Non knitting chats.

Is anyone else out there Gluten Free? Seriously. Eating out has not been that bad, there are lots of great option in the DFW metroplex. But I went somewhere that was one of my FAVES before gf days and got a chef that, well, lets just say I would have respected him more if he just admitted HE DIDN'T KNOW what had gluten. Because telling me I couldn't have a rice dish because it "got starchy" just made me not believe when he said something actually was safe. Arg. I was not very filled from my little (delicious, though) salad.
I need to write an educational letter I think, and remember to mention the fabulous waitress that worked her bum off for us. My kids ate great though, and thats good.

Shamlessly stealing posts.

I am going to snatch my partner-in-crime's lovely post on buying handmade. She said it better than I...

Why buy handmade?

Handmade goods are increasingly popular because it is so easy to buy and sell online. Etsy has been instrumental in raising the popularity of unique handmade items. I enjoyed the time I spent with Etsy, and now I'm ready to spread my wings and start my own shop, in partnership with my best bosom friend, kindred spirit, fellow fiber artist, Shelley. Here we are:

Cute, huh? My point is to point out that when you buy handmade items, whether online or in a shop (obviously I don't mean to include sweatshop made) you are:

• buying something truly unique- a veritable work of art
• supporting a work-from-home mom and/or someone trying to make a living doing what they love
• supporting the tradition of learning and handing down arts and skills through the generations

Shelley and I are two of those stay-home-moms, just hoping to make enough money to stay in business, so we can continue to do what we love and pass it on to our children. Hopefully some day we'll make enough to help with our family expenses. For the meantime we just want to get...and keep our shop going.
So all of you go forth and buy handmade for gifts, jewelry, pottery, art, clothes, home decorations... You'll get so many compliments on your excellent taste while knowing in your heart that you helped someone out with your purchase.

Blessings,
Lindsay

New Year - New Life WIP's

Hey all! Been a little quiet around here, I know. Just now recovering from the holidays!

We:

Had a lovely Christmas at home with my family and inlaws. The kids were the only ones to open prezzies as my in laws side of the family did an exchange the night before (Hello Woolery gift certificate, Thank's Tiffany!). It was messy and fun, and we ate tamales and Jason's Pico de Gallo. He makes more and more ever time we have company and it keeps getting eaten. I think this was like $25 worth of homemade pico this time!

From the 26th on, A and R went to their Fathers house for Xmas, and we trucked on down to Austin with my side of the family. (Must get pics back from dad's computer!) My brother rented a lake house, parents bought most of the food, and we all paid to get there - All in lieu of gifts! It was the best vacation, except my kiddos were sorely missed. Bodhi was there, obviously, and was the biggest flirt ever.

So, I want to move to Austin now, except I won't, for numerous reasons, but Jason and I both said we would LOVE to relocate to Austin. It's so laid back, and quite a bit more earthy, and the best Whole Foods I have ever seen is down there! As well as the best, Celiac friendly, Mexican food restaurant - Guero's. OMGah.

Anyhoo, great trip. I have some yummy yarns that I acquired at Hill County Weavers, and am currently working on a pair of socks for moi.

So we came home on the 1st, the kids came home on the 3rd (and left for another weekend the next day, but I digress) and this week is the first we are really settling into the New Year. I am doing well with my resolution to practice daily yoga, thanks to http://woyopracmo.ning.com/ , I didn't gain any of my recent weight loss back over the holidays, I am in the throes of purging the massive extra clothing my daughter and I have, and I am spinnning/dyeing away getting ready for the opening of my- and my bestest friend's- new store www.owletsyarn.com

I will probably keep a small etsy store going after Owlets opens, but mostly you will find me and my wares at Owlets. We hope to open early next month. !

Quant. The new Calorimetry? Panta?

Why are we so drawn to festive little pieces of headgear? Not really going to keep us very warm... (Although i must say, a Panta out of Patons SWS keeps me toasty here in Texas)

I have made Knitty's latest little addition to the headbandesque craze - Quant. Entrelac, easy, satisfying.

I altered it a bit, making it for my daughter. I used Panda's Cotton, fingering weight, on size US 1's

Enough sock yarn leftover to make some American Girl Doll Socks. Pictures to come...
Very poor picture....
And my Harry Potter. I mean, Harry poter for the kids for Christmas. Kimberly Chapmans "Little Dudes" pattern. too tired (lazy) to hyperlink,
Oooh, now I'm artsy...

And getting ready for Christmas more...

Ah, the classic, electric Yule Log....burning in the fireplace.Bodhi's newest longies. Yes, I am knitting these instead of Christmas prezzies. I work well under pressure.
Hazel and some Handspun
A festive dining room. Actually we have a new table. When the camera's batteries are charged up I will add a pic. New *gorgeous* wrought iron and glass table. Yum
A wee tree is all we have this year, less temptation for 8 month old grabby handsS


And me. Crap, I can't take off the strike... shit.

Getting ready for Christmas!!!

Hey look! Pictures! This is The Holly King. Hand dyed, handspun, 2 ply domestic wool. I like how it "candy" stripes!

A bunch of roving. So far I just plan on spinning it, but if anyone is interested in buying it I can list it on Etsy. There are some YUM colors...And JAMBERRY handdyed worsted wool. The colors in this skein are amazing!!! I kettle dyed it and the colors just swirled together...
And my son, smiling weirdly for the camera... in front our uber-cheesy christmas table in the kitchen
Addison listening to Jason read "the Hundred Dresses" by the fire.

I love it when i can actually post pictures... ;-)

Tatto talk... and more camera troubles.

Why oh why does technology fail me!? My lovely father works for IBM, I get free tech support, nice techie gifts, etc. But HOLY HELL everything effs up on me. My camera card reader (that would be the brand new one, folks) was fried my one of the ports on my laptop, dammit, and now I need another one. So no pics for a while.

But I have tattoo art! Kristin of Silver's Sock class fame, KBelle on Ravelry, designed me an ambigram Knit/Purl tattoo. *swoon* I love it! I just need to go get it done now.

I am not posting a pic of the art, cause, well, I don't want you to steal it. lol.

Mwah!