Yes, it’s been a long, long time…A long, long time since I’ve posted that is. Too much to do, too little time. Plus, my knee troubles have worsened and I’m pretty miserable most of the time.

Since I last posted, I received the June shipment from Woolgirl - the theme for June 2009 is It’s Raining Cats & Dogs:

Lovely package from Woolgirl

Dream In Color Smooshy

The contents of the June sock kit are awesome, so much swag:

Dream in Color Smooshy yarn in “It’s Raining Cats & Dogs” colorway

A bone calculator

Cute cat & dog notecards

Cute cat & dog stitch markers

Cute animal theme pattern tamers

Bunch of cute little cat/dog pendants

Stickers

Umbrella tape measure

Wooden “paw” needle size gauge thingy

Two patterns (sock & shawl)The yarn is super soft, the colours so look like a brindle dog coat — not a colour I’d specifically would go out and buy, but, hey…that’s what sock clubs are for…to break out of the box a little. Great thing about it is that I  see a pair of socks for Erwin in the future with this yarn. It’s perfect for him!

Speaking of Erwin, I finished his summer weight cotton blend socks

Lana Grossa Cotton blend yarn

And, I’ve already started a new pair for him using some handpainted Opal

Opal Handpainted yarn

Talking about cotton, I also finished my pair of Flame Wave socks done in Cascade Fixation cotton in the olive colourway

Flame Wave socks in Cascade Fixation

I really didn’t like this yarn. It was supposed to knit up very quickly, because it is thicker and the pattern called for 3.5 & 4.0 needles, but with the slight amount of elastic in it, I really struggled with the yarn. It just wouldn’t slide on the bamboo needles…Note to self: why didn’t you try your nickel plated needles duh?

I also finished up a pair of Monkey socks - yes “the” Monkey sock design by Cookie A using super smooshy Indigo Moon yarn

Monkey socks knit in Indigo Moon Yarn - Wine Country

As June wrapped up, and July came barrelling in, the July sock kit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts (Rockin’ Sock Club) arrivedI love the sticker that I got….sorta sums me up pretty well “I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick”…

The colourway is called “Garden Daze” and the colours represent those found in heritage tomatoes

BMFA Socks That Rock "Garden Daze"

I really love this colourway, and can’t wait to cast on. The pattern is for a shortie sock — anklets — but I’m not sure if I want to use that pattern for these socks.

What else have I been up to? Our weather in Ontario has been total pits….Bummer Summer as I call it.  But, thank goodness most of the gardening was done before I busted up my knee, everything is blooming away without very little intervention from me….

Asiatic Lily

Except for having to control these bugs….

Asiatic Lily Beetle

Asiatic Lily Beetle Larvae

Which means squishing their larvae by hand….encrusted in the parent’s feces….yummy…..I’m on a mission now…and you don’t need knees to do this!! Like, my sticker says, I like poking dead things with sticks - this is even better, squishing crap-encrusted larvae by hand - no stick between me & the poop covered babies…

Yes, it has been a long, long time…I’m happy to catch up. I leave you now with my bone calculator - forget about diamonds being a girl’s best friend…(the buttons are little paws LOL!!)

It’s only Tuesday - not even hump day - just a day of schlepping off to work and back. So nice though, to take that noon hour walk  at  nearby Stoney Creek trails.The usual suspects were hanging around: male mallards fighting over the birdseed we brought,  a deer in the rushes — too fast for our camera and the usual assortment of crazy squirrels.  We saw a scarlet tananger, but it was too high up in the treetop to take a decent photo.  And, we saw a raccoon, who froze and pretended to be part of the tree as we went by. The mama duck with her ducklings was nowhere to be seen today.

Back at the office, the mail brought a package of books from Amazon: a knitting book and a quilting book.

SPOILER ALERT for Indigo Moon Yarn and BMFA Rockin’ Sock clubs:

I had already received the BMFA May yarn - Pepe la Plume last Friday:

We had gotten hints about the yarn & pattern, all centering around Fraggle Rock - so most, including myself - was expecting a crazy, multi-coloured skein of yarn.But, the depraved dyer, Tina, played a little joke on us, and dyed up this lovely melange of dark purples, plums and lavender. The accompanying pattern is the Fraggle Rock connection, and it looks ……well…pretty crazy. All bubbly and stuff. If I ever attempt this pattern, I think that I’ll use a solid colour, or a semi-solid.

And, today,  keeping with the purple theme, a wonderful surprise from the Indigo Moon yarn club:

Apple Blossoms and Flowering Plum colourway…Yummmy…I absolutely LOVE this colour. It is as dusky and washed out as the photo. It  doesn’t scream “I’m purple”, which I really am happy about. It is so subtle as compared to Pepe la Plume. And, you know what? I love them both. Go figure.

