My Fuzzy Life

Well, it’s been a while since I posted… I took a little vacation then just got busy. Like several of my blogging (and real life) buddies, I’m afraid the time has come for me to put the blog on the back burner. I’m Not giving it up, I just am having trouble finding time to blog right now. I just started a 2nd job in the evenings and I just need to get settled in the new routine and my schedule. 

I haven’t forgotten about the Relay for Life raffle. I’m going to draw names tomorrow night and get addresses for everyone. 

and since it’s not goodbye… how ’bout I’ll see ya when I see ya?

It’s been a whole week since I last posted… hmm. Well, it has been a busy week… 

I finally managed to drag Mom to a knit night. She had a lot of fun and admitted she wished she’d come sooner. (and no, I did not say “I told you so!”)

Yesterday, a couple local Ravelers and I rode up to Chateau Morrisette (a local winery) for a Ravelry meet up. I enjoyed meeting everyone, especially Kimberly who came all the way down from Rhode Island just to knit and drink with us. 

Stephanie, Sallee and I “forced” her into coming back to Roanoke via the Blue Ridge Parkway where it was very beautiful despite the vast amounts of fog we drove through. We went out to dinner and then descended onto Barnes and Noble for dessert and coffee (or tea). It was over 12 hrs from the time I left my home in the morning to when I came back in. 

Despite the fact that I had my camera with me, I took not one picture (bad blogger…) but Sallee and Kimberly did so I’ll point you in their directions for pictures. 

I’m still working on my sweater. I’m on sleeve number one. I was afraid it’d be too big (they are apparently bell sleeves) but I’m slogging on. However about half way up the sleeve I think I will remove the needles (having secured the live stitches with scrap yarn of course) and make sure the sleeve doesn’t bell too much. What I’ll do then if it is, I’m not sure. I’ll just cross that bridge when I get to it! 

I’m still waiting on my wee tiny sock to get here but it’s coming from London and really, it’s just been 4 days. I’m not worried about it yet. 

And now, so my post won’t be entirely picture free, I’ll share with you a picture of the littlest heathen when she was very young. 

My baby Pepper

OH, I almost forgot, Rae has offered up as one prize in my Relay for Life fundraiser contest two of her bag patterns. Thanks Rae!

are like potato chips. You can’t make just one!! 

I got my partner in the Wee Tiny Sock Swap! I’ve been playing around this afternoon with various wee tiny sock patterns and finally settled on one. I’ll show you a picture after she gets it. It’s a swap where you can either let your pal know who you are or remain a secret until you send it and I told her who I was (I didn’t want to send her a lime green sock if that was the one color that made her ill or something!).

So, that’s all you get on that for now.

However, now I can’t stop knitting them. I need more for my little blocker keychain. They’re just so dern cute! Plus it’s a nice little instant gratification in sweaterland…  

Well, here we are, middle of the week. I bring you a little visual montage of my week so far. (Since the sweater still just looks like a big yellow/green blob)

First: It runs in the family showing off your FO’s (or near FOs) on the cat:

After that, poor little Wickie would only snuggle with his Nikki (and her sweater) :

Someone at home must’ve used his “cat-dar” to find out that I was letting cute little old cats sleep on my sweaters:

All of which leads us up to the little problem I had with being solely monogamous to my sweater:

It seems that a friend of mine at work was having a bit of a rough patch and what cheers people up better than knitting?!? So I made her a little face cloth and gave her some home made soap I had bought from a friend and was hoarding for myself (don’t fear. I have more and can get more!)

There’s not much to show on the knitting front. I’m still plugging away on my sweater. A new picture doesn’t show much change although I am almost done with the waist shaping increases. 

Spring is here (although it wouldn’t break my heart if we start getting a little warmer…). I know for a fact it’s here to stay because my outside “buddy” Big Fat Groudhog is back munching on grass and whatnot.

Easter is here and almost over.I’m still playing on Ravelry (you HAVE signed up haven’t you??) 

I’ve been helping Dana and the crew out with the behind the scenes planning for the Sedalia Fiber Festival (May 24th. You will be there won’t you??) 

Oh, I signed up for the Wee Tiny Sock Swap. Link and such on the sidebar, there’s no limit to the number of participants and sign ups close on March 27. Socks to be mailed the 31st. I love these little socks! Those of you know know me in person have probably seen me knitting on at least one for my little sock blocker keychain…

Speaking of the sidebar, I’ve *finally* gotten the blog roll in there. I think it’s fairly accurate since I exported my google reader file but if you’re here and not there, please let me know!  

And now, so it’s not all blah blah blah… I leave you with an old picture of the heathens:  

And don’t forget about the Relay for Life Contest going on til April 17th (link also in the sidebar)

I know, it’s been a busy week! I’ll have a proper update and post and all later. 

Yup, that’s right. I’m managing only to knit on my sweater. I’m done with the waist shaping decreases and am about 3 rows from starting the increases!

I’m very happy with it so far! I’ve seen on Ravelry that some of the necks are very wide. I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to do yet. However I did find the perfect creamy tan tank top to go under it just in case…

Don’t forget to donate to Relay for Life to be entered for prizes!

Hmm, I guess I did forget something in the last post: Prizes! 

I have some Dream in Color Smooshy and a pattern by WendyKnits. 

There is a beginner spindle and some roving.

And the big granddaddy of them all will be some sort of loveliness that comes home from Maryland Sheep and Wool with me!  

I do have a few other prizes waiting “in the wings” so to speak so if there are a lot of entries I have more prizes! 

So… I think it’s time for a big ol’ contest!

The company I work for has a Relay for Life team. This year I decided to officially join and do my part to raise money.

This is where you and the contest come in. If you click on this link and donate to my Relay for Life team through me, your name goes in the hat for some fibery prizes!

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Nikki

Here are the official rules:

1. Donations up to $25 get your name in the hat once.

2. Donations above $26 gets your name in the hat twice.

3. If you blog about this and leave me a link - yup - that’s right, your name goes into the hat one more time!

4. Please make sure that the email address you use to donate is a valid email that you do check, this will be how I get in touch with you if you’re a winner.

5. Every dollar counts!! Please don’t feel bad if you can only donate a dollar or two…

6. The contest starts now (and the people who have already donated through the link in my sidebar before the contest began - your name goes in the hat too!) and ends April 17th..

So… as they say Give early and give often!!

And Most Importanly: THANK YOU!!!

ETA: Link to list of Prizes! 

(and it’s OK to keep reading Dad!)

So I started my hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts… I’m enjoying the yarn and the pattern so much, I’m going to knit nothing else but this sweater!!  

Pictures? Why yes, I do have pictures… (or a picture…)