When Life Hands You Lemons....

...you knit.

I know that's not the proverbial answer but right now that is all I'm left with to keep me sane.

We have a teenager in the house, all of fourteen since last September. He is trying every inch of our patience and sanity. Everytime we turn our backs, something new and disturbing shows up. We have done the grounding thing, no effect really. We have tried pretty much everything any decent parent has in their arsonal... all to no effect. The boy is pretty much impervious to any and all punishments, nothing phases him or bothers him.

It got me thinking about knitting though. Knitting never argues with you, knitting never hits it's brother or comes up with new ways to embarrass the family (well, if it does, it's the knitter's fault-- thinking Christmas sweaters). If you don't your knitting, you send it back to the frog pond, set it aside until you feel like dealing with it or just bag the whole thing and walk away. No fuss, no muss. Easy squeezy, lemon-peazy! I love knitting, it's all that is keeping me sane in a newly insane life.

Maybe I'll make my son take up knitting, he has lots of spare time on his hands since he's grounded for life at present.

Happy Birthday Beastie!!

Our baby is no longer a baby anymore! I'm not sure if I want to cry or just think "man, I'm gettin' old."

Our wee beastie is no longer wee but a big ol' EIGHT years old. Still cute as a button though!!


He has a day of games and Red Robin with family and friends. Hope it's a great one for such a great kid! As you can see, he's very excited about it all (and his rice pudding was pretty yummy too he said). ;-)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day!! Hope yours is going as well as mine!

Hubby went WAAAYYY beyond cool this year with "A Valentine for All Your Senses" He had a CD of songs with 'love' in the title, my favorite movie, choooocooollaate, roses and... are you ready for this?? YARN!!

He went to my favorite yarn store Twist. Being the awesome hubby he is and knowing I am having having a sock knitting fetish, asked for sock yarn then purchased TWO gorgeous hanks. Funny thing is, he picked the Alpaca Sox I'd been eyeballing for him. Good taste that guy has!!

I think he deserves a BIIIGGG present, hehe.

The Holidays Are Upon Us!

Where has the time gone? Why am I always surprised when December rolls around?

If you're stuck for ideas, here's a great place to start!! Sew Mama Sew She has thirty days of making things for Christmas. I know we're in a bit already, but there are some great ideas!

Heck, I'm still trying to work off all the yummy food from Thanksgiving and now it's time for Christmas shopping. I'm really looking forward to this year. Hope you are too!! Now to fiqure out who is 'worthy' of those handmade gifts and what the heck to make!! Hmmm. Now where's my naughty/nice list??

Halloween Carnage!!

It's a wee Harry Potter ready and anxious to start the festivities! He's soo cute!





Here is our hero Link guarding the haul and what a great haul it was!! Soooo much candy, holy cow!!(Love the look on his face, "mine I tell ya, MINE!!")



Now for the really scary stuff!! Hubby was EmoBoy and I was a school girl gone bad. I think we love Halloween almost more then the kiddies!!

I actually have been doing some knitting, but not much. I haven't gotten the camera away from my mom in awhile (in case anyone noticed a serious lack of posting, eep). Now I need to get back on the blogging stick! I miss it here! I have been teaching an early morning class for church called seminary. It's a scripture study, this year focusing on Old Testament and it takes me about THREE hours a day to prepare. Seems like that's all I've done lately- study and prepare for class. I have been getting it under control though so time to get back to other things like blogging and knitting (and maybe some laundry and cleaning toilets... Nah)!!!!

OH man! It's Been Far Too Long!!

WOW, have I neglected my poor little blog! Now I know what it feels like to be busy, but whew!

Many new changes have occured around here, not all good. We lost one of family members, our beloved little yorkie, Mindy, a few weeks back. She suddenly had a seizure and never really came back from it. The one good thing was she really never knew what hit her. We loved her dearly, she was sweet, kind and so tiny.

On a more positive note, we added a NEW family member. The stick household now has Suki, a silky terrier (we think). There had been no plans to have a second doggie again, but our dear Suki showed up unannounced, literally bounding into our lives. There is no walking with this little girl, just levels of bounce. I don't think she is much more then a year old and cute as she can be!!

This also bring me to some exciting news!! My KIP group has begun their own team to earn money and run for Wookstock in Oct. It is the yearly HUGE fundraiser for our local Humane Society. I started the team with the small goal of raising $150, I bet we can get there plus some!! You can join us or just see what's going on at Yarn Hounds

There has been a little knitting on some lovely new yarn I purchased from a friend on Etsy! You can find her yarn on Etsy at Yarndale . She uses a lovely wool, nylon blend. It is silky smooth to work with and the colors are deep and rich. I have gotten several compliments from my KIP group. The colors are even more lovely in person, give her a try!!