And, finally (not the day…it’s still early and I’ve got things a happening….), got home to discover this in one of my flower gardens:I swear, this was not in the garden when I weeded there over the weekend. How can such an appendage grow in such a short period of time?

The "thing" growing in our flower garden

If you want to keep the April 2009 Woolgirl sock club kit a surprise - look away NOW!

Sweet! The April Woolgirl sock package arrived Wednesday! And, what a package it was!What could be lurking in such a big box? Notice the black tote?Now that’s some knitting bag!

Other swag:The April kit contained:

one skein of yummy Curious Creek yarn in the colour Old Kinsale

1 pattern for socks

1 pattern for a cowl

sock club tote/knitting bag

sheep cookie

teapot stitch marker

teapot tape measure

teapot notepad & tea bag too!

handmade art notecard

a little suitcase with 2 cute little sheepNow that’s a lot of swag!

Back at the start of the year I was really torn about joining the Woolgirl sock club. I had just joined BMFA Rockin’ Sock club — and that was the first sock club for me — and I  really wasn’t sure what to expect.  Now, don’t get me wrong, the RSC is fantastic, beautiful  hand-dyed yarns and patterns by hip designers — but I’m reallying enjoying the kits that Jen from Woolgirl puts together. It’s like a box of fun everytime one arrives!

I am so happy that I decided to join the Woolgirl sock club!

me no happy

Okay…so I’ve been frothing at the mouth for the April sock package from Woolgirl. Mail just came and nothing today.  So, I’m hoping (praying…begging…pleading…demanding…SIGH…persevering…) that I get it tomorrow!

Going to go stuff myself with chocolate now…………..

Wild Woolly waiting....

It has come to my attention (well…not really. Since Jen at Woolgirl posted last week that the April Sock packages were shipping Monday I’ve been stalking Ravelry like a frothy-mouthed hyena) that some lucky people — mostly on the West Coast — have received their second sock club package. I was determined not look at any spoilers this month, and that lasted about….hmmm about 5 seconds, and I had to look. Had to. I won’t spill the beans in this posting — but, it is phenomenal!!! I am soooo looking forward to receiving my package. I just have no patience (and apparently no self restraint) - why is that??

On another note, if you are a quilter, check this out: Amy @ Park City Girl blogspot has created/organized an amazing online quilt festival. At the moment, over 550 quilters who blog have submitted a quilt to the virtual festival. Mine is number 515.  It’s an awesome idea, and really getting quilters who blog jiving together. Hmm…could we do something like this with knitted socks??

Have you ever knit with Indigo Moon yarns? If you haven’t and are looking to treat yourself with some luxurious yarn, check out IM’s website: www.indigomoonyarns.com . I just love this yarn. The colours are to die for and it is so soft and luxurious, and comes in various weights making it great for socks & everything else!

And, now, Indigo Moon’s first ever yarn club starting in May 2009:

So here we are…the first Indigo Moon Yarn Club!!!!

How Long?

Subscriptions will run for 3 months with shipments in May, June and July 2009.

What colour?

All colourways will be dyed specifically for the yarn club. If a colourway seems the same as another colourway you’ve seen, please be assured that I did not repeat it. I am very particular about my colourways and feel that not everything works…or more correctly, it all works but I may not like it. And if I don’t like a colourway I won’t sell it…even if it is a never-before-done colourway (eg yellow and red).

All colourways are limited editions - I only paint/dye what has been ordered and are “Dyer’s Choice” at this time.

These colourways will be available only to IM Yarn Club subscribers.

What yarn?

The Yarn will be your ever favorite superwash merino in fingering wt. I will consider other base yarns in the future.

What is the cost?

$90 Canadian Subscription includes shipping of 1 skein per month.

$130 US Subscription (paid in Canadian funds) shipping of 1 skein per month.

Please contact me for international orders.

Gift Giving?

If you would like to purchase a subscription for a friend or family member, I am happy to bill the gift giver, and ship to the gift recipient. Please make a note on your order (there is a box to write “notes”) and whether it is a surprise or not.

Refunds

No refunds available once subscription buy-ins are finished on the April 15th.

When and how to order?

April 1, 2009 9am PST subscriptions will open and close April 15, 2009 or sooner if the maximum number of subscriptions have been reached. Payment will be due upon order (though it may not be billed till the 15th…if you need me to hold off for a day or two because your statement is due, just let me know). This will be going through my website.

Click here to choose a Canadian or US membership (payable in Canadian funds):

What if lost?info@indigomoonyarns.com.

