New Book Challenge

Thursday, September 03, 2009

I've just signed up for the R.I.P. Challenge. It's not a big deal I have a few "spooky" books on the to read shelf. I'm shooting for 4 books in this challenge.
My reading pool is:
1. Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
2. Blood Sucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
3. Night Shift by Stephen King
4. Under the Fang by several authors (short stories)

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book 11 in RYOB challenge. I almost chose Twilight Watch instead, but these Sookie Stackouse books are such a quick read I'll read that one after.

Another quick read with some interesting developments. there is really nothing deep about these books.

Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko



Book 12 in the RYOB challenge and book 1 in the R.I.P. challenge. The third book in the watch series.

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RYOB Books 10 and 11

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book 10 in RYOB challenge. It looks like this is the summer of vampires.

Such a great book. I found it better then Night Watch, though you have to read night watch before Day Watch. The ambiguity of good and evil is so intriguing.

Unlike Night Watch, which is told by Anton Gorodetsky this story is told by 3 different Dark Others. It gives the whole world of the others much more depth then was seen from the eyes of a light other.

These books are a must read for any fans of the fantasy genre.


Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris



Book 11 in RYOB challenge. I almost chose Twilight Watch instead, but these Sookie Stackouse books are such a quick read I'll read that one after.

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New Sock Clubs

Monday, August 17, 2009

The First Sock club I have is America Coast to Coast. Each month you will receive a generous skein based on a natural American landmark. In addition to the yarn you will receive a postcard from the location the colorway is based on and a small notion, such as a stitch marker. The club will start in Oct and continue monthly throughout the year. You can find the club in my Etsy store.

The second club can be found exclusively through Purls of Wisdom yarn store. It will be another monthly club starting in Oct. The colorways will be based on famous quotes. All yarns will available the first of the month. There will a sit and knit around the club members where you can discuss your new yarn. Contact Purls to sign up and get more details, 303-805-3736.

All skeins for both clubs will be hand dyed by me and have at least 420 yards of yarn, enough to make a pair of adult socks. Most yarns will have a wool or animal fiber base. I am currently looking for a vegan sock option, so pm if you are interested and I will post a listing for a animal fiber free sock club.

Sock Summit

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

I had such a great time at Sock Summit. I had a lot of positive feedback on my yarns and a lot of complements on my labels (thanks LaDonna!). It was exhausting and overwhelming, bu hopefully worth it. Ruth took all of the pictures since I do not have a working camera, so I'll link to her post if she ever does post about Sock Summit.

I didn't really have time to take many classes, but I did get take a one hour wonder on knitting ergonomics. I got some great tips on how to alleviate pain in my shoulders and wrists. I met some great people. Marisa who was so sweet and wonderful. Jennifer and Lisa who are amazing fiber artists and so incredibly helpful (I bought 3 Tsarina Tsocks kits). Carrie a Portland native who was super sweet and has the best taste in restaurants. Camille who still seemed to like Ruth and I even in our cranky lack of sleep state. Plus all of the teachers and knitting celebs that Ruth forced me to talk to (in a good way).

Dye for Glory

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Just a quick plea to vote for me in the Ravelry Dye for Glory contest. My entry is under Skeindalous and the colorway is Taffy.

RYOB Books 7, 8, 9 and 10

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

I gave up on this book 1/2 way though. It's interesting, just too dry for me. I'm not good with nonfiction. I'll finish this on audio book.





Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
RYOB book 8. These books make great summer reads. Sookie gets in more trouble with the vamps. Nothing deep or thought provoking





Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book 9 in RYOB. If you love vamps read these books. Otherwise skip them. I really enjoyed this one especially the introdution of the new werewolf.




Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko

Book 10 in RYOB challenge. It looks like this is the summer of vampires.

View all my reviews >>

SP14 Questionairre

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am a yarn snob. I prefer natural fibers (especially alpaca). I love local yarns. I knit a lot of socks, but don't why you would make socks that are not machine washable.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a basket for my straights, a vase for the longer straights. I use a mini wicker chest to hold my circulars and dp's. I'm in desperate need of better options

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for over 7 years. I learned in early 2002 and taught myself off the internet. I consider myself intermediate/advanced. I can do most techniques, but I could still learn a lot.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Esty favorites

5. What's your favorite scent?
I love fresh citrus, ginger, lavender and mint scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a major sweet tooth. I love toffee chocolate and mint chocolate. No raisins or licorice, but other than that I'll take anything. My husband loves gummies. Anything European would be great, especially English.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I sew and have done beading. I don't quilt or spin. I've started selling dyed yarn in an Esty store

