Swatching Picnic Areas...We did that for You

Yesterday we test picnicked Cold Brook Park or shall we say, swatched?
Picnic shelter


Photo is crooked because I was running, not because the building is crooked. I was running to keep up with the Pigs. They were having a heck-a good time.

Play ground...tested by all in our party...even me...that is not a smile...look of pain


The park is by a lake. But you would have to not pay attention for a looong time, and have a kid that really wanted get into 15 feet of prickers before they got to actual water.


Jen, there are bathrooms. The bathrooms are open, they are pretty clean, they don't stink, and


the sinks have soap. I checked all that out too. Yep, I care that much.


Wednesdays 3pm Starting July

We are also looking to do some knitting in Richland at FABRICATIONS! in the Clock Tower Green Complex.

The Ogre and I had mad fun making "SAVE THE CLOCK TOWER" jokes. Yeah, then I showed him the Confection bakery site. How can they put so much awesome in one place???

Speaking of awesome

The trip to the park wore the Pigs out enough that I was able to stop into Stitching Memories and pick up one skein of yarn. Yes, I went into Stitching Memories, in Portage and only bought one skein of Mission Falls.

Ok, I meant to buy only one skein, but that other stuff came home with me. But it's for Charity! It's for a good cause! It's machine wash! It's for Hope Lodge! How can the Ogre say no to that???

Oh, the Crochet Magazine? He just bought 3 Fantasy Football magazines, he has no room to talk. It's like Nerd V Nerd all the time at our house.

Yarn, Books, and Pig Days!

Ok, I couldn't resist. I had to check out the Boss is Away Sale at Stitching Memories in Portage.

Besides, I needed (neeeeeded) yarn the Ribbed Lace Bolero. Yeah. Wedding coming up, in May, my arms might get cold. What? my pattern is for a sleeveless bolero? Bugger off.


How did I manage to get to the yarn shop at 10 am with just one super enthusiastic Pig?

Oh, don't worry. We dropped Pigs 2 and 3 off at Daycare, even though it was Pig 2's birthday, and he had just lost a tooth (harsh I know!)

This was done so Pig 1 and I could pick up book 4 in the Septimus Heap series at 9am.

Because he couldn't wait. We had to harass 3 sales people, including Mr. Super Nice, but sounds like Christian Slater doing his best Jack Nicholson. Which is kind of embarrassing because I talk to him every time I'm in B & N and I think he thinks I have a thing for him. So, it's getting sort of out of hand, which is funny if you're local.


So, what did I find? Well, this stuff was pretty. I mean it is spring and all.

It might have been hand dyed or something. I like Spinsanity's Easter egg dyed stuff better, personally.

Now here's some cotton I'd like to get my hands on...Patagonia Nature Cotton!


Then, look what was right by that...Malabrigo!!!

Yeah, not the plain colors, but the crazy fun colors. Watch your fillings, I'm looking for gold! I want more Malabrigo!

I tried to hard to be good, but look what followed me home!

A bunch of sad lonely strays from the bargain bins...ah, they're so pretty and they needed someone to take care of them.

Yes, my lovelies, you will be made into hats to help my grow my hair out, and a bolero for a May wedding to look sassy in. If not, you'll love hanging out with all my other yarn!


Oh, don't worry about Pig 2. I did that much damage and messing around at Stitching Memories in 29 minutes. Yeah. I can't even remember who was working. But one of them said "That was quick, under 30 minutes!"

It was all a blur of camera flashes and yarn petting. Well, and some drooling. Yes, I do recall some slack jaw drooling over bamboo tape yarn. It was all in horrible shades of lavenders and purples. Sorry lilac lovers, you know I'm an autumn.

Here's Pig 2 with his girlfriend at the most germ laden place in all of kid-dom

They even crowned him Prince of Germs for the day...


and armed him with the ability to spread his snot amongst the land!

Now that's a happy Pig!

Yarn, Science, it's all GOOD!

So, where have I been? If you were thinking some sweet zombie slayers kung fu convention, you'd be so freaking wrong. I was saving the world, but in a lame, pedestrian sort of way.

You know, like in a CSI New York sort of way, but way slower and with lamer clothes, stool samples, and like no Lt. Dan. Yeah, I know, no Lt. Dan, right?

So, what the heck does this have to do with knitting? Well, I'm slowly getting there. To afford said knitting, I sort of had to take on a job. I'm serious. As it turns out, my blog is not as profitable as the Yarn Harlot's, although, I do have more manageable hair. So because of job I am dealing with poo, and pee, and well, any darn fluid that is extracted from a human body.

