As Promised - A Post

I know I haven't been around here much this past week; hope you didn't miss me too much ;-)  I've been fighting a migraine since last Saturday; not yesterday, last Saturday!  I pretty much lost the battle by Thursday and spent the day taking the heavy duty meds and feeling lousy all day. I had either excruciating head pain or extreme nausea from the pain meds.  Fun.  Friday, I woke up and didn't feel like I was doing a whole lot better, but had to go to work or my coworker would have been alone in the office all day.  I did go home after he got back from lunch. It's now Sunday night and I can still feel the pain in my head.  It's not nearly as bad as it was Thursday and Friday, but it's still there.  With all this, it's been a bit difficult to keep up with the blog reading and the e-mails and with keeping this little blog up to date.

But, you're not here to listen to me whine, are you?  Moving on.....

Through it all, there has still been some knitting, crocheting, and spinning going on around here.  The only day I wasn't able to do anything was Thursday; every other day I managed to get something done.   The mailman has also been busy delivering more packages for me. 

Crocheting:  The secret project is done (except for blocking) with almost a week to spare.  YAY!  I enjoyed this project, but I really was ready to be done with it.  Pictures next week.

Spinning:  I finished spinning up a bobbin full of the green merino. 

Knitting:

The Ice Cream Sweater is complete (except for buttons)
Pattern:  Baby Sleeve to Sleeve Cardigan
Yarn: Trekking XXL, color 126
Needles:  Size 2 addis
Cindy inspects and approves.




Itty Bitty Doggie Sweater. 
I made this sweater for Samm & Jay's friend's itty bitty puppy, Chezza.  Samm says she's a "Juggy", part Jack Russell and part Pug.  I really wasn't sure this was going to fit (it's really itty bitty), but Jay got a picture of Chezza wearing it and it fits her perfectly.  The picture he took was on his cell phone; he's going to try and get a better one for me to post here. Until then, you get the monkey modeling it.
Pattern: Penny
Yarn:  Lamb's Pride worsted, Green Apple
Needles:  Sizes 5 and 6

Velvet Grapes:

1 1/2 sleeves and neck band left to do.  Sooo Soft!



Bunny Blankie
I'm winging this; I'll stuff the head lightly with fiberfill and the rest will be a blankie similar to this.  I'm using Berroco Plush - sooo very soft.

I cast on for a pair of socks tonight; I'm feeling the need for a sock fix.  I'm using the Sockina Cotton yarn that Patti gave me.  I've only got a few rows done, so no pics yet.

Mail:

I received my copy of Crazy Aunt Purl's book this past week; haven't had a chance to read any of it yet (headaches and reading don't really go too well together).  I'm anxious to dive in, though.

I've saved the best for last:

The BEST Secret Pal ever strikes again!
Look at these goodies, will ya?
Grapefruit & Orange Bath stuff (soap, lotion, shower gel) smells incredible!
A black kitty box filled with yummy caramel candies.
The greatest book with a most appropriate title; Samm and I had great fun looking through this book.  My queue has suddenly just about doubled in size!  Here's one example of something from the book that will be knit very soon: it's a Christmas tree hat; isn't it great? What a funny picture; makes me laugh every time I look at it!
Some closeups of the items in the front row:

Rubber Duckie soap and Lemon hat and booties for Clover.
OMG, this hat and booties are so damn cute and so soft!
Clover certainly will not be wanting for any knit items; lucky little girl!
And check out this yarn:

When I first saw this yarn, I thought it was just beautiful; the colors are great.  Then I looked closer; check out the colorway name:

Isn't that great?

Now I ask you, do I have the best Secret Pal or what?!

Okay, that's enough for me tonight.  Gotta go rest my eyes.  Goodnight.

Comments

[Mel]

My first thought on seeing the bunny was "uterus".

[colleen]

OMG I really hope you feel better soon. why is it sticking around so long?

and gee wiz! I cannot believe your SP! She totally rocks!

I caved and got the CAP book this week too.. its a fun read.

all the FO's look great as usual- loving the ice cream sweater and I peeked at the secret project in Ravelry- WOW! really really geat!

[Amanda]

WOWEEE... that is a fantastic post! You've been busy with your knitting and spinning you lucky lady! And, of course, what a great SP gift. That yarn is yummy.