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like a lot of different music. I don't like country, except Johnny Cash. I love surf guitar. I mostly listen to alternative rock. I have an Ipod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is royal blue. I also love sea colors and jewel tones.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with no kids (yet). We have a 8 year old Labrador.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats and mittens. I can't stand ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to knit lots of things. I always have socks on needles as well as a larger project.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am working on a pair of gloves, a bolero, a bath mat, felted clogs and a square for the Great American Aran Afghan.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love to received handmade gifts.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo circulars, but I've just discovered how nice Addi's are. I have a lot of needles and probably don't need more. I will be investing in the Knit Picks interchangeables soon

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I think my oldest UFO is 3 years old, but I'm pretty good at not letting old projects sit around unfinished.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Halloween is my favorite holiday. I celebrate winter solstice/yule and my husband and I celebrate Christmas. We are not christians, so please don't send religious items.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect funky salt and pepper shakers. My favorites are my sumo wrestlers that attach at the stomachs with magnets and my VW buses.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have some books in my Amazon wish list. I love patterns by Ysolda Teague. I have her Snow White and Little Birds patterns, I would love Rogue. I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and had a digital subscription to Yarn Forward util the digital provider went out of business

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I think I can do most techniques. I would like to try steaking.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter. My foot circumference is 8 inches and length is 8.5.

23. When is your birthday?
Nov. 12

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am on Ravelry. My id is surfdonna.

New Name and Yarn Fun

Friday, June 26, 2009

You may have noticed I've changed the name of the blog. Well I am now selling hand-painted yarn and that is the name of my new Etsy shop. I will post pictures of my colorways soon.

I've signed up for SP14, which means I need to blog a lot more. I had such a great time last round I had to do it again. I asked for a US partner this time though, shipping to Germany was painful last time. I couldn't get all of the things I wanted to get her.

A few project pictures until next time:

My lady Bug baby blanket, pattern coming soon. The edging is from Knitting on the Edge by Nicky Epstein, with my own made up short row corners.





The Lady Bug Doll from Twist Collective and the adorable recipient, Chloe.

Still have a few projects on needles, I've been dying a lot more then knitting.

RYOB Books 5, 6, 7

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book 5 in RYOB challenge. Funny and bawdy, a retelling of King Lear from the fools perspective. It was engaging and I did finish the book in Just over a week. I still don't find him as funny on page as I did in person.


View all my reviews.

Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book 6 in RYOB challenge. I purchased the last 3 books in the challange which does count, but I will start reading books I already have after this book.



I started the book on the flight to the UK. The 2 films based on this book are amazing and I had to get the books. The thing I found most suprising is it could almost be 3 different books. I have to admit I didn't find the books as incredible as the films, but I really enjoyed the book.



A Russian book, translated into English, there are a few references to Moscow life and Russia that I may not have fully understood. The stories are really compelling however and the struggle between light and dark, good and evil is great. Anton's, the protagonist, struggle with the concept of his own lightness and the blurred lines of morality is the best part of the story. I will be ready Day Watch and the other sequels. This s some of the best fantasy writing I've read in a while.


View all my reviews.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

My review

Book 7 in RYOB challenge. I might actually get to my goal of 20 books before the end of the year.


View all my reviews.

RYOB Books 3, 4, and 5

Monday, March 30, 2009

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The third book in my RYOB challenge. Ruth and I met the author at a book signing and he was so funny I had to move this up in my reading list.



The story was entertaining and sweet. It wasn't nearly as funny as I had expected after meeting the author. I did enjoy the idea of Jesus studying with Buddhists and Hindus. Over all an entertaining read.


View all my reviews.


Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book #4 in the RYOB challenge. I received this book as pat of the Love Bites Vampire Valentine swap on Ravelry.



The book is a light, trashy read. Sookie can be very stupid and annoying, but it was fun for what it is. I'll probably read the other book in the series. I happy with the progress on this book. I actually read it in a week. This may be a good sign for getting 20 books read.


View all my reviews.

Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore

My review

Book 5 in RYOB challenge. I purchased this book when we saw Christopher Moore at The Tattered Cover. It's an autographed copy to Ruth. It will be her birthday present from me once I've read it.

Provincial Waistcoat

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I finished the Provincial Waistcoat from the winter 2006 issue if Interweave Knits. It was a great quick knit and I think a flattering shape for most people. I love the buttons for this and I didn't even have to look for them. Jen brought them back from her trip to England (she wants to carry them in Purls). I saw them and knew they were made for this project.