Why did I chose this profession? The pay is hella good. Awww, yeah, I said hella good. I didn't get the freakishly high sign on bonus like those prima donnas in radiology and oh, what's that other touchy feely job that's sort of voodoo? Right, physical therapy. I see that being out lawed when flying cars are in fashion.

But laboratory science, that's cool! There are what, how many television shows almost entirely devoted to laboratory science? Let's count...CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:New York, and well, all of the Discovery Channel, oh, and the forensic files. Yeah, and you might as well count the X Files. Plus John and Kate Plus 8 practically counts because of the barfing episode. So that's what, like 6-7? Right.

Money, fame, and money for knitting. Go to KCC (in the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area) , talk to Kay in the MLT program and say that Holly sent you. She'll remember me. You don't even need my last name. Trust me on this one.

Now, what do I want to do when I'm done making cold hard cash at work? Besides eat right, and exercise because frankly American lab results scare the crap out of me (good thing I think I'm Canadian.) Well, after I burn dinner and play outside with the pigs I like to knit, or at least think about knitting. What am I thinking about knitting right now?

This ribbed (ribbed!) lace bolero for an upcoming wedding (kristin! Hey, does that mean I will get to hang out with tracyb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????!!!!!!!!!) You know, so I can look sassy, and distract from my bad hair.

Do I have yarn for this in my stash? Yes, Like three bads full! ButI'm weak, and that's why I have they sweet job right? To pay for yarn? yarn is

Oh and look who is having a sale! You know I need to support my local scene...

Sale at Stitching Memories in Portage. I know, just call me the Pimp. But really, 25% off? How can you resist? It's like air, or wine, you could die without it.

The sale begins tomorrow..... Monday, April 7 and runs through Saturday, April 12!

This sale is easy....I need a little easy and so do you!

So, here you go...

Knitting needles are 10% off, everything else knitting/crocheting is 20% off, even the sale yarns!

Everything Cross Stitch and Needlepoint are 30% off.

But that that's not all.... in an effort to go green, bring your own bags in to carry your purchase out, and get an additional 5% off your entire purchase! I know I wouldn't pass up 25% off on some yarn!

Reminder: this is not valid on previous purchases or special orders and it is not valid on framing, finishing or classes.

See you soon for the stampede!

Kelly J for Stitching Memories!

Oh, we did up the town, and it killed me

Thursday we got our Spin, Knit, and Drink on...

Shelly, the Next Jane Goodall, will be giving talks, and possibly autographs at the next knitting event.

Spinsanity was actually spinning Dumbledore's beard. Chick can spin anything into yarn.

John, came back for more torture. Look at those cables. He's a wicked good knitter.

Me, I missed out on the Zombie Prom Date Knitters 2nd Wednesday Evening Beer Fest Outing ...and I had to make up for it.

Hey Shannon! It was quiet at Olde Peninsula, and the waiter was super cute. Huh, maybe we should try OP.

For Teetotalers, they even serve tea. Oh, and home brew rootbeer.

What next? The Kalamazoo Public Library Friends of Book Sale. That's right, cheap books for kids who read a book an hour. Uh-huh. I also scored some crazy 70's craft books, but Marty had to take them...Pig 3 and I walked. Turns out $11.66 buys about 40 pounds of books.

So, fun things to do in Kalamazoo with a 3 year old?

1. Walk around Kalamazoo, always fun.
2. Watch people climb the climbing wall. It's free to gawk.
3. Olde Peninsula-great appetizers, home brew rootbeer, cool giant beer tanks. Ooooh, shiney.
4. Gazelle Sports-They have a coloring table, and Frisbees. Pricey Frisbees for Frisbee Golf, but kids think they are awesome.
5. Friends of Library Book Store-Also has a coloring table! Plus CHEAP books!!!

What else to do after so much fun? Ah, heck, we stopped at Stitching Memories in Portage!!

Tofutsies? That's right friends, Stitching Memories has a whole shelf of Tofutsies. Not just the pink, and blue, but a bunch of different crazy colors. What crazy color did I end up with? Wait, aren't I on a yarn diet...uh, I uh, only got one skein. It's pink and orange (#798).

They're also having a drawing for a getting to know you skein and pattern kit. Sweet!


What else did I spy? Hemp for Knitting!!!!

You know I love it, now I don't have to pay shipping. It's nice to see the colors all big and in person. Yeah, yeah, color cards, I have them, but it's nice to see whole skeins. Plus, the no shipping thing-Rocker!

What other trouble did I get myself into? This is from the Hanne Falkeberg trunk show.

