Doesn't this look like something those funny girls from You Knit What would just love?
I received this in an email --- the subject was "I've always wanted to learn to knit!"
I want to meet the person that came up with this idea...it's really funny and creepy.
1. Who isn't or hasn't been a Quidditch captain?
Answer: Cho Chang
2. Who are the Gryffindor chasers?
Answer: Alicia, Angelina, and Katie
3. Who are the Slytherin beaters?
Answer: Crabbe and Goyle
4. What type of broom isn't made anymore?
Answer: Silver Arrow
5. The Slytherin team all ride the same broom, what is it?
Answer: Nimbus 2001
6. Which of these is not a Quidditch team?
Answer: Tudshill Tornados
7. Who is Head of Hufflepuff House?
Answer: Professor Sprout
8. Which Hufflepuff student is reported to have been one of the only peple to have ever given Hufflepuff success?
Answer: Cedric Diggory
9. In Book 1 who was the first Hufflepuff student to be sorted?
Answer: Hannah Abbott
10. What is the emblem of Hufflepuff House?
Answer: Badger
Image Hunt:Picture of Harry, Ron, and Hermione together; Hagrid; Buckbeak; Sirius Black; Uncle Vernon 
I've mentioned before that I don't have a large stash...but then I saw the container I use to house my sock yarn --- there's enough to make 13 pairs of socks! That seems like a lot to me.
I promised Shannon pictures...
My goal is to not purchase any more sock yarn until I have room in this container. The pop can is there for scale. It's not a large container...more of an oversized shoe box.
I totally want to go this year...and can't believe it's not in Chicago again. What's up with that?
I mean, really, how many times a year do The White Sox sell out a game? There always seem to be available seats...Comisky is pretty darn big -- oh wait, sorry Brooke, I mean US Cellular Field.
Anyway, the closest place seems to be in Milwaukee on July 31 --- it sounds like fun! Anyone else want to go?
Breaking news tonight, folks! LOST (my favorite tv show) will be ending...in three years.
Okay, so it's not breaking news...but seriously, how much longer could this show go on? At least it's not getting ripped off the air the way Twin Peaks was...and we all remember how that ended? That's right, David Lynch killed EVERYONE. No chance for that show to come back...unless it was a reunion in hell.
Good news! Shannon, aka Midnight 2 Sticks, and I figured out our audio issues on the SSK Podcast. If you were totally annoyed by our poor audio quality...give us another listen. You can even find us in iTunes!
I had a blast tonight celebrating the third anniversary of my pal Julia's shop --- Fly Bird in Oak Park. Good times and lots of funny people.
I'm super excited about this rad new watch I got...It's a pink camouflage Tokidoki watch. Sure, it's big and bulky...but I totally love it! I can't wait to show it off at work tomorrow :)
I think registration for the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap closes tomorrow...so there's still time if you want to join! It's going to be fun, fun, fun!!
First Trivia Question
Who are the two people in this conversation: "There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!" "You are quite wrong. Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness."
Answer: Voldemort & Dumbledore
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Gryffindor
2. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
I like working socks on needles size 0 - 2. I'm not fancy about the types of needles I use. Favorite brands/types are:
Metal Knit Picks (most favorite and would love a second set for each size)
Clover
3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
I'm always open to trying new things...but I don't like birch needles. (it gives me goosebumps just thinking about them)
5. If your pal decides to send candies or chocolates are there any that you don't like?
Candies...chocolates? I don't think there are ANY I don't like!!
6. What are your favorite scents?
I like citrus scents --- grapefruit, lemon, tangerine. I also really enjoy smells like mango and ginger.
7. Do you have any allergies?
Nope
I received a wonderful package from my Secret Pal...Check it out!!
A wonderful knee sock pattern with beautiful Lorna's Laces yarn in Argyle colorway. I'm a big fan of argyle socks and can't wait to see how the colors reveal themselves.
I also scored some beautiful roving. It's superwash wool from Ashabee's Creations. I think I'm going to attempt to spin my first sock yarn with it! So super exciting.
Thanks again, Secret Pal for the amazing package...I was great to come home to such a special fiber treat!
Well, I finished knitting two bags and I can't wait to felt them!
This first one is the same bag my Knit Night pals are working on. I HATE making i-cords, so I just did a twisted yarn handle...I'm thinking they're too short. But that's just the way they'll be, because I think I'm out of yarn. I used Cascade and Noro on size 15 needles for this project
The second bag was made on size 11 needles with Mauch Chucky yarn in the limeade colorway with a beautiful varigated Manos del Uruguay. The bottom of the bag was fun --- working short rows to make the circular bottom.
I'm probably going to wait to felt at Brooke's house...she has a top-loading washing machine, which I think is better for the felting process.
ALERT THE PAPERS...
Brooke finished a project before Marie or me! She's already felted her bag...and I'm jealous.