Happy Birthday Brodi!

I would like to proudly introduce you to my new nephew, Benjamin Brodi. Brodi was born Friday night at 12:30 and weighs 5 lbs, 4 ozs. He is a bit early, but all is well and he will get to come home Tuesday!! (He has had to have a breathing tube due to his earliness) I get to go for a visit in a week!! My sister is doing well also and came home Sunday. He looks so cute and tiny, I can't wait!!

While my sister was in labor, my family and I were doing all the Potter parties! After sending the kids home with hubby, I waited patiently for midnight like every other fan, but learned from experiance to go to Walmart and NOT wait in the huge Borders line (I waited 2 hours to pick up my copy and then pay last time). Sure enough, walked into Walmart, zipped through a super fast line and was in my car within 20 minutes. Walking past Borders, people were sitting on the floor still waiting to get their book. Hubby and I finished reading and still walking around with our jaws hanging open when we think about all that happened! (No worries, no spoilers here).

Now, since the book is read I can get on with some baby knitting. Must.. work.. faster!!

Order of the Phoenix ROCKS!

We got to see it!! We got to see it!! MAN, I know I'm not the first and won't be the last to wonder how the heck they made my least favorite Harry Potter book into, I think, the best movie!?!?" All my family and I could say was "WOW!!"

This is becoming the most exciting month for us geeks! A new Harry Potter movie with the final book nipping on it's heals (I'm part excited, sad and "concerned" about the book). Plus,my favorite RPG mod, Aielund Saga is also coming to it's long awaited finale. (It's a "Neverwinter Nights" mod in case you're wondering)

Of course with the new movie means some fabulous new knitting!!! So many cute scarves and some really awesome new sweaters. DARK school sweaters and check out Hermione's gryffindor hoodie!! I need it! OOOH BOY!!

Um, I really need to lay off the exclamation points. Yike

Best Secret Pal EVER!!

Mangy Ratso has got the be the BEST Secret Pal in the history of Secret Pals!! SP10 has come to a close (signups are getting ready for sp11).

Mangy Ratso (who has still not told me her real name) sent me the most luscious gourmet chocolates from San Francisco- Lemon Verbeana or Pink Peppercorn chocolates anyone? No? Good, 'cause I ate them! She also sent THREE hanks of alpaca to match the chocolates (YUM!!), five hanks of lucsious Classic Elite robin's egg blue cotton (my favorite color, which she knew), one beautiful hank of HER handspun, enough for socks or a scarf AND a nifty booklet on yarn requirements for many projects. SUPER handy for shopping!!


I just stood with my mouth hanging open as all of this fabulousness kept poring out. Thank you so much Mangy Ratso, you are FABULOUS!!!

Happy Birthday America!!

Hope everyone has a great Independance Day!! Keep is safe and sane. (Ugh, those 'mom' words just must be said right?)

Hope your day is full of family, friends and some good bar-b-q!!

In The Pink

These little boxes are kinda addicting!! Once you get the hang of the process, it's pretty fun!! These little puppies can be found to take home for your very own at StickchicShwag Yes, I'm trying to get you to go shopping!! Check out Etsy! You won't be disappointed with all the wonderful artisans there!!

Boxed In

Finally!! I've been working on protypes and finally!!! A finished file folder circular needle case. Designed like a camera case, but stiffer, this little fabric box is custom sized for circular needles. I found little ziploc baggies each circ fits neatly into.Now there should be no more digging for my size in my big box or losing those little plastic things each needle comes in. Also, the little baggies are great for those small things like stitch markers, pompom makers, and row counters. I stuck them in a baggy and there they sit waiting with my needles. Just like a little rolodex, just grab the size divider, pull out the baggy and get whatever needle you're looking for!! Right at your fingertips!!

I have been hoping I'm not the only one that thinks this is a good idea. I've never seen anything like it and I'm hoping that's not because it's crazy. Only one way to find out!!
These two (and hopefully some more), plus some other things, are in my etsy store. The link is over on the sidebar, feel free to use it alllll you want!! What's a little self promotion right? hehe

The Secret is Out!!

It came, it finally came!!! Poor Barb sent my shawl for the International Scarf Exchange 4 awhile ago. It finally arrived yesterday!! (I had to get the camera from my mom, some people!) It is very lovely, in shades of blue (my favs lately). Just perfect to wear with almost anything! It's small enough to take anywhere too, but covers the shoulders just right for those chilly airconditioners. Barb also included two skiens of fun verigated cotton that I haven't seen but will be putting to use!!

Thank you Barb, it's perfect!!!

International Knitting in Public Day

Be sure and celebrate International Knitting in Public Day this Saturday, June 9th!! Do it with some friends, your guild or even alone! Muggles will stare and all will be good in the world!