$260 sweater kit?!? It was very tempting. It was an awesome sweater. Check out Stitching Memories, they can order you a kit through Feb 29th. I think there's a deal too. Call for details.

After all that fun, Pig 3 and I decided to go home.

What's this? A package? For me?


A late Valentine? A still beating heart...


Oh, it's just a pretty hat...I'll put it on...


Oh CRAP!!! It's the dreaded Binary Cable Hat from Hat Attack!


I'm dead.

If It's Not Handmade, It's Crap...

That's right, I took the handmade pledge. Yep. While watching the original anti-consumerism Holiday special, I signed up and promised to not buy you crap you don't want from the mall. You may still get crap you don't want, but it will be handmade crap, or should I say "knit with snot for you" crap?

Seriously. Need yarn? Check out The Plucky Knitter...she's got yarn at Stitching Memories, or through Etsy. Good stuff my friends.

Or, why not make your own darn yarn? Check out Spinsanity's Etsy shop. She's also got her goods at Threadbear in Lansing! Superfly.

What? You say you don't know how to spin on a spindle thingy, but you want to learn? Come to

Zombie Prom Date Knitters! Skip the shipping, buy a spindle direct, and maybe get a free lesson.

Thursdays 1-3

Water Street Coffee Joint-Oakwood Plaza

More ideas? How about a knit kit. Check out Fabric Creations bags at Etsy. Fill with knitting supplies. See you can make stuff. Then teach someone to knit.

Or

Bring them to ZPDK's with you, teach them to knit there and drink a mocha, soy, no whip. It's a girly drink, but yum.

More, more ideas? Gee, what do you want me to do slay your neighborhood zombies, and make all your holiday gifts for you too? Fine. Here's what I'll do for you, because we're friends...

HOME GRANGE #129

SWISS STEAK SUPPER & HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH

Beefy swiss steak goodness, real mashed potatoes, veggies, awesome homemade sweet pickles, other fixings. Reasonable Price (I can't remember, but it's really a deal for what you get)

Bazaar items:Knit with Snot for You originals at crazy cheap prices! Items by 1000monkeys knit, Alice, and many ladies with knitting needles!

Old School Aprons! Baby Quilts! Lap Robes! Quilts! Antiques! Weird Stuff! Cool Stuff! Hats! Mittens! CAKE!!!

If you aren't tricked by cake, you're dead inside.

8 Random Things

Kristinknits asked me to do this...and I said I would rock it out for her...


1. I hate to cook, unless it's cake. Right now I am fiending, yes fiending, for some pancakes and a veggie omlette. I don't want the stinking homefries, hashbrowns or potatoes. If you could give me french fries and smother them in chili and cheese that might be the perfect meal. I may cry.

2. Mocha, soy, no whip, tastes better in a ceramic mug. It tastes ok in a paper cup. It tastes like what I suspect a robot's synthetic ass would taste like in styrofoam. I'm not even talking about saving the planet, I'm talking about flavor. Don't drink robot plastic ass.

3. Coke Classic was a classic before it was changed to the evil that was New Coke. That's right, I cried over that. Kristin, when I drink a Real Coke, you know what I mean, a Coke, in a glass bottle, made with real sugar, probably shipped by donkey, and then carried by diesel chugging trucks and running over endangered animals all the way from Mexico, I think of you.

4. The only FREE thing at the Disney World Resort is found at Epcot at the Cool Zone or some other seemingly lame place. But don't be tricked by the lame name. They have soda from around the world in there, for free. You may stick to the floor, but it's free, and it's delicious. How many times did we stop in there while at Epcot? Every ruddy time we walked by. Free soda for the insane!

5. Yarn is for sale in the Norway pavilion at Epcot. Which is also cool because it's by the Maelstrom, which has Trolls. In Norway, the people are tall, and they give the Ogre the nod.

6. Between knitting, bakery items, Disney, mochas, and soda, I have a problem. I have to chase the Pigs and zombies just to stay fit.

7. Burning dinner has become an art form in the Casa de Ogre.

8. Oooh, did I tell you I got to go to the LYS and do a good deed, and get a present and buy stuff, but not spend $$$?


That's right, my friend who has put up with me the longest decided to reward me for good behavior (and super fly knitting skills) with a gift certif to Stitching Memories.

I also did my part to help the Tummies and Totes and Tots program by dropping off food for Loaves and Fishes, that's how I got a present, in the form of a tote. That's right. It was all awesome. Except that the bag may have been made out of recycled robot asses. Lime green recycled robot asses. It's in the garage airing out.

