunklies. This is the first time I've tried spinning Jacob. It drafted easily and the yarn is not as soft as merino. I like spinning with it. It will make great outerwear like mittens/hats.

Alpine Cove  - Handspun Jacob

Approx. 256 yds or 234m
Approx. 3.6 oz or 104g

WPI: Approx. 14
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 5-7
Weight: DK/Light Worsted

Isabellas

Isabella 1 & Isabella 2 is spun from 100% merino, dyed by Dianne of Creatively Dyed Yarn. This fiber poofed up like crazy. It's very lofty and soft.

Isabella 1 - Handspun Merino

Approx. 306 yds or 280m
Approx. 3.9 oz or 111g

WPI: Approx. 14-15
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-7
Weight: Sport/Heavy Sport/DK


Isabella 2 - Handspun Merino

Approx. 300 yds or 274m
Approx. 3.8 oz or 107g

WPI: Approx. 14-15
Gauge: Approx. 5.25-6.5 sts per inch
Suggested Needle Size:US 3-7
Weight: Sport/Heavy Sport/DK

Happy New Year

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year. I watched the ball dropped on TV last night. We were in NY Dec 31, 2007. Hubby and I watched the ball dropped through our hotel window. Chicago was fun, tiring and cold. I'll try and upload some pix taken with my cell. I tested the videos taken with my cell from M1's viola & choir performance and it sounded awful.

Watched Sweet November starring Keanu Reeves & Charlize Theron last night. It was nominated as worst remake by 2001 Golden Raspberry Award.  Can this movie be that bad when the underlining message or value of this movie be observed?

Talked to my dad on Christmas day, he told me that Grandma fell early Dec and is having difficulty standing up from a sitting position. She didn't mention it all when I called her on Christmas eve. I hope she didn't break/fracture anything. She's stubborn (and it runs in the family).

Taking my mum's former student out for dinner tonight. He's here to further his education. Just a reminder, 5 more days before the sale ends. More yarn will be added.