Knitters Unite!!!!!!!!!

Makin' a Run For It!!

This weekend went zooming by!! I ran in my first ever competitive race and WOW, was it exhilarating!!! I want to do it again!! Wichita has the RiverRun and I participated in the two mile. There is also a 10k for the real runners, but being a newbie, maybe next year (or maybe not). I have been working very hard to get into better shape and have lost 22 pounds so far.

Larissa inspired me with her Nike Run 100 miles. She is a knitter who runs (or is that a runner who knits? Hmmm). Something clicked, I wanted to be running out there too. I haven't really shared this with anyone until today, but it just sounds so right. I mean, it is my blog name and all right? RUNNING with Sticks. It started out being a joke- don't run with pointy objects like your mommy told you. Now it seems to have a whole new meaning, one I want to try to embrace. There are more small races this month and I think I will try them out, see what happens. There was something liberating, exciting, inspiring about running outside as opposed to my treadmill. The cheering, the sun beating on us, the push of the crowd and even the funny number you pin on your shirt. The idea that you are doing something different, special and by some, crazy.

I do realize this was only two miles, but my heart called out for MORE!! My soul leaped as the real runners went by finishing the 10k as we waited our turn to start. It was a siren call and I want to respond. Now if my dang knees will only hush!!! (Did you know knees can sound like rice crispies? Snap, crackle, Pop)

Chinese Take-out

Well, it's only one more bag but this is my favorite. I've been holding onto this fabric, not sure what I wanted to do with it until it finally clicked.I've been really trying to find new things to try in my Etsy shop, but these bags are so fun and keep coming. I have a new idea for a circular needle case, but I'm only starting to develop it. Now if someone would give my bags a new home so I can buy more supplies!!!

Birthday Week!!!

This has got to be the funnest birthday week ever! Presents have been coming in and my birthday isn't until Friday! Sweet!!

This DELICIOUS bag full of baby cashmerino came from my bestest friend Dawn. She is sooo sneaky!! Dawn lives in England and IM'ed me to ask where I like to order yarn for her sis. (Silly me, I know her sis doesn't knit/crochet), but did I catch on? Nope!! A few days later, this most wonderful bag arrived!! Dawn sent all these colors for me to use in the Granny Along, how cool is she?!?! She knows I'm addicted to baby cashmerino (or any cashmerino really) and like the super fabulous friend she is, feeds my yarn habit.

Yesterday, this awesome package arrived from my AWESOME secret pal, Mangy Ratso!! Isn't that the cutest name? She is soo good at being secret, but promised to tell the story of her name. I'm betting it's as great as she is!! The kit is from Pacific Wool and Fiber in Oregon. I have really been wanting to learn to spin. This is such a thoughtful gift! There is an instruction booklet, a drop spool and some silk roving. (I hope I'm using the right words, gotta learn the lingo) Mangy Ratso says the silk spins into a beautiful, translucent yarn. OOOH, ahhh! (She is so sneaky that there was no name on the package, only the invoice. Very sly, this one!!)

Last but not least!! My tote from ITE3 arrived all the way from Singapore. Cassie sent this a few months ago, in time for the final date but the mail had other ideas. I had given up hope and then TA-DA, here this beauty came. It is just perfect too. She customized a Noni pattern to fit my needs and right in time for my birthday. She couldn't have timed it better!

Thank you all my wonderful friends!! This is shaping up to be the most wonderful birthday ever and there are still a few days to go!! The surprises keep rolling in! It's overwhelming (in such a good way) to feel so much love and friendship. Truly, the land of knitting is filled with the most wonderful people ever!

International Tote Exchange 4 Coming!!

Hey everyone, it's that special time again!! Time to sign up for the International Tote Exchange 4!! You can go here to get signed up and get the questionaire to post on their blog site. It is really a fun way to get to know more knitters and really stretch those creative juices. I met my very best friend in the whole world on ITE2!!

Granny got Tipsy!?

I joined the Granny Along and found this. It is a whole new way to look at Grannies!! (eek). Not just your grandmother's crochet anymore is it? Think I'll stick to the blanket I had in mind though. I mean really, what the heck yarn would you use to stand up to swimming in the neighborhood pool?? (haha)

More Bag Love!!

I have been having big fun at Goodwill. The two bigger bags are vintage pillowcases I found and recycled into knitting totes (or anything totes). So fun and bright!! I hope someone shopping on Etsy agrees!! You can visit my Etsy shop here. Sorry the pictures look kinda dark, I took them at night. I wanted to get them on here while I was in the mood. The real purses and the Etsy listing are much better!! I'm still learning this camera and well, anyone knows nightime in your poorly lit sewing room are not professional quality. Hehe