I am trying out a new set up at http://scatteredmarbles.blogs.com/blog/. I am not sure if I like Typepad yet. It does have some great features, but it also restricts me in many ways. I still haven't found a way around the restrictions except to go the highest level of Typepad. I am not sure I want to do that. It has been an interesting exercise though.

Friday Five (again)

1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed? I took my husband's last name when we married.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be? I would dearly love to change my first name. I think Lee or Leah would suit me better than what I am currently living with.

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?) My mother chose my name because she liked it. I have since discovered that it is an ancestral name.

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why? These can change regularly, but I really despise Clint or Clinton for a boy.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com / triggur.org / astroexpert accurate? How or how isn't it? My goodness! That is so like me it is scary!!!

I have washed and blocked my Chickami, and it is ready for it's unveiling on the last official summer weekend. Here it is:

I am back from my nice, relaxing camping trip. (If it was so relaxing, why am I up with insomnia?) Nothing beats a family reunion during a heat wave, while camping, for creating quality knitting time. My knitting acted like valium, and I was able to keep somewhat sane. I did discover that my version of Brisa, while lovely, was a little small. Then I took a look at Theresa's gauge and smacked my head. Hmmm, one of these days I will start knitting a gauge swatch BEFORE knitting the project. However, I have my ChicKami waiting for a try-on to determine strap lengths. I am a little nervous about the fit and almost wriggled into it while sitting in the front seat of the van, during the drive home. I didn't want to entertain the kids, and the other drivers on the road, so I am waiting until later on today. I could go do that now. Since I am not sleeping, and can't do much else.....

I am off on holidays starting tomorrow morning. I have my holiday knitting planned. Maybe I will even get my ChicKami knit too. Well.... I will be camping and there won't be much else to do! Peace!!!!

Trying to fix my archives. It feels like part of me has been lost.

I have finished the knitting and blocking for my Vera tank. It looks lovely! I just need to pick up the neck and arm borders, and sew the side seams. For some reason that is taking me forever!

I found a local store that carries Idena Cotton Sport and am now knitting Theresa's Brisa, from knitty. I made the mistake of automatically switching to the larger sized needles after finishing the ribbing, and so the mesh part seems very holey. :-) However, I switched back to the smaller needles after the lace, so I will see how I like it. I want to add 2" to the length in this part, so it may turn out all right in the end. Nothing quite like designing on the fly, is there?

I leave for vacation in 4 days! Woohoo!!!!!!

Well, lookie here! Amy is famous! It looks like knitty is filling the void left by the other knitting magazines that stopped listening to their readers! Here is a force to be reckonned with!

I have finally finished my latest pair of socks. I think I need to check my gauge, they are looking a little bullet proof. I took some pictures, but the light is not good right now, so I will try again in a day or two. Luckily it is way too hot to even think about wearing wool socks right now! I do have my next pair planned out though. I am actually thinking of trying an idea that Mare proposed. I want to knit the socks from the summer issue of IK, plus I have Lucy Neatby's Fiesta Socks to challenge myself with. I have so much sock yarn around, and I am getting a little sick of my plain vanilla pattern.

I also finished the back of my Vera Tank today. I started knitting the front, but the heat really started to get to me, and it became too hot to do anything but sit and try to remember to breathe. LOL! I need to remember that in January when it is too cold to do anything.

I am currently working on several projects. None of which are getting very far, but at least they are getting some work. The swank-a-long is on week three and I am still ploughing through the piece for week two. Hopefully, I will get that piece finished tomorrow, and get the next part worked on. My socks are both almost at the toe decreases, but it is way too hot to think about wool socks right now. I have Kool-Aid dyed some wool to make a felted bag, and the colours are super. My Vera tank front is half done. I love knitting with the Mission Falls Cotton. It is so nice to work with. I am going to have to try it for a few other projects.