I will hold back some skeins each month in case of loss in shipping. Each package will have a tracking number so if it doesn’t arrive we’ll find out why, and a replacement will be sent. These skeins will be available at the end of the 3 month subscription period to IM Yarn Club members only (how or when to be decided).

Next time?

All signees of this term will have first choice to sign up for the next term which has a planned start date of Sept 2009.

All the above information applies to this first Indigo Moon Yarn Club and may be revised for future yarn clubs. If you have any questions or comments, or if anything has been missed, please contact me at

Enjoy!!!

This club promises to be exciting!!

Has it been two months already?? Yesseriebob, Mr & Mrs Mail Carrier (a couple delivers our mail), showed up with the second club sock kit from BMFA today.

Introducing the newest member of our sock yarn family………….Ms.  Gertrude Skein!

BMFA Rockin' Sock Club March "Gertrude Skein"

And, the Rogue Roses pattern by the Yarn Harlot herself I’m feeling pretty proud of myself, because my guess (after the first hint we were taunted with), was something romantic and colours you would find in an English garden…soft pinks, greens, lavenders.

This just made my day!

Spoiler alert for Woolgirl’s 2009 Sock club:

Holy smokes batman! What a swank sock kit!! Oh, yeah, the first kit from Woolgirl’s 2009 Sock Club arrived at my doorstep yesterday.

This month’s kit theme is being (or becoming) the Queen of your knitting domain and it’s all about gold, Cleopatra (there’s even a club contest to enter all about Cleopatra). ME LIKE THAT. Me like that very, very much. This month’s kit is to inspire us to experience new patterns, techniques, colours and step outside the box (something I have a very hard time doing!!!)I had heard that Jen from Woolgirl puts together fabulous kits for her sock clubs, but this is far beyond my wildest expectations.

Look at how the kit arrived:Opening it up was just like Christmas morning!

The kit contained:1 skein of Serenity merino/cashmere sock yarn from Zen Garden (most beautiful gold colour - Gold Dynasty),

Zen Yarn Garden "Gold Dynasty"

a sock pattern, a scarf pattern, a silk sock sack from Lantern Moon, a queen of knitting pen, hand lotion, chocolates in a pyramid box, a calendar magnet with the club shipping dates, a handmade sheep card,

hand made Cleopatra sheep card from artist Willa Landino

a sample of SOAK, a hand-made Cleopatra themed stitch marker and sock club info sheets…wow!! I’m so impressed, and what a thrill to open all this stuff up. This year is going to be so much FUN!

Oh happy day! Here is part of the email that I just received from Woolgirl:

Hello and Welcome to the Oz Sock Club! This email is confirmation that you have made it into the entire club, and we’re so happy you are joining us for a year of Following the Yellow Brick Road, escaping Flying Monkeys, navigating through the Enchanted Forest, and clicking our heels three times to make our way back to Kansas in the end! It will be a super fun ride, and each kit will be unique and filled with a multitude of Oz goodies - of course this is in addition to the gorgeous yarn, Oz themed sock knitting bags, stitch markers, and patterns - that’s right Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore! Can you tell I just love throwing in the Oz terms whenever I possibly can? Prepare yourself for a year of that too!

What more can I say? The waiting to hear if I got in is over, and May, well, that’s just around the corner…on a yellow brick road, with my little dog following me, wearing my ruby slippers, meeting some weird folk……

Woolgirl's Oz Sock Club

Another sock club Toto?

Found out yesterday that Woolgirl is running yet ANOTHER sock club! This one is called the “Oz Sock Club” and starts in May09 and will run through until December 2010. The installments have terrific themes such as “over the rainbow”, “ruby slippers” and “flying monkeys” (Halloween theme). There are only 100 spots available and you have to make an application and by this Friday they will let you know if you “are in”. I really had to think about whether I wanted to join another sock club this year — but, geez…outside of work hours, knitting and quilting is what I do. (From Curb your Enthusiasm: Leon to LD “that’s what I doos, Larry”).

As a matter of fact, I don’t:  smoke, booze, gamble, go to malls, do a lot of travelling, buy jewelry or makeup, buy expensive clothing or shoes, etc.

By request, I make all gifts for family & friends, my husband and I shop frugally, we don’t go out to a lot of restaurants (I even hate fast food). Even my exercise program is el-cheapo –> walking, snowshoeing, biking, hiking.

I’m basically a homebody - and thank goodness my hubby is as well.

But, can I justify another sock club this year?After thinking about it for, hmm..about 5 minutes,  I sold myself on the idea and put in my application. So, it’s all a  waiting game now….