I also picked up some, uh, stuff (not yarn, surely not more yarn), and the new Debbie Stoller-Son of a Stitch n' Bitch... ah, full of Bitch, the way I like it.

Dinner, Mostly Good, Dogs, Friends, & Charity Knit Info!

With the chance of being poisoned, attacked by zombies, mocked by werewolves or stampeded by horses, I always find it curious when people say yes to an invitation to Casa De Ogre.

But last night both Marshall, the Ogre's Father and Shelly, owner of the Bowie Knife and Machete took the challenge.

Marshall was under the impression that since I had ruined so many dinners this week, I was due for a decent night.

Shelly decided for her own culinary safety she would bring her dogs, just in case the food served was unfit for human consumption. She also planned ahead and brought some YUM blue corn bread. Which I finished off for breakfast. Yes, I ate half a loaf of corn bread by my darn self for breakfast.

No, really, she brought her dogs to play with Berger. Well, that's what she said.

It could have been to scare off the werewolves, defend against zombies, drive off horses, or eat my foul cooking. Either way bringing your own back up dogs to our house really is a good idea.

Unless your dog is of unacceptable size. *The Ogre has strict guidelines about what constitutes a dog.

It's all in the book Dog's:Which to Eat, Which to Keep The Ogres Guide. It states "a true dog must be able to hold it's own in a battle, be it against foe or foot." (That means you can take it zombie hunting or step on it at home. Most Ogre's wear size 15 and above shoes.)



(*Please note, the Ogre really does have large feet, small dogs will get hurt at our house. He wouldn't mean to, but really, he steps on me by accident and I'm loud. Also, I had to tell the Pigs to be careful with a 9 month old puppy the other day. A Rottweiler puppy. It was 3 against 1.)

Attacks? NONE! Ruined dinner? Eh, only slightly burned meatloaf, and mildly dry squash. When I started to flip out, the Ogre kindly broke out the emergency Margaritas and dinner seemed much better.

Sadly, I did show Shelly some of my stash and she agreed with the Ogre said I had a problem.

Speaking of my problem! Did you hear what Stitching Memories is doing? It's combining two of my favorite things.

Yes, whiskers on kittens and blue satin sashes, you got me. No! Yarn and feeding the hungry, or yarn and babies. No, yarn and feeding the hungry, as long as you either cook the food or burn the food...

So check out Stitching Memories good deed stuff which they are doing November 17-21

"Totes for Tots and Tummys"

Bring in any baby item and receive a free project tote.
Make a handmade item and receive a 20% coupon for your next shopping trip!

Items that are needed:

Receiving blankets, onesies (newborn & 0-3 months), burp clothes, sleepers, hats & mittens.

All baby items will be donated to Hannah's House. Hannah's House dedicates its efforts to creating a home environment where young, unwed mothers are taught parenting and life skills. Hannah's House helps young women and their children when they have no other place to turn. Hannah's is non-profit organization that is heavily supported by our local churches and community.

Bring in non-perishable food items to receive a free project tote.

Always in-demand food items include, but are not limited too: Tuna, Peanut Butter, Mac and Cheese, soup & juice.

All food items will be donated to Loaves and Fishes www.kzoolf.org. The mission of Loaves and Fishes is to provide emergency food resources and to promote the availability of hungry people to feed themselves. While always and urgent need, this time of year always place extra demands on a hungry society.

Baby Items and food can be dropped off to Stitching Memories anytime during open store hours Starting Saturday Nov. 17 - Wednesday Nov. 21.

As Thanks for your giving, we''ll be having a little sale on select items from Nov. 17 - Nov. 21.

Great items for some last minute gift giving needs!

A little sale, a tote, a coupon and some good charity makes for a great feeling....Smile!

Need a little scheduled knitting time for your donation? Join me, Kelly J, for some knitting at the store from 1 - 6pm.... we could run over after hours if we are having fun.

Reminder....

Lot's of FAKE zombies out tonight.
Please DO NOT patrol tonight.
Stay home, knit and hand out candy.



But really, drive careful, watch out for those dressed as zombies, werewolves and witches. For the most part the real undead take tonight off. They hate sharing the spotlight.

Knitting note, Stitching Memories gives a 15% off discount on your Birthday. Guess who ditched work an hour early yesterday and went to Stitching Memories? I can tell you it wasn't the Pathologist.

Also, if you knit, you are in Budapest and you are going to bring me back some chocolate when you get back to Kalamazoo, your package is on the way...it may take awhile.

Plus, Stubby's Smokehouse Beef Jerky this week at Zombie Prom Date Knitters!!! Thursday at Waterstreet Coffee Joint at the Oakland Plaza location. I say we stay there until we are officially asked to leave.