I made some adjustments to the pattern for the back. The way the pattern is written for the larger sizes, the stitch pattern doesn't line up after the 1x1 rib. It also goes to p1, k1, p1 in between the cross over stitch pattern. That means there would be a line of knits over the purls and my eyes just couldn't take it.

The adjustment to make everything line up is in Row 1 after the k1, p1 rib waist. Here's my new bodice row 1: Work 16 sts in pattern [k2, p2] 2 times, k2, p1, M1, pm for side seam, k1, M1, p1, [k2, p2] 2 times, [k1, p1] 2 times [Cross 2, k1, Cross 2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] 4 times, k1, p1, k1, [p2, k2] 2 times, p1, M1, pm, k1, M1, p1, k2, [p2, k2] 2 times, work 16 stitches in patt

Those adjustments are for size 35 only. I didn't figure it out for the larger sizes and the smaller size lines up without adjustment.

Facebook

Friday, February 27, 2009

Facebook is such a strange thing. I've been getting in contact with people I haven't spoken to in years. My husband's best friend in England and I chat all the time on there (I've never actually met him in real life). Some of my cousins are on there, but the suprise family member was my dad. He joined last week! He's 64 and not very social so seeing him on Facebook was a big shock.



He told me he joined because the group he rode horses with as a teenager, California Rangers, was on there and they wanted pictures from him. While he was part of the organization he was Mr California Ranger. So now there are pictures of my teenaged dad on Facebook. So cute!

RYOB Update

Monday, February 23, 2009

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
My second book for the RYOB challenge. I won't get to my 20 books if I keep reading at this pace. I really enjoyed it, I don't know why it took me so long. It is a better story then Silence of the Lambs, although I thought that was a great book too. The killer in this is very chilling and yet there is a bit of hope that he will redeem himself.


View all my reviews.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

My review

The third book in my RYOB challenge. Ruth and I met the author at a book signing and he was so funny I had to move this up in my reading list.


View all my reviews.

Name Part of the Space Station

Friday, February 20, 2009

Nasa is currently holding a poll to name the International Space Stations Node 3 modual before they are launched and installed. Being such a Whedon geek I was very excited to see Serenity as one of the options. Right now it has 86% of the votes. Tere is also a write in option. Go vote for Serenity so she can fly again!

SP13 Swap Package #3

Sunday, February 08, 2009

My SP 13 rocks. She sent me another great package.

All of the loot: Knitting Lingerie Style, Knit So Fine, Matryoshka salt and pepper shakers, adorable buttons from Buttons By Robin on etsy and a super cute puppy heart necklace from Mark Puolin Enamel Jewelry on etsy.

Close up of the puppy necklace

The buttons.


Salt and Pepper shakers to add to my collection.

Bella's Mittens KAL

Thursday, February 05, 2009

I'm starting a KAL at Purls of Wisdom for Bella's Mittens. We will start them on Saturday. The mittens were from the Twilight movie. I've never read the books or seen the film, but the mittens are very cute. Join us if you can!

I'm Blogging Ruth!

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

I'm Just not feeling like blogging but I know I have to. I've been participating in a few swaps lately. I'm in the Love Bites Valentine Vampire Swap and just signed up for the Earth Day Swap both on Ravelry. I've just sent out my last package for the Secret Pal Swap. My partner is in Germany and I think I'll have to say US only next time, because shipping was killing me.

Daren and I are still snow boarding, we go up about once a week. We've now got our own equipment and are doing really well. I'm still falling, but not nearly as bad. I'm not as scard to go fast and spend most of the time with my nose pointed down the mountain. Yay me!

Dark Harvest

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
It was an ok book. It was a quick read and an unusual story. It would be a great book to read around Halloween. It was the first book in the RYOB challenge.


View all my reviews.

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

My review

My second book for the RYOB challange.


View all my reviews.

Bad Blogger

I've been terrible about blogging. My poor SP13 partner hasn't heard from me in weeks. The holidays were nice. Daren and I finished our snow boarding lessons, have season passes to Loveland and bought equipment. I managed to hurt my wrist this past Sunday. I didn't even realize I landed on my wrist until I went back up the lift and had to do my bindings. I was told not to knit for at least a week. I hardly know what to do with myself. I'm thinking it's a good time to catch up on reading.

In other news Daren and I had his green card interview yesterday and it went great. Daren is now a US resident. He can actually get citizenship in 3 years.

Exterminate!

Monday, December 15, 2008

I finished the Dalek for my nephew. He's so evil and cuddly. He can't go under the tree because Jezebel thinks he is a dog toy.

My in laws will be in town tonight. They are staying until the 31st. It's a good thing I like them and we get along.