[Sheepish Annie]

Oh you poor kid! That's a long time to be suffering with a migraine. I'm glad it's starting to die down a bit. I can't imagine how bad that has to be...

You certainly do have a generous secret pal! And one with amazing timing! It must have been so nice to get a little treat while you were under the weather.

[brenda]

Sounds like it was/is a horrible headache. I hope it's gone for good soon. At least you've been able to knit some.

[trek]

Wow, eye popping banana split sweater!

[Zonda]

I love that sweater!! On size 2's even!! That is love!! Super fab SP package and that tree hat is a riot!! Can't wait to see you knit that!! Feel better soon!

[marianne]

oooh, Julie, I am so sorry to hear about that migraine, damn.... I hope it clears off SOON! that and whatever soreness, etc... my Mom had migraines, every month until she went through menopause...
That little ice cream sweater is just the very cutest!
Yes, you DO have the.very.bestest.secret.pal.ever! That is just a wonderful parcel of goodies, that pal of yours sure knows how to pack a picnic!
Feel better soon...

[Debi]

I LOVE that Ice Cream sweater!!

I'm sorry you're hurting julie, hope you're all better soon - at least you have some fabulous SP spoils to make you feel better!

[mia]

Wow! Great secret pal package! The only secret pal swap I ever did... my "pal" bailed and didn't send my stuff, so I didn't do that again :( But that sweater is just too cute on the monkey :) I think I'm gonna like the bunny thing too.

Hope the migraine gets better. Those things suck major monkey butt (no offense to your sweater model)

[Amy]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...love love love the ice cream sweater. That little Christmas Tree hat is just so cute, I think Tina would even look cute in that. It is true that you have the best secret pal ever.

[jane knitter]

Oh Julie, the only thing more fun than shopping for you is reading your blog. Anything this much fun must be illegal! I made the hat with the points that is in the book just before the CHristmas tree. WHen we reveal you can see it on my blog. SHe loved it!
I am so sorry about the migraine. My daughter got hers Thursday after a major presentation to a client and luckily had a friend near there. She made it there and crashed for about 6 hours before she could call us to get her. I think we had a big weather change that caused hers. ut it lasted all weekend. Take care..I am sending good thoughts, Jane

[Carole]

Sorry about the migraine but glad to hear it's better. The ice cream sweater is adorable and that's a wonderful swap package.

[Dana]

Sorry to hear about your migraine. I do hope you're feeling much better soon.

The ice cream sweater is lovely, as is the velvet grapes! The doggy sweater for Cheeza is too cute. Where do you find the time for all of this and work too?!?! You must be the world's best time manager.

Yes, you have an AWESOME secret pal; your goodie box is the stuff of dreams.

[Bea]

OH MY LORD, i love that christmas tree hat! The icecream sweater is SO cute, it will be so exciting to actually see clover in it! Nothing against Tina, but you know. And the velvet grapes! I love Malabrigo. I hope you are feeling all better by now, and you have a great secret pal!

[Pat]

I can't believe you wrote such a long lovely post after days of migraine - what a dedicated blogger!!
The ice cream cardi is ADORABLE and that swap package is so thoughtful!

[Chris]

You DO have the best secret pal! The ice cream sweater turned out SO WELL - I love it.

Really sorry to hear about the migraine. :(

[Jeanne]

You do have the best Secret Pal ever! Wow! And that Ice Cream sweater is way too cute.

[Cookie]

I hope you're feeling better today, sweetie.

[Gina House]

OH, I'm so sorry about the migraines. Someone needs to start a "Knitters with Migraines" group. Seriously...it's needed. I hope you're feeling better today : )

The sweater came out soo cute! Clover is going to look adorable in it.

I cannot wait to see the finished green merino spun up!!

As for your new loot....well...all I can say is....share witt me? I'll be your best friend!!! he he (such nice stuff!)

Hugs, G ; )

[lisa]

You've been some wicked busy, esp w/ that migraine. I've had them, but not for so long, and headaches for days but not migraines... Have you thought about/tried alternatives like acupressure/puncture? The sweater for my niecelet (technically the granddaughter of dad's fiancee that he will never marry...) is a Sirdar pattern, #4160, no name.

[Kathleen]

The sweater is beautiful.
Why is it cats are always around for the photo op?. My cat always gets in the shot, but will not let us take a picture of her. She has to be tricked.