The weather was so beautiful this weekend. On Saturday, I worked in the yard and completely ripped apart and cleaned up a couple of garden beds.
I have also decided that I don't like toe-up socks. I think I didn't start the gusset soon enough and have to do some frogging --- yuck.
I have actually been knitting the last few days...and even have a finished project. I finished the handles for the knitted bag I started and completed on vacation. It was a quick knit...and fun because of the color changes in the Noro.
I started a second felted back...it's a bucket bag with a 
circular base. I stepped out of my color comfort zone and choose a sea foam green and a varigated yarn with reds and blues. It's turning out really pretty --- and it's fun to knit.
I'd share pictures, but I forgot my knitting at home. I've spend the last few days at my parent's house spending time with Grandma A --- my favorite grandma!
Right now, she's napping and I'm sitting in her room listening to Mom play piano downstairs. It's nice to hear...reminds me of when I was little.
It's a beautiful spring day...blue sky and green grass. I'm so glad spring is finally here!
I passed out last night before I could watch the results for this week's American Idol --- thank goodness for that DVR feature on my cable box!
Sanjaya has finally been voted off the show.
I kind of thought it was funny that he was getting the votes to move forward --- be it from his fans or Howard Stern's fans. But don't you get the feeling Sanjaya thinks he's a fantastic singer?
I think the other contestants were relived that Sanjaya is gone...he's been like a wild card on the show.
Who's going to win? I think Jordan Sparks...but my favorite is Blake.
Note: Thanks to that damn DVR, I've become addicted to this show for the first time!
At Xcaret they had an elaborate set-up of a typical Mayan village. Guess what I saw in one of the huts? FIBER STUFF!!!
Yes, there was roving, hand carders, a couple spinning wheels, and hand-spun yarn on display.
I could be wrong, but I don't think the Mayan's used wheels...maybe hand spindles? 
No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth...my husband and I took a quick trip to warm and sunny Mexico. A nice long weekend in Playa del Carmen.
We had a great time and the weather couldn't have been better --- we left with snow on the ground at O'Hare and were welcomed by the warm breeze of the Carribean.
The resort we stayed at was connected to a really cool park called Xcaret. It was great to be able to spend a couple hours and then walk back for lunch for a quick nap. Some highlights included snorkeling an underground river, Snuba tour (cross between snorkeling and SCUBA) and Sea Trek tour.
Here's a picture of the Sea Trek thing...it was really cool and hilarious. We wore a big helmet that had oxygen pumped into it...so you could walk around and breathe underwater. I have some really funny pictures...but I don't have a scanner. I'll try to do it when I visit my mom's house later this week.
I am determined to complete this pair of Jaywalkers. The yarn is B. Marie from Scout's Indie Swag Club.
This is the first pair of toe-up socks for me. I originally started this pair a couple months back...let it sit for a while...forgot what I was doing...and had to rip it out.
I love the way the colors are patterning --- this is sure to be a favorite pair of socks for ME!
Oh --- I also made the rockin' strawberry necklace on the left. I'm totally in love with it...
Last weekend my mom, sister, and I hosted a baby shower for my buddy Georgann. Here's a picture of my brother-in-law holding a baby for the very first time!
He was so nervous --- we are all still giggling about it. Good job, Tim! (If you're wondering why a boy was at the party, it was a co-ed shower.)
The party was a success --- lots of piano playin', singing, and laughing.
Here's a silly cake Marie, Brooke, Mom, and I made out of diapers! I thought it was SO funny!
Well, I had Marie & Brooke over for knit night on Monday. We didn't really knit though --- grabbed Thai food and visited Marie's friend who works for the Fire Department. He gave us a tour of "The House"...it wasn't anything like Rescue Me on FX.
I actually finished my teal/great socks...Hip, Hip, Hooray! They fit great and I'm happy it's cold and rainy out today so I can wear them. The yarn is Austermann Step Sock Yarn --- it was very nice to work with. There is Aloe and Jojoba integrated into the yarn...so it's nice and soft. I totally recommend it!
After I make a trip to JoAnn Fabrics, I will have my Irish Cable Bag finished. While cleaning out my studio, I found a really fun fabric remenent that will be super cool as a liner.
A few months back, Shannon and I thought it would be fun to record a podcast show. The unique spin on our show is that we're new friends...in fact we met through blogging. If you're interested in hearing what we sound like...check us out SSK Podcast or find us on iTunes. (PS we're still, obviously, working on the audio bugs)
I brought Smoking Watermelon out this weekend to the rehearsal dinner and wedding. I think he had a really great time --- especially since everyone wanted to meet a smoking watermelon.
Found my sync cord...and can share a couple pictures with you. Here's the pretty yarn I ordered last week. I'm pretty excited about it.
I also received this month's Scout's Indie Swag. Pretty blue yarn and a really cool pattern from Kate Gilbert...the lady who gaves us Clapotis. Okay, ya...that sounded really dirty!