We did More this Weekend Before the Indians Lost Game 7 Than You Did All Weekend!

What did you do this weekend?

We sold popcorn

No photos, but we plunged toilets, we may need to talk to a plumber, or an exorcist, or check a county map and see if the whole Indian Burial Ground thing is under our home. Which would be way uncool. Jilly, we may need some help with some angry ancestors who have a thing against indoor heating/cooling and plumbing. Lame.

Oooh, I also snuck off to Stitching Memories' Open House with Pig 1. We briefly met
The Plucky Knitter! We met her, but not her yarn. But we will be meeting her yarn in the near future. SM will be carrying some of her hand dyed laceweight and sockweight in the shop in starting I believe on the 30th...hey, Happy Birthday to Me!!!


We also attended a swinging Fall Festival. Sadly, there were no Gold Fish to be won. As my buddy Deborah said "if you stink at throwing, you're not getting any candy." We had great dreams of taking over and making it an old school 70's style Fall Festival. But we will see how enthusiastic we feel next year this time. But come one, no Gold Fish? Weak.


Helping out the PTA, look. That's right, knitting, charity work, a "real" job, raising pigs, fighting the Epic Battle against Zombies (soon in sweet new boots), plus time to help the PTA, and do it in a kicky apron. Jealous? Pick one up at the Home Grange Swiss Steak Supper and Craft Bazaar, 1st Friday in December. Yeah, I'm sick of typing it too.


You let a Pig have candy and pizza for dinner and look what happens. He grows a mustache.


Look! My Ogre brought donuts as a reward for not burning down the house!!! I managed to not set the house on fire because I didn't cook the whole time he was gone. He should have dropped the Timbits off at the Pizza Place...


Wondering what beat my Midnight Tomato? Stupid Crochet baby set.
I think I lost by volume. If my sweater would have been long sleeved, I would have won. I think they may actually weigh the knit goods. I will test this theory next year by having the Pigs put more snot into next years project.

I'm so rotten, it was probably made by some sweet old lady. Oh, screw that. She's all sitting there with her scotch and her cigar guffawing about how well she fooled everyone and her sister bought this at a craft show in Maine and she entered it and doesn't care. Hey! Maybe it's future me!!! I hope I still have my sweet red boots!

No, really I've decided on co-ordinating crocheted bikini's for the New Bionic Women Sarah and Jamie. Yep, and then ask them to pose in them for a Grange celebrity fundraiser calendar.


Look! There's Jackie's scarf!! She also got 2nd place! But I bought her the yarn, so I sort of helped. My sari circle bag got nothing! Little do they know that the bag had like, uh, a lot of $$$ worth of yarn in it. But you know, and it's going to be for sale at the

Home Grange Swiss Steak Supper and Bazaar
December 7th 2007

It will be a good deal. I'm betting less than $20. I may also put the sweater in. Maybe my Tuscany Shawl also. It's for charity...

Making Strides, Yeah, Right to the LYS

Here I am at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The photo was blurry because I was giving myself a breast exam. No, really, I was. Well, that and because I made sure to recharge my camera's battery and then left my battery at home. These were taken on my emergency cell phone camera, which requires me to hold very, very still. I can't do that.




Fellow Save...My Humps, My Humps, My Humps Walkers.

John, Val and Charlie


Hey! That's a member of Team Larese! She's also an Outlaw Knitter! She was doing a cable access chemistry thing, refused to be on camera, and ended up sitting in the control booth knitting! So young, hot, knitty, an Outlaw and a Chemist!!! My gosh and walking for a good cause! She may be the perfect girl.

I was told to watch out for bums while downtown today. Instead, I befriended the only one I spotted. I asked if he wanted some coffee and a donut. He said no, but wondered how much the t shirts were.

I later ended up "getting" a t shirt for him, but he was gone by then. So, I donated it to a restaurant owner downtown who also runs one of those "help you get back on your feet and get you cleaned up for a job" kind of places. So, it went for a good cause.

The walk was really more of a light jog. Jen was doing a Chemistry Kid day at the Museum (or free bathroom place) and needed to hurry up and finish quickly. But our team raised a goodly amount of money for the cause and we really made our Strides heard through out downtown Kalamazoo today.

The lady fighting with the police officer because she was being held at the light while all 7000 of us walked by REALLY knew about our cause. She was not impressed. But someday, her boobs may be impressed with what we did. Everyone has boobs.

Afterwards, some of team Save...My Humps went out for a lovely breakfast. Then maybe because of the fresh air and exercise, and all that good charity work and fun with friends, I decided to reward myself with a trip to the yarn shop.

