Beautiful Blossoms

I'm sitting in my car with my son under this beautiful tree right now. We are waiting in the car for a few minutes before I take him into his kindergarten class. We get here early everyday, because my daughter's class starts at 8:30 and then my son goes in at 9:30. So between times, we play the waiting game. It's a cold and rainy day. But I enjoy knitting while he works on his homework in the car today. And I couldn't resist snapping a shot of the beautiful blossoms on this tree. I just love how these trees turn pink... but they don't stay this way for long. So I have to enjoy them while I can. :)

I'm making yarn!

Just spent a wonderful 3 days at Stitches West. While there I finally had the chance to try my hand at spinning. Let me tell you, I'm already hooked! This photo is of my very first attempt at spinning. I love it! I got a couple of drop spindles yesterday and bought some yummy roving today. Can't wait to actually knit something up from a yarn I have created!

Learning to Spin!

I'm trying my hand at spinning with a drop spindle at Stitches West right now. I love it!

I'm on etsy!

I've decided to take the plunge and re-open my etsy shop. I've had such a wonderful response to my beaded hats... that I've decided to try my hand at selling them in my online shop Needle 2 Needle. I snapped a few photos of my brown hat yesterday and then stayed up late last night creating a new banner image for my shop.
It will be an exciting new venture! I plan on adding a few items each day, as it is rather time consuming to list each item individually. So check out my shop over the next few days and let me know what you think! I'd love to get some feedback!  :)

Sheep of Silicon Valley

The Sheep of Silicon Valley are moving on... Yes, we have had sheep located right here in San Jose, CA between Zanker Road and Highway 237. But it seems their days are numbered. Check out the article "The sheep of Silicon Valley have served us well." The sheep have been contractors for our city and have been keeping the grass and weeds down on 500 acres of San Jose city land.
I love the ending quote by Mike Cassidy: "So, should you find yourself crawling down 237 near Zanker in the coming days (the sheep's departure date is not yet set) take a moment to say a quiet thank you to a group of earnest workers. And whisper a little wish that wherever they're going, they're headed for greener pastures."

Stitches West 2012 Here I Come!

I'm gearing up to attend Stitches West again this year. It's being held at the Santa Clara Convention Center this weekend. I just bought my Vendor/Market Floor admission tickets online this evening. Last year was the first time I had ever attended the event, and it's not to be missed! I had a wonderful time!
There were celebrities, authors, books, designers, knitters, weavers, spinners, crocheters, yarn, yarn and more yarn, etc...! It was fabulous! Here are a few memories from last year...

Me and Cookie A.

Myself with legendary film actress Ali MacGraw

Myself with the Double Stitch Twins, Erika and Monika Simmons

At the Yarn Tasting booth! I was knitting with some Qiviuk (The Nature of Luxury)

I will add some more photos soon as well as brand new ones after I attend the event this weekend.

There's no school all week, but I'm still up at the crack of dawn. Knitting! I've got a deadline to meet on an order.

The Adorable Louie

Louie

A little tidbit about me... I absolutely love dogs. I was doing a knitting demonstration at Beverly's Fabric & Crafts store today, when this customer walked in. She was holding this adorable pup. So I just had to ask his "mommy" if I could take a few photos of him. Eleven year old Louie is a chihuahua mix.

What a big yawn!

Thanks Denise for allowing me to photograph your cutie pie! I'd love to get his measurements and have him model a doggy sweater for me!  :)

Last Year's Holiday Boutique

As I always say... better late than never! Christmas was nearly 2 months ago, but I thought I'd go ahead and share a few of the photos from the Holiday Boutique that I participated in at my children's school last year. To my delight, I sold quite a few hats and scarves!

Here I am with my little set up, selling my hats and scarves...

This is Angelina looking lovely in her new scarf!

The girls loved rummaging through my basket of scarves.  ;)

Happy Valentine's Day!

My Valentine's Day Hat and Handbag were used during a photo shoot in Florida a couple of days ago.
Hope you enjoy the photos! (more photos will be posted soon)

The lovely Bunmi is modeling my hat and bag



Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

Wouldn't you know it? Today is Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. This was the topic being dished up on Delish today. So what does this have to do with knitting you might ask? Well, as I was reading the article it said that "maybe this day is less about milk and more about having an optimistic outlook when things seem bad." So if you drop a stitch while knitting today, don't fret! Mistakes happen! Just sit down, take a deep breath, have a glass of milk, and move on. Sometimes knitting can be a messy affair!

My Big Fluffy Heart Bag

As you can see I finished the heart and have added it to the front of the bag. This bag is super soft and squishy. I used a larger than life yarn and knit it up on size US 50 needles. This is now #9 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

I'm Knitting Hearts!

Ya gotta have hearts for Valentine's Day. So I found a great pattern for hearts in Nicky Epstein's book Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch. In the book she actually assembles a shawl by piecing together lots and lots of hearts. I'm going to add this heart to the front of a bag I'm making. I'll post pics of the bag once it's finished.

How to Make the Knit Butterfly Stitch

I've been receiving requests on how to make the Butterfly Stitch that I use in my hats. There's an awesome video tutorial by Knit Purl Hunter. I met Michelle last year at Stitches West. She's great! So without further ado... you can go check it out here https://knitpurlhunter.com/blog/butterfly-stitch/!

Sara and the Hat

I caught Sara wearing one of my handknit beaded hats at the school this morning. I got so excited seeing someone sporting one of my accessories. So of course I just had to ask her if I could take a picture and post it to my blog to share with you. I think she looks amazing in the red hat. It's a perfect color for her. Just as I was taking her picture, her daughter ran up and gave her a big hug. It was a Kodak moment!

#8 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

I crochet too! Decided to whip up this quick little hat. Started it yesterday morning and finished it this afternoon. This photo just doesn't show the right shade of pink. It's actually more of a hot pink. I posted another photo on my Cafe Crochet Blog. If you feel inclined, have a looksie!

#7 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

Feeling blue? This was my 7th project in the 52in52 challenge. I really like how this one turned out. The light country blue shade is perfect for wearing with a comfortable old pair of faded blue jeans. I think I'm addicted to knitting these hats! The color combinations are endless, which makes them such fun to knit. I choose a yarn color and then either a contrasting or complimenting bead color to adorn it with. Hmmm... I should make one with a variegated yarn. Once I get caught up on my orders I may try that out.

Groundhog Day Cupcakes!

I'm volunteering in my son's kindergarten class today and just had to share these adorable groundhog cupcakes. One of the mother's made them and brought them for the class to enjoy at snack time. I think they're just too cute! Happy Groundhog Day!