Dear Blogger,

We have to talk. This situation has gone out of hand. Really. The faulty posting. Shotty commenting. Yes you can upload a picture, NO you can’t upload more pictures.

Yes, I know you’re free. Yes, I know you’ve improved yourself. But, I’m starting to feel like we’re moving in different paths & it might be time to go our separate ways.

It’s not you, it’s me.
I think I’m growing out of these blogging clothes I’m wearing. A blogging puberty of sorts….

I’m moving on….and I’m taking my friends with me….

LETS GO, GUYS….

…update your Bloglines….
….& your link lists….

IT’S OFF TO string*THEORY WE GO!

Blogger, don’t cry, there will always be a place in my archives for you!

Love,

string*THEORY
::the bloggist formally known as the knottie knitter::

Funny how no one responded to my previous post (To Blogger or Not to Blogger - THAT is the question).

Well, it's becuase BLOGGER IS BROKEN!! ....and wont let anyone post!

Is that a sign?

At what point do we stop ignoring the red flags, people?

Ok, first, a sweet (and, yes, random) photo of the little girl made of sugar. Remember her? What is she thinking about here?

Ooh...yes, back to my post....
Enough complaining about (free, I know! I'm an ingrate!) Blogger. What do you have? What do you like? Why? Am I moving? Possibly.....depends on if I need to or not. What do you think? Is there a big enough reason to switch to Typepad from a free service? I don't mind paying for a good thing...but is it worth it? I figure, if I'm going to make a move, then the new year is a good time to do it....
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Ooh, and...for mom...err, I mean, "Santa" - (yes, Mom! I still believe!) More hints....
Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick
A cream colored (natural) and wooden dress form
pottery classes
cooking classes

We started the evening out at Colorful Yarns. A great little yarn shop jam packed with fiber goodness. And of course, with Stacey's bad influence...I left with some gorgeous - Donegal Tweed, homespun in orange.

Then, off to dinner with the ladies where much gossip was had. What more could a girl ask for but knitting gossip!?! It was great. And I learned some fun facts too...like, how Wanda knits at work. All day. Jealous? Me too.

Then it was off to the knitting nest we call Stacey's house. It was just as sweet as she is, a life size doll house, really. Decorated with knitting needles (I mean you just dont know the extent of it, people! Knitting needles everywhere)....sweet antiques AND lots and lots of board games. The doll house comes with it's own (not so doll size) yarn stash and knitting library!

And the Christmas decorations! Ooh...coordinated sewing and knitting supplies in Christmas colors...who does that? Adorable. And check this out, an antique birdcage full of ornaments....Martha move over!

Thanks for the fun visit, guys! Next time it's my turn to host! I hope you'll visit soon...

Now...off to figure out what the heck to turn that tweed in!

::Started out with some lounging with a good friend::
thank you, Beth, for the home cooked meal...beer & ever-lasting birthday attention!

::Then some holiday decorating::
Remember these?
::And a soul feeding visit to a magical button store::
This trip deserves a post of its own....shortly it will come.
*
::I'm off to Denver for some girl time (ooh, and a little work too...but that's besides the point)::
Stacey, Wanda & girlyz ~ here I come! Sorry we couldn't connect this time, Allegra ~ but we will most definitely meet when I return in the Spring.

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And now for "Sudden Change of Subject":
I've been informed that I can be difficult to shop for....
So, as promised, a few helpful hints at the end of each post for the 'rents, and so, here it goes...
*Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel
*Lace Syle by Interweave Knits, Pam Allen & Ann Budd (not avail. until 2/2007~so sad)
*Twinkle's Big City Knits by Wenlan Chia
Ooh, and how could I forget?
This beautiful duvet! I know, looks a little busy (& pricey!!) - but wait until you see it in person...swoon.

I'm still having a really hard time dealing with the Kim's tragedy. It's on my mind constantly, and I think it's because I don't really understand the weight of what they went through, or the kind of pain the healing process holds for them.

I feel so desperate for them and want to do something to make things right. But there's not a lot I can do. Other's feel the same way. So, to map out a path towards healing and helping and extending love, the crafty birds, Stephanie, Lisa and mama birdie are organizing a benefit involving the selling of crafts, which Kati and James have always been big supporters of. I will be involved with this effort. Whether it's through buying gifts for the ones that I love. Or by making something to sell. Donations to help toward the cost of the rescue mission & impending financial struggle due to James' absence can be made here.
I find a lot of comfort in knitting. I think most people do, which is why we do it, right? I finished this scarf recently and just haven't had a free moment to share it with you. But here it is in all it's glory. The pattern is Candle Flame Scarf offered up free by Chantel. This was a great pattern to knit & creates such an interesting texture, especially in Misti Alpaca, Chunky weight.

It's heavy and warm and made with lots of love for my dear friend, Katy. Her birthday's not until May, so I guess this will need to be a very early gift. I don't want her to be cold in Chico.

This little pretty is a great find from my trip to Antiques by the Bay this past weekend. It's a delicate little white flower. I usually try to bargain a bit, because I think that's the dance of the antique dealer. And, well, when in Rome, right?. But when the dealer told me that this little baby was only $3 ~ how could one argue? I did the happy dance and bought it on the spot.

Haven't taken it off since.

I'm having trouble focusing, thinking a lot about the Kim Family. The whole situation is sad, and incredible, & scary & makes me to feel a lot of anxiety. Please keep James in your thoughts or heart or prayers, or however you choose to send love to the Kim family. Spending some quiet time, making. Above is a festive addition to the kitchen & my version of the button wreath you may have seen popping up here and there and everywhere. It was a fun project & successfully depleted my button stash. Vintage button shopping to replenish anyone? Ooh hurt me.

I just returned from a very quick trip (something like 18 hours!) to Chicago. Below is the scene as I was departing. The snow & cold was surprisingly shocking to me, & look at this beautiful scene...

"Ladies & Gentlemen the Captain has indicated our final decent into the San Francisco bay area. At this time please discontinue the use of all portable electronic devices, including iPod's, laptop computers, and portable DVD players. Please return your seat back and tray tables to their full up-right and locked positions. Please return all carry-on items that you may have taken out during the flight to the over-head compartment or beneath the seat in front of you."

"Flight attendants will be making their final pass through the cabin in order to collect any remaining service items. It truly has been a pleasure serving you this evening. We realize you have many choices when traveling and we thank you for choosing Generic Airlines. Welcome to San Francisco where the local time is 5:23pm."

"Flight attendants, prepare for landing."

At what point do I ask myself; "Have I been traveling too much?"

I love 'em. I absolutely. love. them. Thank you, Stephanie for the inspiration. These were made from my felted sweater binge the other weekend, remember? This is an instant gratification project, taking a whole 15 minutes a piece to make. I almost wish they took longer because they're so darn fun.


Is it just me, or is this a little strange? I know that the Silicon Valley is "forward thinking" (technologically speaking anyway), but, iPods sold from a VENDING MACHINE? $200 in quarters anyone?

Click on the picture to make it bigger, see em'? Right there by the cookies & snickers...

Pom Pom's & the starting of a good thing.....garland and other Christmas goodies coming soon!