Ok, ok, we were really talking about how someone's underpants were falling down and we were being loud and suddenly I heard someone call my name.

It was Mary, the owner of Stitching Memories. She probably overheard us and was thinking "what a bunch of asses" and then went "oh, yep, that's Holly, she has a bunch of stuff on hold! And look, she is making an ass of herself" At least I'm easy to spot. Anyway, she hollered and I stopped talking about undies long enough to be reminded about my impending holiday knitting.

What did I get? Waaay too much stuff. Officially way too much. I can't take photos. Because I don't know where my camera battery is. Hey, maybe it's locked into someone's house!

But I got stuff for holiday gifts, and I got...Dream in Colors Tulip pattern and yarn. Yep, Dream in Colors, now available at Stitching Memories. You do the math. It was like a 1 million dollar copy of Interweave Knits Holiday magazine that I picked up today.

Katie, that Tulip sweater is for your baby. You might want to name me BFF, or Fairy Godmother or something. It's going to be wicked sweet.

It was sick and wrong and I sort of feel like I'm going to barf. I walked straight into the house, and just crammed it all into the closet. So, people, stop doing the stuff that leads to you getting knocked up. That's right, I'm asking you to stop drinking beer.

The NFL Meets Cascade 220 Yarn List!!!

Here it is...The List

NFL team colors, matched up with Cascade 220 yarns to the best of my ability. If you disagree, I don't care, I had fun doing this.

Hat ideas...
Stripes, Main Color and then "Go Your Team Name" in Contrast Color, again Stripes.
(This is actually done in Western Michigan University Colors-You get the gist)
Scarf ideas...
See hat ideas

Also note, I am not a fan of all 1 million teams, and I live in the Midwest, so I am not accustomed to some of the weird colors like "coral" or "teal." Things like "snow" or "blizzard" I get. These teams are marked with an *.



Arizona Cardinals* – Cardinal Red (9404, 8895) Black (8555), White (8505)

Atlanta Falcons – Red, (9446, 8895) Black (8555), White (8505), Silver

Baltimore Ravens – Black (8555), Purple (886, 2410), Metallic Gold, White (8505)

Buffalo Bills – Dark Navy (8393), Red (8895), Royal Blue, Nickel, White (8505)

Carolina Panthers* – Black (8555), Panther Blue (9468), Silver (8400), White (8505)

Chicago Bears – Dark Navy (8393), Orange (7824), White (8505)

Cincinnati Bengals – Orange (7824), Black (8555), White (8505)

Cleveland Browns – Brown (8686), Orange (9465B), White

Dallas Cowboys* – Navy (8393), Metallic Silver (8407), Blue (7818) White (8505)

Denver Broncos – Bronco Navy (8393), Orange7824), White

Detroit Lions – Honolulu Blue (9487), Silver (8400), Black, White (8505)

Green Bay Packers – Dark Green, (8267) Gold (7827), White (8505)

Houston Texans – Deep Steel Blue (8393), Battle Red (2427dark red/8895), Liberty White (8505)

Indianapolis Colts – Royal Blue (9467), White (8505)

Jacksonville Jaguars* – Teal (8907 more blue or 7813 more green), Black (8555), Gold, (2415) White (8505)

Kansas City Chiefs – Red (8895), Gold (8727), White (8505)

Miami Dolphins *– Aqua (7812), Coral (7824), Navy, White (8505)-LYS said the orange is a bit dark, but tone it down with white.

Minnesota Vikings – Purple (7808), Gold (7827), White (8505)

New England Patriots – Nautical Blue (8393), Red (8895), New Century Silver, White (8505) (cheaters)

New Orleans Saints – Old Gold (9476), Black (8555), White

New York Giants – Dark Blue (2404, 8393), Red (8895), White, Gray

New York Jets – Hunter Green (8267), White (8505)

Oakland Raiders – Silver (8400), Black (8555), White

Philadelphia Eagles – Midnight Green (8267), Black (8555), Charcoal, Silver, White

Pittsburgh Steelers – Black (8555), Gold (7827), White

St. Louis Rams – Millennium Blue (2404), New Century Gold (9476), White

San Diego Chargers – Navy (8393), Gold (7827), Powder Blue (9467), White

San Francisco 49ers – Cardinal Red (2401) Metallic Gold (9476), Black, White

Seattle Seahawks – Seahawks Blue (8892 dark or 8891 light), Dark Navy (8393), Bright Green (7812), White

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Buccaneer Red (9404, 8895) Pewter (9473), Black, Orange, White

Tennessee Titans – Navy (8393), Titans Blue (7816, 8905 light), White (8505), Red, (8895) Silver

Washington Redskins – Burgundy (2401), Gold (7826), White


Team Colors condensed from:
http://www.ssur.org/research/TeamColors/Football_Outdoor/NationalFootballLeague/NationalFootballLeague.htm

Yarn Colors: Cascade 220-Wool
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp


Best NFL Website
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Worst NFL Website
Pretty much any of the others

Prettiest Team Uniform (suck it up fan boys)
Tennessee Titans, come on Powder blue?

