It's almost 4!

Yep!  Mom's plane arrives at 4 today and the day has crept by!  Thanks yesterday to Marti for finding me the perfect dishcloth here!!!!!  Really go look!!!  It is too cute.  (did you guess it was a giraffe!!!)

In light of Marti finding me the perfect pattern, I have given her my award (a pattern from Rachel's) that I won on Aunt Kathy's blog!

Last night at knit night I got to where I'm ready to turn the heel on my sock (yeah!!!)  So except part 2 of the ML tutorial this week!

Now the socks for my SIL will be using this yarn:

Using this pattern (I took the pic from the pattern....I hope that is okay)  

I think it is perfect.  It has enough going on in the pattern that I won't be bored and are more like a plain vanilla sock which is what my SIL wants!  I'll show you the progress as I make some!

Some Giraffe Cuteness!

Before the giraffes, Suzanne made my day during Gustav, giving me my first blog award!  It was so very unexpected and she said such nice things!  I am honored and encouraged that my ramblings mean something to someone.  I "met" Suzanne in blogland during my contest!  She is a fellow sister in Christ too!  Her blog is a happy spot where she graciously lets you into her world and makes you feel like you are a dear friend!  I look forward to hearing her outlook on life! 

There are rules, and here they are:

1. Put the award on your blog. (done)

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you and say something nice about them. (done up above)

3. Name at least 4 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links for the recipients.

5. Leave a comment to let the recipients know they have received the award.

Picking winners is so hard.....so many great blogs out there....but these are ones I'm excited to go check and leave feeling inspired/encouraged/uplifted!  So the awards go to (in no particular order):  

Robin

Wool Winder

Abigail

Stacy

Thanks ladies for sharing your life with me!

Now, giraffe cuteness:

My mom sent me this super cute card!  I just had to share (she sooooo knows me!)

Kaity showed this bag on her blog the other day and I just had to have it!!!  what can I say....I have a weakness (several actually!)  I bought it on Etsy from Ching's Tote Shop  (my very first Etsy purchase in fact)  See the back is cute too!

I think I feel like spinning tonight....we'll see how it goes!

Updates

I've started working on Gertrude (the giraffe)!  Her body is done!  The increase are very visible because they are knit in front and back loop, but I think her dress should cover that up!  

Update on Ravelympics:  Several of you have asked in the comments if I am going to dye the Bare yarn I have picked out for my shawl relay.  The answer is no!   I want a cream shawl because it will be so versatile!.  But if I were going to do that, I could do the dying before the beginning of the games...it's called training!

On the needles this weekend....hopefully finishing the second lace merino sock!  Then I must work more on my Secret Prayer Sock Swap, not to mention Gertrude! :)

Knox getting comfy in the new bookcase! 

My Story:

Thank you all for letting me share my testimony with you!  God has worked mightily in my life and I expect Him to continue!  It is so comforting know that the Creator of the Universe is taking care of me and loving me!

DH and I plan to celebrate the 8 year anniversary of me being alive tomorrow by going out to dinner!  

Feel free to keep commenting through the 26th (but no new posts this weekend)  Monday I will announce the winner!

Tuesday Knitting Night and another giraffe

So thanks to ravelry I found a group of ladies in town that get together to knit.  I heard they were knitting at a nearby book store on Sunday.....I must admit I was a little nervous to go without knowing anyone, so I wimped out, but I did post that I was interested in further meeting.  Then I got messaged that they were meeting on Tuesday night.  So I put away my nerves and decided I didn't have to be knitting alone and went last night!  It was a small group (4 of us), but they say there are often more.... I had a super time.  It was so fun to see what everyone else was working on and hear their tips and product reviews.  Some of these ladies have been knitting for a long time and it is super to hear their wisdom too!  I'm looking forward to going back (and not nearly as nervous).

Yesterday I also found an adorable new giraffe pattern (I know....I now have 2 on my list to make) Go here to see him!  He has such personality!!!!  Love that smile!!

Be sure to come back tomorrow when I announce a contest!!! (it will run through July 26th....details tomorrow)

And because no post is complete without a pic....here is Knox "helping" me figure out my tablet.  She saw the box and immediately tried to climb in it....she didn't quite get that she was a little big for it! :)

Public Service Announcement!

For all you giraffe lovers out there....ravelry has a new group: Tall Blondes!  Of course for giraffe lovers.  I had looked there for a giraffe group before and had never seen one, then J found this one that just started!  So if you have a passion for giraffes join up and I'll see you there!

In knitting news:  I got my yarn for the Pray Partner Sock Swap!  I love it!  Unfortunately no pictures until after the swap because it is supposed to be a secret!  While I don't think my partner (who I'm praying for) knows who I am, I don't want to take any chances!  I ordered it from the Yarn and Fiber Company.  They had free shipping on my order of just one skein.  Wow!  I ordered in Thursday and it was here Monday (I couldn't believe it was that fast with free shipping)  I ordered Dream in Smooshy! but the colorway is secret.  I'm excited to get started with it, but still trying to settle on a pattern.

Now a sneak preview for tomorrows post:

This is what I've been working on!

Giraffe updates!

Saturday morning started with a huge storm, but it dried out enough for us to go to Fest For All, BR's downtown arts and music festival. They had lots of fun vendors and we (DH, J, and A) had great fun looking around! and one of the first booths we say had some lovely giraffes! This one was huge (It was model to show how they made their animals out of hand knotted rope around a wire rim inside and was probably 6 feet tall!)

Then DH saw these little ones, and thought one just had to come home with me (isn't he sweet) We all know how much I love these silly creatures and I really like when I find an unusual one!

Also, I mentioned about a week ago a knitted giraffe sighting on ysolda's blog. I emailed the store she mentioned visiting, Ariadne Knits, about if the pattern was available. She said they are working on it and it should be ready in a week or so!! Woohoo! She was even kind enough to offer to email me when the pattern is available. So I will let you all know when I hear! ( because I'm sure you will be just as excited as I am) Tomorrow I'll show you my weekend knitting!

Knitted Giraffe sighting!

If you are a giraffe enthusiast (like I am) you may know that there aren't that many patterns out there to make these adorable creatures! I have found an awesome crochet giraffe (Radley) He is fun and cute, but not knitted. As I like to crochet that isn't a problem, but I'm always on the look out. In fact many new visitors come to this blog looking for knitting giraffe patterns (fancy that!) While there are a few out there, which I've linked to on the side, they leave a little bit to be desired in my opinion. But look at ysolda's pic. In the back row is the most adorable knitted giraffe sitting proud and tall. Her elephant and bear went of a field trip and met some new friends. Some of the animals patterns are available, but I didn't see the giraffe. Have no fear, I've emailed the store asking about the pattern! We will sure try to get it, because he is sooooo cute!! Further, if you run across super giraffe patterns please let me know. I will be happy to link to them for all giraffe lovers looking for a pattern.

What's in a name?

Many of you may wonder what is up with giraffes! Why am I so obsessed with these creatures? They aren't cuddly, they aren't popular, but they sure are cute! I remember reading in our Childcraft Encyclopedia that we had as a kid, that giraffes have 7 neck bones just like humans only longer. That fascinated me. But the true love of giraffes started in junior high. Jane Goodall came to speak to about her work with chimpanzees and in order to attend you had to write about an animal you were passionate about. From then on....well you know how I am! I suppose it also had something to do with the fact that I always felt really tall as a kid (maybe because I was a head taller than my twin brother and every other boy in school)

Here are some fun facts: http://www.randomgiraffefacts.com/