Weakest Uniform
Any Team using Red, White or Blue
Patriots
Bills
Giants
Texans

R.A.D. Uniform Award (Really Awesome Duds)
Bears!!! Navy and Orange rock!
Vikings-for their royal use of Purple and Gold
Redskins-Did J.K. model Gryffindor colors on these guys?

Maine Lumber Jacks Uniform
Plaid M on the helmet
Colors: Green and Orange
Let's get some cash together and get a team going


My Favorite Team(s)
Lions-But they are a heart break team, so with the help of Marshall (Ogre's Dad), in '99 I added
Colts
Patriots-I loved them, but now that they are big fat cheaters, I don't know. I also miss their old uniforms if I'm going to be judgmental. No, I still love them.
So, happy knitting, cheers, and good luck!

This project was able to be done due to the nice people at Stitching Memories. I would like to thank them for making this possible. I'd also like to thank them for special ordering yarn for me, and fueling my addiction, and not laughing at me.

Please keep in mind, they can special order for you too.

Also...SUPER BIG THANKS TO CASCADE!!! Thanks for having so many darn useful colors! I may be blind in one eye, but really, it was worth it.

What's my favorite cascade color? Well, I am fascinated by 9465B, aka Cleveland Browns' Orange.

I love orange, but why does Cascade have a special Orange that matches the Browns and is labeled "b?" Curious. Is there a story, are they fans, does anyone else wonder? Where is Jimmy Hoffa???

Shop at Stitching Memories Because They are Nice

Well, the boycott of Stitching Memories is for sure officially off. They were not only super extra nice to me, but bend over backwards nice to everyone who walked through the door.

Even punk rock crochet boy seeking private lessons to straighten out his edges before snowboard season starts. Apparently he is the go to guy for sweet hats out on the slopes. The Stitching Memories ladies called the Crochet teacher at home and set up a private class for, I believe, that night. It was all smiles and secret handshakes.

I even got to work on my NFL Team colors list with the Cascade color book in the classroom. Someone would stop by to ask if I needed help, or ask if I was blind yet. But it was cool, I got to spread out all my insanity, I mean papers, and just pour through the color samples. Yes, I know, any yarn shop wanting to sell me yarn should do that, but it was so awesome and fun to get a whole room and giant table next to a window to myself.

THEN! Red Lipstick Chick (see I am now friends with her, I have to find out her name, because that sounds mean) helped me with team colors for the Miami Dolphins and a couple other teams I was having trouble with. Teal? Coral? I live in Michigan, those colors are foreign to me.

Now you are all like, ok, where the hell is my NFL Team Colors to Cascade Yarn Chart? Here's the problem. Last night was the Ogre's soccer night, and Pig 1's school Open House. Besides sewing, baking and cooking, I am not so hot with the typing/chart making. Why am I the stay at home Mom again? Anyway, it will take me 1 million years to get the post set up in readable/usable form. So, soon.

As for the Noro Turd Bag, ribbon. I think Kat will be distracted by a ribbon edging. The bag will be too heavy to carry, but whatever.

Oh, I also have been being harassed by the Ogre's DVD Club (he likes to feel like he belongs.) Yesterday I missed the call, because I was hanging out at the yarn shop. So, I called them back at their 1800 number and told them about how much fun I had looking at the yarn. I think I might have to post that one on the Outlaw Knitters site.

Mason Dixon...Snot?

I really wanted that Mason Dixon knitting book yesterday. Of course there was adventure getting the darn thing. It was out at Jo Ann Fabric's (yes they have knit books.) I thought, well the boycotts over, I'll just stop into Stitching Memories, I have 30 minutes before I need to pick up Pig 3, it's just around the corner, plenty of time.

I entered Stitching Memories and Red Lipstick Chick was there (her hair was short and it looked really cute-look, I'm nice) she did not say hello, but another lady did. I told them their open sign was off. They said it was on. I said, "no, I just walked in, and it is most definately not on." I then made the international hand signal for switchy on-off, which I also noted, looks a lot like the internation hand signal for self love.

I asked for the book, they said they were out, but they could order it. Then the nice lady walked away. I thought that was an odd response to "we can order that book for you." So I followed her and asked her how long it would take to come in. She said 3 weeks. I was like "ok, I'll just go to Barnes and Noble, but I'd like to purchase this magazine."

So the end of the boycott was rather weird, and book fruitless and time consuming.

I really didn't have enough time, but I needed that book, and it would be such a quick trip without the Pigs. I got to Barnes and Noble, wanted to chat up a fellow knitter in the Knitting Section but was concerned about time, did some super quick Holiday shopping, checked out, and was only 5 minutes late to pick up my baby Pig on his first day of school.

Was Pig 3 sad? Did he miss me? Was he in tears? NO! I had to peel him off the toys, and joy of being free of his brothers. I had to bribe him out of school with his first day of school Dino cookie.

So, the book, when I finally cracked it open at 10:30 pm, when my homework was done, was awesome!!! Those Mason Dixon ladies are soo nice. It's so friendly, it's like they love me and totally want another Yankee to join the crowd.

Yeah, totally the next book will be all Mason Dixon Snot, and teach you how to sharpen a shovel, fortify your house against zombies, and use your cute ball band wash cloth to wipe down your shovel after the zombie invasion. Oh, it will be a bestseller!

7th Annual Stitch-a-thon

The Flying Stitch in Battle Creek is hosting their 7th Annual Stitch-a-thon.

Sunday March 11th 11-5 at The Flyingstitch

They do this every year to raise money to help in the fight against breast cancer. Here's what it says at http://www.theflyingstitch.blogspot.com/

"Start getting those donations...collect at least $25 and receive a goodie bag. Come have lunch, cookies, get some stitching done, enjoy the camaraderie and leave feeling good about our dollars making a difference in a cancer patients life."

They are also having a raffle for a lovely cross stitched lap robe. I hear it's lovely, and much better than anything that I would be able to do. Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5. For more info call the shop at 269-963-4225 or email flyingstitch@aol.com

I'm going to be there! What a draw, right? Sadly, the ladies at Stitching Memories will probably show up just to beat me for calling them mean. Which would in fact prove my point.

But I figure hey, I will donate $30, get to have some fun and work on my stitching. Which will actually be knitting, not cross stitching, but it's still technically making stitches. I don't think I will get booted out of a charity event on a technicality.

Also, if you donate at least $25, and say you heard about the event from Holly Bee at knit with snot, I will donate an extra $5 for each person who does this. Come on, I dare you to do a good deed.

Also, if you want to learn to knit, I will try to trick my bud Carina into coming out too. Carina, answer the snot challenge! Bring money, bring yarn, let's crash this charity event together!

I'll make those peanut butter crusted brownies...

(Also, it's a stitch-a-thon, not thong, which we have determined would not be comfortable.)

Bounceland and Handweavers

On Wednesday Harry went to a class friend's birthday party at Bounceland in Kalamazoo. I was a little nervous, because I didn't know if I was supposed to stay, or go away for this event. I ended up staying because I am trying to act more like a human and do that whole socializing thing.

So, what is Bounceland? It's this really cool industrial pole barn building off of 9th street in Oshtemo filled with those outdoor bouncy things. Sounds crazy, but it was really cool.

I was there for about 10 minutes when I thought "damn, I didn't bring any knitting!" Then I realized that just up 9th street was Handweavers Inspiring Yarn Shop. I figured they had to be open late one night a week, and if it wasn't Wednesdays, I'd stop into Mi Ranchito for a drink, uh, appetizer.

To my extreme happiness, Wednesdays at Handweavers is their knit night, and they are open until 8. It was very dreamy. Or it was really cold out and my glasses fogged up when I first went in, but I am going to say dreamy.

Why I will spend my money at Handweavers instead of Stitching Memories...

1) I was sincerely greeted when I came in.

2) I was not stalked as if I had 'shoplifter' tattooed on my forehead.

3) Owner lady came over to check on how I was doing, and actually talked to me for like 5 minutes-just to be nice.

4) They were just plain nice, and not snotty, like some yarn store employees/shoppers.

There, all hail Handweavers on 9th street in Kalamazoo.

Except you Threadbear in Lansing, you stay rockin' like you are.

Back at Bounceland, kids had a rocking, bouncing good time. When I went in to pick Harry up they were eating cupcakes, and sort of playing Charades. I mean sort of because it mostly looked like 1 kid flapping his arms, and 10 other kids screaming. Either way, they had a great time.